FORUMula1.com - F1 Forum

[rob91]

Hopefully Vettel and Räikkönen can take the fight to the Mercedes drivers, F1 really needs them to do so to maintain and increases the interest from the fans. Some very impressive performances by the young guns at Toro Rosso so far, at the rate they are going Kvyat will need to up his game to hold on to his seat in F1 because Red Bull are bound to bring in the next youngster from the junior formulas next year.

I think the two Force India drivers (especially Pérez) are dark horses for the podium, despite their midfield starting positions they appear to be competitive. They saved tyres by not trying to get into Q3 and so can choose what tyres to start on. If they can have a clean start and make up a few positions early on in the race they could be set up very nicely for a strong result.

Here's hoping for a great race!

[darwin dali]

So far, the race has certainly been more entertaining than quali - massive cock-up by FA, glad both drivers are ok!

[myownalias]

After the start, I was hopeful that 2016 may not be as much of a Mercedes walkover, but it seems not, the luck is still with the German team. Although it was good to see Alonso walk away from that horrific crash, but it kinda killed the Vettel challenge for the win. Great result for Haas, sixth place on debut is very impressive, although have extensive support from Ferrari helps.

[Big Azza]

It was a fun race to watch, and hopefully a sign of a good season.
I didn't watch or follow much of last year, as it was not on free-to-air and didn't sound very exciting. I'm not going to rush out and get a pay tv subscription on the back of this one race, but it definitely peaks my interest.

Along with Vettel pushing for a victory, the pace of the Toro Rossos was also exciting, and what a story for Haas!

[gdh]

Congrats to Nico, Merc schooled Ferrari again with their tire strategy. Great race for Grosjean and Haas F1!

[sagi58]

So far, the race has certainly been more entertaining than quali - massive cock-up by FA, glad both drivers are ok!

In the end, Alonso is human, albeit an amazing driver!!
That was a terrible accident, with a very lucky result...

[sagi58]

It was a good race, even though it didn't end the way I would have liked!!

Enjoyed watching it, even if it did start at 1:00 a.m.!!

[gdh]

Any reports as to what broke on Kimi's engine? Poor guy is having some terrible luck with Ferrari.

[sagi58]

I haven't seen anything... yet...

[darwin dali]

A fire BROKE out

[overboost]

Kimi says the engine is ok?!

Kimi Raikkonen (DNF): "Today we had a good first part of the race but at a certain point I lost power and had to retire. I don't know exactly what happened, I don't think that the problem was related to the engine because it was still running. It must have been something else. It's a very unfortunate thing for the whole team. After the winter testing we had a rough idea that we should be pretty ok, Saturday was a funny day, with very odd conditions and circumstances, so we knew that the time difference in qualifying was not real. The car has been handling well, it's fast and I had a good feeling but obviously we need to finish the race. We still have some work to do."

[sagi58]

A fire BROKE out

THAT goes without saying...

[sagi58]

Kimi says the engine is ok?!...

You know Kimi... nothing fazes the guy!! Not even a fire near his head,
because he's the quintessential Ice Man!!

[youtube]/niWU9fiD0wY[/youtube]

[LewEngBridewell]

A great start to the new season. Plenty of action, overtaking and strategy.

Ferrari made a catastrophic balls-up with the strategy following the red flag. It was obvious even to the viewers at home, so goodness knows what was going on with the strategists at the Scuderia. A wasted opportunity.

Mercedes were duly very lucky.

It's also very close for everyone behind Merc/Ferrari and ahead of Manor. Lots of changes of position. This will be quite exciting as the season progresses.

McLaren... bad strategy with Button, and also there was the thing with Alonso...

[myownalias]

McLaren... bad strategy with Button, and also there was the thing with Alonso...

It's kinda funny how most blamed Martin Whitmarsh for the downfall of McLaren, he has been gone 3 full seasons now and McLaren have continued to slide under Eric Boulier and Ron Dennis. I don't see much hope of podiums for McLaren, looks like a fight for the minor points for the once great McLaren. The McLaren Honda team name may be one for the history books, but it has missed the mark quite badly in the modern era, disappointing!!!