Does Melbourne deserve a Formula 1 race?

drdamien — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 01:28:00 GMT

Australia does. That's for sure.

With Sir Jack Brabham and Alan Jones, we have two deserving world champions. And let's face it, it's more then France or the USA.

Mark Webber is our current representative and Daniele Ricciardo, the current Bristish F3 champion and Red Bull Racing tester, is following his footsteps.

Our TV coverage has got a lot better too with OneHD going on air last year. Commenting practice sessions will be former commentating and ITV legend James Allen of www.JamesAllenOnF1.com which we heard on Ten until until the 2008 Brazillian GP. I urge you to check his blog if you are at least little into F1 - very insightful.

Back to our original question: does Melbourne deserve to host the race?

Being a New South Welshman, I'd say I don't mind at all. Victorians have been paying taxes for years to fund this money losing event. Yet it puts Australia on the map for 3 days. It also gives us the opportunity to visits Melbourne for a day (thanks to an early Jetstar filght and a late Virgin Blue one) to enjoy the surreal sound of F1 cars and great atmosphere of the Albert Park.

The Melbourne event is better organised than Japan but Singapore manages better facilities and glamour. No massive queues waiting for a tram to access the premises, which are far away from the shop strips. Outside the Singapore street circuit, you can access no less than 4 shopping malls with great facilities. You might not care if you are spending the weekend with your mates drinking beers but it is a life saver if you take your someone curious with limited interest in F1 and/or kids.

I would personally be in favour of moving the race to the streets of Melbourne CBD and make it a night event. Mind you, we're not far off with a 5pm start - just another 2 hours and we'll be there.

Anyway, go Mark!

Action so far at the Albert Park:

Jenson Button drives a Commodore:

[View:http://www.youtube.com/user/australiangrandprix#p/u/1/V9bRQWNamQ8]

Jamie Whincup drives a McLaren:

[View:http://www.youtube.com/user/australiangrandprix#p/u/2/vAZ4yT-NY6g]

Mark Webber speaks:

[View:http://www.youtube.com/user/australiangrandprix#p/u/0/g1DM3ACC8e4]

Your favourite 2010 F1 car so far?

drdamien — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 11:45:00 GMT

Yes, I know, i know That's two F1 polls in just four days.

However, testing started in Spain and since F1 is quite a followed sport by OP members (on par with the V8) I thought I'd share the cars released so far.

Aside from McLaren and Williams, all other teams have a new paint job - even Ferrari that is now Red AND White!

So... We'd like to know which one has done the best paint job. No specific criteria - just asking for your favourite.

Click here to cast your vote.

In my order of preference:

Toro Rosso (not to be confused with Webber's Red Bull to be revealed next week):

BMW Sauber (Ferrari powered though):

Ferrari:

Mercedes-Benz (with Rosberg, Brawn and SCHUMACHER at the back):

McLaren:

Virgin Racing:

Williams:

And my Black Swan is... Renault:

Yours racingly,

drdamien

The OP motorsport blog : Ferrari

Does Melbourne deserve a Formula 1 race?

Your favourite 2010 F1 car so far?