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Thursday, March 23, 2017
2017 Australian Grand Prix preview
The season's first GP weekend is always one of the most interesting. Some drivers have switched teams, the cars are brand new, new regulations and also because we have waited for the season to start for so long.
Like I usually do I will continue by talking about the track and some statistics.
The track is actually a street circuit around the Albert Park lake and it looks like this:
Melbourne - Albert Park has been a part of Formula One since the year 1996 when Damon Hill won the first ever race there. Who could win this weekend? Let's talk about the most successful (current) drivers.
Kimi Räikkönen has won 2 races at Albert Park in 2007 with Ferrari and in 2013 with Lotus.
He started his career in 2001 by taking 6th place for Sauber at that same circuit. The following year he replaced the two time world champion Mika Häkkinen at McLaren and took his first podium in the first race at Melbourne. In 2006 he was 2nd right after Fernando Alonso.
Alonso has won only one race there in 2006 but has been on the podium 4 times excluding the win. Unfortunately McLaren hasn't shown any good improvement so he wont be standing on the top spot this weekend.
Then there is Lewis Hamilton who won in 2008 and 2015. He's also been on the podium 4 times excluding the wins.
Oh and Sebastian Vettel has also won there once in 2011 and has been on the podium 4 times as well excluding the win. Now with the improved Ferrari he might do pretty good so keep an eye on him this weekend.
Statistically the best drivers at the Australian GP are the world champions Räikkönen, Alonso, Hamilton and Vettel. Also keep an eye on Valtteri Bottas, now with Mercedes! Red Bull is right behind the Mercs and Ferrari's with Daniel Ricciardo and Max Verstappen.
I think that Hamilton still has the best chances because Mercedes has shown very good pace in the winter testing as they did last season as well.
Last but not least my predictions:
Pole position: Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes
The race:
Fastest lap: Kimi Räikkönen, Ferrari
POINTS: 1st - 3
2nd - 5
3rd - 10
+ possible bonus points
HOW IT WORKS: the aim of the game is simply predict who comes where in the race (top3). A total of 18 points can be won on a race day. For example if you get the winner and 3rd place right but 2nd wrong you get 13 points.
A table will be posted up every race weekend. The point scoring system will change once the cars become more competitive. Everyone will say a merc 1,2 so it won't be close or fun.
HOW TO SUBMIT YOUR PREDICTIONS: send an email to f14lifeblog@gmail.com or message the Facebook page to submit your predictions. You have until lights out to make them. If you submit them when the race has started they won't count. So be quick!
THE PRIZE: the winner of the league will win him- or herself an admin place on the F1 4 LIFE Facebook page along side AE, JT, MW, MH, JI and PM . If you don't want to be an admin you are welcome to participate anyway.
Like I usually do I will continue by talking about the track and some statistics.
The track is actually a street circuit around the Albert Park lake and it looks like this:
Melbourne - Albert Park has been a part of Formula One since the year 1996 when Damon Hill won the first ever race there. Who could win this weekend? Let's talk about the most successful (current) drivers.
Kimi Räikkönen has won 2 races at Albert Park in 2007 with Ferrari and in 2013 with Lotus.
He started his career in 2001 by taking 6th place for Sauber at that same circuit. The following year he replaced the two time world champion Mika Häkkinen at McLaren and took his first podium in the first race at Melbourne. In 2006 he was 2nd right after Fernando Alonso.
Alonso has won only one race there in 2006 but has been on the podium 4 times excluding the win. Unfortunately McLaren hasn't shown any good improvement so he wont be standing on the top spot this weekend.
Then there is Lewis Hamilton who won in 2008 and 2015. He's also been on the podium 4 times excluding the wins.
Oh and Sebastian Vettel has also won there once in 2011 and has been on the podium 4 times as well excluding the win. Now with the improved Ferrari he might do pretty good so keep an eye on him this weekend.
Statistically the best drivers at the Australian GP are the world champions Räikkönen, Alonso, Hamilton and Vettel. Also keep an eye on Valtteri Bottas, now with Mercedes! Red Bull is right behind the Mercs and Ferrari's with Daniel Ricciardo and Max Verstappen.
I think that Hamilton still has the best chances because Mercedes has shown very good pace in the winter testing as they did last season as well.
 |
| In 2015-2016 Mercedes took a 1-2 and might do so this weekend too. |
Last but not least my predictions:
Pole position: Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes
The race:
- Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes
- Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes
- Kimi Räikkönen, Ferrari
Fastest lap: Kimi Räikkönen, Ferrari
Surprise: Force India might do a little magic this season and it might start right away.
Join our PREDICTORS LEAGUE now!
POINTS: 1st - 3
2nd - 5
3rd - 10
+ possible bonus points
HOW IT WORKS: the aim of the game is simply predict who comes where in the race (top3). A total of 18 points can be won on a race day. For example if you get the winner and 3rd place right but 2nd wrong you get 13 points.
A table will be posted up every race weekend. The point scoring system will change once the cars become more competitive. Everyone will say a merc 1,2 so it won't be close or fun.
HOW TO SUBMIT YOUR PREDICTIONS: send an email to f14lifeblog@gmail.com or message the Facebook page to submit your predictions. You have until lights out to make them. If you submit them when the race has started they won't count. So be quick!
THE PRIZE: the winner of the league will win him- or herself an admin place on the F1 4 LIFE Facebook page along side AE, JT, MW, MH, JI and PM . If you don't want to be an admin you are welcome to participate anyway.
Enjoy the first Grand Prix weekend! I know I will ;)
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