German Car Zone

Exactly, if Kimi is showing emotion, then something is up. LOL

I totally agree with that. While the media wants him to act like a role model (whatever that is.../sarcasm) he just wants to race. He's actually shown that he is serious this year unlike last year. So let's see if there is a difference.

It is starting!!!

Did anyone watch the practice session?

I thought I'd forget about the looks of the cars once I saw them running around the track, but unfortunately they're so distractingly ugly and ill-proportioned I couldn't focus on anything else.

I can forgive the front wing that makes the car look like a skinny man with a big moustache, but the lack of screaming engines detracts from the excitement of the race. The extra 1,000 rpms was like the last bit of exhaust wiggle from the Carrera GT: it's indispensable.

Yes the engine niose is CRAP!
The cars look like crap.
Vettel's car is crap, don't have to worry about him this weekend.

>
^ No wonder there a diffuser issue, as the diffuser 3 teams dominated practice and the closest driver from the big 4 teams is on the 10th place.


Times
01. Rosberg Williams 1:26.053 36 laps
02. Barrichello Brawn 1:26.157 38 laps
03. Trulli Toyota 1:26.350 42 laps
04. Webber Red Bull 1:26.370 30 laps
05. Button Brawn 1:26.374 38 laps
06. Glock Toyota 1:26.443 42 laps
07. Nakajima William 1:26.560 33 laps
08. Vettel Red Bull 1:26.740 19 laps
09. Sutil Force India 1:27.040 29 laps
10. Massa Ferrari 1:27.064 35 laps
11. Raikkonen Ferrari 1:27.204 32 laps
12. Alonso Renault 1:27.232 28 laps
13. Fisichella Force India 1:27.282 32 laps
14. Heidfeld BMW 1:27.317 34 laps
15. Kubica BMW 1:27.398 36 laps
16. Bourdais Toro Rosso 1:27.479 36 laps
17. Kovalainen McLaren 1:27.802 35 laps
18. Hamilton McLaren 1:27.81 31 laps
19. Piquet Renault 1:27.828 35 laps
20. Buemi Toro Rosso 1:28.076 33 laps


Jesus, what a mix up.

I watched the practice session, you can't really tell how ugly and ill proportioned unless the cars are viewed from the dead front on, other than that, I am starting to get used to the look of these 09 cars.

The lack of screaming engines is a bit disappointing, it felt like some intensity is lacking. I hope the racing will make up for this.

Oh my. What a practice session. Mclaren, Ferrari and BMW stood no chance against last years underdogs. I don't know whether the performance of the currently leading teams is a result of early work on the 2009 car or because of the diffuser. The big teams are certainly lacking in grip and seeing how there is no testing in Barcelona I'd be very surprised if the top teams manage to catch up ad they are over one second behind Rosberg.

I'm very worried.

From what I have seen on practice. the cars from the diffuser teams look like they are cornering on rails. They are very tidy on the track.

The Ferrari suffers from a bit of under steer. Massa had a big big moment coming down the main straight when his left rear wheel caught the grass and the car snapped right. He looked to be heading towards the wall at great speed, but somehow managed to save it. The BMWs, which were suppose to be quick were nowhere. Kubic complained about not being able to feel what the car is doing, and said the setup changes didn't really change the balance of the car. The Renault doesn't look that sharp either, and Piquet really struggle to contain the rear end.

It is both really, the early start of the development had given these teams more time to explore different design solutions, and select the best one to use. The big teams didn't have this luxury.

I just re-watched the practice on BBC's website. I'm completely astonished by how composed the Honda drivers. The car is incredibly tidy around the circuit without any problems what so ever. Ferrari, BMW and others who filed a complaint perhaps need to fall back and accept the fact that Brawn, Williams and Toyota have achieved greatness. One can't claim that this is the first time a team is operating at the grey border of regulations.

Australia was quite a mess last season as well with a lot of drivers shaky around the corners. Perhaps the performance of the top teams will have been improved over the next weeks. What needs solving is just rear wheel traction and then Ferrari and Mclaren will be on a par with Brawn I believe. Considering that insufficient down force is provided by the new rear spoiler I suspect that we will see a circus of new diffuser as that might be the source for more traction in the rear. Last year it was all about winglets and this year diffusers will keep the teams busy in the science lab.