Speaking of falling out...

 

How come Hamilton didn't have a go at Nico in public for blocking him in Q3.

 

From the overhead it was blatant - Lewis was on a qually lap and Rosberg just bimbled along the racing line into turn 7 ruining his rivals line through 7 & 8.

 

Should get a penalty, but I guess Merc wont protest their own car.

 

If Vettel had gone a tenth faster to get pole the Merc press conference would have been fun

I think it was brushed under the carpet because Hamilton's first lap was fast enough and Rosberg really shot himself in the foot. The team won't be happy and I'm sure that Hamilton will put the incident in his back pocket for later in the season.

The problems continue at McLaren. I don't mean the engines or the chassis, but I've just seen Jenson Buttons' haircut. :no:

I did chuckle at Rosberg asking what lines the 'fastest man' was taking to be told they couldnt help him with lines  

so then guys who is up and watching the race live? hoping its going to throw a few surprises can only see a hamilton win though

I am, the race is brewing up nicely.

Indeed, mixed up nicely, Ferarri, Vettel looking quick.

The problems continue at McLaren. I don't mean the engines or the chassis, but I've just seen Jenson Buttons' haircut. :no:

Has the wind taken his tash away yet?

Hard tyre for Hamilton........**** up I think

This is sooooooooo close

Strange tyre choices from Mercedes, but at least with Ferrari vastly improved we should have a more interesting season.

Mercedes a little to overconfident today?

Yep, probably some overconfidence in Mercedes' thinking. It was good to see the improvement from Ferrari but Mercedes definitely threw the win away with their strategy today.

I've never been a Ferrari or Vettel fan but I've quite enjoyed seeing that win.

 

I still think Merc are ahead but things are closer than they were last year, first race that has been won fair and square. Also good to see Maccas speed improving, although they did fail to finish, seems to be a small light at the end of the tunnel. Lots of good racing up and down the field, good race overall, even the Renaults are better than at Australia. 

 

What was the deal with Rosberg though? Seemed to be on the radio every 10 min asking his engineer to 'Tell him about the race' and his engineer running out of things to tell him. Bit odd, I cant help but feel the reduction in communication and help over the radios is hurting Rosberg. 

 

Now to endure Eddie the knob asking the questions.....

Rosberg has issues. Asking what lines to take in quali, asking for details during the race. It's almost like he has to be coached to race which is disappointing. He was pretty lackluster and it's almost as if he looks defeated.

Ferrari definitely stepped up today although I was more impressed by Kimi battling back through which not only shows the Ferrari is genuinely quick but Kimi hasn't lost a step since becoming a Dad which some sportsmen do. There are a few factors that contributed to Vettel's win but he did drive well. Mercs not being able to use tyres as well on hotter tracks but are perfectly fine in normal conditions. Rosberg not having balls in the first corner to get ahead of Vettel, Merc strategy, using a set of mediums during quali when there was no need to, so come the race had to use Hards. There's definitely a bit of complacency creeping in which will be a wake up call for Merc. But this is only the second race, both races are pretty odd in terms of conditions and layout so we'll see in China how things really are.

I'm glad there's competition now but lots forget that the last time we had a German winning in a Ferrari it was pretty dull. Lets hope it doesn't become a regular occurrence. I'd much prefer Kimi to be in the winning Ferrari's this year. 

Lots moaning about McHonda not finishing but there's a lot of positives to take from this. They were actually racing the likes of Sauber and Force India's and they keep putting miles on the cars. Every race is a test session for them so nobody should expect much for now. It's a hot track and with them not at full power it's understandable.

Good race for the rookies, particularly Verstappen.

 

Well done to Sebastian and Ferrari. Well deserved. You just knew it would be vettel who would profit when merc trip up. Ferrari do look genuinely fast but I still think Mercedes still have a reasonable edge but are not as good at tyre management in hot conditions. China will be very interesting, if it is cooler I think merc will be back on top but who know. I wonder if seb and lewis will be the main title contenders this year

While it's nice to see Ferrari win after a couple of dour seasons, I am not a fan of Vettel. Last season when Hamilton won the radio chat between him and his engineer was more 'well done guys' and 'great job Lewis'. When Vettel wins it's all shouty and screaming, after four world titles you would have thought he would've calmed down a bit.

Great for Formula One to have a non-Mercedes winner and not due to reliability issue. I hope Ferrari can keep their strong form and also that Kimi's luck changes so that we have a more interesting year.

Lewis does get in a strop on the radio when things aren't going his way. He's clearly got the legs on Rosberg but I wonder how he might cope if Ferrari keep the pressure on.

Seems that there is some truth in what Renault said about Red Bull's problems being not just down to the engine, as both were beaten by a couple of rookies in the Torro Rossos today.

Edited 29 March, 201511 yr by RapidRonnie

I'm sure Danny Ric was quoted after qualifying that there is much better driveability from the engine so I believe that Renault are right. Doesn't look like red bulls finest creation. Would be nice to see kimi get a bit more luck as he showed good race pace too

One thing Vettel did say which shows what he's really like was that it was good to be the first to beat Mercedes fairly. So Ricciardo winning last year and also handing him his arse didn't hurt then?

Perhaps red bull can stop crying about changing the rules to help them with the under powered Renault engines and step up to mark by improving the standard like the other teams not lowering it to suit them.

While it's nice to see Ferrari win after a couple of dour seasons, I am not a fan of Vettel. Last season when Hamilton won the radio chat between him and his engineer was more 'well done guys' and 'great job Lewis'. When Vettel wins it's all shouty and screaming, after four world titles you would have thought he would've calmed down a bit.

 

I dont mind that, it's a first win for a new team, the team he's been dreaming of driving for since he was a kid and the team his hero drove for, I'm far from a Vettel fan but cant blame the kid for being happy. 

 

Great for Formula One to have a non-Mercedes winner and not due to reliability issue. I hope Ferrari can keep their strong form and also that Kimi's luck changes so that we have a more interesting year.

Lewis does get in a strop on the radio when things aren't going his way. He's clearly got the legs on Rosberg but I wonder how he might cope if Ferrari keep the pressure on.

Seems that there is some truth in what Renault said about Red Bull's problems being not just down to the engine, as both were beaten by a couple of rookies in the Torro Rossos today.

 

He's got the arse loads before about them telling him **** when he's mid bend, not just when under pressure. Red bull were up against it with the brakes I assume judging from the clouds of black smoke coming out the front. No doubt Torro Rosso have improved though. 

 

Mercedes tactics were poor when faced with an equally fast competitor.

 

Burning up too many options in qually didn't help,  but they couldn't make the tyres last in the race, and after gifting Vettel a big lead hey were done.

 

Next time Merc will probably split the safety car strategy and they'll be less vunerable - but one of the drivers won't be happy.

I loved the midfield battles today, brilliant! Max V showed his talent unquestionably, mark my words, this lad will be a World Champion before 21!

Kimi showed his class as well and I do hope, as others, his luck will turn by the next race, he deserves it big time!

LH showed his true colors and as soon as he hit adversity he started to act like some moody primadonna, shame on you "man"...

McHonda... another development weekend, they turned the motors up and they fried. They have enough talent working on the cars to sort it out before the next race and perhaps bring both wagons back to the stables.

 

Ferrari winning was due to Merc not being able to use the tyres sensibly, waaay too hot for them, still it was good to see Seb lifting that trophy. I wolnder what was going through Alonso's head...

 

Staying on the head subject, what on Earth is going on with Rosberg?!?! Bloke is in tatters, he completely lost it, asking your pit wall for advice on racing lines... Dear Lord...

 

All in all a very good race and I enjoyed it thoroughly. Nevertheless I have no illusions that anybody but Merc can win both championships this season

RBR's complaints about Renault look pretty lame when they're getting spanked by 2 rookies at Toro Rosso.

One thing Vettel did say which shows what he's really like was that it was good to be the first to beat Mercedes fairly. So Ricciardo winning last year and also handing him his arse didn't hurt then?

 

To be fair Vettel did say that last year's Red Bull was a great car but he just couldn't get on with it.. and really this was the first race Mercedes have been beaten on pure performance terms.

But Riccardo had no issues and given at the time Red Bull was Vettel's team he should have had no issues.