F1 Fanatic

I think well done to Ollie, he completly dominated that race. My race was average, I didn’t expect much as my steering was horrible. I think the warm up lap was done well and everyone got into their positions sensibly. The only issue I had was when I was hit from behind, it’s no fun to start a race already 5+ seconds behind Brooksy who was in 6th. The only guys behind me I think were Abbmacher, Sozavele, and Shyguy; so I would appreciate if one of you could own up.

My race ended when I lost control of my steering and hit the wall on the pit straight, spinning me into the opposite wall. I see it brang out SC, so I decided to watch it. Also congrates to my teamate Alfie for taking a podium!

D.O.D = Ollie, no one comes close in my opinion

Sorry Jamie :)

OLI PEACOCK TAKES VICTORY DOWN UNDER
——————————————————–

The scene was set, 10 drivers, 5 teams and one highly fustrating disconnect, but as the season rolled in to life, questions were answered…

In an exciting qualifying the grid, @olliekart took pole position at the death from @jamiefranklinf1, but furher down the grid was turned on its head and 3 GP2 graduates took places with in the top 4 in the form of @alfie (3rd) and @raginginferno (4th), but only after @shyguy1992 was penalised for crossing the pit lane line after a great effort on the prime tyre. This promoted @tayzz94 onto the front of the 3 row after shaving a massive 2secs of her previous effort, backing up Caterham’s strong form as the only team to get both cars in the Top 5. Alongside her was another surprise, 2011 champion @brooksy007 could only manage 6th after a dissapointing session,. 7th was @robocat with power steering issues and in 8th was @abboracing. 9th was @formula-1 who struggled with an ill handling car, and the penalised @shyguy1992 filled up to 10 strong grid.

However, as standard with all series run under the CodeMaster Intenationale Automobile, everyone disconnected while @brooksy007 went into a full caps rage…. It was decided that Lap one should act as the formation lap and drivers would take their positions within it.

As @olliekart took up his pole position and led the field round, tensions were high, but coming out the penultimate corner @olliekart put his foot down and started the 2012/13 Winter series.

As he pulled away the racing was frantic, as @shyguy1992 carved his back up the field and into 4th, while absolute heartbrake for @tayzz94 as her ‘visor’ steamed up and was forced to retire after a great quali lap. After the first round of pitstops the order was @olliekart, @raginginferno (who hadn’t pitted and was on primes), @jamiefranklinf1, @shyguy1992, @alfie, @brooksy007, @robocat, @abboracing and @formula-1 whose set-up was non better in race trim. With 13 laps a frightful and hateful message was relayed to the drivers ‘We are expecting light rain in 5 minutes’…. 9 laps to go primes runner @raginginferno bailed on to option tyres after the rain never really arrived, but stratagy was up in the air with 6 laps McLaren driver @robocat smeared into the pit wall and with rain now falling /but the sky still blue?!?!) Drivers pealed into the pits for option tyres, this was god send to @raginginferno as he was up to 2nd and on fresh tyres, but crucially low on fuel. After 2 laps of dawdling behind the safety car through @shyguy1992 was disconnected and his great comeback through the field was over. Soon after that, the 4 lap sprint was on… @olliekart dropped @raginginferno straight away as he had to nusre a fuel issue this caused @jamiefranklinf1 and @alfie to scrap it out behind him, and allowed @olliekart to open out a massive 4.5 sec lead after the first flying lap and set the fastest lap of the race. Meanwhile @alfie was pass @raginginferno but himself and @jamiefranklinf1 collided neither losing position but @jamiefranklinf1 lost a lot of time. 2 laps to go, @olliekart set another fastest lap of the race on the greasy track, a full 1.5 secs faster than @jamiefranklinf1 who had recovered back past the Mercedes and was harasing @alfie‘s McLaren. With track now past its best, the sole Lotus slid passed @alfie but the gap was to big to first as @olliekart took the opening honours at Australia, followed home by @jamiefranklinf1 and @alfie. @brooksy came home a solid 4th after @raginginferno crawled over the line to 5th. @abborcing came home 6th followed by @formula-1 in 7th. @shyguy1992, @robocat and @tayzz94 retired in reverse order.

In 2 weeks time to travel to the hot and humid Malaysia, where Caterham will want to do well again at home. If Australia answer came up with a few answers, it certainly made more questions such as;

You guys answer these

1. Will @olliekart‘s take the victory again?
2. Will @brooksy007 find his form?
3. How will @bradley13 and @todford fair in their first race?
4. Will @tayzz94 upset the established runners again?

And finally, Will you be there?

[strong]Championship Standings[/strong]
1. Oli Peacock – 10
2. Jamie Franklin – 8
3. Alfie Widger – 6
4. John Brookfield – 5
5. Tom Robson – 4
6. George Angus – 3
The rest either have no points, and I’m unsure as to whether @Formula-1 finished 75% distance, although I’m sure Robo did…so if he completed more laps, that would put him in 7th.

Constructor’s
1. Caterham – 10
2. Lotus – 8
3. McLaren – 6 (Possibly 8)
4. Ferrari – 5
5. Mercedes – 4
6. Red Bull – 3
The other teams are yet to score.

Not sure if Ollie wants those questions answered now, or whether that will be on Skype, but here goes:

1. Oli clearly has great pace. You don’t dominate a race like that and not expect to be good at the next track. He’ll definitely be fighting for the victory again, but hopefully I can be a lot closer this time.
2. John is a great driver, he wouldn’t be a Champion otherwise. The new regulations may not suit him as much, but there is no doubt in my mind that he will come back stronger, especially in Monaco, where he has been very strong in the past.
3. Bradley is a known quantity. He’s very consistent and quick at times as well. For sure, I reckon he’s going to fair pretty well, though like John, he has had troubles with the new regulations. TodFod, I have no idea. He’s yet to race here, but it will be exciting to see how he does.
4. Tea (forgotten the code for the special e) has improved a lot since first joining in GP2, so I certainly wouldn’t be surprised to see her improve this year as well and cause some upsets. She is clearly eager to learn, and with a team mate like she has, she can learn a lot. I think a podium is on the cards, at the very least, if she continues to perform well and stay consistent.

@Alfie – If that’s the case, then the standings will remain as they are, with only the top 6 scoring points. I’ll see what @Bradley13 says just so that we can have absolute clarification.

I’ll also talk to him about the possibility of introducing a new rule regarding overtaking. As we’ve seen in a few races, people have inadvertently taken out, or been taken out from passing somebody and then moving in front of them, only for that person to be hit in the side on their screen. If Bradley agrees, then I’d like for passing cars to keep the their line, in order to avoid this. The only problem with this would be having it in a way that allows the defending car to drive defensively (covering the inside line for example) without hitting into the trailing car.

Also, as a note: @alfie & @formula-1 – As it stands you are in McLaren and Sauber resectively, simply because Alfie has now started the season for McLaren. However, if you both decided you really want the other car, ie Alife in the Sauber, Kaz in the Macca, I can swap you over :)

@JamieFranklinF1 – Ah, in which case, scrap everything I have just said until @Todfod picks up a copy of F1 2012 :P

Quali – only ran primes and was surprised to see how far off the pace i was to be honest. I’m not sure if it was a setup problem or driver confidence in the car. p6 after shyguys penalty.

Race – this is where i had a TECHNICAL DISASTER!!! my wheel disconnected while we were sitting in the pits – i COULDN’T CHANGE SETUP at all, I WAS STUCK WITH THE GAMES SETUP. I ALSO COULDN’D CHANGE TYRES AND STARTED WITH OPTIONS!!! I quickly unplugged and reconnected my wheel and it finally worked. Lucky for the rolling start as i was the last off the line by a long way but unlucky because i was stuck with the games setup and i lost all advantage of starting on primes.

Overall i was very happy with my performance given the car i had to drive..