[beriarele]

• "Up and down the pit lane all the technical directors seem to agree this will be the closest season for years. It means teams will be punished for any small mistake - you could lose 10 grid places if you get it even slightly wrong. It should be a great year."

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/formula1/17249454

The times on that page are just the teams doing tests, they are not truly a full representation of each cars performance. But I think, looking at the analysed form, to say that Caterham will be challenging for points, the Williams won't won't look like a floating turd, and the Mercedes could realistically take a Podium, would almost be safe bets.

[Jadykeery]

All I want is for there to be mutiple challengers for the title. I am fed up with the best car letting average drivers do exceptionally well ( yes I am talking about Vettel ). While great drivers such as Alonso have to hang on to the coatails as their car is too slow.

[Snuddyentaine]

The Sky F1 channel launches on Friday, with a special season preview programme at 8pm.

[JosephEL]

All I want is for there to be mutiple challengers for the title. I am fed up with the best car letting average drivers do exceptionally well ( yes I am talking about Vettel ). While great drivers such as Alonso have to hang on to the coatails as their car is too slow.

To be fair Vettel is a very good driver (not average) but yes the red bull cars do seem excessively good compared to the others. I dont support vettel BTW I just think that is a bit harsh because he is clearly an above average driver.

[nancywind]

First season I wont be watching for a long time. Outrightly refuse to pay £22.50 for the entire sky sports package just to watch the season on virgin media and not wanting to watch BBC hash up of a broadcast for it.

Real shame SKY have locked non subscribers out from the whole season.

[beonecenry]

Looks like it could be an interesting season. Lotus/Renault were looking pretty good in Barcelona but of course it could all amount to nothing in Melbourne. Ferrari look in a bit of trouble, they could slip behind Mercedes this year.

Also if anyone is interested there is a F1 fantasy thing going on.

[WeestDype]

First season I wont be watching for a long time. Outrightly refuse to pay £22.50 for the entire sky sports package just to watch the season on virgin media and not wanting to watch BBC hash up of a broadcast for it.

Real shame SKY have locked non subscribers out from the whole season.

Nose, face spring to mind...

[UnmariKam]

First season I wont be watching for a long time. Outrightly refuse to pay £22.50 for the entire sky sports package just to watch the season on virgin media and not wanting to watch BBC hash up of a broadcast for it.

Real shame SKY have locked non subscribers out from the whole season.

Yeah I was hoping they would stream it as pay per view like they used to do with Champions League games (not sure if they still do). £5 a race and I'd of bought every one I was able to watch. They've obviously worked out they can make more money making less people pay for the whole sports package.

I think the BBC will be showing the full Australian race in the early afternoon (UK time)

[DoctoNilsonDen]

All I want is for there to be mutiple challengers for the title. I am fed up with the best car letting average drivers do exceptionally well ( yes I am talking about Vettel ). While great drivers such as Alonso have to hang on to the coatails as their car is too slow.

What a load of bullshit. Whether you believe me or not, I'm no Vettel fan by any means. But if its just about the car then why didnt Webber finish a season ahead of Vettel?

Vettel simply does more with a car than alot of other drivers. He's probably not the fastest driver in the grid (well maybe he is?), but most definately well above "average".

Personally I would like to see Button get another title (he just seems to be the most likable guy in the grid) and some wins from the Mercs this year. Schumacher winning at least one more race before he retires for real would be sweet.

[Clielldub]

Agreed, consider his results in the 'second tier' STR-Ferrari team in 2008
Italy, pole and a race win - in the points in 8 other races and, IIRC, on for several other points' finishes before having DNFs.

He's also done pretty well against many of his competitors on the TG test track as well.

[offinoNem]

World Title No.3 for Vettel/Red Bull...[xmascandle]

[gusecrync]

If you've got the HD package Sky Sports F1 is included at no extra charge....as long as you've got Sky of course.

[frkksptn]

What a load of bullshit. Whether you believe me or not, I'm no Vettel fan by any means. But if its just about the car then why didnt Webber finish a season ahead of Vettel?

Vettel simply does more with a car than alot of other drivers. He's probably not the fastest driver in the grid (well maybe he is?), but most definately well above "average".

Personally I would like to see Button get another title (he just seems to be the most likable guy in the grid) and some wins from the Mercs this year. Schumacher winning at least one more race before he retires for real would be sweet.

Vettel gets priority treatment from Red Bull, and he is good at qualifying. As a driver and racer he is average. Whenever he does not get pole, he rarely wins. The Red Bull car's are geared up to qualify as fast as possible in order to guarantee pole. Vettel then just needs to make sure he does not crash, as the car is so much faster than the rest of the field nobody can catch him. He is very much like Mika Hakineen, fast driver but crap under pressure who hides behind and exceptional car.

Michael Schumacher on the other hand in his prime was a very good driver. He had considerable input on the inner workings of the car, and how to get the best out of it. Just look at Ferrari now he has left, they are nowhere near as good.

I certainly would like to see Button win again, not only is he likeable but he is without doubt the smoothest driver on the grid. Not only that but nobody can make their tyres last as well as him. Unfortunately he has not got enough to win again, unless he gets a good car like a Red Bull.

If you look back over the years, the team with the best car has generally won the championship. Only when you get an an enigma with true talent like Senna has someone won with a clearly second best car.

[lXwVlTgO]

If you've got the HD package Sky Sports F1 is included at no extra charge....as long as you've got Sky of course.

Ditto if you have the Sky Sports package through VirginMedia.

(I don't, hello vipbox.tv!)

[Sttim]

If you've got the HD package Sky Sports F1 is included at no extra charge....as long as you've got Sky of course.

I stubbornly refuse to pay £45 a month for one channel[thumbdown]

I shall watch it for free via foreign satellite with 5 live commentary.

[2puO4Rhf]

I'd pay up to £10 per month to get the F1 channel, but it works out at £22.50.

Extended highlights for me!

[Rugda]

So how does the F1 work in the UK on the BBC now then ? Do they have any races in full live or later? or is it all just highlights?

Dont have sky... use to... they were a bunch of c u next tuesdays... will not go back to them.

[NikkitaZ]

All the races will be shown on the BBC, but only half of them will be shown live.

[egershna]

Vettel gets priority treatment from Red Bull, and he is good at qualifying. As a driver and racer he is average. Whenever he does not get pole, he rarely wins. The Red Bull car's are geared up to qualify as fast as possible in order to guarantee pole. Vettel then just needs to make sure he does not crash, as the car is so much faster than the rest of the field nobody can catch him. He is very much like Mika Hakineen, fast driver but crap under pressure who hides behind and exceptional car.

Michael Schumacher on the other hand in his prime was a very good driver. He had considerable input on the inner workings of the car, and how to get the best out of it. Just look at Ferrari now he has left, they are nowhere near as good.

I certainly would like to see Button win again, not only is he likeable but he is without doubt the smoothest driver on the grid. Not only that but nobody can make their tyres last as well as him. Unfortunately he has not got enough to win again, unless he gets a good car like a Red Bull.

If you look back over the years, the team with the best car has generally won the championship. Only when you get an an enigma with true talent like Senna has someone won with a clearly second best car.

His problem is gearing - the RB is geared for the best top end in free air and not for slipsteaming or using the DRS for more overtaking speed. They also have a lot of issues with their KERS, which further handicaps them where passing is involved.
Lastly, the reason he doesn't have pole will usually come down to a car setup problem which can't be corrected in Park Ferme - so he has to just deal with it.

[jeargefef]

if Fezza doesn't get a title this year my life will be over!
i still have a consolation in kimi's return though...i like that dude