1043 replies to this topic

[JimmyClark]

Apparently the FIA is re-evaluating the start time given the chance of heavy weather predicted tomorrow afternoon.

As long as they make the decision before I go to sleep!

[garoidb]

NateF, on 15 Mar 2025 - 14:33, said:

I like Oscar, this is going to be his third year, and I’m really hoping that he will be able to fight Norris for the WDC.

 

This is a huge year. There's no guarantee that McLaren are at the top to stay. It could all be more difficult again from 2026 on. This is one of the reasons I expect this to be an intense fight - neither driver can pin his hopes on next year.

[Myrvold]

DevilDare, on 15 Mar 2025 - 13:35, said:

Bearman flying under the criticism radar. Binning it in 2 sessions is not a good look.

 

Probably because his first three weekends were ok -> good. Same with the numerous FP1's.

[STRFerrari4Ever]

It will be an interesting start because whoever leads into turn 1 between the two McLaren’s could have a golden opportunity to win the race(not discounting Verstappen too).

Norris has the edge over Piastri until Oscar can prove he can beat him consistently in qualifying and more so improve his race pace to a level that he’s nose to tail with Lando. I think we’ll get our answers to this question in the first few races, I doubt Piastri can do it but happy to be proven wrong.

[Benchulo]

Did anyone notice, or was it just me, Norris doesn't seem to be friendly with Verstappen as before?

[HuddersfieldTerrier1986]

JimmyClark, on 15 Mar 2025 - 14:35, said:

Apparently the FIA is re-evaluating the start time given the chance of heavy weather predicted tomorrow afternoon.

As long as they make the decision before I go to sleep!

I believe the article you're likely referring to was from yesterday in effect, ie after the drivers briefing. Now it sounds like the biggest risk of the heaviest rain is actually in the morning into the early afternoon, so bringing the start time forward wouldn't actually do them any favours (whereas Brazil last year the forecast was clearly indicating for a few days that the heaviest rain would be later in the day, during the originally scheduled race window, so bringing the start time forward that day made sense)

Edited by HuddersfieldTerrier1986, 15 March 2025 - 14:55.

[SenorSjon]

Alfisti, on 15 Mar 2025 - 14:24, said:

A few things.....

You have to start wondering if red bull are developing themselves into a corner with Max. There's no way in the world Lawson is that bad and we've seen gasly and albon suffer as well. Lawson did lose the day due to the technical issue but the car looked absolutely evil, really weird, understeer then oversteer etc etc, rbr seem to be going down avenues where sure max likes the car but is it really faster that way because he can't tolerate a bit of understeer? I mean the sister team may well built a car on par with them, tsunoda was not far off max in the end, so something is amiss.

I don't think the mclaren is as far ahead here as people are saying, both drivers hooked up good laps. It'll be interesting when we get to an aero track like China or Japan though.

What happened to antonelli and ocon? The coverage missed it but their laps were poor. Traffic?

Doohan looked hooked up, was really unlucky to miss q3 as he hit the yellows but he was right with Gasly.

 

There was a time when a gap of 6 tenths hardly cost you a position, but these days you can be 10 behind.

[Bliman]

Benchulo, on 15 Mar 2025 - 14:49, said:

Did anyone notice, or was it just me, Norris doesn't seem to be friendly with Verstappen as before?

I saw them standing together and talking so it will be not so bad. It can be much worse

[Albertino]

Racing Bulls have built a rocket eh? Absolutely loved this Qualifying and will be staying up late in GMT-5, East Coast USA to watch this one. Believe it's midnight race start.

[RedRabbit]

The Pole to Win conversion ratio at Melbourne is quite low. It's usually a race with incidents and SCs.

As an example, Hamilton has 6 poles and just 1 win at Melbourne.

The race could be anybody, especially on a wet track.

[Bliman]

Boy I hate it we have 3 early races. It destroys my biorhythm. Why oh why do they do this. It is so off-putting.

[garoidb]

STRFerrari4Ever, on 15 Mar 2025 - 14:45, said:

It will be an interesting start because whoever leads into turn 1 between the two McLaren’s could have a golden opportunity to win the race(not discounting Verstappen too).

Norris has the edge over Piastri until Oscar can prove he can beat him consistently in qualifying and more so improve his race pace to a level that he’s nose to tail with Lando. I think we’ll get our answers to this question in the first few races, I doubt Piastri can do it but happy to be proven wrong.

 

Could it be a safety car start if raining? That would help Lando, most likely.

[IrvTheSwerve]

Bliman, on 15 Mar 2025 - 15:43, said:

Boy I hate it we have 3 early races. It destroys my biorhythm. Why oh why do they do this. It is so off-putting.

 

I just can't do it any longer. Especially with the amount of races we now have outside of decent GMT times (yes, boohoo Brits and Europeans). No way am I getting up at 3am now to watch something live like I used to 20, 25+ years ago.

 

No difference recording it and watching it when you get up. The only thing I miss is following the reaction on here. Plus you can fast-forward the ever increasing red flags.

[peroa]

I guess there are no changes then regarding the start timing?

[ANF]

Risil, on 15 Mar 2025 - 11:11, said:

Catching up on Channel 4 this morning, did anyone else find the Louis Vuitton signage a bit distracting on TV? Not Martini lady at Monaco distracting but still.

Yes! But maybe that's the point?

[Bliman]

IrvTheSwerve, on 15 Mar 2025 - 15:48, said:

I just can't do it any longer. Especially with the amount of races we now have outside of decent GMT times (yes, boohoo Brits and Europeans). No way am I getting up at 3am now to watch something live like I used to 20, 25+ years ago.

No difference recording it and watching it when you get up. The only thing I miss is following the reaction on here. Plus you can fast-forward the ever increasing red flags.

It starts to grind me as well. It is just too much. I always watch with my dad otherwise I would skip these as well and watch later. It doesn't help that I am a night owl .

[SUFC]

lewislorenzo, on 15 Mar 2025 - 11:45, said:

Lando vs Oscar will be great

It could be their downfall

[KWSN - DSM]

Button4life, on 15 Mar 2025 - 13:51, said:

Lando until Piastri is finding 2 extra tenths in qualifying and race. The longer this takes the more confident Norris will become

 

2 seasons and counting.

[KWSN - DSM]

Bliman, on 15 Mar 2025 - 15:43, said:

Boy I hate it we have 3 early races. It destroys my biorhythm. Why oh why do they do this. It is so off-putting.

 

I love it, a Global series, there should be no night races, should be all races start at 2 local time, except Monaco which should be whenever the Prince wants it - I is part of the charm of F1 to watch it at all times of day, some in the morning, some in the afternoon/evening, and the glory of Melbourne middle of the night.

[KWSN - DSM]

None of the top 6 (and likely all drivers) had a perfect lap, any of Norris, Piastri and Vetstappen could have been on Pole with just a few inches on the right side - Norris took it, good on him.

[Stephane]

Risil, on 15 Mar 2025 - 11:11, said:

Catching up on Channel 4 this morning, did anyone else find the Louis Vuitton signage a bit distracting on TV? Not Martini lady at Monaco distracting but still.

It took me quite some time to figure that LV was for Louis Vuitton. I was trying to find a reason for them to placate '55' everywhere.

[Ruusperi]

I just sleep during the day. Went to bed after the qualifying and now I feel refreshed for the night. Can't wait for wet F3, F2 and F1.

[IrvTheSwerve]

Ruusperi, on 15 Mar 2025 - 16:29, said:

I just sleep during the day. Went to bed after the qualifying and now I feel refreshed for the night. Can't wait for wet F3, F2 and F1.

 

Circadian rhythm? What circadian rhythm! 

[IrvTheSwerve]

Stephane, on 15 Mar 2025 - 16:21, said:

It took me quite some time to figure that LV was for Louis Vuitton. I was trying to find a reason for them to placate '55' everywhere.

 

Glad it wasn't just me with the Roman numerals thing!

[Benchulo]

Bliman, on 15 Mar 2025 - 15:31, said:

I saw them standing together and talking so it will be not so bad. It can be much worse

Maybe I'm reading too much, the conversation seems to be minimal and the body language not as friendly as before from Norris.

[dissident]

That was pretty entertaining despite the late McLaren charge, love to see Williams up there. 

[zeph]

Not impressed with Lawson and Antonelli. Can’t help but wonder if Tsunoda would have done a better job in that RBR.

You know Sainz would have done a better job in that Mercedes.

 

I know both of those guys are green and we should cut them some slack, but there was so much hype surrounding both. Sure hope they’ll step up, for their sake.

[SophieB]

@MeteoMotorsport

LATEST RADAR — Nearing 05:00 local time and the heaviest rainfall lies south and west of Melbourne. Showers continue to move southeast as the frontal system itself progresses slowly east. Heaviest rainfall still to come for Melbourne.

 

#F1 #F2 #F3 #Supercars | #AusGP

[KWSN - DSM]

zeph, on 15 Mar 2025 - 17:57, said:

Not impressed with Lawson and Antonelli. Can’t help but wonder if Tsunoda would have done a better job in that RBR.

You know Sainz would have done a better job in that Mercedes.

 

I know both of those guys are green and we should cut them some slack, but there was so much hype surrounding both. Sure hope they’ll step up, for their sake.

 

When they muck it up, I am not reading to much of a failure into 1st race as fulltime drivers, if they have clear sessions and are not close to their team mates I will start saying they are not what the hype made them to be - I do not subscribe to the idea generational talent have two full season to hide behind.

[Muzzyf1]

IrvTheSwerve, on 15 Mar 2025 - 15:48, said:

I just can't do it any longer. Especially with the amount of races we now have outside of decent GMT times (yes, boohoo Brits and Europeans). No way am I getting up at 3am now to watch something live like I used to 20, 25+ years ago.

No difference recording it and watching it when you get up. The only thing I miss is following the reaction on here. Plus you can fast-forward the ever increasing red flags.

Lol toughen up mate we watch races in more early hours than anyone else in the world I've done it for 25 years plus.
Stop complaining 😁

[Centauri]

KWSN - DSM, on 15 Mar 2025 - 18:12, said:

When they muck it up, I am not reading to much of a failure into 1st race as fulltime drivers, if they have clear sessions and are not close to their team mates I will start saying they are not what the hype made them to be - I do not subscribe to the idea generational talent have two full season to hide behind.

Agreed, and Melbourne is a track where it’s easy to make mistakes and those mistakes are generally punished hard.

Drivers can get over a ‘crash phase’ - look at Max. It’s the speed that’s most important so we need to let them have a few clear weekends before making a conclusion.

[Risil]

SophieB, on 15 Mar 2025 - 18:12, said:

@MeteoMotorsport
LATEST RADAR — Nearing 05:00 local time and the heaviest rainfall lies south and west of Melbourne. Showers continue to move southeast as the frontal system itself progresses slowly east. Heaviest rainfall still to come for Melbourne.

#F1 #F2 #F3 #Supercars | #AusGP

Hmm, sounds inconclusive. I guess they'll want to make a decision pretty soon, so they don't have to mess around with a track schedule once it's in progress?

[garoidb]

KWSN - DSM, on 15 Mar 2025 - 18:12, said:

When they muck it up, I am not reading to much of a failure into 1st race as fulltime drivers, if they have clear sessions and are not close to their team mates I will start saying they are not what the hype made them to be - I do not subscribe to the idea generational talent have two full season to hide behind.

 

Only Kimi Antonelli is being talked about as a generational talent currently, not Lawson or any of the others. Antonelli is very young. I would give him a full season with no Mercedes-level expectations and then look more closely next year. There should be no hint of fear for his seat this season IMO. After two years, there should be some signs of where things will land.

[ClubmanGT]

Tsunoda had four seasons to distinguish himself from a ring-in like Lawson. It should have been a slam dunk. The fact that it was even a toss up is telling.

[jonpollak]

Bliman, on 15 Mar 2025 - 15:43, said:

Boy I hate it we have 3 early races. It destroys my biorhythm. Why oh why do they do this. It is so off-putting.

Because it's not about you Billy.

 

Good thing you don't do my job.

Jp

[MortenF1]

The forecasts are for one to two mm of rain per hour around race time. That’s very light rain.

[KWSN - DSM]

MortenF1, on 15 Mar 2025 - 18:32, said:

The forecasts are for one to two mm of rain per hour around race time. That’s very light rain.

 

Wettish sound great.

[Bliman]

zeph, on 15 Mar 2025 - 17:57, said:

Not impressed with Lawson and Antonelli. Can’t help but wonder if Tsunoda would have done a better job in that RBR.
You know Sainz would have done a better job in that Mercedes.

I know both of those guys are green and we should cut them some slack, but there was so much hype surrounding both. Sure hope they’ll step up, for their sake.

No Tsunoda wouldn't have done better. How many times have we have to do this? Every year we hear this with just a different driver.

[Bliman]

jonpollak, on 15 Mar 2025 - 18:26, said:

Because it's not about you Billy.

Good thing you don't do my job.
Jp

Billy? Oh I didn't know it wasn't about me. I thought F1 needs viewers. I guess I was wrong. It depends what job that you do.

[FirstnameLastname]

MortenF1, on 15 Mar 2025 - 18:32, said:

The forecasts are for one to two mm of rain per hour around race time. That’s very light rain.

Sounds like a red flag safety car fest. Get the season started with style.

[1player]

SophieB, on 15 Mar 2025 - 18:12, said:

 

@MeteoMotorsport

LATEST RADAR — Nearing 05:00 local time and the heaviest rainfall lies south and west of Melbourne. Showers continue to move southeast as the frontal system itself progresses slowly east. Heaviest rainfall still to come for Melbourne.

 

#F1 #F2 #F3 #Supercars | #AusGP

 

Mods, if the start time does change, can you put it in CAPITAL LETTERS in the thread title or something? I'm going to check before bed, I wouldn't mind sleeping in one or two more hours.

[MortenF1]

Bliman, on 15 Mar 2025 - 18:55, said:

No Tsunoda wouldn't have done better. How many times have we have to do this? Every year we hear this with just a different driver.

Do you mean today or generally? Cause if you mean today you’re saying, at the same time that the Toro Rosso (yes, I know) is a good deal faster than the Red Bull.

[Risil]

1player, on 15 Mar 2025 - 19:07, said:

Mods, if the start time does change, can you put it in CAPITAL LETTERS in the thread title or something? I'm going to check before bed, I wouldn't mind sleeping in one or two more hours.

YES WE WILL

[Bliman]

MortenF1, on 15 Mar 2025 - 19:09, said:

Do you mean today or generally? Cause if you mean today you’re saying, at the same time that the Toro Rosso (yes, I know) is a good deal faster than the Red Bull.

I am saying that the Red Bull is a much different beast. And I mean generally.

[Arska]

I just finished watching qual. The grid looks juicy.

[mclara]

FirstnameLastname, on 15 Mar 2025 - 19:00, said:

Sounds like a red flag safety car fest. Get the season started with style.

 

F1 style that is

[Dalton007]

ClubmanGT, on 15 Mar 2025 - 18:24, said:

Tsunoda had four seasons to distinguish himself from a ring-in like Lawson. It should have been a slam dunk. The fact that it was even a toss up is telling.

 

He's not good enough. Four seasons and still couldn't get a RB seat, that is telling. 

[dissident]

zeph, on 15 Mar 2025 - 17:57, said:

Not impressed with Lawson and Antonelli. Can’t help but wonder if Tsunoda would have done a better job in that RBR.

You know Sainz would have done a better job in that Mercedes.

 

I know both of those guys are green and we should cut them some slack, but there was so much hype surrounding both. Sure hope they’ll step up, for their sake.

 

Didn't Antonelli have an issue, though?

 

Lawson is screwed if the gap between the teams stays as is, even getting within 3 tenths of Max might not be enough to qualify in the top 10 this year...

[KWSN - DSM]

I am losing overview, will they possibly make it a later start and run out of daylight, or earlier so we can be guaranteed a full race? I presume the first, which bring back memories of Spa. Just start the race, best drivers in the world, let them race, let some fall off because they are not as good as others on a wet track.

[Nobody]

ReAlien, on 15 Mar 2025 - 11:49, said:

I wish Oscar had taken the pole at home soil, it would have been such a boost for the fans on the stands.

Also, it is remarkable that Australia has three drivers on the grid this year, what a way to go for the Land Down Under .

Two Aussies, Lawson is just another overachieving Kiwi