Topic: 2011 Formula 1 thread (incl new driver lineup)

[redmachine]

Vettel absolutely ripped the piss out of Coulthard on F1 Forum and covered him in chocolate cake!

[Frog]

If not for that crap start, Alonso probably would've been on the podium.

Fourth isn't bad, but by the looks of it everyone will be competing for second if Vettel continues to drive like that.

[b_joseph]

Not a bad start for Lewis I guess. As has been the case for 3 seasons now, he is going to need some help from his car if he is to catch up with these Red Bulls.

[Jagdip]

Vettel absolutely ripped the piss out of Coulthard on F1 Forum and covered him in chocolate cake!

What did he say?

[redmachine]

What did he say?

Taking piss out of his age mainly, was his 40th birthday.

[Jagdip]

Oh, friendly banter!

[Matt S]

Both KERS and the adjustable wing offered nothing, as i suspected might be the case.

I guess the wing should have more effect where there are longer straights to use it on, like in spain, malaysia, china etc... I still don't agree with the principle of it though.

It was interesting to see how different cars/drivers went through the tyres. Red bull jumped first on both of their stops, just as well they were so far in front with Vettel. The guy was untouchable really, despite my wishing for an error by him.

I'm pleased the McLarens are closer. Aside from liking the team it should make for an interesting season. They should get closer too - didn't realise the back of their car is fashioned with titanium rather than carbon fibre where they rushed the update through.

[RivaGe]

Saubers disqualified, there goes great Perez's debut.

[nonkiwi-nonblue]

Saubers disqualified, there goes great Perez's debut.

What for mate?

[RivaGe]

What for mate?

http://www.formula1.com/news/headlines/2011/3/11874.html

[Slick_Beef]

Enjoyed that race, despite Vettel having a fairly easy win, there were some good battles.

I thought the DRS was decent to be honest. My main concern was that it would make the racing too artificial, and that the car in front wouldn't have a chance to make it a proper fight, but all it really did was nullify the time lost due to being in dirty air, which is a good thing. It shouldn't be toomuch of an advantage, although it will surely do more on the likes of Catalunya and Monza.

Shame about Sauber being disqualified.. it was for a technical infringement with the bodywork apparantley, although they have appealed. Perez was very much the best of the rookies.

[Slick_Beef]

Sitll think this was a bit dodgy though (don't get me wrong, vettel deserved the win):

He went wider, that rarely counts as a cut.

Know what you mean, but surely he gained an advantage there. I'm sure I remember the FIA clarifying the rules after kimi did that on the exit of la source at Spa in 2009, and didn't Webber get a penalty for the same thing at Singapore in 09?   You wouldn't get away with that on the F1 2010 game that's for sure 

[redmachine]

Enjoyed that race, despite Vettel having a fairly easy win, there were some good battles.

I thought the DRS was decent to be honest. My main concern was that it would make the racing too artificial, and that the car in front wouldn't have a chance to make it a proper fight, but all it really did was nullify the time lost due to being in dirty air, which is a good thing. It shouldn't be toomuch of an advantage, although it will surely do more on the likes of Catalunya and Monza.

Shame about Sauber being disqualified.. it was for a technical infringement with the bodywork apparantley, although they have appealed. Perez was very much the best of the rookies.

DRS is a bit pointless then really isnt it? Presumably they wanted to give an advantage but that doesnt appear to happen. Be interesting to see it on a track with a long straight/faster/easier approach.

[Slick_Beef]

DRS is a bit pointless then really isnt it? Presumably they wanted to give an advantage but that doesnt appear to happen. Be interesting to see it on a track with a long straight/faster/easier approach.

at least it takes away some of the disadvantage of being behind another car though, I suppose? Maybe I'm being a bit "glass half full" haha. I think you're right that it will be more interesting to see how it does on other circuits though.. I can imagine it going into the final chicaine of canada (even though it's easy enough to overtake there anyway), first chicaine at monza, into Les combs at spa, stowe or brooklands at silverstone.. those are much better overtaking spots than turn 1 at melbourne.


Edit on a different topic, I've just noticed there is finally a torrent out for both dvd and blue ray versions of the Senna film. 

[OzBomber]

Despite the shortage of screens and the inability to get the live timing working on my phone I had a blast. Taking photos of beasts going at over 200ks and hour is HARD. I'll try post some tomorrow.

[RivaGe]

I think DRS was okay today, I was afraid it would give too much advantage.

[Mr Kipling]

Not a bad race that. Good drive by Hamilton and if Button had let Massa by rather than take the penalty, then he could of been right up there. Petrov was superb and if Kubica had been driving then that Lotus Renualt team would of been formidable.

Gutted that the Saubers were disqualified but it looks as though Sauber have produced a decent car like they used to before being bought out by BMW. Hopefully they have the money to keep developing it as that was always the main problem before Sauber sold the team.

Enjoyed the Sir Martin of Brundle/Superjaw commentary combo as well.

["Nookie".]

Just a sidenote, there are torrents of all practice sessions in standard definition, with qualifying and the race in standard and high definition on BroadcasTheNet. I'm assuming it'll be the same for every race. Got 8 invites, but not sure if invites are open at the moment, PM me a non-hotmail email address if you'd like an invite.

[ds2190]

Gutted for the Sauber drivers. Decent performance by Lewis and Petrov.

[Degs]

DRS is a bit pointless then really isnt it? Presumably they wanted to give an advantage but that doesnt appear to happen. Be interesting to see it on a track with a long straight/faster/easier approach.

I think it cancels out the problem of following a car in dirty air down the straight.
Much better for me than a "boost" button.

[redmachine]

I think it cancels out the problem of following a car in dirty air down the straight.
Much better for me than a "boost" button.

Dirty air down the straight isnt really as big a problem as it is through a tight section though so Im still a bit unsre about its value if its only going to be used in a specified section on a straight.

["Nookie".]

The DRS should be interesting in Malaysia, with two long long straights with a hairpin in the middle. Close up, have a go into the hairpin, and have another go down the second straight if you're still not past.

[Jagdip]

I think it cancels out the problem of following a car in dirty air down the straight.
Much better for me than a "boost" button.

Next Eccleston will introduce NOS after he watches the new Fast&Furios movie. He will also ensure that the button is labelled NOZ on the steering wheel.

[Rambo]

hey is it possible to watch the f1 forum on Iplayer??

[Surprise me.]

Completely forgot about the F1 forum, got to make sure i watch that. Its always been on iPlayer in the past.

One thing i noticed about the Red Bulls is that if they are behind someone they will find it difficult to overtake without KERS. Webber had this problem against Alonso today. They only really had the pit straight to get a slipstream and Alonso had KERS to make sure he stayed in front. For Vettel sheer pace might get him closer but he will have to work harder than the person in front trying to defend their position. It'll depend on each track and where the overtaking opportunities are but if there are limited places to overtake then it could be a problem for them.

[voodoo ray]

hey is it possible to watch the f1 forum on Iplayer??

Yeah that's how I watched it

[OzBomber]

Here's one of my favourite photos despite its blurryness. Button pulling a move on Massa just after turn 2.


Would've been a mint photo if I made it less blurry.

Got more to post soon.

[OzBomber]

Here's a small sample of the photos I took at the GP. Please do have a look.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/57636493@N06/sets/72157626369505850/

My favourites






And here's my video of the start. Accidently pressed the stop button so it stops prematurely.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KZm_ekFKU9c

Filmed this after the race.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pWAR6AzDsS0

AL AL AL. ALAN! ALAN! AL AL AL WHERES MARK! AL AL

[Slick_Beef]

Here's a small sample of the photos I took at the GP. Please do have a look.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/57636493@N06/sets/72157626369505850/

My favourites






And here's my video of the start. Accidently pressed the stop button so it stops prematurely.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KZm_ekFKU9c

Filmed this after the race.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pWAR6AzDsS0

Nice one mate! looks great, you're really close to the action for those photos, must have been fun. The sound at the start in the video is glorious too. Would ya go back next year then?

[Alpherah]

Here's a small sample of the photos I took at the GP. Please do have a look.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/57636493@N06/sets/72157626369505850/

My favourites






And here's my video of the start. Accidently pressed the stop button so it stops prematurely.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KZm_ekFKU9c

Filmed this after the race.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pWAR6AzDsS0

AL AL AL. ALAN! ALAN! AL AL AL WHERES MARK! AL AL

A Small tip for next time, the one time i managed to get to the F1 to take photo's, although it may not be possible from your location (no idea what the seating is like in Australia?), on the bank at silverstone i had my cam set up on a tripod and manually set the focus for the point on the track when the cars were doing the parade lap, then i didn't have to wait for the auto focus to try and get it right when the car is zooming past at 180 mph.

-edit-
Realise that might sound a bit .. prick ish didnt mean to

[OzBomber]

Nice one mate! looks great, you're really close to the action for those photos, must have been fun. The sound at the start in the video is glorious too. Would ya go back next year then?

Yeah mate for sure. Just will have to get one of those fanvision/kangaroo tv things. Was pretty far away from the screen (can't remember if you can see in that video) and the commentary wasn't top notch like BBC. Fanvision apparently has BBC 5 live and onboard camera + timing etc so it'd be perfect for me. The sound was incredible. Couple of times when I took my ear muffs off (was listening to commentary through them) to talk to my mate it was so exhillirating but so loud I just couldn't keep them off. A couple of those images are from about 5 metres away from the car right at the bottom of the bank.

A Small tip for next time, the one time i managed to get to the F1 to take photo's, although it may not be possible from your location (no idea what the seating is like in Australia?), on the bank at silverstone i had my cam set up on a tripod and manually set the focus for the point on the track when the cars were doing the parade lap, then i didn't have to wait for the auto focus to try and get it right when the car is zooming past at 180 mph.

-edit-
Realise that might sound a bit .. prick ish didnt mean to

Didn't sound prickish at all.

One problem I noticed with having it set on one spot is it just made the car blurry (like the button overtaking massa one). I managed to track the car a couple of times (as you can see with the Hamilton and Massa pics), but at 250kph it's bloody hard!

["Nookie".]

Some great photos in there mate.

[ds2190]

Sauber have decided not to appeal the disqualification. Apparently the guy responsible for checking the rear wing at the factory didn't spot the problem - wonder if he's still got a job!

[Babelcopter]

http://www.redbullreporter.com/assignment/f1-red-bull-reporter-wanted?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=formula1&utm_campaign=f1reporter

There's a few people on here who could probably string some sentences together for this... pretty good prize!

[Degs]

DRS extended to 700m for Malaysia

[Slick_Beef]

http://www.redbullreporter.com/assignment/f1-red-bull-reporter-wanted?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=formula1&utm_campaign=f1reporter

There's a few people on here who could probably string some sentences together for this... pretty good prize!

Nice! That is a superb prize.



BBC have made a documentary which I guess from the title is about F1 in the 60s and 70s - haven't watched it yet, will only have time tomorrow, but am told it's very good - http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00z8v18/Grand_Prix_The_Killer_Years/

[voodoo ray]

Nice! That is a superb prize.



BBC have made a documentary which I guess from the title is about F1 in the 60s and 70s - haven't watched it yet, will only have time tomorrow, but am told it's very good - http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00z8v18/Grand_Prix_The_Killer_Years/

Great show. Terrible to watch though.

[ds2190]

http://www.redbullreporter.com/assignment/f1-red-bull-reporter-wanted?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=formula1&utm_campaign=f1reporter

There's a few people on here who could probably string some sentences together for this... pretty good prize!

Good spot! Will probably have a go at that.

Cheers

[Des Equilibrante]

Sitll think this was a bit dodgy though (don't get me wrong, vettel deserved the win):

Know what you mean, but surely he gained an advantage there. I'm sure I remember the FIA clarifying the rules after kimi did that on the exit of la source at Spa in 2009, and didn't Webber get a penalty for the same thing at Singapore in 09?   You wouldn't get away with that on the F1 2010 game that's for sure 

I'd have given him a stop-go for that. It's not like he ran wide, he had no intention of doing anything but burn round the outside of him. If there was a wall there, he'd have fucked himself hard.

[redmachine]

DRS extended to 700m for Malaysia

In Sepang, however, the drivers will already be at full-throttle as they enter the DRS activation zone - this may well show us the full effect of the system and will give the FIA a real indication of what regulations will need to be put in-place to govern the device.

http://www.thef1times.com/news/display/02906

Sounds good this, could actually see it work as an overtaking device.