FORUMula1.com - F1 Forum

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Whitmarsh left the team with two cars on the podium as we saw in Aus 2014 just weeks after his removal in Dennis's coup. Dennis since has steered the team into the weeds.

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Number of positions gained or lost after the first lap (excluding Kvyat)

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According to Hamilton it was down to driver error at the start, no mechanical issue:

There was speculation Hamilton's start was hurt by the need for a second formation lap, prompted when Red Bull's Daniil Kvyat stopped short of the grid on the initial lap.

Asked if he had clutch problems at the start, Hamilton said: "No, I just got wheel spin. No particular real issues ... Ferrari's [starts] are very, very strong. My initial phase was just the same as Nico's but the second part where you release the clutch fully I just had extra wheel spin and didn't recover from it so it wasn't a major issue.

A major lapse in concentration by Hamilton as it cost him the race win.

http://www.espn.co.uk/f1/story/_/id/150 ... ari-starts

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Tech analysis: Ferrari steering wheel may hold key to rocket F1 starts



"As Piola’s comparison of Ferrari’s 2015 and 2016 steering wheel arrangement shows, the team has been the most aggressive in changing its clutch configuration for this year.

New rules mean that drivers can only use a single hand on a single clutch paddle for the race start – even if teams choose to keep a double-paddle arrangement for emergencies.

Ferrari has opted for something totally different to its main rivals by abandoning a double paddle arrangement (see red arrows on above left image). Instead, it has a single ‘rocker’ paddle that stretches all the way across the back of the wheel.

Investing in such a dramatic design change clearly points to it having unlocked a decent performance advantage.

The exact reasons for this configuration are unclear, but it may be that it allows the driver a greater feel for the clutch bite point – and means he is better able to judge how to deliver the perfect getaway."

http://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/tech- ... ts-682182/

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Even though it was a better race Aus GP attendance down from 2015.

2015 saw 101,000 on race day, 2016 had 90,200.

http://www.austadiums.com/stadiums/stad ... php?id=176

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[darwin dali]

He looks a defeated man - he won't be on the grid next year...

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He does look defeated and you may be right but it was from Brazil last year, another really bad day. Just a photoshop (a pretty good one I thought), one of many of the Alonso in chair variety!

Here's the original.

[darwin dali]

Still, his contract runs out this year and he doesn't seem very motivated anymore. He'll be bicycling into the sunset...

[myownalias]

Still, his contract runs out this year and he doesn't seem very motivated anymore. He'll be bicycling into the sunset...

Alonso has a contract until the end of 2017, he signed a 3 year deal for the start of 2015.

[darwin dali]

I thought it was reported that he's got a two-year deal with an option for extension?

[myownalias]

I thought it was reported that he's got a two-year deal with an option for extension?

According to Sky Sports, Alonso signed a binding 3 year contract.

http://www.skysports.com/f1/news/24184/ ... ron-dennis

[darwin dali]

Ah, good to know - thanks!