Australian Grand Prix - Free Practice One

3rd & 7 37yd

Hello and welcome to the first free practice session of the 2015 season! It's good to be back, isn't it?

by Nate Saunders 3/13/2015 1:16:16 AM
The big story of interest this week has been Giedo van der Garde and his legal challenge to drive for Sauber. The court ruled in his favour but without a superlicence it looks unlikely he will take part. Full story to follow soon on ESPNF1.

by Nate Saunders 3/13/2015 1:21:23 AM
What a mess is going on at Sauber!!! no words to describe such novel!!!

by Capoa 3/13/2015 1:23:33 AM
@Capoa: An utter shambles.

by Nate Saunders 3/13/2015 1:23:49 AM
The Van der Garde issue means Sauber is unlikely to run in this session. We are unlikely to see Manor Marussia, either, as the team works on an engine software issue. With no winter testing under its belt that's hardly surprising.

by Nate Saunders 3/13/2015 1:24:52 AM
Could Sauber or GVD have handled this situation any differently? Such a bad advert for the sport just before the start of a season.

by Rahulan 3/13/2015 1:24:57 AM
@Rahulan: Sauber not signing him to a contract would have been a good start.

by Nate Saunders 3/13/2015 1:25:09 AM
Nate, what's your opinion about Sauber situation???

by Capoa 3/13/2015 1:27:27 AM
@Capoa: It's a tough one. On the one hand, Van der Garde is perfectly within his rights to pursue a deal Sauber signed. On the other, Sauber acted in the way it did because of the way smaller teams struggle for money. So this whole problem is part of a wider problem, but it's Sauber coming out of it looking bad.

by Nate Saunders 3/13/2015 1:28:10 AM
@Nate Now that GVD has got the ruling in his favour, is this a ruling for the entire season or just for Australia? We fans, don't want to see this saga carry on at each and every race.

by Rahulan 3/13/2015 1:29:03 AM
@Rahulan: It's an Australian court so it was for the Australian race. I would imagine the issue will be resolved in some way before Malaysia as both parties will want to avoid a repeat of the last few days.

by Nate Saunders 3/13/2015 1:29:30 AM
We''re off! The clock is ticking and the 2015 season is underway.

by Nate Saunders 3/13/2015 1:30:23 AM
The principal has to go. And it has to be done fast.

by Canuck 3/13/2015 1:31:25 AM
Just saw on the news that GVDG without his Superlicense won't drive...jeez!!!

by Capoa 3/13/2015 1:31:27 AM
The two Ferraris head straight out on track.

by Nate Saunders 3/13/2015 1:31:42 AM
what colour are the McLarens? Still the greyish silver - a hangover to the merc days - or have they changed to Honda colours?

by Tazio 3/13/2015 1:31:56 AM
@Tazio: I'm afraid - unless you're a huge fan of grey - it's still the same.

by Nate Saunders 3/13/2015 1:32:10 AM
I like Sauber but this GVDG deal is making Monisha and the team look really bad.

by mfbull 3/13/2015 1:32:12 AM
Lots of cars out there for their installation laps. Young Verstappen is one of them.

by Nate Saunders 3/13/2015 1:33:01 AM
Hey Nate, If Alonso races in Malaysia the will he get a new engine? or he will use the one Kevin is using?

by Flarenac 3/13/2015 1:33:04 AM
@Flarenac: That will be down to numerous factors, but mostly how well the engine survives this race. With only four engines allowed this season McLaren aren't going to want to move on to a second at the second race of the season.

by Nate Saunders 3/13/2015 1:33:35 AM
Speak of the devil - Magnussen is out on track.

by Nate Saunders 3/13/2015 1:35:46 AM
On the other hand, if whatever deal GVDG makes kills Sauber, good luck ever getting another drive.

by mfbull 3/13/2015 1:35:54 AM
What was the final tally on tokens?

by mfbull 3/13/2015 1:36:03 AM
@mfbull: We're not sure yet as it gets clarified at this race. We'll find out from Honda at some point at the next few days hopefully.

by Nate Saunders 3/13/2015 1:36:24 AM
I wonder if sutil will go to court

by alex 3/13/2015 1:36:25 AM
@alex: Well it's too late for him to do it for this race.

by Nate Saunders 3/13/2015 1:36:39 AM
Magnussen completes his installation lap and returns to the pit lane. How many laps can McLaren finish today after such a rotten winter? Encouraging start as they were ready to go from the first few minutes.

by Nate Saunders 3/13/2015 1:37:20 AM
Is Magnussen driving an Orange coloured car?

by Jimmy 3/13/2015 1:37:22 AM
@Jimmy: No. It looks more glittery.

by Nate Saunders 3/13/2015 1:37:38 AM
Max Verstappen and Sebastian Vettel are the first drivers out of the garages and onto the track in Melbourne #AusGP http://pbs.twimg.com/media/B_8OdGcWwAALymD.jpg

by Formula 1 via twitter 3/13/2015 1:38:03 AM
bring back yuji ide!!!!!

by alex 3/13/2015 1:38:06 AM
#F1 W06 Hybrid #LH44 - Dispatched! #F1DownUnder @LewisHamilton. http://pbs.twimg.com/media/B_8OaEAWgAAnBkh.jpg

by Mercedes-AMG F1 via twitter 3/13/2015 1:38:18 AM
Lots of sparks flying from the back of Hamilton's Mercedes in the middle sector. Rosberg's installation lap saw him go purple in the first two sectors.

by Nate Saunders 3/13/2015 1:38:50 AM
Saw that Newey's kid is going racing, he's got to be a better driver than his dad, no?

by mfbull 3/13/2015 1:39:36 AM
@mfbull: You'd hope so!

by Nate Saunders 3/13/2015 1:39:43 AM
Hamilton sets a 1:32.044, before Rosberg lowers the benchmark to a 1:29.557. Mercedes starting the season with confidence.

by Nate Saunders 3/13/2015 1:40:34 AM
Shame that F1 website is not showing any Photos as usual...It looks like they want to keep the fans away...I am one of them!!!!

by Capoa 3/13/2015 1:41:16 AM
@Capoa: There's a very swanky new F1 live area there now though for times etc.

by Nate Saunders 3/13/2015 1:41:30 AM
Nate, dont you think Van Der Garde sort of commited characterr suicide? he just said out to the world that he will place his needs over the team's and now everyone knows he's a liability, surely that means that the chances of him singing with another team in the future are virtually nil?

by Phoenix 3/13/2015 1:41:38 AM
@Phoenix: Good way of putting it. I can't imagine many teams are going to want to go near him after this.

by Nate Saunders 3/13/2015 1:41:52 AM
Is Max going to win this GP?

by Dutchy 3/13/2015 1:41:57 AM
@Dutchy: Nothing is impossible in F1, but a lot of things are unlikely - including Verstappen winning on Sunday.

by Nate Saunders 3/13/2015 1:42:17 AM
Button starts a timed lap.

by Nate Saunders 3/13/2015 1:43:19 AM
What are the chances of Hamilton's personal life issues following him to the track like they did in 2011?

by Phoenix 3/13/2015 1:43:23 AM

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