F1 2012 Melborne GP Anyone Excited?

[zama]

Hi crew, to the early post, I was almost there for the race. I went down yesterday for qualifying, I just flew down for Saturday to soak up the atmosphere, noise and qualifying. Always better to watch the race on TV. Not to mention you Europeans and your best friend Bernie forces our Aussie GP to be on from 5-7pm so there is no way to get home on Sunday night anymore. The day will come where there will be a big accident, TV and the modern cameras hide how genuinely dark it gets as we are well and truly out of summer down here, it was lucky today's race was bright sunshine, which often it is not in Melbourne.

Overall looks like a very close season. As predicted the end of blown diffusers has brought Red Bull back to the pack and certainly brought the back markers forward. It was great to see Williams head to head with Ferrari. Now all Williams need are some sponsors and they can back right at the front.

Red Bulls certainly look to have more speed as the race went on.

[Ristretto]

Too bad Michael Schumacher had left the race. Was very optimistic for him.

[Saxon007]

Originally Posted by MoBe

Just for fun I`ll predict:

1st Hamilton

2nd Vettel

3rd Button

You should've reversed the order!

Better than my prediction, I was really hoping Webber would be on the podium.

Good race, I am already ready for next weekend.

[joeychitwood]

Watching the race on DVR right now. Never been to Oz, but I'll have to go some day. Melbourne is an absolutely beautiful city. BTW, the "helmet-cam" Ricciardo is wearing is amazing.

[MoBe]

Originally Posted by Saxon007

You should've reversed the order!

Better than my prediction, I was really hoping Webber would be on the podium.

Good race, I am already ready for next weekend.

`looks like Button pulled a fast one on his teammate,I`ll be paying more attention to Jensen next race.

`now back to Sebring.

[jatco]

It was a good race...not the often 'train' of follow the leader... Some very good dueling happening thru-out the field...
Felt real bad for Maldonado.. Sooo close - but 1 fatal error.. I was rooting for him to finish..
Kudos to Jensen for a great run and Vettel's tactics to get ahead of Lewis...granted the SC 'helped.'..! -And Kimi's back.. !

[joeychitwood]

How does a team with the pedigree of Ferrari make such glaring design errors in the off-season so as to render them non-competitive?

[watchiwant]

Lewis looked very pxxxxed off after the race even during post race interview

Doesn't look like he likes his team mate much

[drockadam]

Great race! Was very shocked to see what happened to Maldonado at the end of the race, he drove really well! Can't wait for Malaysia!

[GradyPhilpott]

I've always liked Button and Hamilton, so I like to see them succeed, personal conflicts aside.

I'm also a Michael Schumacher fan and I'm just glad he's still racing. He's out there competing and that's what counts for me.

I don't get to watch F1 these days, but I do enjoy following it.

Maybe I'll have reconsider my cable situation, although life without TV is so much better than with it.

[rodrob59]

Great race as the Oz GP always is. I hate all the step nosed cars and glad to the best, and best looking car won. I've always been a McLaren fan and usually pull for Hamilton, but if this race is any indication, Button is the man to beat. So glad the season is back on and really looking forward to attending the race in Austin.

[jolimont]

Originally Posted by watchiwant

Doesn't look like he likes his team mate much

vettel and webber!

[jdc]

The race was a bit of an anti climax for me, even the introduction of a second DRS zone failed to encourage any exciting racing, Vettel was the only one to make an exciting move. Melbourne as other race circuits on the FI circuit need to make adjustments to make for proper racing.
McLaren are miles ahead of the rest, this would have been demonstrated more if there had not been a safety car. Button drove a perfect race. Red Bull did well to get the points they did but I think they are behind McLaren at this stage. The Ferrari was eating up tyres and the safety car laps helped them with position. Its a pity the Mercedes did not produce as expected. Williams and Lotus were very fast cars, the mid pack have really caught up this season.

[watchiwant]

Originally Posted by jolimont

vettel and webber!

problem with f1 (not like WRC) is that they never like their team mates... possibly due to the culture in F1 you race with everyone incl. your capability and your team mate

[dman]

Originally Posted by joeychitwood

How does a team with the pedigree of Ferrari make such glaring design errors in the off-season so as to render them non-competitive?

Agreed thought to drive his car to fifth points, Alonso proved he can do amazing things with a car. Great to see the Mercs on the verge too. Should be a fun 19 races left.

[jatco]

Originally Posted by watchiwant

problem with f1 (not like WRC) is that they never like their team mates... possibly due to the culture in F1 you race with everyone incl. your capability and your team mate

I dont see that as a 'problem' ..just that like IRL/Indy/Nascar and the like, is that a driver wants to win for him/herslef And the team...!!

[joeychitwood]

Did anyone else see the TV program Grand Prix: The Killer Years on the Velocity Channel? It chronicled the decade of the 1960s when Formula 1 Grand Prix drivers (and spectators) died in huge numbers due to dangerous cars and tracks. It was fascinating.

As a child, I recall watching Lorenzo Bandini crash and burn at Monaco. He later died of burns. I didn't sleep for two nights. Looking at those cars now, they look like coffins on wheels with absolutely no protection for the drivers.

[Rsvrider]

[QUOTE=joeychitwood;3157880]Did anyone else see the TV program Grand Prix: The Killer Years on the Velocity Channel? It chronicled the decade of the 1960s when Formula 1 Grand Prix drivers (and spectators) died in huge numbers due to dangerous cars and tracks. It was fascinating.

I did and I'm ordering the DVD from Speed or Amazon for sure. Great job on the documentary. It was amazing what those drivers could do with the cars, and those tracks were crazy. So much more pleasurable to enjoy a sport/hobby when you understand the history.

[MoBe]

Originally Posted by joeychitwood

Did anyone else see the TV program Grand Prix: The Killer Years on the Velocity Channel? It chronicled the decade of the 1960s when Formula 1 Grand Prix drivers (and spectators) died in huge numbers due to dangerous cars and tracks. It was fascinating.

As a child, I recall watching Lorenzo Bandini crash and burn at Monaco. He later died of burns. I didn't sleep for two nights. Looking at those cars now, they look like coffins on wheels with absolutely no protection for the drivers.

I didn`t see the TV program but I remember plenty.The first shock of my motorsport spectator career was Bandini followed by Jim Clark and several more thereafter.It`s a good thing Sir Jackie Stewart organized the drivers and forced the organizers to adopt better safety standards.I don`t recall whether Bernie Ecclestone was involved in that particular process,perhaps I`ll google for that later today.

[joeychitwood]

I think Roger Williamson's crash and death by fire was the other most horrifying thing I've seen in motorsports. David Purley, his teammate, tried to overturn the car and put the fire out with fire extinguishers while the track workers stood by watching. He could hear Williamson crying for help as he burned to death. Here is his helmet after the fire:

[The Joker]

Guys gotta check this out. Super Maldonado Kart.

[RRGHOST1]

Button has been my favourite driver from his early years,great driver now,like him for his smooth driving style. I think Vettle is probably a better driver with a gung ho style, a bit like Senna was.

[drockadam]

Haha! Rofl @ the Super Maldonado kart!