Pick the Podium- F-1- Rolex Australian Grand Prix, Melbourne, 2017

[Retroram52]

The Formula 1 season is definitely upon us and Pick the Podium is back! The point totals will be upgraded this year and will be as follows: 6 points for correctly choosing the winner, 4 points for second, and 2 points for third. We will add 1 point this year for correctly choosing the fourth place finisher, if you choose to make that selection. If you don't make a selection, no points will be awarded for the correct selection of the fourth place finisher. As in years past, the selections must be completed before the start of the race meaning before they start their engines.

Looks like Hamilton has not lost any of his hutzpah even with a new teammate in Bottas. Qualifying has Hamilton on the pole and Vettel splitting the Mercedes teammates.

1.LEWIS HAMILTON MERCEDES 1:22.188
2 SEBASTIAN VETTEL FERRARI 1:22.456
3 VALTTERI BOTTAS MERCEDES 1:22.481
4 KIMI RÄIKKÖNEN FERRARI 1:23.033
5 MAX VERSTAPPEN RED BULL RACING 1:23.485
6 ROMAIN GROSJEAN HAAS 1:24.074
7 FELIPE MASSA WILLIAMS 1:24.443
8 CARLOS SAINZ TORO ROSSO 1:24.487
9 DANIIL KVYAT TORO ROSSO 1:24.512
10 DANIEL RICCIARDO RED BULL RACING DNF

I'll get my picks in later.

 

[Hank Kingsley]

Hamilton
Bottas
Vettel
Raikkonen

 

[Retroram52]

I'll go with Hamilton for the win, Bottas second, Vettel third, and Raikkonen for fourth.

 

[Retroram52]

These new cars look like a badass race car. The wider tires, lower rear wing, and wider body has these cars really running way better and faster. This is going to be a interesting season in F-1.

 

[Retroram52]

Well Vettel starts next to Hamilton as the race starts in a bout 20 minutes.

 

[Retroram52]

I am curious to see how Haas Racing will do in this race and this season.

 

[Retroram52]

Ricciardo crashed in Q3. Back-up car time.

 

[Retroram52]

The IRL should go to a wider tire this year as well. The cars run better and faster.

 

[Retroram52]

WTH? An aborted start?

 

[Retroram52]

Great start by Hamilton. Now there is a wreck on lap 1.

 

[Retroram52]

It is now Hamilton, Vettel, and Bottas, top three followed by Raikkonen in fourth.

 

[Retroram52]

Vettel is beginning to catch Hamilton.

 

[Retroram52]

Ricciardo is going to run laps already laps down as he enters the race.

 

[Retroram52]

So it is Mercedes, Ferrari, Mercedes, Ferrari.

 

[Retroram52]

Hamilton has opened-up a nearly two second gap between himself and Vettel. Tires going away seems to be the excuse by Vettel.

 

[Retroram52]

Grosjean is out. Blown engine.

 

[Retroram52]

Palmer spins out with a brake problem.

 

[Retroram52]

Hamilton is in the pits. Vettel stays out.

 

[Retroram52]

As it stands now, it is Vettel, Bottas, Raikonnen, and Hamilton.

 

[Retroram52]

Vettel stays out for yet another lap.