Oz GP

[ales]

I'd realyl like Mark and Nick to do well, but so far the Willaims car hasn't looked too impressive, unfortunately. Although Fisico will also be the only one apart from Massa on slick(ish) tyres that are not new, but I don't think it will prove to be too big a disadvantage.

[RallyRaider]

Yeah, unlikey one extra heat cycle is going to make much of a difference to the new long life tyres. I am actually looking forward to finding out how tyre management affects the race, could make for some interesting changes in relative speed at different times. On the other hand, with the testing and computer silmulations available these days, all variables are probably well and truly sorted by all the teams.

[ales]

Some great track action at the start of Q2! In my dreams. What the heck is the advantage of running an effectively installation lap (Sato, Schumi) as opposed to not bothering to go out at all (Massa)?

[RallyRaider]

Prabably because Schumacher (and I assume Sato as well?) changed engines overnight.

[speed_star]

Webber got into Schuey!!!!!!

EDIT: Actually that was Schuey's bad.

[RallyRaider]

Heideld rather, I'm guessing Schumacher was just looking for an excuse to retire and thus a fresh engine for Sepang.

Awesome race by Renault, Fisichella and Alonso, although Barrichello showed Ferrari are still very strong. Dissapointing for Montoya in the McLaren, Kimi did okay to scrape a point after starting from pitlane and modifying the car mid race, his first lap must have been something special. Webber was solid but nothing special.

Biggest surprise had to be Coulthard in the RBR Cosworth. Magic move on Webber at the first corner and solid pace all afternoon. I wonder if there is enough left in that engine for next race?

[ales]

Webber finished 4th, the one involved in the Schumi accident was Heidfeld.

No surprise as far as the winner goes, great drive from Rubens and Alonso, star of the race for me, and I never thought I'd say that, are DC and Red Bull Both BAR cars came into the pits on the last lap clearly to exploit the loophole in the engine rule. Toyota must really chew the tyres considering how quickly Trulli went backwards after the pitstop, even though he spent the first part of the race in a very comfortable 2nd place.

Oh, and the 2005 regulations failed miserably. There were what, 2 overtaking maneuvres among the cars on equal fuel loads? Even if the car is much faster (Alonso vs JV), it's close to impossible to overtake. There were at least 3 pairs of cars fighting for position during the last few laps, but yet again, nothing happened. So we're stuck with this procession for yet another year it seems.

[RallyRaider]

Originally Posted by ales

Webber finished 4th, the one involved in the Schumi accident was Heidfeld.

Webber was 5th, no better than in a Minardi three years ago!

[RallyRaider]

Originally Posted by ales

Both BAR cars came into the pits on the last lap clearly to exploit the loophole in the engine rule.

How predictable was somebody doing that? Very blatant.

[ales]

My bad.

I find it so funny that Mclaren dump DC and Webber dumps Jaguar, and then DC/RBR finish in front of them in the first race. Ahh, the irony. Don't think it will last though. Then again, both RBR cars finished in the points, each in front of a Mclaren, and are now equal with Ferrari in the points standings. Mclaren still gets the award for the horniest look in F1 When viewed from the front the horns seem to be attached to the drivers' helmets giving that grotesquely viking look. So cool, seriously! Quite where RBR found the pace is quite puzzling, though, and makes one wonder just what was going on at Jaguar.

[ales]

Very predictable, and I expect any team out of the top 8 who have half a chance of a decent result in the next race to do the same.

[camaroincal]

In the end, I'm just glad to be entertained by an F1 race in quite some time...

[RallyRaider]

I wonder if Schumacher will be penalised for running Heidfeld off the track? Ten grid positions? Na, probably not.

[Veyron]

When the hype, drama and other crap created by the teams and FIA before the season exceeds the excitement of the races....you know a series is in big trouble. <yyyyaaawwwnnn>

F1 has reached an all time mark on the boring meter, I'll check in occasionally to see if they've changed the rules...otherwise I'm not wasting my time to watch the races.

Bring back F1, racing to see who can save the most tire tread and engines is not racing.

[camaroincal]

Well, I watched this race and it was very entertaining. Lots of evertaking, a couple of "shunts", and some contreversy regarding loopholes in the rules. So far so good imo. Then again....My favorite team is Renault! :P