Australian F1 Grand Prix.

[wombat666]

Well, the cars are extremely fast and apparently a bit tricky to drive.
Once the rear end breaks traction it doesn't come back readily, the driver controlled clutch is giving several people used to having the software do it for them a hard time, and the amount of aero on the nose is contributing to the oversteer problems.
Much as I'm not Hamilton fan I must give him credit for getting into the car and wringing it's neck on lap one! Impressive.
Bottas is almost as quick, and both Ferrari drivers are right up there.
Hulkenberg was well up (Palmer is last!) but ended up just out of the top 10 and both STR drivers were impressive.
Max Verstappen bent his RBR out of shape Friday but managed to get it as the 'best of the rest' on the grid, Daniel Ricciardo found himself caught out by snap oversteer on a hot lap, Massa dragged the Williams into an unexpected P7 just behind a flying Romain Grosjean.

1	Lewis Hamilton	Mercedes	1:22.188
2	Sebastian Vettel	Ferrari	1:22.456
3	Valtteri Bottas	Mercedes	1:22.481
4	Kimi Räikkönen	Ferrari	1:23.033
5	Max Verstappen	Red Bull Racing	1:23.485
6	Romain Grosjean	Haas	1:24.074
7	Felipe Massa	Williams	1:24.443
8	Carlos Sainz	Toro Rosso	1:24.487
9	Daniil Kvyat	Toro Rosso	1:24.512
10	Daniel Ricciardo	Red Bull Racing	DNF

[wombat666]

These 'T-Wings' are ridiculous, I recall Tom Walkinshaw (Arrows) and Eddie Jordan (Jordan) attempting to get away with equally hideous appendages at Monaco way back, immediately banned!
Today Mercedes were running a double T-Wing (mounted on a strut), Ferrari a skinny fin mounted wing, as were several of the other 'Purple Pole' believers, while RBR and STR just run the fin.
Front wings are a bad joke, beautifully crafted layers of CF, more 'wings' than a Staffel of Fokker Triplanes, all vulnerable to the inevitable first corner scuffle.
No wonder the bloody cars understeer like greased pig on a wet road!









I really dislike the matt finish started by RBR, Force India have adopted a partial flat finish, while MacLaren and Renault have a few small areas the same.
Arguably the best finished team cars are STR and Mercedes.
Not sure if I'll bother with race day, Friday and Saturday might be enough, but then, never say never.

[wombat666]

Check out the 'Paper Clip' behind the fin!

[wombat666]

Daniel Ricciardo must be a share holder!!
Enterprising Aussies.

[jamminjames]

Just hope this year isn't a Hamilton parade now with Nico gone. Haas looks good but still having brake problems. Would love to see someone other than Hamilton win. Maybe Kimi. Vettel needs to settle down and get to it.

[Panther_99FS]

From I can ascertain about the new cars thus far, this season will definitely point out who are the most fit drivers!

[Panther_99FS]

Oh and...
I'm also highly impressed with Giovanazzi's qualifying effort!

[Roxane-21]

2016 pole: 1'23,837
2017 pole: 1'22,188
Difference: 1,649 sec

This year's cars were supposed to be 5 sec faster than last year's ones...

[wombat666]

2016 pole: 1'23,837
2017 pole: 1'22,188
Difference: 1,649 sec

This year's cars were supposed to be 5 sec faster than last year's ones...

The wide rubber and increased cross section of the cars has dramatically cut maximum speed in a straight line.
Conversely, speeds through fast corners has increased by as much as 30K.
And P1 this year is below the track record.

And JFTR, both Penske Fords have been blitzing the Supercar races over the weekend.

[Panther_99FS]

On a side note...
The announcers reminded me of how we don't have a German GP this season....

[wombat666]

Random thoughts.
Mercedes and Hamilton panicked, really strong showing by Ferrari and Vettel, Bottas cool and flawless, Alonso in the points for most of the race but the car expired (not engine related) at around 90% done!
Our Dan had a wretched weekend, Verstappen in P5, both Toro Rossos in the top 10, Giovanazzi impressed, Stroll did not, Kimi cruised around in P4, shame to see both HAAS cars go bang.
Way too early to make predictions but I think there will be a serious arm wrestle this season.

[Roxane-21]

25+ laps on "ultra-soft" tyres. "Hard" tyres may last three races...

Boring race with no action on front. Cars cannot follow each others AS EXPECTED. Some action in the pack due to performance gaps. Lead changes only possible through pit strategy.

Yes, those cars are slightly faster and more challenging for drivers, but the result remains the same : BORING.

[Panther_99FS]

OT: racing related note:

Seeing Webber's interview made me think that if Tony George hadn't messed up Indycar, we could very well be seeing Barrichello, Webber, and Button driving together in Indycar1
Anyways, the Hamilton-Vettel/Mercedes-Ferrari battle should be quite interesting this year. IMHO, Bottas, will beat out Kimi most of the time....


REALLY SAD to see Ricciardo not even have a chance.....

[wombat666]

25+ laps on "ultra-soft" tyres. "Hard" tyres may last three races...

Boring race with no action on front. Cars cannot follow each others AS EXPECTED. Some action in the pack due to performance gaps. Lead changes only possible through pit strategy.

Yes, those cars are slightly faster and more challenging for drivers, but the result remains the same : BORING.

Maybe you should be watching NASCAR........

[Roxane-21]

Maybe you should be watching NASCAR........

I am (as well as Indycar, V8 Supercars, WTCC, WEC and WRC).