Australian GP 2008

[Rob W]

I have to say I am very impressed with Robert Kubica. Nice work under a lot of pressure.

I'm guessing something like:

Hamilton
Heidfeld
Kovalainen
Massa

R

[mx_tifoso]

I believe I read that the Ferrari´s aren´t able to produce such quick times over single or low runs, so that might add to the hope of them having even better pace come race time.At least I hope so, Ferrari have a lot to live up to this season.

But I´m also glad that BMW made it onto the podium with Kubica.

It may or may not be true, but another view of Albert Park is that it does not produce a realistic representation of the overall order.

[joseff]

Now for some rumors. Ferrari has problems with cooling and will limit revs to 18.000 rpm.

Two engines dead: Raikkonen and Bourdais. hmmm... Is this becoming a McLaren vs BMW season?

Does anyone else think Barrichello should be excluded for exiting the pit lane under red? Remember Montreal 2007?

[vyselegend]

OMG I'm in love with formula one again! What a grand prix!

-Rosberg on the podium
-Alonso... I don't find the words... He's just Alonso!
-Bourdais was sensational. Finally I think he'll be able to do as well as Vettel, which means kicking some big team's ass with the "old" Torro Rosso.
- Barichello unlucky, but proves Honda are back in the game.

On the other side,

-A day to forget for Red Bull and Ferrari.
-Piquet sucks...
-Seven cars finished the race. I think it's the first time since Brazillian GP 2003 there's such an hecatomb. US GP 2005 doesn't count, and US GP 2006 saw 10 cars cross the checkered flag. Maybe seven is a record.

Now let's imagine if Ralph had been there. As statistically he would have striken 7 cars at the start, we would have seen a no-cars finish...

[bar555]

Any ideas why Alonso managed to overtake Kovalainen so easily in the middle of the long straight ( after being overpassed a few hundred meters before )

A wrong up shift by Kovalainen

[Rob W]

Would it be a good time to point out that my predictions were the only ones which were even close... I predicted 1st and 2nd correctly.

Manchild/Tomba.. I don't mean to gloat, but what do I win?

I'm guessing something like:

Hamilton
Heidfeld
Kovalainen
Massa

[HKS]

This thread is meant to analyse the happenings at Albert Park.

I think Kimi was brilliant. Except for for the couple of mistakes he made. I'm happy for Fernando and Nico.

[bar555]

Williams seems to reclaim the past glory . Clearly the 4th team in the grid after Mc Laren , Ferrari , BMW Sauber . Renault and Red Bull are very close to Williams . Toyota still tries to understand the new car so it is difficult to estimate TF108 real potential so does Honda . Torro Rosso , Force India and Super Aguri follows .

Do not write off Ferrari and Renault . Too early to judge

[jaho101]

Williams seems to reclaim the past glory . Clearly the 4th team in the grid after Mc Laren , Ferrari , BMW Sauber . Renault and Red Bull are very close to Williams . Toyota still tries to understand the new car so it is difficult to estimate TF108 real potential so does Honda . Torro Rosso , Force India and Super Aguri follows .

Do not write off Ferrari and Renault . Too early to judge

I'd actually write off Renault a bit, because Alonso had to push that car just to stay in front of Heikki. It looked frighteningly twitchy and Alonso was taking huge lounges into the corners. Hopefully the Renault can develop some consistency later in the season, but I don't see them doing better than last year. Like Honda, they should look forward to 2009 (they actually seem to be on the same kind of pace too).

[vyselegend]

Barichello disqualified for jumping red light

Put Williams ahead of BMW in the constructor's standing, and give a point to Ferrari.

[Project Four]

Any ideas why Alonso managed to overtake Kovalainen so easily in the middle of the long straight ( after being overpassed a few hundred meters before )

A wrong up shift by Kovalainen

He knocked the pit lane speed limiter, when he was pulling a tear-off off

[slimjim8201]

Watching Barrichello hold off Raikkonen for 18 laps was the shocker for me. Not sure this would have been possible last year. I guess it wasn't really holding off either, as Raikkonen was only able to make a few attempts at the pass. Heavy on fuel for sure, but still, it was a Honda...

This year is going to make me cringe while watching the first corner more than ever before. It really stinks to watch 4 or 5 drivers (usually the talented ones) have their races ended before they start. I'd like to see the grid spaced out a bit more. Especially this year without traction control. Give the drivers a bit more room to react. It won't eliminate a traffic jam at turn one, but I think it could help.

I'll give up seeing amazing passes and heroics on turn one to see amazing passes and heroics on laps 2 through 50+...

[icef1mkd]

Mates, what about Bourdais?

[axle]

Watching Barrichello hold off Raikkonen for 18 laps was the shocker for me. Not sure this would have been possible last year. I guess it wasn't really holding off either, as Raikkonen was only able to make a few attempts at the pass. Heavy on fuel for sure, but still, it was a Honda...

This year is going to make me cringe while watching the first corner more than ever before. It really stinks to watch 4 or 5 drivers (usually the talented ones) have their races ended before they start. I'd like to see the grid spaced out a bit more. Especially this year without traction control. Give the drivers a bit more room to react. It won't eliminate a traffic jam at turn one, but I think it could help.

I'll give up seeing amazing passes and heroics on turn one to see amazing passes and heroics on laps 2 through 50+...

Can't agree with your summation of the first corner issue...this is the best bit. Massa being a donkey and dropping it, the other drivers are all supposed to be elite too. This is F1, best of the best...they should be able to sort things out without killing each other...Melbourne is a tough start due to the circuit layout, can't see Sepang being the same.

[segedunum]

Watching Barrichello hold off Raikkonen for 18 laps was the shocker for me. Not sure this would have been possible last year. I guess it wasn't really holding off either, as Raikkonen was only able to make a few attempts at the pass. Heavy on fuel for sure, but still, it was a Honda...

Raikkonen stopped fourteen laps after Barrichello, and nine laps after Hamilton. The Honda is also no slouch as an engine. It's the rest of the car that worries you.