I think he was faster than Vettel today, just unlucky from the start getting damaged and ending with 3 wheels on his wagon. He was pulling consistently fast laps in a damaged car in clear air and even with all his issues was on for 5th or 6th comfortably.
Kimi had a great start and might have jumped Vettel at the start and it seemed Vettel didn't get away as quickly as he would have liked. I think he had a little problem getting away on his formation lap too.
Think we also noticed this on the last day od testing. He is up for a brill season, just needs to keep the gremins away. I was sure 2014 was just an anomaly due to the F14t being setup around Nando. 2013 was a a very good season and that was in a **** box Lotus.
Is this why Toro Rosso is doing much better than Red Bull? MARCH 15, 2015 Marko confirms Renault in Toro Rosso takeover talks Talks are underway between Red Bull and Renault, regarding the sale of the Toro Rosso team. In the Melbourne paddock, high tension between officials of the energy drink company and its French partner is obvious. A divorce could be nigh. So according to Austria's Salzburger Nachrichten, Renault has kicked off talks with Red Bull about buying its second team, Toro Rosso, so it can be rebranded as the French manufacturer's works outfit. A source confirmed: "Yes, discussions are ongoing between Red Bull and Renault." Red Bull's Dr Helmut Marko, the right hand man of Dietrich Mateschitz, told the APA news agency: "It is true that we are speaking with Renault about another form of cooperation regarding Toro Rosso. "It may be that the cars go completely in yellow or there may even be a takeover," the Austrian added. But Marko denied rumours Red Bull might also be looking to sell its premier team, Red Bull Racing, to the Volkswagen Group. "There have been no talks," he insisted. He does not hide, however, that Red Bull is dissatisfied not only with its current relationship with engine supplier Renault, but with formula one in general. "Formula one is in urgent need of renewal," said Marko. "The sport must be the coolest, strongest and fastest it can be. "If the relation between the cost and what we get out of it is wrong for Red Bull, we would not go on forever." (GMM)
So again did Vettel purposefully break his clause with poor performances at RBR to get into Ferrari because he knew they were done for a few years. Ferrari bar McLaren later this season were seen going to be the only challenger to Mercedes in the long run, not RBR. This wasn't just a coincidence imo that or I'm going crazier.
The other impressive thing for me was Ferrari's fuel efficiency/ers capability seems MASSIVELY improved. Even when they were fighting for points last year, they were having to ease off and charge ers etc more than other teams. Australia is one of the more heavy consumption circuits and they were easily able to compete with (And beat the) Williams, who was the most efficient car at it last season. Very promising.
I don't think so... I think Vettel wants to totally cement his place in F1 history by trying to win world championships in more than one team. He knows fans will have more respect for him if he can accomplish that feat. It's a sensible more in my book.
No, i think you are spot on. Vettel looks very smart jumping at the moment he has into a team seemingly on the up. I actually believe the VW/Audi buying Red Bull rumour.
I'll be watching Kimi on Malaysia, he looked very solid on race and tyre preservation. His driving reminded me of the Kimi of 2013, much happier and in control.
I can see myself supporting Vettel a fair bit this season, despite my less than favourable view of Ferrari. Fastest laps, McLaren better than expected tbh. please log in to view this image
Agree with that too, the move suited him for many reasons. But i have no doubt if he saw Red Bull creating a car that could rival Mercedes, he'd not have moved when he did.
Vettel just has to hope Ferrari doesn't slip back during the course of the season.by the way if I were Alonso i would just sit out the first half of the season.. Right now Mclaren has no chance of gaining a point unless most of the team's drop out like today. Doesn't make sense for Alonso to rush back in and frustrate himself with that car right now.
So the other question is did Alonso really leave Ferrari, or did Vettel and Mattiacci 'arrange' his termination at Ferrari?
The Cynic in me thinks they knew Vettel was available and wanted the move, so they made it uncomfortable enough for Alonso that he'd walk out. Alonso though was already disillusioned at the crap Ferrari had handed him several years running, so not sure he took too much pushing.
I just think Alonso overplayed his hand. He thought he had all the cards and was hoping to prize out Lewis Hamilton, but it unravelled after Hamilton won the world championships..if Rosberg had beaten Hamilton maybe mercedes might have taken a different decision. But then the move to Hondas/McLaren was by then the only horse in the stables. So then he had little choice..in short..he overplayed his hand a bit.
Another thing is Kimi switched strategies, we all thought he'd finish lets say 8th/9th. Managed to claw his way back fast lap after fast lap. Unless Bottas can get back in his Williams and defend 2nd in the wcc, the Scuderia have cracked it and will only be playing catch up to Mercedes. RBR are down and out, their sister team is making a fool of them (Max and Carlos).
Now that's something you don't see everyday on Sky Sports, British F1 fans turning on Mercedes and the predictability of the GP. Tbh bar Kimi, Nasr, Sainz and Verstappen I would have got more action if I slept.
