The 2017 Australian Grand Prix

[bristolhammerfc]

Will be interesting to see if it becomes processional whether there will be further rule changes.

I can't see past Mercedes for this one, possibly a challenge from Vettel.

Having said that, had a little flutter on Riccardo to win the Championship this year.

McClaren look dead and buried.

[Devs Hampton]

Just think it will be an even faster procession to be honest. Lost interest in F1 many years, use to go to them a lot in days gone by.

[westham,eggyandchips]

What odds on ALL track records being broken this season with cars going at least 5mph quicker?

[Chicken Run Supreme]

McClaren look dead and buried.

I could see Alonso walking from McClaren and F1, they are a mess.

Meanwhile, Hamilton quickest in first two practices this morning.

[Bend it like Repka]

I was thinking we need an F1 thread......Maybe after this race Bristol can rename the title for the whole season.

As much as I'm a big Hamilton fan, what F1 doesn't need is Lewis driving off into the distance each race. Testing offered the hope that Ferrari would be equal, but the first practice hasn't shown that. Still sometimes Australia provides a slightly false outlook so I will keep the hope going. We really need a battle between teams this season.

I think there will be a big difference in cars. The extra physicality will show and drivers will be knackered at the end of some races, back to the Mansell era of him looking like he was going to collapse on the podium. If drivers are tired, they will make mistakes and maybe we will get more passes later in races.

Hoping for a cracking season. Fingers crossed.

[hammerdivone]

There's been plenty of mistakes in practice to far with Verstappen, Grosjean, Massa and Palmer all going off!

Mind you that's about the only way McLaren will get in the top 10

[DasNutNock]

I used to think it was pronounced "Grand Pricks". With Bernie Eccleston involved, I wasn't far off.

[wolf359]

Lewis takes pole with Vettel grabbing second, closer than last year which is a good thing but everyone else banking on technical issues for Hamilton already by the looks of it.

Below that though the middle field is very close an could be interesting for the minor points.

[RyanWHUFC]

Mighty lap by Lewis in Q3, quarter of a second quicker than Vettel in second.

Can see Bottas becoming a modern day Barrichello, hasn't got enough to challenge Lewis, solid back up.

Ricciardo crashed hard in Q3, Red Bull look some way off.

Could see Hamilton v Vettel over a season, it's what F1 needs.

[bristolhammerfc]

I was thinking we need an F1 thread......Maybe after this race Bristol can rename the title for the whole season.

.

I can do, but the point of this forum is that we can have a thread for each race, much like the match threads. In fact that goes for every cricket, NFL, Rugby, Tennis, Golf etc.

Up to everyone else really

[RyanWHUFC]

This is finally what we've all been waiting for, Hamilton v Vettel, running a second apart at the moment

[Chicken Run Supreme]

With a competitive Ferrari now in the mix, Mercedes are going to need to be more savvy with their pit stop timing and general race day tactics. With the sheer mechanical advantage they've had for the last 3 seasons they've not needed to worry too much and have got away with some bad calls. Vettel making it clear today that they won't get away with complacency. Thats not to say Vettel only got past Hamilton due to poor pit stop timing as Ferrari were clearly going to be competitive this season, it looks like it could be a great season.

[simon hammer]

Just a faster procession, but good to see Ferrari have closed the gap to Mercedes. Shame McLaren see pants though.

[RyanWHUFC]

Australia isn't the best track for overtaking anyway, expect to see more at "proper" circuits.

Vettel was imperious today, as Schumacheresque drive as you'll see, obviously the racing wasn't great but he showed you can keep with the car in front with how he managed to follow Lewis early on.

Good to see Ferrari back, it bodes well for the championship.

[Yea Why Not]

Any idea why Hamilton was getting boo'd on the podium?!

[Rio]

As a little aside

https://www.facebook.com/ShortListMagaz ... 1355523947

[Denbighammer]

Watched the start and then skimmed the rest at x4 speed. Dull, dull, dull.

[Slacking student]

Any idea why Hamilton was getting boo'd on the podium?!

Because he's a ****

[Bend it like Repka]

Because he's a ****

I'm intrigued by LH haters. Reasons?

[bristolhammerfc]

As a little aside

https://www.facebook.com/ShortListMagaz ... 1355523947" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Someone should tweet that to Sullivan. McClaren are looking for sponsors.

Would be a good fit. Decent team but a bit slow at times. Promised much after a move but delivered little but window dressing.