F1 2024

[Dirty Epic]

Fully agree with you Gene about Leclerc and Sainz, I think Carlos has been Ferrari's better driver over at least the last season or so maybe two and anyone after a top driver in 2025 should surely have him on his radar.

As you said a snooze fest but have enjoyed the action apart from the 1/2 some half decent battles in the Ferrari/Merc/McLaren/Aston (Alonso) group maybe that's how to watch the season this year and Hulkenberg's doing fairly well with a dog (but improving) team like Haas not bad for a ignored jouneyman driver!

[Batgirl]

At last it's finally here ! Melbourne F1 GP !

I am going to Practice Day tomorrow (Friday). Apparently Thursday Fan Day was huge. Having 2 Aussies in the race this year is making our media and fans go crazy with joy. Maybe Piastri might have a chance at a podium. I don't hold any hopes for Daniel Ricciardo and a podium but if he finishes the race and gets a few points that's a win for him.

The gates open at 8.30am and the race will really be on for fans rushing to the Melbourne Walk area to get a fence position where the drivers and crew walk in. As Piastri, Ricciardo, Norris, Tsunoda, Bottas, Guanyu and Fernando Alonso are all scheduled for morning appearances before 11.30am on the fan forum stage for interviews they will have to arrive early so good opportunities for photos for some.

I will have a look at the interviews rather than try for a selfie, though sure if Dan Ricciardo walks by me I'd be tempted to ask.

Practice 1 is 12.30-1.30

Practice 2 is at 4-5pm

The fan day can't be taken seriously. This made me laugh.

[Dirty Epic]

Nice one BG hope you enjoy practice.

Here's hoping Piastri and Ricciardo come good too, like both of them.

[Gene Hunt]

Excellent. Have a great day BG - I'm sure you will.
Look forward to seeing the photos 

Gene.

[Steve Austin]

Have a great time BG, I'll be watching on the telly here in Blighty 

[Batgirl]

I thoroughly enjoyed Practice 1 and 2 on Friday. I have posted a few pics to my insta account as two posts. Hopefully the links will work below.

I was in the Brabham grandstand, section H (near the end of the stand), Row U (which is the second last row not under cover). Full sun in the late afternoon though.

It is a great position because you get to see Turn 1 and Turn 2. The morning session had some real surprises with Alex Albon losing it at Turn 6 then hitting the wall on the other side!

Of course now we have learned this morning that Williams did not bring a spare chassis to Australia so Logan Sargeant has to step aside from driving so their primary driver, Alex Albon can drive in Practice 3, Qualifying and the race. On the fan stage on Friday they were messing about having Logan, Ricciardo and Tsonada ice cup cakes for Alex's birthday. Alex Albon jumped into the crowd to supposedly smash a cup cake into a big head picture of himself but he put it into the picture's owner's face instead. Quite funny really but I bet Logan Sargeant wishes he'd pushed a cupcake into Albon's face now he has lost his drive!

I think it is a bit rough. It is so early in the year to insist that their primary driver races. I know Logan has had no success and Williams wants points. Pressure is definitely on Albon to deliver points.

There were quite a few drivers losing it (but recovering) yesterday. The track mustn't have good grip yet. Verstappen, Hamilton, Bottas and Alonso all needed floor checks after finding the gravel at times.

Watching the practices live gives a different impression than watching all the detail on tv. I really felt that Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri looked fast and smooth while practising yesterday so I predict good points for them both.

The pics of lots of people walking across the lake path are people heading to the hill area that is often shown on tv. It is a large general admission ticket spot (so all can go there) with the view of the lake, palm trees (who knows why Melbourne planted these years ago!) and the race. I tended to stay within the centre area around my grandstand (interior of track) as that has the fan main stage, Melbourne walk and the usual amenities. They have practically doubled the amount of food trucks, bars etc. this year which is good as 124,000 people need to eat and drink. The exterior of the track has its own facilties and the main souvenir team stands. Wow a hoodie with Oscar Piastri's no. and team on it costs AUD$180-. ! It looked excellent quality but Oscar might move teams ! (I am sure plenty of Mercedes team fans will have to buy Ferrari merchandise next year!) I bought a program for $20- instead, great value as 185 pages of pictures and information.

I liked seeing the F1 Championship trophy. I didn't realise that they put the signatures of the drivers with the year they won. It is really impressive looking. A security guard was standing next to it all day.

Top results in Practice One:

1.Norris

2. Verstappen

3. Russell

4. Leclerc

5. Tsonada

6. Perez

7. Stroll

8. Sainz

9. Hamlton

10. Piastri

Results in Practice Two:

1. Leclerc

2. Verstappen

3. Sainz

4. Stroll

5. Alonso

6. Russell

7. Piastri

8. Perez

9. Norris

10. Tsonada

https://www.instagram.com/p/C41vKrmvOi3

https://www.instagram.com/p/C41wjdHPm2N

[Gene Hunt]

Great pics Batgirl 
That looks like a great spot to see the cars. Weather looks good too 

Gene.

[Batgirl]

Melbourne FP3 highlights

[Batgirl]

Qualifying Saturday ! Don't read if you haven't watched it yet!

Pos No        Driver                      Car                                          Q1           Q2          Q3
1     1         Max Verstappen   Red Bull Racing Honda RBPT    1:16.819     1:16.387     1:15.915
2    55        Carlos Sainz        Ferrari                                    1:16.731     1:16.189     1:16.185

3      4        Lando Norris       McLaren Mercedes                    1:17.430     1:16.750     1:16.315

4    16        Charles Leclerc     Ferrari                                    1:16.984     1:16.304     1:16.435

5    81        Oscar Piastri        McLaren Mercedes                    1:17.369     1:16.601     1:16.572

6    11        Sergio Perez        Red Bull Racing Honda RBPT      1:16.805     1:16.631    1:16.274

7    63        George Russell     Mercedes                                 1:17.062     1:16.901     1:16.724
8    22        Yuki Tsunoda        RB Honda RBPT                        1:17.356     1:16.791     1:16.788
9    18        Lance Stroll          Aston Martin Aramco Mercedes  1:17.376     1:16.780     1:17.072
10  14        Fernando Alonso   Aston Martin Aramco Mercedes   1:16.991    1:16.710     1:17.552
11  44        Lewis Hamilton     Mercedes                                  1:17.499    1:16.960
12  23        Alexander Albon   Williams Mercedes                     1:17.130    1:17.167 

13  77        Valtteri Bottas      Kick Sauber Ferrari                    1:17.543    1:17.340
14  20        Kevin Magnussen Haas Ferrari                               1:17.709    1:17.427
15  31        Esteban Ocon      Alpine Renault                            1:17.617    1:17.697
16  27        Nico Hulkenberg  Haas Ferrari                               1:17.976
17  10        Pierre Gasly        Alpine Renault                            1:17.982
18   3         Daniel Ricciardo  RB Honda RBPT                          1:18.085
19   24       Zhou Guanyu      Kick Sauber Ferrari                     1:18.188

Logan Sargeant not competing of course due to the news that Alex Albon will be taking his car as Albon crashed his car beyond repair for the race.

Sergio Perez qualified 3rd but was given a 3 place penalty due to impeding Hulkenberg's fast lap so Norris, Leclerc and Piastri have benefited with a better grid position.

Very unfortunate that Ricciardo exceeded track limits as his lap was on its way to a better position. (When I say 'unfortunate' it is unfortunate for the Aussie fans. Ricciardo is a better driver than that. He seems to always make mistakes when driving at the Melbourne GP).

Verstappen got pole easily. I have a bad feeling that the results of the race will mirror qualifying. Come on Ferrari and McLaren! Give Red Bull a shock.

The race today is 4pm Melbourne time. This always seems a bit late to me, as shadows tend to fall across the track after 5pm.

Race goers are not allowed to run onto the track after the race because of the shambles last year when some people entered the track before the cars had finished. Of course last year's race was a mess with 3 red flags and finishing behind a safety car.

I think this is a ridiculous over policing decision. Surely an announcement could be made on audio at the track and on the video screens around the track when it is deemed safe to enter the track.

Despite this let's hope for a good exciting race !

[Batgirl]

Oops the race starts at 3pm here not 4pm !