Formula 1 2009

[Audi]

Everyone excited? It should be interesting with all the rule changes. I can't wait for Vettel to show that nancy Hamilton some real driving. The kid is his own manager, signs autographs, does heaps of interviews and is an all round nice guy, while dominating the scene in a slower car!

[GTTpower]

Have they found a buyer for the Honda team yet, would imagine if anyone was serious it would have been done already. Lets hope Toyota can get a win

[ke25sr]

Slicks are awesome i cant wait.

I dont have sky and have no idea how im going to watch it this year

[Adamal]

I like that the cars need to be aerodynamically simpler. They were starting to look all over the top with all the horns etc.

[thornz]

I like that the cars need to be aerodynamically simpler. They were starting to look all over the top with all the horns etc.

Yeah, initially I almost vomited when I saw this years cars, but now they look awesome, they have really grown on me! I'm thinking BMW could be the front running car this year after they abandoned development on last years car mid way through the season.

I do wonder how McLaren are going to fear to this year. Its a big thing developing a new car from scratch, so it will be interesting to see how boy wonder LOOOIS has got on with that. Add to that the change at the top with Ron Dennis, could make for some intersting changes in the grid.

Then again, its F1, who knows, I'm probably gonna be proved completly wrong!

[Mr Revhead]

yes im certainly looking forwards to it!

with all the changes, im not putting any $$ anywhere!

[xsspeed]

OK folks, was waiting for this to come up, I am offto Melbourne for the F1, whats the best recommendation for what day to go, can't do all 4 days (180 AUD) cos I have the mrs with me too.

Whats the schedule for the saturday, is it qualify only? in which case sunday is the day to go?

[Mr Revhead]

do you WANT to see the race?
if so and you dont have stand seats by a screen then dont go sunday!
watch it on TV
if you can handle not being able to follow the race but want to experience the cars running all together then do go for the race

if your there for practice you will them no problems, for qualifyign get to your spot in plenty of time or you will miss out (unless you have stand seat)
i got there about 9am race day and couldnt get near a good general admission spot with view of the screen

there are some spots on the straights where you can get within 5-6 metres of the cars, insane!! just dont bother trying to take pics in those spots

[xsspeed]

Yeah been looking at GA prices, not stands and not knowing the track I am not sure about picking out spots.

Site says gates open at 1030? http://cars.grandprix.com.au/default.aspx?s=daily_event_programme

Hah can see how my post was misleading, should have said so is sunday the only day worth going to? (Race day that is)

Anywho havent looked at stand seats yet/probably all gone.

A seat infront of the large screen at Crown casino is sounding good. Plus I can enjoy air con, gambling etc etc.

Hmm but then theres the atmosphere

[JustinSpiderholden]

I like that the cars need to be aerodynamically simpler. They were starting to look all over the top with all the horns etc.

Yeah, initially I almost vomited when I saw this years cars, but now they look awesome, they have really grown on me! I'm thinking BMW could be the front running car this year after they abandoned development on last years car mid way through the season.

I do wonder how McLaren are going to fear to this year. Its a big thing developing a new car from scratch, so it will be interesting to see how boy wonder LOOOIS has got on with that. Add to that the change at the top with Ron Dennis, could make for some intersting changes in the grid.

Then again, its F1, who knows, I'm probably gonna be proved completly wrong!

Will be very intresting, considering last years McLaren was pretty much a copy of the Ferrari

I'm really hoping Vettel does well, but my moneys on BMW unless something went seriously wrong with there devlopment they should be pretty much on the money

[thornz]

Looks as though Honda could be back on track as "Brawn racing"

http://www.planet-f1.com/story/0,18954, ... 26,00.html

Good news for F1, although you cant help but feel they will be propping up the tail end of the grid. Could be intersting to see if Force India improve this year with backing now from McLaren.

[2jayzgte]

I see Ferrari BMW and Toyota were testing in Bahrain and there was not much between the 6 cars Raikkonen was quickest but 1/2 second covered the 6 so thats a good sign for some close racing this year.I have to say I am to looking foward to F1 and after being a bit negative with Toyota over the years I actually hope they go alright this year and Timo Glock show's really what he's made of this year as I think all the signs are there for him to go well.

[barryogen]

1/2 second covered the 6

If 1/2 a second over 6 cars lap times is considered close, it appears I haven't watched F1 in longer than I thought.

How long has there been that much difference?
I seem to recall that the whole field was withing a second, with the top 8 or so being within .35

Or am I just being nostalgic.

[RomanV]

Not much of a big gap considering the radical nature of the rule changes for this year, and they've had SFA time to test so far etc.

I doubt the spread will be that wide by the end of the season.

[Mr Revhead]

thing with testing is you have no idea of fuel loads etc
so yeah thats fairly close

[MercuryFree]

while dominating the scene in a slower car!

Errr what? Vettel was in the midfield the entire season until they got their newer, faster car in the closing stages, at which point he started racking up some considerable points (and good on him, he's certainly one to watch!). Didn't notice much domination though...

Tbh if Ferrari can get their reliability issues sorted, my money would be on Massa to win the championship this year... (The only reason he didn't win in 2008 was because his car had that annoying habit of exploding when he was almost about to win a race :p)

[2jayzgte]

while dominating the scene in a slower car!

Errr what? Vettel was in the midfield the entire season until they got their newer, faster car in the closing stages, at which point he started racking up some considerable points (and good on him, he's certainly one to watch!). Didn't notice much domination though...

Tbh if Ferrari can get their reliability issues sorted, my money would be on Massa to win the championship this year... (The only reason he didn't win in 2008 was because his car had that annoying habit of exploding when he was almost about to win a race :p)

Thats a big call Massa to win it all I reckon Raikkonen is going to have a good year this year but I'm biased as he's my favourite driver but apparently he's done more in the off-season than in the past and I still believe he is more talented than Massa but time will tell.

[thornz]

Yip, I'm picking Raikkonen for the title. He always goes well in the odd years. But in all seriousness, I think he is more driven than ever. He could easily ahve walked away form Ferrari last year, but instead he seems to be keen to put in the hard yards to prove to evryone, that he was only shit last year because he was drunk all the time from celebrating the previous years title.

[Mr Revhead]

cant really bet against any of the 4 macca and ferrari drivers....
im certainly not going to bet against them!

any outside bets and a driver from another team taking it out?

[thornz]

cant really bet against any of the 4 macca and ferrari drivers....
im certainly not going to bet against them!

any outside bets and a driver from another team taking it out?

If i had to pick one, I would fancy Kubica as a roughy. On second thoughts, if Renault can give Alonso a half competitive car, he will ring its neck, and could perhaps put himself into contention. Would love niothing more than this season being a wide open affair, with 3-4 teams all with a shot of winning each race, I think it would be fantastic for F1 to break the standard ferrari and mclaren dominance that has been evident in the past few years.