As of this moment, we are 11 days away from 1st practice in Melbourne...

I'm with you... Its time for the season to start! Let the green flag fly!

 

Bernie is at it again with his own unique form of "doublespeak"!

Remember back in 2007 ole Bernie stated that the Monaco event was one of the best GP of the year... "Monaco always comes close to the top, doesn't it, because it is Monaco,".

Then in 2010 he downplayed the Monaco GP stating, "The Europeans are going to have to pay more money or we will have to go somewhere else. We can do without Monaco," he added, admitting that axing the famous street venue is not likely but "they don't pay enough".

Well get ready for another severe course correction! While commenting on another venue (Melbourne) and its importance to the world of F1 according to the Troll, he stated the following...

Australia ‘As Important As Monaco’

GMM | Posted March 16, 2011 GMM Newswire


Bernie Ecclestone still insists that he values the Grand Prix.

The F1 chief executive's comments follow hot on the heels of those of FIA president Jean Todt, who said in Melbourne this week that the city's race "is important."

Amid the local debate about the cost of the annual Albert Park event, Ecclestone had said recently that F1 "does not need" Australia.

But the 80-year-old Briton apparently now agrees with Todt that the race is important, and is open to talks with the Victorian state premier Ted Baillieu.

"Australia is just as important to us as Monaco and has been for an awful long time, so we hate to think that we were going to lose Australia," Ecclestone said during an interview with the Herald Sun.

"We have been together a long time and it's like one of those long marriages; it would be bad to end in divorce," he added. "But if the other partner wishes, we wouldn't start fighting.

"In the case of Melbourne, if the product is too expensive for them then we understand that. And when the contract comes to an end, there is no need to renew it.

"We wouldn't force somebody to buy something they don't want," said Ecclestone.

Ecclestone also admitted he regrets not pushing Melbourne to build a permanent venue for the Grand Prix 10 years ago because doing it then "would have been cheaper than today."

But as for whether that could happen now before a new deal is signed in 2015, he answered: "Of course we would (consider it)."



If I were one of the event organizers for Melbourne, I would be worried... Very worried!

 

You can't tell the players apart without a scorecard...

I saw this article and thought it would give us a guide so that we can tell what tire compound(s) are being employed by a team during a race.

Pirelli and F1 has chosen the following markers:

Each type will carry its own distinct colouring on the Pirelli and PZero logos affixed to the sidewall. Under the sport's rules, only two compounds of slick tyre - known as the prime and the option - will be used for each race. In addition to this, intermediate and wet tyres can be fitted if it rains.

The six colours are as follows:
Wet - orange
Intermediate - light blue
Super soft - red
Soft - yellow
Medium - white
Hard - silver



In order to make the differences between the prime and option tyre more pronounced, Pirelli's strategy is to offer a step of at least one compound between the tyres nominated for each race. If the track conditions require it though, this strategy may be revised.


There you go... Now we can all second guess the team manager's strategy when tire selection comes into play!

I'd like to hear your predictions for the 2011 season, so fellow F1 stalwarts here's your chance to sound off; who do you predict will win?

1) Driver's Championship

2) Constructor's Championship


My choices are:

Driver's Championship
1st: Fernando Alonso,
2nd: Sebastian Vettel,
3rd: Nico Rosberg

Constructor's Championship
1st: Ferrari
2nd: Red Bull
3rd: Lotus-Renault

 

WDC:

Vettel
Alonso
Webber


WCC:

Ferrari
Red Bull
McLaren

 

Alonso
Vettel
Hamilton


Ferrari
McLaren
RB

 

So my latest target date for this event to go off is now June 14th...Here's part of a post from another board referring to an event for a BMWCCA HPDE @ WGI:

"So....... In Case you have not heard, Patroon had to give up the Tuesday in June of our normal 2 day event. Nascar needs the day."

This event was to be a two day DE on the 13th/14th but since NASCAR now wants that Tuesday the 14th for an undisclosed event the track had to do something for the BMW club, which came in the form of an extended hours track day.

So.....F1 is in Montreal and NASCAR is at Pocono the weekend before the 14th. I say it happens on the 14th...., what do you all think?

 

I'm predicting Vettel/Red Bull again.

 

Here's a real surprise!

I sure didn't see this coming!



Raikkonen To Combine Rally With NASCAR In 2011

News Staff / GMM | Posted March 30, 2011 GMM Newswire

As the second F1 season without him kicks off, Kimi Raikkonen has revealed plans to branch into NASCAR racing this year.

Finland's Turun Sanomat newspaper said the 2007 World Champion will combine his World Rally Championship foray in 2011 with America's premier motor racing category.

The 31-year-old's NASCAR adventure will begin in between rally outings with some events in the lesser-known Camping World Truck Series and Nationwide Series categories with his own Ice1 entry.

The Finnish report said Raikkonen will "make his debut before the summer" in business with Foster Gillett, former managing partner of NASCAR Sprint Cup Series team Richard Petty Motorsports.

"I look forward to exploring the world of NASCAR," Raikkonen is quoted as saying. "I've been following it for a long time and I know it's a great series. I like the American style.

"It will definitely be fun and challenging."

Turun Sanomat said talks with a car manufacturer are well advanced.

Raikkonen's former McLaren teammate, Juan Pablo Montoya, switched to NASCAR in 2006.

On a similar note, McLaren driver Lewis Hamilton is set to drive a NASCAR stocker later this year in an exhibition event.

 

Racer.com announced today that his debut will be on May 20th @ Charlotte Motor Speedway (CMS) in the truck series...

Now he can duke it out with Nelson Piquet!!

 

My prediction:

Webber
Vettel
Hamilton

Red Bull
McLaren
Ferrari

 

Wonder how long it would take for old mumble-mouth to wear out his welcome at a press conference?

 

Good thing they don't do formal press conferences!

 

True, but they are expected to put in appearances for sponsors, and are also asked questions before, after, and if they drop out, during races. Honestly, the average football player sounds more intelligent. (Full disclosure, I don't speak Finnish, so he IS at least one language up on me!) I'm just amazed that no team ever thought a little voice-coaching was important.

 

Come on......he's a Fin! Was Mika so much better? Heiki is somewhat more personable but not by much...

 

Oh yeah. I never had problems understanding Mika, nor did I fall asleep.

(Yes, I'm being catty. Somewhat.)

Actually, I told Hubby about his new venture, and his response was "At least I don't have to listen to him." Verbatim quote.

 

2011 Melbourne - My Spin

• Strong, but mostly unchallenged, run by Vettel and RB
• Surprised at Webber's fade
• MacLarens stronger than expected, should have been a double podium; Why did it take so long for the officials to sort things out?
• Great drive by Petrov and I hope it continues, 2 consecutive races finishing ahead of Alonso
• Surprised by Heidfeld's fade
• Bummer about the Sauber DQ, they are better than than and it ruined a good double points day
• Curious DNFs for Williams
• Mercedes did not impress

 

Abu Dabi, relegated behind Petrov because of a bad pit decision.

Melborne, shoved off track in the first corner allowing a few cars to go by.

The Renaults and the Ferrari's are about on par for performance. And either one trying to pass the other is not going to be any kind of easy.

 

So, tell me something I don't know...

However, the point was this. If the cars are roughly equal, Alonso SHOULD have an advantage. After all, he does have 2 WDC's and 26 wins. So are you saying that a WDC didn't have enough tricks up his sleeve to pass a guy who had never finished on the podium before that race? Curious...

 

Yeah......that about sums it up. WDC have a lot to do with how the car is.....IMO.

 

An interesting discussion involving Petrov & Alonso. If I may, I'd like to throw in my two cents...

I believe that Gromit has a valid point when he states that it is Alonso's misfortunes that have allowed Petrov to finish ahead of him for two consecutive races. Getting punted off course and/or the team making a bad tactical decision are errors which are difficult if not near impossible to rebound from at any given time.

I'm not here to make a case for either driver (as I applaud both their efforts on the track) but sometimes there is that other factor that hides in the periphery of our vision as we watch a race unfold...Racing is not just applying a skill but it also is one of luck (Just ask Jacky Ickx - 25 podiums and no WDC). It is rather unfair to assume that a driver of Alonso's caliber is not the equal of Petrov given a level playing field (both drivers in the same car and match up the lap times).

Petrov finishing ahead of Alonso (in the cases cited above) are one of good fortune on Vitaly's part (right place/right time). That is not to say that he is an inferior driver for any driver on the F1 grid arrived there because he/she has the skill to pilot an F1 car (sponsorship notwithstanding).

Two cars having roughly equal performance characteristics makes for an extrememly difficult passing situation (a constant lamentation in F1 and the reason for the movable wing, KERS, etc. in an attempt to aid a driver in passing). Add to that the circuit upon which they are competing, which can and does affect the ability to overtake, and one can see why regardless of ability, a driver finishes higher/lower than current expectations hold.

Both the R31 and the Ferrari F150° Italia seem to share the same competitive envelope in terms of performance. Therfore, lap times should be roughly equal and overtaking then becomes a seriously difficult proposition. To say that Alonso had "no tricks" up his sleeve is a foolishly simple way to look at the competitive situation that exists between the Lotus-Renault and the Ferrari.

I agree with S-Driver in that in today's highly competitive F1 environment, the car has alot to do with winning a WDC. A good driver in a bad car can make the driver seem bad conversely a bad driver in a good car can make him appear mediocre.

 

I found this very illuminating video that I'd like to share with you all...

Hope you enjoy it!

 

Here's a picture of my sister taken just a few hours ago seconds before the qualifying race.



Her company is one of the major sponsors of Marussia Virgin Racing. I asked her if she can get me a paddock pass for my birthday! Haha! *crosses fingers*

 

^ thats really cool nic, hope you get your birthday gift!

Q was exciting. Vettel comes through again and both HRTs made the race.

The story for tomorrow will be tire management.

 

It looks like McLaren has essentially caught up, at least as far as qualifying goes. Be interesting to see how the race pace and tire consumption compares.

Top Of The Hat to HRT. Hopefully they will be able to get a number of trouble free laps in.

Also, did anyone else notice how busy the driver's hands were? One of the original pluses for the paddle shifters was that it allowed the driver to keep his hands on the steering wheel. Now, with activating the DRS and the nose wing. It seems that the drivers are busier and ever, although it seems that they don't have to let go completely.

 

A couple of points:

• I will not say that Alonso has been overrated, but I will I will say that I think Petrov has been underrated. Perhaps he will continue to build on recent success. It will make for an interesting story line because of how long it took for Renault to make their hiring decisions for 2011.
• Remember that at Abu Dhabi Alonso was pissed because he thought that Petrov should have let him pass. To me, it really seemed that Alonso COULDN'T muster the wherewithal to make the pass. Obviously we didn't see every turn of every lap, but I remember only about 2 attempts to actually pass on Alonso's part. The rest of the time was spent fist waving and talking on the radio. I wouldn't think that at the end of the season the Renault was the equal of the Ferrari. While the Renault was likely just good enough, Petrov also didn't do anything silly while under a lot of pressure; personally from Alonso and professionally regarding his job at Renault.