Formula 1

[Trad]

Is anybody else looking forward to the start of the Formula 1 season?
It looks to be an interesting season what with the new rules, there's no re-fueling during the race which certainly will change things and new teams.
With the final multi-team test of the winter now over, the teams will return to their factories to finalise their preparations for the Bahrain Grand Prix, which will take place at Sakhir from 12-14 March.

Unofficial Sunday times from Barcelona:

1. Lewis Hamilton, McLaren, 1:20.472, 134 Laps
2. Mark Webber, Red Bull, 1:20.496, 61 Laps
3. Felipe Massa, Ferrari, 1:20.539, 114 Laps
4. Adrian Sutil, Force India, 1:20.611, 100 Laps
5. Sebastian Vettel, Red Bull, 1:20.667, 76 Laps
6. Michael Schumacher, Mercedes GP, 1:20.745, 123 Laps
7. Rubens Barrichello, Williams, 1:20.870, 84 Laps
8. Kamui Kobayashi, BMW Sauber, 1:20.911, 67 Laps
9. Sebastien Buemi, Toro Rosso, 1:22.135, 88 Laps
10. Robert Kubica, Renault, 1:23.175, 107 Laps
11. Heikki Kovalainen, Lotus, 1:25.251, 65 Laps
12. Lucas di Grassi, Virgin, 1:26.160, 49 Laps

[DazedandConfusedinOR]

Personally I think all the changes they've made over the last few years suck. I don't even find it interesting anymore. The refueling ban is stupid. Part of the excitement was watching pit strategy. Sure, they'll still pit but it won't be the same. F1 has gone downhill in the few seasons. Go Ferrari.

[cantona7]

not starting in melbourne?

[DazedandConfusedinOR]

Australian Grand Prix is second race of season.

[gixxer]

boring, all f1 is now is a parade lap,,, for proper racing check out moto gp or superbike racing. the doctor (rossi) to win again

[DazedandConfusedinOR]

Don't get me wrong. I love the power of F1 cars - the technology is out of this world. Far and away the most powerful cars in the world, pound for pound. But pit strategy was crucial to the outcome of the race. Should we do 3 or 4 stops? Run light (on fuel) or heavy? There was hardly any passing to begin with (except for inexperienced drivers trying to force the issue), so pitting was a driver's opportunity to gain ground. Now, it really is going to be a parade lap. I'll still watch, no doubt, because of the shear awesomeness of the cars. Too bad Schumacher is long gone, although I'm interested in seeing how Fernando Alonso does with Ferrari.

[Kermit]

Schumacher is only 300th of a second off the pace, thats not bad considering how long he is been out.

[DazedandConfusedinOR]

Wait...Schumacher is back? Not driving for Ferrari is he? Now this is tough. Hard to cheer against Schumacher, arguably the greatest F1 driver ever, but I'm a Ferrari fan! What to do, what to do...

[gixxer]

schumacher,s back. he,s with mercedes. still think the best driver was the late ayerton senna.

[Sir Niall of Essex-sire]

Schumacher is only 300th of a second off the pace, thats not bad considering how long he is been out.

Indeed, although i hope the fucker looses.

Hamilton ftw!

[Bob2]

they are banning diffusers next year so not much overtaking (but saying that hamilton done some sweet overtaking on Schumacher the over day). i do like the partnerships this season maasa/alonso, hamilton /button. the refueling ban is not good, thank god bernie didnt get his way with making a shortcut you could use 5 times per race

[DC]

They should just stop beating around the bush and make the whole track single lane.

[bb420]

Looks like the only racing will be against the clock during qualifying. F1 is getting as bad as NASCAR with the rule changes.

[Lemming]

Is anybody else looking forward to the start of the Formula 1 season?

Yep. 1st practice tomorrow morning. Can't wait.

[geoffk]

DTM