Australian GP 2010 - Melbourne

[feynman]

I can't see it. They were still the thick end of a second away from Red Bull and Ferrari on raw qualifying pace.

It is surely pretty clear that a very large chunk, perhaps almost all, of that time is ride-height related. Compare the race pace. If the other teams get a move-on with their own shonky dampers within the next coupla races, you might witness most of that qualifiying disparity evaporate.

Malaysia will probably be the first chance for the f-duct to really stretch it's legs, be interesting to see; hang on to your wigs and keys heading up and down those two ultra-long straights.

[wesley123]

Great race, Hamilton was pretty much quickest all race, but again like allways it is an red bull that doesnt seem to be able to drive fairly, remember what happens last year very often, it was mostly a collision with an red bull, like 9 times in the pits, on the track also very often, if one team dont deserve the world chamionship it is red bull.

Button also drove very well, a well placed pit stop and a staggering 52 laps on the same tyres, great race

[timbo]

It is surely pretty clear that a very large chunk, perhaps almost all, of that time is ride-height related. Compare the race pace.

You can't tell reliably how quick McLaren were compared to others on race pace in such a day. E.g. Vettel never had to rush, and Webber holds fastest lap. Even Nico put a lap faster than Hamilton, and Schumacher was faster than Button.
Bahrain also has long straights but Hamilton's FL was 1.3 seconds slower than Alonso's.

[Mr Alcatraz]

To all forum participants : Who do you think drove the best race today!!

In my view, Alonso's was probably the most steller drive of all today. He made a poor start and had an unfortunate incident immediately after; But his race after the safety car period was outstanding.
He overtook the back markers easily, without wasting much time (unlike Schumacher in his Mercedes). He didn't do anything fancy after he climbed upto the top ten.

He (and his team) then went ahead with a very tricky tyre strategy. But credits to him, he looked after the tyres very well and drove a very sensible race, much unlike Massa.
Massa looked in awful shape in the last 3rd of the race. He was slipping and sliding and was all over the place. Whereas, Alonso looked very much in control; He had the same pace as Massa, if not more. After he climbed up to behind Massa, he drove very sensibly, didn't try too hard to attack Massa, kept just behind him all the way, making sure he ended the race in good shape as far as the tyres are conserned, and at the same time was ready to take advantage if Massa made a mistake.

But, his defence against Hamilton was superb. When Hamilton caught up with him, he was gaining more than a second a lap on Alonso. Inspite of that Alonso managed to defend his position and did it masterfully. =D> =D> =D>

+1 Fred was brilliant

[christopher.mahlon]

At least Webber hit him from "behind" so the term "raped" applies more appropriately.

My point, however, is that we're talking about a car race. Rape is one of the most brutal things a person can do to another person, and to use it to describe the events of a car race is unnecessary and degrades the force of the word. We should be shocked when we hear about it, and we shouldn't casually throw it around in reference to collisions on the track.

But this is off topic, and I will stop hijacking the thread now.

[horse]

Even Nico put a lap faster than Hamilton, and Schumacher was faster than Button.

Rosberg, Schumacher and Hamilton made two pits stops and Button made only one, so a comparison with Button is not fair.

[vall]

[quote="meves"]Alonso drove well but he made up most of his positions in the pits during the change from wets to slicks and then when the Merc of Rosberg and the McLaren Hamilton were called in. So a good drive but not amazing as he didn't really get past any of the lead drivers on the track like Hamilton managed.[/quo

Who knows that would happen. Had Hammy and Rosberg stayed out, they may have been overtaken by Alonso. He was very quick.

[Shaddock]

I don't understand the logic. Years back when MS came few time from last to finish 4th or win, then it was a stellar performance. But when Alonso does the same, it is just a good race......

As for LH, yes, he did overtake several people but failed to do that when mattered most (RK and FA). So in the end of the day he finished where he was after the first corner. Besides, he destroyed his tires and started whining.

I think the point that people are trying to make is that Lewis overtook drivers that were quick today, Button, Massa, Rosberg, not cars that were 5 seconds off the pace.

By your own logic Alonso stared P2 and lost places and was stuck behind Massa for 30+ laps, Lewis started P11 and gained places.

[vall]

I don't understand the logic. Years back when MS came few time from last to finish 4th or win, then it was a stellar performance. But when Alonso does the same, it is just a good race......

As for LH, yes, he did overtake several people but failed to do that when mattered most (RK and FA). So in the end of the day he finished where he was after the first corner. Besides, he destroyed his tires and started whining.

I think the point that people are trying to make is that Lewis overtook drivers that were quick today, Button, Massa, Rosberg, not cars that were 5 seconds off the pace.

By your own logic Alonso stared P2 and lost places and was stuck behind Massa for 30+ laps, Lewis started P11 and gained places.

The point I want to make is that LH did overtake them but destoyed his tire in the process and at the end he finished behind all of them. That's a fact.

As for who gained what, you are right, but I would count only after the 1st corner mess. Everyone could have a bad start and get spun by another guy. After the 1st corner Alonso was dead last and quickly recovered, even caught Hammy after 15 laps, or so

[ESPImperium]

Who thinks that we should have a sprinkler system installed into every track, and a computer randomly either turns on one sector or the whole track for a random ammount of time.

Could that be the answer to "boring" F1???

[Mr Alcatraz]

How about we begin to refer to drivers by their real names, and not some random pet names ?

Not a chance in Hell

[meves]

The point I want to make is that LH did overtake them but destoyed his tire in the process and at the end he finished behind all of them. That's a fact.

I'm not sure he did destroy the tyres, he hasn't said that post the race nor did the team. The tyres felt awful at the end of the race as he was stuck in traffic and being a petulant child about being brought in on the radio to his team. Also Alonso didn't manage to overtake his team mate so he was limited and would've had issues getting past Hamilton as Massa was between.

All this race told me was, McLaren are quick in the race, Red Bull, Merc and Massa's Ferrari ate their tyres but Alonso managed to make his last a lot better. Kubica did a great job in inferior equipment and rain is the only way to make overtaking work, the race would've been a procession without it.

[BorisTheBlade]

Also I could not understand the commentry because mein deutsch ist zu scheiß.

You made my day

[Mr Alcatraz]

Who thinks that we should have a sprinkler system installed into every track, and a computer randomly either turns on one sector or the whole track for a random ammount of time.

Could that be the answer to "boring" F1???

Yea' and throw out an occasional spike strip

[ESPImperium]

I think Vettel and his driving style has something to do with it as well. He is going out to beat everyone hands down, where Jensons smooth driving style in comparison isnt taking everything out the car/engine/tyres. What Vettel needs to go and do now is go karting and get into a more of a mechanised driving style, keep to a lap time consistantly. Schumacher and Button can do it, but many more need to learn to be more race-pace wise, keep to a time and not push it when the car is there, but the tyres may not last it, keep the pace even to make the tyres go longer, therefor push it later.