Melbourne: The grid & How will the race pan out?

[Adam43]

1    Giancarlo Fisichella	3m01.460s  
2    Jarno Trulli        	3m04.429s  
3    Mark Webber         	3m04.996s  
4    Jacques Villeneuve  	3m06.846s  
5    David Coulthard      	3m07.212s 
6    Christian Klien      	3m07.477s  
7    Nick Heidfeld         	3m09.130s  
8    Jenson Button   		3m12.128s  
9    Juan Pablo Montoya 	3m14.645s  
10    Kimi Raikkonen 		3m15.558s  
11    Rubens Barrichello 	3m16.822s  
12    Narain Karthikeyan 	3m17.092s  
13    Fernando Alonso 		3m17.466s  
14    Tiago Monteiro 		3m20.329s  
15    Ralf Schumacher 		3m22.717s  
16    Patrick Friesacher 	3m28.363s  
17    Christijan Albers 	0m0s 
18    Michael Schumacher 	0m0s 
19    Takuma Sato BAR 	
20    Felipe Massa Sauber

How will this affect tomorrow's race?

Fisi is in the prime position. A strong car and most of his challengers far back.
Webber is looking good too, I would have him down as a podium.

How will the McLaren boys, Michael and Alonso get through the field.

They should all be fueled up for a decent first stint. Is it a 2 stopper?

[Rossi # 46]

Im looking forward to seeing those two McLarens enter into the first turn side by side.

[P.Cummins]

Only time will tell. We'll find out soon. In the meantime, lets get updating. I might head off until 2:45 and watch the race then. So if your expecting me to be on, think again. I'll make up me mind.

[luke]

I'm very very pleased with how the grid turned out, all the drivers that deserve or I want to do well are up there, and Schui at the tail end.
We've seen when the pressure is on for Michael he tends to slip up, especially charging from the back, Shangai, last year, a perfect example.
Although what''s the weather forcast? If it's dry I reckon he may creep into the top ten, but if it's tipping it down, he could well get on the podium.

Just a quick question! If they're on slicks, durring the race, then it starts to rain like monsoon weather. I take it they can't change tyres to suit the conditions, and that could cause havock.

[Rossi # 46]

Im almost certain the majority of the field will be on a two stopper.

I predict the podium to be Webber, Montoya & Raikonnen.

[P.Cummins]

My bet is that Williams, Red Bull, McLaren, Renault and Toyota will have a car in the points.

[touringlegend]

I think Fisi, if he gets a clean break at the start - well he is in a Renault so should get a good one! - will open up a good lead on the rest.

I don't think that Webber will be on the podium - I have more of a feeling the two McLarens will get to that position.

[P.Cummins]

It seemed to be preety dry in the closing stages of the practice session. I think the race will be more than likely dry.

[Rossi # 46]

Originally Posted by P.Cummins

It seemed to be preety dry in the closing stages of the practice session. I think the race will be more than likely dry.

Weather forecast suggests patches of rain throughout the afternoon.

[P.Cummins]

OK everybody. Im off for about 2 hours but will be back for 1.2 hour race build up and the race itself so please, when I come back into the thread later, dont just ignore me!!!!!!

Alas,

Paddy

[P.Cummins]

Rossi, thanks for the update. Thats good. I was just merely having a mad guess!

[Rossi # 46]

Originally Posted by P.Cummins

Rossi, thanks for the update. Thats good. I was just merely having a mad guess!

No worries, Im in Australia so I heard the forecast this morning.

[P.Cummins]

OK, you'll be useful. Stay online please.

[alesi95]

Ralf's pretty much been mauled by his team mate.
Makes me smile

[Raven]

It'll be interesting to see what Webber and Heidfeld can do. Nick's lap on Friday and Webber's today indicate Williams might have a bit more raw pace than we first thought.

The start will be exciting of course. I can imagine some drivers throwing caution into the wind (Alonso, JPM, Kimi) in an effort to make up a hand-full of positions at turn 1.

[luke]

Originally Posted by alesi95

Ralf's pretty much been mauled by his team mate.
Makes me smile

Hope he doesn't over drive for most of the year if Trulli crushes him at this race.

[krt917]

Well, he didn't get the best run at it in the first session did he!? Mind you, Melbourne has never been good for him (or vice versa). Trulli is quite a handy qualifier too.

I'm not a Ralf fan, but I think we might see some decent performances from him this year - I'm certainly not going to write him off before the first race has even started!

[ss_collins]

nah he'll bin it by lap 15

[Rossi # 46]

Originally Posted by ss_collins

nah he'll bin it by lap 15

I dont agree. I think this toyota environment suites Ralf, and I beleive he is going to do quite well this season.

I find it strange that he is being bagged out after yesterday's qualifying session. Does this mean that Barrichello Mauled MS?

[luke]

I can see Tuka putting a daring move on Michael in Turn 1.

[P.Cummins]

Just watched the race now. Im sorry that I acually wasnt on the forum. I set the alarm and just happened to ignore. Me Da taped it, fair play to him. FANTASTIC season opener. Lets hope we get more of this throughout the season.

Although, if we have a bone dry race in Malaysia, then things could be quite different.

[luke]

Originally Posted by P.Cummins

Although, if we have a bone dry race in Malaysia, then things could be quite different.

Well the Melbourne race was dry, although chilling black clouds threatened.

I think though if it rains, and Michael is not at the front it could certainly play into his hands.

[P.Cummins]

Well, I should have said a bone dry weekend. The qualifying was the thing that really spiced up the race. The conditions were very strange for practice and qualifying but if it stays dry all weekend then I think Ferrari will be back on the limit. Im sure Renault will definitley be on their tail but I have a feeling that Ferrari will be 1/2 step ahead.