F1 2010 countdown

[Fat Tone]

Well I have to say the first race was a bit of an anti-climax.

Maybe if they required two pitstops?...

[VJ]

Yes... Was there actually any overtaking in real race conditions? (driving passed a stricken car is not really race conditions)

Of course, all the cars are more or less equal: they start with a full fuel tank, and basically need to come in when the tires are not good anymore. A team could decide to call a car in sooner if it would move it out of traffic, but that is the only freedom they have. But as a result, the cars are all more or less equal at the start.
In the past, refueling was introduced to increase overtaking: the aerodynamic developments made this more difficult, and refueling give the team more strategies to play with. But now we are seeing the reason why it was introduced in the first place: aerodynamics prevent overtaking even more now than back then.

I'm indifferent on whether refueling should be allowed or not, but I kind of liked seeing the strategies unfold. It may not be racing in the driver vs. driver sense, but provided some action, surprises and even mishaps. Hopefully, the teams were all just a bit conservative for the first race (e.g. due to the extreme track conditions), and things will improve.

(I've said it before, and I'll say it again: install sprinklers on the track, and give the teams simulates weather forecasts with chances of rain )


Jörg

[Fat Tone]

Watching the Ferrari team doing the conga down the pitlane with their fuel-hose is one of my all-time favourite moments from F1

Button was saying he was too conservative with his tyres. Hopefully things will be more exciting next time.

I have to say that the achievements of the new teams were amazing, particularly Lotus and Hormone Replacement Therapy

T.

[VJ]

Watching the Ferrari team doing the conga down the pitlane with their fuel-hose is one of my all-time favourite moments from F1

I missed that... While I did find a stream to watch it, it stopped a couple of times...

I have to say that the achievements of the new teams were amazing, particularly Lotus and Hormone Replacement Therapy

Not sure what you mean with the latter...
(edit: got it now! )

But I hope Lotus beats Virgin: I'd love for Branson to loose his own challenge to Fernandes:

http://www.planet-f1.com/news/3213/5774234

(can't find the video)

Jörg

[VJ]

Looks like Bernie isn't too happy with it either:

http://en.espnf1.com/f1/motorsport/story/11563.html?CMP=OTC-RSS

But I doubt much will change... looks like it could well be a boring season. Why doesn't the RedBull Air Race have more races?

Jörg

[Fat Tone]

I think the fundamental problem is that the competitors decide the rules. They have to vote unanimously. If something is going to negatively affect them they won't go for it.

I don't think the season will be a complete snore-fest, Bahrain was never particularly good anyway. But I do think they should introduce a mandatory two pitstops, preferably on the soft compound.

...and sprinklers.

[VJ]

I think the fundamental problem is that the competitors decide the rules. They have to vote unanimously. If something is going to negatively affect them they won't go for it.

I'm not sure: changes would affect anybody. If they could somehow pour it in a rule that the airflow behind the car must be clean; it would solve many problems I think. I read someone suggesting imposing a uniform rear wing; and then have less limitations on engines etc. He also doesn't know whether or not it is technically feasible, but it seems interesting to me.
But maybe there is some truth in a RedBull (not sure) teamboss comment: Alonso was faster than Vettel near the end, so that could have turned out to be interesting had it not been for Vettel's problem.

I don't think the season will be a complete snore-fest, Bahrain was never particularly good anyway. But I do think they should introduce a mandatory two pitstops, preferably on the soft compound.

...and sprinklers.

Introducing mandatory 2 pitstops is about the only thing they can do at this time. They could also play with the current rule that the top 10 must start on the tires they did their fastest lap on. But other than that there is not much room for them to make alterations.

[Taz]

If they could somehow pour it in a rule that the airflow behind the car must be clean

That's what's needed but unlikely to happen.

If the season continues in the same way then it looks like a two horse race between Ferrari and Red Bull, with most likely Vettel and Alonso leading their respective teams.

I think Mr Shumacher has found coming back to much harder than the anticipated

[VJ]

I'm not sure it is a 2 horse race just yet... I wouldn't rule out Hamilton (somehow, I give him more chance than button) and even Rosberg. Sutil was unlucky this time, but he could well be an outsider that creates for a surprise.

That being said: this is merely a mathematical race. For the drivers, it will mainly be decided by their qualifying positions and how lucky they are with circumstances on the track.

[Taz]

Well Button proved last season that if you get an early lead it's difficult for the rest to catch up.

McLaren have a downforce problem which may need more than a few wing tweaks to resolve, until they do fix it they'll loose points to the other teams which it's unlikely they can claw back.