2018 Australian Grand Prix - Melbourne, 22 -25 March

[foxmulder_ms]

I prefer a dry start for the season. I just want to see the pecking order.

[carisi2k]

For updated Melbourne weather information look here and nowhere else. It even has radar.

http://www.bom.gov.au/vic/forecasts/melbourne.shtml

[ENGINE TUNER]

Good point, Australia uses 22g/sec of fuel on average assuming a 105kg fuel load. This is out of a possible 27.77g/sec. Something fishy is going on if Mercedes can do the race averaging 18g/sec of fuel with the same output as others using 22g/sec. The advantage is still preposterous. In other words their efficiency comes from turning their engine down.

On an average 90 min. race that means they could spare 21,4kg of fuel or gain 7 to 8 tenths per lap ... that`s a little bit to much, don`t you think? I mean it could be doable but they`ll be way down on power (18g/22g=20% less so they could end with almost 100HP less ...)

Question: could they run an engine mapping with a leaner fuel mixture in some turns bearing in mind they are tyre limited and could not put the whole power on the ground?

That's the advantage Mercedes has with fuel efficiency, they can run their engines at the same power as their competitors for far longer, which means there's more power on tap, they just don't use it.

Mercedes wins in two ways, others have to use more fuel to match their power, so they under fuel their cars, gain from lower weight, with no sacrifice in relative power. Even with an overweight car you'll still be lighter than the others because you're carrying 7-12kg less fuel.

Why are you guys ignoring aero efficiency? Drag has just as much if not more influence on how much fuel these cars have and in the past high rake philosophy has been connected to high drag as well.

[JonoNic]

Living in Cape Town with the infamous reality of day zero for the city's water situation. So we are always looking for an accurate weather site. I found a Nordic site that is brilliant for weather predictions all over the world. https://www.yr.no/place/Australia/Victo ... _hour.html

Sent from my SM-A520F using Tapatalk

[FW17]

I prefer a dry start for the season. I just want to see the pecking order.

Pecking order does not change with rain, cars with most down force and engine power will be at the front

[Vasconia]

I prefer a dry start for the season. I just want to see the pecking order.

Pecking order does not change with rain, cars with most down force and engine power will be at the front

I guess RB sincerely think that they can be on the top. PU would play an slightly less important role so they could benefit from it.

[Ennis]

I prefer a dry start for the season. I just want to see the pecking order.

Pecking order does not change with rain, cars with most down force and engine power will be at the front

It can still shuffle things, dependent on the car. For example a few years ago Williams had a fairly solid performing car, but it was useless in the wet (which could have been part driver...).

The engine benefits become less pronounced. Getting the setup right can also shuffle the pack, as they're ultimately driving in conditions their car isn't always optimised for.

[iNtek]

I prefer a dry start for the season. I just want to see the pecking order.

Pecking order does not change with rain, cars with most down force and engine power will be at the front

The pecking order in general won't change, but for this race rain can be critical because it's a very tricky one in the rain. It will be a show from Hamilton & Verstappen who declassify the rest of the field....

[Godius]

I'm really looking forward to see a proper Hamilton v. Verstappen showdown if it is going to rain on Sunday.

[the EDGE]

I'm Sorry but I don't but into all this 'He's the best in the rain cr@p'

Was Jenson Button the best ever F1 wet weather driver when he won from the back of the filed at Montreal in 2011?

No, he just managed to switch the tyre on... that's all

[djones]

I'm Sorry but I don't but into all this 'He's the best in the rain cr@p'

Was Jenson Button the best ever F1 wet weather driver when he won from the back of the filed at Montreal in 2011?

No, he just managed to switch the tyre on... that's all

Not when its a one, or even two off.

But when they are consistently fast in the wet, in particular compared to their team mates, then you have to say they are actually just very good in the wet.

[iNtek]

Seen Max and Ham's performance over the last few years in the wet, you cannot argue that these two are a class above the rest. Max has shown incredible skill in the rain with the first lap in China where he just brakes way way later than the guys in front. And you can argue about his fresher tires in Brazil, but it was still an amazing display seen the ease which he did it with. Just more guts and better lines.

Other drivers just relax behind the safety car while Max is looking for different lines. And Hamilton....well...he is just a masterclass on itself in every condition.

[FrukostScones]

I'm really looking forward to see a proper Hamilton v. Verstappen showdown if it is going to rain on Sunday.

won't be raining on Sunday.

[Vasconia]

I prefer a dry start for the season. I just want to see the pecking order.

Pecking order does not change with rain, cars with most down force and engine power will be at the front

It can still shuffle things, dependent on the car. For example a few years ago Williams had a fairly solid performing car, but it was useless in the wet (which could have been part driver...).

The engine benefits become less pronounced. Getting the setup right can also shuffle the pack, as they're ultimately driving in conditions their car isn't always optimised for.

The car lacked downforce so it could explain why they peformed poorly. Anyway, Massa and Botas were not precisely top-class under the rain.

[TheGkbrk]

A bit off topic but does anyone know when the F1 TV service will be available?