2006 Australian GP Thread

[iGav]

I wonder if Button will ever even win a RACE.

He's driving better this year for sure... had the first safety car not come out, I think he'd have been okay for a podium (not a win) as he really kept Alonso in check for the first sequence of corners.

Speaking of the Safety Car... 4 or 'em... it was like NASCAR

Kudos to Alonso though, he drove a brilliant race, especially after each SC period, that Renault is a fantastic car, it's much like Ferrari in 2002 and 2004, the car is just so good that they can do what they want and make it stick. I think he's also stolen Schu's luck too.

Shame about Kimi and his 2nd stint (locked up and flatspotted at some point), and also being stuck behind a gaggle of slower cars for each restart, and Montoya too... hahahaha forgive him his spin on his way to the grid (though did the Speed commentators say anything about him taking his place as usual???) but yeah, he's really feisty at the moment isn't he... him and Kimi wheel to wheel. Fantastic.

Massively disappointed with Ferrari, to be at times 4-5 seconds off the pace isn't good enough. Though according to rumours Ferrari are racing the old tyre and not the new compounds/construction (like Williams/Toyota) as they haven't had the weather to test it... Schu was really hanging it out though hopefully they'll be back in the battle come Imola, but if they don't start winning in the new 2 or 3 races, I can see Schu either retiring or leaving.

As for Speed... though the Yellow's are there for a reason, maybe hadn't seen what happened to Dana the other week.

Looks like Aguri and MF1 are protesting Toro Rosso's V10 now too.

Rinky dink link

 

[Lord Blackadder]

It seemed to me that when the yellows came out (during the incident where Speed made his pass), nobody slowed down for a few corners. The commentators noticed that too. They also noticed that Ralf had gained a few places somewhat suspiciously, but nothing was said about Speed until after the race, and they didn't show either Ralf or Scott's passes.

Schumi and Raikkonen need to quali themselves into the first two rows if they want to start winning, otherwise their luck will keep getting worse. I think that both of them will improve - they are just too good.

Looks like Aguri and MF1 are protesting Toro Rosso's V10 now too.

Rinky dink link

The V10 probably does give them an advantage, otherwise the I doubt the STRs would be fighting with the Red Bulls as much as they are. They'll prbably have to switch to V8s next season anyway. My guess is that the torquier V10 allows you to corner a little more sloppily but still maintain pace, which is good for the American rookie. Now, if he could just keep his mouth shut I think he could finish in the top ten, even if there are no retirements.

 

[iGav]

It seemed to me that when the yellows came out (during the incident where Speed made his pass), nobody slowed down for a few corners. The commentators noticed that too. They also noticed that Ralf had gained a few places somewhat suspiciously, but nothing was said about Speed until after the race, and they didn't show either Ralf or Scott's passes.

Weren't Honda supposed to be looking at the reply after the race to see if the same thing happened to Button too?

Schumi and Raikkonen need to quali themselves into the first two rows if they want to start winning, otherwise their luck will keep getting worse. I think that both of them will improve - they are just too good.

Honestly I don't know what the f**k Ferrari are playing at... I can't believe they went for the conservative tyre option considering the weather data they were getting, it was sweet watching Schu hang it all out though, the fire's still in his belly.

I was bummed about Kimi, after each restart he just got caught behind slower cars, Button and then the MF1's.

So yeah... both Ferrari and McLaren need to go more agressive in their strategies me thinks, Ferrari occasionally do, McLaren just seem to tank it up, a strategy that doesn't pay off when you've got a driver like Alonso in a car like the Renault.

Did you guys get the pit-to-car radio when Renault were blowing up Fisi for being 2 seconds a lap slower than Alonso???

That and Barrichello saying that his car brakes like a bitch. hahahahaha.

 

[Lord Blackadder]

Did you guys get the pit-to-car radio when Renault were blowing up Fisi for being 2 seconds a lap slower than Alonso???

That and Barrichello saying that his car brakes like a bitch. hahahahaha.

That was crazy hearing them rag on Fisi - what a confidence killer! It isn't usually a walk in the park to pass Button, but at Melbourne it seemed like everyone except Fisi could.

Didn't hear Barrichello's comment. LOL. I certainly expected for him to be fighting with Button and not his car. He's been pampered at Ferrari I guess.

Both Ferrari and McLaren are definitely less competitive than I expected - which is so puzzling given Kimi and Schumi's prowess, not to mention that JPM and even Massa are capable drivers. They seem to have lost agression or something. This is no time for conservative tactics. Renault has stamped their authority on the first few races and McLaren and Ferrari need to respond. They certainly have the tools for the job, at least on paper.

I wonder who decides to patch in pit radio for us fans, it seems almost random at times but we usually get some juicy tidbits. I wonder what they tell "Oh No" Ide.