2014 Australian Grand Prix Friday - Practice
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Deliveries arriving at Ferrari today. Last-minute upgrades for the pacesetting F14 T? Or a new refrigerator for Kimi Raikkonen's ice cream supply?
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Unsurprisingly, the sound of the 2014 F1 cars has been a hot topic of conversation this morning as the world gets to hear them properly for the first time.
AUTOSPORT's team at the track have had no real complaints about the admittedly quieter V6 turbos, but they don't seem to be translating well through television speakers.
Intriguingly, one of the most vociferous groups on social media debating the F1 noise topic has been drivers from American motorsport.
IndyCar frontrunner Will Power said he was "missing the scream of the old F1 cars", while NASCAR's Michael McDowell suggested his child's go-kart was probably louder: "Maybe TV is not doing them justice. Are they even shifting? #EpicFail"
AUTOSPORT's team at the track have had no real complaints about the admittedly quieter V6 turbos, but they don't seem to be translating well through television speakers.
Intriguingly, one of the most vociferous groups on social media debating the F1 noise topic has been drivers from American motorsport.
IndyCar frontrunner Will Power said he was "missing the scream of the old F1 cars", while NASCAR's Michael McDowell suggested his child's go-kart was probably louder: "Maybe TV is not doing them justice. Are they even shifting? #EpicFail"
Speaking of mechanics' busy 'lunchbreaks', AUTOSPORT's anonymous F1 insider The Secret Mechanic had a few things to say about the perception of F1 "downtime" in his column this month:
Secret Mechanic: The moment of truth
Secret Mechanic: The moment of truth
Pastor Maldonado
This was the scene at Lotus as practice came to a close this morning - frantic work still going on with the car, and Maldonado with his helmet on, ready to go.
When he did emerge, it was only briefly before first smoke poured into the cockpit, then he slid into the Turn 13 gravel. He got going again but only to cruise back to the pits.
Lunchtime in the paddock here in Melbourne. But no real break for the Caterham boys, who are raiding crates of spare parts to fix the cars in time for FP2.
Things look more relaxed outside the Lotus garage, where mechanics are eating lunch and Romain Grosjean is posing for photos with guests.
Also spied Ron Dennis and Eric Boullier in conversation. Ron has been a man about the paddock this weekend, while we await the appointment of an F1 CEO for the Woking squad.
No sign of Martin Whitmarsh anywhere...
Things look more relaxed outside the Lotus garage, where mechanics are eating lunch and Romain Grosjean is posing for photos with guests.
Also spied Ron Dennis and Eric Boullier in conversation. Ron has been a man about the paddock this weekend, while we await the appointment of an F1 CEO for the Woking squad.
No sign of Martin Whitmarsh anywhere...
Mercedes remains hard to read, with Rosberg only sixth and Hamilton not getting to run at all after the sensor problem that stopped his W05 on its out-lap.
Where Hamilton slots in is one of the most intriguing questions going into this afternoon (FP2 is 55 minutes away, by the way).
The 2008 world champion is clearly fired up for this year, and he gave a great insight into how different the '14 cars are to drive in this exclusive interview for The Racer's Edge with F1 Racing and AUTOSPORT:
Part two of that interview, in which Hamilton gives some eye-opening answers to fans' questions, will be on AUTOSPORT.com at 8am UK time today.
Where Hamilton slots in is one of the most intriguing questions going into this afternoon (FP2 is 55 minutes away, by the way).
The 2008 world champion is clearly fired up for this year, and he gave a great insight into how different the '14 cars are to drive in this exclusive interview for The Racer's Edge with F1 Racing and AUTOSPORT:
Part two of that interview, in which Hamilton gives some eye-opening answers to fans' questions, will be on AUTOSPORT.com at 8am UK time today.
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We had some surprises this morning, but one thing that did run according to testing form was the Williams, which was right in the mix with Bottas and Massa third and fourth.
Bottas admitted in Melbourne that while he was sure Williams had improved on 2014 and done everything it could, he was anxious to see if the big guns turned up in Australia with a lot more pace.
"I think it's very difficult to say what we should expect from the first race, it's difficult to say how much quicker some other teams can go – for example Mercedes, if they can still go quicker, or Ferrari.
"I'm sure McLaren is going to be quick, and it's only a matter of time before Red Bull come back – we'll see soon.
"Of course we hope for the best, we hope we're fighting for good points and maybe even podiums, but I think a good target for the first race would be to score good points, the more the better."
Bottas admitted in Melbourne that while he was sure Williams had improved on 2014 and done everything it could, he was anxious to see if the big guns turned up in Australia with a lot more pace.
"I think it's very difficult to say what we should expect from the first race, it's difficult to say how much quicker some other teams can go – for example Mercedes, if they can still go quicker, or Ferrari.
"I'm sure McLaren is going to be quick, and it's only a matter of time before Red Bull come back – we'll see soon.
"Of course we hope for the best, we hope we're fighting for good points and maybe even podiums, but I think a good target for the first race would be to score good points, the more the better."
Daniil Kvyat
Most common sight in morning practice in Melbourne today was a Toro Rosso skating over the grass/gravel/run-off.
Both Vergne and Kvyat had plenty of issues making the braking system work comfortably and slid off about half a dozen times between them.
To the young duo's credit, they always made it back onto the road after each adventure.
The AUTOSPORT team made our predictions for the top 10 in this year's championship earlier this week. Here's how we reckon 2014 will unfold...
AUTOSPORT predicts the 2014 F1 result
AUTOSPORT predicts the 2014 F1 result
Has the Ferrari-McLaren-Williams top four in practice one - or Hamilton's early failure - changed your expectations for the weekend at all?
There's still plenty of time to make your Australian GP predictions in the Castrol EDGE Grand Prix Predictor, which is back again for 2014, and free and easy to play.
There's still plenty of time to make your Australian GP predictions in the Castrol EDGE Grand Prix Predictor, which is back again for 2014, and free and easy to play.
We're slowly adding to our gallery of the first race weekend of Formula 1 2014. Take a peek here:
Australian Grand Prix gallery
Australian Grand Prix gallery
Breaking news
In case you missed this announcement in the early stages of FP1, Lotus has appointed Federico Gastaldi as its new deputy team principal. Read the story here.
Ex-F1 driver David Coulthard takes to the track in a Red Bull that works! Looks like it's last year's double title winning RB9 being demonstrated. Bet Sebastian Vettel would kill to get back into 'Hungry Heidi'...
Breaking news
Tekno Holden driver Shane van Gisbergen has made it two wins from two F1-supporting V8 Supercars races.
Read about his lights-to-flag victory - a tense encounter nonetheless - right here:
van Gisbergen wins again in race two
Read about his lights-to-flag victory - a tense encounter nonetheless - right here:
van Gisbergen wins again in race two
One of the smaller changes for F1 2014 is the introduction of permanent driver numbers.
That's prompted a some rather bland choices (such as Kimi Raikkonen picking #7 because he used it last year), but we also have the return of the #27 that's steeped in history.
That number was used to win 25 grands prix, the last of which came courtesy of Jean Alesi in the 1995 Canadian Grand Prix. Michele Alboreto used it the most (he made 80 starts with the number), but it's most commonly associated with one of F1's most famous names.
It was used by the venerated Gilles Villeneuve at the time of his death in 1982, and during the '81 season that featured some of his most celebrated drives.
As well as Alboreto, Alan Jones, Patrick Tambay, Alain Prost, Ayrton Senna and Nigel Mansell have also used this number. The only issue with Hulkenberg running it? Apparently, he wasn't hugely aware of its history when he picked it.
Much like Adrian Sutil not knowing he had Greg Moore's #99.
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Lotus claims "lots of potential" for the coming weekend. That's one way of looking at it after a first practice session in which neither driver set a time.
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Williams reckons it can match the development rate of its bigger Formula 1 money rivals if its pre-season promise is realised.
Williams: budget won't hold us back
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The problems at Lotus continued in opening practice, with Maldonado managing just one installation lap before it started to cook. To add insult to injury, the team's former chief Eric Boullier's new squad McLaren challenged for top spot.
Romain Grosjean, who failed to even get out of the garage this morning, says the loss of Boullier is as big a blow as anything else - but he's well up for taking on his mentor when the E22 is up to speed.
"It’s different," he conceded. "First he was part of my management company so he was a good support and a good friend. It's strange to see him in grey but I think he was very important when I came here.
"Now it's the third year in a row [for Grosjean at Lotus] so I think I can as well fly with my own wings and from there it's going to be good to compete with him. I think he’s looking nice with the boss shirt!
Romain Grosjean, who failed to even get out of the garage this morning, says the loss of Boullier is as big a blow as anything else - but he's well up for taking on his mentor when the E22 is up to speed.
"It’s different," he conceded. "First he was part of my management company so he was a good support and a good friend. It's strange to see him in grey but I think he was very important when I came here.
"Now it's the third year in a row [for Grosjean at Lotus] so I think I can as well fly with my own wings and from there it's going to be good to compete with him. I think he’s looking nice with the boss shirt!
Breaking news
Here's our comprehensive report from FP1, with Fernando Alonso beating Jenson Button to top spot in the opening session at the Australian Grand Prix. Times and lap count included:
Alonso and Ferrari fastest in practice one
And we're already less than two hours from the start of FP2. Formula 1 is well and truly back.
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It's only FP1, but that result will have buoyed Jenson Button, who (like most) was unsure where his team sat in the pecking order heading to Oz.
Speaking yesterday, the Briton said: "It's a good basic car. I don't know where we stand compared to our competitors right now, but there will be a lot of change in the next few races.
"A few of the cars that were quick last year wont be slow for long. They'll be competitive very quickly I think. Hopefully we'll be quick sooner rather than later."
Speaking yesterday, the Briton said: "It's a good basic car. I don't know where we stand compared to our competitors right now, but there will be a lot of change in the next few races.
"A few of the cars that were quick last year wont be slow for long. They'll be competitive very quickly I think. Hopefully we'll be quick sooner rather than later."
Breaking news
In terms of lappery, it was an encouraging morning's work for most teams:
* Vergne racked up 30 laps for Toro Rosso while rookie team-mate Kvyat ended with 27 to his name.
* McLaren's Magnussen (28) and Williams' Bottas (27) were the most productive of the Mercedes-powered brigade,
* Ferrari lagged in comparison, Alonso notching 20 laps and Raikkonen 19.
* Vergne racked up 30 laps for Toro Rosso while rookie team-mate Kvyat ended with 27 to his name.
* McLaren's Magnussen (28) and Williams' Bottas (27) were the most productive of the Mercedes-powered brigade,
* Ferrari lagged in comparison, Alonso notching 20 laps and Raikkonen 19.
Breaking news
Here are the main talking points from that session then:
* Fernando Alonso tops FP1 by half a second for Ferrari ahead of McLaren's Jenson Button
* Lewis Hamilton breaks down in the early moments with an oil pressure sensor issue with his Mercedes
* Williams rapid, Red Bull shows promise but Lotus and Caterham still in trouble
* Fernando Alonso tops FP1 by half a second for Ferrari ahead of McLaren's Jenson Button
* Lewis Hamilton breaks down in the early moments with an oil pressure sensor issue with his Mercedes
* Williams rapid, Red Bull shows promise but Lotus and Caterham still in trouble
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And completing our quick-fire, EDD STRAW round-up - the Red Bull. Much more encouraging stuff for the team, with Ricciardo comfortably racking up the laps early on and Vettel's late appearance making it both cars in the top seven.
"Having watched the Red Bulls all session, think it's safe to say they have made a decent step," notes STRAW. "Not hard perhaps, but car looks a much better baseline than what the team had in Bahrain. Still work to be done but encouraging."
"Having watched the Red Bulls all session, think it's safe to say they have made a decent step," notes STRAW. "Not hard perhaps, but car looks a much better baseline than what the team had in Bahrain. Still work to be done but encouraging."
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STRAW's thoughts on the McLaren, with Button second and Magnussen eighth:
"It looks decent in Turns 11/12 in the hands of both drivers. While not quite as decisive on turn in, it is planted once in the corner and able to carry good speed."
"It looks decent in Turns 11/12 in the hands of both drivers. While not quite as decisive on turn in, it is planted once in the corner and able to carry good speed."
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Some thoughts from EDD STRAW at the end of that session. First, to the session-topping Ferrari.
"Again noticeable with the Ferrari are the super smooth downshifts. The car looks strong on corner entry. That said, drivers seem to have to be a bit more cautious on throttle application at corner exits."
"Again noticeable with the Ferrari are the super smooth downshifts. The car looks strong on corner entry. That said, drivers seem to have to be a bit more cautious on throttle application at corner exits."
Checkered flag
Australian Grand Prix FP1 results:
1 Alonso (Ferrari) 1m31.840s
2 Button (McLaren) +0.517s
3 Bottas (Williams) +0.563s
4 Massa (Williams) +0.591s
5 Ricciardo (Red Bull) +0.759s
6 Rosberg (Mercedes) +0.764s
7 Vettel (Red Bull) +0.953s
8 Magnussen (McLaren) +1.007s
9 Raikkonen (Ferrari) +1.137s
10 Vergne (Toro Rosso). +1.606s.
1 Alonso (Ferrari) 1m31.840s
2 Button (McLaren) +0.517s
3 Bottas (Williams) +0.563s
4 Massa (Williams) +0.591s
5 Ricciardo (Red Bull) +0.759s
6 Rosberg (Mercedes) +0.764s
7 Vettel (Red Bull) +0.953s
8 Magnussen (McLaren) +1.007s
9 Raikkonen (Ferrari) +1.137s
10 Vergne (Toro Rosso). +1.606s.
Bianchi gets onto the timing screen proper right at the end of the session. The Marussia man ends FP1 16th fastest, slowest of those to set a proper time and 9s off Alonso's benchmark.
Crash
Another Toro Rosso off the road - Vergne has been right through the gravel at Turn 3.
He reaches the escape road at the other end of the run-off and gets going.
He reaches the escape road at the other end of the run-off and gets going.
The chequered flag flies. FP1 is at an end.
And there's Bianchi emerging, just to prove AUTOSPORT Live wrong.
Alonso brings his Ferrari into the pits. His work his done for this morning - which he looks likely to end on top.
Chilton went to the end of the pitlane ready to go out again, but ran into trouble and has been pushed back.
Half a dozen drivers without times. We know Hamilton's not heading out, nor the Lotus drivers. And no sign of a last-minute appearance from the Caterhams or Bianchi's Marussia.
Button's back out after all. Less than three minutes on the clock, will he be the man to topple Alonso from his perch?
Crash
Magnussen slides over the grass at Turn 1, and now Kvyat does likewise after his third wild braking moment of the session. That's the furthest into the gravel Kvyat has been, but he still gets the Toro Rosso back on track.
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With little in the way of times to bring you, let's go back to EDD STRAW. Where are you now, Edd, and what have you got for us?
"Standing on the straight between Turns 10 and 11, it's a reminder of how much quieter the engines are this year. You can stand a metre or two from the cars at flat chat and not be instantly defeaned!
"Still sounds impressive though. The old V8s offered a powerful wall of noise, but the new engines all sound different and there is so much more texture to the sound."
"Standing on the straight between Turns 10 and 11, it's a reminder of how much quieter the engines are this year. You can stand a metre or two from the cars at flat chat and not be instantly defeaned!
"Still sounds impressive though. The old V8s offered a powerful wall of noise, but the new engines all sound different and there is so much more texture to the sound."
Another unmitigated disaster for the Lotus team this session, so we're still no closer to finding out whether the E22 has the potential Romain Grosjean claims it might.
The Finn left himself with a lot to do after a fairly sluggish first sector, though, and he doesn't improve.
By: Matt Beer, Ben Anderson, Scott Mitchell, Edd Straw, Sam Tremayne
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