2013 Rolex Australian Grand Prix

[phil1993]

2013 Rolex Australian Grand Prix
Round 1 of the 2013 FIA Formula One World Championship



Event timetable (local time)
Fri 15 March 2013
Practice 1 12:30 - 14:00
Practice 2 16:30 - 18:00
Sat 16 March 2013
Practice 3 14:00 - 15:00
Qualifying 17:00
Sun 17 March 2013
Race 17:00

Event timetable (GMT)
Fri 15 March 2013
Practice 1 01:30 - 03:00
Practice 2 05:30 - 07:00
Sat 16 March 2013
Practice 3 03:00 - 04:00
Qualifying 06:00
Sun 17 March 2013
Race 06:00

Past winners:
2012 - J. Button (McLaren)
2011 - S. Vettel (Red Bull)
2010 - J. Button (McLaren)
2009 - J. Button (Brawn)
2008 - L. Hamilton (McLaren)

Entry List:
http://www.fia.com/news/2013-fia-formul ... entry-list

Don't forget that you can enter the Predictions Competition
formel.php

A full Australian Grand Prixview and 2013 Season Preview will come next week.

[Ether]

Hahaha I'm the first to vote... And as a Hamilton fan with his "suspected to be" fast Mercedes car, I hope I'm not too overreacted voting him as the winner in the opening GP

[phil1993]

An interesting aside is that Marussia has yet to reach a deal with F~0~M, so if that's still the case next week they might be subjected to the TV blackout treatment.

[kals]

Who was the last team to receive a blackout from F~0~M during a race weekend? I vaguely remember Ferrari being given little to no air time during the 2011 British GP, despite Alonso winning the race.

[phil1993]

Who was the last team to receive a blackout from F~0~M during a race weekend? I vaguely remember Ferrari being given little to no air time during the 2011 British GP, despite Alonso winning the race.

I don't remember that at all. Was that to do with the blown diffuser controversy that weekend - admittedly I was away so I don't know much of that race!

Last team was probably Force India last year in Bahrain during FP3 and qualifying.

[tderias]

Alonso didn't get much TV at Silverstone, that I remember. But Massa's scrap with Schumacher was properly documented.

[kals]

Who was the last team to receive a blackout from F~0~M during a race weekend? I vaguely remember Ferrari being given little to no air time during the 2011 British GP, despite Alonso winning the race.

I don't remember that at all. Was that to do with the blown diffuser controversy that weekend - admittedly I was away so I don't know much of that race!

Last team was probably Force India last year in Bahrain during FP3 and qualifying.

Yes Force India, I remember that now.

And with regards to Ferrari yes you are right, it was about changes to the blown diffusers and engine mapping involving Red Bull (well Renault really) and McLaren.

@tderias - I think you're referring to Massa's scrap with Hamilton.

[donald29]

I think that was just because Alonso was so far up the road, all the interesting stuff was behind!

No idea whose going to win this one, it's great! The last two Australian Grands Prix have been a bit tame. Hoping for one of the chaotic Melbourne races of old!

[phil1993]

I've noticed a trend with Melbourne that to have a chaotic race you need an opening lap Safety Car. For some reason, this circuit opens up to a massive field spread at the end of the first lap.

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There's usually some fun events in the build-up; this year Daniel Ricciardo is being taught hip-hop moves by some dance company.

[cformula1]

Every years, there's always a story about the future of the Australian GP beyond the end of contract. However, the new Premier of Victoria, Denis Napthine, is keen for the Grand Prix to continue and is looking to start talks next weekend.
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/victor ... 6593870505

[iceman1]

Red Bull previews are not that useful really. Here's what Vettel had to say about the Grand Prix.

What's your favourite place in Melbourne?
I couldn't name only one place! I like the beach and Melbourne is a great place to be. There's a nice vibe to the city and the food in the restaurants is always good - I like the track there too.
What do you love most about Australia?
Australia is an amazing country - it's great that you can see animals you'd only otherwise see in zoos, such as kangaroos and koalas; and the nature they have there is impressive with the outback. It's such a shame that I
only get to see a small amount of the country - but each year I see a bit more, which I always enjoy. After testing it's good that now we finally get to go racing.

[phil1993]

Still just under a week to go but weather points towards a largely dry weekend. Temperatures cooling to low 20s, chance of a shower on Saturday.

I don't know about you guys, but yes 2010 was a cracking race, but Melbourne in the rain feels wrong

[tderias]

Yep. I'm not praying for rain neither. I'd like to see the real pace of the teams, and tell what the pecking order is, so a dry weekend would be perfect!

[phil1993]

Yep. I'm not praying for rain neither. I'd like to see the real pace of the teams, and tell what the pecking order is, so a dry weekend would be perfect!

Yeah but I don't think we'll get a proper order for a few races though. The 2012 race gave hints but not definitive. After all, the top 3 in the WDC last year started the first race from 6th, 12th and 18th.

First corner crash?

[donald29]

Gary Anderson just said he thinks Rosberg will win in Australia. Bold prediction!

Watching 1999 Australian Grand Prix on Sky. None of the drivers in it still racing today.