Arena FIA Formula 1 Racing

Well, Kimi has dominated the Jerez testing, which is good. No doubt you couldn't shut him up afterwards.

I know PlanetF1 is completely rubbish but this made me laugh. And cry. But mostly laugh:

http://planetf1.com/driver/18227/8490718/Karthikeyan-to-Force-India-

 

The circus kicks off once again this weekend - Who's looking forward to going racing?

 

Can't believe it's back already this weekend.

 

Nice.

I haven't paid much attention during the off-season; which car(s) have been looking the best?

 

I've read that the Mercedes has impressed/surprised and that it looks fast in all conditions.

Must admit I've not been paying much attention to the close season this year as I've been somewhat preocupied with other matters...

 

This is true, but Mercedes was fast in preseason last year as well.

...ended up brilliantly.

I hope Lotus pulls together another solid season, with Grosjean hopefully bringing in a few more points and causing a few less scraps.

 

Yeah I was gonna say, Mercedes in the early part of the season, including that win in Shanghai, were a strong looking team who faded dramatically after that.

My bet is on a Button win for the weekend, with another title fight between Vettel and Alonso. The two dark horses for the title, though, would be Button and Raikonnen.

I would still love to see Webber win the home GP.

Have you guys seen pitlanemanager.com? Basically a fantasy league for F1, you get a budget and buy engine, chassis, and drivers.

I picked up the Cosworth engine (utterly useless but can't afford better); STR chassis, and Ricciardo/Bottas as drivers. Ricciardo did well in Melbourne last year (wonderful 2 place overtake on the last corner) and Williams have dropped a lot of money in the form of the reliable Bruno Senna for Bottas on the assumption if they don't get him, someone else will. He was blisteringly quick in FW034, quicker than Maldonado, so I have high hopes.

 

Qualifying wash out at Melbourne;

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/formula1/21811335

Qualifying will now be held tomorrow morning before the Grand Prix.

 

Good lord, Webber's starts are just embarrassing.

 

Yeah Webber's 2012 was like his 2010, and there were some cracking starts in those years. 2013 started like a 2011 race. Then, losing KERS - again - and he's got nothing to pass JB with... shame.

I have the official timing app so I could watch Webber's race; he was for the most part 0.5s behind Button. Tragic.

Great result for the Iceman and Ferrari must be happy with that. Sutil had a commendable drive; Bottas did nothing. I will be keen to see if he lives up to the hype or not.

McLaren. Wow.

 

And a rather disappointing finish for Vettel after he looked so dominent in training and the time trial. Didn't see the race, what happened?

 

The Red Bull didn't get its tyres switched on as quickly as others did and then another KERS failure for Webber meant he couldn't pass Button. Given his pace - before Kimi, he set a fastest lap - he could have pushed for a 4th place finish.

But, let's not forget, Red Bull have never dominated on that circuit before.

 

Despite the Lotus winning, it looks very much like 2013 will be a Red Bull Vs Ferrari year.

When oh when will McLaren come up with a championship winning car?

 

When someone slips them Ferrari's drawings under the table. (again)

And I wouldn't rule out Lotus as a possible competitor... not just yet, at least. I know Kimi will be in the higher end of the points for many GPs, and I have hope for Grosjean pulling in some.

That said, my money is on Ferrari for constructor's and maybe even driver's as well. They have the car, and they have the drivers. They just need reliability and consistency - which is anyone's guess.

 

Yeah, but Red Bull have a car with proven pace (and let's not discount their results with a KERS-less Webber - even on poor starts he can finish on the podium, a la China 2011) and good drivers. Melbourne has been, in recent years, a circuit that's suited JB's style more than any other driver. So I wouldn't rule a 4th out for Vettel and Webber solidly adding to RBR's constructors hopes...

 

Oh, and McLaren have taken responsibility for Webber's start:

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/106136

 

I'm tired of Red Bull so I choose to forget them.

 

The Williams was echoing it's 2011 pace, not 2012 pace which is a real disappointment. I wanted to see more from Bottas in that race.

 

Feel the love in the post race waiting room.

Sounds as if RB had team orders to let Weber stay in front, Vettel ignored it. Weber sure did speak his mind in the podium interview, eh?

 

Haven't seen a good F1 punchup in a while. Hopefully next race eh.