F1 2023 - Round 1: Bahrain

flazio · 02-03-2023 11:22AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120304631#Comment_120304631

Once upon a time, the inconvenient time was part of the charm. Getting up or staying up for the Australian Grand Prix and the Japanese Grand Prix when they bookended the season was actually quite fun.

El_Duderino 09 · 02-03-2023 12:09PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120304903#Comment_120304903

I don't mind the early races. I just watch them 'as live' on the 1pm replay. Just need to avoid spoilers.

McFly85 · 02-03-2023 12:39PM

Got up for Suzuka last year, lesson learned, will record it and watch as soon as I’m up in future!

Jordan 199 · 02-03-2023 02:50PM

Well, when I woke up this morning I thought it was Friday. I was going 'Woohoo' and everything, then had a quick look at my phone and well I was no longer 'Woohoo-ing'. Oh well.

Frank Bullitt · 02-03-2023 11:42PM

Lads...every race is an early race for me. Such is the Canada life.

Please...don't pity me, i do that enough for myself.

quokula · 03-03-2023 12:43AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120304631#Comment_120304631

I think the fact that it was the first race of the season used to make up for the fact that it was a bad track. You'd never really know what was going to happen, the teams would be on the back foot with a new car on an unfamiliar circuit, and there'd always be surprises. Who could forget Button's serene performance in 2009, that statement of intent from McLaren in 1998, or Webber bursting onto the scene in 2002. Then that would immediately be followed by questions around whether the performances on this unique street circuit would carry over to more traditional tracks.

A lot of the appeal remains for the season opener wherever it is, but when it's at a more standard F1 track where they've already been testing just a week ago, it maybe leaves less to the imagination. And aside from that, Melbourne had just become something of a tradition and the early morning start only added to the sense of occasion.

MadYaker · 03-03-2023 09:57AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120307856#Comment_120307856

Must feel a bit strange cracking a beer open in the morning!

El_Duderino 09 · 03-03-2023 10:01AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120307935#Comment_120307935

Why do we have to make excuses for bad tracks?

Those 3 instances you mentioned would likely have happened at the first race wherever it was. None of them were about good racing. They were car and driver changes that caused surprises in the first race. Nothing to do with the track.

The track is poor. As much as people give out about about DRS, even all the DRS zones couldn't make interesting racing last year.

F1 doesn't do itself any favours when tried to attract new fans. There was a while when f1 had it's opening race and the most famous race were boring street circuits. Any new fan who tuned in for Australia or Monaco must have been left with the impression F1 was all hype and no action on track.

Andrew76 · 03-03-2023 11:35AM

Free Practice 1 underway chaps, damn it's good to have F1 back. 😎

One of the Alpine's has some aero rake gear on the back of like we saw in testing.

eviltimeban · 03-03-2023 11:43AM

Alonso already up there. I wonder will the results actually justify the hype?

Andrew76 · 03-03-2023 12:02PM

Would be great to see him fighting with the Mercs and Ferrari. Stroll's car stuck in the garage with issues, ignition problem was mentioned.

artanevilla · 03-03-2023 12:39PM

Looks like Aston Martin might be quick.

muckwarrior · 03-03-2023 12:52PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120309096#Comment_120309096

It's certainly not slow, although worth noting that Ferrari or Merc didn't set a time on the softs. Worst case scenario I'd say they're 4th fastest. Best case, maybe challenging Ferrari for second.