mega melbourne
Melbourne certainly started off the formula one season with a bang... quite literally. The race saw 8 DNFS (well Senna was classified 16th and Maldonaldo 13th despite not finishing) , a McLaren 1-3, a RBR 2-4 and an epic last lap which saw Daniel Ricciardo score one point making it the first time that two aussies had scored points at the same AUS GP. So this weeks Fan Formula looks over a crazy race... expect some very varied answers on the topics!
Question 1
Williams appear to have come back strong with a great battle between
Maldonaldo but what did you make of the ‘midfield’ teams today battling against
the likes of Ferrari and Mercedes?
Maldonaldo but what did you make of the ‘midfield’ teams today battling against
the likes of Ferrari and Mercedes?
@TashaDragonfly: "I thought it was excellent! Its real racing with the whole pack, rather than just the teams that have the same price budget as you!"
@RichFiGray: "It was great to see the Williams competitive again! I think they really need that this year. The gap has been closed between mid field with ferrari and mercedes which makes it all the more exciting. Although the number of retirements on Sunday perhaps didn't give a true show of how strong teams are."
@Donz358: "It was great to see Williams back on track this weekend, particularly the Maldonaldo vs Alonso fight. Just a shame both cars were involved in crashes! I’m hoping Force India will also be a lot stronger this year as the VJM05 looks very aggressive. Exciting battles – whether it’s between the front runners or midfield teams – are what make this sport so thrilling!"
@RichFiGray: "It was great to see the Williams competitive again! I think they really need that this year. The gap has been closed between mid field with ferrari and mercedes which makes it all the more exciting. Although the number of retirements on Sunday perhaps didn't give a true show of how strong teams are."
@Donz358: "It was great to see Williams back on track this weekend, particularly the Maldonaldo vs Alonso fight. Just a shame both cars were involved in crashes! I’m hoping Force India will also be a lot stronger this year as the VJM05 looks very aggressive. Exciting battles – whether it’s between the front runners or midfield teams – are what make this sport so thrilling!"
question 2
What do you make of the move that lets back markers unlap themselves under the safety car, does it just prolong the safety car period or is it fairer on those that would be out of place due to lapped cars?
@ChrisJ_F1: "Any time wasted under the safety car isn't good in my opinion, so i'm not in favour of the unlapping rule. I also think it's unsafe to have unlapped cars drive past leaders which may be weaving to gain heat in their tyres."
@Iceladyy: "I think it's good to have that rule back; that way the re-start is more exciting as the drivers can really fight for positions."
@hedgeryhoops: "It's good in theory, but it does have it's own dangers, such as weaving cars warming up their tyres - imagine that in Monaco (although the stewards decide when they can overtake), and some say it's unfair that the back markers can be put back into position to challenge for a position, when it was clear beforehand that they were uncompetitive. However, it does make more straightforward, easier viewing by not having the lapped cars in the way. Like most things, it's imperfect."
@NigelBeechey: "I dont agree with this new rule. Why should they be allowed to 'catch up' falsely? The top drivers are more than capable of passing. Its a waste of race time and unnecessary."
@Iceladyy: "I think it's good to have that rule back; that way the re-start is more exciting as the drivers can really fight for positions."
@hedgeryhoops: "It's good in theory, but it does have it's own dangers, such as weaving cars warming up their tyres - imagine that in Monaco (although the stewards decide when they can overtake), and some say it's unfair that the back markers can be put back into position to challenge for a position, when it was clear beforehand that they were uncompetitive. However, it does make more straightforward, easier viewing by not having the lapped cars in the way. Like most things, it's imperfect."
@NigelBeechey: "I dont agree with this new rule. Why should they be allowed to 'catch up' falsely? The top drivers are more than capable of passing. Its a waste of race time and unnecessary."
question 3
If you watched via Sky what is your overall opinion of the new team and their coverage?
If you watched via BBC how did you find watching the highlights show rather than live coverage? Did it lack the excitement knowing that the race was already over?
If you watched via BBC how did you find watching the highlights show rather than live coverage? Did it lack the excitement knowing that the race was already over?
@thatAnnalass: "I completely understand where the new safety car rule's come from, but I don't see the point. These are supposedly the greatest drivers in the world and they need DRS to help them overtake? Why not show how well they can race and overtake the lapped cars on the restart?"
@NotOptaF1: "Sky. 1.67- There were 1.67m people that watched the Grand Prix live via streaming. Sneaky."
@rkid84: "promising start by sky, they will always give everything to cover the sport and over time it will improve, not sure on the skypad thing, doesnt need to be a separate feature. as for watching delayed action, i havent done so in 15 plus years and i wont start now!"
@jo_johnson63: "Having watched BBC and SKY at the weekend I have to say I prefer the BBC still. The coverage on Sky is quite boring with no banter and lots of pointless graphics.(If you've got up in the middle of the night to watch F1-you don't need to see a massive graphic of Alonso's head to know who he is).
The Skypod,whatever they call it-what is the point? I would much prefer to see an interview with someone or more track action. You can't beat the'three amigos'. If I didn't have Sky then, yes, the excitement would't be the same watching highlights but I will definately be wathing the Beeb when they go live at a race"
@NotOptaF1: "Sky. 1.67- There were 1.67m people that watched the Grand Prix live via streaming. Sneaky."
@rkid84: "promising start by sky, they will always give everything to cover the sport and over time it will improve, not sure on the skypad thing, doesnt need to be a separate feature. as for watching delayed action, i havent done so in 15 plus years and i wont start now!"
@jo_johnson63: "Having watched BBC and SKY at the weekend I have to say I prefer the BBC still. The coverage on Sky is quite boring with no banter and lots of pointless graphics.(If you've got up in the middle of the night to watch F1-you don't need to see a massive graphic of Alonso's head to know who he is).
The Skypod,whatever they call it-what is the point? I would much prefer to see an interview with someone or more track action. You can't beat the'three amigos'. If I didn't have Sky then, yes, the excitement would't be the same watching highlights but I will definately be wathing the Beeb when they go live at a race"
bonus
What was your favourite moment of the weekend?
@edd1969 : "Kimi "what are they showing me blue flags?"."
@MarussiaF1Will : "Wasn't shown on screen but Timo crossing the finish line in 14th, and him giving good feedback on the MR01 on team radio. So proud of everyone at Marussia after a difficult winter."
@EmTheEmu: "Vettel's pass on Rosberg at the beginning of the race. Just epic."
@MarussiaF1Will : "Wasn't shown on screen but Timo crossing the finish line in 14th, and him giving good feedback on the MR01 on team radio. So proud of everyone at Marussia after a difficult winter."
@EmTheEmu: "Vettel's pass on Rosberg at the beginning of the race. Just epic."