Gentlemen, start your engines!

[Alex]

Hm, the new rules did not produce the desired effect in this first race, probably because Albert Park's asphalt is not that abrasive and the track temperature never exceeded 25º C... But I suppose that we'll see different things in Malaysia, especially because those who finished the race will have to use the same engine - in a hotter environment...

Good race from Fisico, he was consistent and quick all the time. Barrichello was not bad at all, considering he was racing with an old Ferrari. Excellent Red Bull race (especially Coulthard).

I was disappointed with both McLarens, they were not fast enough and the car does not seem totally reliable.

BAR was the biggest disappointment to me. Sato finished one lap behind the leaders!

All in all, I think we'll have an interesting race in Malaysia, because of the environmental conditions and also because some drivers will race with the same engine... I hope the new rules can really produce the desired effects (more passing in the final stages of the race) this time.

[Zoid]

BAR did far worse than I expected, I think it will take 2-3 races before they get their stuff going. Bummer

McLaren was also a disapointment. They are supposed to have the best car on the grid alongside Ferrari. But maybe this is Renaults year? It´s far too soon to tell, but it would be sweet

Sauber, and specially Villeneuve, did what was expected, ie fail miserably...

[Lawrence of Arabia]

I was disappointed with both McLarens, they were not fast enough and the car does not seem totally reliable.

you knew this would happen. ever since theyve moved to that new building, theyve done poorly.

[Lawrence of Arabia]

has rally racing started yet?

[Zoid]

Intense critique regarding the new rules. I can´t say that I disagree...

How good is F1 circa 2005?

The criticism around the world of the latest F1 regulations has been growing quietly in recent days. Several of the Formula 1 drivers expressed their opinions in Australia with David Coulthard being particularly dismissive. He is not alone in his opinion. The Australasian Motorsport News magazine in Australia has come out strongly against the rules. In an open letter addressed to Max Mosley and Bernie Ecclestone the magazine said "Shame you couldn't get down here to experience the result of your latest handiwork" and went on to call the new qualifying "appalling" and "a complete farce".

The magazine asked: "Is that what it's come to - a pathetic, artificial, manipulated earner? Whatever it is, it's not Formula 1 as it should be." and went on to question "what kind of motorsport encourages a team to pull its cars in with a lap to go? In what other sport is non-performance rewarded - in this case with a fresh engine for the next race? And you made all these changes for 2005 under the guise of safety. Safety? Rubbish. The record suggests that F1 is safer now than it's ever been - safer than many, many other motor sports."

The conclusion was equally inflammatory: "You're at the top; it's your responsibility, your duty to fix it. If you can't then maybe it is time for some new blood, with some fresh ideas."

Back in Europe, there has also been some serious criticism in The Guardian.

"Aspects of the 2005 regulations threaten to confuse the audience at a time when Formula 1 should be bending all its efforts towards the reintroduction of sheer excitement. Once again this season, the word 'strategy' is likely to wear out its welcome as the teams try to make the most of the rule that, in the name of saving money, requires them to make each engine last two race weekends. On Sunday, with a dozen laps still to go, we had the ludicrous sight of the world champion driving straight into the Ferrari garage after a mild collision with another car. It was obvious that Schumacher could have opted to continue to the chequered flag. But he and his team knew that, having started at the back of the grid and made only limited progress, he was unlikely to make it to a points-scoring position. Hence the decision to bring him in and retire the car, in the knowledge that retirement would allow them, under the new regulations, to install a new engine for the next race in Sepang on Sunday week.

"Grand Prix racing has never been about equality of opportunity, but it is already too complex for its own good. As usual, the new regulations will confuse fans while inviting the competitors to exploit loopholes in a way that can only invite further disrepute."

"The next time Max Mosley and Bernie Ecclestone frame a new set of rules, perhaps they should first try them out on an intelligent 10-year-old. Then we might get some sense."

[Whaleboy]

If the new rules can cause a return to the good old days of '92 - '97 (the six years when I was a massive fan) then I'm all for them.

It was a great race, Alonso was amazing, the Red Bull team impressed me, Fisichella and Barrichello were spot on and Mclaren were a disappointment. The Renault team looked good, hoping to see a return to the days of Bennetton vs. Williams. And even then the Mclarens looked gay!

The Indian guy did pretty well considering he's a rookie and driving a lame car... he was the best finisher among the rookies . 2006 could well be his breakout year.

[Thorgal]

I am all against the new rules. I think that with these rules we will see a lot of conservatives boring races.

We saw it this last Sunday. Some battles that could have been interesting (for instance Alonso-Barrichelo) were avoided by the drivers to conservate his engines for he next grand-prix.

[Zoid]

It might be to early to tell, but so far the new rules seem to suck big time. You can´t control weather, and thus it´s unfair to base the whole race on one lap; which is what they essentially are doing with the new rules.

The new engine and tire rules makes kind of sense from a fairness perspective, ie to leave it up to the drivers to decide the race and not the equipment. But it´s a half-assed solution at best. And one that is more than likely to hamper the flow and speed of the race, since no one will be willing to risk standing there without replacement motors or tires. If they really wanted to make it fair, all teams should drive the same cars with the same tire brand. But then, of course, it wouldn´t be F1 anymore...

[Thorgal]

Well, everybody driving the same car woluld be fairer, but lesser categories (Formula Nissan, Formula Renault...) are that way and it is much more boring to say the truth.

[VetLegion]

But CART is fun.

[Zoid]

Isn´t that the one where they just drive a gazillion laps on a oval track?

[Alex]

Originally posted by Kamrat X
Isn´t that the one where they just drive a gazillion laps on a oval track?

Precisely.

[BlackCat]

Does anybody know what the weather forecasts are for Malaysia ? Hope they are better than the Australian race.

[Zoid]

Hot and humid, no rain predicted. The track temperature during the pre-qualifiyng was 53 degrees celsius.

Renault and Toyota did really good on the pre-qualifying. Alonso clinching the lead with Trulli in second. Fisichella third and Raikkonnen fourth. It was another dissapointing qualifiying lap for both Ferrari an BAR, Schumacher ending up in 12th place and Barichello in 14th. Button did a somewhat better lap and took 9th place, while Anthony Davidson (filling in for the fever stricken Sato) only managed 15th place.

All in all it looks like we´re in for a really interesting qualifiying lap and race.

[Zoid]

In related news Sauber is thinking about dropping Villeneuve and replacing him with either Alexander Wurz or possibly Anthony Davidson. At least that´s what the gossip says Makes you wonder what the hell Peter Sauber was thinking when he hired the tired has-been Villeneuve. PS is not stupid, it´s painfully obvious that Villeneuve is long past his glory days. I mean,what did he expect? Villeneuve only scored 22 points in his last three seasons combined fer chrissake!

And Schumi actually apologized to Heidfeld for running him of the track at Melbourne, but not until all the other drivers voted at the driver meeting that it actually was his fault... Damn, that cocky german needs to be taken down a notch or three.