Australian Grand Prix 2011 - Qualifying Thread

**ferrari4life** · 26th March 2011, 14:25

At this point I am OK with even the McLarens as long as they can beat those low life no culture "drinks team"

**Red is Best** · 26th March 2011, 14:26

Originally Posted by Greig

No seems to be not flexing, looks just like the suspension travel while under load. Very different to the other pics

+1

I see no flexing on that picture.

**goferrarigo** · 26th March 2011, 14:30

Originally Posted by ferrari4life

At this point I am OK with even the McLarens as long as they can beat those low life no culture "drinks team"

Yeah why cant it go back to the good old days where basically only Ferrari and McLaren fight for the championship. These RedFools are really irritating.

**Forzi** · 26th March 2011, 14:30

Originally Posted by impactX

Wonder what excuse Massa can use for this race if he doesn't get back to the front. I think Alonso stands a good chance tomorrow.

The same as last year (tire heating), but this time there's actual evidence, because Alonsos having the same problem.

**ferrari4life** · 26th March 2011, 14:33

Originally Posted by goferrarigo

Yeah why cant it go back to the good old days where basically only Ferrari and McLaren fight for the championship. These RedFools are really irritating.

Its not only that they are irritating..they are smug rub it in ure nose cheats. Like that Horner idiot going on about his teams fair driver policy when they clear as day support Vettel.. Reminds me of Renault in 2006..

**Katu** · 26th March 2011, 14:40

Originally Posted by goferrarigo

Yeah why cant it go back to the good old days where basically only Ferrari and McLaren fight for the championship. These RedFools are really irritating.

i would welcome renault (who anyway calls them how they want to be called) and williams to that comany, only with slightly different line-ups

**NJB13** · 26th March 2011, 14:40

Originally Posted by impactX

Wonder what excuse Massa can use for this race if he doesn't get back to the front. I think Alonso stands a good chance tomorrow.

Since Massa's been on the Pirelli's he's been much better. OK, today wasn't his best, but lets not start sticking the knife in this early in the season hey? And lets not start playing what-ifs about Massa not getting "back to the front" before he's even run his race?

Forza Felipe!!

**aroutis** · 26th March 2011, 14:51

I have to agree with NJB. Although it irritates the bejesus out of me, to see Massa so low in the standings, we should remember that it's very early. I hope he does better tomorrow and he does MUCH better than last year because the team needs the points for the WCC and both drivers in order to function.

**Red_Diamond** · 26th March 2011, 14:56

I'm betting on a Ferrari win tomorrow. Call me mad, call me whatever.

**Grillo** · 26th March 2011, 14:58

I thought they agreed not use flexing front wings and they had put somthing on the new rules. I don't think that kind of flexing should be allowed but Ferrari will have to find how to do it as it seems key for lap times. Sadly, I don't expect the FIA doing their job since both McLaren and Red Bull are doing it.

**Suzie** · 26th March 2011, 15:06

Originally Posted by impactX

Wonder what excuse Massa can use for this race if he doesn't get back to the front. I think Alonso stands a good chance tomorrow.

Not sure but I'm sure he'd be thrilled to hear your support regardless.

**Hermann** · 26th March 2011, 15:07

It can't be only the wing. Looks like they found some other 'clever' ideas, too. All with a nod by FIA.

Like the article says, this system 'violates the fundamental idea of Kers' but what is not prohibited in F1, is allowed.

http://translate.google.ru/translate...Ff1-65081.html

**scuderiafan** · 26th March 2011, 15:14

Originally Posted by Red_Diamond

I'm betting on a Ferrari win tomorrow. Call me mad, call me whatever.

Yeah! Who needs this 'realism' anyway?

I'm going to be so fired up for the start no matter what. It's going to be great, and think of it this way. if we win, it will be even more epic.

**pericoloso** · 26th March 2011, 15:15

I think RB has found ways to stay within the "testing" guidelines but still use illegal means to gain an advantage.

We don't really know if it's the wing that flexes, the nose dips or the entire front half of the car is lowered at high speeds. How do you test this when the car is standing still? Can they be using a clever, yet technically illegal, suspension mechanism to allow the front of the car to dip at high speeds?

Also, I think every team, and F! fans, assumed that the KERS system would or should be used during the entire race, not just as a launch control device. Not using a regular KERS system gives them a huge advantage. Less space required for batteries, tighter rear, less stress on the rear tyres, etc... Has the FIA dropped the ball again by not being specific enough?

RB may have won last year's championships with illegal cars and since nobody has stopped them, they may be doing the same thing again this year...

**Effone** · 26th March 2011, 15:23

Wow I didn't expect RBR to be so far ahead.

I'm rather disappointed by Massa so far, he's looked terrible and I'm worried that he won't be much better in the race, although my fingers are crossed.

Gutted that the Mercs are as crap as 2010 also.

Hope Vettel doesn't run and hide.

**Nova** · 26th March 2011, 15:47

Holy smokes, what a lousy Q session...Vettels car is untouchable...read on AS that they may be using a start only kers....
whatever they are using, they are on another planet....Macs really surprised, as everyone was writing them off since testing...
well, that just shows to go ya...never underestimate thine enemy grasshopper...looks like they are onto something w/the diffuser
made from whatever that is and the L shaped sidepods...whoda thought....Very not conservative..ahem...
I do think Ferrari may have done better in warmer temps for the tires, then again again, why didnt anyone else have a problem w/the colder temps
n the tires....Bravo for Sauber and Toro Rosso, good showing from them....
And I have to say good job indeed for both RB & Mac...I do notice that people seem to hate anybody that is faster than us..they are cheating at this or that...
really, they did a better job than we did...took more chances so to speak..RB may have a few corns in their org, but they designed
an amazing car..Mac has a history of doing this n that, but they took a chance, and designed a good car..all that is poo now, its race day..all
this talk of being title favorites is really getting boring..show me we are in w/a chance, n I'll be ok w/it...I really do wish though, that Bernie n the fia would
stop meddling with design, engineers and tire mftr's...everytime they try to slow down this, or stop that technology, they make things worse..my opinion, of course,
but butt out Bernie, the show doesnt need to be better, n if you let it alone, it will get better...

**Ferrari Man** · 26th March 2011, 16:01

Jasus that s a big gapback to fifth place.. Vettel is a league of his own today... Praying this was just a once off.. Championship ain't won in the first race....

**Hermann** · 26th March 2011, 16:05

Reading this i must say Horner is talking too smart for his own good. He is certainly going on my nerves, but it is really possible for RB to be allowed to use a system that has next to nothing to do with the original Kers rules?

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/90255

**sagi58** · 26th March 2011, 16:33

I realize that McLaren has a reputation of being able to develop their car during the season;
however, with the in-season testing ban in effect, how will they do that? Simulators, only?

**Grinsomx** · 26th March 2011, 16:47

i am shocked, both by the result and some of the "support" voiced on here.
i was expecting a 3th place start for Alonso, guess that didn't happen.
5th place is not too bad considering we don't know how the tires are going to hold on any car, everything is possible..we might get up or fall down the order.
i'm not going to say i am happy with this result or the reports about yet another controversial system (can we have a year without that Bovine something?)
but we'll see tomorrow, hopefully we can get both cars up the order and we will see from there.

(unless you really belief Ferrari forgot how to develop a car)
Forza Ferrari! we will come out on top in the end!

**FerrariF60** · 26th March 2011, 16:49

Originally Posted by sagi58

I realize that McLaren has a reputation of being able to develop their car during the season;
however, with the in-season testing ban in effect, how will they do that? Simulators, only?

yeah, pretty much simulators, wind tunnel and trial and error of new parts at friday's free practice b4 each race.]
having banned unlimited testing has crippled FERRARI QUITE A BIT...

but all hope has not been lost YET, it's still only the first race, i'm ALMOST SURE Ferrari will bounce back within the next couple of races

JUST HAVE FAITH IN OUR BELOVED FERRARI TEAM...

**sagi58** · 26th March 2011, 16:56

Thanks for the response!! I'm sure we'll be top contenders for both WDC and WCC, come season's end!!

**racingbradley** · 26th March 2011, 17:43

I am keeping my hopes alive believing that our car in race trim is much stronger. We have done the mileage in testing so hopefully those positive results will translate into the race to-morrow

**TheProdigalSon** · 26th March 2011, 17:44

Didn't watch it live but just watched it a few hours ago - I was quite dissapointed. Ferrari looked like it was on cold tyres the car was all over the place, I sense Ferrari went to conservative with the set-up of the car thinking more of the race and the tyres didn't like it (possibly the same with merc) and I think it suprised them at how much they fell back. It might be good for them tomorrow possibly if they can make there tyres last longer and have a good strategy - all is not lost. Looking forward to the race FORZA FERRARI

**crewskas** · 26th March 2011, 17:54

Quote by me, from February 1st:

Originally Posted by crewskas

If Pirellis are softer as said, then they would be much faster, even they are heavier and have no DD...
Plus they have KERS and movable rear wing...

And here we are...
Almost all the front runners were faster for pole this year...
Except us.......................!

1. Red Bull -0.390
2. McLaren -0.368
3. Renault -0.125
4. Ferrari +0.863

Now I don't want to sound pessimistic and I don't like to say that season over, because I think it's nonsense from this early,
but I cannot put the blame only the tyres for the 1.445 sec gap...!

Either they had screwed up totally the setup in this race (I hope this is), or there is something completely wrong in the aerodynamic part of the car, meaning less downforce....

Either way, so far I supported Stefano, but hey it's been 3 years since 2008 which we always follow the others. If we continue this way for the first 2-3-4 races, then I really think Luca should start and find someone better (even if I can't think anyone without a job now).
Because it's not Tombazis fault how the car is.
Tombazis was in 2000-2004 era with us...

Needless to say, Vettel was unbeatable today, even if our car was like the tests...

P.S.
I really miss the Rory, Jean, Ross days...

**LeonKennedy** · 26th March 2011, 18:45

Bring Briatore

**Hermann** · 26th March 2011, 19:14

Fernando's pragmatic approach on video:

**Hornet** · 26th March 2011, 19:14

Originally Posted by crewskas

Quote by me, from February 1st:

And here we are...
Almost all the front runners were faster for pole this year...
Except us.......................!

1. Red Bull -0.390
2. McLaren -0.368
3. Renault -0.125
4. Ferrari +0.863

Now I don't want to sound pessimistic and I don't like to say that season over, because I think it's nonsense from this early,
but I cannot put the blame only the tyres for the 1.445 sec gap...!

Either they had screwed up totally the setup in this race (I hope this is), or there is something completely wrong in the aerodynamic part of the car, meaning less downforce....

Either way, so far I supported Stefano, but hey it's been 3 years since 2008 which we always follow the others. If we continue this way for the first 2-3-4 races, then I really think Luca should start and find someone better (even if I can't think anyone without a job now).
Because it's not Tombazis fault how the car is.
Tombazis was in 2000-2004 era with us...

Needless to say, Vettel was unbeatable today, even if our car was like the tests...

P.S.
I really miss the Rory, Jean, Ross days...

Well, I think the RB being 0.2-0.5 faster than us on a 1 lap sprint is a reasonable range of expectations under ideal condition. Most of the comments we heard during the testing season was the the RB were the fastest, they had great downforce, accelerated out of a corner earlier and stuff like that. Everything indicated that they were still the fastest in terms of raw pace.

According to Ferrari, they couldn't get the tires temp up or something like that here, so given this less than ideal condition, it all adds up to us being 1.4sec slower, IMO. Maybe we still haven't found the perfect setup.

Under a warmer condition with the perfect setup, I don't expect us to beat RB on a 1 lap pace, but I think the gap should be smaller.

Maybe we were taken by surprise at how the new tires behaved at this track and we're unable to get the best setup here.