2012 Australian Grand Prix

[DaxCobra]

I'm sorry, but in what world is finishing behind a lowly-rated team-mate a good thing? He did it all throughout 2011, and it looks like he'll be making a habit of it in 2012.

Well he hadn't had much time in the car, and I wouldn't rate Petrov as a bad driver either.

I think I remember Senna outqualifying Petrov off the bat also at Spa, and wasn't Petrov beating Heidfeld before Spa?

 

[LMSCorvetteGT2]

Well he hadn't had much time in the car, and I wouldn't rate Petrov as a bad driver either.

I think I remember Senna outqualifying Petrov off the bat also, and wasn't Petrov beating Heidfeld before Spa?

I wouldn't argue Senna with him, his post since end of last year have the esque of loathing the man in the sport. Not saying I agree or disagree, point is your going to have a several page argument that will be uphill. PM's words on Senna have been noted and aren't too friendly for those who do like Senna. Just saying.

 

[Prince.M5]

Did I quote anyone saying that? Can I not state my opinion openingly or does it always have to be addressed to someone? I wasn't debating you on your opinion of Marussia and if I was then I would have quoted you okay

Sorry about that, perhaps I was just a little bit over-reacting. I thought that was directed towards me as I was the one who started the HRT - Marussia concern. No harm done

 

[LMSCorvetteGT2]

Sorry about that, perhaps I was just a little bit over-reacting. I thought that was directed towards me as I was the one who started the HRT - Marussia concern. No harm done

Nah, I thought I made it clear that Dax was the one I didn't agree with. I could understand how one thinks Marussia is doing good or okay. I don't want to see Marussia out of the sport like some people and the same goes for HRT.

Don't worry no harm done I'd say as well, I didn't disagree with you they are doing okay as well, just not amazing. However, time will tell us who these two teams are really becoming.

 

[Tired Tyres]

I wouldn't say they are doing a horrendous job, either. They're certainly better than HRT, and possibly better than Williams (whatever potential the FW34 has, I feel it is being squandered on an uninspiring driver line-up).

Failing the crash test on an evolution of last years chassis and completely missing all the pre season testing as a result would suggest otherwise.

This first race of the season represents the very best chance for one of the slower teams to grab a point or two and that is not the way to go about it.

 

[prisonermonkeys]

Failing the crash test on an evolution of last years chassis and completely missing all the pre season testing as a result would suggest otherwise.

This first race of the season represents the very best chance for one of the slower teams to grab a point or two and that is not the way to go about it.

I see all of your arguments, and I raise you a "Glock finished 12th".

Now, I'm not going to read too much into that. We have no idea of the relative fuel levels. But nor can we ignore it - it's not like Glock set that time early in the session and stayed in 12th because of a late downpour. No, he set that lap time on fresh soft tyres, at a time when everyone else was doing similar running.

They are, at the very least, doing better than HRT. And possibly Williams, who may well be bluffing with a low pair at the moment. Like I said, I'm not expecting miracles from Marussia. But I do think they will be substantially closer to the rest of the grid than we have come to expect from them.

 

[Ardius]

Glock was 12th - yes and Kovalainen was 8th and Petrov 13th. Not exactly representative times, eh?
Anyone can look a hero in wet/dry changing conditions in practice with the right tyres and low fuel.

Marussia better than Williams?

 

[prisonermonkeys]

And what did Williams do all day?

The only time they threatened the top of the time sheets was when theyw ere the only cars on-track.

 

[Ardius]

Yawn, yes because practice is exactly what happens in qualifying and the race. It was two wet practice sessions - not particularly useful for anything but general setup checks and trying the wet tyres.
Williams have the benefit of full testing as well as pretty obviously a faster car and a bigger budget. How on earth can you believe Marussia could turn up with no testing and a far smaller budget and be faster?

Marussia were making the most of practice to actually test their car - which inevitably means being on track more than perhaps they would in those conditions - which in turn means they are more likely to set a decent laptime while teams like Williams, Toro Rosso, Red Bull and McLaren are happy to avoid potentially crashing the car for no reason.

Come on PM, do you really forget everything each year? Nothing is certain till qualifying.

I'd happily place quite a substantial bet that Williams are several seconds ahead of Marussia in qualifying.

Edit: Not to mention Williams say they were running race simulations:

Pastor Maldonado, P1 - 1:29.415, 8th; P2 - 1:34.108, 17th
“We completed the majority of our programme and did a longer run this afternoon. The car is performing well and we’re going in the right direction, but tomorrow we will see when we finally get into qualifying.”

Bruno Senna, P1 - 1:29.953, 14th; P2 - 1:34.312, 19th
“The conditions today cut our running a little, but it was the same for everybody. This afternoon we completed some simulations to gain a greater understanding of what the car is doing and we are still learning. In terms of pace, we will see what we can achieve tomorrow afternoon.”

 

[Tired Tyres]

Glock was 12th - yes and Kovalainen was 8th and Petrov 13th. Not exactly representative times, eh?
Anyone can look a hero in wet/dry changing conditions in practice with the right tyres and low fuel.

Marussia better than Williams?

Williams are going nowhere except down mate. Their time has passed.

I don't doubt for a second that they will be faster than HRT and Marussia but they are simply not the team they used to be.

 

[prisonermonkeys]

Williams have the benefit of full testing as well as pretty obviously a faster car and a bigger budget. How on earth can you believe Marussia could turn up with no testing and a far smaller budget and be faster?

I didn't say "faster", did I?

 

[Ardius]

But worse than Marussia? If we were talking about Caterham, maybe I would agree that there is potential..but even then its unlikely.

PM: What else can "better" mean?

 

[Alex.]

So basically nothing whatsoever has changed from last season

At least that's how it appears at this very unclear stage.

 

[Tired Tyres]

So basically nothing whatsoever has changed from last season

At least that's how it appears at this very unclear stage.

It is always unclear until at least P3 and more likely Qualifying. Up until then, everybody is doing testing and setup work.

 

[daan]

Marussia have better coffee than Williams, obviously.

 

[prisonermonkeys]

 

[DaxCobra]

That's nothing... The Australians asked him to mow the lawn, is all.

I guess Marussia haven't had enough running yet to come off.

 

[daan]

Heikki on the grass

He obviously saw a pig in the grass.

----------

I think Williams will do "OK" this season. Having the Renault engine will be a huge advantage to them over last years car. The Renault seemingly has better packaging and can run hotter than the Cosworth they used last year so this years Williams can have smaller radiators and smaller ducts, which should enable better aerodynamics.

I'm not convinced about Senna, and I do think he's only there on his name, but Maldonado is not just a pay driver. Yes, he does bring a lot of money, but you don't win the GP2 championship without some talent.

 

[prisonermonkeys]

He obviously saw a pig in the grass.

No, this is what really happened.

 

[PeterJB]

Hmm, not bad from Pic to be so close to the STRs considering this the first time he has driven the car properly.

 

[Famine]

I'm not convinced about Senna, and I do think he's only there on his name, but Maldonado is not just a pay driver. Yes, he does bring a lot of money, but you don't win the GP2 championship without some talent.

Can you win it by side-swiping rivals off the road?

 

[Prince.M5]

I just noticed there are many run-off gates on the side of the track along the main straight. Surely for quick escape, right? Or perhaps something else?

 

[daan]

Can you win it by side-swiping rivals off the road?

That still takes talent. You've got to be fast enough to be next to them in the first place. 👍

 

[robert1]

i was stupid and staied up all night, the 1am P1 all the way to 10:30am for the F1 show, 1 hours sleep now an 8 hour shift...not sure if ill see P3 but ill try! lol

 

[PeterJB]

That still takes talent. You've got to be fast enough to be next to them in the first place. 👍

Or drive a HRT...

 

[Hun200kmh]

And side-swiping is an art that requires skill, I've seen it plenty in GT5rologue

 

[PeterJB]

And side-swiping is an art that requires skill, I've seen it plenty in GT5rologue

I honed my ability with TOCA 2 Touring Cars!

 

[Centura]

I dunno. Something Bob Varsha said on air. You'll have to ask him.

Yeah it was Bon Varsha. He also said that Vettel maid around 35 million last year, and that he seems like a pretty cool guy 👍

Alright, thanks.

 

[Bram Turismo]

At this rate, it will be a victory for HRT if they get both cars to actually work in the practice sessions...

 

[zippy_the_cat]

What I took out of FP2 is that Mercedes and Force India seem to have made steps forward, the full size of which remains TBD. Quali will tell the tale. As Vettel would say, time for everybody to pull their pants down and show what they've got. No more sandbagging.