Australian GP 2011 - Albert Park, 24-27 March

[Richard]

anybody knows what is the penalty for using ARW outside the overtaking zone?

The FIA set the electronics so it is only enabled in the designated zone. So it will be impossible to use outside those zones.

Thinking about it, they should have a similar implementation for the pit lane limiter

[timd]

And if your driving by the pit wall at full speed and the GPS thinks your in the pits?

[Richard]

Transponder in the tarmac under the pit lane entry & exit lines

[King Six]

Overtaking zones increased from 600m to 860m. Teams upset as it screws up all their gear ratios and simulations

The FIA has given the teams a headache by adjusting the moveable wing rules on the eve of the first race.

The section of track on which the wing can be operated was set at 600m for race day, on the basis that the figure could be changed if experience in the early races proved that to be necessary.

However for the opening race in Australia it has already been changed to over 860m. The zone now starts on the approach to the final corner, but obviously drivers won’t activate their wings until the exit, at around the 750m mark.

The difficulty for the teams is that they have done all their homework on the basis of the 600m figure.

“I only found out today,” Christian Horner told this blog. “It’s a pain because it screws up our simulations and affects gear ratios.”

The FIA’s intention has always been that the length of the zone stays the same at all tracks so passing is not easier at somewhere like Monza compared with other venues with shorter straights.

http://adamcooperf1.com/2011/03/24/fia- ... te-change/

[hollowBallistix]

So when do the clocks change ?!

I better not miss anything ! will not be happy ! anyone know if BBC are showing it in HD this year ?

Anyway, back on topic.....can anyone explain their "new" exhaust solution ?

[forty-two]

Forward 1 hour?! So i lose an hour of my life?

It's painful isn't it! But at least you'll get one back in Autumn when we switch back to GMT from BST (assuming you're in the UK of course!)

So when do the clocks change ?!

I better not miss anything ! will not be happy ! anyone know if BBC are showing it in HD this year ?

Anyway, back on topic.....can anyone explain their "new" exhaust solution ?

Well, here in the UK, they usually go forward by one hour at 0100 on the last sunday during March and then back one hour at 02:00 on the last Sunday during October.

I understand that all countries in the EU follow the same dates for this (changing on any other date is crazy IMO), but Victoria, Australia at least will not be following our dates this year. Sometimes they do, sometimes they don't.

Fortunately the BBCs coverage for race day tends to have a one hour build-up, so even if you miss that, you should still catch the race.

And yes, I believe that the BBC will be showing all races in HD, although apparently onboard shots will be SD.

Actually, shouldnt this talk be in the race thread?

[CyleB]

anybody knows what is the penalty for using ARW outside the overtaking zone?

The FIA set the electronics so it is only enabled in the designated zone. So it will be impossible to use outside those zones.

Thinking about it, they should have a similar implementation for the pit lane limiter

I have seen somewhere that there is a override in-case the system fails to activate, and that suspension could be a result of using it in non-designated areas

[Robbobnob]

Christian Horner, or Vettel ( i forget which 1) state in an interview that there is an override if the zone system fails, id assume the penalty would be a drive through

[WhiteBlue]

I'm convinced that Vettel will win this one unless his car fails.

[Just_a_fan]

And yes, I believe that the BBC will be showing all races in HD, although apparently onboard shots will be SD.

Whoppee. Need to go buy another box for the living room. That'll go down well...

[CyleB]

I'm convinced that Vettel will win this one unless his car fails.

AGAIN!!!!!

[andrew]

I'm convinced that Vettel will win this one unless his car fails.

No surprise there then!

These odds are largely meaningless until after qualifying. All a bookie can go on is testing pace, pretty much the same as us.

[WhiteBlue]

No bookies involved with Betfair. The odds are based on an algorithm which lowers the odds for every € that is bet on the driver. So the odds are a direct measure for the money that is bet on each driver. Most money atm is on Vettel, by a long way.

Five times as many € think that Vettel will win than the € bet on Hamilton.

[bhall]

So you're convinced Vettel is going to win because he has the most money wagered on him?

These odds are largely meaningless until after qualifying [...]

No, mate. They're always meaningless.

[andrew]

And how is that money collected and how are bets placed? Bookies!

bhallg2k - WhiteBlue one is very patriotic to Germany despite, like me, hailing from the white blue country.

Seriously though, the odds are kind of predictable giving Vettel is the regining champion and the Red Bull have been fastest in testing. However as testing is relativly meaningless for us outside observers in terms of true pace, I would wait until the end of practice or even qualifying before making any predictions.