Amazing -- the weather is predicted to be - https://weather.com/en-MT/weather/weekend/l/ASXX0075:1:AS Formula1.com's Australia Track Info here - https://www.formula1.com/en/championship/races/2017/Australia.html Schumi owns the track record. I think that will fall this weekend but to which team/driver. https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2017/mar/16/mercedes-could-lose-lewis-hamilton-damon-hill-f1 - Why not a link to LH and his potential to leave Mercedes before silly season begins The 'rubber meets the road' this weekend. Predictions will be fun to monitor. Max is saying Red Bull is not ready to win just yet and Ferrari are being very very quiet. Mercedes will bring the latest spec PU for all Mercedes teams. Q - Kimi - Id like to see Kimi put Vettel under alot of pressure this year!! Vettel Bottas Race - Kimi Bottas Vettel
Interesting look at the upcoming year in F1 with a focus on certain issues to include Kimi vs Vettel and fitness. We should get some answers on some of this in Melbourne. 10 things to look out for in 2017 - part two | PlanetF1 : PlanetF1
Australian Grand Prix: Formula 1 returns, but will changes make it be better? - BBC Sport - Australian Grand Prix: Formula 1 returns, but will changes make it be better?
From Crashnet/F1:- "Daniel Ricciardo has talked up Ferrari's chances ahead of this week's Australian Grand Prix, suggesting the Scuderia could well be the team to set the standard in Melbourne. Whereas eyes were on Ricciardo and Red Bull ahead of pre-season testing following a return to form last season, it was Ferrari that emerged from testing with the most convincing pace over a single lap. Raising anticipation that Ferrari has a car capable of challenging Mercedes, though drivers Sebastian Vettel and Kimi Raikkonen have played down the 'accuracy' of its testing performance, Ricciardo reveals the SF70H was also fast over a race simulation too. “It proves that Ferrari is quick, they have been quick all test, and they showed it on long runs as well. I don't think we were quick today, we will have some answers for that, but yes we didn't have the pace today, so yeah Ferrari looks strong. “At the moment they look like they are pretty close to Mercedes pace if not on it. So it is going to make Melbourne interesting, Meanwhile, Ricciardo says Red Bull is not on a par with either team yet but is satisfied to have a package that he thinks is capable of reaching the top with development. “I think we will get there. I feel that it is in the car, it will be important to understand a bit more.”
MARCH 20, 2017 Pirelli's Isola agrees Ferrari in good shape Ferrari is on the cusp of returning to the top in formula one. That is the view of Mario Isola, who is taking over from Paul Hembery as the most prominent F1 figure representing the sport's official tyre supplier Pirelli. He thinks the Italian marque has succeeded in making new, wider tyres that will contribute to this year's cars being much faster and more challenging to drive. "Last year, the cars were reaching forces of 4G, but now we're measuring figures at about 6G, so we can say that the new racing cars are nearly fighter planes," Isola smiled to Italy's La Gazzetta dello Sport. "I am sure the drivers will be tired at the end of the race which could lead to errors and opportunities for opponents to mount an attack." But apart from that, Isola admits that the greater downforce could actually make overtaking more difficult. "Yes. We have more durable tyres and more downforce, so we will see less tyre changes and the drivers will find it harder to follow a rival closely. "But I want to emphasise the positive aspect," he insisted. "We will experience less overtaking moves, but the fans will feel that these overtaking moves will be more real." Finally, Isola was asked about Ferrari, and the fact that the new regulations appear to have worked out well for the Maranello team. "I don't know that, but it is clear to me that Ferrari is in good shape," he said. "Even if it is normal that we don't see everything in the tests, I do believe that we have recognised in Barcelona the people that are strong. "Personally, I would like to see a more complex fight for the world championship, and not just with Ferrari but also Red Bull and even an outsider like Williams," added Isola.
What time does the race start in the US? Great anticipation to see if Ferrari can take Mercedes to the woodshed. Robb
"There is an art to managing expectations. You must not set them too low - but you must also keep them under control. With new regulations, everyone starts with zero points. It provides opportunities as well as risks for every team on the grid. Mercedes sound a bit nervous!! Toto Wolff says Ferrari and Red Bull have closed gap to Mercedes | F1 News "We have done the best job we possibly could over the winter and, if we are not the fastest in Melbourne, then it's about finding out why and what needs to be done to get us back to that top spot. "It's a challenge we will take on with great motivation and energy. Setbacks can provide a long-term opportunity because you constantly need to improve yourself."
All NBCSN: Fri - 00:00 1st pract delayed 0100 pract 2 live Sat 0030 pract 3 delayed 0200 qual live 1030 qual replay Sun 0000 pre-race 0030 race Great guide; posted: major races in advance. practice and lesser races 2 days prior TVRacer.com - TV Racing Schedule
"...Hamilton is the de facto No1 driver and Mercedes best shot at another title..." But Mercedes is also Hamiltons best shot for another title so why does Hill think Mercedes does need Hamilton more than Hamilton needs Mercedes? Looking over the last 3 seasons and particularly the last one when Rosberg won would make me think that Mercedes is actualy in the better position! If Hamilton decides to leave (under the premise Mercedes does not fail this season) he might have more problems finding a similar replacement than Mercedes has finding a new driver...
+1 he is expendable as he is a driver. There is talent out there in FA and others who can EASILY replace him. No driver is a saint or above the totality of a team. LH is great...in the Mercedes. Without we saw him in a Mclaren with Button that had to push to stay in the top 3 and he was as accident prone as any other driver. Mercedes owe LH nothing more than they are giving him.
Fernando Alonso braced for 'difficult' opening race with McLaren 'Difficult'....more like incredible pain
Formula 1: Champs and chumps: Andrew Benson?s (and your) season predictions - BBC Sport Andrew's predictions "Let's make one thing clear before we start - this is a bit of fun, based on not very much evidence at all. So let's not fall out if it's wrong. "Having said that, pre-season testing did give some indications about how the year might shape up. No-one would be surprised if Mercedes turned up in Melbourne and blitzed everyone again. But it does not look that way right now. So assuming the picture so far is accurate, let's take a deep breath and jump in. Top three drivers 1.Hamilton 2.Vettel 3.Ricciardo "If the Mercedes and Ferrari are the two fastest cars, my money would be on Hamilton to beat Vettel to the championship. "He's just that bit faster and better, as long as he can keep weekends such as Baku and Singapore last year to a minimum. It's a tough call between the two Red Bull drivers, but I've gone for Ricciardo to edge it just on the basis of last year. 'Verstappen's better than you, mate!' No, he's definitely not listening "There was a sense of a momentum swing towards Verstappen at the end of 2016, though, both in races and in the pattern of qualifying. In which case the Dutchman could easily swing it."
This first race is a bit of a lottery i think,too many unknowns, so expect some surprises. Mercedes should win Ferrari should be on the podium Max should provide some serious entertainment!
