82 replies to this topic

[Paul_S]

2011 FIA Formula One World Championship Race Calendar

• 25 - 27 Mar - FORMULA 1 QANTAS AUSTRALIAN GRAND PRIX (Melbourne)
  
• 08 - 10 Apr - FORMULA 1 PETRONAS MALAYSIA GRAND PRIX (Kuala Lumpur)
  
• 15 - 17 Apr - FORMULA 1 UBS CHINESE GRAND PRIX (Shanghai) *
  
• 06 - 08 May - FORMULA 1 TURKISH GRAND PRIX (Istanbul)
  
• 20 - 22 May - FORMULA 1 GRAN PREMIO DE ESPAÑA (Catalunya)
  
• 26 - 29 May - FORMULA 1 GRAND PRIX DE MONACO (Monte Carlo)
  
• 10 - 12 Jun - FORMULA 1 GRAND PRIX DU CANADA (Montreal)
  
• 24 - 26 Jun - FORMULA 1 GRAND PRIX OF EUROPE (Valencia)
  
• 08 - 10 Jul - FORMULA 1 SANTANDER BRITISH GRAND PRIX (Silverstone)
  
• 22 - 24 Jul - FORMULA 1 GROSSER PREIS SANTANDER VON DEUTSCHLAND (Nürburgring)
  
• 29 - 31 Jul - FORMULA 1 ENI MAGYAR NAGYDÍJ (Budapest)
  
• 26 - 28 Aug - FORMULA 1 SHELL BELGIAN GRAND PRIX (Spa-Francorchamps)
  
• 09 - 11 Sep - FORMULA 1 GRAN PREMIO SANTANDER D'ITALIA (Monza)
  
• 23 - 25 Sep - FORMULA 1 SINGTEL SINGAPORE GRAND PRIX (Singapore)
  
• 07 - 09 Oct - FORMULA 1 JAPANESE GRAND PRIX (Suzuka)
  
• 14 - 16 Oct - FORMULA 1 KOREAN GRAND PRIX (Yeongam)
  
• 28 - 30 Oct - FORMULA 1 GRAND PRIX OF INDIA (New Delhi) *
  
• 11 - 13 Nov - FORMULA 1 ETIHAD AIRWAYS ABU DHABI GRAND PRIX (Yas Marina Circuit)
  
• 25 - 27 Nov - FORMULA 1 GRANDE PRÊMIO DO BRASIL (Sao Paulo)

* Subject to circuit approval

[Paul_S]

So who else is going to watch the first race live?

Don't forget the clocks change on Sunday!

[A Pair Of Flabby Wings]

I've not been bitten by the bug yet, but hopefully soon I will.

I just think this weekend's Grand Prix is only going to be the second most important motoring event taking place.

[B.o.B]

Paul_S, on 22 Mar 2011, 21:25, said:

So who else is going to watch the first race live?

Don't forget the clocks change on Sunday!

Of course - I may get banished to my own house to do it though!!

[Chilli Red]

A Pair Of Flabby Wings, on 22 Mar 2011, 23:11, said:

I just think this weekend's Grand Prix is only going to be the second most important motoring event taking place.

well said Michael

But I am very much looking forward to this years F1 I love it!

[Arkwright]

There is a F1 competition running over on the Z club site. You are welcome to join in but you'll have to be quick.

[ajpac]

Could be an interesting year. Just hope that daft as a brush Ecclestone's idea about artificial rain does not get the go-ahead.

[Paul_S]

Arkwright, on 23 Mar 2011, 09:15, said:

There is a F1 competition running over on the Z club site. You are welcome to join in but you'll have to be quick.

Thanks for the invite

This is the link folks

[WoREoD]

As I predicted last year correctly I wont enter on that one - partly to give everyone else a chance and partly cos I have no flipping idea this year!

[PaulW]

It's got all the makings of a cracking year. Tyres wearing out after a few laps, cars arriving into braking areas 7mph quicker than the car in front, randomness of if the rear wing not going back up and taking out a cars mid corner. Cars sliding around and having to pit for tyres when they don't want too..... it could be fun.

Or.... it'll be boring follow my leader stuff.

[Paul_S]

Who else is praying for rain in Kuala Lumpur on Sunday?

[A Pair Of Flabby Wings]

Yes, I think a little shower from time to time will throw one or two welcome spanners into one or two sets of cogs.

[A Pair Of Flabby Wings]

I'm now really well and truly in the 2011 F1 groove; after the last two days' terrific action.

I did notice that both in qualifying and the race itself, Hamilton regularly seemed to lock his front left wheel under braking. Also, just as was the case towards the end of last season, Schuey does provide a tasty bit of oversteer from time to time. In terms of excitement though he was well beaten by Petrov, whose airborne moment was worth watching the race for alone.

More generally, although I'm not the biggest fan of gimmicks like KERS and DRS, I do think the cars look fantastic this year. The McLaren's looking pared down and skeletal in particular. Also, despite my doubts about the principle of it, the DRS flap is a sweet looking and simple little gadget when it works. After last season's one or two stop races, it does seem odd them now needing three or four. If I were a driver I'd maybe now regret them losing the Bridgestone tyres.

I do see some sense and reason in Ecclestone's artificial rain idea though; and am pleasantly surprised by him suggesting it as it is prejudiced against the frontrunners, who tend to be his bigger friends - unless it's just cloak and daggers. I can see it pleasantly mixing up proceedings too. However, its unpredictability compared even to the weather, which at least they have monitors for, is perhaps a bit too dangerous. Perhaps they should instead reschedule the season so they visit countries at times when the weather tends to be more unpredictable.

At the moment I'm wondering whether Vettel will have the championship sewn up with half a dozen races to go. Or whether I need to begin a year's travelling, and take a hosepipe.

[bigtone]

I was so impressed with Petrovs "air" I took a pic
(not the best as its a paused pic off the computer)





lookes awesome though.....

[Paul_S]

That was spectacular

It was good to see Hamilton and Alonso picking up from previous seasons' feuds

Vettel does look hard to beat at the moment, but not impossible and it is early on.

Looking forward to next week

[A Pair Of Flabby Wings]

bigtone, on 11 Apr 2011, 17:42, said:

I was so impressed with Petrovs "air" I took a pic
(not the best as its a paused pic off the computer)





lookes awesome though.....

Doesn't it just. Nice one Tone.

I do hope Petrov yelled "Yee-hah!" in a Dukes Of Hazzard-stylee while he was airborne - because I did.

[A Pair Of Flabby Wings]

Another cracking qualifying session today.

Like last season, the new qualifying arrangements are making Saturdays a rival for Sundays in terms of excitement in my opinion. There are some interesting names in interesting blocks of the grid for tomorrow. Webber in the bottom seven, and Di Resta and the Toro Rossos in the top ten, were not at the forefront of my mind. So tomorrow's start looks like it could be even more exciting than usual, which is going to be mouthwatering I reckon.

My other two observations today are; firstly, that the new, red McLaren racing suits look ridiculous. The old, light grey suits were cool. The new, red ones make Button and Hamilton look like the Chuckle Brothers doing panto. Secondly, Petrov is really becoming the man to watch for jaw-dropping moments. After his Ren-no conked out (I'm rising above making any provocative comments here ), his trip through the doorway had me in stitches. It was far funnier, and nearly as impressive, as his "air" last week.

Getting seriously back on topic though . . .

Paul_S, on 11 Apr 2011, 19:33, said:

[. . .]

Vettel does look hard to beat at the moment, but not impossible and it is early on.

[. . .]

. . . I am reluctantly resigned to offer that if Vettel doesn't have the Championship sewn up by this year's National I am prepared to be waxed from the waist up (and neck down) at that event. Hopefully nissansportz's chosen charity of the year will benefit from that offer. Conversely, if he has got this year's trophy in his cabinet by then, I will make a generous donation to said charity.

I hereby promise not to edit this post before this year's National.

Edited by A Pair Of Flabby Wings, 16 April 2011 - 10:31 PM.
removed "n't" from the "has" at the end of the penultimate paragraph

[Paul_S]

Brave words Michael, especially with Redbulls reliability (and potential ability to electrocute anyone who is not wearing marigolds!)

Chuckle Brothers? Spot on! To me, to you, to me, to you...

No need to promise not to edit your post mate. Apart from being very trustworthy I've taken a screenshot and emailed it to myself, printed out this thread and put it in my fireproof safe, and added your comments to my last will in testament.

This coming National could take a very interesting turn

[A Pair Of Flabby Wings]

Well, I thought it might add a bit more excitement generally and specifically. As we know very well Nationals are always fun, but I thought I'd add a bit of spice to the build up. Hopefully, if he hasn't won, somebody will add a bit of soothing lotion, as opposed to spice, to the operation.

In some ways, I'm hoping that Vettel's car stops behaving like a Zed, GT-R or certain slightly older Toyotas, and more like certain, unspecified, European manufacturers' vehicles.

I have actually edited my previous post, as the last sentence of the final paragraph was wrong. It should be, and now is: if he hasn't won by the National I will be bare-chested; and, if he has, I will be slightly be bereft of pocket.

[Paul_S]

I do hope Button realises how much is riding on this seasons' races