[ltr317]

For those fans who haven't seen the race yet, I won't give it away.  After only five races so far, the season has been as exciting as entire seasons ten years ago, mainly due to the new tires and to lesser extent DRS and KERS. 

[nonoise]

Yes. Its just getting better and better. Ferrari is now coming into stride and Vetel is getting some serious challenges, finally, from McLaren. Those tire changes that at first seemed a hassle are leveling the playing field making the pit stop strategies all the more important. Just when one has a lead, it's eaten up by a pit stop to replace tires and the timing has to be spot on in order to get back onto the track ahead of one's rivals.

At first the drivers were careful of the tire wear and now they seem to push the cars even more. They've gotten used to the tires and now the teams are radioing them to go easy on the wear and tear. There seemed to be a lot more marbling on the track this time.
As adjustments are made this is going to be a great season.

[jonwb]

For those fans who haven't seen the race yet, I won't give it away.  After only five races so far, the season has been as exciting as entire seasons ten years ago, mainly due to the new tires and to lesser extent DRS and KERS.

I agree!  That start was amazing!  Nice to see cleaner starts this year too.  I wonder if it has to do w/ guys being less desperate than in years past because now they have the tools to help facilitate passing.  It will be interesting to see how these things affect the race at Monaco.  Seems like only the tires would make a big difference there, but we'll see...

[mgalusha]

100% agree this was a terrific race. The start was a thing of beauty and though some were exceptionally close to each other they managed to keep it clean. Hard to believe Monaco is just a few days away. 

[ltr317]

I agree!  That start was amazing!  Nice to see cleaner starts this year too.  I wonder if it has to do w/ guys being less desperate than in years past because now they have the tools to help facilitate passing.  It will be interesting to see how these things affect the race at Monaco.  Seems like only the tires would make a big difference there, but we'll see...

I hope the officials listen to the drivers' concern about using DRS in Monaco.  The only real straight is the tunnel and I agree with the drivers that it may be too dangerous to use it there.

[mgalusha]

The only real straight is the tunnel and I agree with the drivers that it may be too dangerous to use it there.

No doubt, the tunnel exit is tricky at the best of times.

[jtwrace]

I hope the officials listen to the drivers' concern about using DRS in Monaco.  The only real straight is the tunnel and I agree with the drivers that it may be too dangerous to use it there.

That's what they get paid for...

[FullRangeMan]

The treatment that Ferrari Team is giving to Felipe Massa is going to disgust even the most fanatical Ferrarist.

The last tire change that Ferrari Team made ​​on Massa car took 5.6 seconds, an eternity for F1 standards, McLaren did the same in Hamilton by 3.0 seconds.

[richidoo]

The treatment that Ferrari Team is giving to Felipe Massa is going to disgust even the most fanatical Ferrarist.

I think Massa is lucky to still be in a Ferrari considering the enormous improvement in the top teams' drivers over the last few years. Ferrari would have Raikkonen or Kubica if they could. But I agree with you that the Ferrari team has lots of room for improvement too. Without Alonso inflating their true performance they'd be mid-pack with Mercedes.  Obviously I am not a Ferrarist... But I root for Alooooooonsooooooo wherever he may roam... 

The new tires sure do increase the excitement. Watching Vettel, Alonso and Hamilton battle together was a great treat. I hope we see more of that. The surprising thing about the battle at the end was how much more important downforce is that DRS and KERS combined.

[ltr317]

The treatment that Ferrari Team is giving to Felipe Massa is going to disgust even the most fanatical Ferrarist.

The last tire change that Ferrari Team made ​​on Massa car took 5.6 seconds, an eternity for F1 standards, McLaren did the same in Hamilton by 3.0 seconds.

Yes, I agree with you that Ferrari seems to be treating him as second class driver behind Alonso.  It's a shame since before his life-threatening accident at the Hungarian GP practice in 2009, he grew to be a consistent and fast driver without making many mistakes.  Massa should have won the F1 title in 2008 but lost it by one point at the last race in his native Brazil.  If you remember, he needed to win that rain drenched race and did, and Hamilton had to finish no lower than fifth place.  On the last lap, Hamilton was in sixth place, but the next to last corner Timo Glock, who was in fifth place went off the track, and Hamilton passed him to win the title by one point.  Massa, was gracious in defeat, but handled it like a champ (though he must have been burning inside).  Massa out qualified and out race his team-mate Raikkonen in most races that year.  At the time, most experts thought Raikkonen was the fastest driver after coming over from McLaren in 2007, but Massa proved them wrong. 

[FullRangeMan]

I think Massa is lucky to still be in a Ferrari considering the enormous improvement in the top teams' drivers over the last few years. Ferrari would have Raikkonen or Kubica if they could. But I agree with you that the Ferrari team has lots of room for improvement too. Without Alonso inflating their true performance they'd be mid-pack with Mercedes.  Obviously I am not a Ferrarist... But I root for Alooooooonsooooooo wherever he may roam... 

The new tires sure do increase the excitement. Watching Vettel, Alonso and Hamilton battle together was a great treat. I hope we see more of that. The surprising thing about the battle at the end was how much more important downforce is that DRS and KERS combined.

The best current driver is Alonso, but Massa is best than it show, long time pit stops are just one way Ferrari use to break a pilot.
On the second quality batch are Webber, Button and Massa, the third batch are Hamilton and Vettel, both nervous, instable emotionally pilots.

The only lucky pilot in Ferrari history is Schumacher, Hardly be a second driver in Ferrari Team is a bliss, as proof by various dramatic Ferrari 2º pilots history as Barrichelo(two times out of gas and inumerous let pass for Schumacher), Carlos Reutemann(figth with Ferrari boss on the press), Jacky Icks(dispute for firts pilot position with Niki Lauda, both were burned in by gasoline in crashed at a Ferrari car), Jo Siffert etc...
Before the 1970 years I do not remerber as I follow F1 since 1973 only, after Emo first victory in Watkins Glen, so I can assure you Massa is not a Zak Speed or Marco Andretti.

With the duplex telemetry by RF, the Team can choose who will arrive first at finish line, as happen to Hamilton at his first season, where McLaren Team let the Hamilton car slow by some laps.
This is F1.

[FullRangeMan]

Yes, I agree with you that Ferrari seems to be treating him as second class driver behind Alonso.  It's a shame since before his life-threatening accident at the Hungarian GP practice in 2009, he grew to be a consistent and fast driver without making many mistakes.  Massa should have won the F1 title in 2008 but lost it by one point at the last race in his native Brazil.  If you remember, he needed to win that rain drenched race and did, and Hamilton had to finish no lower than fifth place.  On the last lap, Hamilton was in sixth place, but the next to last corner Timo Glock, who was in fifth place went off the track, and Hamilton passed him to win the title by one point.  Massa, was gracious in defeat, but handled it like a champ (though he must have been burning inside).  Massa out qualified and out race his team-mate Raikkonen in most races that year.  At the time, most experts thought Raikkonen was the fastest driver after coming over from McLaren in 2007, but Massa proved them wrong.

According latest gossips Massa is managing to get out of Ferrari for 2012.

[FullRangeMan]

The hotest talk in the F1 paddock since China GP still is the fight between Eric Lux(Renault Team investor and CEO of Genii Group) and Adrian Sutil(Force India pilot that was drunk) at a night club in Shangai in 17-18April night.
Sutil attack Mr.Lux with a broken glass in the neck, resulting in 20 points/stitches in the neck til the ear.
http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2011/05/16/eric-lux-pursue-criminal-action-adrian-sutil/

Mr.Lux has started a criminal action against Sutil in five countries, and want a public apology and a donation of 1.3 million Euros for a institution of charity.
The original version rumors say that Mr.Lux ask nearing 10 million Euros for compensation of physical damage.
Hope this sad personnal incident resolv in the best way possible, as Sutil already apology:
http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2011/05/12/sutil-apologises-shanghai-club-brawl/

[ltr317]

No doubt, the tunnel exit is tricky at the best of times.

It's official.  No DRS allowed in the tunnel. 

[ltr317]

The hotest talk in the F1 paddock since China GP still is the fight between Eric Lux(Renault Team investor and CEO of Genii Group) and Adrian Sutil(Force India pilot that was drunk) at a night club in Shangai in 17-18April night.
Sutil attack Mr.Lux with a broken glass in the neck, resulting in 20 points/stitches in the neck til the ear.
http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2011/05/16/eric-lux-pursue-criminal-action-adrian-sutil/

Mr.Lux has started a criminal action against Sutil in five countries, and want a public apology and a donation of 1.3 million Euros for a institution of charity.
The original version rumors say that Mr.Lux ask nearing 10 million Euros for compensation of physical damage.

. 
Hope this sad personnal incident resolv in the best way possible, as Sutil already apology:
http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2011/05/12/sutil-apologises-shanghai-club-brawl/

I hope Sutil dosn't lose his Force India ride from this incident.  He's pretty talented, and showed he was competitive with Hamilton when they were team-mates in GP2