Spoiler: for those who've seen the race

[robespa]

Couldn't wait till today to see the race. It was a great start to what looks to be a really engaging season. I never would have thought that F-1 could make for really exciting racing till last season and this looks to be a continuation.

I was pleased to see Hamilton in command, but there are a number of young talents that will shine this season. Impressed that Bourdais raced such a smart race in a backmarker. Two points! (well one cause of Barichello's amateur mistake, but still 2 points in a car that shouldn't score at all).

I couldn't believe Kimi's pass into the gravel trap. What was he thinking? Did he lose his cool and give in to frustration.

A race worth staying up for, that's for sure.

[KevMcNJ]

A race worth staying up for, that's for sure.

I tried to stay up but couldnt. Hit record & went to bed.
Talk about lifes simple pleasures...
A beautiful quiet Sunday morning,
a full pot of fresh coffee with your name on it.
And an F1 race on tape which you dont know the outcome.

[owfan19]

It was one of the better races I have seen in a long time. I think getting rid of the traction control made these guys actually have to drive the car. When Kimi hit the grass and spun out, I dont know if that would have caused him to go around last year. So I was really stoked at the end of that race.

[jackinbox]

It was too bad that Heiki accidentally hit the pit-lane limiter after his pass of Alonso near the end.

Ferrari looks really out of sync. Don't write them off just yet though. They will be a force to be reckoned with this season, I'm sure of it.

Hamilton seems back to his old self. I think the pressure must have gotten to him during those last 2 races last season. He has to be the front-runner for the WDC at this point.

[KevMcNJ]

It was one of the better races I have seen in a long time. I think getting rid of the traction control made these guys actually have to drive the car. When Kimi hit the grass and spun out, I dont know if that would have caused him to go around last year. So I was really stoked at the end of that race.

what a concept.

drivers having to drive. X2

[lou reed]

being on the west coast it was pretty easy to stay up. great show to start the year, even with the yawner up front. lot of guys need to learn to last the whole race without the help of the bells and whistles.

as much as i like to rip bourdais, great great drive for him and TR. and it seems like nelson piquet may be lacking a ride sooner than later. he was actually passed by a spyk....force india car. i know it was his first go, but when your team mate finishes 4th, thats inexcusable.

cant wait for the first go in the rain. can not wait.

[robespa]

What I really couldn't get in this race was who was really driving that much better and what role attrition was taking. I guess we won't know till a couple of races are in the books.

Hamilton did look good though.

[LorenzoBandini]

I couldn't believe Kimi's pass into the gravel trap. What was he thinking? Did he lose his cool and give in to frustration.

He was a racer trying to make a racing pass. Stuff happens.

[robespa]

He was a racer trying to make a racing pass. Stuff happens.

'specially when one can't find the brake pedal.

[roach]

'specially when one can't find the brake pedal.

He found it and there was nothing wrong with it - except that this year there's no electronic traction control. Hobbs / Varsha even made the comment that if this had been last year, he would have made the pass.

roach

[robespa]

He found it and there was nothing wrong with it - except that this year there's no electronic traction control. Hobbs / Varsha even made the comment that if this had been last year, he would have made the pass.

roach

They may have said that, but I don't follow it. Kimi didn't lock up the tires, he shot right by with wheels a spinning. So how did a lack of traction control figure in this? It looked suspiciously like an error in judgment.

[ndcrs]

re; seabastians points: i thought you had to be running at the end to collect points in F1?

[jackinbox]

re; seabastians points: i thought you had to be running at the end to collect points in F1?

No, the top 8 get points whether they finished or not.

[roadracer]

Action packed, new faces, great result, just a hugely entertaining start to the season. Fantastic for Nick and Nico.

Question though, and I haven't seen any mention of it on any of the F1 sites. At exactly half-distance, with worn out soft tires and what had to be a very low fuel load, why did Ferrari not pit Kimi when the pits opened under the safety car? He'd put on a great drive from 15th to that point and was in a position to capitalize on it - the timing was perfect for a one stopper. So he pitted some 2 or 3 laps later under green, and the rest of the race went sideways.

How do they make a mistake like that?

[midtown]

How do they make a mistake like that?

Ross Braun has left the building.