Soldato
midnight until about 7ish
Australian Grand Prix 2013, Melbourne - Race 1/19
- Thread starter Duke
- Start date
Soldato
Well, even though the weather has been ***** and the BBQ I've been at has been a wash out, it's worked out fantastic for me. Now, I get to see both qualifying and the race on my single Sunday pass 
It has been crap weather here today though and I've no issues with them postponing. It's 9:45pm local time right now and it's still raining. Hell, you'd think you were in England right now!
It has been crap weather here today though and I've no issues with them postponing. It's 9:45pm local time right now and it's still raining. Hell, you'd think you were in England right now!
Soldato
To be fair, it wasn't just a bit of rain, it was a torrential downpour
Associate
Forgot about it, seems it's worked out though and I can watch it tonight 
Been to Albert Park a lot when growing up so it's one of my favourite tracks.
Been to Albert Park a lot when growing up so it's one of my favourite tracks.
Soldato
Glad I got up late.
Soldato
That's a good point. It's all about the money though isn't it.
Associate
Glad I Sky+'d it and didn't make the effort to get up, makes tonight a bit awkward though.
They did like a bit of Sub Focus this morning too!
They did like a bit of Sub Focus this morning too!
Well, even though the weather has been ***** and the BBQ I've been at has been a wash out, it's worked out fantastic for me. Now, I get to see both qualifying and the race on my single Sunday pass
It has been crap weather here today though and I've no issues with them postponing. It's 9:45pm local time right now and it's still raining. Hell, you'd think you were in England right now!
Those clouds had a silver lining for you! Should be a crammed day of racing tomorrow. Pics please
.The race time argument is a good point. They did the same with Malaysia and the first year it was later it was rained off (2009). Melbourne has been threatened with loosing its race unless it moves to a night race to make it a more sociable time in Europe.
The regulations now stipulate a 4 hour maximum race time from lights out, so it makes sense for them to schedule races so there is actually that 4 hours available. Sunset is less than 3 hours after the scheduled race start tomorrow.
Soldato
I agree, but I think the problem is the fact the cars are effectively in Parc Ferme as soon as they roll out for Q1. If Quali is wet and the race is expected to be dry (or vice versa) then it means that the cars will be hobbled for one of those sessions. Considering they're continually trying to make the sport safer it ends up being a farce where, like today, the cars can't run because of a couple of millimetre deep puddles.
IMO they should allow setup changes between quali and the race - only setup, so suspension, ride height etc. and no engine or mapping changes at all, and the teams should have access to more than 4 sets of wets too.
Soldato
Qualifying just started on BBC. Suzie is instantly more professional than Jake the clown.
Its really not that simple.
Soldato
I liked Jake.
He added humor and entertainment, Suzie seems a bit drab and dull.
kd
Should just get rid of parc ferme rules really, I fail to see what they add to the sport. .
Soldato
I don't see why not? Do you mean in terms of monitoring which changes have been made to the car?
I agree with this too. Since the introduction of multi-race engines and gearboxes it's not like they can swap parts in and out between sessions anymore.
Its not that simple because you can't just whack the ride height up 20mm and drive it in the rain.
F1 cars are designed to run as close to the ground as possible, its why there is such a strictly regulated minimum ride height. If you raise the ride height by 20mm all the aero stops working properly and the loose a massive chunk of down force.
When you run a Formula where 5mm is considered a massive setup change standing water is a massive problem. F1 cars do not function in the rain, its as simple as that.
F1 cars are designed to run as close to the ground as possible, its why there is such a strictly regulated minimum ride height. If you raise the ride height by 20mm all the aero stops working properly and the loose a massive chunk of down force.
When you run a Formula where 5mm is considered a massive setup change standing water is a massive problem. F1 cars do not function in the rain, its as simple as that.
Associate
BBC are showing qualifying highlights (Q2 & Q3) at 5.15am, hopefully they'll finish before the race starts on Sky at 6am, at least now I'll be able to get a good nights kip and see qually and the race.