I'm pleased there's some competition for the Merc's now. Although there seems to be a distinct top 3 of Mercedes, Ferrari and Williams.

 

I was also very pleased to see one of the Marussia's go the full distance. With any luck they'll be able to bring the car up to pace a little bit now they have loads of data to play with.

There doesn't seem to be any love for Kimi after coming from the back and finishing 4th  - I haven't seen his name mentioned once in any of the commentaries. I think he did well after the mess up that was qualification and the puncture on the first lap.

There doesn't seem to be any love for Kimi after coming from the back and finishing 4th  - I haven't seen his name mentioned once in any of the commentaries. I think he did well after the mess up that was qualification and the puncture on the first lap.

Absolutely , cant wait to see him and Vettel go head to head

Big Ferrari fan (racing at least, wouldn't want one of their road cars unless it's an F40 - don't kill me), I used to think Vettel was a bit of a **** but one of my friends at university did his placement at Red Bull and got to meet him and told me he's a really nice guy.

 

Bit disappointed however that I can't seem to find anywhere to have a bit of a punt on Ferrari getting a 1-2 finish this season, I was over the moon watching the grand prix at the weekend, always liked Kimi too, especially when he was coming through the pack, can't wait to see what Ferrari can do this season!

I don't think that the Ferraris are going to go as well in China this weekend - Merc are testing some major wing upgrades in China

 

McLarens won't like the temperatures and don't think they'll get into the top 10.

 

Kimi has lost his passport and is not yet in China

 

Sauber have a new front wing

I honestly think the previous race was a fluke and temperatures fell outside the optimum operating zone for Merc but suited Ferraris a lot. 

I honestly think the previous race was a fluke and temperatures fell outside the optimum operating zone for Merc but suited Ferraris a lot. 

Totally agree. It doesn't suit the Mercs because they have plenty of downforce so by pushing even hotter tyres down does mean speed but just not for long as they tyres overheat.

They should absolutely fly in China and I really hope they do.

I honestly think the previous race was a fluke and temperatures fell outside the optimum operating zone for Merc but suited Ferraris a lot. 

 

How so?  Both cars had identical pace race-long, but Merc handed Vettel a 10-15 second lead which he didn't give up. He was also less tha 0.5 off on laptime in Australia.

 

Just as well Merc management aren't in denial like their fans?

 

Based on this and previous posts you must be a big Rosberg fan?

McLarens won't like the temperatures and don't think they'll get into the top 10.

 

 

And McHonda not getting into the top 10 is news because?

How so?  Both cars had identical pace race-long, but Merc handed Vettel a 10-15 second lead which he didn't give up. He was also less tha 0.5 off on laptime in Australia.

 

Just as well Merc management aren't in denial like their fans?

 

Based on this and previous posts you must be a big Rosberg fan?

See MartynVRS reply, just about nailed it in one answer

I seem to remember Red Bull having occasional tyre problems during hot races when they were dominating f1. They would have a race where they were a fair amount slower than the likes of Ferrari and Mclaren. Again likely to be due to the amount of downforce they were producing being too much for the fragile Pirellis. I reckon business as usual this weekend with Ferrari locking out 3rd and 4th assuming no issues

Hopefully Williams will do well again.

The long back straight should help Williams. Arguably not as much requirement for downforce at China apart from the fast sweepers in the middle of the lap so heres hoping that Williams are at least closer to Ferrari.

I've just hear an interview snipped where LH talked about his new contract with Merc.

I had to laugh out loud, chip off an old block tha lad is lol. Negotiating the last penny on the table. Circa £30mil per year is nothing to turn anybody's nose on. £1.5mil per racing weekend? Add endorsements and his non-domicile tax status... he learned a lot from his old man!

I would drive that Merc for a lot less than that   .

I would drive that Merc for a lot less than that   .

 

NO disrespect BUT you would not be able to drive the Formula Renault in that vid not to mention an F1 car LOL

 

The long back straight should help Williams. Arguably not as much requirement for downforce at China apart from the fast sweepers in the middle of the lap so heres hoping that Williams are at least closer to Ferrari.

 That is the thing, a well designed, aerodynamically efficient chassis will have a low drag to downforce ratio and will be have high top speed without sacrificing cornering speeds in "the twisty bits". Car feels "hooked", predictable and stable.

McHonda apparently has such a design and if they had merc motor supplying propulsion then I'd wager they will be easily fighting with Mercedes F1! Hence Redbull got refusal when they wanted to have merc motor at the back of their cars

While I was on Da Toobe, this one popped up...

LH, his first year in F1, no gold chain but Stevenage Chav shining through big time!

 

I would give it a good go  . This years Mclaren does look very tidy aero wise. Of course we could only speculate as to where it would be with a Merc engine but I still see the Merc car as the best all rounder (expect when it is tropical   ). With cooler conditions forecast this weekend I wonder if Ferrari will have the opposite problem that Merc had in Malaysia, only time will tell.

^ Agreed, it will be a tell tale race for Ferrari.

Check Jezza out in a vaguely F1 car

 

www.ufc.com/fighter/Anthony-Hamilton

 

Surely, not Lewis's dad!

 

 

EDIT: The above is a joke of course!

Edited 9 April, 201511 yr by Jabozuma

Yes if Ferrari are defending from williams instead of attacking Mercedes then I think that may well be the tone of the year. I do see Ferrari winning a few more races but the advantage that merc had in Melbourne doesn't just disappear. Looks can be deceiving .

As I wrote, the last race was a fluke, Merc will win both champs this year. Perhaps Ferrari, perhaps Willaims will win a race or two but the overall picture was painted a year ago...

The long back straight should help Williams. Arguably not as much requirement for downforce at China apart from the fast sweepers in the middle of the lap so heres hoping that Williams are at least closer to Ferrari.

 

or not?  Bottas and Massa both feel Williams advantages from last year are gone.

Jabozuma, on 09 Apr 2015 - 21:25, said:Jabozuma, on 09 Apr 2015 - 21:25, said:

I've just hear an interview snipped where LH talked about his new contract with Merc.

I had to laugh out loud, chip off an old block tha lad is lol. Negotiating the last penny on the table. Circa £30mil per year is nothing to turn anybody's nose on. £1.5mil per racing weekend? Add endorsements and his non-domicile tax status... he learned a lot from his old man!

 

That would be his old man who held down several jobs at once to give his kid a start?

 

 

 

Re wages: factoring in inflation he's probably on about half what Senna was.  Sounds about right.

Edited 10 April, 201511 yr by camelspyyder