F1Rejects.com

by **East Londoner** » 10 Mar 2012, 21:19

A bit early to start this thread, but I may as well, because there's some bad news. Double DRS zone for Melbourne this year :evil:

http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2012/03/09/drs-zones-race-2012/

by **QuickYoda41** » 10 Mar 2012, 21:53

No surprise, as last year we didn't see much overtaking in the sole DRS zone.

by **Klon** » 11 Mar 2012, 00:24

Well, no wonder. DRS zones on the start/finish straight are useless.

by **AdrianSutil** » 11 Mar 2012, 00:28

Double DRS at Melbourne :roll:

Bit pointless if you ask me, the racing has been fine for the last few years. Where are the zones anyway? Pit straight and down to turn 3 I assume.

by **QuickYoda41** » 11 Mar 2012, 00:34

Pit straight and down to turn 13 I think.

by **mario** » 11 Mar 2012, 01:32

QuickYoda41 wrote:Pit straight and down to turn 13 I think.

Turn 13 wouldn't have struck me as an obvious place for a DRS zone - truth be told, I would have thought that one zone would have sufficed for the race given that normally there is a fair amount of passing anyway. I guess, though, that their logic is that Turn 3 is already a quite good potential passing place, so there is no need to try to try to promote passing at a place where it is already possible to pass without the DRS - plus, if you insist on a second zone that is not between Turns 2 and 3, I guess that there aren't that many other places where you could put another DRS zone.

by **David AGS** » 11 Mar 2012, 08:44

I will be there!

I think its going to be the usual groups on the grid, with possibly Lotus ahead of Ferrari. Catenham will still be the best 'new team' but a lot closer to the midfield. HRT should do more laps than 5 all weekend, unlike last year.

Weather for week: Fri 21, Sat 20, Sun cloudy 21. Possibility for rain on Sunday? Being a melbournian, I wouldnt bet on it. Its bound to change.

BTW, I think the extra DRS is a good Idea.

by **Ferrim** » 11 Mar 2012, 09:05

I believe Ferrari will be better than expected. Alonso at least will have the upper hand on the Mercedes and the Lotus.

I predict... well, this should go in the predicament predictions thread...

by **Peter** » 11 Mar 2012, 10:44

I hope Ferrari is playing the ultimate Trump card, and is sandbagging like crazy. Otherwise ,they are truly screwed in Melbourne. hopefully Fernando can throw that F12 into a top 3 position in qualifying.

by **AdrianSutil** » 11 Mar 2012, 18:59

I think Mercedes will be a dark horse for Melbourne. And all cars will qualify...

by **Ed24** » 11 Mar 2012, 21:35

It should be a great weekend! It's great to get another season started from what has been - at least for me - a very quick off-season. I'm looking forward to getting down to Melbourne and watching it unfold!

Peter wrote:I hope Ferrari is playing the ultimate Trump card, and is sandbagging like crazy. Otherwise ,they are truly screwed in Melbourne. hopefully Fernando can throw that F12 into a top 3 position in qualifying.

Qualifying won't be the problem for them, it'll be the race if you believe the testing stint analysis.

by **mario** » 12 Mar 2012, 00:32

AdrianSutil wrote:I think Mercedes will be a dark horse for Melbourne. And all cars will qualify...

In an interview for the BBC Hamilton also referred to Mercedes as a potential dark horse, since he felt that Mercedes had a very low key testing strategy this year that suggested they might have more pace up their sleeves. If there are mixed weather conditions in Melbourne, it might also play into the hands of Mercedes as they were one of the few teams to rack up some mileage in Barcelona when there was a rain shower - plus the W03 has looked like a pretty reliable car compared to the W02. There are also some interesting rumours that Mercedes have developed a front wing F-duct which can operate in conjunction with their DRS, so they might be more of a threat in qualifying.

What will have a greater influence on the championship is whether Mercedes can sustain or improve upon their form throughout the season - they pretty much held position last year for most of the season, and compared to McLaren and Red Bull they probably don't have quite the same level of resources.

As for qualifying, the fact that HRT and Marussia have at least been able to carry out a shakedown should help, and if they are able to rack up a reasonable amount of mileage in the practise sessions then they should probably have enough set up data to make it within the 107% limit. One change this season might make it a touch harder though - the performance difference between tyre compounds is supposed to be smaller this year, and Pirelli are bringing the soft and medium tyres to Australia (i.e. no gap in compound type). That means that the front runners should drop less time on the harder compounds in qualifying, so in theory it should be a little trickier to reach the threshold.
What might be more problematic could be simply getting to the finish - reliability could be an issue due to the lack of testing, so I wouldn't be surprised if either HRT or Marussia rack up at least one DNF, and perhaps a double DNF, due to mechanical problems.

On another note, the FIA have recently released a quick question and answer session with Charlie Whiting that reveals another subtle change in the regulations - the race stewards will be able to start investigating an on track incident without having to notify Whiting first.

Q: Race stewards will now be able to investigate an incident without first reporting it to the race director. Why is the system changing?
CW: In the past stewards might see something suspect and alert the race director. He would look at the incident and request the stewards investigate. It was a process that consumed a lot of time. If they identify something worth investigating, there’s nothing wrong with them taking a look and then giving the race director an opinion. It should make the process less cumbersome.

http://www.fia.com/en-GB/mediacentre/pr ... cw-qa.aspx

by **Ed24** » 12 Mar 2012, 18:14

I don't think the 2012 Mercedes is anything overly special to be honest, I think it's still stuck in the same no man's land as last year.

It seems to me to be the 2011 Ferrari of 2012 testing.

by **CoopsII** » 12 Mar 2012, 19:40

Im sorry, as a BBC viewer I cant discuss the GP until a few hours after the rest of you :lol:

by **AndreaModa** » 12 Mar 2012, 22:13

CoopsII wrote:Im sorry, as a BBC viewer I cant discuss the GP until a few hours after the rest of you

"AndreaModa likes this"

by **mario** » 13 Mar 2012, 00:00

Ed24 wrote:I don't think the 2012 Mercedes is anything overly special to be honest, I think it's still stuck in the same no man's land as last year.

It seems to me to be the 2011 Ferrari of 2012 testing.

Maybe, and maybe not - I guess that we will only find out once Melbourne rolls around.

You would expect Mercedes to have partially closed the gap though, since some of the rule changes - such as the changes in exhaust placement - should have set them back to a lesser extent than their rivals. Whilst I think that Ross Brawn is perhaps a touch optimistic - he has suggested that the team have a car that should be competitive enough to fight for a win - I think that we might sometimes see the faster of the Mercedes drivers perhaps being in contention with the slower of the McLaren or Red Bull drivers.

by **dinizintheoven** » 13 Mar 2012, 01:21

And I will be avoiding this entire forum, and most of the internet, until I've seen the race a day late.

by **Peter** » 13 Mar 2012, 10:04

Ed24 wrote:I don't think the 2012 Mercedes is anything overly special to be honest, I think it's still stuck in the same no man's land as last year.

It seems to me to be the 2011 Ferrari of 2012 testing.

Well they have that F-duct, good tyre wear, and confident drivers, and the strategic genius Ross Brawn and Michael Schuamcher. They might surprise us in the first few races.

Website · by **Wizzie** » 13 Mar 2012, 20:18

Translation: Kovy to win in Australia

by **DanielPT** » 13 Mar 2012, 21:22

Wizzie wrote:Translation: Kovy to win in Australia

Red Bull to dominate. Followed close but not that close by McLaren with Ferrari third and Mercedes a lonely 4th. Now, where I've seen that before... :lol:

In truth I hope they are right!

by **Yannick** » 13 Mar 2012, 21:31

I guess there is no need to bother about F1 this year since most likely, RBR and McLaren will run away with the title hunt fairly early on and nobody else apart from Ferrari will have a serious chance at a Top 4 result. The pay drivers galore in midfield does not make me enthusiastic either but I have already said I'll be quitting the sport so these low expectations of the 2012 season will only help me with ending my motorsport habit.

by **Phoenix** » 13 Mar 2012, 22:03

I wouldn't be surprised if there are freakish results in this race since the rules have been shaken up quite a bit, but still, I think RBR will hold an advantage, followed by McLaren, and then a 3-way fight between Ferrari, Mercedes and Lotus. Both HRT and Marussia will struggle seriously to qualify, if they do make it. Caterham will fall short of the midfield but with a much reduced margin. Force India and Sauber might surprise.

by **AndreaModa** » 13 Mar 2012, 23:03

I'd just be happy with a few different teams on the podium every now and then, and a bit more attrition, but that might be a bit too greedy!

by **JeremyMcClean** » 14 Mar 2012, 03:58

AndreaModa wrote:I'd just be happy with a few different teams on the podium every now and then, and a bit more attrition, but that might be a bit too greedy!

Even if one team leaves the podium scene and another takes their place, I'll be happy enough.

by **CoopsII** » 14 Mar 2012, 04:06

I reckon Red Bull will do well in Oz prompting the majority of the press to write off the season as a white-wash. But I dont think it will be.

by **IdeFan** » 14 Mar 2012, 04:20

Yannick wrote:I guess there is no need to bother about F1 this year since most likely, RBR and McLaren will run away with the title hunt fairly early on and nobody else apart from Ferrari will have a serious chance at a Top 4 result. The pay drivers galore in midfield does not make me enthusiastic either but I have already said I'll be quitting the sport so these low expectations of the 2012 season will only help me with ending my motorsport habit.

Two team championship battles have produced many a great season, especially when one or both of the teams have evenly matched drivers, we've just got to hope that its not a situation like last year where RBR are out on their own. Even if its one team out on their own, you can still have a great intra-team battle, Vettel vs Webber doesn't look likely, but if we end up with McLaren out in front we could potentially see a great battle between Button and Hamilton. It can't be a three team five driver championship battle every season, and it doesn't need to be.

Given how we havn't had a single team stand out in pre season testing, I think its awfully pessimistic of you to write off the whole season before a single practice session has taken place. Beyond that, Melbourne is an odd track and sometimes throws up odd results, in 2007 Raikkonen looked untouchable yet the championship battle went down to the wire, similarly in 2008 Ferrari really struggled leaving Hamilton an easy win, yet they were back in front in Malaysia, in my mind you can't make any sort of call as to the balance of power until after we race on a more conventional track like Sepang.

by **Ferrim** » 14 Mar 2012, 07:05

If you want to enjoy the season you will do, if you don't you won't. You just need two drivers fighting for the championship to have a nice season, in fact that's the kind of season I enjoy the most: Hamilton vs. Massa, Alonso vs. Schumacher, Schumacher vs. Häkkinen. A season like 2010, when it was a matter of who would be the next one to mess up, it's not my cup of tea, although it was funny.

I would love 2012 to be a matter of Vettel vs. Hamilton. Vettel vs. Button wouldn't be bad either.

by **dr-baker** » 14 Mar 2012, 09:26

Ferrim wrote:I would love 2012 to be a matter of Vettel vs. Hamilton. Vettel vs. Button wouldn't be bad either.

Kovalainen vs. de Villota would be ideal but in the meantime, Button vs. Hamilton vs. Massa would do it for me (or any two from those three).

by **AdrianSutil** » 14 Mar 2012, 18:02

For me, I would love it to be Caterham v HRT v Marussia :lol:

But Hamilton v Alonso would be a great tussle.

by **East Londoner** » 15 Mar 2012, 06:34

There'll be a single detection point for DRS, at turn 14 :roll:

http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2012/03/14/double-drs-zones-single-detection-point-melbourne/

by **JeremyMcClean** » 15 Mar 2012, 06:54

East Londoner wrote:There'll be a single detection point for DRS, at turn 14

http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2012/03/14/double-drs-zones-single-detection-point-melbourne/

Seems rather silly doesn't it?

by **AdrianSutil** » 15 Mar 2012, 07:21

So it's like Canada then? Overtake in zone 1 and pull away in zone 2.

by **QuickYoda41** » 15 Mar 2012, 09:08

I personally like this solution. It's definitely better, than the overtake-and-back system from Abu Dhabi.

Also, we saw last year overtaking is not too easy here in start/finish straight (zone 1 now), not even with the help of DRS.

by **David AGS** » 15 Mar 2012, 19:39

Slightly off topic, but went to track today, and had the pleasure of my programme signed by the following: Hamilton, Button, di Resta, Hulkenberg, Grosjean, Ricciardo, Vergne, Pic, Glock, Petrov, Kovalainen, de la Rosa and Karthikeyan. Im happy with that.

Yes, did wait (sometimes hours) but I think there is no other place where you can get access to drivers without paddock passes or so.

So, A GREAT PLACE FOR THE RACE.

Website · by **Wizzie** » 15 Mar 2012, 20:12

Several bits of news filtering through Autosport in the last few hours. Firstly, HRT have requested and been granted a delay to FIA scrutineering for car 22 as it hasn't been assembled yet while Gary Paffett will be Force India's reserve driver as Jules Bianchi is off testing in Formula Renault land.

by **seleucid23** » 15 Mar 2012, 20:21

Kovaleinen's helmet design :lol:

Website · by **Wizzie** » 15 Mar 2012, 20:44

Detailed weather forecast for this weekend.

by **DanielPT** » 15 Mar 2012, 21:23

Wizzie wrote:Several bits of news filtering through Autosport in the last few hours. Firstly, HRT have requested and been granted a delay to FIA scrutineering for car 22 as it hasn't been assembled yet

That cannot be good... There is always much hope at HRT...

by **mario** » 15 Mar 2012, 22:16

David AGS wrote:Slightly off topic, but went to track today, and had the pleasure of my programme signed by the following: Hamilton, Button, di Resta, Hulkenberg, Grosjean, Ricciardo, Vergne, Pic, Glock, Petrov, Kovalainen, de la Rosa and Karthikeyan. Im happy with that.

Yes, did wait (sometimes hours) but I think there is no other place where you can get access to drivers without paddock passes or so.

So, A GREAT PLACE FOR THE RACE.

You've done well to get the signatures of half the grid - did you chat to any of those drivers as well?

DanielPT wrote:
Wizzie wrote:Several bits of news filtering through Autosport in the last few hours. Firstly, HRT have requested and been granted a delay to FIA scrutineering for car 22 as it hasn't been assembled yet

That cannot be good... There is always much hope at HRT...

That is not good at all - I do hope that it is only a temporary set back, because without that second car they won't be allowed to compete...

Speaking of scruitineering, one thing that has been examined is the rear wing that Mercedes have been using, which is thought to incorporate a sort of F-duct (although Autosport suggest that it operates on the main flap of the rear wing rather than on the front wing). Charlie Whiting has inspected the device and declared it legal on the basis that the system is passively operated, which means that other teams are now investigating their own alternative systems (including Red Bull). http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/98035

by **dr-baker** » 16 Mar 2012, 00:45

mario wrote:Speaking of scruitineering, one thing that has been examined is the rear wing that Mercedes have been using, which is thought to incorporate a sort of F-duct (although Autosport suggest that it operates on the main flap of the rear wing rather than on the front wing). Charlie Whiting has inspected the device and declared it legal on the basis that the system is passively operated, which means that other teams are now investigating their own alternative systems (including Red Bull). http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/98035

I can foresee this becoming banned by the end of the season...

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