2009 Formula 1 Round 1 - Australia

[Super T.I.B]

Was it just me or did the cars look like they are going really sllllloooooooowwwwwwww?

As compared to years past?

C'mon Derby, any info on lap times from previous years? I couldn't be bothered looking. 

[Ash]

the lap times were faster than last year (at least in qualy... not sure about the race)   

[aaronb]

further stewards' decisions:

http://www.crash.net/Formula+One/News/144577/1/vettel_punished_for_melbourne_clash_with_kubica.html

Although race footage led most 'experts' to claim that the collision three laps from home was little more than a 'racing incident', with both drivers guilty of trying to retain an advantage, the FIA-appointed stewards decided that Red Bull Racing's Vettel - making his debut with the Milton Keynes-based team - was more to blame. As a result, the German was not only hit with a ten-place grid penalty for next weekend's race in Malaysia, but also fined heavily.

that's bs.  lets change the car to make passing easier... but then fine the drivers if the make a mistake (although i can not understand how it was vettel's fault, he had the position and kubica tried to close the door on him). 

[El Matador]

It's available at ninjavideo.net for anyone without an RU account.

But yeah, nice to see the brawn guys doing so well. Anything that Sir Richard Brunson touches appears to be golden.

I've always been a Ferrari guy (Family thing) and was kinda sad to see the Reds both having DNF.

Oh and the Vettel punishment was BS

[Ash]

that's bs.  lets change the car to make passing easier... but then fine the drivers if the make a mistake (although i can not understand how it was vettel's fault, he had the position and kubica tried to close the door on him). 

good point, aaron

[Ash]

on another note, why does nelson piquet jr even have a ride?

or kazoo, for that matter?

[derby]

on another note, why does nelson piquet jr even have a ride?

son of a former three-time world champion? 

or kazoo, for that matter?

also the son of a former f1 racer.  i'm sure being japanese doesn't hurt when racing for toyota, either...

[derby]

C'mon Derby, any info on lap times from previous years? I couldn't be bothered looking. 

the lap times were faster than last year (at least in qualy... not sure about the race)   

faster in the race, too,  iirc. i'll watch the race again tomorrow to confirm this and the kers question.

[SKOM]

What a weekend

I managed to make it to my 2nd GP ever. The last one was 2 yrs ago in Montreal. Kubica crashed at that one too.   
I was absolutely gutted - although probably not as much as Robert and Vettel. He was on pace to catch Button too.

The twilight race idea is stupid. Really hard on the drivers I would think - spending half the race with the sun in your eyes and varying shadows. They should go night race next year or I wouldn't be suprised they lose the even all together.

Melbourne is a really cool city. I stopped by the Ducati dealership downtown and checked out the M1100S. I think I found my next bike. 

What are the odds - Kubica crashes at the only two races I go to. Oh well I still say he's going to take the season - as long as the FIA sorts out the diffuser situation. It was a noticable advantage imo.

[Ash]

son of a former three-time world champion? 

also the son of a former f1 racer.  i'm sure being japanese doesn't hurt when racing for toyota, either...

[derby]

The twilight race idea is stupid. Really hard on the drivers I would think - spending half the race with the sun in your eyes and varying shadows. They should go night race next year or I wouldn't be suprised they lose the even all together.

well, that's kinda the point... bernie wanted a night race (better viewing time for euros) and the promotors/organizers didn't want to deal with the expense of installing lights for a race that's lost money every year they've run it. so they "compromised' on a twilight race and the only people that had to "deal with it" were the guys doing ~200mph.

weak.

[Alexandre]

on another note, why does nelson piquet jr even have a ride?

+1 it seems to me that he didnt even finish half the races last season.

[Alexandre]

that's lame.

kubica had as much to do with the incident as vettel.

let the boys race!  hit happens.   

yes, exactly. you want close racing and overtaking then you are going to get accidents.

[EvilSteve]

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/74146

Hamilton disqualified.

ghey

[derby]

...and possibly "facing exclusion for the season?"

http://www.crash.net/Formula+One/News/144739/1/hamilton_facing_f1_world_championship_exclusion.html