Australian GP 2009 ( finally! )

[myurr]

Trulli's pitlane to 3rd was better

That Toyota is a much faster car!! The very fact that Hamilton finished as close to Trulli as he did speaks volumes about how much pace he was ringing out of that car.

[djos]

What happened to Weber? He has an unforgettable race. What's his excuse this time?

Barichello drove into the side of him turn 1, lap 1 and took his front wing off (should have been penalised for an avoidale accident imo) and then Webbo got stuck behind "Slow Nick" who was only able to keep Webbo behind him by using his KERS!

RBR should have short filled Webbo, slapped the super soft's on his car for 10 laps and then fuelled him to the finish!

Re Vettel + Kubica, both share the blame 50/50 imo, kubica didn't leave room and vettel refused to roll-over when beaten.

[Roland Ehnström]

then Webbo got stuck behind "Slow Nick" who was only able to keep Webbo behind him by using his KERS!

Heidfeld claims he was slow because his car was also damaged after the turn one mess: http://www.f1technical.net/news/11962

Re Vettel + Kubica, both share the blame 50/50 imo, kubica didn't leave room and vettel refused to roll-over when beaten.

I agree they share the blame, but to me it's rather 60/40 Vettel than 50/50. Kubica did leave Vettel some room, and they would both have been OK if Vettel hadn't understeered out from the apex. When Kubica pulled up alongside Vettel should have realised that he was beaten and ought to have cashed-in the podium finish rather than risk everything. Kubica on his part should have been more careful and could have opened the door more, he would still have been able to complete the pass. I hope they both learn from it.

[Steven]

What happened to Weber? He has an unforgettable race. What's his excuse this time?

Can you please watch the race or read the race report before trying to discuss it here? Thank you.

[PlatinumZealot]

Hamilton gets 3rd now =D>

He is unstoppable.. OK enough from me for today..

[hulmerist]

shame he didn't get to go on the podium and really shove it in peoples faces

[myurr]

Just rewatching the race (first time I've ever done this!!) and the safety car timing is soooo suspect. Probably jumping to conclusions but Brundle called it immediately and then the second Button emerges from the pits the SC is deployed.

By delaying it for so long they caused all manner of confusion. Definitely a strange call that one.

[ben_watkins]

Great race, really happy for all at Brawn GP! Well done =D> =D>

Shame on Vettel, as he said on the radio to his team, he was really stupid. However I've got to say that Kubica should have given a bit more room, but like others have said I think it's great that they took the fight to the Brawns and that fighting on track for position is what we all want to see.

I've got to say, to those who say Honda must be gutted, they surely will be double gutted, as without that Merc engine in the back, I don't think the Brawn would be as fast as it might have been with the Honda power plant. Their engine was no where near as powerfull, or controlled as the Merc.

Let's hope that the Brawn team get to keep thier points at the appeal hearing!

I suspect the Ferrari retirements were KERS related.. Any corroberation on that?

Bring on race 2!!!

[zgred]

Lots off action this week. Penalties before race, after race. And now for Vettel - Vettel gets Sepang grid penalty.
I hope next week we will have even more on track action, less steward involvement.
Surprisingly first corner went without carmageddon of the front wings.

[djos]

Lots off action this week. Penalties before race, after race. And now for Vettel - Vettel gets Sepang grid penalty.
I hope next week we will have even more on track action, less steward involvement.
Surprisingly first corner went without carmageddon of the front wings.

That's pathetic FIA Steward consistency as per bloody usual, Webbo get his race ruined by Barichello who wasn't even in the corner to begin with and he gets off scott free and yet Vettel who was along side Kubica gets a penalty!!!! [-X

[ben_watkins]

That's pathetic FIA Steward consistency as per bloody usual, Webbo get his race ruined by Barichello who wasn't even in the corner to begin with and he gets off scott free and yet Vettel who was along side Kubica gets a penalty!!!! [-X

From what Rubens said, he was hit from behind by Kovi...

[casper]

Weber will be running out of excuses for his mistakes. He takes too much chances overtaking in the opening laps, and attracts cars to bump into him rather like moths to fires. RBR would be better off replacing him. If he's fast only during practice rather than on the actual race, demote him as a test driver.

[myurr]

That's pathetic FIA Steward consistency as per bloody usual, Webbo get his race ruined by Barichello who wasn't even in the corner to begin with and he gets off scott free and yet Vettel who was along side Kubica gets a penalty!!!! [-X

From what Rubens said, he was hit from behind by Kovi...

And Vettel got his fine for not stopping with a damaged car.

I do think we've seen other drivers penalised for less in the past. However as long as the stewards are consistent throughout the rest of the year I'm happy for them to intervene less.

[kilcoo316]

What would stop the teams from using 2008 gearbox/suspension on the '09 cars?

2009 engine mount points?

If the gearbox does not fit onto the engine....


Also, where does KERS go into all this? Is it within the gearboxes? Or run off the engine crank?

[timbo]

Yes, and for winner take all apologists watch what happened with Robert and Sebastian taking 2 points-worth risks.