New F1 season kicks off this weekend (Page 10 of 33)

At last!  In contrast to the rather pedestrian and uneventful Australian GP, Malaysia gave us racing enthusiasts a bit of excitement with some cars actually overtaking some other cars.  Yes, to some extent it was articifially done with KERS and the adjustable rear wing but nonetheless made getting up early worth the effort.

It looks as though the Red Bull guys are untoucheable at the moment with another fine and seemingly easy win for young Vettel.  His teammate though had problems.  Got a terrible start on the grid, didn't have KERS working for the whole race but still managed to finish fourth after jostling for position with Nick Heidfield in the Lotus Renault.

So, Vettel first again, Button a very sound second and Heidfield third.

Looks like Hamilton and Alonso are having their own private battle out on the tarmac, the after-effects of their none too successful relationship as teammates a few years ago still apparently not out of their systems.  And has anyone else noticed Hamilton's starting to develop a sort of mid-Atlantic twang?

Off to China next week - well I'm not but the F1 circus is so that's where I'll be in spirit.

Yes after the "is that all?" effect from Australia, Malaysia was a welcome change.

I think I'm for the adjustable wing, although it is early days. In previous years we just got used to the procession accepting that changes of position would only occur in the pits. But the wing does change that. Applied correctly the leading car should have not too much defence. It means quicker cars will be able to get by the slower ones and not be confined by the restrictions of a particular circuit.

Not sure if it will be any use still at Monaco though. Funny though, it didn't help Lewis getting past Heidfeld. The Renaults made great starts and Heidfeld in 2nd really kind of made Vettel's day. It was just another problem solved for him.

It wasn't really possible to see how it was going to pan out at one stage and clearly the tyre degradation is having the desired effect -so far.

Red Bull's abilitiy to run competitively (and win!) without full use of the KERS system is still alarming. If KERS is worth 0.5 of a second it means overall they are still a second and a bit faster than everyone else. I guess over the year relibility will play a part and Jenson is right to believe he can still mount a challenge. ITs all about just getting points for now while they get to grips with the new circumstances. Red Bull will stumble, at some point, and the others have to be there and ready to take advantage.

It is a fascinating technical challenge this. The Red Bull generates so much downforce it is hard on its tyres, which should place it at a disadvantage this year. However, they can go fast enough to manage this problem, so long as the others haven't caught up. Much of this pace is due to Newey's design tricks. The car runs lowere at the front than any other, but it still complies with the FIA rules. Othere teams are convinced the bodywork/wing is flexing but it can't be proved.

Apparently for the last couple of years RB have invested heavily in developing carbon fibre structures that can deform or reform under pressure whilst retaining and even improving the overall strucrure strength. McLaren are now investing in the same as are probably Ferrari 'et al'. So the arms race continues. Clever minds in F1. Red Bull are spending millions to find a tenth while Mercedes spends millions TO BE tenth.

Its a tough world. Roll on Shanghai and more of the same.

MikeH

I'M A FERRARI MAN :):):)

Well despite my original scepticism I have to say KERS and the DRS are certainly adding to the excitement that is being provided by Pirelli!

Last week in Malaysia there were 59 tyre pit stops and I imagine that figure was exceeded yesterday.

Overtaking moves, both real and induced by the dozen. Great drives throughout the field, errors and strategy all adding to the mix.

Drive of the day has to go to Mark Webbers KERS-less Red Bull. From 18th on the grid and still 17th after 15 laps he produced a stunning drive once he got the soft boots on to finish 3rd. Yes, it robbed Jenson off his podium place, but he has only himself to blame after his amazing boob at the first pitstops by stopping in the Red Bull box!!!!

Vettel used his softs early and opted to try and make the hards last for the final stint and only 2 stopping whereas Lewis' strategy of 3 stopping won the day overall with a great drive and nicking the place before the end. Super stuff.

Paul di Resta continues to impress over his more experienced teamate Sutil with another great drive, although to be fair Sutil was unlucky being on the end of an on track assault by Perez. Where was his head yesterday?

Nico was damned unlucky and deserved better than he got. Schumi and Alonso sluggin it out. Kobayashi overtaking where it really isn't possible. Even the Lotuses are getting there an the HRT's are getting to closer to the..........err back of the field. But I hope they stick at it.

Whats happened to Williams? Can Ferrari get back to winning ways? Can Mercedes unlock the potential in the car? Will Red Bull get the KERS system to work?

Roll on Turkey. Massa's favourite track. Can he get back into it properly there? He's given Alonso a run for it at the moment. It was another feisty drive from him yesterday.

Oh my, I'm starting to enjoy it already!

MikeH

Yes, they are due to keep it. I think the engine rules come in at the end of 2012 don't they? I could be wrong. I think the turbo's are a massive mistake, at least for now.

There really isn't a need for these engines. The V8's are doing just fine. The ecological argument is just BS. You could make a case for the current engines as well. The level of efficiency given what they put out (over 750bhp) is unbelievable.

The turbo engine shouldn't be any heavier. It will probably only be a four cylinder against the 8 they use now. KERS is likely to remain an integral part of the sport I should think. Helluva lot invested in it now. It will get more and more efficient/productive, as well as lighter. As they design the cars including the concept now they can probably optimise the weight distribution aspect of it.

Red Bull are having difficulties because Newey wouldn't compromise the car packaging to incorporate it, so they are having problems getting it to run consistently. They'll crack it, but when?

Pirelli are now looking at ways to reduce the amount of rubber chunks they are shedding from the tyres in the race in order to ensure the off line passing opportunites are not compromised.

It's shaping up nicely. Turkey should be interesting. I see Webber getting back on song, but it is still hard to see anyone pipping Vettel for pole. I hope the Mercedes team can get on song, but that means the top 10 run off is goping to get very tight. One mistake in timing and qually strategy could mean the lose out, but as we've seen so far that doesn't have to be the end of it.

Unpredictability. Just what we always wanted!
MikeH

Here's a chance to win 2 tickets to the British Grand Prix ... care of those very nice people over at Planet Rock .... http://www.planetrock.com/win-tickets-t … rix-333727 

F1 & JB fans in the same place....? Score!

The race this weekend was fantastic..... GO Lewis!!! 

Joe is an F1 fan and was the guest of a team at (Hungary?) Can't remember.