2014 Australian Grand Prix - Melbourne

[NathanOlder]

Just out of interest, when was the last time a reigning champion failed to win a race in his title defence season ? Jacques in 98 ?

[mnmracer]

Just out of interest, when was the last time a reigning champion failed to win a race in his title defence season ? Jacques in 98 ?

Technically, though Schumacher needed the bizarre circumstances of Indy 500 to win follow his championship year.

[zeph]

Kobayashi cleared: http://www.formula1.com/news/headlines/ ... 15580.html

[thomin]

Ricciardo under investigation

http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2014/03/16/r ... t-breach/?

That doesn't look good for him...I really wonder how Red Bull could commit such an error...? If the FIA was able to tell that he "consistently" exceeded the fuel limit, then so was Red Bull. A sensor issue therefore seems highly unlikely. Of course I'm speculating here, I'll be interesting to hear Red Bull's explanation.

[iotar__]

- Horrible boring, race. Fake enthusiasm from Merc - they ran at 80% of potential with no competition and extra stop in a pocket.
- all the rest average, the fact that Toro Rosso was up there says it all, same for McL 3-4,
- Ferrari - as expected, horrible - still sandbagging, difference to Merc is unthinkable for the only other full chassis-engine team,
- Williams should have been fighting for a podium, Bottas regrettably blew it, that's not how you drive in new F1, just patience and waiting for other cars to be slow, no racing, attacks and overtaking, wait for no fuel saving switch, or better try to force other over fuel limits - pure racing. His big fault anyway, looked shaky.

- Two MGU-K failures by Lotus, they should ask for their money back from Renault. They get units from second driver at Red Bull batch, it must be their contribution to engine development, Mark Webber brand .

[mikeerfol]

Ricciardo under investigation

http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2014/03/16/r ... t-breach/?

That doesn't look good for him...I really wonder how Red Bull could commit such an error...? If the FIA was able to tell that he "consistently" exceeded the fuel limit, then so was Red Bull. A sensor issue therefore seems highly unlikely. Of course I'm speculating here, I'll be interesting to hear Red Bull's explanation.

What is the penalty for that? Automatic DSQ or a possible time penalty?

DSQ.

[AlexJ]

One would think that an automatic DSQ would be in order, especially after declaring a hard stance on the issue before the race. On the other hand, if there was some sort of malfunction by a FIA specified part, then there might be no consequence. I remember Alonso getting off without penalty despite using DRS when he wasn't legally permitted to do so.

If I remember that incident Alonso's DRS popped open during a turn, so he got off on the grounds of not having gained an advantage.

Exceeding the permitted fuel usage even by accident is unlikely to be considered the same way.

[SidSidney]

Interesting lap analysis, speed trap and sector times for McLaren (Magnussen) vs Mercedes and Red Bull. Once he got into the groove that car was a little bit more competitive than expected, as well as being reliable.

[astracrazy]

does anyone know why under braking sometimes the rear light flashes sometimes? Sure it never used to happen

[Ultra_Tech]

How can red bull get away with anything. Whatever the circumstances, if they gained a performance advantage by going over the agreed limit, then they have to be sanctioned.

The fuel flow sensors are double checked with the fuel consumption calculated by the McLaren standard ECU because the standard ECU still is more precise than the fuel flow sensor. This was announced before the race.

I have another question, Adam Cooper has said that the teams were told the only mitigating circumstances for violating this rule was a faulty FIA sensor.

Am I right when it seems that Red Bull changed the sensor in Parc Ferme this weekend?

Let me know because if so and that is the case, i consider that highly suspect that a team would do that, almost as if they were planning to exceed the limit and then use the faulty sensor arguement as a backup.

I dont know if this is the case....just going on some chatter online?

[Hail22]

Sheesh Yahoo sport seem confident that Dan will be DSQ'D from the race:

http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/news/form ... 7--f1.html

[kooleracer]

Rosberg did a 1:32.478 on lap 19, with heavy fuel so the car has a lot of pace in hand. Bottas and Alonso did their fastest lap on lap 56 both BOTTAS 1:32:568 and Alonso 1:32:616. Mercedes has as big an advantage like the RB9 had in the last few races of 2013. Rosberg was just cruising in his Merc. Like Vettel last year he had 2+ sec advantage after the first safety car lap. Ted was saying that Ferrari are losing 0.4 a Lap i think its he means 1.4 a Lap. The W05 is a great car its not all about the engine, their first stint was so fast without big degradation.

[Shrieker]

I went back to bed at exactly half way on lap 28. Did i miss much ?

[Hail22]

Daniel Ricciardo has been Disqualified from the Australian Gran Prix:

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/motor ... 6856415733

Which means Magnussen is promoted to 2nd and has broken Vettel's youngest podium holder title! =D> =D>

Edit: now they have changed the title of the article, Australian Journalism...not very reliable *wags finger at them*

[basti313]

I can think of one person in the RB garage who will be quite happy with a Ricciardo DQ...

Why? Rosberg is the driver to beat and the McL profit....