Australian Grand Prix 2013, Melbourne - Race 1/19

I wouldn't read to much into FP1/2/3 standings, Q3 is when it really matters. Even then the weather could play a big part in the outcome. We may not even get a clear understanding of who really has the fastest package this weekend.

McLaren do look to be in the situation Ferrari found themselves in last year though, Ferrari had Alonso to thank for some unbelievable results even when the car looked crap. I don't think Button or Perez can do what a Alonso or Hamilton can do with poor cars.
 
Something else... towards the end of last year Massa was really starting to square up to Alonso.

Judging by today he's still got that momentum from the end of last season where he was even out qualifying Alonso.

It might sound far fetched but it would be epic to see Massa getting the upper hand on his team mate :)
 
smr said:
Something else... towards the end of last year Massa was really starting to square up to Alonso.
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In the last six races. Alonso out-qualified Massa 4-2, with Massa twice failing to even make it into the final ten. In the races, Alonso managed to podium in every race, bar Japan where Kimi took him out. In every race he finished he beat Massa. Massa managed just two podiums in this time.

I hardly think that qualifies as "really starting to square up to Alonso" and is rather closer to "had a couple of good qualifying sessions".
 
If he wasn't held back, or moved back on purpose, he would have beaten Alonso a few times towards the end of last year. The raw results don't tell the story.

He would need to make a seriously impressive start the season for Ferrari to back him for the title though. Just being ahead wouldnt be enough, he would need to crush Alonso, and the only way I can see that happening is if Alonso is hit with an ungodly run of bad luck.
 
Mr Jack said:
In the last six races. Alonso out-qualified Massa 4-2, with Massa twice failing to even make it into the final ten. In the races, Alonso managed to podium in every race, bar Japan where Kimi took him out. In every race he finished he beat Massa. Massa managed just two podiums in this time.

I hardly think that qualifies as "really starting to square up to Alonso" and is rather closer to "had a couple of good qualifying sessions".
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He didn't finish ahead of Alonso because Alonso was still in the WDC, and about the only man apart from Vettel who was, so we can't really judge who was quickest in the last race/s as Massa was obviously told to move aside.

edit - beaten to it :)
 
smr said:
He didn't finish ahead of Alonso because Alonso was still in the WDC, and about the only man apart from Vettel who was, so we can't really judge who was quickest in the last race/s as Massa was obviously told to move aside.
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Well, that's a fair point, I guess. But I still see nothing to support your argument that Massa was matching up to Alonso yet alone surpassing him.
 
There were a few times he was clearly faster. In Texas he was faster in quali and the race but deliberately moved back. In Brazil he was ahead and slowed to let him past. There were others too where Massa was faster that I can't remember. Monza maybe? Someone else will remember.

For the final 1/3rd of the season Massa was generally faster than Alonso, but the results were manipulated by the team (and rightly so) to help Alonso as Massa wasn't in the title race.
 
Mr Jack said:
Well, that's a fair point, I guess. But I still see nothing to support your argument that Massa was matching up to Alonso yet alone surpassing him.
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Don't worry about it, most on here spent months and months slating Massa then he outqualified Alonso a couple of times and it meant Ferrari were holding him back and Alonso was not all that good :D

Massa did raise his game but Alonso was more than a match for it.
 
Just came in to say HELLO EVERYONE!! :)

Very glad that F1 is back, with the longer season last year though, its not felt as long a break as it normally does.

Started my new job this week, so bit tired and will watch qualy delayed tomorrow, will be here for the race live though, cannot wait!

Need to get my head round all the changes and movement between teams, guess I should hurry up and sort that out.

Hope everyone has had a good winter (if you can have such a thing) look forward to catching up with you all this weekend.

Oh and just so I know, rain dance or not? ;) :D
 
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