Today is packing and shipping day for most teams. We are a week out, who's ready? Pic of Mercedes holding area for shipping I just got my hands on today. Top secret! Image Unavailable, Please Login
Albert park has a good number of mechanical traction areas, it's not such a downforce hungry circuit so I'm going to give Benz the edge here. Turn 3, 4 and pretty much all of sector 3 is Mercedes country. qualifying: Hamilton Rosberg Vettel Webber Alonso Grosjean Raik Button Massa Maldonado Perez race: Hamilton Vettel Rosberg Alonso Raik Grosjean Webber Button Massa Mclaren stated today they would be glad to get points, and Ferrari are saying they would be pleased with a podium. Bob Bell of Mercedes came out today and stated W04 indeed has much more rear downforce than W03. Nico did the same.
from Nico Rosberg: "Wir haben viel mehr Abtrieb auf der Hinterachse als 2012. Das Auto klebt regelrecht auf der Straße. Das dürfte auch den Reifen nicht schaden", so Rosberg gegenüber 'Autobild motorsport'. Translated: We have a lot more rear DF compared to 2012. The car downright sticks to the track which should in no way hurt the tyres. I'm predicting an MB win, I don't think this is crazy.
It takes a while to really put something down you're comfortable with doesn't it. I can see your scenario happening too, fully.
Bah, humbug! You're all *******! Wanna play the prediction game? Join the big boys in the league! Cheers, Ian
The F1 Show is about to start on SKY. I will pass any grid predictions they provide! EDit - Frank Williams wife has passed due to cancer....wish him the best...
Bah, Leagues are for guessers, and we're not in Vegas. F1 changes too quickly to provide any sort of educated guess about what will be happening 1/3 , 1/2, or 3/4 through the season.
Jon Noble, F1 Editor from Autosport said the Mercedes is quick but its over 1 lap on low fuel. The long runs will be different of course. Feels the car is quick but not convinced its that 'fast' given all the performance was on low fuel.
He's probably right, their advantage is mechanical traction, tire degredation, and low fuel. This is why I believe they have an honest shot in Melbourne. That circuit speaks to W04. Ferrari won't be quick in Melbourne, they will be in Malaysia though.
+1 The main reason why trades are permitted. You're not locked in to your initial picks. You've gotta have the $ (+ some credit for the guys/cars you're dropping), to make any changes, but you can certainly improve your team over the course of the season. Some folk start with a really low budget operation and then "upgrade" once the first few results are in..... Much strategy involved. Cheers, Ian
Bah. Meant to ask, if not guessing, then what's going on here? Guesses that you can change with impunity! Way too easy..... As I said, *******! Cheers, Ian
Marginally educated analysis? At this time we know a few things that are reasonably certain. Track requirements for Oz, and we know a few things about the various contenders. Mercedes have great mechanical traction, a very solid back end, upper-end (good) tire degredation, and good one-lap speed. Lotus are quick on race pace, good tire deg, but it's driveshaft remains exposed and I do believe that will effect their overall pace. And Grosjean until proven otherwise is a madman in a bad way. Mclaren do not fully understand their car yet, it's fickle. And they do not have top crust drivers IMO. This circuit does not suit Ferrari. Ferrari will be great at high downforce fast circuits like Spa, but circuits with strong mechanical requirements will not be its strongsuit. Red Bull are wanting more info about their car, they are not fully satisfied going into 2013. Same happened with 2012 and they had a slow-ish start. I believe Red Bull will not have the overall one-lap pace of some teams. Regardless, their race pace will of course be ludicrous by 2-3 races.
Noble said Fernando related they need improvement under braking and grip. Not expecting much in Melbourne. Podium goal as posted in the press. Lets hope Malaysia is better for the red car. It might be better for some others as well!
Crap. Red Bull are going to win it all this year, including most races and WDC. Ask me how I know. They were sandbagging testing. Pack it up folks, it's over........
I think the year is Webber's year. Bwahahahahahahahahahahahahahahah Sorry, I couldn't say that with a straight face. Mark
