F1 – GP Australian… by Gian Carlo Minardi

MELBOURNE – Although one swallow does not make a summer, the dominant theme of this season could be represented by the upward compaction performance. both in qualifying and the race we could see how the performance of teams have approached. It will be very important to monitor this on a real track like Sepang, where it will run only in a week.

We have seen a first gp fun although perhaps you could avoid the safety car, as Petrov could park somewhere else. A GP with three world champions on the podium and five top ten. The call is not only Schumacher, although German is part of the surprise together with Romain Grosjean (although Sunday and was only viewer). The Lotus has a very fast car on lap while Raikkonen has won a good seventh place after starting from the back for a mistake made in Q1. The Mercedes has instead reiterated the issues raised in the winter. They have a car that suffers tire management. This problem is difficult to get great results. From what I heard but should have a major and substantial change (already for Bahrain). This would also explain the tranquility of Schumacher.
Compared to last season, Williams and Sauber (with 2 cars in the top 10) have made a great step forward and together with Force India and Toro Rosso can be annoying at first, especially when entering the SC. Williams showed that last season’s problems were due to the engine.
We have seen what are the forces in the field in front of McLaren, Red Bull, Ferrari and Mercedes. Behind a bevy of teams trying to make room for many points as possible. Having to make an analysis I believe that the true value of the Ferrari is not that of Alonso. We saw a mass in great difficulty in all conditions, both in qualifying and the race, with both soft and with the medium. He raced in defense and now we should wait directly to Malaysia.
McLaren on the front, have a very quick car that does work with the tires. Button once again took advantage of better tires that Hamilton is still very aggressive. And ‘get a good start taking the lead immediately.
Gian Carlo Minardi