F1 World Championship 2010 Thread

[ahmz]

If the 107% rule was in place, the only 2 cars not to make it would have been both the HRTs, that's a good debut for the other new teams.

[Mr_Edwardo]

Definitely an interesting session, it seemed that with all the hype surrounding the driver/ team pairings for this season, it was easy to somewhat forget Red Bull, and their ability to carry over the momentum they had at the end of last season.

Although I do think that due to the drastic increase in car weight from today, it'll be down to a lot more than just "the fastest guy wins" tomorrow.

On a side note - I don't know if this has been posted, but here's a pretty interesting article explaining the (somewhat controversial) airflow system on the new McLaren:

http://www.wired.com/autopia/2010/03/mclaren-rear-wing

Seems that it definitely pays to 'think outside the box' with car design!

[san.W10]

The MERCEDES GP PETRONAS pairing of Nico Rosberg and Michael Schumacher progressed through the first two sessions of qualifying before taking to the track again for a highly-competitive final session.

Nico and Michael completed just one run in Q3, using the softer compound option tyre, and qualified in fifth and seventh positions respectively for tomorrow?s 49-lap race.

NICO ROSBERG

?To be honest, we were hoping for a bit more today although we were lacking the pace to challenge right at the front so I guess we should not be too disappointed. It was so difficult out there with the tyres overheating. If you made a small mistake and got oversteer, then you lost a lot of grip for the next few corners. It?s going to be very important to look after the tyres tomorrow in the race. Overall it?s a good start for me and with a bit of luck, we should be able to challenge for a podium place tomorrow.?

MICHAEL SCHUMACHER

?I am satisfied with seventh place today having been away from Formula One for such a long time. By coincidence, it?s the same grid position that I had when I started my career at Spa in 1991. It was fun to work with my new team and I appreciate all their efforts to support me as I get back into the swing of things. The boys are really good and I feel that we?ve improved step-by-step over the weekend. I?m looking forward to the race and I expect even more to come.?

ROSS BRAWN

?It was a reasonable qualifying session today although we hoped for more after this morning?s practice. The balance of the car suffered between practice and qualifying, possibly due to the increasing track temperatures, and we lost some pace as a result. Nico drove very well today in all sessions and Michael, taking part in his first qualifying session since 2006, is getting back into the rhythm as he gets more miles in the car.?

NORBERT HAUG

"Not a bad start to the first race weekend for MERCEDES GP PETRONAS in achieving fifth and seventh position in our first qualifying session. I think we looked stronger this morning - and it is our target to be better again during tomorrows race. Nico has done a great job since lap one of the weekend and Michael, who is starting his first Formula One race after three and a half years, is one place ahead of reigning World Champion Jenson Button. The race tomorrow will be extremely tough for the drivers, the cars and their engines and we hope to be well prepared for the battle."

[san.W10]

Several teams forced to revise diffusers for Australia

A number of teams, including McLaren and Renault, will use a different rear diffuser design at the next race in Australia, following a rule clarification by the FIA.

ESPNF1 understands the FIA's ruling will prevent teams adding another layer to the diffuser by exploiting the hole where the external engine starter fits. The cars have all passed scrutineering in Bahrain and their participation in this weekend's grand prix will not be in question. Under the latest clarification the teams are now clear on what will be allowed for the rest of the championship, starting in two weeks time in Melbourne.

Diffusers caused a major stir at the start of the 2009 season when Brawn, Williams and Toyota arrived in Australia with a double-decker design which is now standard on all 2010 cars. This year's ruling is unlikely to create the same kind of furore.

http://en.espnf1.com/bahrain/motorsport/story/11176.html

[san.W10]

nice video

[sundayx Veteran]

Compress and ignited over 150 times a second...

I can't actually visualize that in my head...

[Billus]

I can't actually visualize that in my head...

Neither. I guess it would be a blur if that. Great video tho san.W10, thanks for sharing.

[san.W10]

Ferrari changes Massa's engine

Ferrari has replaced the engine in Felipe Massa's car ahead of the season opening Bahrain Grand Prix.

Although it is only the first race of the year, Ferrari said that the power unit was displaying some worrying characteristics - so it decided to take precautionary measures and replace it.

A statement by the team said: "At 10am, when the FIA rules allow to work on the cars, the mechanics started to work on the F10 #7, replacing its engine.

"This is a completely precautionary step: the engine, used by Felipe Massa up to the qualifying yesterday afternoon shows, some abnormal parameters, but can still be used on the track, according to the applicable rules, during free practice sessions.

"The decision, taken last night, will not lead to any sanctions for the Brazilian driver, who will start from the first row."

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/82113

[san.W10]

lol

[brentaal]

Boring race was boring.

[Pheee]

There is a downside to having an even playing field :(

[+Frank B. Subscriber²]

Not a bad race by any means, and a promising start to what can be one of the best seasons of the past 20 years.

[simonlang]

Boring race was boring.

i totally agree! this was one of the most boring races i ve ever seen. i ll watch the next 2 races and if they are the same, i wont watch it anymore. new rules didnt make racing more exciting :(

poor vettel got stolen away his victory :( he really had it in the bag.

only thing makes me happy is that schumacher still has got some amazing race-pace. hamilton was impressive as well :)

[ahmz]

It wasn't that bad, but I think it would be more exciting with sprints rather than endurance. But it's always good to keep things fresh.

Impressed with Ferrari's pace, they held onto the RBR and were quicker during the middle of the race, and Alonso's fastest lap of 1:58.287 was impressive to say the least.

I'm also impressed that both Lotus cars finished, great debut for them.

[simonlang]

Impressed with Ferrari's pace, they held onto the RBR and were quicker during the middle of the race, and Alonso's fastest lap of 1:58.287 was impressive to say the least.

that was because vettel had to slow down cause of a broken exhaust. rbr is the faster car and as soon they fix reliability in the hands of vettel alonso wont see p1 anymore. :)

[acnpt]

Vettel would have won it, Ferraris were too hot. Great result for Hamilton though!!!!:D

[ahmz]

Vettel didn't have a problem at that point, it was about 4-5 laps before his problem where Alonso brought the gap down to 1 second but then had to start looking after the car temperature.

Massa was also quicker on the medium tyres straight out of the box, catching both of them.

[san.W10]

race was boring.

i didnt see any strategy, if not for RBR's exhaust issue, the result was what of saturdays' quali.

just 1 pit stop, lol.

FIA should now impose using of super-soft tyre twice every race.

coz of Webber, Sutil & Kubica's race was destroyed.

btw, new points system accompanied with a dominant team every year - the championship will be over half way thru the season. :p

its goin to be such a bigass uphill for other teams to catch-up Ferrari in Constructors Championship :D

[ahmz]

Yea the one pit-stop every race is going to turn out pretty much like 2005, except no refueling... :(

[san.W10]

Schumacher regrets lack of action

Michael Schumacher said he enjoyed his return to racing at the Bahrain Grand Prix, although the German suggested the strategies this year will not make for great racing.

Schumacher finished the race in sixth position, over 40 seconds behind winner Fernando Alonso, after a quiet event in which he was unable to make progress after the start.

With no refuelling allowed, Schumacher believes the race strategies don't allow for much variation, although he said his race had been 'good fun'.

"It's the start and then after it is just sort of go your pace and not do mistakes," Schumacher told the BBC.

"Overtaking is basically impossible, other than if somebody makes a mistake - Lewis had a little one so Nico was able to pass him, but got back past at the pitstop. That's about it.

"That's the action we are going to have with unfortunately this kind of environment of race strategy.

"But, anyway, it was good fun. Especially the beginning and now we are going to work forward in order to catch up what is in front of us."

The seven-time champion admitted he struggled with his tyres after so many laps, but said that was just part of getting back into the groove after three years without racing.

"Well, there is the new rules with the tyres that everybody has to cope with," Schumacher added.

"I struggled a little bit with those, I have to say, but after three years of not being there I guess it is natural that you have to find your way in to new bits and pieces and the team and myself are going to work on that."

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/82127

Vettel: Failure cost us the win

Sebastian Vettel believes he would have won the Bahrain Grand Prix had he not suffered an apparent probem with his car's exhaust with 20 laps to go.

The German Red Bull driver appeared to be in control of the opening race of the season, having led from the start and maintained his position through the pitstops, until he lost performance due to the problem.

Vettel admitted afterwards that he was disappointed not to have been able to win having been the pace-setter through the weekend: "It's a pity but what can you do?

"All in all it was a positive except the failure this weekend," he added. "Under any conditions from Saturday morning onwards we were the quickest. I think we had very good control of the race, we had a very good strategy, I knew how my tyres were.

"We had quite good control of the tyres and the brakes, everything running smoothly.

"I think it was 15-20 laps to the end I just lost power. I don't know what it was but I think something mechanical broke. Luckily we could continue but we should have won really."

Vettel added that it had been a bitter pill to swallow when he realised that his car was not going to be in a position to win.

"It's not easy," he said. "You are leading, everything is fine and you just have to bring the car home. And then we had the failure and initially you don't know what it is or whether it is going to get worse or better.

"At the end it seemed to kind of recover but it wasn't it great but it cost us a lot. At least we scored 12 important points."

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/82128

[Crompee]

There was basically no proper overtaking, i cant even remember one? Vettel lost his places due to a exhaust problem, Alonso overtook on the 1st corner due to a good start and the rest of overtakes were done via the pits except for barrachello overtaking someone with a nice move. Im seriously struggling to think of any other proper overtakes which all these new rules were meant to cause?

Even the tyre changes seems poor now as the tyres are good enough to last with one pit stop. Button even said in his interview that when he pitted, his tyres were still strong and he was disappointed that he had looked after them so well.

[Billus]

I enjoyed the race but I dunno, I saw quite a few overtakes and from memory, it was certainly a much more interesting race than what was on in 2008. Compared to 2009, I'm torn between the two. Maybe they should look at KERS again which would create varying fuel weights and amount of fuel and also effect the overall weight of the car. If they won't bother with KERS then they should bring back refueling. The pit stops seem almost pointless now, waste of 20 seconds.

[acnpt]

^^ Yea, I liked KERS. It's still allowed under the rules, just no teams decided to use it.

[san.W10]

Changes urged to improve show

McLaren team principal Martin Whitmarsh believes Formula 1 needs to consider immediate rules tweaks to spice up the spectacle after new rules failed to deliver an exciting race in Bahrain.

Whitmarsh admitted that the opening race of the season at Sakhir had lacked excitement as the sport adapted to the new regulations, including a ban on refuelling.

Most of the front-runners stopped just once and many drivers, including Michael Schumacher, reported that it was difficult to follow rivals closely and therefore overtake.

Whitmarsh told the BBC that something needed to be done to change the dynamic of the racing - perhaps by revisiting a mandatory two pitstops rule or making tyre compounds more on edge.

"We were one of three teams, that said we should have two mandatory pitstops because we were worried about [people] one-stopping.

"I think we have to re-examine that. But I think if we can now push on Bridgestone to have 'racier' tyres, we need a super-soft tyre that is really going to hurt if you take it to 20 laps. You shouldn't be able to do that with a super-soft tyre and I think even the prime, if it's a struggle to get it to do half a race distance, then you force [the issue].

"The tyres were much closer in the race than we expected and they determined the spectacle," he added. "There was no real serious degradation of the tyres, we started the roll of pitstops because we were trying to get ahead of [Nico] Rosberg and everyone started to come in at that point.

"But otherwise, just based on tyre degradation, we could have run to lap 25 or more on the super-soft tyres. If you can do that on the softest tyre, then the primes are just going to romp through for as long as you like."

Whitmarsh said that the teams were committed to making the sport exciting.

"I think we all are," he said. "Formula 1 has to be entertaining, people have to be switched on to what is going to happen in the race, if it's processional they are not going to be. Today was not the best show, we know that and we have all got to work together to improve it.

Whitmarsh added that it was a combination of factors that had contributed to the lack of overtaking in the second half of the race and that while he believed that the 2011 ban on double-diffusers would help, he was focussed on the changes that could be made in the short term.

"I personally believe that more challenging tyres will help the spectacle of the show," he said. "I also personally believe that we should have two stops mandated because we want to stop this. Today, if we had had a safety car on lap five, we'd have all piled in [to the pits] and we'd have all gone on the prime tyre and run to lap 49 without a stop. That was a real danger.

"I think that the tyres are allowing you to do that, I'm not trying to pass the blame [on to Bridgestone]. We are all in this together.

"We do need to look at mandatings stops, we do need to look at the tyres and make them more fragile, and we do need to work on making the cars capable of racing close together and easier to overtake.

"Unfortunately the double diffuser, and we have all got them, has really worked against that in the last two years, we have got rid of it for next year but that is arguably a year too late. What can we do this year? It's go to be work with Bridgestone and potentially mandating more stops in the race."

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/82145

[ahmz]

I was thinking earlier that they should force 2 pit stops, that would give the drivers license to push their tyres all the way and set the fastest laps they can. I absolutely HATE how we have F1 races where drivers are not RACING but rather conserving the tyres.

I really think they should have stuck with last year's rules, there were some pretty exciting races in 2009. I really hope they enforce a mandatory 2 pit stop rule.