FIA 2009 F1 ING Australian Grand Prix (Albert Park - Melbourne)
Sunday Race (1400hrs - 1600hrs, Singapore Time)
01. BUT (BRA-MER, Car 22) 1:34:15.784
02. BAR (BRA-MER, Car 23) +0.8 secs
03. TRU (TOY-TOY, Car 09) +1.6 secs
04. GLO (TOY-TOY, Car 10) +4.4 secs
05. ALO (REN-REN, Car 07) +4.8 secs
06. ROS (WIL-TOY, Car 16) +5.7 secs
07. BUE (STR-FER, Car 12) +6.0 secs
08. BOU (STR-FER, Car 11) +6.2 secs
09. SUT (FOR-MER, Car 20) +6.3 secs
10. HEI (BMW-BMW, Car 06) +7.0 secs
11. FIS (FOR-MER, Car 21) +7.3 secs
13. WEB (RBR-REN, Car 14) +01 Lap
14. VET (RBR-REN, Car 15) +02 Lap [Accident]
15. KUB (BMW-BMW, Car 05) +03 Lap [Accident]
16. RAI (FER-FER, Car 04) +03 Lap [Differential]
DNF MAS (FER-FER, Car 03) +13 Lap [Suspension]
DNF PIQ (REN-REN, Car 08) +34 Lap [Spin]
DNF NAK (WIL-TOY, Car 17) +41 Lap [Accident]
DNF KOV (MCL-MER, Car 02) +58 Lap [Accident Damage]
DSQ HAM (MCL-MER, Car 01) +2.9 secs
Comments: Finally the actual race. Race pace for some of the teams were OK, some were still struggling and some ran into reliability issues. Since the circuit does not exhibit any good straights, KERS for overtaking is not very significant for certain cars. (KERS car vs Diffuser car). The KERS car can pull right close up down the little straights to a non-KERS diffuser car ahead. But during the corners, the diffuser car with the extra downforce available, can corner at higher speed, hence negate any advantage for the KERS car. The reverse is true too. The non-KERS car can close right up a KERS car at corners, but can't any way pass round the corner. The only way for a sure pass is a KERS car vs a non-KERS non-diffuser car, or a diffuser car vs a non-KERS non-diffuser car. It seems like Williams has the package - KERS and diffuser. However, it's the reliability that let it down. Tyres do play a part as well as during the closing stage of the race, Kubica, on the harder Bridgestone slicks is performing up to 2 secs a lap quicker than the drivers ahead (Vettel and Button, who were on the softer compound). But during an overtaking maneuver with Vettel, both Kubica and Vettel crashed out of the race. It is believed that Kubica might have won the race. 1 change to the final classification of the Australian Grand Prix: Trulli was penalised for overtaking under Safety Car and was handed a 25 secs penalty, which dropped him from 3rd to 12th. Hamilton was promoted from 4th to 3rd, and the other finishing drivers moved up respectively. Vettel was to relegate 10 grid slots down after the qualifying for the next race (Malaysian Grand Prix) for creating the crash with Kubica. Other things to note: Amongst the big teams, Ferrari and BMW Sauber went home after th Australian Grand Prix with 0 points. It is crucial at this stage for damage-limitation as the outcome for the diffuser saga is pending till end of Malaysian Grand Prix. Whatever points savaged is important. Both Renault and McLaren suceeded in doing so.
*Yet more changes again. After a review of new evidence, the FIA has excluded Hamilton from Australian Grand Prix, giving him a disqualified, while Trulli regained his 3rd.
*Time courtesy from 1999-2009 Formula One Administration Ltd.
Sunday Race (1400hrs - 1600hrs, Singapore Time)
01. BUT (BRA-MER, Car 22) 1:34:15.784
02. BAR (BRA-MER, Car 23) +0.8 secs
03. TRU (TOY-TOY, Car 09) +1.6 secs
04. GLO (TOY-TOY, Car 10) +4.4 secs
05. ALO (REN-REN, Car 07) +4.8 secs
06. ROS (WIL-TOY, Car 16) +5.7 secs
07. BUE (STR-FER, Car 12) +6.0 secs
08. BOU (STR-FER, Car 11) +6.2 secs
09. SUT (FOR-MER, Car 20) +6.3 secs
10. HEI (BMW-BMW, Car 06) +7.0 secs
11. FIS (FOR-MER, Car 21) +7.3 secs
13. WEB (RBR-REN, Car 14) +01 Lap
14. VET (RBR-REN, Car 15) +02 Lap [Accident]
15. KUB (BMW-BMW, Car 05) +03 Lap [Accident]
16. RAI (FER-FER, Car 04) +03 Lap [Differential]
DNF MAS (FER-FER, Car 03) +13 Lap [Suspension]
DNF PIQ (REN-REN, Car 08) +34 Lap [Spin]
DNF NAK (WIL-TOY, Car 17) +41 Lap [Accident]
DNF KOV (MCL-MER, Car 02) +58 Lap [Accident Damage]
DSQ HAM (MCL-MER, Car 01) +2.9 secs
Comments: Finally the actual race. Race pace for some of the teams were OK, some were still struggling and some ran into reliability issues. Since the circuit does not exhibit any good straights, KERS for overtaking is not very significant for certain cars. (KERS car vs Diffuser car). The KERS car can pull right close up down the little straights to a non-KERS diffuser car ahead. But during the corners, the diffuser car with the extra downforce available, can corner at higher speed, hence negate any advantage for the KERS car. The reverse is true too. The non-KERS car can close right up a KERS car at corners, but can't any way pass round the corner. The only way for a sure pass is a KERS car vs a non-KERS non-diffuser car, or a diffuser car vs a non-KERS non-diffuser car. It seems like Williams has the package - KERS and diffuser. However, it's the reliability that let it down. Tyres do play a part as well as during the closing stage of the race, Kubica, on the harder Bridgestone slicks is performing up to 2 secs a lap quicker than the drivers ahead (Vettel and Button, who were on the softer compound). But during an overtaking maneuver with Vettel, both Kubica and Vettel crashed out of the race. It is believed that Kubica might have won the race. 1 change to the final classification of the Australian Grand Prix: Trulli was penalised for overtaking under Safety Car and was handed a 25 secs penalty, which dropped him from 3rd to 12th. Hamilton was promoted from 4th to 3rd, and the other finishing drivers moved up respectively. Vettel was to relegate 10 grid slots down after the qualifying for the next race (Malaysian Grand Prix) for creating the crash with Kubica. Other things to note: Amongst the big teams, Ferrari and BMW Sauber went home after th Australian Grand Prix with 0 points. It is crucial at this stage for damage-limitation as the outcome for the diffuser saga is pending till end of Malaysian Grand Prix. Whatever points savaged is important. Both Renault and McLaren suceeded in doing so.
*Yet more changes again. After a review of new evidence, the FIA has excluded Hamilton from Australian Grand Prix, giving him a disqualified, while Trulli regained his 3rd.
*Time courtesy from 1999-2009 Formula One Administration Ltd.
