Australian Grand Prix - 4 Hours To Go!

March 16, 2008 by CLDsport

I’ve just walked in the door from a hard day at work. I’m shattered, and I want to go to bed. But, I’m not! Instead, I’m drinking strong coffee to keep me awake (thankfully I have no work tomorrow!).

Why?

The first race of the Formula 1 season is due to start in a little over 4 hours and for some reason I HAVE to stay up and watch it. Every year is the same!

I’m really hoping that Bernie Ecclestone’s aim to turn the Australian event into a night race materialises soon, so that I don’t have to stay up until (or wake up) at some ridiculous time of the morning. Ah well, for now it’s business as usual. Let’s hope the caffeine is going to do the job.

So, on to the race………

Fantastic to see Lewis Hamilton on pole for the 1st race of his second season in Formula 1. It’s no surprise of course, but a welcome achievement. Lewis has very quickly become an established Formula 1 driver. Nobody expected him to achieve the result he did last year - in his ‘rookie’ season.

For those of you who have not seen the full qualifying session results, here they are;

Final qualifying times for the Australian Grand Prix

1. Lewis Hamilton, Britain, McLaren-Mercedes, 1 minute, 26.714 seconds.
2. Robert Kubica, Poland, BMW-Sauber, 1:26.869.
3. Heikki Kovalainen, Finland, McLaren-Mercedes, 1:27.079.
4. Felipe Massa, Brazil, Ferrari, 1:27.178.
5. Nick Heidfeld, Germany, BMW-Sauber, 1:27. 236.
6. Jarno Trulli, Italy, Toyota, 1:28. 527.
7. Nico Rosberg, Germany, Williams, 1:28.687.
8. David Coulthard, Britain, Red Bull, 1:29.041.
9. Timo Glock, Germany, Toyota, 1:29.593.
10. Sebastian Vettel, Germany, Toro Rosso, did not start.

Eliminated after second session

11. Rubens Barrichello, Brazil, Honda, 1:26.173.
12. Fernando Alonso, Spain, Renault, 1:26.188.
13. Jenson Button, Britain, Honda, 1:26.259.
14. Kazuki Nakajima, Japan, Williams, 1:26.413.
15. Mark Webber, Australia, Red Bull, did not finish.
16. Kimi Raikkonen, Finland, Ferrari, did not start.

Eliminated after first session

17. Giancarlo Fisichella, Italy, Force India, 1:27.207.
18. Sebastien Bourdais, France, Toro Rosso, 1:27.446.
19. Adrian Sutil, Germany, Force India, 1;27.859.
20. Takuma Sato, Japan, Super Aguri, 1:28.208.
21. Nelson Piquet Jr., Brazil, Renault, 1:28.330.
22. Anthony Davidson, Britian, Super Aguri, 1:29.059.

What a great performance from Kubica of BMW Sauber to clinch 2nd place (in fact, he almost gained pole but missed out by .155 of a second to Hamilton).

Hamilton surely fancies his chances with Alonso starting 12th in the Renault and Raikkonen 16th respectively. You have to assume that these 3 drivers are amongst the favourites to win the championship this year - but who else is in with a shout? Will anyone else get a look in?

Anyone else up late (or early if you have been to bed!) to watch the race?

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