Australian GP 2009 ( finally! )

[tk421]

I figured it's about time to start this thread, and, well, I always wanted to be the first guy to start a race thread!! No track maps, no practice/qualifying/race local start times etc.

But it's finally time for 2009 to start!!! Christ, one can only wait so long! I predict all 20 cars' front wings coming off at the first corner, a huge rush to the pits, and all the cars leaving with the fuel hoses still attached!

Joking aside, it's going to be a great season, and the only thing I'll predict is that we'll see many more race winners this year - I'm hoping for at least 10!

[bidong]

I think we should watch out for the formal protests Red Bull and Renault are going to do regarding the diffusers. Also, what would be the result if they were deemed legal? I am sure Adrian Newey has a lot of diffusers in his cabinet. RED BULL WILL BE FEARED! LEGALIZE DOUBLE WING DIFFUSERS! I guess losing Nick Fry, made the former Honda team, lose it's small fry label (pun intended)

[Giblet]

Don't worry, I'm sure someone else will start one with a slightly different title

I'm really looking forward to the start, and the change in driver pecking order with slicks.

When was the last time the wings were wider then the wheels?

[ernos5]

Yes i am really anticipating the start of Formula racing after not having seen it for months and months

btw i found this picture, i've never seen those air flow guide lines underneath the front wing before

[jamsbong]

I live in Aus and I am really looking forward to the much advertised and hyped FACE-LIFTED F1. hehe... I am a avid follower of the sport and I do welcome the changes in general.

I am currently quite sick of the silly diffuser protest though, just get on with your own development! rather than playing politics. Note, it is the rich teams imposing their protests on the poor weaker teams.

Anyway, there will be live reports throughout the whole afternoon on Sat and Sun on Channel 10.

[jamsbong]

Responding to Ernos5 comment. It seems to me that the new front wings are even more complex than before as there is very little that can be done on other areas. The engineers are more desperate to get their downforce back. hehe..

[ben_watkins]

Ferrari, BMW Sauber, Renault and Red Bull have lodged a protest over the diffusers of Brawn, Toyota and Williams..

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsp ... 965056.stm

A spokesman for the FIA said it hoped to have a verdict on the protest appeal by the end of Thursday..

[ben_watkins]

Yes i am really anticipating the start of Formula racing after not having seen it for months and months

btw i found this picture, i've never seen those air flow guide lines underneath the front wing before

Well it's been well discussed in the Renault thread as their front wing has been pictured here -> viewtopic.php?f=1&t=6281&p=98528#p98528

[meves]

Diffusergate will carry on, they've been cleared to race so it'll go to appeal!

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/73915

[DaveKillens]

Could this winter be any longer? It seems forever since Brasil.
I love the technology of these wonderful Formula One cars. I also find the politics fascinating. But they all follow a distant second to what's really important to me, the racing. I can't begin to count the number of times I referred to the calender to see just how far away the season was. But now, finally, it has arrived. Dayum, do I feel happy.

Even at this time, the future is very uncertain. There are many huge questions about to be answered in just days. The big boys, Ferrari and McLaren... are they strong or as some suspect with the McLaren, off the pace? BMW and Renault, can they mount a strong challenge for the top tier? And all the rest, especially Brawn, where do they stand? Who is the real dark horse? Toyota?

I'm so excited I can't wait.

[donskar]

My Saturday schedule:
Work until 9:00 pm (2100)
Drive 50 miles to a rock concert
Get home by midnight to watch race beginning at 0030 (ugh)
Watch the race

BTW, let's stop calling Brawn a small team. Car was designed and developed with Honda money and resources, and it now looks like significant sponsorship is rolling in (Branson/Virgin).

[ISLAMATRON]

Pit lane speed limit for the race only has been raised to 100kph(62mph).

Why? anyone know...?

Should make it easier for 3 stop teams to compete with the 2 stoppers... doubt we will see a 1 stop strategy with the bigger difference between the 2 tire options.

could we see a team use the super soft for 3 stints and the mediums for 1?(McLaren?)

[alelanza]

I guess losing Nick Fry, made the former Honda team, lose it's small fry label (pun intended)

Nick's still there, or maybe i misunderstood you

Pit lane speed limit for the race only has been raised to 100kph(62mph).

Why? anyone know...?

Should make it easier for 3 stop teams to compete with the 2 stoppers... doubt we will see a 1 stop strategy with the bigger difference between the 2 tire options.

could we see a team use the super soft for 3 stints and the mediums for 1?(McLaren?)

No idea about why the speed change. Regarding tyres they still need to use both compounds, so a one stopper would probably have to be quite off set.

[ISLAMATRON]

I guess losing Nick Fry, made the former Honda team, lose it's small fry label (pun intended)

Nick's still there, or maybe i misunderstood you

Pit lane speed limit for the race only has been raised to 100kph(62mph).

Why? anyone know...?

Should make it easier for 3 stop teams to compete with the 2 stoppers... doubt we will see a 1 stop strategy with the bigger difference between the 2 tire options.

could we see a team use the super soft for 3 stints and the mediums for 1?(McLaren?)

No idea about why the speed change. Regarding tyres they still need to use both compounds, so a one stopper would probably have to be quite off set.

What I meant is for a 3 stop team(that would be 4 stints) run the supersofts for 3 of those stints and then the hard compound to satisfy the regulation. I can see McLaren(and FIF1) really looking into this option.

[alelanza]

I guess losing Nick Fry, made the former Honda team, lose it's small fry label (pun intended)

Nick's still there, or maybe i misunderstood you

Pit lane speed limit for the race only has been raised to 100kph(62mph).

Why? anyone know...?

Should make it easier for 3 stop teams to compete with the 2 stoppers... doubt we will see a 1 stop strategy with the bigger difference between the 2 tire options.

could we see a team use the super soft for 3 stints and the mediums for 1?(McLaren?)

No idea about why the speed change. Regarding tyres they still need to use both compounds, so a one stopper would probably have to be quite off set.

What I meant is for a 3 stop team(that would be 4 stints) run the supersofts for 3 of those stints and then the hard compound to satisfy the regulation. I can see McLaren(and FIF1) really looking into this option.

I know what you meant, my comment was about a one stopper which you mentioned