Some personal photos of Formula One cars in the heart of Melbourne

[Dixie Flatline]

On her way to work this morning, my wife stumbled across a couple of Grand Prix cars being exhibited at the Queen Victoria (QV) complex in the city of Melbourne, still about two weeks out from the Grand Prix.

After being appraised of the situation, yours truly grabbed the digital camera and headed on down before lunch to take some happy snaps before going off to class in the afternoon.

So I take great pleasure in presenting to you some photos that, for me at least, mark the beginning of the build-up to the 2005 Australian Formula One Grand Prix:

• No. 1
• No. 2
• No. 3
• No. 4
• No. 5
• No. 6
• No. 7
• No. 8

You'll notice that some are on their sides - sorry about that, I haven't had time to flip them around and do nice things with the photos.

[Pitstop]

Great photos, very clear. How fantastic to get that close, the Renault looks fantastic.

[davebreen]

Are these cars this years? The side pods look very straight and boxy

[Knowlesy]

No they're old cars.

Looks like a Williams FW23 and a Renault R23???

[Dixie Flatline]

Originally Posted by knowlesy

No they're old cars.

Looks like a Williams FW23 and a Renault R23???

I don't know what model numbers they would be, but I agree they wouldn't be new models. After all, there was nothing to stop a rival team sending over some guys to take some happy snaps, like I did!

[Jordi]

The Renault is a R202 from 2002, and the Williams looks to me like a FW22 from 2000.
The Ferrari looks like a F2002, but I'm not sure.

[Valve Bounce]

Many thanks for some lovely photos just the same. I wonder if these are mock-ups used for display and whether they have an engine at all. Just the same, they will do a lot to create more interest in the coming event at Albert Park.

[Raglanparade]

I think these cars are just Mock ups with no engines.

A couple of months ago i was at Federation Square in Melbourne and they had a mock up Williams, and a mock up BAR there to promote this years Grand Prix. (this would have been in maybe September/October last year.

I wonder if it was the same williams mock up that was there, but they have just sprayed the 2005 livery on it ?

[RWC]

Thanks dixie!
so you didn't try to jump in and make engine noises?

[JeremySmith]

Thankyou..They are realy great photos, and tend to "get one" in the mood.

[Raglanparade]

Takes a different type of photos to get me in the mood... but it doesnt make me excited about grand prix coming to town.

[Rick]

.. and behind the Renault is the Mark Webber helmet billycart! (pic 1 I think it was)

[Knowlesy]

Jordi, you're right about the Williams. Idiot here made a typo.

I'm not sure about the Renault.....I thought an early R23, but I may be wrong there.

Ferrari looks to be F2002, but the sidepod looks sculpted on the right side so there may be a glimmer of F2003 here.

God we're sad. Well, I am anyways.

[Dixie Flatline]

I have some more which I haven't yet uploaded. The Renault has Alonso's and Fisichella's names printed on it just under the air intake. About to go out again, but if I have time again this arvo, I'll post some more photos.

It appears to be a Triple MMM promotion (local radio station here in Melbourne) for the Grand Prix. They have a couple of Fosters' girls, and the bloke wearing the Michael Schumacher caricature head.

[275 GTB-4]

Originally Posted by Dixie Flatline

On her way to work this morning, my wife stumbled across a couple of Grand Prix cars being exhibited at the Queen Victoria (QV) complex in the city of Melbourne, still about two weeks out from the Grand Prix.

After being appraised of the situation, yours truly grabbed the digital camera and headed on down before lunch to take some happy snaps before going off to class in the afternoon.

So I take great pleasure in presenting to you some photos that, for me at least, mark the beginning of the build-up to the 2005 Australian Formula One Grand Prix:

• No. 3

You'll notice that some are on their sides - sorry about that, I haven't had time to flip them around and do nice things with the photos.

PITS to DRIVER:

Press the Light Green button, no the Aqua one, No its Chartreuse!! NO!! NO!! on the left hand side dummy!!

[Dixie Flatline]

Back from lunch with some friends, and I have some more photos for you all:

• No. 9
• 
  No. 10
• 
  No. 11
• 
  No. 12
• 
  No. 13

[Dutton]

Originally Posted by knowlesy

God we're sad. Well, I am anyways.

LOL. My Dad would agree with you there - and he watches the races too (a dedicated casual viewer, as it were)!

We're all kinda sad, but, you know, all it means is we enjoy it the most.

[ASCII Man]

I didn't know Mark has such a big head, just look at the size of his helmet!

[Jordi]

Definitely the Renault is a R202, but the Ferrari is either a F2002 or a F2003-GA. (Maybe the F2002 that raced the first 2003 races?)

[Knowlesy]

The Williams is just a total mock up, now you see the new pictures. Seems to have an FW23 front end and an FW22 rear.

And it looks stupid for it!

[Knowlesy]

Ferrari is F2003GA and Renault is a mock up as well.

[Hazard]

The Williams isn't even properly liveried...since it's carrying #3. I assume the Williams cars should be carrying #7 & #8 this year? Unless they're going to try and change the numbering system again.

Last time that happened was in 2001, Sauber kicked off since they'd 'earnt' 7 & 8, but the FIA decided to freeze the system to keep the big teams within the early number range still. That decision was rescinded though.

[Kicking-back]

Williams are number 7 and 8.

[Dixie Flatline]

Originally Posted by Hazard

The Williams isn't even properly liveried...since it's carrying #3. I assume the Williams cars should be carrying #7 & #8 this year? Unless they're going to try and change the numbering system again.

Last time that happened was in 2001, Sauber kicked off since they'd 'earnt' 7 & 8, but the FIA decided to freeze the system to keep the big teams within the early number range still. That decision was rescinded though.

Except that they had the RBS logo, which I thought was a new sponsor for this year.