F1 2023: Australian GP - Melbourne (Apr 02)

[M5Rick]

It's a long gap to the Baku GP, but the four long weekends since Melbourne will be welcome by some drivers and their teams to lick their wounds especially Alpine who's both cars were written off requiring complete rebuilds with new tubs (chassis) after the worst happened to them in that Gasly and Ocon collided with each other then both ramming into an armco after the red flag re-start.
The four week gap to Baku is only due to the Chinese GP being cancelled midway due to covid concerns.
Ferrari is another team wanting to forget Melbourne after walking away with no points with luckless Leclerc tripping himself out on the first lap and Sainz losing out on any remaining points because of a time penalty, on top of that Leclerc's private address was somehow hacked and is now publicly known with people constantly ringing his front door bell which in all probability he has had disconnected now! At least he's had his stolen watch returned.
McLaren got some well needed points due to the chaos that befell other teams including Merc who lost one car with a PU failure.
With the very fast Baku circuit (highest top speed out of all on the straight) it looks like the blues will have the advantage again and the others can only kick themselves for failing in their pre season car preparations.

[M5Rick]

When Steiner sacked Mick S for destroying a Haas car in a smash when not racing which was being driven back to the pits in Japan '22 it cost Steiner $700k and Wolff then employed him as a reserve driver out of sympathy for the Schumacher clan.
https://www.gpfans.com/en/f1-news/10...-haas-f1-team/

[GuidoK]

Originally Posted by M5Rick

It's a long gap to the Baku GP,

...it sure is
Luckily Baku is my favorite circuit (ok, maybe after Spa of course)

[///M Power-Belgium]

Originally Posted by GuidoK

...it sure is
Luckily Baku is my favorite circuit (ok, maybe after Spa of course)

Last week SPA got visit from the FIA ..
They negotiated about a 2-3 year contract , but I heard It's looking good for SPA .
More information will follow in this 2023 season

[M5Rick]

Originally Posted by GuidoK

...it sure is
Luckily Baku is my favorite circuit (ok, maybe after Spa of course)

I am in danger of falling asleep in this long lull, there is no point of doing anything but coming on here for inspiration and drinking beer

[NickyC]

This four week break at the start of the season sucks!

Baku is one of my favorite tracks too, it’s a long wait!

[Roman]

Originally Posted by NickyC

This four week break at the start of the season sucks!

Baku is one of my favorite tracks too, it’s a long wait!

Three month off season.

Then three races in six weeks.

And to add insult to injury, four weeks between the third and fourth race.

Total BS!

[///M Power-Belgium]

Originally Posted by Roman

Three month off season.

Then three races in six weeks.

And to add insult to injury, four weeks between the third and fourth race.

Total BS!

Well mate .The Chinese GP (Shanghai) has been cancelled by the COVID threat .

[M5Rick]

Originally Posted by ///M Power-Belgium

Well mate .The Chinese GP (Shanghai) has been cancelled by the COVID threat .

Steiner head of Haas has actually said that Fia should NOT reduce the show for RB just because Wolff is moaning and complaining with using his powerful influence behind the scenes.
https://racingnews365.com/steiner-f1...nance-for-show

[///M Power-Belgium]

Originally Posted by M5Rick

I am in danger of falling asleep in this long lull, there is no point of doing anything but coming on here for inspiration and drinking beer

MAX has been nominated for the #Laureus23 World Sportsman of the Year 2022 for the second year running !

After winning it last year, he faces stiff competition this year from the likes of Kylian Mbappé, Lionel Messi, Mondo Duplantis, Steph Curry and Rafa Nadal.

[///M Power-Belgium]

[M5Rick]

Originally Posted by ///M Power-Belgium

I don't think Max will complaining about the break, it will recharge his batteries to be ready for that high speed Baku..and he's great at juggling the coloured balls ! 1

[M5Rick]

Originally Posted by ///M Power-Belgium

MAX has been nominated for the #Laureus23 World Sportsman of the Year 2022 for the second year running !

After winning it last year, he faces stiff competition this year from the likes of Kylian Mbappé, Lionel Messi, Mondo Duplantis, Steph Curry and Rafa Nadal.

Winning 15 races in a season kind of blows away the others in my book.

[M5Rick]

I hope you have your RB hat by now my friend, I've tried them all and the original Puma RBR one is the best made and most comfortable on my head..Jos stocks it in his shop.

[///M Power-Belgium]

Originally Posted by M5Rick

Winning 15 races in a season kind of blows away the others in my book.

Baku is the first 2023 race with a sprint race ... Interesting !

[M5Rick]

Originally Posted by ///M Power-Belgium

Baku is the first 2023 race with a sprint race ... Interesting !

In view of the potential for horrendously expensive crash damage within the reduced budget set by FIA, Christian H has said the sprint shouldn't have been chosen for this particular circuit where the risk is extremely high with the speed involved on the long straight.

[///M Power-Belgium]

Originally Posted by M5Rick

In view of the potential for horrendously expensive crash damage within the reduced budget set by FIA, Christian H has said the sprint shouldn't have been chosen for this particular circuit where the risk is extremely high with the speed involved on the long straight.

Spa-Francorchamps also has a sprint race

[M5Rick]

Originally Posted by ///M Power-Belgium

Spa-Francorchamps also has a sprint race

I know it won't bother Max that much but RBR still needs to watch out for the cars. Any damage will eat into their upgrade money and we know p os wolfy is wanting that to happen.

[Roman]

Originally Posted by ///M Power-Belgium

Well mate .The Chinese GP (Shanghai) has been cancelled by the COVID threat .

That fact remains that 4 races in 10 weeks is cruel and unusual punishment.

[///M Power-Belgium]

Originally Posted by M5Rick

I know it won't bother Max that much but RBR still needs to watch out for the cars. Any damage will eat into their upgrade money and we know p os wolfy is wanting that to happen.

Wolff should look under his PU covers to his flame throwing ticking time bombs..

Could happen again at any time !

[M5Rick]

Originally Posted by ///M Power-Belgium

Wolff should look under his PU covers to his flame throwing ticking time bombs..

Could happen again at any time !

Yeah to preserve those PU's he can't have 'Russel settings' all the time lol
Indeed if Merc goes through PU's a lot to get near Max then it will eat into their budget and I wonder who has taken over Rao's job who is checking on teams' spending and handling Mercs spending account, wolfy knows a lot of people behind the scenes.

[M5Rick]

Found this interesting article by ex Indycar driver James Hinchcliffe on who made the list at Melbourne,Hinch's heroes.
https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/a...38nuZx5Tu.html