Q: ALO (wild card, it could happen if its wet) HAM VET R: HAM VET VER If there's rain its going to be a total crap shoot.
Q: 1. M. Schumacher 2. J Fangio 3. A. Senna R: 1. M. Schumacher 2. A. Senna 3. J Fangio ...wait, what year is it? Oh nevermind.
Australian GP: Melbourne gets third DRS zone for 2018 F1 opener. The new zone will begin on the exit of that Turn 11-12 complex, potentially allowing drivers to drag past rivals on the run to the tight right at Turn 13. The main reason for this extra zone is to help drivers get closer to the car in front heading to the original DRS detection point that follows before Turn 14, which leads into the final two corners. https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/134931/australian-gp-track-gets-third-drs-zone
teams doing a track walk.... Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
Update to weather. OK for practice, wet qualy and hopefully a dry race it seems - https://weather.com/weather/weekend/l/ASXX0075:1:AS
Ferrari F1 engine set for 10bhp step Ferrari is understood to have made a 10bhp gain with its 2018 Formula 1 engine, despite the increased reliability demands needed for this season. With drivers limited to just three power units for the 21-race campaign, manufacturers have had to work hard on improving durability and beefing up components to ensure they can last seven full grands prix. Ferrari had set an original minimum target of matching its 2017 power for the start of this season, but insiders have suggested that it managed to eke out some actual gains for its Melbourne specification 062EVO. Under the guidance of engine technical chief Corrado Iotti, a specific effort was made to lift performance at slow and medium speeds, where there was greater potential for laptime benefit. A number of changes have been made, starting with the turbocharger system that is now lighter. It is said to deliver a greater boost with a shorter response time and with a more efficient way of charging the MGU-H. With the reduction in engine usage this year, another focus has been on ensuring that the second specification power unit delivers a decent performance step, and can properly allow the team to take the fight to Mercedes. Ferrari is eager to see how the current power unit stacks up against the new Mercedes specification, especially in terms of qualifying modes that decide the grid. One issue of concern to the team, however, is the fact that the increased weight of 2018 cars, allied to more full-throttle time over a race lap this year, will lead to an increase in fuel consumption – something that could hold it back at tracks like Melbourne. https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/f...-step-1016845/
Image Unavailable, Please Login Season not started yet but appears Vettel has had his first accident of the season
Red Bull sets 0.5s gap target for F1-opening Australian Grand Prix Red Bull believes a 0.5-second deficit to favourite Mercedes at the Australian Grand Prix will be enough for it to be in the hunt in the 2018 Formula 1 season. While Red Bull is optimistic about driver line-up Daniel Ricciardo and Max Verstappen and the progress it has made with its chassis, it remains uncertain about how engine supplier Renault stacks up against Mercedes. But on the eve of the season-opening Australian GP, Red Bull owner Dietrich Mateschitz suggested being close enough to Mercedes in Melbourne will show his team has hit its winter targets. "We do not know exactly what Mercedes did so far and how big their advantage will be, but if we are 0.5s behind we can match them with our chassis and drivers," he told Autosport. "If we are one second behind, the gap will be too big to fight for wins. "Overall I guess Ferrari and Red Bull got closer to Mercedes." https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/134938/red-bull-sets-05s-target-for-australian-gp
Full F1 TV Pro launch delayed, limited beta test planned for first race of 2018 https://www.racefans.net/2018/03/21/f1-tv-pro-launch-delayed-beta-test-2018/ So much for the new streaming service from day one, bummer.
The good news continues - Mercedes plans to have its most powerful "party" mode qualifying setting yet in 2018, despite the need for Formula 1 engines to last longer. F1 engine manufacturers have spent the winter focusing on improved reliability now that the number of power units each driver is allowed for the year has been reduced to three. But Mercedes is adamant it wants to hit new power peaks rather than compromising performance for the new rules, with Lewis Hamilton suggesting he cannot wait to unleash Mercedes' qualifying maps - which he has nicknamed "party mode" - in Melbourne for the first time. https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/134942/mercedes-party-mode-more-powerful-for-2018
