Round 9: Australia - Melbourne Grand Prix Circuit (10Jun17)

[jeromef1]

 
Sponsor this circuit for only $2.95 USD
 
[circuit_3][/circuit_3]
​

[ul]
[li]Qualifying starts at 7:30pm  (UK time) - followed by the race[/li]
[li]Session host is IbboPaul (subject to change)[/li]
[/ul]
​

Fact File: Driver of the Day at Monaco was Michemery, and easy decision, a totally dominant performance at the front, led from start to finish. ​

[ul]
[li]Michemery is the first driver this season to win back to back races, a feat that might not be matched by anyone else - given it's a shorter season and the competitiveness of the grid.[/li]
[li]Out of all the drivers who have scored points this season, DaveJaVu is on the biggest drought of point scoring races, having not scored points in his last 6 races. Will he break this run at the track he finished  5th in last season and it is the track he chose. [/li]
[li]The 5 Constructors teams in form in the last 5 races are Mercedes (67), Force India (62), McLaren (54), Manor (52), Toro Rosso (50).[/li]
[li]Out of the teams that have had 2 drivers throughout the season, Sauber (100%) and Force India (99%), are the only teams where more than 90% of the points have come from one driver from the team. [/li]
[li]McLaren are the only team who have gained more than 30 points from one race as a team (31). [/li]
[li]Mercedes win the prize for consistency, they have had 7 podiums as a team, 3 more than any other team - However they are the only team in the top 5 to not have one a race.[/li]
[/ul]

Pre Race Questions: 
[ul]
[li]Australia is one of the more well-liked tracks, who's going to be the surprise of the race?[/li]
[li]F1Racer, Rikkurich, Yhyy123 and GaryDonegon are the rookies this season, they have all scored points in at least 3 of the races so far. What have you thought of them so far? [/li]
[li]The Constructors championship is starting to hot up, 56 points separates the top 6. Which are the teams to look out for? Any teams that have surprised you so far (In a good way or a bad way)? [/li]
[/ul]
​

 ​

 

[Klayyyyyy]

Pole time?

 

[ne-yo1993]

Last Season pole time was a 1;25,0. One-shot quali.

 

[Smithy]

[font=Verdana, sans-serif]Just going to say, whilst doing the Fact File, i was very impressed by Mercedes consistency so far, i know both drivers are very capable, but to nearly average a podium every race amongst this grid is phenomenal even when the 2 drivers are Killer and Liam - Well done Lads .[/font]

[font=Verdana, sans-serif]Australia is one of the more well-liked tracks, who's going to be the surprise of the race?[/font]

[font=Verdana, sans-serif]I think DaveJaVu will definitely be a surprise this race, its the track he chose, he has done well at it before too. Also i think yhyy123 will do very well - just got a feeling xD[/font]

[font=Verdana, sans-serif]F1Racer, Rikkurich, Yhyy123 and GaryDonegon are the rookies this season, they have all scored points in at least 3 of the races so far. What have you thought of them so far?[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif] [/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]I've been very impressed, when i first joined the league last season i struggled at the start, i always got very nervous during wheel to wheel racing - Ive been lucky enough to battle all of these drivers at one point in a race so far, and they are very good wheel to wheel - Clean and fair, but not to fair, because that makes it easy . I'd say Rikkurich leads the pack at the moment, but Gary has shown very good pace at a lot of the tracks, even if he hasn't managed a result. [/font]

[font=Verdana, sans-serif]The Constructors championship is starting to hot up, 56 points separates the top 6. Which are the teams to look out for? Any teams that have surprised you so far (In a good way or a bad way)? [/font]

[font=Verdana, sans-serif]Williams have surprised me, at the start of the season they were definately one of the favourites for the title, but with Jume's early exit, MCR has struggled to hold the team up - With Jume now making his return D!!) it will be interesting to see how they can turn their season around. [/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]Force india have really impressed me, i won't beat around the bush, Michemery has done an amazing job so far, which has got Force india into a really good position, having been teammates with Fab10 before i know he has the motivation and the drive, im sure if he cant start picking up some points force india are ones to look out for. [/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]Lastly i'd say McLaren and Manor are two teams on a charge - Both teams have the potential to get high point scores every race if they can keep it together . [/font]

 

[Jume96]

The Fact File is awesome! Great job.

1. The surprise and the winner of the race will be xX_CanTerA_Xx.

2. I don't know enough about them. Rikkurich looks pretty fast.

3. Toro Rosso and Mercedes are the best teams in my opinion. In a bad way, Williams! A disaster of MCR 4 points in the last 6 races xDD

 

[KillerBlue195]

If me and Liam win constructors finishing 3rd and 6th in the drivers' standings with zero wins

 

[ne-yo1993]

1. I don't think there will be a big suprise. I can smell a Ferrari double podium finish, but that won't be a big suprise, right ? XD

2. It's good to have them here and it's fun to race with and against them. All 4 are great driver. Fast, clean & smart. Rikkurich can fight for podiums here and there, if not more. Yhyy and Gary are not too far behind. Haven't seen too much of F1Racer yet but looks like he's fast enough to score points. I had two quali moments with F1Racer when I was on a fast lap. At his first race in Austria and in Monaco but it's "normal" in monaco xD

3. I think THE suprise is Ferrari. No one was expecting us to fight for the title. We've lost some points in the last races but that can happen to every team. We will be back in normal shape at Australia #ForzaFerrari
It's the first time (since I joined prl) that there is a real fight for the constructors title. A nice change. We will see how mercedes will be under pressure

 

[Liamtsh96]

Thanks smithy. Its all the more satisfying when the grid is so competitive aswell.

Australia is one of the more well-liked tracks, who's going to be the surprise of the race?

I wouldn't say it would be a suprise but given the fact he's a rookie I would say Rikkurich. It looks like he's found his form and the past few races he's been really quick. Australia can be unpredictable aswell especially the weather so i could see people like racing, dave and Macca score some decent points.

F1Racer, Rikkurich, Yhyy123 and GaryDonegon are the rookies this season, they have all scored points in at least 3 of the races so far. What have you thought of them so far?

I think they've been great additions to prl. All are quick and clean racers which is what legue racing is about to me. Last race at Monaco I had f1racer behind me for the entire wet stint of the race and he didn't make one mistake and constantly put pressure on me which was impressive even though I could have done without it

The Constructors championship is starting to hot up, 56 points separates the top 6. Which are the teams to look out for? Any teams that have surprised you so far (In a good way or a bad way)?

Well my aim this season is to win the constructors again and there's some strong contenders. Toro Rosso and Ferarri are the ones who are really pushing hard but I also expect mclaren to cause an upset. Two great drivers who could easily take points away from the top teams each race and certainly challenge for the Crown.

 

[xdearagony92]

[ul]
[li]Australia is one of the more well-liked tracks, who's going to be the surprise of the race?[/li]
[li]So hard to tell with so many competitive drivers[/li]
[li]F1Racer, Rikkurich, Yhyy123 and GaryDonegon are the rookies this season, they have all scored points in at least 3 of the races so far. What have you thought of them so far? [/li]
[li]solid drivers all showed great pace and drive ability[/li]

[li]The Constructors championship is starting to hot up, 56 points separates the top 6. Which are the teams to look out for? Any teams that have surprised you so far (In a good way or a bad way)? [/li]
[li]allso very hard to call most teams are very competitive. if id have to point out a suprise id have to say my own team red bull id imagined we rack up more points but can only speak for myself on that part[/li]
[/ul]
​

[font=Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif] [/font]​

 

[light-e44]

1. Australia is one of the more well-liked tracks, who's going to be the surprise of the race?

Hard to say, now that Cantera and Jume are back, it's likely that they'll be at the front, but I don't think that would be a surprise I'm working for me to be the surprise of the race.

2. F1Racer, Rikkurich, Yhyy123 and GaryDonegon are the rookies this season, they have all scored points in at least 3 of the races so far. What have you thought of them so far?

Im very impressed of them all! Its not easy to be competetive in this strong league and driving clean and fair with this less amount of mistakes in the first season. They all have there place in this league and I'm happy that they're here. If I had to chose the best of them, it would be Rikkurich, but that's just a snapshot, it can change every race.

3. The Constructors championship is starting to hot up, 56 points separates the top 6. Which are the teams to look out for? Any teams that have surprised you so far (In a good way or a bad way)?

It will be hard to challenge Mercedes for the title, but I think there will be a big fight for the second place with McLaren, Toro Rosso, Force India and maybe Ferrari
Williams surprised me at the beginning of the season with a great start from Mcr, also Sauber, great results. In a bad way Red Bull surprised me, thought they could do more.

 

[Macca]

Australia is one of the more well-liked tracks, who's going to be the surprise of the race?
No one

F1Racer, Rikkurich, Yhyy123 and GaryDonegon are the rookies this season, they have all scored points in at least 3 of the races so far. What have you thought of them so far? 
They are all very clean and quick. Made very little mistakes for their rookie season which is impressive

The Constructors championship is starting to hot up, 56 points separates the top 6. Which are the teams to look out for? Any teams that have surprised you so far (In a good way or a bad way)?
No teams to look out for. No team has surprised in a good way in a bad way again no one in terms of on track, Williams, Renault, Toro Rosso looked all very strong however due to various off track issues it hasn't happen for them teams

 

[RacingAtHome]

Australia is one of the more well-liked tracks, who's going to be the surprise of the race?
Hopefully me on my 500th League Race. Would be a good way to celebrate that.

F1Racer, Rikkurich, Yhyy123 and GaryDonegon are the rookies this season, they have all scored points in at least 3 of the races so far. What have you thought of them so far?
To be honest, I've barely noticed them. Although that seems to be because it's mostly that I'm slower than them.

The Constructors championship is starting to hot up, 56 points separates the top 6. Which are the teams to look out for? Any teams that have surprised you so far (In a good way or a bad way)?
Wouldn't say 56 separating the top 6 is the world's closest but Mich has surprised me now.

 

[Pieter038]

1. I don't think anyone is going to surprise, Hope Carre and me can score some good points!

2. I think they are good drivers who make this league great, altho I realy haven't driven against them. My only races where I was were Spain where I finished P2 and Monaco..

3. It's unfortunate Carre and me can't race every weekend.. otherwhise we would have been up there..

3.

 

[F1racer09]

1: Australia is one of the more well-liked tracks, who's going to be the surprise of the race?
Looking back on last season's race, Dave Finished P5 with a great drive so I think he will be the 1 to watch this weekend.
2: F1Racer, Rikkurich, Yhyy123 and GaryDonegon are the rookies this season, they have all scored points in at least 3 of the races so far. What have you thought of them so far?
As a rookie, I've had my moments this season including 2 quali incidents with Neyo. SORRY ABOUT THAT!!!!!!!. And also my Palmer-esque moment in Spain which was embarrasing, but im up to speed now.But enough about me, my other 3 colleagues have been excellent so far. Rich has been Mr.Consistent this season and the standout rookie of us 4.Gary has hit the ground running and scored points in every race except Monaco last time out, no doubt he'll be back up there this weekend. And last but certainly not least yhyy has shown mature and skilful performances aswell this season from a driver who looks like he's here a long time now. So as a quartet I believe we've certainly got to grasps at an alarmingly quick pace to worry you "experienced" bunch.And also congrats to RAH (AKA:Rubens) on his 500th race tonight wish u best of luck .
3: The Constructors championship is starting to hot up, 56 points separates the top 6. Which are the teams to look out for? Any teams that have surprised you so far (In a good way or a bad way)?
Definitely TOTS so far is Manor imo. 2 rookies in Gary & Rich bringing home consistent double points finishes and also level with mclaren with 2 great drivers in smithy & light great performances so far.

 

[Yhyy123]

1. Because the quality of the field is going up all the time, it's hard to see anyone making a big surprise. Maybe some big names in the front will crash at the start, so that could be the surprise.

2. Rikkurich is really fast and I think could get a couple more podiums during rest of the season. Gary seems almost as quick and is fighting for good points every weekend, also very consistent. F1racer is also fighting for points every race. I think all are ahead of me in pure pace, but I think I'm a good race driver so hopefully that will earn me more points in the next races.

3.it's hard to say since I am a rookie, but maybe Toro Rosso should be even higher since they hsve two very fast drivers.

 

[KillerBlue195]

1. Hard to say because there's so many good drivers. I'm going to say f1racer09. He's already shown he's quick and I think he could produce a surprise result.

2. All of our rookies have done really well this season and surprised me. I'm expecting big things from all of them ok F1 2017

3. Mercedes should be doing better. I know we're leading but I had two poor races in Bahrain and Malaysia, wasn't able to race at Austria, crashed at Spain which cost me a podium and disconnected from Monaco. I think McLaren should be doing better as well

 

[RacingAtHome]

Frustrating. Nothing more to say.

 

[ne-yo1993]

My highlights :

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=RWjZhZ24zfM

 

[Jume96]

Short highlights

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=li9t0vPMo-k&t=22s

 

[Smithy]

Race: 3rd, a lucky/ unlucky race for me. Unlucky as the restarted qualifying allowed michemery to switch to the 1 stop strategy and he did in fact beat me as a result of it (he obviously had very good pace too, but I'm certain if he were on a 2 stop i would have beaten him) 
I definitely could have got 2nd but a mistake on lap 2 cost me about 7seconds. From then on it was a catch up race, whilst managing my tyres I managed to close the gap to f1racer, and was in his drs and closing him down. Then my DRS breaks... Thats twice this season! Absolute joke McLaren are . It allowed f1racer to maintain a 1second gap to me for 4laps or so instead of me closing in. 
Then entering the last few laps, I knew jume was going to catch us so i wanted to get a car in between me and him (f1racer). I nearly got f1racer at turn3 but he defended well, and jume being the opportunistic driver he is snuck past me round turn5 - I was so pissed off he had managed that move . 
Then it looked like I had to settle for 4th in a race I feel i definitely could have won with my strategy, but on the last corner jume got out of shape and I snuck through this time and claimed 3rd on the line. 

A good race I guess but I could have had more from it. Congrats to Mich and especially f1racer on his first podium.