Will Vettel become a triple world champ this year?

Guess it will depend on whether he has a good enough car. Hoping for a close season with a lot of tight battles and plenty of over-taking.

May the best man win and all that...

I was wondering if anyone was going to start a thread seeing as a couple of seasons ago there was lively and informative banter on the season and drivers.

Looks like there'll be some controversy this year with the restricive overtaking rules and Mercedes 'legal' F duct, and differeing exhaust positioning and nose designs among the teams.

So I expect the usual one team racing away with the first few races and the others playing catch up as quick as they can.

At the second practice it appears to be Schumacher and Mercedes. Maybe his year to take back the crown from the young pretender? Too early to say but am looking forward to the season again and hope it stays close throughout rather than a boring procession.

I was wondering if anyone was going to start a thread seeing as a couple of seasons ago there was lively and informative banter on the season and drivers.

Looks like there'll be some controversy this year with the restricive overtaking rules and Mercedes 'legal' F duct, and differeing exhaust positioning and nose designs among the teams.

So I expect the usual one team racing away with the first few races and the others playing catch up as quick as they can.

At the second practice it appears to be Schumacher and Mercedes. Maybe his year to take back the crown from the young pretender? Too early to say but am looking forward to the season again and hope it stays close throughout rather than a boring procession.

I'm no fan of Schumi - although respect his place in F1 history - and whilst admit i predicted his return to the sport was a mistake, and indeed i think it has been, i can't say that seeing him fail so miserably gave me the pleasure i thought it would. Kind of sad really.

Never thought i would say this, but if for nothing else than an added bit of excitement, i hope this year goes better for him and he gives his team mate a bit more competition.

I'm no Schumi fan either but if Ross Brawn can pull a few technical tricks from out of his sleeve like he used to it may make the season a bit more exciting as McClaren and Ferrari haven't looked to have as good a car as the Red Bulls for a while.

I'm no Schumi fan either but if Ross Brawn can pull a few technical tricks from out of his sleeve like he used to it may make the season a bit more exciting as McClaren and Ferrari haven't looked to have as good a car as the Red Bulls for a while.

Indeed. The way i see it, the more teams up there fighting with a competitive car, the better. And on that note, would be great if Williams could be dragged out of their slump. Couldn't really do any worse than they did last year.

Anyone know where to watch it in Bangkok

Not long now before the first quali of the season! At last we'll find out how the cars are performing (at least in quali).

Thanks Rivalex for starting this new thread.

Wow ! Just about the only thing that didn't suprise is the strength of McLaren!

It was suspected that Ferrari had problems but who would have believed how badly they performed in quali?

I'm a v happy bunny indeed .

Anyone know where to watch it in Bangkok

Try Robin Hood pub on Sukhumvit, corner of Soi 33/1 I think?

They're usually pretty good for sports and have a large screen.

I'm no Schumi fan either but if Ross Brawn can pull a few technical tricks from out of his sleeve like he used to it may make the season a bit more exciting as McClaren and Ferrari haven't looked to have as good a car as the Red Bulls for a while.

Indeed. The way i see it, the more teams up there fighting with a competitive car, the better. And on that note, would be great if Williams could be dragged out of their slump. Couldn't really do any worse than they did last year.

Agree, there's a few rookie drivers that look like they've got something but they will always struggle if their cars are not on a par with the 'big 4'.

What time is it on?

Anyone know where to watch it in Bangkok

Try Robin Hood pub on Sukhumvit, corner of Soi 33/1 I think?

They're usually pretty good for sports and have a large screen.

Many thanks will have a look around 12.00

Wow ! Just about the only thing that didn't suprise is the strength of McLaren!

It was suspected that Ferrari had problems but who would have believed how badly they performed in quali?

I'm a v happy bunny indeed .

Have to say i didn't foresee Ferrari struggling that much. It is early days though of course, and this could just be beginning of season nerves so to speak, that will get ironed out. What was that with Alonso getting angry with the marshal?

Certainly qualifying was a victory of beauty over ugly! Can't believe just how hideous those stepped noses look. And from what i understand, we have Red Bull to thank for not allowing a more aesthetically pleasing design.

And how big was that smile on Grosjean's face in post qualifying press conference?! After being tossed out of F1, he must feel pretty good.

Hope for a good race. Love to see a combination of Hamilton, Button and Rosberg on the podium.

Wow ! Just about the only thing that didn't suprise is the strength of McLaren!

It was suspected that Ferrari had problems but who would have believed how badly they performed in quali?

I'm a v happy bunny indeed .

Have to say i didn't foresee Ferrari struggling that much. It is early days though of course, and this could just be beginning of season nerves so to speak, that will get ironed out. What was that with Alonso getting angry with the marshal?

Certainly qualifying was a victory of beauty over ugly! Can't believe just how hideous those stepped noses look. And from what i understand, we have Red Bull to thank for not allowing a more aesthetically pleasing design.

And how big was that smile on Grosjean's face in post qualifying press conference?! After being tossed out of F1, he must feel pretty good.

Hope for a good race. Love to see a combination of Hamilton, Button and Rosberg on the podium.

Ferrari generally improve as the season progresses so we'll probably see them improving. Having said that, is it me or have Ferrari been going downhill for the last few years? Its probably just that they were SO dominant for a few years that its suprising when they are unable to produce a championship winning car?

If you think Alonso got aggressive with the marshall - check out James Hunt and the marshall on youtube !

As you say, the smile on Grosjean's face was wonderful - I bet he still hasn't stopped grinning .

Can't wait for the race and seeing the 'race' pace of the teams.

If you think Alonso got aggressive with the marshall - check out James Hunt and the marshall on youtube !

I think to successfully bed all the women he needed to, all of his charm was saved exclusively for that purpose.

Don't make em like that anymore. Most drivers these days seem to be family men. Guess not a bad thing. Irvine was probably the last "bad boy" F1 had. Does add a bit of colour to the sport though, even if it is a bit dated.

Great result Jenson, quality drive

Hamilton's face on the podium and the post race interview...........priceless

Alonso's was also one or the best drives of the afternoon in a less than competitive Ferrari

If you think Alonso got aggressive with the marshall - check out James Hunt and the marshall on youtube !

I think to successfully bed all the women he needed to, all of his charm was saved exclusively for that purpose.

Don't make em like that anymore. Most drivers these days seem to be family men. Guess not a bad thing. Irvine was probably the last "bad boy" F1 had. Does add a bit of colour to the sport though, even if it is a bit dated.

Hunt was sadly the last of an era, F1 has lost characters like that for ever and is immeasurably poorer

Wow ! Just about the only thing that didn't suprise is the strength of McLaren!

It was suspected that Ferrari had problems but who would have believed how badly they performed in quali?

I'm a v happy bunny indeed .

Have to say i didn't foresee Ferrari struggling that much. It is early days though of course, and this could just be beginning of season nerves so to speak, that will get ironed out. What was that with Alonso getting angry with the marshal?

Certainly qualifying was a victory of beauty over ugly! Can't believe just how hideous those stepped noses look. And from what i understand, we have Red Bull to thank for not allowing a more aesthetically pleasing design.

And how big was that smile on Grosjean's face in post qualifying press conference?! After being tossed out of F1, he must feel pretty good.

Hope for a good race. Love to see a combination of Hamilton, Button and Rosberg on the podium.

Ferrari generally improve as the season progresses so we'll probably see them improving. Having said that, is it me or have Ferrari been going downhill for the last few years? Its probably just that they were SO dominant for a few years that its suprising when they are unable to produce a championship winning car?

If you think Alonso got aggressive with the marshall - check out James Hunt and the marshall on youtube !

As you say, the smile on Grosjean's face was wonderful - I bet he still hasn't stopped grinning .

Can't wait for the race and seeing the 'race' pace of the teams.

Ferrari seem to be going downhill since they lost Ross Brawn. Maybe they were too reliant on one man for their car innovations? They seem to be good at playing catch up though.

Interesting first race in that it didn't demonstrate that any car looks to have absolute domination in a race situation so next week might give us a better idea of how things might look on a proper race track situation.

Wow ! Just about the only thing that didn't suprise is the strength of McLaren!

It was suspected that Ferrari had problems but who would have believed how badly they performed in quali?

I'm a v happy bunny indeed .

Have to say i didn't foresee Ferrari struggling that much. It is early days though of course, and this could just be beginning of season nerves so to speak, that will get ironed out. What was that with Alonso getting angry with the marshal?

Certainly qualifying was a victory of beauty over ugly! Can't believe just how hideous those stepped noses look. And from what i understand, we have Red Bull to thank for not allowing a more aesthetically pleasing design.

And how big was that smile on Grosjean's face in post qualifying press conference?! After being tossed out of F1, he must feel pretty good.

Hope for a good race. Love to see a combination of Hamilton, Button and Rosberg on the podium.

Ferrari generally improve as the season progresses so we'll probably see them improving. Having said that, is it me or have Ferrari been going downhill for the last few years? Its probably just that they were SO dominant for a few years that its suprising when they are unable to produce a championship winning car?

If you think Alonso got aggressive with the marshall - check out James Hunt and the marshall on youtube !

As you say, the smile on Grosjean's face was wonderful - I bet he still hasn't stopped grinning .

Can't wait for the race and seeing the 'race' pace of the teams.

Ferrari seem to be going downhill since they lost Ross Brawn. Maybe they were too reliant on one man for their car innovations? They seem to be good at playing catch up though.

Interesting first race in that it didn't demonstrate that any car looks to have absolute domination in a race situation so next week might give us a better idea of how things might look on a proper race track situation.

I agree about Ross Brawn but think Jean Todt was also part of the winning formula.

Good race yesterday, although it rather looks as if Mclaren and RB are faster than the other teams in race pace. The RB doesn't seem to have the extra 'oomph' though for overtaking - so unless they qualify at the top of the grid they find it more difficult? Early days though as you say.

Jenson drove a great race, seemingly staying in control effortlessly. I'm still not sure about the Ferrari or Lotus - its a shame Grosjean was punted off so early and Massa seems to be going downhill. It makes it difficult to judge but, at least in Australia, both teams seem to be 'the best of the rest' along with Mercedes?

Jenson having had years of under performing cars, apart from 2009 has shown just how good he actually is.

It has never been just about head down, arse up to win races and now at last we are seeing his true potential as a complete racer.

What a pity Lewis looked so down, his face looked like a smacked arse, I would hazard a guess that he believed he would win and was a little peeved when he was out driven again.

David.

Jenson drove a great race, seemingly staying in control effortlessly. I'm still not sure about the Ferrari or Lotus - its a shame Grosjean was punted off so early and Massa seems to be going downhill. It makes it difficult to judge but, at least in Australia, both teams seem to be 'the best of the rest' along with Mercedes?

And Williams were doing well until Maldonado crashed out a couple of laps from the end and Sauber picked up points from both drivers. Problem is I don't think these sort of teams have the resources to improve their cars to match the 'big 4' even were they to stand still, which they won't.

I don't see Massa lasting the season at Ferrari to be honest unless he starts to get a podium place PDQ. There was some interesting discussion from the race commentators over who would erplace Massa and they seemed surprised that Kobayashi was not in the frame. I agree he's been a pretty good driver and would like to see what he could do in a good car. It may upset Alonso to have some competition though.

Jenson drove a great race, seemingly staying in control effortlessly. I'm still not sure about the Ferrari or Lotus - its a shame Grosjean was punted off so early and Massa seems to be going downhill. It makes it difficult to judge but, at least in Australia, both teams seem to be 'the best of the rest' along with Mercedes?

And Williams were doing well until Maldonado crashed out a couple of laps from the end and Sauber picked up points from both drivers. Problem is I don't think these sort of teams have the resources to improve their cars to match the 'big 4' even were they to stand still, which they won't.

I don't see Massa lasting the season at Ferrari to be honest unless he starts to get a podium place PDQ. There was some interesting discussion from the race commentators over who would erplace Massa and they seemed surprised that Kobayashi was not in the frame. I agree he's been a pretty good driver and would like to see what he could do in a good car. It may upset Alonso to have some competition though.

You're right - I'd forgotten about Williams.

If my memory serves me correctly (can't be bothered to check ), Sauber ran a one stop strategy? If so, presumably they're not confident that their car is one of the front-runners.

Again, IIRC Kobayashi has been involved in a fair number of accidents, which won't endear him to any team. Undoubtedly, he would also refuse to play 'second fiddle' to Alonso.... And I suspect Alonso is fairly embedded in Ferrari (similar to Schumi when he was with them) - unless/until he starts throwing his toys out of the pram.

F1 fanatic.

As Fernando signed a long term contract with Ferrari knowing that the car he was driving was certainly not top notch and as most of the teams improvements are only small increases I don't think Fernando realistically expected Ferrari to catch up and overtake the two main players this year but one should never underestimate him.

Alonso is in my opinion for what it's worth is still the best driver on the grid right now with Sebastian a very close second and unfortunately I believe Lewis will lose confidence in his belief that he is the best and is likely to drop down the pecking order, what is this, his 6th year in a very good car, perhaps not always the best but 1 WDC {just} I think he will be treated as number 2 driver and the team will get behind Jenson unless he wins a race very soon.

David.

Agree with comments about Massa. The race comments were correct. That accident had a serious efect on him. Time to go Philippe.

Alonso is in my opinion for what it's worth is still the best driver on the grid right now with Sebastian a very close second and unfortunately I believe Lewis will lose confidence in his belief that he is the best and is likely to drop down the pecking order, what is this, his 6th year in a very good car, perhaps not always the best but 1 WDC {just} I think he will be treated as number 2 driver and the team will get behind Jenson unless he wins a race very soon.

David.

David,

Yes I agree Alonso is the best, most complete driver on the grid but Button is shaping up to be pretty close too.

Kimi in the Lotus could also spring a surprise ?

Hamilton has mostly had one of the top 3 cars on the grid his whole career and clearly has a problem when things don't go his way. However I think it's a bit early to be writing him off since he has one of the best cars again, still 19 races to go, wait to see next weekend ?

Agree with comments about Massa. The race comments were correct. That accident had a serious efect on him. Time to go Philippe.

I think Ferrari's main priority right now would be to fix the car which is currently behind the Mercedes & Lotus, let alone Mclaren & Red Bull. I do agree though, Felipe (lovely guy that he is) is not doing justice to the second Ferrari seat

b19bry.

I have always been a big advocate of Jenson as a complete driver which is what it takes, not just an ability to drive fast but the ability to finish the race and take care of the car.

Lewis is undoubtably fast but that is not enough and I certainly would not write him off but last seasons performance and the look on his face at the press conference for me says it all, the man cannot handle the stress when things are not going his way and compared to Jenson adds very little to the team in regards to feed back.

Talking a good fight is one thing but what counts is the delivery and no delivery knocks the confidence whereas if you deliver we know that gives one a massive boost.

I really would like to see Lewis do well simply because he is British, as a person I have stated on previous posts in seasons past that I do not like him and that is not about to change anytime soon.

My feelings are that starting his career in a top car gave him a false reading of what to expect from his undoubted talents and not winning has dented that confidence. He may have benefited from a season or two in a lower team but Ron probably made him feel that he was unbeatable and he isn't and that has done him no favours.

Jenson also owns a few Ferraris and used to own a Bugatti Veyron.

What's not to like?

It'll never be the same !!!!!!!!!!!!!

^ That reminds me of when James co commentatored with Murray Walker. Murray as usual was his over excited self. James just said "I think you'll find this is the warm up lap murray."