F1 2011

[TheGayTent]

So, the 2nd 1st Grand Prix of the F1 season is almost upon us, the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne. After an apparently slow winter, Button & Hamilton top the practise times after abandoning their original exhaust system and implementing one very similar to that used by Red Bull. Doubts still remain over McLaren's reliability, whilst the Red Bull's tyre wear seems as though it may cause problems. All of which plays nicely into the hands of Ferrari.

I'm hoping 2011 is a good year for Button, and I'd also like to see the return of Williams to the podium - though with Maldonado in their team I doubt it. Pleased to see Di Resta get a deserved chance, though a shame he's joined Force India who appear to be going backwards.

So people, who's your money on and what are your thoughts for the long season ahead?

[Uncle Liam]

Between Alonso / Hamilton / Button

I might end up looking a fool for saying this (won't be the first time) but I think Vetell will be found a bit this year. I wasn't impressed with him last year...

[TheGayTent]

Vettel was consistent and lucky last year (for the most part).

I'd like to see Button win again, and because of the tyre situation, i think it's going to come between him and Alonso.

Red Bull may have the best car, but Button and Alonso are the best at keeping the tyres working.

If I have to pick I'll say Alonso.

[Binky]

fake rain on racedays why does he want to introduce this apart from a waste of water how would they make it work

if he wants more wet races and the added costs to the teams with crash repairs then just have more races here in sunny britain

[Gre]

fake rain on racedays why does he want to introduce this apart from a waste of water how would they make it work

if he wants more wet races and the added costs to the teams with crash repairs then just have more races here in sunny britain

[Benj]

Hows Brundle and Coulthard working out on the commentary and How is the HD looking?

Im abroad watching it in French- Still better than listening to Legard interupting Brundle to say something utterly banal

[chappiepunk]

Looks like im not going to be able to follow this much this season, will be away travelling and wont have any real way of watching on tv, unless I can find it somewhere online. Will just have to follow this thread for updates!

[miniand]

Vettel, was untouchable in that qualifing session, Hamilton's kers would have got him 3 tenths apparently. Maclaren have pulled the cat out of the bag with their recent updates tho, still a good bit to find to overhaul the red bulls. Button would probably be my choice followed by Hamilton then by anyone but Alonso...Even Petrov

[miniand]

Hamilton had no Kers... WOW... Awesome lap.

[Mcscotty]

Anyone notice Horner's in car comment to Vettel just after he won? "this is the one you wanted" as in the race, to piss off his team mate perhaps?

[Greeny_Musicchild]

Anyone notice Horner's in car comment to Vettel just after he won? "this is the one you wanted" as in the race, to piss off his team mate perhaps?

[OneLittleFish]

Did not like it one bit when Ferrari swapped Alonso with Massa so Button would have to yield two places, nor them both being pitted causing Button to get a penalty. It's the first race of the year ffs.

[Gre]

Did not like it one bit when Ferrari swapped Alonso with Massa so Button would have to yield two places, nor them both being pitted causing Button to get a penalty. It's the first race of the year ffs.

[Kowalski]

I think Button was a bit naive and should have let Massa back past him immediately.

Did anyone watch Grand Prix: The Killer Years last night?

Fascinating and very sad. Quite a bit about Jim Clark.

[Gre]

Did anyone watch Grand Prix: The Killer Years last night?

Fascinating and very sad. Quite a bit about Jim Clark.

[RABun]

I just watched it - thanks for posting that i wouldnt have known about it otherwise.

Heartbraking at the end.

I'd love to get Jackie Stewart to make me a video for my safety stuff at work, he's got a gift for passionately making a point.

[Kowalski]

Yeah, I also found it fascinating. There wasn't all that much that I didn't already know, but lots of footage I'd never seen before.

However, it ended far too quick. It was almost as if the story was "so, we sort-of got the tracks sorted, then Roger Williamson died in disgusting circumstances, then there was a year when no-one died. Hurrah!" It very much felt like there should have been another 30 minutes or a part 2.

[alframsey]

Post race we now know Vettel had none either nor through the race whilst Maclarens did, Red Bull and Vettel seem to be extremely quick. Especially as Maclaren claim this to be one of their better tracks.

[Gre]

I was aware of most of what happened, but had not seen the Roger Williamson footage before. That was incredible. I would have been wanting to run on and chin the marshalls. Such tragic and infuriating footage, must have been terrifying to have been watching it on TV at the time. Seemingly the drivers kept driving past because they didn't realise there was a drived trapped in the burning car. They though that David Purley was trying to put out a fire in his own car!

They certainly could have taken the documentary as far as the death of Villeneuve.

[Benj]

On the contrary, I thought it was brilliant. If you win the championship by a point it doesn't matter whether you get it at the first race or the last. And I say that as both a Button & Ferrari fan.

If driver make mistakes & cut corners, they should pay the penalty.

[brighteyes]

One thing I'd never seen before was the pictures of Bandini's lifeless, burnt body still sat in his driving position. Horrible.

[Gre]

I just caught the end of yesterday's Indy 500 while channel hopping after the cricket... wow.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IpbdzB2py90&feature=youtube_gdata_player

[Benj]

I just caught the end of yesterday's Indy 500 while channel hopping after the cricket... wow.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IpbdzB2py90&feature=youtube_gdata_player

[Kowalski]

Slightly O/T but I saw the Senna film last night, and it is superb. I highly recommend it, even if you are not a big F1 fan.

It brought back some great memories of his tussles with Prost.

I remember the day Senna died very well. It was quite strange as I had never been a big fan as he always seemed to be pushing the rules to the limit (not as bad as Schumacher) and shamefully I wasn't too disappointed when he went off, but obviously that soon changed when it became apparent just how serious it was. The re-telling of the whole Imola weekend in the documentary is very tense and eerie.

[sifi]

Slightly O/T but I saw the Senna film last night, and it is superb. I highly recommend it, even if you are not a big F1 fan.

It brought back some great memories of his tussles with Prost.

I remember the day Senna died very well. It was quite strange as I had never been a big fan as he always seemed to be pushing the rules to the limit (not as bad as Schumacher) and shamefully I wasn't too disappointed when he went off, but obviously that soon changed when it became apparent just how serious it was. The re-telling of the whole Imola weekend in the documentary is very tense and eerie.