2010 Formula 1 Qantas Australian Grand Prix

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The safety car helped them, that's for sure, as did McLaren and Red Bull's 2nd pit of Epic Fail.
 
Sureboss
The safety car helped them, that's for sure, as did McLaren and Red Bull's 2nd pit of Epic Fail.
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As opposed to Hamilton killing his tyres and having a tyre blowout of Epic Fail?

He came on the radio to say his 2nd set of slicks were "done" after using them for only 21 laps. Could he really have done 50 laps on a set of soft slicks?

EDIT: Oh, and Hamilton's pass round the outside of Rosberg into turn 11 was Epic.
 
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Yeah, despite losing his head, Hamilton did provide much of the excitement in that race, pulling some nice moves and generally being the most aggressive. This is why I'm wondering if those "Senna & Prost" sentiments are ringing true when it comes to Hamilton and Button.
 
Just to reply to your response to me...

niky
Webber is polite. He made a mistake, but from the looks of it, it really wasn't that big a mistake. When Alonso locked up, Lewis had to brake to an almost complete stop to keep from colliding with him... Webber couldn't have expected that.
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I disagree - as Brundle said in commentary - he should've anticipated that they might trip over each other - and that they would more than likely be going a lot slower... unfortunately he got himself too close - and didn't anticipate it properly - so ended up shunting Lewis...

C.
 
Ardius
Yeah, another wing failure for Kobayashi - we didn't see what caused it so we can only assume (and hope!) it was contact earlier.
Hydarulics failure for Trulli on his lap to the grid, they couldn't possibly have got it fixed in time. Thankfully Lotus are working on their own system which may appear for Istanbul or Silverstone reportedly.
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Yeah I believe he made a contact and we hope so it's true. According to Willy and Peter, he might made a contact with someone else at turn 3. From what he said earlier on today after the race, he didn't even remember anything but the thing that he knew was he got lost control of the car. If ever it was a front wing failure, it could've affect Pedro's car though.

It's a real shame to not see Trulli's car on the race. Could've been a great battle on the track. Yeah I heard of the news of them making their own hydraulics system maybe somewhere in what you stated above, confirmed by Kovalainen through a short interview. Virgin is also improving theirs...

EDIT: Also true, Star Sports were also discussing about the uselessness of the F1 car side mirror because, you can barely see things with it. And I'm also wondering why is that some teams like Ferrari have their side mirror on the edge of the sidepod? Is it actually helping the airflow of the car or just to give better view which I think is not. I heard of in 2006 where they were discussing of this thing again, about Schumi's mirror and said that he wanted to look at the rear tyres...
 
InvincibleM5
EDIT: Also true, Star Sports were also discussing about the uselessness of the F1 car side mirror because, you can barely see things with it. And I'm also wondering why is that some teams like Ferrari have their side mirror on the edge of the sidepod? Is it actually helping the airflow of the car or just to give better view which I think is not. I heard of in 2006 where they were discussing of this thing again, about Schumi's mirror and said that he wanted to look at the rear tyres...
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Its for aero, the teams will admit that. The GPDA is pushing for proper mirrors now ahead of the FOTA meeting next weekend about 2011 regulations. So hopefully it will be changed, because its rediculous that we have drivers just assuming where each other is because they can't see anything in the mirrors.
 
What is with these if, buts, and maybes.
Maybe if Vettels car hadn't have had 2 of the the rarest failures, he and Red Bull would be smashing everyone, but he isn't.

Button was not far enough along side for Alonso to see him. Button had to have tagged the Ferrari in the rear half, or it would not have spun. Alonso clearly thought the inside was clear, as he aimed for the apex.


Webber was to ambitious, probably just as annoyed as Hamilton with the way the race had panned out. Still, his mistake to assume the track would open up and the inside line would be available. Lewis is a demon on the brakes though. I thought he was going to hit Alonso.



Hamiton would have been able to pass Kubica and stay the distance, so would have Webber. They were on the wrong strategy, and put in a position to make and take risks.


Anyway with all this, it made a superb spectacle.
 
Danny
Say what you want, a brilliant recovery by Alonso from the first lap incident.

What a surprise, Hamilton throwing his toys out of the pram.
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Hamilton on worn out tires? Would be interesting to see. Something tells me the outcome would be worse :lol:

Lol I'm joking (am I? :sly:). I agree that his strategist made a bad decision. He was probably not expecting people to lap 50 times on soft tires. But well, that's certainly not the first or the last time I saw a bad strategy ruining a race. It's part of the game really.
 
Sureboss
I think he has more than a case to be annoyed.
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(If you are referring to Hamilton!)

I don't. This is why; when Lewis pulled up to the back of Kubica didn't he mention several times that his tyres were graining and lossing grip? That coupled with the fact that he is heavier on tyres than most would suggest that the call to pit him was the right one in light of the evidence. There was no way Mclaren could predict that the tyres would last to the end and, based on the evidence that Schumi was doing better on fresh tyres suggested that it would give Hamilton the advantage if either a). the cars in front of him would need to pit also or b). the tyres of the cars in front went off before the end of the race. As it eventually transpired, the used tyres were good to the end, how could anyone know that this would be the case?

Hamilton is an exceptional driver, today was yet another display of his raw speed and ability to control the car, if he can control his gob and pay more attention to the car and track conditions then he would surely have been more successful today. It was no disaster that he finished, and finished 6th at that. Let's remember, it is still a five place increase on his starting position.
 
I think the point that the whole Hamilton episode highlights is that nowadays track position is more important than overall strategy, as Gascoyne said.
I think Lewis has a right to complain, but I think he's doing it in a very 🤬-ish way. I imagine many of the drivers get annoyed with their strategies (Kimi at Malaysia last year?), but they don't go mouthing off to the media unless it was a monumental screw up. Considering his race wasn't completely ruined by it (he was still on target to finish close to the podium, especially because everyone expected Kubica & Co to have to pit again) I don't think he should be critcising his team this much, especially when his teammate is winning over the remaining doubters in the team (and the paddock) - it just serves to contrast him.
I wouldn't like to be one of the McLaren strategists in any case! :lol: "Who was it who put me on this strategy?!" - a side of Lewis we haven't seen before? Sounded like he was going to kill the poor person!
 
Ardius
Its for aero, the teams will admit that. The GPDA is pushing for proper mirrors now ahead of the FOTA meeting next weekend about 2011 regulations. So hopefully it will be changed, because its rediculous that we have drivers just assuming where each other is because they can't see anything in the mirrors.
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Finally got the answer, well obviously it's part of the car and 100% of the car's body is all for aerodynamics.

I'm totally with you. It's ridiculous to just assume where someone is on the track. They need to redesign the side mirrors back and make it useful as it'll be hard for these drivers and with this, some incidents like what for example happened to Alonso and Button might be avoided plus, they might also can avoid pointing each other.
 
Fastas
I don't. This is why; when Lewis pulled up to the back of Kubica didn't he mention several times that his tyres were graining and lossing grip? That coupled with the fact that he is heavier on tyres than most would suggest that the call to pit him was the right one in light of the evidence. There was no way Mclaren could predict that the tyres would last to the end and, based on the evidence that Schumi was doing better on fresh tyres suggested that it would give Hamilton the advantage if either a). the cars in front of him would need to pit also or b). the tyres of the cars in front went off before the end of the race. As it eventually transpired, the used tyres were good to the end, how could anyone know that this would be the case?
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Absolutely agreed.

His raw pace was so outright fast, I seriously doubt his set of tires would've made it to the end. As Button said; as soon as he noticed the rears started to receive a higher beating, he backed off and kept that pace since he noticed the gap between him and Kubica wasn't getting smaller. Hamilton gave it everything throughout the whole race. Even if he did pass Kubica, I dare to bet his tires would be in one hell of a shape at the end. And indeed; there's no possible way to predict how long a set of tires will hold together for a race.

Hamilton should stop complaining now that he's been beaten by his teammate fair and square in this race. Would he have preferred to continue on the same set, risk a puncture and possibly no points at all?

God, this boy has some damn talent, but I like him less and less with every race that passes.
 
The outcome for Alonso as the race unfolded was probably the best possible. But no one can convince me that he would only have had the tenth quickest lap if he had not been forced to fight his way back through the whole field. His pace was clearly as good as anyones in any car in this race. If you don't want to admit that it just shows your dislike for Alonso. Just compare his way back up to Schumachers who were pretty much in the same situation and fought for tenth in the end.

Button drove a perfect tactical race and well deserved the victory, just as Kubica did in second. As it turned out, the race was Red Bull's to lose, and they did.
 
Anghammarad
The outcome for Alonso as the race unfolded was probably the best possible. But no one can convince me that he would only have had the tenth quickest lap if he had not been forced to fight his way back through the whole field. His pace was clearly as good as anyones in any car in this race. If you don't want to admit that it just shows your dislike for Alonso. Just compare his way back up to Schumachers who were pretty much in the same situation and fought for tenth in the end.

Button drove a perfect tactical race and well deserved the victory, just as Kubica did in second. As it turned out, the race was Red Bull's to lose, and they did.
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Hmm, aren't you forgetting that Schumi had to pit to change his wing? Beside that, the fastest laps are only indicative of how hard the drivers are pushing at the final stages of the race. With more fuel they are less likely to set fast laps!

I do agree that Alonso could not have hoped for a better final position, under the circumstances and with out 'Ferrari-aid'*.

*read as team orders.
 
Drive of the day goes to Chancock :lol: because he finished!! Congratulations to HRT on a race finish. Lotus did a good job as well, with Kovalienen bringing it home. What happened to the Virgins? More hydraulic problems?
 
Anghammarad
The outcome for Alonso as the race unfolded was probably the best possible. But no one can convince me that he would only have had the tenth quickest lap if he had not been forced to fight his way back through the whole field. His pace was clearly as good as anyones in any car in this race. If you don't want to admit that it just shows your dislike for Alonso. Just compare his way back up to Schumachers who were pretty much in the same situation and fought for tenth in the end.
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You can't compare them, Schumi had to change his nose after the lap 1 crash, Alonso just had to turn the thing around, and the safety car came out.
 
Fastas
Hmm, aren't you forgetting that Schumi had to pit to change his wing?
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As I recall they were taking up the last two places after Schumacher had changed it and were not that far apart on the track.
 
Ardius
I think the point that the whole Hamilton episode highlights is that nowadays track position is more important than overall strategy, as Gascoyne said.
I think Lewis has a right to complain, but I think he's doing it in a very 🤬-ish way. I imagine many of the drivers get annoyed with their strategies (Kimi at Malaysia last year?), but they don't go mouthing off to the media unless it was a monumental screw up. Considering his race wasn't completely ruined by it (he was still on target to finish close to the podium, especially because everyone expected Kubica & Co to have to pit again) I don't think he should be critcising his team this much, especially when his teammate is winning over the remaining doubters in the team (and the paddock) - it just serves to contrast him.
I wouldn't like to be one of the McLaren strategists in any case! :lol: "Who was it who put me on this strategy?!" - a side of Lewis we haven't seen before? Sounded like he was going to kill the poor person!
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Completely agree with you there. Great race throughly enjoyed it from begining to end. Jensen deserved the win, I always thought he would do well at Mclaren. Lewis doesn't help himself does he.
 
Coming late for the discussion, but anyways...

Alonso had one hell of a drive today. If Hamilton's drive was impressive coming from 11th, then Alonso's drive from last was even more impressive. And if you consider he was going flat out the first laps and still managed to do a one stop race, then you have to take your hats off for him.

About the Alonso and Button incident, if you notice on Button's onboard camera he was half a car length behind Alonso. That reminded me the Massa and Alonso crash on the first lap of the Spanish GP a few years ago. Anyways, I'd imagine it was Button's job to let Alonso pass him.

For the Webber crash it was Webber's fault. But there's no doubt he was hoping to collect the spoils of the Alonso - Hamilton fight, so it's understandable he would be that close.

Finally, I don't see why Hamilton is complaining so much about the team's strategy. After all, I didn't see any McLaren strategist complaining Hamilton started the race on 11th.
 
I love how everyone criticises Hamilton but conveniently seem to forget that Alonso was bashing his team as well for not sending him to the pit. I understand why Mclaren sent Lewis to the pits, it made sense but ultimately was the wrong decision and that`s ok, they`re human.
 
tibiquera
Finally, I don't see why Hamilton is complaining so much about the team's strategy. After all, I didn't see any McLaren strategist complaining Hamilton started the race on 11th.
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That's because it would have been a strategists choice to only fill him for 2 qualy laps when he had time for 3.
 
L.Hamilton
I love how everyone criticises Hamilton but conveniently seem to forget that Alonso was bashing his team as well for not sending him to the pit. I understand why Mclaren sent Lewis to the pits, it made sense but ultimately was the wrong decision and that`s ok, they`re human.
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Well I'm being critical because of the tone of his voice when he said that stuff, so much for his comments last year "we're a team, we lose together and we win together", eh?
Its been an altogether negative weekend for Lewis, lets see what he does at Malaysia, one would expect him to take this weekend and attack the next one with more focus and determination, but we'll see.
 
L.Hamilton
I love how everyone criticises Hamilton but conveniently seem to forget that Alonso was bashing his team as well for not sending him to the pit. I understand why Mclaren sent Lewis to the pits, it made sense but ultimately was the wrong decision and that`s ok, they`re human.
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I wouldn't call it bashing, I'd prefer to express it as disappointed. If he were to carry on with the attitude he's displayed this weekend then where is it going to get him? The WDC or a seat at HRT next year?

Personally, I would really like to see him win the championship again, again and then again and again but, if he carries on upsetting people and mouthing off then who knows.

Can you imagine the scene now...Do you think Mclaren are discussing the 'strategy' with Lewis or partying with Jenson. Without his Dad & Ron he has to show he can do this on his own, so far I'm not very convinced. Mclaren will be watching both of their drivers carefully, if you were to pick one to support based on this weekends performances, which would it be?
 
Am I the only one who thinks virgins 'mechanical problems' are actually them bringing the car in to save the embarrassment of running out of fuel?

Good race to day. Top entertainers go to Hamilton and Webber.

It's a real shame about Vettel, I would hate to see him loose another championship over reliability.
 

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