2018 Australian Grand Prix - Melbourne, 22 -25 March

[gdanielwesley]

Alonso's lap time is *really* encouraging. He set that on the Super Softs (compared to everyone except the Ferraris ahead of him being on Hyper Softs). There's some pace in that car... when it works.

No hypersofts this race, they were on ultras.

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[dans79]

We know Hamilton was running strat mode 1 (they talked on the radio).

It's my understanding that they change that around from year to year though.

[Moose]

Uhh yes, but yeh, you know what I meant. There's a significant tyre difference in those lap times. The McLaren was also comparatively un set up, That time I believe was Alonso's 6th, including installation, in and out laps.

[Sevach]

We know Hamilton was running strat mode 1 (they talked on the radio).

It's my understanding that they change that around from year to year though.

Last year i think 1 was Q1/2 and 2 was Q3.

Higher numbers were race mode.

[GTO99]

When does FP1 start...or FP2?

[djos]

When does FP1 start?

Run and done, FP2 is next.

[GTO99]

K, when does that start?

[djos]

K, when does that start?

4pm Melbourne time

[dans79]

K, when does that start?

35 minutes from now!

[Hammerfist]

Surprising McLaren are in the top 10 given the exhaust issue. Even more surprising that they are ahead of Renault. And to top that off the Honda is only 1/100th of a second slower than Stoffel!

The Honda was running supersofts while Stoffel only ran the softs on his flyer. So looks like Mclaren is well clear of Honda at least, and will avoid uber embarrassment.

[aleshondas]

I think fp2 will show more clear picture. In fp1 you can hear only super detuned engine sound....

[dans79]

Max has car problems already, and this time it's not a Renault issue!

[PlatinumZealot]

We know Hamilton was running strat mode 1 (they talked on the radio).

It's my understanding that they change that around from year to year though.

Strat 6 is the most powerful and strat 1 is the fuel saving mode. So lots left in the tank.

[Moose]

Pecking looks like:

Mercedes
...
Red Bull / Ferrari
...
Renault / McLaren / Haas (?)
...
Williams / Force India / Toro Rosso
...
Sauber

I don't think I'd put Haas up there yet - only GUT seems to be able to get the car to do anything, and even then they only matched McLaren on SS when they were on US.

[Restomaniac]

The fact that Mercedes have not brought upgrades here is either foolish or shows ultimate confidence.