Australian GP 2010 - Melbourne

[roost89]

Rainmaster has finally set a time, though wayyy off the pace! 1.39.944 (+14.143 sec)

I wonder what might be happening with him.....

Who's The Rainmaster?

Also: How come HRT didn't set a time? Technical difficulties or just didn't want to drive in the rain?

[Danlizzyman]

I was in Albert Park today, saw most corners during the 2 sessions. I was standing at turn 11 when Koba broke his front wing, everyone slowed down coming into the corner when they saw the debris except Michael who came in fully committed. Maybe his eyesight isn't what it used to be, but I was super impressed! He looked on the edge in that chicane for the whole time I was there, but I didn't stand at that corner during FP2 so I don't know if they improved on the setup.

I was also very impressed with Schumi at the end of FP2 (at this stage I was up at the exit of turn 2), the track had just dried but nobody else was making any significant improvements to my knowledge, he put together some very committed laps. It really is great to see him back!

The Red Bulls looked fantastic, stable under braking and cornering, looks such a well balanced car. Ferraris looked well balance also, if somewhat unspectacular, which was reflected in the lap times. They weren't working with low fuel at any stage I would say. Lewis also looked fast, I wouldn't be his biggest fan but looking on from trackside there's no doubting he knows what he's doing behind the wheel, a class act.

I agree with Fil that the Renault is the loudest engine, although I thought it was louder in the works car. It has a huge deep sound once it passes you. I thought the Ferrari engine sounded louder in the Toro Rosso than in the works team. The downshifts are really loud in person too, doesn't come across on tv. I didn't wear earplugs at any point and my ears feel fine at the moment, might have just got away with it!

Also, turns 6/7 and 11/12 is the place to go to be blown away by how much speed they carry through seemingly tight corners, amazing stuff. Can't wait for Sunday!

[raceman]

Rainmaster has finally set a time, though wayyy off the pace! 1.39.944 (+14.143 sec)

I wonder what might be happening with him.....

Who's The Rainmaster?

Also: How come HRT didn't set a time? Technical difficulties or just didn't want to drive in the rain?

I am sure WB will beat you to death.

Michael Schumacher is called the rainmaster for his impressive skills to drive in rain!!!


HRT's cars had problems, with Chandhok breaking down at the exit of pit lane whilst Senna didn't show up altogether!

[hollus]

F1fanatic is posting graphs with all laps of all drivers in the free practice sessions, including the time at which they were made. Good stuff.
http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2010/03/26/a ... -analysis/
FP1 is up, FP2 should be coming soon.

[creedbratton]

WOO!! first post!

I spent the day down at turn 3 and I can say there is no need to pay someone to cut the grass on the inside of the corner, because its seems that Kubica has stolen there job. Bob was running over the curb and going onto the grass every lap, so much so that there is white paint on the grass that was originally on the ripple strip.

Another thing i picked up was the Renaults back firing right on the apex of turn 3.

Also quick question, going into turn 4 is there an upchange or down change? Because which ever it was Webber seemed to be holding gear through turn 4.

[raceman]

WOO!! first post!

I spent the day down at turn 3 and I can say there is no need to pay someone to cut the grass on the inside of the corner, because its seems that Kubica has stolen there job. Bob was running over the curb and going onto the grass every lap, so much so that there is white paint on the grass that was originally on the ripple strip.

Another thing i picked up was the Renaults back firing right on the apex of turn 3.

Also quick question, going into turn 4 is there an upchange or down change? Because which ever it was Webber seemed to be holding gear through turn 4.

When you are at turn 3, you are in gear 2 at 93 km/h. Up to turn 4, you are in gear 3 at 145 km/hr. So, there is an upshift rather than a downshift whilst holding the gear when turning in turn 4 as it is a high-speed turn.


@ppl who have been at Aus GP practice sessions: post some photos pls.

[creedbratton]

Everyone else seemed to be shifting, while Webber held his gear, thats the impression i got from what i heard.

The only photos i got were of Kobayashis car being lifted by a crane shortly after FP1, and they are camera phone pics.

[roost89]

Rainmaster has finally set a time, though wayyy off the pace! 1.39.944 (+14.143 sec)

I wonder what might be happening with him.....

Who's The Rainmaster?

Also: How come HRT didn't set a time? Technical difficulties or just didn't want to drive in the rain?

I am sure WB will beat you to death.

Michael Schumacher is called the rainmaster for his impressive skills to drive in rain!!!


HRT's cars had problems, with Chandhok breaking down at the exit of pit lane whilst Senna didn't show up altogether!

Ah, thanks Raceman. Didn't realise it was MS that was the Rainmaster. I thought it was one of the newer rainmasters

The Hispania cars aren't doing so well it seems. Hopefully more running tomorrow.

[vyselegend]

=D> Congrats!


Bring back lots of spy pics!

Seriously try to shoot a few things if you're allowed to...

haha one of the first things i asked actually, and they said specifically, not once you're in the actual pitbox. they didn't want pics of the diffuser.

that didn't stop me taking pics & uploading to Twitter tho!

http://twitter.com/Filbo_/status/11070433217
http://twitter.com/Filbo_/status/11070351037
http://twitter.com/Filbo_/status/11070279684

Got to stand next to Webber's dad, see Vettel's car being worked on, Webber come back in from his recon lap, hear Webber talk about his lap (including complaining of the fire extinguisher leaking in Vettel's car being fired up, had to step aside for Webber's personal trainer (he's a big bloke!) and then caught Vettel's eye on the way out.. i smiled, but his look was more of 'how the hell did u get in here, please don't hurt me!'

Was an absolutely amazing experience!

The rest of FP1 was great too.. i'll post up my photos later on.. back at work now..

That was worth trying! Waiting for the rest of the pics...
Glad you enjoyed that experience, it's kind of a unique moment in a racefan's life.

Thanks for sharing on F1T!


I tink Red Bull and Ferrari will still be a step ahead of everyone, with Mac Laren maybe closer than two weeks ago. Then it seems very tight again between Marcedes and Renault. But Mercedes has a line-up advantage, Renault is still a one car team ATM (Petrov looks good thought).

[ringo]

Just got home from the track, don't know if this has been mentioned but our buddy Peter Windsor was doing track side commentary including the odd mention of USF1 when talking about the newer teams difficulties...was quite surprised. Saw Vettel spin late in the second session, it really is amazing how fast these guys react.

It's not the first time ive seen him spin there. Wonder if this is one of his least favourite tracks?

[djones]

Apparently Schumachers last lap would have been fastest in FP2 but he messed up the last corner (had a load of understeer).

That says to me he's doing laods of qualifying practice this time, given how poor he was in the first race.

Although I think they will still be around 1 second off the pace I reckon MS will out qualify and finish higher than NR this time - and pretty much every race from now on.

[Mr Alcatraz]

Mike would have had the fastest time in FP1 as he was easily under the best time after S2 when the red flag came out!
For whatever you may think that is worth.
Mike drove through the red flag, and no time was posted for that sector.
That was a little dodgy, as he could get slapped with a penalty for ignoring the red flag!

[Just_a_fan]

I was in Albert Park today, saw most corners during the 2 sessions. I was standing at turn 11 when Koba broke his front wing, everyone slowed down coming into the corner when they saw the debris except Michael who came in fully committed. Maybe his eyesight isn't what it used to be, but I was super impressed!

No yellow flags waving at the time I hope! If there were then that is not impressive at all. If not then fair enough although to assume that "debris + no yellow flag = OK to nail it through there" is a touch risky. Just needs a slow-to-react flag marshall and he could have walloped in to a big shunt. Presumably he'd been through there already on the previous lap and so was confident it was no problem.

[Mysticf1]

Or at the very least, raise a hand in recognition of the flag marshals like Mika Hakkinen used to...

[segedunum]

You could clearly see the red flags waving when Michael Schumacher set that time. A penalty should be a no-brainer, but maybe the powers upstairs think that might dampen the possibility of Schumacher competing at the sharp end........