Australian GP 2013 - Friday and Saturday free practice

[Bubbles]

Guys, what do you think makes the difference between the RB9 and the F138? They both respond well to changes, they both have good balance, good tire management. I reckon it's the RB9 diffuser that generates far more downforce and so they can add rake and make the front-end generate more downforce.

Hence, overall more downforce on the car - better cornering. I mean, we could add rake to the car and get more downforce at the front, but the rear-end would be all over the place.

The secret is the diffuser.

EDIT: This is something Ferrari can fix during the season. If they have to change the exhaust position, they better do it. Fast. No excuses this time, the F138 is a good car.

[shamim179]

I think Red Bull have improved their understanding of their car. They bolted lots of parts in Barcelona but didn't do too well to optimise the car. Now that some time has gone by they could evaluate the data and choose the right components and setup to yield the best possible performance. But so have we! I think we were running with more fuel than RB and Alonso didn't manage his tyres well when doing that fast lap. It was perhaps possible to shave off 5-6 tenths on that time had Alonso approached that lap differently.

[Bubbles]

Either way, we have a fundamentally good car that lacks downforce. The fact that it responds to setup changes in a predictable manner and that we have good windtunnel corelation means the only thing that might prevent us from winning races is if Stefano decides to abandon development mid-season - which would be a mistake.

We can take down the bulls this time.

[shamim179]

I don't think the Bulls are as fast as they appear. They were running with less fuel than others (I do not know this it is just my opinion). But their race pace is still very strong.

I think with recent years of disappointments, many of us are just being cautious. What might be regarded as a lack of optimism is actually a fair reflection of reality. Look at how SF have done with their cars over the recent years. Not good enough. And last year was a disaster at the start! Obviously, when you take these things into account you cannot be optimistic. But the situation is very different now. The team have once again mentioned that the correlation between track and simulation is working as expected. Good things will come. Have faith!

[sagi58]

...Good things will come. Have faith!

I read your rationalization and I really like your attitude!!

[scuderiafan]

I don't think the Bulls are as fast as they appear. They were running with less fuel than others (I do not know this it is just my opinion). But their race pace is still very strong.

I think with recent years of disappointments, many of us are just being cautious. What might be regarded as a lack of optimism is actually a fair reflection of reality. Look at how SF have done with their cars over the recent years. Not good enough. And last year was a disaster at the start! Obviously, when you take these things into account you cannot be optimistic. But the situation is very different now. The team have once again mentioned that the correlation between track and simulation is working as expected. Good things will come. Have faith!

I have noticed that certain parts of the F1 world seem to play this 'RBR dominance' card when the McLaren challenge looks like its over. You would never think listening to these people that it is Ferrari that have come closest to dethroning the bulls, and with worse cars than now. And the challenge is already over?

Let's just see. I am not expecting anything, i've realised that is unhealthy after the last couple years. But I hope for more FP1 like performance in FP3. Remember, Ferrari have only had today to test their Melboune pack so they would have been focussing on the more than the other teams.

[Bubbles]

It's going to take a lot of effort, but Ferrari can do it this year.

We'll have to sweat for the title(s).

[sagi58]

I think something's wrong with my watch... and my clock... and my cell...
They all see to be telling me there are still... 3 hours and 33 minutes before 3rd practice!!

[Bubbles]

I think something's wrong with my watch... and my clock... and my cell...
They all see to be telling me there are still... 3 hours and 33 minutes before 3rd practice!!

My God, you have F1 fever. Take one pole position and come back in the morning (silly F1 joke).

[Aberracus]

One really curious thing in 2011 when Red Bull was DOMINATING of everyone else they were 4/5 position in timing in FP2, why are they showing their hand so much in advance?

FP2 Melbourne 2011

Position Driver Team Time Laps
1 Jenson Button McLaren 1:25.854 32
2 Lewis Hamilton McLaren 1:25.986 31
3 Fernando Alonso Ferrari 1:26.001 28
4 Sebastian Vettel Red Bull 1:26.014 35
5 Mark Webber Red Bull 1:26.283 33

FP2 Melbourne 2012

Position Driver Team Time Laps
1 Michael Schumac Mercedes AMG 1:29.183 16
2 Nico Hülkenberg Sahara Force Ind 1:29.292 19
3 Sergio Pérez Sauber F1 Team 1:30.199 23
4 Fernando Alonso Scuderia Ferrari 1:30.341 13
5 Kamui Kobayashi Sauber F1 Team 1:30.709 14
6 Paul di Resta Sahara Force In 1:31.466 13
7 Felipe Massa Scuderia Ferrari 1:31.505 14
8 Heikki Kovalaine Caterham F1 Te 1:31.932 16
9 Nico Rosberg Mercedes AMG 1:32.184 17
10 Sebastian Vettel Red Bull Racing 1:32.194 19
11 Mark Webber Red Bull Racing 1:32.296 20


And then Finally they will show their cards in FP3

Position Driver Team Time Laps
1 Sebastian Vettel Red Bull 1:24.507 15
2 Mark Webber Red Bull 1:25.364 14
3 Lewis Hamilton McLaren 1:25.553 15
4 Jenson Button McLaren 1:25.567 16
5 Vitaly Petrov Renault 1:25.906 18
6 Fernando Alonso Ferrari 1:26.121 16

maybe... they haven't show their cards yet? or they are testing themselves to know how much can they give?

[sagi58]

My God, you have F1 fever. Take one pole position and come back in the morning (silly F1 joke).

Thanks!! I needed that!!

[theforce]

Not sure if it was as obvious on the TV but watching the cars live at the circuit, both Ferrari's front wing was much higher and rear planted more than other cars down the main straight. RBR, Mclaren and Merc were much more leveled so to say, not sure what advantage or disadvantage that would have but then again all cars have different behavior to go with the whole package.

Seems like RBR are still ahead with Lotus/Merc/Ferrari fighting for 2nd spot. Until end of Q3, I'd hold my thoughts. Hopefully the weather holds for a clean race on Sunday.

[Bubbles]

Not sure if it was as obvious on the TV but watching the cars live at the circuit, both Ferrari's front wing was much higher and rear planted more than other cars down the main straight. RBR, Mclaren and Merc were much more leveled so to say, not sure what advantage or disadvantage that would have but then again all cars have different behavior to go with the whole package.

Seems like RBR are still ahead with Lotus/Merc/Ferrari fighting for 2nd spot. Until end of Q3, I'd hold my thoughts. Hopefully the weather holds for a clean race on Sunday.

Interesting. Either our diffuser is just awful and needs zero rake to work *or* we were still doing testing. Very interesting, indeed.

Because if the qualy spec F138 will gain some rake, performance might be substantially improved. I hope the diffuser is half-decent.

[Rishu]

@WilliamsF1Team: Good morning from #Melbourne.. Its 9.30am and we can confirm its raining! Still over an hour until the overnight curfew ends...

[Gerhard Berger]

Interesting. Either our diffuser is just awful and needs zero rake to work *or* we were still doing testing. Very interesting, indeed.

Because if the qualy spec F138 will gain some rake, performance might be substantially improved. I hope the diffuser is half-decent.

Red Bull running alot of rake means they are able to seal the diffuser using the exhaust gases.

I guess we are not sealing the diffuser to the same extent and that might be because we don't have an exhaust ramp like the Red Bulls.

[Bubbles]

Red Bull running alot of rake means they are able to seal the diffuser using the exhaust gases.

I guess we are not sealing the diffuser to the same extent and that might be because we don't have an exhaust ramp like the Red Bulls.

Yeah...

You know, when the F138 launched and I saw it looked just like the F2012 I said to myself that they have an exhaust ramp under development and we'll see it either in Melbourne or around China, but I don't think that anymore. I think the big upgrade is what we have here at Melbourne, which involved a bit of tweaking to the exhaust position.

Why can't we get a ramp like Red Bull? Shame.

EDIT: Fortunately, the 2014 car is designed by Rory Byrne

[JONNY F.2008]

i like our chances this weekend to get a good result if not a win.

[sagi58]

Let's get going..............

[Rob]

F1PitRadio ‏@F1PitRadio
Massa to perform 5 timed laps:
1:Fast
2: Slow
3:Fast
4:Slow
5: Practice Start

[Rishu]

Looking at Alonso's onboard, F138 is much better than F2012 but I can not call it "planted" yet

[Rob]

wow look at Webbers rear tyres

[Katu]

rain is certainly not far away

[sagi58]

Alonzo just shaved off more than .4 off Massa's time!!!

[sagi58]

And, now Massa is less than .25 behind Alonzo!!!

[sagi58]

Where the heck did Grosjean come from?? almost .1 faster

[Kyss4k]

Where the heck did Grosjean come from?? almost .1 faster

Lasr sector. All of his time came from that...

[sagi58]

Lasr sector. All of his time came from that...

[fronaldo]

grosjean sector3 0.4 faster than us

[Rishu]

Rain

[anuragiyer8989]

Rain!!!!!!