WOOT! The Formula 1 season has officially started! And it’s all happening in the land downunder, mates! Yesterday was qualifying and it showed to be a promising season indeed.
Now I know of some people who couldn’t give a damn just because it’s a race that goes round and round for two hours and the champion can be crowned with less than a millisecond of difference. But that’s exactly what makes this a precision sport. You can’t just barge in and muscle your way into that podium. There must be some finesse and strategy to your driving. Of course it helps that you have a topnotch team and car to back up those skillzzz, case and point, Michael Schumacher and Kimi Raikkonen. I’m guessing Schumi’s the only person laymen know associated with F1 just like idiots can only make David Beckham references in football, beginning and ending with the movie title, Bend it like Beckham. Sad but true.
Now where to begin? Rules changes for a start. Before the F1 governing body decided to change it up a bit year after year, super teams like Ferrari used to hog the first and second place all the time, be it Constructor’s or Driver’s Championship. There was no way any one else could get in on the action until tire and engine rules were implemented. And now that Schumi has officially retired, this could prove to be a very interesting race.
Tires: It used to be Michelin and Bridgestone. FIA has switched to a single tire provider this year, though: Bridgestone. What’s the difference you ask? Well, some tires do better on a wet track and some just can’t handle the extra moisture. To even up the playing field, 14 sets of tires will be provided per driver on a raceday weekend.
Engine: Whatever engine you had from the 2006 Japanese Grand Prix will be used until the end of 2008 season. And you’ll only be penalized for engine change on the second day of a race weekend.
Now .. to the good stuff. This season, we will see new faces donning on new suits and driving new cars. Okay, just so we don’t bite off more than we can chew, let’s just hug it out with the people to watch out for.
Mclaren-Mercedes: Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton
Alonso signed up with Mclaren this year, leaving his Renault team behind. He takes over Kimi Raikkonen’s driving position as Kimi has also been signed on to Ferrari. Lewis Hamilton is a rookie but shouldn’t be counted out of the race just yet. He was signed with the McMerc development program at the young age of .. wait for it .. THIRTEEN, the youngest ever to have a contract with an F1 team. Now Hamilton, I know nothing about, but Alonso? Well, let’s just say that he annoys the hell out of me. He is such a smug bastard. And the only reason why he kept winning the way he did last season was because Kimi’s car kept blowing up and his wingman, Fisichella, game him room to maneuver around other top notch drivers. Alonso didn’t win, Kimi just lost.
Renault: Giancarlo Fisichella and Heikki Kovalainen
Finally, Fisi is out of Alonso’s shadow and ready to show the world what he can do. Kova, while from the juniors has already shown the stuff he’s made of by beating Michael Schumacher AND Sebastien Loeb (WRC driver) in the 2004 Race of Champions.
Ferrari: Felipe Massa and Kimi Raikkonen
Massa also needs this badly as to prove to the whole world that he is not just Michael Schumacher’s nanny. What can I say? He’s the typical underdog: ugly with talent. And then there’s Kimi. MY KIMI. This is his year. I truly believe that. He had a crap pit crew when he was at McMerc and his shite of a car kept breaking down. But in spite of that, he manages to podium and work his way from the back of the pack to the front through sheer driving ability. I heart Kimi.
AUSTRALIAN QUALIFYING RESULTS
TOP 10
1. Kimi Raikkonen, Ferrari, 1m 26.072s
2. Fernando Alonso, McLaren-Mercedes, 1m 26.493s
3. Nick Heidfeld, BMW, 1m 26.556s
4. Lewis Hamilton, McLaren-Mercedes, 1m 26.755s
5. Robert Kubica, BMW, 1m 27.347s
6. Giancarlo Fisichella, Renault, 1m 27.634s
7. Mark Webber, Red Bull-Renault, 1m 27.934s
8. Jarno Trulli, Toyota, 1m 28.404s
9. Ralf Schumacher, Toyota, 1m 28.692s
10. Takuma Sato, Super Aguri-Honda, 1m 28.871s
That’s it in a nutshell. Race day is at 10.
Lookie! *giggles* He’s intense.
Kimi at Ferrari. He’s on fire.
Everyone at the Abu Dahbi Festival.
It’s Massa (in the car), Kimi and Schumi, all at Ferrari. Schumi stays on as advisor.
The Ferrari motorhome. Cool, no?
LET’S GET IT OOOOON!
PS. Australian GP Qualifying Presscon
