Thank you

[Sonic]

A few heartfelt thanks;

Pirelli - they've taken some flak, but the varying strategies produced some great on track action, and uncertainty in the result until the flag. Producing a tyre the FIA requested that hardly shows of the things they would like to advertise in their road products; endurance, efficiency etc, deserves credit. Thanks!

FIA - I shall bestow praise on them not once, but thrice. The DRS is golden (cue abuse). Secondly the movement of the activation line to half way rather than a third of the way down the straight made passing challenging, but possible. Finally, I wasn't in favour of P tyres, but they have chosen well.

My final thanks goes to the drivers. It's been a log time since I found myself wooping at the TV. Not just for the obvious passing moves from Lewis and Mark, but some seriously good race craft up and down the field. Vettel parking on the apex at the hairpin - masterstroke, Nico's spirited defence (with one arm tied behind his back), and countless others.

In short. What. A. Race.

[UltimateDanGTR]

Best thread I've seen in a while.

'Nuff said.

[Mark]

Yes. Interesting move on the DRS not using the entire straight. I'd like to see it as a standard length or based on some objective criteria but as the FIA is still learning here I'll let them off, for now.

[Brown, Jon Brow]

A few heartfelt thanks;

Pirelli - they've taken some flak, but the varying strategies produced some great on track action, and uncertainty in the result until the flag. Producing a tyre the FIA requested that hardly shows of the things they would like to advertise in their road products; endurance, efficiency etc, deserves credit. Thanks!

FIA - I shall bestow praise on them not once, but thrice. The DRS is golden (cue abuse). Secondly the movement of the activation line to half way rather than a third of the way down the straight made passing challenging, but possible. Finally, I wasn't in favour of P tyres, but they have chosen well.

My final thanks goes to the drivers. It's been a log time since I found myself wooping at the TV. Not just for the obvious passing moves from Lewis and Mark, but some seriously good race craft up and down the field. Vettel parking on the apex at the hairpin - masterstroke, Nico's spirited defence (with one arm tied behind his back), and countless others.

In short. What. A. Race.


{troll mode} It is just a farce! What type of race series has tyres that test the drivers skill and the team strategic knowhow? I mean who even decides that the race should be 56 laps? It's just a random number. This isn't racing, it's a lottery! {/troll mode}

I think todays Grand Prix was probably the best dry race I've seen since Japan 2005.

[Sleeper]

Couldnt agree more Sonic, absolutely brilliant race.


Yes. Interesting move on the DRS not using the entire straight. I'd like to see it as a standard length or based on some objective criteria but as the FIA is still learning here I'll let them off, for now.
I think it'll be best if the DRS zone is catered to the track. I think tracks with massive long streights that have proved they can offer good racing dont need it for the whole length, whereas places like Monaco, Valencia and Hungary probably do.

[Sonic]

Yes. Interesting move on the DRS not using the entire straight. I'd like to see it as a standard length or based on some objective criteria but as the FIA is still learning here I'll let them off, for now.

Actually I'm fully on board with the flexible interpretation. My feeling is, the FIA looked at the data Friday evening and realised the attacking car would be past before the braking point, so they tweaked it. Assuming DRS survives into 2012 I would have no problem with them re-assessing all the activation points on a race by race basis again as the cars characteristics will have changed by next year and they may need to adjust the length of the zone accordingly.

[Sonic]

{troll mode} It is just a farce! What type of race series has tyres that test the drivers skill and the team strategic knowhow? I mean who even decides that the race should be 56 laps? It's just a random number. This isn't racing, it's a lottery! {/troll mode}

I think todays Grand Prix was probably the best dry race I've seen since Japan 2005.

Is troll mode anything like 'smug mode'? Red dwarf reference.

[christophulus]

Agreed. Great race made possible by the FIA tweaking the rules once more. Looks like they might have found the sweet spot for once!

[djparky]

agreed= plenty of overtaking on the track-and the podium decided on the last lap. Well done to Pirrelli and the FIA- these rules might even make Abu Dhabi, Valencia, Barcelona and Monaco interesting this year.

[Mia 01]

Very good racing in the whole field today, no posititon was safe.

[steveaki13]

Agree as well, brilliant stuff.

People have and still are critizing Pirelli, but I always wanted to wait until the season started to make my opinion and not just rattle off some pre-F1 bias towards them.

I think the 3 races thus far have been great and while I know there is a chance of a few issues later in the season (i.e Canada), I am happy with Pirelli so far.

I have watched F1 for 20 years this year and have no problems with whats happening this season.

Roll on Turkey.

Oh and Thank You Sonic (For the Thread)

[Sonic]

Agree as well, brilliant stuff.

Oh and Thank You Sonic (For the Thread)

Mutual appreciation society :)

[wedge]

I think todays Grand Prix was probably the best dry race I've seen since Japan 2005.

Due to rain in quali.

Big test will be the next year or so when/if we get uniform strategies, as when we got refuelling in the 1990s and race-fuel-quali in the mid-2000s.

[aryan]

Big test will be the next year or so when/if we get uniform strategies

This is true, once everyone figures out the best strategy for each track, I think the current level of 'chaos' is going to subside. But...

I completely agree with this thread. Brilliant race, the best dry race since Suzuka 2005, and that was the result of rain in Quali.

Pirelli has been brilliant. My respect and appreciation for this company has grown tenfold since they stuck to their guns and produced tyres that were dangerous, marketing wise. I think they've shown that they are true racing company.

Also, the DRS is growing on me. Hats off to FIA for trying this radically new idea.

Also hats off to drivers. What race craft. To have so much overtaking and still finish with 23 drivers on the track... amazing!

[Hawkmoon]

Big test will be the next year or so when/if we get uniform strategies, as when we got refuelling in the 1990s and race-fuel-quali in the mid-2000s.

This will be the real test of these rules/tyres. There is reason for optimisim though. Webber was able to pass cars on the same tyres and pitstop strategy so it wasn't simply a case of those on a two-stopper getting rogered by those on a three-stopper.

[janneppi]

Well, pirelli could just mess with the tyres next year too.

[555-04Q2]

Now that brought back some fond memories of F1 gone by. Best race for the last 15 or so years, without a doubt :up:

They need to ditch the DRS system though, it is so gimmicky and pathetic I want to puke :s ick: Bring on Turkey :)