In reply to Advan046 :
I saw Hamilton's pit, while not quite needed, to cover Kimi's pit, since at the time, he was the main threat for the win. At the time, he was clear enough on Vettel to keep Vettel 3rd, and even was closing as Seb's tires wore out. Then the bad timing for the Haas cars.
I want the Haas team to change my tires!
I thought the coverage was good, even though there was a snafu with one of the practices being DVR'ed it was all available through the ESPN App. I just really missed the commentators, Hobbs always made me laugh and Matchett always had a great point of view as a engineer. The Skycast seem so serious.
trigun7469 said:Hobbs always made me laugh and Matchett always had a great point of view as a loud obnoxious Mechanic.
FTFY.
I am actually happier watching this poorly directed and formatted version of formula 1 because I am not forced to hear Matchett's incorrect in race diagnosis.
This is obviously my HARSH opinion....
bentwrench said:I want the Haas team to change my tires!
Haas is so nutty! 
ESPN needs to improve, a lot. It was almost unwatchable from my perspective. I kept hearing how great SKY covered F1, but honestly, I wasn't impressed. It seemed even less real information than NBC used to provide, and of course ESPN/ABC is pretty much inept at race coverage anyway. Let's hope they can get it squared away. I'm not ready to quit watching but I'm not exactly looking forward to it either. I think they thought they could just do whatever and all the F1 fans would love it simply because they put it on the air. What really is worrying though is that most countries do not have the entire race broadcast, most is pay per view. It won't be long before its that way here I don't think. Of course I'd probably pay not to see theirs anyway! 
The race itself was OK, but I hated Kimi didn't do better. He drove better than Vettel all weekend. Hopefully the cars race better on other tracks, they seem more aero sensitive this year. Oh, and it sucks to be a Williams fan these days...at least they look good. 
So about Haas.... Teams (officially Force India and McLaren, unofficially Renault) are complaining that Haas is too much like last year's Ferrari. Haas and F1 replies that it's all within the rules- that the parts they do buy from Ferrari pretty much define the probable aero design and concepts. So it makes sense that the Haas would look like a 2017 Ferrari.
The larger question that teams are raising is how Haas can be more competitive on a smaller budget than the rest of the field.
How about instead of complaining about Haas, accept that their model works, and copy them. Force India can team up with McLaren for both teams to benefit. Just like Toro Rosso can do the same with Red Bull (within the rule set instead of not).
F1 has been complaining about escalating costs for years, and when at team comes along with a solution within the rules that ends up competitive, they complain about it. What in the world?
We will ignore the "easy button" for a cheap solution to the lack of passing (use ground effects instead of all of those bits that each cost money and cost close racing).
In reply to alfadriver :
Personally, I'd prefer if they had an A team and a B team with the B team (one car only) using last year's car so they can train up and coming drivers. A fuller grid would be nice...
I am curious if Redbull will do well in the twilight race.
I have a suspicious feeling that Hamilton is going to try to lap up to 6th just to feel better about Australia.
How soon before McLaren gets a podium (or am I being optimistic)
markwemple said:How soon before McLaren gets a podium (or am I being optimistic)
Long time. The only reason Alonso kept fifth was because Australia passing trouble and broken Haas cars. He should have been tenth or so.
Streetwiseguy said:markwemple said:How soon before McLaren gets a podium (or am I being optimistic)
Long time. The only reason Alonso kept fifth was because Australia passing trouble and broken Haas cars. He should have been tenth or so.
Yes I just don't see them up that high yet. If there is a wet race then, as usual, anything can happen.
Alonso just must be happy to have good chances to finish races.
Advan046 said:Streetwiseguy said:markwemple said:How soon before McLaren gets a podium (or am I being optimistic)
Long time. The only reason Alonso kept fifth was because Australia passing trouble and broken Haas cars. He should have been tenth or so.
Yes I just don't see them up that high yet. If there is a wet race then, as usual, anything can happen.
Alonso just must be happy to have good chances to finish races.
It will be interesting to see what the updates they didn't take to Australia do to the car. They mentioned that McLaren was a little behind the other cars WRT package updates.
alfadriver said:So about Haas.... Teams (officially Force India and McLaren, unofficially Renault) are complaining that Haas is too much like last year's Ferrari. Haas and F1 replies that it's all within the rules- that the parts they do buy from Ferrari pretty much define the probable aero design and concepts. So it makes sense that the Haas would look like a 2017 Ferrari.
The larger question that teams are raising is how Haas can be more competitive on a smaller budget than the rest of the field.
How about instead of complaining about Haas, accept that their model works, and copy them. Force India can team up with McLaren for both teams to benefit. Just like Toro Rosso can do the same with Red Bull (within the rule set instead of not).
F1 has been complaining about escalating costs for years, and when at team comes along with a solution within the rules that ends up competitive, they complain about it. What in the world?
We will ignore the "easy button" for a cheap solution to the lack of passing (use ground effects instead of all of those bits that each cost money and cost close racing).
Spending caps.
If they can control all these other things, like how much time they use a computer, I'm pretty sure they can figure out a spending cap. And then open the regs back up.
Hamilton gets a 5 spot grid penalty for swapping gearboxes BBC Article
Says he barely made it to the finish in Melbourne
In reply to 06HHR :
So, he'll pull oit all the stops in Q3 and start 6th. That will be interesting. Wonder if Bottas can not crash in qualy and start ahead of his tram mate.
So, that has to be a new rule this year, isn't it? Last year you just got beaten up after you had used your yearly allotment, IIRC.
That was unexpected. Seems like ESPN might be listening to the fans. The entire qualifying session ran without commercials. I question if that really is sustainable, but I'm not complaining at this point. I know lots of folks here didn't like the NBC team, but I miss their banter a bit.
I think Lance Stroll needs to be careful, though. He seems to be complaining way too much about the car, bit of a prat in my opinion. Wonder how much of daddy's money is important to Williams vs. dealing with a driver knocking the car.......
-Rob
Both Toro Rosso out qualify the McLarens!
bruceman said:Both Toro Rosso out qualify the McLarens!
That's what I came here to say! Wonder how Alonso feels??
It's not the Honda, it's the new aero package. NOw, I wonder how in the world they found all that additional speed through the aero.
Honda did bring an updated engine as well.
wvumtnbkr said:Honda did bring an updated engine as well.
It's been just a matter of time before Honda gets it's act together. They are a company rich in racing heritage so the only surprise has been how long it has taken.
Feedyurhed said:wvumtnbkr said:Honda did bring an updated engine as well.
It's been just a matter of time before Honda gets it's act together. They are a company rich in racing heritage so the only surprise has been how long it has taken.
Oh, let's wait and see how many laps they survive...
Yeah, I bet McLaren are assuming that those positions will be theirs part way through the race.
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