2012 Australian GP: Practice 1/2/3 *** Spoilers ***

So, still unsure how things will play out on Qualy!

Red bull and Mclaren will probably fight for pole, mercedes in between followed by Lotus.

I wonder if Kimi is outpaced or if he was just not pushing too much...maybe a little both.

 

I think Vettel and Schu can rename that gravel pit, "the gravel pit of champions" similar to the wall of champions in Canada

 

Great 7,000 post.

Kimi was cruising around trying to spot the good bars. He'll be fast tomorrow.

I didn't see much of Nico in the last 5 min or so. Interesting to see if he steps it up tomorrow.

Poor Alonzo. That doesn't look fun to drive.

 

Actually Qualifying is in less than 2 hours ahead !

 

Just goes to show they're trying.....

The SpeedTV stream works on the iPad [Pretty good quality too]. VipBox, no go.

OK - I can only hope that this almost "reverse" grid is a result of the messed up weather and a lack of dry running...... I know the red cars haven't looked good, but d-a-y-u-m, what a POS they both looked!

Cheers,
Ian

 

I was thinking Majorca..

 

Actually, I just watched it again and it looks like the car broke (?) - Anyone heard anything? [The speed stream is (mercifully? ) talking head free....]

Cheers,
Ian

 

Good evening Kind Sir.

All will be good once they hand out spacers for the rear wheels.....

 

Good evening to you too my dear

Indeed.

We know that as the opening dance Aus is often a little, shall we say, "off the wall", but I really wasn't expecting that. I think there's a lot of head scratching going on all up & down the pit lane right now.

Hope Charlie sticks to his guns on the Merc being legal.

Cheers,
Ian

 

no top ten for both ferrari? that would be a big ouch!

 

The way they looked just now, they'll be lucky to get out of Q1!

Certainly, no way they get out of Q2 unless something *drastic* changes - I guess the last minute care package has taken 'em backwards - Again....

They looked absolutely horrible! - Welcome to the world of HRT & Marussia guys - Even the Caterham didn't look as evil.

OTOH, it is only Australia......

Cheers,
Ian

 

Lol, typical Red Bull bull****. If someone else has an innovation they cry like nothing I've ever seen. Never mind their flexi wings and the fact that they are still blatantly using blowing engine maps...

I hope McLaren hands them their ass this year, tired of em.

 

My bad, I should have said "it is only round one"

Sorry
Cheers,
Ian

 

At least we've already qualified 1-2 this weekend. At Sebring. In GT.

 

This was hilarious - according to Joe Saward, up in the Media Center the Ferrari F2012 has been nicknamed "Clifford", because it's a Big Red Dog!!

 

You sure you aren't talking about Ferrari?

 

Oh PLEASE!

 

Great job Mark Webber, seems he is more comfortable with the reduction of grip ... so far. Hopefully Vettel with have to work for his results this year.

Well done LH and McLaren, and the Mercedes looks quick too. Unfortunately the Mercedes being quick proves that the driver makes little difference to the results (as does the lack of performance for Vettel, thus one could conclude that the MS Ferrari success years were caused by a car advantage. Yes in 96 and 97 MS elevated the level of the car but from 2000 on the car was doing all the work).

I also believe the pullrod front suspension with the current Ferrari will disappear as soon as possible. Currently the car suffers from lack of rear grip and often faults are caused by the other end and as we have discussed many times the pullrod design just doesn't work with the compromised high nose. I can only think they are using the "pullrod" as a rocker type system as it is horizontal and just could not be doing any pulling. The rocker system was the one of the earliest forms of inboard suspension and the problem with the design is the "pullrod" is that it flexes and thus the control of the wheel suffers.

Even if a new monocoque is required they have to bin that front suspension or right the whole season off.
Pete

 

Well, the good news (if any) are that everybody is closer than last year.

 

Mass damper