The Aussie GP chat and prediction thread

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It's time to take off the sandbags (Merc) or put on the ballast (Williams Mclaren), drop the trousers and see who's is the biggest.
So, who will mount the top step in the first race of the season?

don't get used to having a picture.

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Bottas to stun us all and win.

 

Leclerc. Because that would be ace.

 

going bold and saying hamilton pole after ferrari dominating Friday and q1 and q2.

 

Vettel to make it 3 in a row.

 

OK, in future a should I continue to let us see the results of qualifying before voting, or end the poll on Friday before qualifying starts?

 

Good question!

I don't often take art in the predictions, so my opinion may be out of step with those who do; however, since Qualifying is such an important factor in the outcome of a race, I'd have thought it would make more sense – and be more fun – to make predictions beforehand.

To me, leaving the poll open until after Quali sort of undermines its purpose because by this stage, the outcome of the race is far, far easier to guess (even 'predictable' at some circuits) – and I thought guessing the outcome was the fun of this?!

 

No way. Predict BEFORE qualifying. Much more fun and far less predictable that way.

 

Close it after P3.

 

Can I ask a question that seems odd? With this "one point for fastest lap" – Say Kubica is leading a race and Stroll is dead last going into the final couple laps, and if they finish in those positions they would be tied on championship winning points, could Stroll just dip into the pits and snatch the championships from Kubica?

 

I'll try, I can't specify a time and date, but I can do it by hours, just better hope my math is good enough. It'll have to start next race.

 

No as the fastest lap point is only awarded if the driver is in top 10!!
So if Stroll was in top 10 and had time to pit, put on some sticky boots and get fastest lap while still being in top 10 then yes he would get extra point and beat Kubica to title.

 

I dont like that new rule. It could devalue the championships and make it almost a farce, as any car could fit on a new set of boots and do fastest lap. I think that could come back to haunt F1. Just my opinion.

 

I sort of liked the idea if it only applied to those outside the top 10. i.e. it might add a bit of fun towards the end of the race if it had been a bit processional, then a team outside the points nip into pits put some sticky boots on and go for it.

As you say it would be sad for the fastest lap points to effect the championship or would it? When Massa just misses out by a single point to Hamilton if you look at fastest laps I think Massa had 3 Lewis had 1. So Massa would have won if points for fastest lap had been active!!!!

 

I agree with and like the idea of the lower teams going for the extra point, but I dont think F1 needs to devalue racing, they will lose more viewers if people believe the outcome could be quite a farce.

 

Retrospective assessments of new rules which were not part of F1 at the time are irrelevant.
The reason should be obvious: teams and drivers compete according to the rules in place. This means that had the fastest lap point been active during that season, teams and drivers would have borne it in mind for the whole season, just as is being considered right now.

Restricting the point to being awarded only if finishing in the top ten is a good compromise because it does away with the daft situation mentioned above; however, it does leave room for some interesting manipulation! – And the rule is the same for every competitor, so it is a game-changer.

I also think it goes some way toward satisfying public demand by adding some seasoning to what will be served; and I already envisage several interesting scenarios.

 

What are your thoughts on a point for Pole ?

 

Marc Priestly said exactly this .

 

Very true, compete to the rules at the time.
It will be interesting for the strategists as it's so new a rule they haven't developed the PU with this rule in mind. So pushing the PU limits to get fastest lap may harm reliability!!

 

I don't agree with the idea of a point for Pole. Unlike fastest lap, it does nothing for the racing and in theory could result in a Championship being decided in Qualifying, rendering the race itself irrelevant to the one or both World Championships. (I think Westy has already made this observation somewhere).
It is also more likely to extend the points gaps as the season progresses since it is most likely to be awarded to a front runner in any case. This is not necessarily the same with fastest lap though, since – as we've seen over the past decade or so with delicate tyres – winning a race involves a high degree of strategic thinking and must take account of tyre conservation.

This actually adds weight to the argument for fastest lap because those behind the leader (back to 10th) have an extra incentive to burn tyres towards the end of the race – so long as they do not squander a top 10 finish.