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[CarBore]

We'll see what happens when we get to Canada

[Hammer278]

Forget Canada, wait for Malaysia!! Track temps of 40 degrees C and above, it will be the acid test for these Pirellis.

And noted that Redbull had issues first with rear tyres before anyone else. It will be an interesting race.

[CarBore]

Seems like Webber was having more issues than Vettel which I find a little odd seeing as most the team mates at McLaren and Ferrari were running similar.

I'm also mystified that Sauber's Baby Ferrari was so kind even though it has the same rear mechanical and presumably far less downforce.

[racechick]

Yes red Bull had isues first and also they are not running KERS, Which should make tyre wear much better not worse.

[What's Burning?]

I think it was Hobbs that noted it on SPEED, and it really is apparent...

There is no "line" left by the Pirellis, usually mid race or even over the lenght of the weekend, at the end you have a very rubbered line on the track. That is simply not the case for these tires, they basically marble off onto the side of the track, but they don't help whatsoever a track "rubbering in".

So the wear at the beginign of a race is pretty much continuous as it wont ease up during the race. It's going to be an interesting season for sure.

[scotty]

So the big question is, what was the best way to go today and what can we expect to see in the future?

Obviously Perez managed a 1 stopper but i don't think those at the front could afford to take that risk as they had to (and for the most part did) cover their main rivals off. I think that dictated strategies today more than actual wear did, generally speaking. Alonso was very, very quick on the 3 stopper, and i would probably argue that was on pure pace terms the quickest race strategy for today, but as always track position is a risk, and that also proved to be the case.

It may well become a theme for midfield guys to take a punt on stopping once less than everyone else to gain position as Perez did, but as i said not everyone (ie, the guys at the front) can really afford to try that because they need to cover off the people they are directly racing.

It seems the Red Bulls are mega quick on brand new tyres compared to everyone else too.

[FRAFPDD]

So the big question is, what was the best way to go today and what can we expect to see in the future?

Obviously Perez managed a 1 stopper but i don't think those at the front could afford to take that risk as they had to (and for the most part did) cover their main rivals off. I think that dictated strategies today more than actual wear did, generally speaking. Alonso was very, very quick on the 3 stopper, and i would probably argue that was on pure pace terms the quickest race strategy for today, but as always track position is a risk, and that also proved to be the case.

It may well become a theme for midfield guys to take a punt on stopping once less than everyone else to gain position as Perez did, but as i said not everyone (ie, the guys at the front) can really afford to try that because they need to cover off the people they are directly racing.

It seems the Red Bulls are mega quick on brand new tyres compared to everyone else too.

Dont think Red Bull are mega quick on new tyres, Vettel was, but i dont believe that will be a trend that he gets pole by 0.7 even to a Mclaren of Ferrari many more times, he was on more form then ever for Australia.

As for Sauber, if that car is THAT kind to its tyres, Kobayashi would do well to not bother much in Q2, as he would surely have finished ahead of perez maybe in the top 5, if he had started from 10th to 13th, because im sure as hell its the sauber and not solely Perez taht is that kind to its tyres. Infact in the debriefs Kobayashi said he had to stop again (as oppose to once) cause he had the softs from the qualifying session on. Worst comes to worse Sauber stop as many times as everyone else and still finish in the points due to their pace.

Lastly and most importantly, although this track isnt like bahrains heat etc its not actually one of the random one off tracks that dont give a true representation, it is one of the "run-of-the-mill2 tracks for weather, layout. So we can read a bit more then usual for a season opener into this race. Only a bit more, after Malaysia the anomolies would have been cut out and we'll know what the deal is.

[Jensonb]

It's worth noting that we could potentially have a very warm summer, and ho knows how much effect that could have.

[scotty]

Dont think Red Bull are mega quick on new tyres, Vettel was, but i dont believe that will be a trend that he gets pole by 0.7 even to a Mclaren of Ferrari many more times, he was on more form then ever for Australia.

As for Sauber, if that car is THAT kind to its tyres, Kobayashi would do well to not bother much in Q2, as he would surely have finished ahead of perez maybe in the top 5, if he had started from 10th to 13th, because im sure as hell its the sauber and not solely Perez taht is that kind to its tyres. Infact in the debriefs Kobayashi said he had to stop again (as oppose to once) cause he had the softs from the qualifying session on. Worst comes to worse Sauber stop as many times as everyone else and still finish in the points due to their pace.

Lastly and most importantly, although this track isnt like bahrains heat etc its not actually one of the random one off tracks that dont give a true representation, it is one of the "run-of-the-mill2 tracks for weather, layout. So we can read a bit more then usual for a season opener into this race. Only a bit more, after Malaysia the anomolies would have been cut out and we'll know what the deal is.

Reason i said about Red Bull is because at the start Vettel flew off before Hamilton started to catch him again, and later on, Webber and Alonso pitted at very similar times - Webber was all over Alonso for a few laps but then dropped off somewhat dramatically.

China will be an interesting race - very abrasive track and a lot of long, quick corners....

[vaptin]

Dont think Red Bull are mega quick on new tyres, Vettel was, but i dont believe that will be a trend that he gets pole by 0.7 even to a Mclaren of Ferrari many more times, he was on more form then ever for Australia.

As for Sauber, if that car is THAT kind to its tyres, Kobayashi would do well to not bother much in Q2, as he would surely have finished ahead of perez maybe in the top 5, if he had started from 10th to 13th, because im sure as hell its the sauber and not solely Perez taht is that kind to its tyres. Infact in the debriefs Kobayashi said he had to stop again (as oppose to once) cause he had the softs from the qualifying session on. Worst comes to worse Sauber stop as many times as everyone else and still finish in the points due to their pace.

Lastly and most importantly, although this track isnt like bahrains heat etc its not actually one of the random one off tracks that dont give a true representation, it is one of the "run-of-the-mill2 tracks for weather, layout. So we can read a bit more then usual for a season opener into this race. Only a bit more, after Malaysia the anomolies would have been cut out and we'll know what the deal is.

Reason i said about Red Bull is because at the start Vettel flew off before Hamilton started to catch him again, and later on, Webber and Alonso pitted at very similar times - Webber was all over Alonso for a few laps but then dropped off somewhat dramatically.

China will be an interesting race - very abrasive track and a lot of long, quick corners....

Webber was on the softs, Alonso on the harder tyres, so I guess initially Webber had more grip (and probably a faster car anyway) than Alonso but tyres wore out and Alonso pulled away and started to catch Petrov.

[vlad]

Vettel was just focusing on Hamilton's times. He could have gone much faster. You could see it on his laps after the first pit-stop.

[darwin dali]

Vettel was just focusing on Hamilton's times. He could have gone much faster. You could see it on his laps after the first pit-stop.

[racechick]

Vettel was just focusing on Hamilton's times. He could have gone much faster. You could see it on his laps after the first pit-stop.

After the first pit stops on new tyres. Could mean he is isnt coping so well on old tyres. Lewis was within about 1 or 2 seconds of him before that. I wouldnt say that was managing the gap or that he could have gone much faster at that pont in the race.

[vlad]

Have you heard his Radio talk with the team, just before the second stop?
It was clear the he held the same rhytm, and asked them if it's time to stop, that he is losing his grip slowly...

[Jensonb]

Vettel was just focusing on Hamilton's times. He could have gone much faster. You could see it on his laps after the first pit-stop.

Maybe so, but from more detailed analysis it is emerging that the Achilles Heel of the Red Bull may be it's rear tyre wear, which seems to be more severe than that of its immediate competitors. This even despite the fact they were not running kERS, unlike the McLarens for example.

Also of note, the Ferrari's struggled with greater tyre wear than anticipated and also issues with temperature (Which maybe track-specific). Meanwhile, the McLarens showed every sign that the tyres removed from their cars after their first stints (Longer than the Red Bull of Vettel's) could have gone on even longer - both Hamilton's and Button's, suggesting that one of the McLaren's strength may be that it is kind to its tyres. Which may explain its other apparent strength - once again, McLaren seem to have a faster racer than qualifier. The long run pace of the McLaren is very good.