Initial impression is that the new front wings allow cars to run a bit closer but we're no nearer to improving overtaking.

 

Pleased for Bottas though and although no-one did anything drastic, we here had quite the discussion about who might make an attempt for the extra point at some stage

Initial impression is that the new front wings allow cars to run a bit closer but we're no nearer to improving overtaking.

 

Pleased for Bottas though and although no-one did anything drastic, we here had quite the discussion about who might make an attempt for the extra point at some stage

See how it does in Bahrain. Australia not the circuit it used to be. They showed a good amount of highlights on Channel 4 of the race slightly more compared BBC's 'Grand Prix ' highlights coverage.

 

Ferrari seemed to be anonymous this weekend, shame Leclerc wasn't allowed to race Vettel.

 

 

Sky has imposed a series of restrictions on C4 in the contract for the highlights races, which will affect both the race coverage itself, and what happens around it.

 

For example, only 50% of the total running time of C4's programme can now be taken up by the on-track coverage - down from between 60-70% last year. They are not allowed to do interviews in what is known as the 'pen' - where all the drivers are taken to do a round-robin of broadcasters after qualifying and race - or in the pit lane. Any 'pen' interviews they use will have to come from Sky. The amount of interviews C4 can do in the paddock is restricted. And they have been forbidden from doing a 'grid walk'."

 

I could never understand 'team orders' -- to me it's a joke. Leclerc is faster than Vettel yet is told not to pass him? Lame.

Was really happy to see Max run well though, was hoping he'd get within DRS zone to overtake Hamilton but never quite happened. If he hadn't of run into the grass with 12 to go, he surely would've. It was too funny to hear the team conversation "let's have a party the final 10 laps" and then he goes off the track.

Edited March 18, 20196 yr by DJHazey

I could never understand 'team orders' -- to me it's a joke. Leclerc is faster than Vettel yet is told not to pass him? Lame.

Never been a fan of team orders myself, it all came back with the infamous 'Fernando, is faster than you' in 2010. I hope Leclerc will be allowed to race against Vettel. I'm sure he would have finished fourth.

@1107579651956895745

 

 

I've just looked at the timing sheets and it's quite damning for Kubica, both Williams drivers did 3 runs in Q1, after the first run Russell was 1 second quicker than Kubica, they both improved their times in their second runs with Russell again being 1 second quicker than Kubica, in their 3rd runs Kubica crashed.

So Mercedes look to have pulled a great ruse with their performance in Australia, Bottas looks like a new man who dominated (admittedly exaggerated by LH's floor damage) and Ferrari both looked bemused by both their Quali and Race pace and have made Vettel the clear number one by stopping Leclerc's charge late in the race which was unfair in my view.

 

 

However as we have learnt over the years (or for some of us decades) Albert Park often gives a false picture of both the competitive picture and overtaking potential so will Bahrain show a similar picture? Maybe in Bahrain we may get an exciting race it does happen once in a red moon.

A fact for you all: Valtteri Bottas' win margin at the Australian Grand Prix (20.886 seconds) was the largest since Nico Rosberg's victory at the 2016 Russian Grand Prix (25.022 seconds). It was the sixth biggest win margin since the start of the hybrid era in 2014.

i'm happy for bottas but to think that people are calling this one of his best wins for f1 is pretty telling. he's got all the gear at his hands to have incredible results and then a win at australia is being talked about as like such a standout...

i feel like the aussie grand prix is just there for bit of memorability / nostalgia like monaco at this point. we're all used to it being the opening race but the cars just arent fit for that circuit anymore

To be honest it was always so much better at Adelaide and that’ll never be recaptured sadly

Mick Schumacher will make his Formula 1 test debut for Ferrari on 2 April.

 

The 20-year-old German, who signed up to the Ferrari driver academy over the winter, will drive for Ferrari in Bahrain on one day and the affiliated Alfa Romeo team the next.

Regarding street circuits on the calendar, I think the ones that do work are Baku and Singapore.

 

 

Regarding street circuits on the calendar, I think the ones that do work are Baku and Singapore.

Agree with you there. Monaco is usually rubbish, unless it's raining in which case it suddenly gets brilliant

Wet races at Monaco have normally been thrilling e.g. 2016 and 2008 not forgetting that 1996 race.

Onto Bahrain we go for the 999th Grand Prix, one to the 1000th Grand Prix taking place in China. I think it will a closer battle between Mercedes and Ferrari for the win along with Verstappen. Gasly needs to step up following that disappointing race he had in Australia. With the midfield closely together, followed by Williams whom will probably struggle again.

 

 

Technically this number isn't true. It's the 999th Formula One World Championship race. There were over 50 years worth of Grand Prix before the F1 world championship began and even the figure given now includes a number of Indy 500 races that were classed as F1 races but never a Grand Prix.

 

Pedantry aside though it is the official number used nowadays.

 

Kind of want to see Bottas win and take charge of the title race this year so that Hamilton has to give up race wins for him late on. Won't happen that way though

@1111668379553841152