Australian GP 2011 - Albert Park, 24-27 March

[Shrieker]

He's not the only one. Hamilton had a massive lockup to turn 3 IIRC.

Yes you are right, but that was not the set he set his fastest time in Q3. He won't have to start with those tyres. The lockup you mentioned was in his first Q3 run. Having said that, I don't remember watching Hamilton's best Q3 lap (they were showing other things) so he might have locked up the tyres and got a flat spot. But I doubt you could've seen it when I haven't.


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About the ARW. If Hamilton somehow can keep Vettel in his sights, he will have the ARW in his disposal to prevent Vettel from running away with it. Also, if the rumours about Red Bull's 'start only KERS' are true, Hamilton will really give Vettel a hard time in the race.

I remember seeing him lock up every time into turn 3. Including twice in Q3.

I watched the re-run on TV a few hours ago, in all honesty I can't remember seeing Hamilton do his final lap (which was his fastest), they only showed him come out of the final corner... Isn't the broadcast same for everyone round the world ?

[raymondu999]

I remember seeing him lock up every time into turn 3. Including twice in Q3.

[Tamburello]

I think the Macca and the Ferrari will fluctuate depending on circuits. Sometimes the Ferrari will be faster, sometimes vice versa.

Yea, that could be the case with a number of cars in the midfield too. But something happened between yesterday and today to that Ferrari. It looked very stable on Friday from all the on-board footage, as was the Macca, RB of course but also the Renault. Then today came along and it seems to have lost grip, whereas the others have not been similarly affected.

[komninosm]

About the ARW. If Hamilton somehow can keep Vettel in his sights, he will have the ARW in his disposal to prevent Vettel from running away with it. Also, if the rumours about Red Bull's 'start only KERS' are true, Hamilton will really give Vettel a hard time in the race.

It will be interesting if the car in 2nd position (Ham) is able to follow the 1st car Vettel) by abusing this ARW/DRS (with saving fuel and engine revs/program) while the 3rd car (Webber or whoever overtakes him when he crashes) is a bit behind and can't use anything so it gets left further and further behind (assuming the 1st car is the fastest). I really hate this DRS business.

[Gaara]

McLaren baffled amid Red Bull ‘start-KERS’ talk

http://www.f1zone.net/site/mclaren-baff ... talk/6086/

[Tamburello]

why would the 2nd placed car be able to do that and not the 3rd placed car?

[komninosm]

why would the 2nd placed car be able to do that and not the 3rd placed car?

I said if it got left behind a bit and couldn't use his ARW then the 2 front cars would get away assuming 1st car is better and 2nd and 3rd are about equal. The 2nd car could abuse ARW and go faster than normal and fight with 1st car when in all fairness the battle should be between car 2 and 3 which are similar in speed.
I'm speaking in general not just this race.

[Ferraripilot]

Something was definitely off out there for MB. Schumacher's Q1 time on hard tires was identical to his Q2 time on softs. Something was terribly awry with the car or tires and kers. Something. Strange way to start the season.

[Tamburello]

I don't think it will be so much of an issue as the 1st car has two laps to establish +1 sec lead before the DRS can be activated on cars behind him, and he should be able to do that in that time, especially if it's an RB7.

[andrew]

Has anyone seen a comparision of how much the DRS was used one Vettels and Hamiltons fastest lap? It would be an interesting comparision.

[Tamburello]

James Allen reckons Vettel was activating it inside the chicanes!

[komninosm]

I don't think it will be so much of an issue as the 1st car has two laps to establish +1 sec lead before the DRS can be activated on cars behind him, and he should be able to do that in that time, especially if it's an RB7.

It's still possible though and I'm also talking in general like cars 5,6,7 too at some point in the race not just the start. This situation will arise.

[andrew]

Not wanting to worry the Hamilton fans, but I'm wondering if has learnt how to preseve his tyres yet? If he hasn't done that then there is not point in worrying about him getting within a second of Vettel to use his ARW.

[FrukostScones]

I don't think it will be so much of an issue as the 1st car has two laps to establish +1 sec lead before the DRS can be activated on cars behind him, and he should be able to do that in that time, especially if it's an RB7.

It's still possible though and I'm also talking in general like cars 5,6,7 too at some point in the race not just the start. This situation will arise.

in my opinion fighting cars are no bullet-train...but maybe we will see co-operation:
what about the two Mclaren (if in second and third) use the ARW to keep in touch with Vettel by "drafting"...

[Sean H]

James Allen reckons Vettel was activating it inside the chicanes!

It appeared to be open nearly anytime he wasn't on the brakes... truly amazing.

I really think this will cause the race pace to be drastically different for some teams who couldn't run the ARW as much. Did that mask some teams real pace?

I can't wait for the first few laps, when drivers can't use that button as freely.