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They have to start with what ever tires they qualified with, but I think you are right that they all ran softs this morning.. Should be fun tomorrow to see how all the new teams get lapped every 6-10 laps. Ferrari on top most likely although would be cool to see Vettel hold everyone off for the win.
Looks like Ill be switching back and forth between watching the race and watching indycar qualifying from sao paulo. That track looks to be very good with super long straights into some tight turns.
Glad that the seasons are starting though.
Alonso! Those drivers are so fit - Alonso's hair didn't even look damp after 1:45 in 40+ degree track weather.
Great to see Massa back and doing well too.
good race. Ferrari looks a lot more solid this year so far. Vettel will be in the running along with Hamilton. Too bad Vettel loss engine power.
A couple of quick observations after watching the race late last night:
I thought the race was pretty boring, even for F1 standards. The first 15-20 laps was like watching cars in slow motion. I figured the extra heavy fuel load and emphasis on tire conservation would slow things down at the start, but at the front it was like watching a glorified parade. If it's going to be like this on a real track, I can't imagine how dull it's going to be on a street course like Australia, Monaco, Valencia & Singapore.
I was surprised when one of the announcers said that Ferrari had replaced the motor in both cars. This doesn't make any sense because if they had swapped out during the weekend wouldn't they have been hit with a ten place penalty on the starting grid?
Massa's engine trouble seemed a little too convenient. I wonder if it was code for "block the car behind you and help Alonso win".
Pretty ominous quote from Fred post race.
I love a parade!Quote:
Q: Tell us about the start as that was also important for you?
FM: The start was good. I think on the clean here there is a difference. There is a bit of sun close to the walls, so the start was more or less okay and the first corner was also good and I was lucky to overtake Felipe and then with the problem for Vettel, overtake Vettel as well and finish first. Obviously the qualifying and the starts are maybe the two key points this year. Unfortunately with no refuelling in terms of strategy or in terms of overtaking it will be very difficult to see any. After the first corner more or less the positions will be settled.
No penalty for engine swaps unless you have used your 8 engine/season allocation.
I agree the race was boring, very disappointing after all the build up. I just read on PlanetF1 a bunch of people are calling for change already- Schu, Button, etc.
what? no comment on melbourne? haven't picked your jaws off the floor yet?
that was the most exciting race i've ever witnessed in term of sheer number of good passes and balls-on driving.
Hamilton's panties in a bunch on the radio was hilarious!
Bad luck for Vettle - I think heard a stat that he has never scored points in the first two races. It looks like he might be like Kimi in 2005 - the fastest car but it craps out half the time. I think Adrian Newey was at Mclaren at the time too - not that his design always has that much to do with component failures, but it appears to be more than a coincidence.
Too bad Ferrari didn't let Alonso by Massa - he might have had a better shot at Kubica. Helluva race by Kubica though - nice to see Renault running well in the new colours.
I still think Alonso has the potential to run away with the championship - ferrari has the speed and consistency to keep him on or near the podium every weekend, and there are enough other strong teams to split points.
Was stunned to see Buton run 50+ laps on one set of tires...
If they had not started on the intermediates they would had to stop 2 times...
That would have surely changed the outcome...
Some real crazy rules this year...
But the cars are still faster than ever...
Vettel broke the track record set by Schumacher back in 2004...
That's wild...
Could you imagine how fast these cars would be without the changes trying to slow them down...
This weekends should be good. Last weeks was the best I've seen in a long time. I was all psyched now that Button would usurp Hamilton at Mclaren but not the case in practice today. WTF is going on at Ferrari?
Buemi's practice crash in China.
Talk about the wheels falling off the wagon. :eek:
Alonso lost another motor? WTF? They swapped out after qualifying in Bahrain, lost one during the race in Malaysia and lost another Friday during practice. That leaves him 5 motors for the remaining 16 races (15 if you believe the rumors about Korea).
Who knew that pitlane racing was even more entertaining than the real thing?
fuck those jocks. none of them have any class. this one-upmanship really disappointed me today.
i blame schumacher for teaching an entire generation of cocks that anything goes in F1.
Couldn't agree more. Hamilton is a little bitch.
I quite like seeing Schumacher getting schooled.
That grand prix has to be the best I've seen in a while. Button and Hamilton are developing a bit of a Prost/Senna thing.
I support subliminal tobacco advertising in Formula 1.
Speaking of which Luca DiMontezemolo is such a ridiculous guy. Anything that's ever said against Ferrari, no matter how blatanty true, he meets with "That is preposterous, how can you say such a thing, etc" I like Schumacher getting schooled too, not even a new car is helping him. I hope Webber fucks up and Button wins.
it's always fun to watch hamilton crash. other then that...zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz....
After yesterdays SCINTILLATING Spanish GP, I CANNOT WAIT for Monaco.
STRIKE UP THE BAND!!!!
Bump for the best race of the year. I might actually watch Sunday.
http://i37.tinypic.com/2ynf2aw.jpg
^ FKNA, last race was awesome... Vettel is a douchefuckasswipe but what else is new... good to see Mark getting his due and Massa having a good race.
I love Spa and would love to walk around the track and watch from different vantage points, specifically Eau Rouge. (I thought the night shot was cool.)
http://www.slip-angle.net/wp-content...Rouge-8774.jpg
On to a another cool track, Monza. The Tifosi are out in force - hope tomorrow's race is a good one.