The F1 thread

stickyfiddle

Mercedes were doing their own thing in testing, as usual. Not sandbagging, just not going for ultimate quick laps. The good news is Vettel and Leclerc both look quick, and Red Bull seem close behind

The major thing is Sauber/Alfa seemed to have built a great car but potentially hired a muppet in Giovanazzi... Also suggests Ferrari's engine probably wasn't turned up full in FP2.

FX_Munkee

Cols said:

Mercedes are worryingly fast in FP2.  Were they sandbagging in Barcelona testing, or are Ferrari sandbagging today?

I think both. Which makes it really difficult to work out if I've got my Fantasy F1 team right, dammit!

TimmyO

Nice article on Beeb website about the differing approaches that Mercedes and Ferrari are taking to the front wing 

Not looking great for McLaren so far :-( 

thumpingrug

Qualifying part 1 has thrown up a few odd results but what's more interesting is how close they appear be be time wise.

thumpingrug

And now qualifying  is over, I'm surprised at how big the gap is.

PC_Dave

And that result pretty much sums up how the rest of the season will unfold. Quite glad I didn’t spend the money on a sky subscription now.....

siremoon

Don't think much of the bloke Sky have got in to replace Ted Kravitz.  Delivery more wooden than a timber merchant.

Cols

PC_Dave said:

And that result pretty much sums up how the rest of the season will unfold. Quite glad I didn’t spend the money on a sky subscription now.....

I don’t know; Albert Park is always a bit of a funny one.  

prowla

I think it's on Sky One tomorrow, as a one-off, but not sure I'll watch it, given that the rest of the season is closed.

TimmyO

PC_Dave said:

And that result pretty much sums up how the rest of the season will unfold. Quite glad I didn’t spend the money on a sky subscription now.....

It's the first race of a season after technical regulation changes. If you stuck with the sport beyond one race per season you'd understand that. 

TimmyO

My eldest got his Mum to drop him at mine at 0430 so we could watch the buildup live. she was *delighted* by this lol 

PC_Dave

TimmyO said:

PC_Dave said:

And that result pretty much sums up how the rest of the season will unfold. Quite glad I didn’t spend the money on a sky subscription now.....

It's the first race of a season after technical regulation changes. If you stuck with the sport beyond one race per season you'd understand that. 

I’ve been watching F1 since I was 6...... that’s 30 years. I’m quite familiar with how it pans out, but thanks for the patronising comment.

Fretwired

Norris has done well for McLaren. Looks like he could become the new Hamilton.

Hamilton seems to be continuing where he left off. He's in a class of his own. Worryingly for Vettel it also seems Bottas has stepped up his game. I hope this season doesn't turn into a one horse race.

Cols

Hamilton’s always damned quick around Albert Park.  I wouldn’t write off the whole season just yet on the basis of this.

DesVegas

Hamilton says he's not defending his championship, he's fighting for it. Excellent. Hope Ricardo gets up near the front this season

duotone

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/47527705

Apologies if this has been posted already, it's by "The Secret Aerodynamicist"

TimmyO

PC_Dave said:

TimmyO said:

PC_Dave said:

And that result pretty much sums up how the rest of the season will unfold. Quite glad I didn’t spend the money on a sky subscription now.....

It's the first race of a season after technical regulation changes. If you stuck with the sport beyond one race per season you'd understand that. 

I’ve been watching F1 since I was 6...... that’s 30 years. I’m quite familiar with how it pans out, but thanks for the patronising comment.

You're welcome - I was shooting for a tone that matched your considered assessment of the world's most sophisticated sport 

TimmyO

Cols said:

Hamilton’s always damned quick around Albert Park.  I wouldn’t write off the whole season just yet on the basis of this.

exactly. Look at last seasons early results versus the end result. 

goldtop

TimmyO said:

PC_Dave said:

TimmyO said:

PC_Dave said:

And that result pretty much sums up how the rest of the season will unfold. Quite glad I didn’t spend the money on a sky subscription now.....

It's the first race of a season after technical regulation changes. If you stuck with the sport beyond one race per season you'd understand that. 

I’ve been watching F1 since I was 6...... that’s 30 years. I’m quite familiar with how it pans out, but thanks for the patronising comment.

You're welcome - I was shooting for a tone that matched your considered assessment of the world's most sophisticated sport 

F1 is many things, but it's clearly not a sport.

Fretwired

DesVegas said:

Hamilton says he's not defending his championship, he's fighting for it.

He always says that .... I think Hamilton's still the favourite again this year.