2017 Australian Grand Prix - Melbourne, 24 - 26 March

[zac510]

We'll never know how much rubber really was left on Hamilton's tyres. They may have got them back to the pits and found there was another 20 laps of rubber left on them.

[basti313]

That does not change anything. They could have had 40 laps left in them, the Soft was so much faster, that Vet could have pulled the undercut once he cleared Ves. The only chance they had was go for the undercut and hope for the usually early RedBull stop.

[Wass85]

Hamilton must be worried to see Bottas on his gearbox so early on in the season.

[Andres125sx]

So as a bit of a follow up, Alonso agrees drivers can make more of a difference this year:

"Alonso says he’s happy too that 2017 regulations have delivered cars where the driver can make the difference - citing the disparity in performance between experienced and less experienced drivers apparent in several teams.

“Definitely I’m much more happy now,” he said after qualifying. “We saw even today, we see also the teams, how they split the drivers – always one experienced driver, one rookie maybe behind."

https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/alon ... rs-886468/

Well, after Melbourne it´s obvious drivers can now make a difference, he almost make McHonda score one point!!

But it´s Melbourne anycase, he said himself on this track experience is a huge factor and that´s the reason for his position during the race

[zac510]

That does not change anything. They could have had 40 laps left in them, the Soft was so much faster, that Vet could have pulled the undercut once he cleared Ves. The only chance they had was go for the undercut and hope for the usually early RedBull stop.

Well I tried not to make assumptions about what would have happened if Hamilton had stayed out. My main point, which I confess I did not make very clearly, is that I suspect often drivers say their tyres are shot and they pit early when there's still plenty of rubber left. Perhaps the chemical makeup has actually changed and they really are shot, but also perhaps occasionally the drivers panic and pit too early.

[fiohaa]

this is how it should have sounded on sunday
guess something that been done to the engines that ruined all of them.

[dougskullery]

Hamilton must be worried to see Bottas on his gearbox so early on in the season.

According to Mark Hughes, this was a combination of 1) Hamilton being told to turn his engine down and 2) Bottas having tyres that were several laps fresher.

[zac510]

this is how it should have sounded on sunday
guess something that been done to the engines that ruined all of them.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IPlOm5LjHQQ

2014 called, it wants its whinging back.

[GPR-A duplicate2]

Hamilton must be worried to see Bottas on his gearbox so early on in the season.

Yes.

[Shakeman]

Hamilton must be worried to see Bottas on his gearbox so early on in the season.

Why?

He's in the same car as HAM he's bound to be there or thereabouts.

[SR71]

this is how it should have sounded on sunday
guess something that been done to the engines that ruined all of them.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IPlOm5LjHQQ

Makes it feel kinda old and boring TBH.

I already can't stand the sight of the 2016 and other narrow/tall cars. This sound over these modern spaceships feels like propeller sounds on a jet engine.

[Stormy]

Hamilton must be worried to see Bottas on his gearbox so early on in the season.

Yes.

Yeah, he can't expect him to be 20 seconds behind. After all, he drives for Mercedes AMG, he must be a solid driver at least.

[Wass85]

Hamilton must be worried to see Bottas on his gearbox so early on in the season.

Why?

He's in the same car as HAM he's bound to be there or thereabouts.

Why wasn't Kimi there or thereabouts with Vettel?

[Wass85]

Hamilton must be worried to see Bottas on his gearbox so early on in the season.

According to Mark Hughes, this was a combination of 1) Hamilton being told to turn his engine down and 2) Bottas having tyres that were several laps fresher.

I think it was more a case of Lewis blowing his load and Bottas being told to hold station.

[iotar__]

Hamilton must be worried to see Bottas on his gearbox so early on in the season.

According to Mark Hughes, this was a combination of 1) Hamilton being told to turn his engine down and 2) Bottas having tyres that were several laps fresher.

I think it was more a case of Lewis blowing his load and Bottas being told to hold station.

- Oh yeah Mark Hughes . Ever since he described the most disgusting and stupid use of team orders in Ger '13 as an afternoon of great racing his credibility is non existent to me.

- So why did Bottas have fresher tyres? Magic or perhaps because LH pitted earlier losing the lead. Concept of combination of stints including length and pace doesn't exists in the world of local fanaticism.
- It's pointless enough to dissect it on a one-stopper (it was basically over after 5 laps) but that's not enough it has to be "it wasn't LH, it can't be, it's the (fresher) tyres". So what engine mode were Bottas and Ham on, how long and what was the difference? No need for details either.