Greatest opening races
#1
Posted 11 March 2013 - 20:40
For me, instantly, the 2002 Grand Prix in Melbourne comes to mind. At the first corner, Ralf Schumacher ran into the back of Barrichello and eight cars where eliminated, as well as the two Arrows for disqualification. It was the first race of Mark Webber, in a Minardi, and at the closing stages of the race he fought a brilliant battle with Mika Salo. Webber's Minardi was damaged and Salo was closing fast. No more spoilers from me, here's a video:
Also, 2009 comes to mind, mainly for being such as massive shock by BrawnGP.
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#2
Posted 11 March 2013 - 20:47
#3
Posted 11 March 2013 - 20:52
#4
Posted 11 March 2013 - 20:53
(...pushing like that probably wont be possible with this years tires....)
I also liked Melbourne '97 very much, with DC ending up winning the race, with the beautiful West-sponsored McLaren MP4/12. OK, that race had potentially more on offer, with Irvine forgetting to brake for T1 and wiping out Villeneuve in the process, but it was a nice surprise to see McLaren win again, as this marked their return to the front.
Edited by race addicted, 11 March 2013 - 20:54.
#5
Posted 11 March 2013 - 20:57
#6
Posted 11 March 2013 - 21:00
#7
Posted 11 March 2013 - 21:00
1961 was pretty legendary too with Moss' nimble Lotus beating the Ferrari squad in Monaco.
I really liked the 1989 Brazilian GP with Nigel's famous 5 wheel change pitstop and a pretty close finish.
#8
Posted 11 March 2013 - 21:00
#9
Posted 11 March 2013 - 21:08
Thinking back of my favourite season openers in recent times, they tend to be chaotic rather than high quality, otherwise someone dominates it. 2006 was the last time there was a real race-long duel for the lead in the season opener.
Edited by Disgrace, 11 March 2013 - 21:09.
#10
Posted 11 March 2013 - 21:09
#11
Posted 11 March 2013 - 21:14
I really enjoyed the 1999 opener myself!
ditto
#12
Posted 11 March 2013 - 21:17
1990's was enlivened brilliantly by Alesi, although I don't recall it a particularly interesting race apart from that.
Too many season openers were held on dull tracks.
#13
Posted 11 March 2013 - 21:32
But last year it was interesting to watch too, lot of racing, overtaking...and this weekend and Sunday will make a new history...
(I could say 2010 too, but Melbourne wasn´t opener that year...on the other side, 2010 opener might be winner of another competition - most boring opening race)
Edited by tomisumi, 11 March 2013 - 21:36.
#14
Posted 11 March 2013 - 21:35
#15
Posted 11 March 2013 - 22:43
Having just watched it again on Sky, I agree, it was a better race even than I had remembered.This may surprise some, but Australia 2003. Damp start, Barrichello jumps the start, him and Firman crash heavily early on, various passes, couple of other crashes, only 11 drivers finish, Schumacher has to pit due to damage, Montoya leads late on then spins it, giving Coulthard the win.
#16
Posted 11 March 2013 - 22:45
It's been a while since we've had a real crazy season opener, such as in 2008, 2002, or 99. I would be down for a race like that this weekend, although with the current state of reliability in F1 it looks unlikely.
#17
Posted 11 March 2013 - 22:47
#18
Posted 11 March 2013 - 23:00
#19
Posted 11 March 2013 - 23:03
Edited by nordschleife, 11 March 2013 - 23:13.
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#20
Posted 12 March 2013 - 00:16
John Love (wha ...?)
Good driver.
77 also had a surprise result on the majestic circuit no.15 (as opposed to the boring 90s configuration) at Buenos Aires, where Jody Scheckter won the first proper race that Wolf ran, again something that no-one would have predicted. Also two years later where Ligier came seemingly from no-where to dominate.
#21
Posted 12 March 2013 - 00:56
It was totally mind blowing and, for the season, utterly depressing.
#22
Posted 12 March 2013 - 01:22
It wasn't one of the classic races, but Brundle's crash in 1996 certainly made me **** up and go '****! Well, F1 is back again!'
I hope you watch your races while on the toilet.
#23
Posted 12 March 2013 - 02:34
#24
Posted 12 March 2013 - 02:53
Very nice.
2003 and 2008 were good also.
#25
Posted 12 March 2013 - 03:48
The 2003 opener was great, it looked like it was going to be 2002 all over again but then Ferrari had a total disaster which at the time was massively refreshing. The same goes for 2005.
I remember it as if it was yesterday.This may surprise some, but Australia 2003. Damp start, Barrichello jumps the start, him and Firman crash heavily early on, various passes, couple of other crashes, only 11 drivers finish, Schumacher has to pit due to damage, Montoya leads late on then spins it, giving Coulthard the win.
Excellent race!
#26
Posted 12 March 2013 - 09:23
I remember it as if it was yesterday.
Excellent race!
That was a great race indeed - thanks for the link!
Montoya, Raikkonen and Schumacher already battling it out (as they would do over the whole season), while DC won in stealth mode!
#27
Posted 12 March 2013 - 10:01
It wasn't one of the classic races, but Brundle's crash in 1996 certainly made me shit up and go 'shit! Well, F1 is back again!'
I wouldn't say it was the best opener, but it did feature one of the best teammate lead battles of its time. Hill and Villeneuve were really going at it in that one.
#28
Posted 12 March 2013 - 10:03
I remember it as if it was yesterday.
Excellent race!
Also, everyone made it through the first corner
#29
Posted 12 March 2013 - 10:16
#30
Posted 12 March 2013 - 11:07
Kyalami '82 was surely one of the best opening races?
#31
Posted 12 March 2013 - 11:09
2008 was good for comedys sake. You've got Kimi spinning three times on a dry track, DC threatening to kick the **** out of Massa, Bourdais running in 4th on his debut. And whens the last time we had only 7 cars finish a race? That was a proper 80's high attrition race. It was great.2008 was pretty crazy.
#32
Posted 12 March 2013 - 11:16
I hope you watch your races while on the toilet.
#33
Posted 12 March 2013 - 11:48
This may surprise some, but Australia 2003. Damp start, Barrichello jumps the start, him and Firman crash heavily early on, various passes, couple of other crashes, only 11 drivers finish, Schumacher has to pit due to damage, Montoya leads late on then spins it, giving Coulthard the win.
yup 2003 was great but you forgot Kimi started from the last place (pitlane) would have won the race without 1,1km/h too much speed on the pitlane (had drive trough penalty)thanks to pitlanelimiter was set wrong and still he managed to come 3rd.
#34
Posted 12 March 2013 - 12:11
#35
Posted 12 March 2013 - 21:47
Senna and Alesi.
#36
Posted 12 March 2013 - 22:13
1990, Phoenix USA.
Senna and Alesi.
That was quite something.
#37
Posted 12 March 2013 - 22:21
+21990, Phoenix USA.
Senna and Alesi.
That battle was very entertaining.
#38
Posted 12 March 2013 - 22:33
What?2008 was good for comedys sake. You've got Kimi spinning three times on a dry track, DC threatening to kick the **** out of Massa, Bourdais running in 4th on his debut. And whens the last time we had only 7 cars finish a race? That was a proper 80's high attrition race. It was great.
Kimi spun only one time by just touching the grass (like Alonso last year in quali) and thats it. He also went to the gravel attacking Kovalainen, but due to old soft tyres he couldnt brake correctly. One lap later they pitted.
People, if you dont remember the races, then stop spreading false informations.