2013 Australian Grand Prix – race report

on March 17, 2013 On the track news with 19 comments
 
Car 1 SEBASTIAN VETTEL, Finish Position: 3rd, Start Position: POLE POSITION  
“I think you’re always a little disappointed when you start first and don’t finish first, but overall it was a good weekend for us. We had a good day today with a pole and a podium – but in the race we were a little too aggressive with the tyres and lost the front and the rears, while others did a little better. There are always areas where you can improve, but the result we got today is fair. We didn’t see Kimi on the track, he was too quick and Fernando jumped us at a vulnerable time – but we can be happy with third.”
Car 2 MARK WEBBER, Finish Position: 6th, Start Position: 2nd
“We had a few issues on the grid, getting the telemetry from the car to the pits, which wasn’t ideal in terms of the guys knowing where to set everything up for the start. We lost KERS also for the first part of the race. It looked like we were quite heavy on the first set of tyres and we weren’t that quick to challenge for the win as a team today. We had a slow pit stop (which was due to a front jack failure), which put me behind Jenson. We salvaged something in the end, but that was Melbourne today and it was disappointing not to get more out of it. It was hard to fight against others on a two-stop.”
CHRISTIAN HORNER, Team Principal: “Starting from the front row, third and sixth obviously wasn’t the result we were targeting, but all things considered with the way that the race panned out, I think it was the optimum we could achieve. Lotus seemed very light on its tyres, with Kimi being able to make a two-stop race really work for him. I think in the cooler conditions today we weren’t in the optimum window with these tyres, but nonetheless it was a very positive start to the Championship with a podium finish and a sixth place. Mark made a good recovery after a difficult start and an ECU related KERS issue in the first part of the race. We managed to reset the system and his recovery was strong from then on. We leave this race knowing we’ve got a good car and we’re looking forward to warmer temperatures in Malaysia next week.”
 THIERRY SALVI, Renault: “It was quite a smooth race from our point of view, because we were relying on tyre behavior. Engine-wise we didn’t have any major concerns – it was quite cold, which makes it easy for the engine. Our main job was focused on the fuel consumption, which we have to manage, but it all went fine. There was a podium for us which is a good start to the season and we look forward to the next race.”
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19 Comments

  • Gavin Coulthard
    on March 17, 2013 Reply

    From a team perspective it must be seen as a solid start to the season. The Renault engines appear to be reliable but an inability to resolve long standing KERS issues must be of concern. Hope the team can do better still in Malaysia!

  • stuart
    on March 17, 2013 Reply

    Sigh, how long do we believe the start issue stuff, 20 drivers get it right , always and MK rarely, I am his biggest fan, such a talent , so well rounded a Man, but come on, get your Ma to do the starts

    *** SITE MANAGER ***
    Ha, ha, think you’re barking up the wrong tree there. Your criticism is better directed elsewhere!

  • Marcus S
    on March 17, 2013 Reply

    While not necesarrily a disaster so early in the season, I hope you’ll do much better in Malaysia.

    Red Bull really needs to fix it’s relatively constant reliability issues.

  • Ben Gooch
    on March 17, 2013 Reply

    I feel bad for Mark, every time he needs it to count there is some sort of car failure. I love the Redbull brand and team and hope Mark can get up and win a few this year. All the best champion.
    Cheers
    Ben

  • Andrew T
    on March 17, 2013 Reply

    So fantastic to see the cars up there again. As a bias Aussie I really hope the continual problem of kers for Mark get fixed. We all want to see him in a fantastic flawless car. Good luck for the season all, excited its back !!

  • Trav
    on March 17, 2013 Reply

    Im a massive MW fan…a loyal fan…but lets cut the crap…
    MW has a terrible recent history withstarts which is hijacking his results. For a straight shooter like MW..he should no not to keep bullshitting his fans. So what if therewere tech issues…fact is its a recurring problem…wasted grid positions through shit starts.! Im still MW biggest fan….get on with it Mark and show all us fans why we respect u so much. Go MW for P1 2013.
    *** SITE MANAGER ***
    Throughout his career if MW f*cks up he’s the first to admit it! Just read his press releases! Bullsh*tting his fans isn’t an option.

  • Susan
    on March 17, 2013 Reply

    Am sorry the start and KERS issues played a part today Mark. Let’s hope everything goes well for Malaysia.Tomorrow’s another day, forget Melbourne and stay focused and positive as you usually do. 🙂

  • Adam
    on March 17, 2013 Reply

    I have to say it is a concern how often there has been an issue with Kers over the last couple of years. With the changes being introduced into Formula 1 next year, I certainly hope that Red Bull gets it together and has there energy recovery system working.

    Other then that I think it is fair to say that Mark can sometimes be a bit hit and miss with his starts, when he nails them, then he is invaribly going to finish on the podium, when he doesn’t then he finsihes midfield.

    All that being said, a solid start for Red Bull and I look forward to improved race results in the not too distant future.

  • Cameron
    on March 18, 2013 Reply

    I love how when things dont go his way, Mark just gets on with it. Those 8 points were well earned today! Great recovery.

  • Dan
    on March 18, 2013 Reply

    Good fight back today after all the troubles. l too am concerned though with the starts. There were bets going on in the crowd that you would go down 5 places by turn one. Why is it so predictable if its a car issue ? Is it not something that can be fixed?

    *** SITE MANAGER ***
    Here’s what the team had to say when quizzed by the media post race:
    Red Bull team boss Christian Horner revealed that the issues were caused by the McLaren-supplied standard ECU. “Mark’s problems were hugely frustrating as it was an ECU issue that is supplied by a third party – I will let you guess who that is,” he said. “So we lost all telemetry on the formation lap and then you cannot do the preparation you need to for the start, and then he is in the blind for the start.”That ECU issue shut the KERS down as well. By the time we had reset the whole system, obviously he had lost the start and lost ground.”

  • Michael Bryant
    on March 18, 2013 Reply

    Mark is one of my favorite drivers. He seems to have issues with getting off the line. Is it the car, driver, pressure or just the excitement of the race. Whatever it is I’ll be rooting him on.

  • Stu
    on March 18, 2013 Reply

    The evolution car looks to have evolution faults following on from last year. Would have loved to hear Mark rip a few choice words. Why is it that Mark gets the dodgy ECU + + + ?

  • rob
    on March 18, 2013 Reply

    First time at f1 great to see the speed and hear different car noise in real life of course great to see mark racing around Albert park the yellow helmet makes it easy to pick him out everyone in the crowd was going for mark or the ferraris

  • stuart
    on March 18, 2013 Reply

    ok, I believe US ,this time,
    I nearly shut the box off , but I was hugely pleased to see Kimi win
    I do like the way MW fights back, it must be very difficult for him to do this watching 6-7 cars blast past
    Come Le Tour De Fr, I hope to catch up with him,
    Doubt he reads this stuff, but we are WITH you MW

  • TravDog
    on March 18, 2013 Reply

    Still a massive fan Mark….sad to here about the software issue, but you have had some ordinary starts in recent times, which have cost you dearly. I still believe you can win more races, and hopefully a championship.

  • Lindasy Anderson
    on March 18, 2013 Reply

    If in doubt,Flat out…

  • CALVIN HAYES
    on March 19, 2013 Reply

    why doesnt vettel have the same problems as mark thats just not right

  • stuart
    on March 19, 2013 Reply

    Mclaren ECU?
    I am sure Horner or Newie, would now be looking at BOSCH , or maybe BMW . Why then does Seb not have these issues.
    I want to believe, but I am having trouble. However I think MW is very honest and that is why I am keeping an open mind.

  • stuart
    on March 20, 2013 Reply

    ok well it is Gospel
    McLaren have apologised to Red Bull after the engine control unit they supply caused Mark Webber to start badly at the Australian Grand Prix.
    Webber qualified on the front row for the opening race of the season last weekend but dropped to seventh after the first lap and was eventually sixth.
    A software-related issue meant the Australian’s car garage data system had to be re-started in the formation lap.
    “That disrupted his preparations and they have our apology,” McLaren said.
    McLaren Electronics Systems make the standard ECUs for all F1 teams plus NASCAR and IndyCar outfits in the United States and the 2013 edition is a new version of one that has been used since 2008 without a problem.
    It was run for the first time by most teams in winter testing in February and will also be used next season when a change in regulations ushers in 1.6 litre V6 turbocharged hybrid units.
    “It is a very complex piece of equipment that controls the powertrain and DRS (drag reduction system) and acts as a car’s primary data system,” McLaren explained.
    “We are working together with Red Bull to prevent any recurrence [of the problems suffered by Webber].”

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