2018 Australian GP Free Practice and Qualifying

[Vettel165]

is it just me or did Vettel's last lap in Q3 seem less than perfect?
it might be wishful thinking but i don't think that 0.6xx gap is as bad as it looks on paper.

I also saw that lap, it wasnt good at all, he made very small mistakes in some corners. I think with a perfect lap Vettel would be about 0,3-0,4s behind Lewis. Bahrain should be dry in 2 weeks time, so the Ferrari will have much more time to find the right setup, which is absolutely critical. But both Seb, Kimi were very happy today, maybe they know something we dont, and Mercedes will eat their tyres tomorrow. Only time will tell.

Go Seb,Kimi.

[Jax]

Funny. Kimi found 6 tenth between q2 and q3 and seb vertually found none.

[Grinsomx]

I also saw that lap, it wasnt good at all, he made very small mistakes in some corners. I think with a perfect lap Vettel would be about 0,3-0,4s behind Lewis. Bahrain should be dry in 2 weeks time, so the Ferrari will have much more time to find the right setup, which is absolutely critical. But both Seb, Kimi were very happy today, maybe they know something we dont, and Mercedes will eat their tyres tomorrow. Only time will tell.

Go Seb,Kimi.

Our race pace might just make the difference tomorrow.
IF we jump Lewis at the start and Mercedes does eat their tires, RB could be a problem for them.
it might just be enough to give us a 1,2 with Max/Lewis behind us.

[Need4speed]

We better jump LH tomorrow, as rain is expected.

[mwk360]

We better jump LH tomorrow, as rain is expected.

hmmm thats probably why RB is on harder tyre at the start, o no, they will have lots of options and rb and mercs are blazing in wets as seen in P3

[mwk360]

With regards to those that have an issue with "negativity."

Another strategy is to ignore the comment completely rather than let it suck you into another "negativity" debate..... just a friendly suggestion.

I think thats simple and easy

[Vettel165]

We better jump LH tomorrow, as rain is expected.

Negative mate, no rain is expected for tomorrows race. We will see around 4-5C higher air temperatures (that will mean at least 10C difference on track temperature wise) than today, and also some sunshine. So this should suit our car more, as we know from last year that our car works the best in warm weather conditions.



https://www.yr.no/place/Australia/Victoria/Melbourne/

[mwk360]

Negative mate, no rain is expected for tomorrows race. We will see around 4-5C higher air temperatures (that will mean at least 10C difference on track temperature wise) than today, and also some sunshine. So this should suit our car more, as we know from last year that our car works the best in warm weather conditions.

https://s9.postimg.org/idvmnoadb/Brez_naslova.png

this weather chart is so much more easier to read than the ones i found last year . I hope it doesn't rain, it must be a heat wave lol and chew mercs tyres

[Rob]

no rain forecast for tomorrow race, looks going be bit cloudy but warm.

http://www.myweather2.com/Motor-Raci...k-Circuit.aspx

[PURE PASSION]

Toxicity? im fed up of this forum turning into a cesspool of team bashing, bashing each member who wants to have fate in the team, for not being depressed about how rubbish the team is doing. Easy to come here and bash your keyboards. People like you have helped turn this atmosphere here into what it is. You dont like it, fork out your own money and start up your own site then. Say you like it here, your passionate, but can see any donations over the years to help run this site. All been is warnings, suspensions, doom and gloom.

In mean time, i wait with baited breath see how this goes.

I dont like ranting, i want talk and support my team.

1000000000% with you !!

[Kyss4k]

Toxicity? im fed up of this forum turning into a cesspool of team bashing, bashing each member who wants to have fate in the team, for not being depressed about how rubbish the team is doing. Easy to come here and bash your keyboards. People like you have helped turn this atmosphere here into what it is. You dont like it, fork out your own money and start up your own site then. Say you like it here, your passionate, but can see any donations over the years to help run this site. All been is warnings, suspensions, doom and gloom.

In mean time, i wait with baited breath see how this goes.

I dont like ranting, i want talk and support my team.

Wow, so basically what you are saying, that who did not donate, does not have a right to be negative about the team ever. I have had few clashes with Greig for which I have gotten warnings etc, but you totally discarded every other post out of my over 6000. Great. Thank you so much for that, now I really feel welcome. I am sorry, but you say you don't want ranting, but it's all I can see you doing in recent days. I just said, I would help, if owners of this web decide to close it down, but I get this for it... Ok, I am out then, I see, that even when I did not participate in any doom and gloom for a long time, I am not welcome, so I am out. Congratulations for pushing long time member and even some new people out of here.

However thanks for being a great forum for a long time. Will miss you all

[Rob]

THE CAR WAS COMING ALIVE”
ferrari-media

Kimi and Seb felt handling improved during Qualifying

Melbourne, March 24 – A solid team effort for the first qualifying of the season resulted in Kimi and Seb taking second and third slots on the grid for tomorrow’s race, just one hundredth of a second apart. The weather stayed dry throughout the three sessions, allowing the two SF71Hs to put the softest Pirelli compounds to good use. Rain is not expected for the race either, although Melbourne is notoriously unpredictable when it comes to weather conditions…

“Today” said Kimi “we did not really know what to expect from this first qualifying, it was a bit of an unknown. But then I was pretty happy with the car, the feeling was ok. The gap to our rivals is probably bigger than we wanted, but it was not a very straightforward day either. This is a very special circuit in many ways, if compared to “normal” tracks, and these are the early stages of the season. I think we have to wait for the next few races to have a clear picture and understand where the teams are exactly. For sure there are things to improve to go faster; I know there are areas where I could improve on my lap times. This is what we have got today, a decent result in quite tricky conditions. Tomorrow we’ll put our maximum effort into the race”.

After tackling less than ideal conditions on Friday, Seb found a great deal of improvement in the car’s handling during Saturday afternoon: “Yesterday it didn’t feel like everything was perfect, so today I am pretty happy that we could put both cars right at the front, very close to pole. I guess it’s a good shot. The gap to Lewis is significant of course, and we don’t want to be so far behind. But the car today was getting better and better: I could feel it was coming alive during qualifying; on my last run I made a small mistake at Turn 13, but it’s ok as second and third position are good for the race and, as we have seen in all the past years, we tend to be closer on Sunday than we are in qualifying”.

[mark p]

Very satisfied with weekend so far. Experts said Ferrari would be 3rd team at best maybe McLaren or Renault will push them....reality Ferrari at least 2nd best and Ferrari engined Haas are 4th best. Experts said Merc on rails...reality in Hamiltons hands on 1 lap sobfar but Bottas crashed....experts said wet qualifying...reality it was dry.

If Hamilton had half a second on every lap in quali I would be worried but of all tge laps it was only on 1 lap he got breathing space...his teammate was not capable to do this. It could easily be Merc pushed their car into a setting that can only be used a few times during the life of the engine as they were shocked how close Ferrari and Red Bull were. If this is a possibility and they are pushed every Saturday that they have to use every mode possible it may affect their reliability. All Ferrari can do is push push push.

[mihael]

Ferrari need fresh blood

[Hornet]

It's good to watch F1 cars on track again. (I did not watch FP )
Despite the complains about Halo device, it didn't bothered me at all. I think these cars look better without the shark fin

As for the competition, I think Mercedes is still the team to beat.
Of course, we'll have to wait for the results tomorrow. I think Ferrari still have some performance left.

But it's a long season, and I think the WDC will not depend on who is fastest right now. But who can develop the car the most through the year.

[Rob]

[Need4speed]

Ricciardo: Any top driver could get pole with Mercedes advantage
Adam Cooper, Valentin Khorounzhiy
•24 March 2018

Daniel Ricciardo says the Mercedes' engine modes that helped Lewis Hamilton dominate Australian Grand Prix qualifying were "a punch in the stomach" to its Formula 1 rivals.

Hamilton was on provisional pole after the opening runs in Q3 in Melbourne, but his time looked within reach for rivals, with Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel and Red Bull's Max Verstappen both sat less than a tenth off.

But the reigning champion found nearly nine tenths on his final flyer in Q3, to end up on pole position by a mammoth 0.664s.

Ricciardo said he felt "any of us top guys" could get pole in the Mercedes, such is its inherent advantage.

While Hamilton has insisted his final-lap improvement was not down to a switch to a faster engine mode, Ricciardo said the way Mercedes was able to turn up the power for qualifying was disheartening.

[paolo lalli]

Only 3 engines guys hamilton can not keep pushing no matter even if his ego tells him to they have quali mode and thats it race will be closer it will not be 6 tenths per lap not acceptable.

[nhel1te]

I've been a long time fan of F1, almost 20 years now and I've only been following this forum towards the end of the season last year and now for this season, but the amount of negativity and sadistic posts from people here is diabolical.

I was lucky enough to witness the Schumacher/Brawn era where Ferrari dominated the championship for a good 5-6 years and what we have seen in the last 3-4 years is Mercedes do the same, with Red Bull prior to that.

Yes it's unfortunate and frustrating that Ferrari are not up there with Mercedes, but to write off the championship/season after the qualifying session really highlights the incompetence of some you here. I'm not the biggest fan of Lewis but credit where credit is due, he pulled off a pole lap that did not go wrong in any way or form, unfortunately for us Vettel did not have a strong Q3. I do not think we are 0.6 seconds behind, in reality I think and we will see tomorrow that we are actually much closer and during the season we will see that transition hopefully.

Either way, I'm going to continue supporting the team and I know it's only a matter of time before Ferrari regain the position as the top team in F1 and I'm very much looking forward to that.

Also looking forward to attending the Singapore GP this year, can't wait!

[chris.gotfunk]

Question for everyone. Looking at Bottas' crash, I notice either fluid or something evaporating out of the rear wing pillar. Did anyone else see this? If so, can anyone explain? Is it where Merc is exhausting the oil burn like we do out from underneath the rear light?

*Edit - Maybe it's just the hydraulic fluid that operates the DRS.

[JPA]

Ferrari need fresh blood

Yes, and less critical supporters. What a sad morning this was. Woke up to see Ferrari p2 and p3 - how sad is that!
Kimi has been faster of those two all weekend so far, must be something wrong in Seb car - obviously. Alonso would took pole by 2 sec. marging in a red car - obviously.
Season is over, let's concentrate 2019.

Despite the fact that this is a unique and dirty track which needs a lot of downforce - we are ahead RB. Bahrain will tell where we really stand at this moment.
Until that we could cry how misearable the whole team and drivers are, or enjoy the entertainment and support our guys. Not Kimi of course, he is slow, fat, old and should retire - obviously.

Tomorrow Seb can have a good start. He is on clean side of the grid which makes a big difference. P2 is like a punishment here, all that dirt is on that side. Let's see.
Hope we get good points from this kind of tracks. I am really surprised if we beat RB.

[nani_s23]

Question for everyone. Looking at Bottas' crash, I notice either fluid or something evaporating out of the rear wing pillar. Did anyone else see this? If so, can anyone explain? Is it where Merc is exhausting the oil burn like we do out from underneath the rear light?

*Edit - Maybe it's just the hydraulic fluid that operates the DRS.

Yup exactly my thoughts. I think they found the way to use that oil where it can’t termed illegal or hiding it.

[mwk360]

Ricciardo: Any top driver could get pole with Mercedes advantage
Adam Cooper, Valentin Khorounzhiy
•24 March 2018

Daniel Ricciardo says the Mercedes' engine modes that helped Lewis Hamilton dominate Australian Grand Prix qualifying were "a punch in the stomach" to its Formula 1 rivals.

Hamilton was on provisional pole after the opening runs in Q3 in Melbourne, but his time looked within reach for rivals, with Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel and Red Bull's Max Verstappen both sat less than a tenth off.

But the reigning champion found nearly nine tenths on his final flyer in Q3, to end up on pole position by a mammoth 0.664s.

Ricciardo said he felt "any of us top guys" could get pole in the Mercedes, such is its inherent advantage.

While Hamilton has insisted his final-lap improvement was not down to a switch to a faster engine mode, Ricciardo said the way Mercedes was able to turn up the power for qualifying was disheartening.

I think most of the fans felt the same way. party rapper mode killed what was looking to be a great opener

[mwk360]

Yup exactly my thoughts. I think they found the way to use that oil where it can’t termed illegal or hiding it.

I really hope Ferrari can nail them for some illegal part or something or Horner can do that since he likes to make things known

[nani_s23]

Yes, and less critical supporters. What a sad morning this was. Woke up to see Ferrari p2 and p3 - how sad is that!
Kimi has been faster of those two all weekend so far, must be something wrong in Seb car - obviously. Alonso would took pole by 2 sec. marging in a red car - obviously.
Season is over, let's concentrate 2019.

Despite the fact that this is a unique and dirty track which needs a lot of downforce - we are ahead RB. Bahrain will tell where we really stand at this moment.
Until that we could cry how misearable the whole team and drivers are, or enjoy the entertainment and support our guys. Not Kimi of course, he is slow, fat, old and should retire - obviously.

Tomorrow Seb can have a good start. He is on clean side of the grid which makes a big difference. P2 is like a punishment here, all that dirt is on that side. Let's see.
Hope we get good points from this kind of tracks. I am really surprised if we beat RB.

If we have a poor weekend of quali, both drivers needs to maximise the points in pretty consistent way rather than falling behind other cars.

There are two things to worry

1) Kimi’s starts, off late not many brilliant starts & not aggressive at the front, defending off the line is poor from him
2) vet & max, we know they tangled each other couple of times. Tmrw, vet needs to be careful max always thinks race is won on first lap. He’ll go for it. But to them disadvantage is SS tyres. US will have better grip at the start.

[mwk360]

Wow, so basically what you are saying, that who did not donate, does not have a right to be negative about the team ever. I have had few clashes with Greig for which I have gotten warnings etc, but you totally discarded every other post out of my over 6000. Great. Thank you so much for that, now I really feel welcome. I am sorry, but you say you don't want ranting, but it's all I can see you doing in recent days. I just said, I would help, if owners of this web decide to close it down, but I get this for it... Ok, I am out then, I see, that even when I did not participate in any doom and gloom for a long time, I am not welcome, so I am out. Congratulations for pushing long time member and even some new people out of here.

However thanks for being a great forum for a long time. Will miss you all

Please don't leave man. i like the passion you have for Ferrari

[mwk360]

If we have a poor weekend of quali, both drivers needs to maximise the points in pretty consistent way rather than falling behind other cars.

There are two things to worry

1) Kimi’s starts, off late not many brilliant starts & not aggressive at the front, defending off the line is poor from him
2) vet & max, we know they tangled each other couple of times. Tmrw, vet needs to be careful max always thinks race is won on first lap. He’ll go for it. But to them disadvantage is SS tyres. US will have better grip at the start.

dude did you manage to find any of that long race sim lap comparison things? how far are we behind Merc and RB?

[nani_s23]

Haas cars need to jump RB at the start & make life difficult for Mad max to avoid any tyre advantage.
What RB are thinking is, if any SC comes out later part in the race then there is a chance for them to win.

[mwk360]

from racefans twitter

Hamilton did use Mercedes' 'party mode' in Q3, Wolff confirms

[Ferrarichamp]

I think most of the fans felt the same way. party rapper mode killed what was looking to be a great opener

except there are no points handed out for pole position, not even to Lewis