Australian Grand Prix - Your Views

The New 2011 Formula 1 season got underway this weekend and it was business as usual for Red Bull and Sebastien Vettel as the current World Champion stormed to a comfortable Grand Prix win in Australia.

The young German dominated Round 1, showing consistency, skill and raw pace as he aims to retain his title.

McLaren bounced back from a poor pre-season, with Lewis Hamilton second, while our 'Driver of the Day' Vitaly Petrov was the first ever Russian to achieve a pole position, as he finished 3rd for Renault.

What was so impressive for Red Bull, was that team principle Christian Horner could also boast after the race that they didn't even use the speed-boosting KERS all weekend to dominate.

The main talking points this weekend were of course Vettel's win, McLaren's recovery, Ferrari's surprising poor show, Webber's lack of speed compared to his team-mate and the impressive debuts of rookie drivers Paul Di Resta and Sergio Perez (finished 10th but disqualified due to a rear wing infringement).

Not forgetting of course the new rear wing technology that allows drivers to open it during a race to reduce drag to enhance overtaking ability, plus the new tyre manufacturer Pirelli.

Unfortunately for us fans of Formula 1, the re-introduction of KERS and the new Drag Reduction System (DRS) failed to produce more exciting overtaking moments. Jenson Button struggled to pass a rather slow Massa whilst other drivers failed to experience the additional effect of the technology in their overtaking attempts.

Some Vital F1 members found the opening race in Australia rather boring and uneventful:

'I though the tyre changes were supposed to make the race more exciting. It's pretty poor when one of the best overtaking moves was for ninth place. If Red Bull don’t have KERS then the rest of the field have a lot of catching up to do.'
The Intimidator

'The tyres didn't have much of an influence on the race, the massive drop off point which had been predicted simply didn't happen, for one driver to complete the race with one stop was a surprise.

The rear wing didn't work either, when there was an overtaking manoeuvre on the first corner I think the move would have been made with or without the wing.'
Red5

Red Bull and Vettel's race win:

'Red Bull were just astonishing, not sure if there is a difference between Vettel's and Webbers car but from what I've read Red Bull only have a Kers system for the start of a race. Which proved on Vettel's car but from replays the commentators said that Webber had no Kers what so ever.'
__villa__

Petrov's Podium finish:

'A great drive from him today and well done to him for being the first Russian to finish on a Formula 1 podium. He's started this season well at Renault with the absence of Robert Kubica, who I'm sure would have been near the top 3, unlike Heidfeld's poor finish.'
KevinE

Sergio Perez finished the race in 10th place - the final points place but he was unfortunately disqualified along with his Sauber team-mate Kamui Kobayashi for rear wing irregularities. The team will appeal the FIA's decision. Vital F1 members were disappointed to see more changes to the results after the race finished:

'Shame on Perez but could explain why he only needed one stop. Good for Di Resta to get a point in his first race. I Don't think Massa deserves to get 4 extra points though.'
JamboSteven89

'How was this not picked up before the race! I hate it where decisions are made after the race.'
Kates Dirty Sister

There are just some of the comments being made on the Vital F1 Message Forum.

Feel free to have your say and join in the debate on the Forum here. You can get involved in our free Prediction game for every Grand Prix, plus discuss the qualifying and race sessions live in the dedicated forum topics.

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