2009 Australian Formula One Grand Prix

[AirWolf]

http://www.formula1.com/news/features/2009/3/9051.html

The Australian Grand Prix Preview - The Wait is Finally Over


At last, after what seems to have been the least conclusive off-season in a long while, the 2009 FIA Formula One World Championship kicks off in Melbourne’s Albert Park on Friday. And, after months in which several teams appear to have achieved good things in testing, we may finally start to get some answers to that crucial question: who will set the pace?

Let the discussions begin



Season calender.

 

[Veroland]

I think this first race will be very interesting while the teams still have to come to terms with all the new regulations.

I will obviously have to back my regular guy Alonso and then I'll still go with Massa, or anybody that beats Hamilton

Feel free to flame me now!

 

[cornestoltz]

Fortunately uncle Bernie did not succeed in pushing through his changes to the points system. That would have been interesting....

 

[killadoob]

Well i dunno why but i have a sneaky feeling mclaren have droppped the ball and there is going to some very interesting racing ahead, no doubt renault will have a better car this season.

I CANNOT WAIT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!, omg the wait has been to long but its finally over with practice tomorrow!!!!!!!!!

 

[sox63]

Its going to be an interesting race. To me KERS is the key! And add to that, the whole adjustable front wing thing, makes driving more complicated. We will see who deals with the best.

Is there a list of teams that are running KERS this season? I know Mclaren is, but it seems they dont know how to use well enough. Or maybe they have been "sandbagging" the testing season. Or at least thats what I hope.

 

[killadoob]

I think majority are running it hey, i know the old honda team are not for the moment.

Arrogant lil prick at it again http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/motorsport/formula_one/7965030.stm

I am amazed for 2 years mclaren give him a world championship winning car and he almost threw both away, they face one challenging year and he says he could walk? I would kick him out!!! Amazing how some people know nothing about loyalty, hamilton should be a 2 time world champion, i can assure you mclaren would not have booted him had he not won last year.

 

[sox63]

FP1 Results

Williams out on top for FP1

Times
01 N. Rosberg Williams 1:26.687 19 laps
02 K. Nakajima Williams 1:26.736 21 laps
03 K. Räikkönen Ferrari 1:26.750 24 laps
04 R. Barrichello Brawn GP 1:27.226 21 laps
05 H. Kovalainen McLaren 1:27.453 15 laps
06 J. Button Brawn GP 1:27.467 12 laps
07 F. Massa Ferrari 1:27.642 24 laps
08 T. Glock Toyota 1:27.710 24 laps
09 A. Sutil Force India 1:27.993 20 laps
10 F. Alonso Renault 1:28.123 16 laps
11 N. Heidfeld BMW 1:28.137 20 laps
12 J. Trulli Toyota 1:28.142 21 laps
13 R. Kubica BMW 1:28.511 22 laps
14 G. Fisichella Force India 1:28.603 16 laps
15 S. Buemi Toro Rosso 1:28.785 27 laps
16 L. Hamilton McLaren 1:29.042 18 laps
17 M. Webber Red Bull 1:29.081 7 laps
18 N. Piquet jr. Renault 1:29.461 25 laps
19 S. Bourdais Toro Rosso 1:29.499 21 laps
20 S. Vettel Red Bull 1:32.784 4 laps

http://www.planetf1.com/story/0,18954,3213_5105523,00.html

 

[sox63]

FP2 Results

Rosberg on top again

01. Rosberg Williams 1:26.053 36 laps
02. Barrichello Brawn 1:26.157 38 laps
03. Trulli Toyota 1:26.350 42 laps
04. Webber Red Bull 1:26.370 30 laps
05. Button Brawn 1:26.374 38 laps
06. Glock Toyota 1:26.443 42 laps
07. Nakajima William 1:26.560 33 laps
08. Vettel Red Bull 1:26.740 19 laps
09. Sutil Force India 1:27.040 29 laps
10. Massa Ferrari 1:27.064 35 laps
11. Raikkonen Ferrari 1:27.204 32 laps
12. Alonso Renault 1:27.232 28 laps
13. Fisichella Force India 1:27.282 32 laps
14. Heidfeld BMW 1:27.317 34 laps
15. Kubica BMW 1:27.398 36 laps
16. Bourdais Toro Rosso 1:27.479 36 laps
17. Kovalainen McLaren 1:27.802 35 laps
18. Hamilton McLaren 1:27.81 31 laps
19. Piquet Renault 1:27.828 35 laps
20. Buemi Toro Rosso 1:28.076 33 laps

http://www.planetf1.com/story/0,18954,3213_5106026,00.html

Not looking ood for mclaren.

 

[AirWolf]

The practice is not a true reflection. The qualifying will give a better picture of where we at this season.

 

[Veroland]

I agree with AirWolf, we only really be able to see what happens tomorrow, but I still peg Rosberg for a top 5 finish at least

 

[killadoob]

Looks like a walk over for barrichelo and button if reports are accurate, also williams have a good chance along with toyota.

Practice is not exact but i think those times are accurate and the grid will be dominated by toyota, brawn and williams. Hamilton has said mclaren have no chance so don't expect mclaren to come good hey. reports have barrichelo and button as bookies favourites with kimi raikkenon having drifted badly after being favourite.

What time is quali tomorrow?

 

[sox63]

Looks like a walk over for barrichelo and button if reports are accurate, also williams have a good chance along with toyota.

Practise is not exact but i think those times are accurate and the grid will be dominated by toyota, brawm and williams.

Thats if their cars will be able to keep what whatever points they win until the diffuser appeal is heard.

And based on the race stewards approval of the "Diffuser three" Renualt is now going to change their car.

The performance advantage accrued from what they still believe is an illegal diffuser design has been acknowledged by Renault contemplating a 'substantial reworking of the rear of the car' in order to incorporate a version of the controversial diffusers used by Brawn GP, Williams and Toyota.

But, what are they going to do when the hearing comes around, and they have to argue the system they said is illegal is now on their car as well.

Another dilemma for the teams has been presented by the decision to lodge an appeal. Do they themselves continue to explore the possibility of modifying their diffuser and its incorporation even in the build-up to a FIA hearing at which they will argue that type of diffuser design is illegal? As the device seemingly improves a car's performance by upwards of a half a second per lap, and it far from certain that the FIA will deem the controversial two-tiered design illegal, the 'other seven' will surely conclude that they have no option but to devote all their development work to the issue.

It would appear Formula 1 cant live without some sort of appeal.

 

[kaaskop]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/motorsport/formula_one/7967203.stm

It had been claimed their rear diffusers do not conform to new F1 regulations, but stewards ruled against the complaint.

It seems that the other cars will have to go the same way to get the 1/2 second back.

Just think if 1 of the Brawn cars manage to win say the first 4 races and the new rule of most race wins, they actually stand a chance to win the championship. Naw, wishfull thinking.

12:00 - 12:30 SS7 Bike SA Ep 6
12:30 - 13:00 SS7 GP Racing On Track
13:00 - 14:00 SS7 Absolute F1: Australia Preview
14:00 - 14:30 SS7 Junior World Rally Champs: Cyprus Rally H\L
16:30 - 17:00 SS7 Wesbank Super Series Trackside
17:00 - 18:00 SS7 Absolute F1: Australia Preview
18:00 - 18:30 SS7 GP Racing On Track
18:30 - 19:30 SS7 Two Wheels
19:30 - 20:00 SS6 F1: Ing Australia GP Practice Session 1 & 2
20:00 - 21:00 SS6 Rapid Motion Dirt Worx
20:30 - 21:00 SS7 FIA World Touring Car Champs: Brazil, Curitiba
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Time Channel Details Status
02:50 - 03:50 SS5 Two Wheels
03:50 - 04:50 SS5 Rapid Motion Dirt Worx
04:50 - 06:15 SS5 F1: Ing Australia GP Practice Session 3
06:15 - 07:15 SS5 Sasol SA National Rally Champs H\L Rally 1 - Tour Natal Rally
07:20 - 07:50 SS5 Wesbank Super Series Trackside
07:50 - 09:10 Maximo F1: Ing Australia GP Qualifying
07:50 - 09:15 SS5 F1: Ing Australia GP Qualifying
09:15 - 09:45 SS5 FIA World Touring Car Champs: Brazil, Curitiba
15:00 - 15:30 SS7 Bike SA Ep 6
15:30 - 16:00 SS7 Junior World Rally Champs: Cyprus Rally H\L
22:00 - 22:30 SS7 Wesbank Super Series Trackside
22:30 - 23:30 SS2 Two Wheels
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Time Channel Details Status
06:00 - 07:00 SS5 Absa Off Road Champs Adenco 400
07:00 - 07:30 SS5 Inside Grand Prix Ep 1 - GP Australian, Melbourne
07:30 - 10:30 SS5 F1: Ing Australia GP
11:00 - 12:00 SS2 Rapid Motion Africa
12:00 - 12:30 SS2 RPM
12:30 - 13:00 SS2 Inside Grand Prix Ep 1 - GP Australian, Melbourne
13:00 - 15:00 CSN/SS2 F1: Ing Australia GP
19:10 - 20:10 SS7 Two Wheels
20:10 - 20:40 SS7 Wesbank Super Series Trackside
22:00 - 22:30 SS7 RPM
22:30 - 23:00 SS7 Junior World Rally Champs: Cyprus Rally H\L
23:00 - 00:00 SS7 Rapid Motion Africa

 

[killadoob]

i think these teams have worked within the rules, i am sure you do not gamble on something like this. I think the other teams have slipped up in their designs and now feel they are at a disadvantage.

I hope it does stand because i enjoy f1 and do like ferrari but would love to see other teams coming through for once. I hope nothing is illegal, shake f1 up some more.

 

[killadoob]

As expected brawn 1 2 and dominating the field.

Mclaren shocking, ferrari not to be bad. Really loving this new format .

 

[thedutchman]

yes its brilliant!!!

 

[ToxicBunny]

Brawn are looking good... we'll have to see what tomorrow brings..

As for Hamilton, I kind of think now that he doesn't have the best car, his lack of driving talent will show through.

 

[killadoob]

I remember saying hamilton landed in f1 in about the fastest car, i am going to love seeing if he can do a senna/shummi type thing in a slow car.

It is one thing to do well in the best but your true metal is shown at times like this, vettel another prime example of driving home slower cars. Mclaren are so far behind i cannot see being competitive for the first half of this season.

 

[ToxicBunny]

Me neither....

I am very intrigued by Brawn GP.... they're going to throw an interesting dynamic into the mix i think.

 

[AirWolf]

Great showing by the Brawn GP team. The diffuser 3 have been cleared, but the other teams have appealed and a new hearing will be held after the Malaysian GP. Hope the new diffusers are allowed, because they sure seem to have an interesting dynamic to the sport with Ferrari and Macca not in on this.

Also read that Richard Branson had bought into Brawn GP.