Re: Formula 1 2015 Season thread
 

http://m.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/118010

Sauber lose appeal.

What's going to happen now?

Re: Formula 1 2015 Season thread
 

This is a legal nightmare. There's no way he can be allowed to race for a team he's had in court. Compensation maybe, but this affects the integrity of the race and the team in question.

- Race integrity, having a guy race that has no incentive to actually perform

- Constructors championship, potentially losing points via having a forced driver in the second car.

- The other driver now not being able to run.

That's just a few issues here.

Re: Formula 1 2015 Season thread
 

He needs a super license to drive, he doesnt have that.

http://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/va...e-fast-tracked

Re: Formula 1 2015 Season thread
 

What a start to the season, Alonso out and a driver dispute.

Re: Formula 1 2015 Season thread
 

He's got every incentive to perform?

They're not "being forced" to have a driver, they signed the driver up and then reneged on the deal because they saw bigger sponsorship available.

Apparently the nature of the contracts with Nasr and Erickson are that neither will be breached if they're benched.

---------- Post added at 16:27 ---------- Previous post was at 16:24 ----------

He had one last year, was a test driver for Sauber, is a Renault 3.5 world champion and raced an entire f1 season for Caterham. This is the very definition of a formality. Unless Sauber drag their heels!

Re: Formula 1 2015 Season thread
 

Sauber and Manor missing from Friday pratice.

Still no super licence being reported for him and that could take a few days and Manor are missing software to enable them to run.

http://www.theguardian.com/sport/201...ian-grand-prix

Re: Formula 1 2015 Season thread
 

Yes, f1 is back! Have just finished watching today's practice sessions with a big grin on my face! So much going on as well. I'm a little nervous that Ferrari have dragged themselves ahead of Williams, but then Williams did sandbag a bit on Fridays last year so fingers crossed that's the case this.

Shame for KMag, I like him and he really only has this chance to impress, but he got himself got caught out.

The Sauber thing is beginning to look embarrassing, but both the cars got out for second practice with this year's nominated drivers. I honestly can't see how this is going to be resolved - right mess!

Re: Formula 1 2015 Season thread
 

Button reckons McLaren will be lucky to not qualify at the back of the grid and that he expects neither driver to finish the race on Sunday.

Re: Formula 1 2015 Season thread
 

First practice:

1. Rosberg, Mercedes. 1:29.557
2. Hamilton, Mercedes. 1:29.586
3. Bottas, Williams. 1:30.748
4. Sainz Jr., Toro Rosso. 1:31.014
5. Vettel, Ferrari. 1:31.029
6. Verstappen, Toro Rosso. 1:31.067
7. Massa, Williams. 1:31.188
8. Raikkonen, Ferrari. 1:31.310
9. Maldonado, Lotus. 1:31.451
10. Ricciardo, Red Bull. 1:31.570
11. Kvyat, Red Bull. 1:32.073
12. Perez, Force India. 1:32.247
13. Hulkenberg, Force India. 1:32.261
14. Button, McLaren. 1:34.542
15. Magnussen, McLaren. 1:34.785
16. Grosjean, Lotus. 2:17.782
=17. Ericsson and Nasr, Sauber & Stevens and Merhi, Manor (No Time Set)

Practice 2:

1. Rosberg, Mercedes. 1:27.697
2. Hamilton, Mercedes. 1:27.797
3. Vettel, Ferrari. 1:28.412
4. Raikkonen, Ferrari. 1:28.842
5. Bottas, Williams. 1:29.265
6. Kvyat, Red Bull. 1:30.016
7. Sainz Jr., Toro Rosso. 1:30.071
8. Maldonado, Lotus. 1:30.104
9. Grosjean, Lotus. 1:30.205
10. Hulkenberg, Force India. 1:30.473
11. Nasr, Sauber. 1:30.755
12. Perez, Force India. 1:30.980
13. Button, McLaren. 1:31.387
14. Verstappen, Toro Rosso. 1:31.395
15. Ericsson, Sauber. 1:32.303
16. Magnussen, McLaren. 1:33.289
=17. Ricciardo, Red Bull & Massa, Williams & Stevens and Merhi, Manor (No Time Set)

Re: Formula 1 2015 Season thread
 

Worth pointing out that Grosjean's time in fp1 was set under virtual safety car conditions so isn't representative.

Re: Formula 1 2015 Season thread
 

Hamilton takes Australia pole.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/live/formula1/31645618

Re: Formula 1 2015 Season thread
 

Excellent! :)

---------- Post added at 08:51 ---------- Previous post was at 08:46 ----------

Van den Garde drops Sauber dispute, Manor will not race on Sunday and both McLarens qualify last!

Re: Formula 1 2015 Season thread
 

Balls. Great start already to the season, hopefully he has some engine trouble and needs to retire tomorrow.

Re: Formula 1 2015 Season thread
 

Don't think it's been dropped so much as they're talking - it will be interesting to see what happens next. Van Der Garde is due to have serious backing next year but he'll need a drive this year to qualify for a super licence because the rules are due to change, so I can't see him giving up on it easily.

Bottas is a doubt for the race with a back injury.

Good qualy session - I enjoyed it. As much as I applaud the effort Manor have made to get to Melbourne it was nice watching a session that was competitive throughout the field, obviously with the game exception of McLaren.

Now, do I set my alarm, or my TiVo?

Re: Formula 1 2015 Season thread
 

The alarm then. Bottas, KMag and Kvyat don't start for various reasons - 15 cars on the grid, and Lotus lose both of theirs on the first lap!

There might be points in this for Jenson Button after all!