F1

[mattaus]

I see it being a Mercedes walkover unfortunately. The only hope is that Mercedes decision to put new engines in their cars for this race will backfire and they have install issues or something. Can't see it happening to both cars though.

Sadly I think ricciardo will be lucky to finish and Williams form this year has been nothing but shocking! I'd like to see Alonso finish in the points for once. Maldonado to crash out before lap 20...undecided if it'll be his fault or someone else's though haha. I have no idea how Ferrari is going to go but my race prediction will be merc 1-2 and then Vettel.

Being a pessimist has the advantage of always either meeting expecting or being pleasantly surprised

[mmmRacer]

Sadly after being a devoted F1 follower for over 20 years I have only seen 1 race this year due to the new foxtel deal (that being Melbourne). Funny thing is I used to be a devoted rugby league follower before Super League too.

First thing first. I have no problem with the cars, drivers or teams. I like the new engines and the sound. My only beef is the pay TV model. Which is to get heaps of money for the sports owners via TV rights. But then because the TV audiences drop, the teams sponsors don't get the same returns and walk away. So then the teams are the ones in the end who lose.

[SkodaVIC]

Williams form this year has been nothing but shocking!

Not a criticism of your opinion (and I'm mainly discussing this aspect of your reply as I am a Williams man) - but I've heard alot of similar comment about Williams this year and don't really understand why people think the team has been shocking this year.

There have been 2 brilliant drives from Valtteri. Holding back Vettel in Bahrain after Vettel had some issues for a 4th position, and holding off Raikkonen in Spain for another 4th position. The only real poor race from the team was last time out in Monaco - and they were prepared for that race to be poor.

A comparison - this year Williams are sitting in 3rd position in the championship on 81 points (and this included a DNS for Valtteri in Australia after his back issue). No podiums yet, but a couple of strong performances from the 2 drivers. Felipe had some bad luck this year in Bahrain.

Last year at the same time, Williams were sitting in 6th position in the constructors with a best race finish position of 5th (x2) for Valtteri - and they had 2 DNF races during this time. They were on 52 points at the same point in the season. Again, no podiums. They came on song from Austria onwards (and the potential was there for a better result in Canada last year aswell).

So I don't really see that Williams has been shocking this year - the real story is more that Ferrari have improved dramatically between seasons and has been overshadowing Williams.

[mattaus]

So I don't really see that Williams has been shocking this year - the real story is more that Ferrari have improved dramatically between seasons and has been overshadowing Williams.

You're right. I don't think Williams have been shocking, however given their form in the second half of last season a lot of people (myself included) expected them to kick on and be the main challenger to Mercedes. Of course Ferrari are surprisingly the team how have done that, and Williams are not where we all thought they'd be which I suppose was second!

Time to watch qualy...

[SkodaVIC]

You're right. I don't think Williams have been shocking, however given their form in the second half of last season a lot of people (myself included) expected them to kick on and be the main challenger to Mercedes. Of course Ferrari are surprisingly the team how have done that, and Williams are not where we all thought they'd be which I suppose was second!

Time to watch qualy...

Yep, that seems to be a common thought pattern, Rachel Brookes made an almost word-for-word comment matching yours on the F1 show around Williams.

Love this Canadian Grand Prix! One of the best on the calendar.

[mattaus]

Love this Canadian Grand Prix! One of the best on the calendar.

It's a great track that makes for some good non-DRS assisted passing which is sadly a rarity these days. Also happened to be the best race EVAARRRR last year when Danny boy picked up his first win. Probably bugger all chance of that happening this time around though I'll be taping the race and watching it over breakfast tomorrow. Hopefully (despite the semi-predicted qualifying results) it'll be a decent race.

[wai]

I'll be taping the race and watching it over breakfast tomorrow. Hopefully (despite the semi-predicted qualifying results) it'll be a decent race.

How will you be taping/recording it or do you have Foxtel?

I might have to get up early to pick it up via Internet streaming.

[mattaus]

How will you be taping/recording it or do you have Foxtel?

I might have to get up early to pick it up via Internet streaming.

I protested long and hard to not get Foxtel, however being a big soccer (Arsenal) and NRL fan (Broncos), the F1 being taken off FTA was the straw that broke the camel's back for me.

So yeah, I have Foxtel

[SkodaVIC]

Everything set to record. I have a 7am start at work tomorrow, but that may not be enough to put me off a 2.55am wake up & sneaky watching of the race start... we'll see! If that happens, I might not get back to sleep!

[SkodaVIC]

Tous avec Jules Bianchi. À la douce mémoire. Rest in Peace young man, we will all miss you dearly. Today, we have lost an angel.