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[irons_4_ever]

I like the comentators im expect ferrari get strong towards the end of practise as they look very weak now

[McLaren Fan]

An interesting first two sessions (I did decide to have a look at them after all). It's the first time I've had a proper look at the cars and it was immediately obvious what the new regulations have brought to the party. The cars look faster through the slower corners, but slightly more unstable through the medium-speed and fast corners. Even under breaking you could seem them squirm around a bit. They also seem to have a lot more power-oversteer than last season's cars. And the soft-tyres' degradation is ridiculous.

More specifically, and contrary to some reports, the McLaren looks an absolute dog. The rear of the car is completely unstable, and that will only get worse as the rear tyres fall off badly. Indeed, it will probably be even more noticeable at Sepang next week, because of its characteristics. Hamilton's driving in particular looks very ragged. Hopefully he tones things down before qualifying.

My annoyance is somewhat offset by Williams. I thought they'd be in the top half of the grid or something, but not the fastest car of the weekend so far. I really wasn't sure we'd ever see a Williams near the top of the time sheets again. Clearly McLaren won't be winning the race, so I'd love to see Williams do it.

[zurich_allan]

I was impressed with both Williams cars in both practice sessions, it would be really great to see them back towards the front of the grid for the whole season; I for one have found it really sad to see their gradual decline since circa 2005 (well 1998 really).

Interesting to note that in spite of his poor overall lap times that Hamilton topped the speed trap classification by quite a margin (around 1.2kph from memory). That indicates that the car is indeed quick in a straight line, probably with low downforce, but aerodynamically poor throughout cornering. I would strongly suspect that that as with Renault last year, Mclaren even if relatively poor in the early races will manage to find a solution to this and be competitive again come race three or four. Fundamentally the car is actually quick which is a base to build from.

Force India really surprised me with some good pace; did anybody see Sutil's pass on one of the Ferrari's in P2? It would be great for them if they could push even a little away from the back of the grid.

I wasn't that impressed with Vettel in comparison to Webber, but then last year Vettel took three or four races to get into his stride, so I wouldn't read too much into it until the mid way point of the season.

Finally, whilst Brawn weren't dominant, they were both strong front runners which is a real breath of fresh air. I suspect that tomorrow they will actually be scrapping for a front row position. My reasoning is that with relatively little testing compared to all of the other teams, I suspect that this is what they were using these two sessions for rather than concentrating on outright pace. Come qualifying they will both be going Hell for leather, so I'd expect them to be slightly quicker than today.

that's my two cents anyway!

[MAD MAX]

Very disapointing drive by LH, so much difference betwen the 2 Mclaren's

[gorilla]

Was very impressed with Williams and Brawn GP this morning, looks like they could well be contenders this season. Lewis was off the pace and really needs to get the McLaren sorted out.

The Softs are not holding up.

Nelson Piquet Jr is a disgrace to his father.

Anyway said a bit more over on my blog that you can all have a look at if you want.

[Gert]

Wel conclusions from FP1:
Brawn are indeed fast, but so are Ferrari.

I wouldn't call being outside the top 10 fast & I really don't think Ferrari would either.

[Gert]

Incidentally, posting here fromSCHOOL is awesome

That explains really quite a lot then.

[scotty]

In the first session, Rosberg came through to take the fastest time - one minute 26.687 seconds - from Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen on his last lap of 19, while team-mate Kazuki Nakajima finished second.

Now, does this mean lap 19 of a stint or merely his 19th lap of the session?

[MAD MAX]

Answers on a post card - Why were the 2 Mclarens so far off the Pace then?

[kerc]

Let's face it: Both Ferrari and McLaren looked pretty bad...

[Frosty]

Answers on a post card - Why were the 2 Mclarens so far off the Pace then?

McLaren have developed a car which eats tyres in seconds, is completely unstable especially under breaking or if there is any cross wind it just spins into gravel all due to a lack of rear down force and a front wing which is so simple it looks like it came from the industrial revolution.

Who else thought that Croft & Davidson's commentary was really good today? I thought it was absolutely brilliant if I'm being honest.

...the same cannot be said about Maurice Hamilton and the guy from Fi. Was i the only person who found there commentary so unbelievably dull?

Croft and Davidson’s commentary is brilliant, really enjoyable to listen to full of energy Davidson is quite clearly a sound guy! Maurice Hamilton and the FI guy were rubbish.

[GarethStr]

I fell asleep at the end of practice 1 . I was enjoying practice but a full day of school really catches up with you at 3 in the morning

[headless]

Bloody hell jus watched p1 and was rather impress by a few times williams and force india for one and hekki for mclaren ...........brawn around average(i expected more from them) was awesome to watch tho still think the new cars a horrible looking tho COME ON LEWIS LOL

You were expeting more than effortlessly rapid?

i expected them to lock out the front of the grid ...white wash only for they facted as ive said before they have had that car for a year and a half ..... but who knows i didnt see them use softs or they may just be playing there cards close to there chest .....im deffo fancing them having a podium tho

Only practice. Plaenty of time yet.

[headless]

Piquet, Piquet, Piquet.
Not looking good for him and Bourdais.

Vettel: he had an awful start to last year 3 non finishes in three races. Don't write him off.

[Roguee]

Jenson Button looks like he's going to have a good year this year.
I do hope he wins one Grandprix this year.

I was looking at the practice races today & he came 5th. So he is doing very well.