No F1 thread?

[Mito Man]

[jamcg]

[Jimmy Choo]

Vettel has tested positive. Hulkenburg will be replacing him in the Aston for Bahrain.

[GG.]

Looking forward to the first race of the season. Interestingly Mercedes look to have real problems with their car and at best the 3rd best team on the grid… wonder how quickly they can get a grip on the porpoising issue.

Looks like it could be a wide open title this year.

[Gavin]

It is interesting this season, especially when you are getting a gap between team mates. Ferrari seem consistent with both drivers though.

[duncs500]

Mercedes looking a lot better in FP3.

[teacherboy]

Haas and Alfa Romeo right up there as well.

Will Mercedes miraculously find some speed and reveal the extent of the sandbagging or are they genuinely in bother with set-up / porpoising to the level they seem to be? George faster than Lewis is entirely expected though, also looks like Mick Schumacher could in fact be given a few lessons by Kevin Magnussen!

[Mito Man]

Ferrari looking like the dominant Mercedes of a few years ago right now.

[DeskJockey]

Certainly more interesting than last few years.

[Mito Man]

Lots of surprises but a few consistent results remain - namely Stroll and Latifi being useless.

[DeskJockey]

Lots of surprises but a few consistent results remain - namely Stroll and Latifi being useless.

Was thinking just that.

[Mito Man]

I’m surprised that we’ve not seen any mistakes yet, not even a driver locking up yet or a half spin. Suggest ground effect cars may be more predictable?

[DeskJockey]

Is now the time to start asking about what cheat Ferrari has come up with?

[Mito Man]

Hmm, the Ferrari is the prettiest car and usually the prettiest car is the fastest car.

[duncs500]

I'm just delighted RB are not walking away with it, albeit they might have the better car in race trim. The promising thing for Ferrari is they have looked consistent, and have a strong driver line up. Should be interesting tomorrow.

[duncs500]

What happened with track limits anyway? They said they were going to enforce it over the white line, then they just didn't. More bizarre officiating.

[Mito Man]

Let’s hope Ferrari have a better strategy team than the let time they were competitive otherwise I expect Red Bull to walk it in races.

Ditto on the track limits. Thought this year was about simplifying all that crap but they immediately managed to make it confusing in typical FIA fashion.

I’m guessing the reason they got rid of the Q2 tyre rule was because it confused the American market too much

[mik]

Look at the size of the current cars

[Rich B]

George faster than Lewis is entirely expected though,

not so much...

[Gavin]

What happened with track limits anyway? They said they were going to enforce it over the white line, then they just didn't. More bizarre officiating.

That was mentioned in commentary then a moment later Zho lost his time.

When you see how Hulk and Magnusson have gone in and plopped on the incumbents it does make you wonder whether they would be there without major money.

Piastri and De Vries amongst others, should have been in a seat this year ahead of Zho, Latiffi, Albon (who did a decent job) Mick Schumacher, Stroll. Money talks.