Official F1/Motorsport thread

[VR46]

Certainly is, cannot wait, though Moto GP last weekend did help tide me over.

We haven't got a fantasy F1 thing this year have we ? dawned on me earlier (not that I've taken part in the past)

[On The Edge of Insanity]

Could be interested in a Fantasy F1 if we get one going. I'm going out Friday night so I think I could be a little worse for the ware for watching the qualifying on Sat morning.

[The_G_Man]

I have been looking forward to this season for a while now, I am looking for a Maclaren revival and another title for Alonso. I am a big fan of Alonso's driving style.
Should be a great Maclaren /Ferrari battle this season hopefully.

On a side note. Is anyone else fed up of the media going on and on about lewis Hamilton yet? The media are putting too much pressure on the lad, to a point where it could affect his driving.

[VR46]

There is a video link on bbc website "Hamilton targets world title", so yes I've had enough of press talking him up and ITV haven't even started yet.

I managed to miss the original showing and repeat of that McLaren program that Alastair pointed out the other week doh.

Been ages since I got up early to watch a race

[Alastair]

I have it on DVD still from sun and haven't watched it. Been told it's poop so may not bother. More of a corporate McLaren piece was the opinion.

Can't wait till Sunday

[dcmk]

My money is on Massa this year for WDC .. heard here first

[On The Edge of Insanity]

Yeah, it was pretty much an advertisement, especially with both drivers always referring to their opportunity to work with 'Vodafone Mclaren Mercedes'. Was interesting seeing the footage of a younger Hamilton at the Autosport Young Drivers awards stood next to Gary Paffett because he's leapfrogged right past him into the Mclaren seat that Paffett probably thought for many years was going to be his.

Massa for the title is not a bad shout, depends how much he can make of his advantage over Raikonnen in the first part of the season. Once Raikonnen gets fully settled at the team I think he will be the quicker of the two. I think in the end Alonso is going to gain from the two Ferrari drivers taking points off one another and should make it three in a row.

[Richard.John]

History is against Nando though. Only two drivers since 1950 have ever won three titles in a row. MS and Fangio.

Of course if anyone can do it, it will be him but it will be difficult. If the Macca is fast and reliable, he has the ability to wear down his rivals with his relentless consistency, and, under the current points system, that is what you need to be champ. Nando is special so I expect a Mclaren turnaround, but it might take time.

Massa for the WDC? IMO, maybe but only if the Ferrari package is heads and shoulders above the rest. If the Ferrari is mighty, we will see an interesting team battle between the Finn and the Brazilian. Of course the same could be said of Nando who had a disappointing 2004 by his standards, but went onto blitz the field in the following two seasons so..............anything is possible given the right package.

[VR46]

Your right about consistency winning the title, finish second or third race-in-race-out and your in with a great shot of the WDC at the end of the year. Pleased Bernie is looking to change to scoring in 2008, there needs to be at least three points between first and second place imo.

Times for us UK residents

2007 FORMULA 1? ING Australian Grand Prix

Friday 16 March
(Thu) 23:00-(Fri) 00:30 Friday Practice 1
03:00-04:30 Friday Practice 2

Saturday 17 March
00:00-01:00 Saturday Practice
03:00 Qualifying

Sunday 18 March
03:00 Race

so be interesting to see the Practice times tomorrow morning, expect Ferrari to get off to a flyer this season ...

[Paulos G]

I agree about there being more of a points difference between 1st and 2nd.

Read on Teletext this morning that night races are being considered, possibly to be introduced as early as 2008.

[sharky_ob]

Nando - what a lovely, cosy little pet name.

Can't wait for the new season - I don't really care who wins the championship, I just want close racing.

[Richard.John]

Possible night races are causing a fuss due to the amount of power required to run the floodlights. I think it's just a gimmick in the end.

[adam_the_browndog]

we've put ?300 in total down for Massa to be the wdc.

1 day and some hours to go before Quali ...

i have the tape ready for sunday

[Richard.John]

Ouch. Good luck with your bet. In fact cancel that!! Alonso for the title!!!

[VR46]

Remember what I said about our friends in Red yesterday \o/ good start for Hamilton also, ITV must be wetting themselves

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/6457073.stm

Results of second free practice from Melbourne:

1. Felipe Massa (Brazil) Ferrari 1:27.353
2. Kimi Raikkonen (Finland) Ferrari 1:27.750
3. Lewis Hamilton (Britain) McLaren-Mercedes 1:27.829
4. Giancarlo Fisichella (Italy) Renault 1:27.941
5. Nick Heidfeld (Germany) BMW Sauber 1:27.970
6. Alexander Wurz (Austria) Williams-Toyota 1:27.981
7. Fernando Alonso (Spain) McLaren-Mercedes 1:28.040
8. Nico Rosberg (Germany) Williams-Toyota 1:28.055
9. Robert Kubica (Poland) BMW Sauber 1:28.281
10. David Coulthard (Britain) RedBull-Renault 1:28.495