[Race] 2014 Formula 1 Rolex Australian Grand Prix

[Tucky]

I've only managed to see a couple of videos of free practice, but it seems like everyone's trying to avoid running the kerb on the apex a lot more than previous years, presumably because of all the extra torque

[jsTrecu]

As others have pointed out, the lack of downforce can be seen with drivers having to fight their cars through the whole corner. It was great to watch and I think it's a good thing.
Also, the sound of the engines in my opinion is fine, and we could hear the tyres a lot more, which is another good thing.

Overall I like this new F1 so far, more than I thought I would.

[MarkG]

Agreed, the cars are much better to watch now with less downforce. You can see when drivers are 'pressing on' and having to use all the track they can get away with.
Button looked good on the onboard footage.

[f1toy]

race strategies?

will the rb's drop back at the start?

nbc commentators were discussing some interesting possibilities.

[jsTrecu]

What kind of possibilities would those be ?

Could we see a team fake a mechanical problem if they are out of the points, in order to minimize mileage on the power units ? Apologies if this has already been asked in another thread.

[f1toy]

Originally Posted by jsTrecu

What kind of possibilities would those be ?
Apologies if this has already been asked in another thread.

1. fuel consumption... and when to push vs hang back.
2. ditto on the apologies.

jmo: we are about to begin F1 3.1 and its should be very entertaining.

[Richard C]

Originally Posted by Tucky

I've only managed to see a couple of videos of free practice, but it seems like everyone's trying to avoid running the kerb on the apex a lot more than previous years, presumably because of all the extra torque

I am seeing them hit curbs on apex, but on track out, if they get on the curbing it seems to sometimes trigger loss of rear traction and then lay down some black stripes! I like the torque. I wonder what the impact is going to be on rear tire wear.

Richard

[Tucky]

Driver's have already mentioned quite a lot of degredation on the tyres so far, could be seeing quite a few pitstops

[Teretonga]

Originally Posted by Tucky

Driver's have already mentioned quite a lot of degredation on the tyres so far, could be seeing quite a few pitstops

Can you describe what you mean by degradation? This seems to be a conflict with what I have heard.

Which ones? (tyres)
The primary or the softer one?
What I have heard is that the tyres are better than last years tyre and holding up, maintaining their grip level for much longer, and the marbles are significantly less.

[Adam43]

It could be referring to this

Originally Posted by Nico Rosebrg Autosport yesterday p17

We were expecting them to be rock solid one-stop tyres but actually it's quite the conterary: it's a similar story to last year with a lot of tyre degradation. That's another challenge we didn't see coming.

[wnut]

Originally Posted by Adam43

It could be referring to this

I am really and truly completely over these "exploding" delaminating unfit for racing use Pirellis!

I actually own the things on my road car, and they are good, but I would never buy them again out of pure retribution for what they have done to the racing.

I really don't care a damn what they were asked to do, I just plain hate them for what they have done!

[Tucky]

I was referring to the interview rosberg gave to the official f1 website, but it seems he's said it a few times if autosport have it as well. Can't help you on which tyre I'm afraid.

[Casper]

Originally Posted by wnut

I really don't care a damn what they were asked to do, I just plain hate them for what they have done!

That is shooting the messenger.......

[jsTrecu]

1.4 was the gap on FP3, Merc's pace is scary...

[GTRMagic]

You might imagine the turbomotors are generated significant wheelspin, and cooking the rears.. While the pilots dont seem comfortable enough to get thru corners without locking up , or pushing lateral forces across the fronts as the cars understeer, and seemingly cooking them too...

There will be incidemts and accidents, crashes and failures.... Its gunna be fun

[chavez]

Windy for qualifying, but rain should hold off.

The new noise is, well, what you'd expect for a turbo V6. I quite like it, but bad news for sellers of ear plugs.

[Born Racer]

It's time.

[Dixie Flatline]

I live about 20 kilometres away from the track and it's been very blustery all day. Looking at the radar, if they can get away with a dry qualifying session, they'll be going well.

[Dixie Flatline]

Our local Bureau of Meteorology has just issued a severe thunderstorm warning for Melbourne and surrounding suburbs.

Current radar image:



The Albert Park track is between Melbourne and St Kilda on the map.

[Born Racer]

Back to school and all the kids' voices have broken.

[Born Racer]

You could really hear that tyre squeak when Alonso locked up approaching Turn 1.

[Dixie Flatline]

Raining now and Maldanaldo has gone off twice already.

[Born Racer]

The Lotus is ridiculous. I won't even blame Maldonado for that.

[chavez]

Rain easing.

[Born Racer]

Magnussen looks quick.