[Race] 2014 Formula 1 Rolex Australian Grand Prix

[karting]

i love the drifting in the rain

[Dixie Flatline]

Sydneysiders like to complain about Melbourne weather, but right now in Sydney there is a severe electrical storm that's stopping the footy!

[Dixie Flatline]

I'm still getting used to the new noise from the cars, but there's no doubt that the rule changes mean that only the best drivers will consistently succeed in this year's formula. And that can only be good for the sport.

[fourWheelDrift]

Taking the sector times off the live timing is incredibly dumb even by F1 standards.

[Dixie Flatline]

There's thunder near where I live. Hopefully they'll be fine at Albert Park.

[Dixie Flatline]

Kimi sticks it in the wall.

[Dixie Flatline]

Vettel misses out on the top 10! And Ricciardo will be in the top 10 shoot-out.

[Born Racer]

I see Vettel remains as popular as ever in Australia.

[Moneyseeker]

Looks like Vettel was trying to do his usual last over the line and it didn't work out this time.

[FordCosworthPanoz]

Interesting session, any ideas on what the weather forecast for tomorrow is?

[Dixie Flatline]

Well done to Dangerous Danny! Too bad he couldn't quite hold on to pole.

[Born Racer]

Excellent jobs by Magnussen and Kvyat too.

Any pronunciation tips on the latter, incidentally?

[Casper]

Should Vettel complain about car favoritism seeing Ricciardo got the best one?

[mikuni]

Originally Posted by Casper

Should Vettel complain about car favoritism seeing Ricciardo got the best one?

Christian is probably peeling off the numbers to swap them around as we speak.

In related news, do you have any words to eat regarding red bulls performance?

[TheNo1F1Fan]

Hamilton gets pole.
Damn, Ricciardo was totally close.

[gomick]

Originally Posted by Born Racer

I see Vettel remains as popular as ever in Australia.

Was quite a roar wasn't it - lets hope Ricciardo can get the Red Bull of the line unlike Webber, otherwise Vettel will be infront of him by turn 1

[Casper]

Originally Posted by mikuni

Christian is probably peeling off the numbers to swap them around as we speak.

In related news, do you have any words to eat regarding red bulls performance?

Call 'em as you see 'em at the time. Of course the race ain't over yet and the jury is still out. Perhaps one finger doesn't like the lack of aero and the reliance of mechanical grip?? It would be a laugh if Ricciardo won the championship and one finger didn't, that would cause a few issues for Horner.

[GT6]

Well Vettel not in the top ten, doubt that will be the case tomorrow

[Greem]

I enjoyed that.

I like the engine noise, the twitching, the sliding, the fact that the grid isn't the predictable one it might have been.

Looking good for an entertaining race on Sunday

[TheNo1F1Fan]

Originally Posted by Greem

I enjoyed that.

I like the engine noise, the twitching, the sliding, the fact that the grid isn't the predictable one it might have been.

Looking good for an entertaining race on Sunday

I also enjoyed that by watching it live on TV.

[fourWheelDrift]

Originally Posted by Greem

I enjoyed that.

I like the engine noise, the twitching, the sliding, the fact that the grid isn't the predictable one it might have been.

Looking good for an entertaining race on Sunday

So many people complained it would not be as loud (though frankly I was fine with that) but what I really enjoyed was how much more of other sounds you could hear, the sound of locked up tyres, and the sounds from the crowd.

[bjohnsonsmith]

Thanks for the excellent intro to the start of what should be an interesting 2014 season.

I completely missed qualifying but see Lulu got pole. Hopefully I'll be able to force my self to get up and watch the race live.

[Knowlesy]

Superb entertainment. I do hope the two Mercs hold together though.

Ricciardo superb, really excellent. The crowd reaction was electric, although sadly the usual boring hand-wringing because the crowd dared to be partisan.

I love the new cars, the lack of grip. Delighted to see the back of those horrible V8's. If we could just get rid of some of the sillier ideas,and purge some of the tracks this would be perfect almost. I felt like I was watching an old CART session.

Magnussen had some confidence! And Hulkenberg must be delighted with dodging Lotus.

Raikkonen was simply awful. He won't be this bad again that is for sure, but I expect the people who reckon Alonso is overrated will be rightly mocked at seasons end.

Overall, an interesting and refreshing top ten.

[canamman]

That was one of the best qualifying sessions I have ever seen.
Did you hear the crowd cheer when Vettle got knocked out in Q2?

I am warming up to the new exhaust note. I did hear a tire lock up
on TV. That is kinda cool.

[Knowlesy]

Really enjoying Ted Kravitz so far this season as well. He had a hilarious pre-season, but has raised his game considerably since.

FP1: "We definitely won't be seeing any Lotus, running this session." *Maldonado instantly drives out of garage*

Qualifying: "The track will be bone dry in twenty minutes." *absolutely chucks it down with rain*