Formula One 2011

[Adamal]

To me RBR are still along way ahead of McLaren and Ferrari.

Have to agree with that. Combined with an awesome drive from Vetell. He actually pulled off his fastest lap after his KERS stopped working!

[Mr Ree]

RBR are definitely the class of the field. But not quite as far ahead as maybe we had thought after Melbourne.

Lets just hope the laws of diminshing returns come into play in this years championship

Roll on Chinese practice in 4 days woohoo

[2jayzgte]

Thats the problem though I think they are as if they had KERS running the whole race they would have murdered the field by more.I think I heard Brundle and Coulthard mention 7 tenths per lap vs without KERS.I'm thinking RBR have'nt shown the true pace of there car as yet they are just giving us a preview to the main event waiting for what Ferrari and McLaren can bring to the table before they nail the coffin shut.

I really hope the others can get round and about as I think Hamilton and Alonso if they can get close can see what Vettel is really made of but if thee teams can't get there car upto the RBR car of Vettel I fear this season is a goner.

[Mr Ree]

I dont think RBR were leaving much on the table in Malaysia, no one likes to play too much cat and mouse

Apparantly the kers on the RBR is worth around, on average, about 3/10th per lap but it is still highly significant.

One other factor is if a driver uses kers and increases lap times, tyre wear rises also so its a fine balancing act.

New upgrades for Mclaren and Ferrari this weekend so lets see if we can have a 3 way fight for pole this weekend.

Renaults car should work well at China, lets hope their steering columns have been upgraded by then...OUCH!!

[Scrunty]

<..>I'm thinking RBR have'nt shown the true pace of there car as yet they are just giving us a preview to the main event waiting for what Ferrari and McLaren can bring to the table before they nail the coffin shut.

I really hope the others can get round and about as I think Hamilton and Alonso if they can get close can see what Vettel is really made of but if thee teams can't get there car upto the RBR car of Vettel I fear this season is a goner.

Even during practice and early qual they were doing it then once again pulled it out in Q3.. I hope it's not the case though, will make for boring race viewing for the season if they are just toying with everyone

I dont think RBR were leaving much on the table in Malaysia, no one likes to play too much cat and mouse

I really hope this is the case!

What happened with Hamilton pitting 3 laps before the end?
Surely even with completely stuffed tyres he could have nursed it home with less lost places/time than taking a pit?

[2jayzgte]

I dont think RBR were leaving much on the table in Malaysia, no one likes to play too much cat and mouse

Apparantly the kers on the RBR is worth around, on average, about 3/10th per lap but it is still highly significant.

One other factor is if a driver uses kers and increases lap times, tyre wear rises also so its a fine balancing act.

New upgrades for Mclaren and Ferrari this weekend so lets see if we can have a 3 way fight for pole this weekend.

Renaults car should work well at China, lets hope their steering columns have been upgraded by then...OUCH!!

I really hope so mate.I'm fearful though that those RBR cars are still sand-bagging it a little and theres still plenty more in them as shown by Vettel during the race I think he mangered his tires and the gap back to Hamilton like a seasoned pro and once Hamilton had charged and used the best of his tyres Vettel turned the screw's and then McLaren had no answer.

I'm assuming with the coming tracks RBR will to have upgrades but I think they will only unleash theres when Ferrari or McLaren catch up but I do hope those two with Alonso and Hamilton can get close enough to push Vettel along and see what he's really made of.As at the moment the RBR cars are just to quick and the latter 2 can't put any real pressure on to force Vettel into any racing mistakes.

[Adamal]

[Mr Ree]

You would have to presume that the piece of CF than holds the steering column in the tub was made in the same batch as the two suspension uprights that self destructed during friday practice.

Sure, Petrovs landing was big, but these cars are made alot stronger than that. Unless of course, it wasnt designed to take any vertical loading so splintered instantly when it happened, much like suspension arms shatter when put under horizontal loads.

[OllieS]

Would have been interesting to see the telemetry from that bit of fun.

I thought it was funny/retarded that he kept his foot in it the whole time and even hooked another gear as he was coming back onto the track. This compared to most drivers who when they go off, calmly slow join and join the track at a reasonable speed.

I'm pretty sure every bit of suspension of that car will be replaced this week. Especially when combined with the manufacturing problems from the uprights.

Also, I am pretty sure that uprights have to be metallic this year. At least I know the rear ones are.

[Mr Ree]

Righto then....

Chinese GP FP1 starts in 3 hours.

Long straights with a big DRS zone again.

Slightly less high speed corners for RBR to exploit their aero advantage.

Slightly cooler climate so tyres wont be as sensitive as last weekend.

Those 2 big snails are going to create some crazy marbles off line though so I cant see it being an overtaking opportunity.

Key will be to get braking absolutely spot on into turn 12 to be right under the car in fronts gearbox through the second snail ready to flick the DRS switch in the run up to the second longest straight of the year.

Go Schuey.

[Mr Revhead]

I tip Lotus for points finish!

[Adamal]

You can't tell me Lewis didn't deserve that win. Awesome drive by him.
Webber though..... Easily the most amazing drive. Started in a shit position, had a shit start to the race, and still managed to pull up to 3rd. He was possessed!

[d1 mule]

^ yeah for sure, gotta be be the best drive iv seen for a while 10 points to webber. F1 thats actually good to watch ftw

[Sideros]

That was by far the best F1 race i've seen in a long time. Action and uncertainty the entire race! Hamilton passing vet in the closing stations was just perfect! What a pity Rosberg, Massa and Button couldn't hold off that faggot Webber!

[Mr Ree]

Jesus! Nice terminology ^ Not a webber fan huh?

What a race!! And amazing drives by so many people. Great to see the other cars arent as far from the RB's as first thought.

If the rest of the season is that close and suspensful, Im going to be a happy chappy.

Cant wait for the next one now

[Bazda]

Amazing race, first F1 i've seen live in ages.
So much passing as well.

New race strategy - Dont use your good tyres in Qualifying and save them for the race lol. Webber was like 2-3s a lap faster than everyone else for a good amount of the race.

[d1 mule]

if/when RB get their KERS sorted they will clearly be th quickest cars tho.

gotta watch the new mixican (force india i think) and the russian (lotus/renalut) in a couple of years i recon

[callum]

If vettel had of run three stops he probably would have walked away with it though. Awesome race though. Thought rosberg had a shot at winning it at one point.

[Jdawg]

Weber's run clearly shows the new tactic = Run as few laps as possible on hard rubber then shred your soft set and come in as many times as is necessary.

[Mr Ree]

Weber's run clearly shows the new tactic = Run as few laps as possible on hard rubber then shred your soft set and come in as many times as is necessary.

He only stopped so many times because he had more sets of new options available due to being knocked out in Quali