Grand Prix thread 2017 Not606 Australian GP Chat and Predictions

Sounds like Vettel was expecting to get pole, no winner wants second but he doesn't sound that pleased with second.

Not a bad start to the season, close enough to be a race.

 

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Ok so Ferrari not quite fast enough for pole but... they have split the Mercedes. History tells us they look vulnerable when they are not sheltered by a team mate.

 

Now we just need to see how bad the wake one these things are. We may have close quali, but then not be able to get within a 100 yards or each other.

 

Nice effort by Haas and Grosjean too.

 

Bed time for me. See you all tomorrow for what's hopefully a cracking race!

 

Not only did Palmer get spanked in Q1 but he blamed the team for it...after he smashed the car up. The bosses are not happy. Prost didn't look impressed. I cant see him lasting

 

Bring back di resta!

 

We must remember this is a high df track as well.

It coyld mean mercs have a lot in the bag at low df circuits.

It sounded to be vettel tried to make it sound closer with talk of turn 1 and 9

However it could also be low temps mised it up.

The next test is the start tonorrow

 

I think Ferrari have them where they want. Bit frustrating for Kimi, I expected him to be with Seb. Will be exciting tomorrow.

 

Well at least they aren't as far ahead as they were. Granted i think a lot of the Red Bull era was about this gap, but the defininition of dominant has been changed.

It is interesting that these cars seem to breed larger teammate gaps.

Hulk +3.269 Palmer
Grosjean + 2.773 Magnussen
Massa + 2.700 Stroll
Alonso +1.433 Vandoorne.

What terrible performances. Kimi got beat by 6 tenths and seems close by comparison.

 

These cars really seem to showing us who can handle them proper.

 

I can forgive Vandoorne, there's not a chance McLaren could have both cars working at the same time.

 

Just read somewhere that Kimi has no complaints of the SF70-H, after hearing his team radio it just seems he cocked up somewhere on his lap.

 

I think we're in for a much closer season, development permitted.

Ferrari reduce last year deficit by almost 6 tenths, on effectively a harder compound. Also it's avery unique high downforce track, the true analysis will start at truer faster tracks. I'm optimistic

 

We need to give Stroll & Vandoorne more time IMHO .

 

That's true, just put yourself in their shoes for a moment. The task would be immense, you can see Lance is over-driving as is expected, he will learn in time. Good he has Massa alongside him.

 

since they returned to F1 their philosophy seems to have been for qualy pace over race pace, I think they lose an extra .5 compared to everyone else. If I go by that then I think a Ferrari 1-2 is a distinct possibility.

as to the others, 'old man' Massa who retired last year, is in Q3, Stroll is..... though saying that, I have a suspicion that Massa's main problem was really to do with the conservative style of 'racing' everyone had to do. I wouldn't be shocked if he got a podium this season, i think the cars, and tyres, will suit him more.

 

Channel 4 had some analysis of his driving (as you say, overdriving) which was really interesting to see, particularly with DC's comments. It was clear before he even highlighted it just how nervous Stroll is with his steering inputs, and how ragged and uncertain it looks. Also interesting that he highlighted how you could see Stroll's legs shaking around in the car, with DC being surprised nobody had pointed out that he should have some knee pads in there to prevent that. As Stroll crossed the line he clearly then fumbled with a dial on the steering wheel, not quite sure what he was doing, then out-braked himself into T1 as a result.

I imagine Massa would be much more assured in his steering, and using the steering wheel buttons almost on autopilot, so it's a shame there wasn't a side-by-side comparison. If Massa wasn't as smooth as I'd expect it could perhaps point to a characteristic of the Williams which is making it harder for Stroll.