Formula 1 2009

Renault removed the KERS too, only McLaren and Heidfeld will use it for this race. And China being the track with the longest straight ... seems to me the KERS is not very useful, at least in the restricted form we have this season. But should provide an interesting start tomorrow, LH and NH might try to jump a lot of cars in the start.

Red Bull (and Vettel) have been impressive, in Q2 with low fuel for everyone they were quicker than all the diffuser cars including Brawn. So I think they are very serious contenders for victory tomorrow along with Brawn. I don't see any other driver fighting for the win in normal conditions (no rain, no SC).

McLaren and Renault have improved noticeably but this is just an interim diffuser, they should have something optimal in that department soon, and then I think they'll be fighting for the wins. Well at least LH and FA.

BMW and Ferrari seem to be in big trouble.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Teomolca @ Apr 15 2009, 05:39 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>If the difusers were banned it would kill Williams and Brawn, they wouldn't make it to the next season, and Toyota who already entertained thoughts of quitting might have a good excuse to leave.
And that would be a catastrophe for Bernie.

I think unless Brawn get a sponsorship deal in the 100's of millions, they could just return to being a backmarker in 2010, as the money they got from Honda will be gone, and TV revenue (even if they did win the WDC and WCC titles) is not enough to keep them on top.

Shanghai... another wet one. Rain makes F1 fun... but starting behind the safety car?

I'm thinking this is one of the most exciting races ever. Woohoo.

An awesome race.

Well done Red Bull and Vettel, that guy is the new Schumacher if there ever can be one.

Brawn did well once again, but they simply aren't as strong in the wet as in the dry...

Mclaren is getting better by the minute. I think they could rise to the top fights by the middle of the season.

Ferrari, awful as always (this season).

Sutil and force india always a bride's maid!!

I was sooo pissed off after the race, everything that could go wrong went wrong for FA.

Anyway congrats to Vettel and Red Bull, amazing performance by both.

I'm sorry for Sutil, maybe the only chance in the season to score points.

Sutil always misses the points because of an incident on the last laps. Same as Monaco last year, although this time he screwed up himself.

Another great race, Vettel was brilliant all weekend, i think he could well be a title contender. That car is rapid in the wet though, when they get diffused things could relly get fast! Button did well enough in the brawn considering the points system still works well for consistency, and perhaps they wont run away with it as much as people might have thought. Gutting weekend for Sutil, and Ferrari, Sutil for shitting the bed when he was in a very rare position and Ferrari for their chronic underperformance. Hamilton had a scrappy race, and was beaten by his teammate (now level in the points). The Mclaren story is just getting interesting as their car improves. Another disappointing result for Rosberg, who seems to be unable to get the results his practice pace indicates he should be capable of.

Besides the race itself i've been amused by the rediculous and bitter coments Briatore has been making recently, he really doesn't seem to think before he speaks. Also read some rumours today that Bruno Senna might find himself in F1 this season replacing one of underachievers, my money's on Piquet, who continues to suck ....

You've got to take your hats off to those guys, how bad was that rain! couple of good crashes AND Brits on the podium!

F1 doesn't get better than this!

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Tom @ Apr 20 2009, 10:32 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Another great race, Vettel was brilliant all weekend, i think he could well be a title contender. That car is rapid in the wet though, when they get diffused things could relly get fast! Button did well enough in the brawn considering the points system still works well for consistency, and perhaps they wont run away with it as much as people might have thought. Gutting weekend for Sutil, and Ferrari, Sutil for shitting the bed when he was in a very rare position and Ferrari for their chronic underperformance. Hamilton had a scrappy race, and was beaten by his teammate (now level in the points). The Mclaren story is just getting interesting as their car improves. Another disappointing result for Rosberg, who seems to be unable to get the results his practice pace indicates he should be capable of.

Besides the race itself i've been amused by the rediculous and bitter coments Briatore has been making recently, he really doesn't seem to think before he speaks. Also read some rumours today that Bruno Senna might find himself in F1 this season replacing one of underachievers, my money's on Piquet, who continues to suck ....

I seriously wish Bruno gets Piquet's spot! The only time Piquet had a truly good race was last year when he by luck (due to safety car event) got that second place. Damn, that guy is SO second rate. Not at all good enough for F1. Same goes for Bourdais btw.

Fishicella should propably just retire too, which he most likely will after this season.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Wander @ Apr 21 2009, 08:08 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>I seriously wish Bruno gets Piquet's spot! The only time Piquet had a truly good race was last year when he by luck (due to safety car event) got that second place. Damn, that guy is SO second rate. Not at all good enough for F1. Same goes for Bourdais btw.

Fishicella should propably just retire too, which he most likely will after this season.
Guys like Senna, Grosjean and Hulkenberg can't be far off a race seat now, so I can't see any of the three drivers you mentioned being around much longer. Piquet was real lucky not to get the chop last year - as was Bourdais - so I'd be surprised if either of them finishes this season.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Wander @ Apr 21 2009, 08:08 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>I seriously wish Bruno gets Piquet's spot! The only time Piquet had a truly good race was last year when he by luck (due to safety car event) got that second place. Damn, that guy is SO second rate. Not at all good enough for F1. Same goes for Bourdais btw.

The thing is, Senna hasn't been particularly impressive in his recent performances. Considering that Piquet put up an admirable fight against Hamilton in GP2, while Senna has had an unimpressive 2nd behind Pantano! I think he needs longer, but he hasn't taken on a lot of racing this year so i don't have my hopes up. On the other hand, pre-f1 performance is not a totally reliable indication so every driver signing comes with risk/potential to be something else. Maybe Senna will have what he needs when he gets here. I definitely agree that Piquets days are numbered if he doesn't perform soon.

I will also add that i think Bourdais had a fairly impresive season last year, and given who else STR were looking at i feel he definitely deserved to stay. This year he hasn't looked so good yet, but maybe he'll step it up soon. He needs to because Buemi looks quick.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Tom @ Apr 21 2009, 06:32 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Another great race, Vettel was brilliant all weekend, i think he could well be a title contender. That car is rapid in the wet though, when they get diffused things could relly get fast! Button did well enough in the brawn considering the points system still works well for consistency, and perhaps they wont run away with it as much as people might have thought. Gutting weekend for Sutil, and Ferrari, Sutil for shitting the bed when he was in a very rare position and Ferrari for their chronic underperformance. Hamilton had a scrappy race, and was beaten by his teammate (now level in the points). The Mclaren story is just getting interesting as their car improves. Another disappointing result for Rosberg, who seems to be unable to get the results his practice pace indicates he should be capable of.

Besides the race itself i've been amused by the rediculous and bitter coments Briatore has been making recently, he really doesn't seem to think before he speaks. Also read some rumours today that Bruno Senna might find himself in F1 this season replacing one of underachievers, my money's on Piquet, who continues to suck ....

What an exciting race and it looked like Redbull F1 car is no match with Brawn GP. It mightbe Button was having some problems. According to Vettle the 'dirty sister" was superb and much better than his original car. A mistake and bad strategy by Renault team (Alonso) not to be on podium.

Good to see Toyota is improving but sad to see Ferrari and BMW were not at their usual standard .

It occured to me this morning that with a street race and two wet runs we are yet to see a 'standard' dry race as it were. This weekend should deliver that and we can see where everyone really sits. It'll be interesting

Not too eventful race, but at least helps to sort out the pecking order. Brawn is still atop though the others got closer as expected.
Ferrari finally got somepoints avoiding having their worse season start ever (marginally).
McLaren was veeery close to the podium .... they've progressed A LOT since pre season.
I was quite letdown by Renault, after all the promise from pre-season and having the pesky diffuser they just got one miserable point ... though I guess it can always be worse (BMW).

IMO I think it's gonna be a fight between Button and Vettel for the championship.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Teomolca @ Apr 26 2009, 10:53 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>I was quite letdown by Renault, after all the promise from pre-season and having the pesky diffuser they just got one miserable point ... though I guess it can always be worse (BMW).

IMO I think it's gonna be a fight between Button and Vettel for the championship.

Me too, but somehow i am still faithfull they can catch up. I agree about the championship, but i think Alonso and Hamilton may still figure yet, depending on how their cars progress.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Teomolca @ Apr 27 2009, 05:53 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Not too eventful race, but at least helps to sort out the pecking order. Brawn is still atop though the others got closer as expected.
Ferrari finally got somepoints avoiding having their worse season start ever (marginally).
McLaren was veeery close to the podium .... they've progressed A LOT since pre season.
I was quite letdown by Renault, after all the promise from pre-season and having the pesky diffuser they just got one miserable point ... though I guess it can always be worse (BMW).

IMO I think it's gonna be a fight between Button and Vettel for the championship.

Congratulation to Jenson for superb driving. 2009 is his year and it has been sooo long to come at this point. Barichello is the right person to keep Vettel from winning the championship..

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (V5Stroker @ Apr 27 2009, 05:06 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Congratulation to Jenson for superb driving. 2009 is his year and it has been sooo long to come at this point. Barichello is the right person to keep Vettel from winning the championship..

Not to take anything away from the drivers we see winning the title soon after their apprenticeship is over, but i think there is a greater sense of value when drivers win after years of trying. I'm starting to hope Jensen can make this last all year long, we haven't seen back to brack British champs since the 60's either!

The FIA has given Mclaren a suspended race ban punishment for their lying, which i think is fairly reasonable and i hope they keep their noses clean for the rest of the year. All in all i think this ordeal has actually made a good example of what Whitmarsh is doing with the team. I don't believe he was personally involved in the effort to mislead the stewards, but i think has dealt with the situation excellently and i hope we could be entering an era where people find the team far more likeable.