[DOF_power]

2008 FORMULA 1 ING AUSTRALIAN GRAND PRIX

Pos No Driver Team Q1Q2Q3 Laps
1 22 Lewis Hamilton McLaren-Mercedes 1:26.572 1:25.187 1:26.714 14
2 4 Robert Kubica BMW 1:26.103 1:25.315 1:26.869 15
3 23 Heikki Kovalainen McLaren-Mercedes 1:25.664 1:25.452 1:27.079 13
4 2 Felipe Massa Ferrari 1:25.994 1:25.691 1:27.178 12
5 3 Nick Heidfeld BMW 1:25.960 1:25.518 1:27.236 16
6 11 Jarno Trulli Toyota 1:26.427 1:26.101 1:28.527 17 7
7 Nico Rosberg Williams-Toyota 1:26.295 1:26.059 1:28.687 21
8 9 David Coulthard Red Bull-Renault 1:26.381 1:26.063 1:29.041 18
9 12 Timo Glock Toyota 1:26.919 1:26.164 1:29.593 17
10 15 Sebastian Vettel STR-Ferrari 1:26.702 1:25.842 No time 18
11 17 Rubens Barrichello Honda 1:26.369 1:26.173
12 5 Fernando Alonso Renault 1:26.907 1:26.188
1316 Jenson Button Honda 1:26.712 1:26.259
14 8 Kazuki Nakajima Williams-Toyota 1:26.891 1:26.413
15 10 Mark Webber Red Bull-Renault 1:26.914 No time
16 1 Kimi Räikkönen Ferrari 1:26.140
17 21 Giancarlo Fisichella Force India-Ferrari 1:27.207
18 14 Sebastien Bourdais STR-Ferrari 1:27.446
19 20 Adrian Sutil Force India-Ferrari 1:27.859
20 18 Takuma Sato Super Aguri-Honda 1:28.208
21 6 Nelsinho Piquet Renault 1:28.330
22 19 Anthony Davidson Super Aguri-Honda 1:29.059

[DOF_power]

Plenty of technical issues too.
The unlucky ones:

Sebastian Vettel, Toro Rosso (10th, Q2 - 1m 25.842s):
"In one sense this was a good session as I had a strong pace in Q2. I had a good lap at the end of it. Unfortunately, a technical problem meant I could not take part in Q3, but whatever happens I plan to attack to the maximum in the race."

Fernando Alonso, Renault (12th, Q2 - 1m 26.188s):
"As expected the times were very close and while I was reasonably satisfied with the performance of my car this morning, a failure of the differential upset the balance and made it extremely difficult to drive. I am sure we can bounce back in the race and we will work hard tonight to make sure that is the case

Mark Webber, Red Bull (15th, Q1 - 1m 26.914s):
“There was a failure at the front right of the car, which isn’t good. I had a strange feeling in Turn one, but continued to push as it was the qualifying session, but something broke into Turn six. That was it and I was into the gravel. It’s nearly impossible to get into the points now under normal circumstances, because it’s very, very difficult to overtake on this circuit, but I’ll do my best.”

Kimi Raikkonen, Ferrari (16th, Q1 - 1m 26.140s):
"Clearly I am disappointed. A few corners from the end of my in-lap, I had a problem with the electronic fuel pump which forced me to stop near the pit lane and so it was impossible for me to get back to the garage to try and fix the problem. These things happen, but it's definitely not the best way to start the season. Now we must try to do our best to pick up some points tomorrow, because it is important to score something in every race."

[DOF_power]

Glock loses ten places after two grid penalties

Toyota’s Timo Glock will drop ten places on the grid for the start of Sunday’s Australian Grand Prix after two five-place penalties - one for an unscheduled gearbox change and one for impeding another driver during qualifying.

Revisions to the regulations for the 2008 season require gearboxes to last for four consecutive events, but problems in Saturday morning’s final practice session forced Toyota to replace Glock’s ahead of qualifying.

Glock was then deemed to have impeded Red Bull’s Mark Webber during qualifying and handed a second penalty by the Melbourne stewards. The German had qualified in ninth place at Albert Park, but is now due to start 19th on his Toyota race debut.

Honda’s Jenson Button, Force India’s Giancarlo Fisichella, Williams’ Nico Rosberg and Glock’s Toyota team mate Jarno Trulli were also reprimanded, but not penalised, by the stewards for setting their fastest laps under yellow flags.

[Racer Duck]

I stayed up late last night to watch qualifying. It was interesting to see some of the power houses having troubles while others were not.

Impression got from all the driver interviews was they, for the most part, liked having control of the car taken away from the electronics and put back in their hands (and feet).

But no driver looked as smooth as Hamilton. I expect, baring unforseen problems, him be on the top of the podium and take the trophy home.

It was good to see some of the "lesser" teams in Q3. I suspect they were both surprised and pleased.