Saturday, March 15, 2008
# posted by Rich @ 11:10 PM
2008 Formula 1 ING Australian Grand Prix: Pre-race
With the race due to start in about 5 hours, here is some useful things to look out for, and some predictions. The race is scheduled for 58 laps (307.574km/191.110 miles), and will start at 15.30 local time (0430 GMT, 2330 EST). The pit windows are 1-stop 29-34 laps; 2-stops 21-25, 35-43 laps; 3-stops 15-18, 29-33, 42-47 laps. Last year's winner was Kimi Raikkonen, who also set the fastest lap of the race (1:25.235). The lap record is held by Michael Schumacher (1:24.125).
Given the pace of the BMWs, it it likely that they are on a 3-stop strategy, and will be starting lighter than their nearest rivals. They will probably also be starting on the softer "option" tyre, but tyre wear will hamper them in the race and drop them down the order. I predict that most of the rest of the field will be on a 2-stop strategy. Ron Dennis spoke about trying to get the option tyres to last long enough, so it might be that teams will try and do two of their three stints on the option tyres, rather than just one stint due to the low grip nature of the track.
I predict Hamilton for the win, Kovalainen second, Massa third, Kubica 4th, Rosberg 5th, Heidfeld 6th, Trulli 7th, Vettel 8th (for the points paying positions). I also predict that there will be several off-track excursions during the course of the race, resulting in two safety car periods, and possibly a schemozzle into the first corner (because of poor starts from some midfield drivers due to the lack of traction control).
Ok, let's see how right I am about that - usually I get about 3/8 right...
Given the pace of the BMWs, it it likely that they are on a 3-stop strategy, and will be starting lighter than their nearest rivals. They will probably also be starting on the softer "option" tyre, but tyre wear will hamper them in the race and drop them down the order. I predict that most of the rest of the field will be on a 2-stop strategy. Ron Dennis spoke about trying to get the option tyres to last long enough, so it might be that teams will try and do two of their three stints on the option tyres, rather than just one stint due to the low grip nature of the track.
I predict Hamilton for the win, Kovalainen second, Massa third, Kubica 4th, Rosberg 5th, Heidfeld 6th, Trulli 7th, Vettel 8th (for the points paying positions). I also predict that there will be several off-track excursions during the course of the race, resulting in two safety car periods, and possibly a schemozzle into the first corner (because of poor starts from some midfield drivers due to the lack of traction control).
Ok, let's see how right I am about that - usually I get about 3/8 right...
Labels: Australia, Formula 1, Grand Prix
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