I wa quietly crossing my fingers that this wouldnt happen, but it is the best decision to make. Its not worth putting anyone in danger just to keep tv stations and fans happy.
And on a positive note, Melbourne put on an amazing 4 day show and it is a far better start to the season that a race in the middle east with no support races, and virtually no fans in the stands apart from the rich and famous oil tycoons.
The fans that attend Melbourne make that event what it is, and it deserves to be the season opener. I wish I could afford to go again this year.
Once the teams go to Catalunya for the last test, we will see a HUGE amount of new bodywork and new parts fitted to the cars, that all the teams have been keeping hidden for as long as possble to avoid other teams having time to mimic them before the first race.
All the aerodynamicists will be locked in rooms trying to integrate other teams ideas from the first tests into their own chassis' and I wouldnt be at all surprised to see cars testing out other teams earlier test innovations like the sidepod exits for the exhausts or different intakes for the radiators etc.
Either way its going to be a hell of a year, with the new tyres, adjustable rear wing, Kers, no f-duct, double diffuser or blown diffuser...so many variables will ensure exciting racing.
Bring it