Here we go again

Qualiy - Rosberg, Hamilton, Vettel

Result - Hamilton, Rosberg, Vettel.

...

Hamilton, Vettel, Rosberg.

Rosberg will fluff it trying to beat Lewis.

Qualifying -

1. Rosberg
2. Hamilton
3. Bottas

Race -

1. Hamilton
2. Rosberg
3. Kimi

Bottas is a good call... tempted to replace Vettel for the race

No one going for Button then ?

If Manor don't start the race, unfortuately I think JB and KMag will be fighting over 2nd from last and last place

MRS are you suggesting that MCL have been sand-bagging until now?

I may be mad, but I think and hope that McLaren will make rapid progress in the development of this car. I would love to see the team fighting in the midfield once the circus returns to Europe and competing for race wins by the end of the season.

No maybes, you are mad Jim!

At least for the first 5 or 6 laps

I think Jim has it.

Though I do wonder if Alonso's medical absence is less of an 'avoidable risk' and more of a convenient sickie.

Hope MCL have been sandbagging as the sight of them being lapped by the Mercs will be painful.

Neil, I just do not buy the idea that Alonso doesn't want to drive the car because it's not a winner. Every second of development time gets him closer to another world championship (enchilada), and he is furiously competitive with that goal in mind. I honestly can't see Alonso willingly giving up any car time whatsoever.

Aye, you're probably right. I'm too cynical in my old age!

Alonso is the complete racer. He drove a dog of a Ferrari last year, if he could drive Ron's new car, he'd be there.

All the conspiracy theories just don't hold water..

In a continuing and possibly worrying trend, I agree entirely!

The Sauber situation is a propper mess

Anyhow

Qualifying

1. Rosberg
2. Hamilton
3. Vettel

Race -

1. Hamilton
2. Rosberg
3. Botas

Ferrari seem to have some single lap pace but I think Williams will take the lead of the Mercedes chasing pack.

Is it me or do the Mercedes seem FURTHER ahead this year...?
Thought the domination would only last one season, but if that quali is anything to go by then it seems it's just going be Lewis V's Nico...... Again?

Crickey, that was impressive by Hamilton. On that showing I would be worried that even Rosberg won't be challenging him.
Great to see Massa up in third and both Ferraris demonstrating the step forward they have taken. I'm hoping Bottas and Ricciardo will join the fun tomorrow. Hats off to Sainz in his first GP.
Also, a solid performance from Lotus. Unrealistically, I was hoping for a bit more from them, but actually qualifying didn't really provide any big surprises.
Grim for McLaren, but at least they will have a test session tomorrow. I'd be very surprised if either car makes the full race distance (less the 10 laps they will concede to Hamilton, of course...)

So MCL not sandbagging and will likely suffer the indignation of being lapped by Mercs, Williams and Ferrari! Lewis has turned up the wick and Has quite the edge over Nico who seems out of his zone for some reason.
Ron Dennis must be a troubled man

Awesome quali. Hamilton has obviously worked on his quali mentality. It's so close between Williams and Ferrari which should at least make for an interesting race. Nothing between the two Ferrari drivers either - with Vettel slightly quicker

Alonso obviously doesn't want to drive the slowest car on the grid.

Told you rosberg would bottle it!

Amazing PR job by JB reflecting on McLaren's worst ever qualifying - the most positive I have seen him in ages!
Would it be a conspiracy theory too far to suggest McLaren wanted to avoid the ignominy of having two ex world champions at the back of the grid...
Some good signs from Ferrari?

Yes Merc running away with it again this year I fear.... big gap. McLaren woeful - I bet Magnussen wished he'd never bothered trying for the drive though will it now be full-time? Alonso - Something we're not being told - Health issues/blackout? Seems the Spanish may have found a new star anyway - my season spread bet picks look promising with Grosjean and Sainz...

A lot of those cars seemed very tail happy at places around the circuit - the McL included.

Regrettably there is usually a dominant team in F1

For far too many years the dominant team has chosen to favour one car & one driver. Last year was a revelation with Mercedes allowing two really good drivers go head to head and fight for a championship. We never saw anything like that in the Red Bull or Ferrari years of domination.

Bottas back injury and doubtful for race - Will that mean Mrs Wolff gets the drive?

I don't think so - I think it's the driver that qualified the car. But I may be wrong.

Check out Mr Button's mo action. Did he grow it on a particularly slow lap?

I know. He looks like someone from some dodgy 70's film.