The Official 2012 F1 Thread. Spoilers possible!

[Jurgen]

Originally Posted by Ace100

After watching the replays leading up to the Aussie Grand Prix last night, we've decided Seb is a drinking game all by himself but we've opened it to other rules.

Rule 1: Drink anytime Vettel says "obviously"

Rule: 2: Drink anytime Matchet says "GO ON, BOY, GET 'EM!!!"

Your turn.

Funny I was developing an F2 game in my head today. Drink every time Matchet says, "this is a driver development series" but I don't think my liver could handle it.

[Ace100]

Originally Posted by Jurgen

Funny I was developing an F2 game in my head today. Drink every time Matchet says, "this is a driver development series" but I don't think my liver could handle it.

If Sato, Piquet Jr. or Coulthard (at the end of his career) were still racing, you wouldn't make it to the first round of pit stops.

[wxwax]

Originally Posted by Jurgen

I'm glad F1 is back, but maybe its because I'm tired--- but man that was a boring race.

There was some good stuff. Far from the worst F1 has served up. A lead change every now and then would be nice, though.

[Clem Kevin]

I found this race to be quite exciting, you sure you watched the right race Jurgen?

[g®eg]

re: drinking...

every time they mention that Paul Diresta is dario Frachiti's cousin

[Ace100]

And, of course, two big drinks every time they show Jenson's dad, John Button because he sure looks like he knows his way with a pint.

[opmike]

I don't like Alonso at all, but he's a damn fine driver and is obviously doing everything he is can in a car that truly needs some work. Massa needs to dig DEEP as the car isn't as slow as he seems to be driving it.

Mercedes looks to have a good package and I'd be as giddy as a schoolgirl to see Rosberg or Schumi on the podium.

Two years out of practice, and Kimi looks to still be very competitive. It would have been nice to see him start the race in the position he finished. It's a shame what happened to Grosjean, literally punted off the track.

Being a fan of them, I'd of course like to see McLaren maintain this trend of podium finishes. Button is always smiles and it's rare to see the pressure get to him. Can we have more rain races this year please? Hamilton is every bit as capable, but he still has some maturing to do.

Ultimately, I'm happy to see mid to back of the pack teams creeping towards the front; I hope they can maintain the momentum throughout the season. The last thing I want is another year of the predictable Red Bull, McLaren, Ferrari, Mercedes finishes.

[markjenn]

Originally Posted by opmike

It's a shame what happened to Grosjean, literally punted off the track.

I was surprised there was no talk of stewards looking into this shunt. I'm not saying Maldonado's pass rose to the level where he deserved a sanction, but it seemed to me enough that it was at least worthy of an evaluation. As you say, he just punted him off the track and didn't give him any options whatsoever to avoid the collision. Of course, Maldonado got his comeuppance later when he made another error, lost control and crashed. This is another indicator to me that he was over-driving the car.

- Mark

[g®eg]

what's the under / over on the Mercedes wing?
cheating or legal?

http://www.racer.com/teams-seek-fina...rticle/232531/

[RedRocket]

I enjoyed yesterdays race. I was looking forward to the Mexican (Perez) getting a good finish for himself, but he lost 2 places after Maldonado's brain fart.

Kimi in 7th. I can only imagine him being in 4th if he'd done better in qualifying.
Looks like the RedBulls have lost nothing from last year's ability.

[wxwax]

Originally Posted by g®eg

what's the under / over on the Mercedes wing?
cheating or legal?

http://www.racer.com/teams-seek-fina...rticle/232531/

I lean towards legal. The driver operates the DRS, which in turn operates the duct. The driver is therefore not directly controlling the duct. Its operation is a by-product of a separate operation. Others differ obviously, especially those tasked with spending million to mimic it.

F1 lives in a hazy netherworld where reality is warped, so it's impossible to predict how this will end.

[wxwax]

Originally Posted by markjenn

I was surprised there was no talk of stewards looking into this shunt. I'm not saying Maldonado's pass rose to the level where he deserved a sanction, but it seemed to me enough that it was at least worthy of an evaluation. As you say, he just punted him off the track and didn't give him any options whatsoever to avoid the collision. Of course, Maldonado got his comeuppance later when he made another error, lost control and crashed. This is another indicator to me that he was over-driving the car.

- Mark

At the time it struck me as a racing incident, but you have much more experienced eyes than I do.

[UngaWunga]

What was up with Massa continuing to turn right, running the other car off the track in the last few laps? Wheels lock or something?

Seemed like a lot of mid-pack stupidity.

[g®eg]

Originally Posted by UngaWunga

What was up with Massa continuing to turn right, running the other car off the track in the last few laps? Wheels lock or something?

Seemed like a lot of mid-pack stupidity.

i think he thought it was Hamilton....

[wxwax]

Originally Posted by UngaWunga

What was up with Massa continuing to turn right, running the other car off the track in the last few laps? Wheels lock or something?

That was my thought.

Ferrari are already in full-stress mode. Stefano Domenicali, Pat Fry and both cars are flown back to Italy for factory technical sessions, even though no updates to the car are planned before this weekend's Malaysia race.

That's a long time in an airplane when the next race is 5 days away.