F1/Australian GP

[RainMeister]

Yes, it's only practice, but the Toyota driven by Mika Salo finished with the 6th best overall time in Friday's practice sessions. His rookie teammate Alan McNish came in 16th, but ahead of Eddie Irvine in the Jag. Ferrari, using last year's chassis still dominated the sessions. Renault finished 10th (Trulli) and 15th (Button). Will Toyota repeat in qualifying, and will it have the durability to finish the race in the points? RM

[ 03-03-2002, 08:05 PM: Message edited by: RainMeister ]

[**DONOTDELETE**]

pretty good, i hope they can back it up in qual. and renault gains some spots.

[Ko_leos]

I take my words back on Toyota. I think they will do pretty well this year finishing in the top 7 teams. As for ferarri, I just finished watching qualifying, and they are simply dominating. They could probably win the season with the 2001 chassis....

[RainMeister]

The usual suspects topped qualifying. Trulli brought the Renault in 7th. The Jags were awful; how long before Ford pulls the plug on their so far disastrous F1 venture? Fisichella led the Honda contingent coming in 8th; is it the chassis or is the new engine still down on power? RM

Position/Driver Team Fastest Lap
1 Rubens Barrichello Ferrari 1m25.843
2 Michael Schumacher Ferrari 1m25.848
3 Ralf Schumacher Williams 1m26.279
4 David Coulthard McLaren 1m26.446
5 Kimi Raikkonen McLaren 1m27.161
6 Juan Pablo Montoya Williams 1m27.249
7 Jarno Trulli Renault 1m27.710
8 Giancarlo Fisichella Jordan 1m27.869
9 Felipe Massa Sauber 1m27.972
10 Nick Heidfeld Sauber 1m28.232
11 Jenson Button Renault 1m28.361
12 Olivier Panis BAR 1m28.381
13 Jacques Villeneuve BAR 1m28.657
14 Mika Salo Toyota 1m29.205
15 Heinz-Harald Frentzen Arrows 1m29.474
16 Allan McNish Toyota 1m29.636
17 Enrique Bernoldi Arrows 1m29.738
18 Mark Webber Minardi 1m30.086
19 Eddie Irvine Jaguar 1m30.113
20 Pedro de la Rosa Jaguar 1m30.192
21 Alex Yoong Minardi 1m31.504
22 Takuma Sato Jordan 1m53.351

[**DONOTDELETE**]

ahh i know...to bad to renault and button. Nice to see some new faces up there, but i wouldve like to have seen what sauber and some others that were taken out couldve been able to do...

[RainMeister]

http://www.motorsport.com/photos/f1/2002/auz/f1-2002-auz-tm-0533.jpg

A Jag, Minardi and a Toyota in the points in the same race?! How likely is that to occur in the next decade? Fortunately, M. Schumacher and Montoya kept the race from becoming a farce. RM

Pos Driver Nat Constructor Time
------------------------------------------------------------------
1. Michael Schumacher D Ferrari 1:35:36.792
2. Juan Pablo Montoya COL Williams-BMW +18.628
3. Kimi Raikkonen FIN McLaren-Mercedes +25.067
4. Eddie Irvine GB Jaguar -1 lap
5. Mark Webber AUS Minardi-European -2 laps
6. Mika Salo FIN Toyota -2 laps
7. Alex Yoong MY Minardi-European -3 laps
8. Pedro de la Rosa E Jaguar -5 laps

[thearabian]

that was quite a start

stupid Ralf, screwed everything up!

nice to see Jaguar, Minardi and Toyota in the points, hope thy enjoy it, if you catch my drift!

[diehardnissan]

Originally posted by RainMeister:
Yes, it's only practice, but the Toyota driven by Mika Salo finished with the 6th best overall time in Friday's practice sessions.<font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial[/img]He said that he was running with empty fuel tank:D
Anyway the moral is Bridgestone kick@#s Michelen
AMW & BMW were drifting all the way...
Does anyone saw how Schumy 'kill' Montoya ??
WOW...
Toyota is going to spend 300 billion euros (more than every one) in F1 in order to seduce young customers in Europe...
So did Renault...Renault manager said that the goal for Renault is to sell 4 million vehicles by the year 2010!!!!
Also who knows that Michael Schumacher was ex- Renaults driver ??
RUMORS say that BMW & FERRARI have the higher power engines with 850hp and TOYOTA the lowest power with 820hp images/icons/grin.gif

[**DONOTDELETE**]

Overall, I thought it was a good start to the season. Glad to see Minardi and Toyota scored points. Thumbs up to Toyota as well as a good drive for Mark Webber. Great pass by Mikey on Juan Pablo and just amazing to pull out that kind of a lead...typical Mikey though..ha ha..

Looking forward to the rest of the season!!

I change my mind on DC, he should be in the WRC!! images/icons/grin.gif images/icons/grin.gif

[RainMeister]

Originally posted by diehardnissan:
RUMORS say that BMW & FERRARI have the higher power engines with 850hp and TOYOTA the lowest power with 820hp images/icons/grin.gif <font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial[/img]One report from Adelaide stated that the Toyotas' were consistently fastest down the straights. Either they were running low downforce settings compared with the rest, or reports of their horsepower "disadvantage" are the wishful thoughts of the competition. RM

[**DONOTDELETE**]

Originally posted by RainMeister:
</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial[/img]quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial[/img]Originally posted by diehardnissan:
RUMORS say that BMW & FERRARI have the higher power engines with 850hp and TOYOTA the lowest power with 820hp images/icons/grin.gif <font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial[/img]One report from Adelaide stated that the Toyotas' were consistently fastest down the straights. Either they were running low downforce settings compared with the rest, or reports of their horsepower "disadvantage" are the wishful thoughts of the competition. RM</font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial[/img]even the commentators reported that rumors around the paddock was that Toyota's engine was actually quite powerful.

[**DONOTDELETE**]

i dont think toyota is lacking in horsepower, but they have a rookie in mcnish and sato is an average driver, but i expect good things by the end of the season. i would think that minardi would be the lowest of the bunch in hp using asiatech engines.

[Mav1178]

Originally posted by Nismo182:
i dont think toyota is lacking in horsepower, but they have a rookie in mcnish and sato is an average driver, but i expect good things by the end of the season. i would think that minardi would be the lowest of the bunch in hp using asiatech engines.<font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial[/img]But with McNish's experience in Le Mans and prototype racing with Audi, I'd hardly call him a "rookie".

-alex

[**DONOTDELETE**]

yea i was hesitant to call him a rookie, hes just a "rookie" to f1, i dont doubt his abilities.

[diehardnissan]

Originally posted by rfc:
</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial[/img]quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial[/img]Originally posted by RainMeister:
</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial[/img]quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial[/img]Originally posted by diehardnissan:
RUMORS say that BMW & FERRARI have the higher power engines with 850hp and TOYOTA the lowest power with 820hp images/icons/grin.gif <font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial[/img]One report from Adelaide stated that the Toyotas' were consistently fastest down the straights. Either they were running low downforce settings compared with the rest, or reports of their horsepower "disadvantage" are the wishful thoughts of the competition. RM</font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial[/img]even the commentators reported that rumors around the paddock was that Toyota's engine was actually quite powerful.</font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial[/img]I disagree....
No one of the Toyotas did a high speeding record or a fastest lap in the race...
Also Toyota did 2 pit stops in order to get fuel because they were running with empty tank for maximum speeds images/icons/grin.gif
Anyway time will tell images/icons/cool.gif

[**DONOTDELETE**]

I disagree....
No one of the Toyotas did a high speeding record or a fastest lap in the race...
Also Toyota did 2 pit stops in order to get fuel because they were running with empty tank for maximum speeds images/icons/grin.gif
Anyway time will tell images/icons/cool.gif [/QB][/QUOTE]

I was just merely stating that the commentators said that on the telecast. Whether it's true or not, only time will tell. One question though, are you saying that you have to have either the fastest lap to prove the power? I disagree. You can have the 870HP BMW in the minardi and you won't get the fastest lap guaranteed. My point is that there are many factors such as suspension set up, tire choices, gearing, aero package, and most importantly DRIVER choice. What your statement suggests is that for Toyota to show that they have HP in their engines, that they have to wrestle the top speed and the fast lap in the race which really is not the case at each race. Those two factors ARE indicators but not the only tell tale signs and are not absolute. images/icons/cool.gif

[RainMeister]

Originally posted by diehardnissan:
I disagree....
No one of the Toyotas did a high speeding record or a fastest lap in the race...
Also Toyota did 2 pit stops in order to get fuel because they were running with empty tank for maximum speeds images/icons/grin.gif
Anyway time will tell images/icons/cool.gif <font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial[/img]There are indeed many variables to achieving straightline speed, but Autosport had the following report on the Toyotas' following the qualifying session:

"Although wing settings differ between the constructors, the Williams-BMWs were renowned for the strength of their engines last year and regularly featured at the top of the speed trap figures. In Australia, however, Mika Salo recorded 193.43mph through the trap, while Williams men Ralf Schumacher and Juan Montoya recorded 192.99mph and 192.31mph respectively. And, to emphasis their strength, fourth quickest was Allan McNish on 191.94mph." RM

Autosport: "Toyota tops speed trap times" (http://www.autosport.com/newsitem.cfm?id=18109&series=5)

[diehardnissan]

O.K !!
You have passed the '2 pit stop issue'.
The big 3 did 1 pit stop.
Come on guys...the Toyotas were running empty fuel
for high speeding..
rfc i know what you mean.
In fact because of the aero-dynamics BMW's get high speeds but they can't break as the Ferraris.
But rules varies in every singe race.
Now lets wait for some more races to get a more conclusive idea about the new teams:D
Nice talking you all images/icons/smile.gif

[**DONOTDELETE**]

I can't believe they didn't red flag that race.

[**DONOTDELETE**]

me to but its over, on to the next round images/icons/grin.gif

[cjfast_1]

Yah, I can't believe that they didn't red flag that race either, o'well. But, what's the consensus here on the coverage? Did you guys (girls too) like the pre-race show? The F1-01, I guess they were trying to 'sell' F1, to the 'good ole' boys' with all the explanations.... I thought it was funny that the commentator (I don't remember the guy's name) was was asking the long time guys, "don't you think that F1 is too advanced, I mean there's like no passing".... "In NASCAR, those "good ole' boys" are passing left, right and center". Of course all it really is, is some jocking for position and f**king around till that last pass..... Woo hoo....NASCAR. Sorry for the negativity, but NASCAR really gets on my nerves..... images/icons/frown.gif

[**DONOTDELETE**]

To quote Brian Herta "Anybody can go down a striaght, its what you do inbetween them ,that makes you fast!!!!!!!!" striagt line speed is not as important as speed in the corners so just because they had the fastest trap speed doesnt meen they are fastest in a straight line they were probably running less down force for the race (its like what they do in CART on ovals and road courses run less down force so you have less drag and if somone keeps there qualifying setup they will only run good in traffic.THIS is true on road courses too because when you run a qualifying setup you want down force but since 95% of passing happens on the straight aways and into the braking zone teams will trim their cars for the race so theyll run slightly faster in a straight line and beat the guy into the turn where he cant reapass!!!!!!!)But in my personal opinion I like CART better than formula1 especailly with the rule changes in 2002!!!!!!More passing (most of the time but the rule changes should help that),much more competitive,because the teams are more equally matched!!!!!!!BUT stick with open wheel racing and sport car raing ,NASTYCAR is boring and there death traps DALE didnt have to die!!!!! (Bill simson was told by nastycar to quit bringing new safety equpment to the races because he was making NASCAR look bad and his seat belt wasn't installed properly by the team!!!!He also told NASTYCAR to not go with a such a rigid chassis in 1998 because to much of the impact forces were being transmitted to the driver and not being exsorbed by the front of the car!!!!!!!FORMULA 1 and CART RULE!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[**DONOTDELETE**]

oh yea!!! cart is gonna rule all this year...IMO images/icons/tongue.gif

[**DONOTDELETE**]

CART is definitley on the right track with Mr.Pook at the wheel!!!! Also with all the rule changes there should be lots of passing (because the teams are given way more fuel and are required to make stops by a certain point there fore eliminating the need for fuel economy runs).
Not to mention the teams are more equally matched in CART and dont fret about the engine rule change in 2003 becaus CART will adopt the new chassis co developed with the IRL(which I do not like ; think nascar in open wheel racing BORING!!!!!!!!)which will weigh like 1400lbs compared to 1550lbs now.Not only that but CART currently weighs all of its cars without the driver but in 2003 they will weigh them with the driver meaning total weight will be 1400(with out fuel). This may not sound like much but currently a CART car weighs 1550 lbs plus 150(on average)driver and 245 lbs of fuel(fuel weighs 7lbs for every gallon and cart cars hold 35 gallons of fuel so 7*35 =245lbs)so the total weight comes in at about 1,945lbs. After the new rule changes for next year the car will weigh 1400(including driver) plus 245lbs =1,645!!!! Remeber power to wieght ratio is vital to exeleration and braking so ; CART cars currently have a power to wieght ratio of 2.43lbs per horse power(1,945lbs used with 800hp engine ,cause of all the boost cutting theve been doing!!!).....But next year theyll have a power to wieght ratio of 2.2pounds per horse power using 1,645lbs divided by 750 hp(estimated at what theyll start out with. But in a year or so theyll have close to 800hpin which the power to rate ratio would drop to 2.0lbs per horse power)....Not only that but the teams will probably switch to a 7 speed gear box (what most lolas already use) because of the narrower power band so exeleration times should get better but top speed will most likely suffer.......Any way lets hope nissan comes to its senses and gets into cart (Which is the best AMERICAN race series PERIOD!!!)which wont be that hard considering there already in the IRL!!!!!!!!!!!