Australian GP 2011 - Albert Park, 24-27 March

[Just_a_fan]

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.

DC made a comment during qualifying that an onboard shot of Hamilton could be confused for Button because LH was driving as smoothly as JB is supposed to. Perhaps LH is learning stuff from JB without losing his natural speed. If he is, then he's only going to get better as time goes on...

[raymondu999]

Question is, which chicanes? Eg I'm not surprised if he engages it on the exit of 1 and entry of 2, which is a very open exit anyways, as probably Turn 6-7. But 11-12? No way

[nacho]

Any reliable info on how long they can use the hard and soft tyres?

If its under 10 laps for the softs then it will be an interesting mess after the first pitstop as most of the top-10 will drop right into the mix with those from 11 backwards.

[andrew]

nacho - I think the softs are something like 9 laps. Not sure about the hards.

[PNSD]

I suspect it will be longer than 9 laps, I was thinking more 15 laps. I guess nobody really knows and we'll find out tomorrow

[Tamburello]

Question is, which chicanes? Eg I'm not surprised if he engages it on the exit of 1 and entry of 2, which is a very open exit anyways, as probably Turn 6-7. But 11-12? No way

That third sector is the killer so he's doing something through 11-12, either through more DF or DR. He's even got at least .5 sec over his own teammate in that sector. Other thing is, every time he puts a new set of soft tyres on, he seems to find half a second whereas the rest of the field can only gain around half that...

[vall]

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.

I honestly do not understand why they allow the drivers to use the DRS in the quali at all It was introduce to help overtaking, not as a tool to make cars faster....

[marekk]

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.

I honestly do not understand why they allow the drivers to use the DRS in the quali at all It was introduce to help overtaking, not as a tool to make cars faster....

+1

[Tamburello]

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.

I honestly do not understand why they allow the drivers to use the DRS in the quali at all It was introduce to help overtaking, not as a tool to make cars faster....

Something to do with gear ratios, apparently...

[Poleman]

I honestly do not understand why they allow the drivers to use the DRS in the quali at all It was introduce to help overtaking, not as a tool to make cars faster....

I am with you on that one...Maybe FIA will re-consider the free use of the DRS system in quali to avoid examples such as Sutil's.

[nacho]

I suspect it will be longer than 9 laps, I was thinking more 15 laps. I guess nobody really knows and we'll find out tomorrow

Not a long wait. 15 laps with 150 kg of fuel, can't believe it, maybe 15 with 30 kg of fuel and a rubbered track.

[FrukostScones]

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8zpeM3o-mBM[/youtube]

[Jimi_Hendrix_1967]

Another race, another Hamioton controversy. He (and rosberg, schumacher) got a warning for impeding drivers in qualifying. Ive so had it with rule bending Hamilton. Disgrace to F1. I dont like him.

[Poleman]

Another race, another Hamioton controversy. He (and rosberg, schumacher) got a warning for impeding drivers in qualifying. Ive so had it with rule bending Hamilton. Disgrace to F1. I dont like him.

We know u dont like him...Keep it low.Thats nothing to be accused of rule bending...It happens all the time.In your logic is Rosberg a rule bender,Schumacher a rule bender (thats questionable ) and anyone who "blocked" another driver so far?...Anyway u got the point.Chill out we know that u would love to see him start from the back of the grid.Hardly a controversy case here,rather than a deep desire for a penalty.

[mith]

I think I remember primes in final Barca test were lasting sth. around 15 laps while options were decent for around 10.