F1 2020 - Corona Virus Edition

[Disco]

1.2 clear, stick that in your dutch oven and smoke it.

[7om]

That was an amazing session.

[Pleb]

Racing Point in the wets is quite something.

[Jimmy Floyd]

I missed the session but I'm looking at the times and trying to work out what on earth has gone on. Was it so wet that the car performance went out the window and it turned into a measure of driver skill alone? Or was it wet-dry or dry-wet and some people got caught out?

A Williams should never be 11th.

[Giggles]

Only reading about LeClercs transgressions this morning. Surely he should have been sat for 14 days or it makes a complete mockery of everything they’re doing.

[Disco]

It was really properly wet, no thought of going to inters at any point then it rained again for Q3 . I've not seen them run in conditions like that for a while. The last session in particular is very much worth watching for multiple billy-big-balls efforts.

I still don't know what happened to Ferrari and Pinkcedes though, they ended up nowhere. It also seems that Zak Brown has genuinely injured Norris with that bearhug at the end of last week's race which has to be up there with the oddest ways of crocking yourself.

[Shindig]

The F2 feature race was a banger. Robert Schwartzmann looked really handy in the wet.

[Gray Fox]

I missed the session but I'm looking at the times and trying to work out what on earth has gone on. Was it so wet that the car performance went out the window and it turned into a measure of driver skill alone? Or was it wet-dry or dry-wet and some people got caught out?

A Williams should never be 11th.

Q1 was consistent rain/wetness. Q2 the rain died down a little but then pissed it down, so whoever wanted to go out later was caught out.

[Shindig]

Also, the trophies in the F2 race were delivered by remote controlled pedestals. :D

[Disco]

They're the best thing ever in the history of the sport.

[Giggles]

https://www.gpblog.com/en/news/62880/is-vettel-going-to-announce-retirement-he-s-requested-an-interview-.html

Wonder will it be instant retirement or will he see out the season?

[Disco]

I would be very surprised if he didn't complete the season, if this is an announcement of some kind then I reckon it will be retirement or sabbatical.

[Disco]

What is this anthem? :D

[Pleb]

Safety Car on lap 1?

Fucking woof.

[Shindig]

Peak Ferrari.

[Giggles]

Only following the live text but they’ve done it again haven’t they? :D

[SincereTheRebel]

Ferrari :D

[Gray Fox]

He might retire mid-race at this point.

[John Arne]

Not sure what Leclerc was expecting to happen then. There was no gap at all.

[Pleb]

Sainz cockblocking Bottas.

Scenes.

[Pleb]

Racing Incident for the Ferraris :D

That pre race meeting will be spicy.

[Gray Fox]

Double Ferrari retirement inside 5 laps. Glorious.

[Pleb]

Grosjean's car isn't in the gravel.

That's slightly concerning.

[Gray Fox]

Why are we getting text graphics instead of actual team radio?

[SincereTheRebel]

They are probably filtering the N* Bombs.

[Pleb]

Probably the only thing exciting about this race.

Racing Point having their own mini race which is quite memey.

[Gray Fox]

Max is bloody good isn't he?

[Pepe]

Perez. :uhoh:

[Gray Fox]

I'm completely fine with Lando taking over at the top when Lewis decides to go off on anti-racism crusades.

Bump.

[7om]

Ferraris hitting each other two weeks in a row. Fucking woeful. I genuinely can't wait to watch this interview that Seb requested with Martin Brundle.

[Shindig]

Nah, not if he's going to announce he has cancer or something.

[SincereTheRebel]

There might be tears. Four-time world champion, contract not been renewed and can't find a drive for next year.

[7om]

It's Racing Point or bust, isn't it? I can't imagine him pissing around in an Alfa Romeo or Haas.

[Disco]

RP have both under contract, it's Haas or a year out really.

[phonics]

Honestly I think he just wants a long form interview where he gets to tell his side of the story. For all his faults, it's not like Ferrari would be winning every week if Lewis Hamilton was driving for them yet it probably feels to him like he's being blamed for the teams issues.

[niko_cee]

Peak Ferrari.

Still has to be that Singapore effort from a few years ago. Not sure that can ever be beaten really.

[Disco]

He's probably pissed off (quite rightly) that as a four time champion he wasn't even offered a token extension, he's been dumped in about the most unceremonious way possible. You could also argue that he lost at least one of those titles (sobbing into the gravel in Hockenheim springs to mind) but that Ferrari strategy and going the wrong direction in development are equally to blame.

[phonics]

Whats more personally insulting? Being offered a pathetic extension so low that you know they know that you won't take it or not being offered one at all?

[Shindig]

Ferrari's in the habit of doing that, to be fair. Schumi, Raikkonen and now Vettel. Reminds me too much of Williams booting out their world champions.

[Gray Fox]

Hamilton now 6 wins off Schumachers win record. He may struggle to do it this season as we don't 100% know how many races we'll get, but if he sticks around for 3/4 more years he'll put that into triple figures.

[7om]

Renault officially protest the RP car design. Haven't the FIA already investigated the factory and design drawings and found no issues? Can't see this going anywhere.

[7om]

RP have both under contract, it's Haas or a year out really.

Can't remember where I heard/read it but there was a rumour RP were trying to offload Perez's contract.

[Shindig]

I could see them doing that so Aston Martin could have Vettel in the seat whilst Stroll brings in the money. He can name all his steering wheels after Bond girls.

[Disco]

There's a lot of sense in that I suppose, marquee driver to launch your new factory(ish) team. They need to hurry up on the engine if they're going to do it, and it's surely going to cost them a wedge to get rid of Perez.

[phonics]

It seems very dumb but do you think Norris spending 6-8 hours a day playing Sim Racing game is a factor in him coming into the season with strong form?

[Jimmy Floyd]

It seems very dumb but do you think Norris spending 6-8 hours a day playing Sim Racing game is a factor in him coming into the season with strong form?

No. It's totally different, mainly because one gives you a shit tonne of physical feedback and the other you're sitting in a chair indoors.

[Disco]

No more helpful than Bottas nobbing his new girlfriend on a boat for two months.

[Waffdon]

It seems very dumb but do you think Norris spending 6-8 hours a day playing Sim Racing game is a factor in him coming into the season with strong form?

He plays warzone anyway

[Disco]

Plus it's not like he started playing games 6 months ago, he's better this year because the car is better, he's had a whole year of experience and has recognised where his weaknesses were.

[phonics]

I'm not saying he's a better driver or anything but surely you're more 'mentally attuned' or something than someone who hasn't even looked at a car in 3 months.

'Automatisms' or however they call it.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Well, Charlie Leclerc was doing the same...

[phonics]

Didn't he massively outperform his car last week?

[Disco]

They aren't similar enough for it to help, he's 'mentally attuned' to playing iRacing at 4am not driving a proper car. Anyway, the only F1 cars they'll have driven virtually are in a Codemasters game and they can't even get their tracks the right shape.

[Shindig]

Ooooh, tell me more.

[Giggles]

Sounds like a quality product.

[Pepe]

Don't all teams have real simulators? I bet most of them spent plenty of time on those. Running the iRacing 24 hours of Spa on a GT3 while getting penalties for running wide on each corner can't be all that helpful.

[SincereTheRebel]

It seems very dumb but do you think Norris spending 6-8 hours a day playing Sim Racing game is a factor in him coming into the season with strong form?

If that is the case, I need an F1 seat asap as ive beaten a few of those F1 boys across multiple racing games for a few years now

[Shindig]

At best, you get some racecraft out of it. Although the professional drivers on a real track are more interested in self-preservation than sim racers.

[phonics]

Don't all teams have real simulators? I bet most of them spent plenty of time on those. Running the iRacing 24 hours of Spa on a GT3 while getting penalties for running wide on each corner can't be all that helpful.

How? They couldn’t go to their headquarters.

[Giggles]

“Couldn’t”.

[Pleb]

Haas is offering Vettel a seat.

Buckle up.

[Pepe]

Just like my wife has not been able to go on campus all summer, yet there we are every single day.

[John Arne]

You love to see it.


https://youtu.be/np8TpBjKziQ

[Gray Fox]

Haas is offering Vettel a seat.

Buckle up.

He's better off taking the year out or retiring.

[Disco]

Russell confirmed at Williams for next year which suggests Bottas will get an extension at Mercedes.

[Jimmy Floyd]

I reckon Russell is absolutely right up there in the 5 fastest current drivers, along with Hamilton, Max, Leclerc and Bottas. Would have Albon, Sainz, Norris and dad-of-3 Vettel on a tier below those 5.

[Serj]

I think Ricciardo would be in there somewhere, ahead of Albon at least.

[Jimmy Floyd]

I'd just have Danny Ric in that second tier, not convinced he has the blistering pace of those other 5. Admittedly we haven't seen how Russell really deals with racing for position yet but his base pace seems mighty in that tugboat he has to drive.

[7om]

To be fair to Williams they look in better shape this year. I really wouldn't be too surprised to see them surpass Alfa Romeo and Haas by the end of the season.

[Disco]

Williams are tough to judge because we don't really know how good their drivers are. Russell beat Norris and Albon in F2 but has only been up against Dr Claw and Latifi (who was runner up in a fairly weak F2 field last year).

I suspect we'll see one of them ahead of Haas and the odd Alfa and the other one behind.

[Jimmy Floyd]

I'd like to see a couple of on board laps with Russell to test my theory, but I don't know if they even bother mounting cameras on the Williams.

[phonics]

https://i.redd.it/ojvqdisx4db51.jpg

Yes boys.

[Disco]

My take on current driver tiers for what it's worth.



Hamilton





Leclerc
Russell
Verstappen
Ricciardo

Bottas
Vettel
Norris
Sainz
Albon

Perez
Ocon
Gasly
Kvyat


Magnussen
Grosjean
Raikkonen
Giovanazzi

Stroll
Latifi

[Shindig]

S-Rank - Hamilton
Not quite Schumi levels in terms of toiling away at a mediocre team to turn a corner but he got some joy out of a downward McLaren.

A-Rank - Vestappen, Leclerc
Effectively the heirs apparent when Lewis packs in and never leaves home without a hat. Verstappen's better but Leclerc will give him a run for his money.

B-Rank - Bottas, Norris, Vettel, Sainz, Albon, Perez
I feel Bottas will wither in a dogfight but he has proper pace to occasionally keep Hamilton honest. He's not going to get fighty like Rosberg did, sadly. The McLaren duo has some pace about them. If Lando keeps pulling out mad laps then I might start putting him up a peg. Albon's fine but he can disappear from races. Perez doesn't get enough credit at Force India Point. He's still good enough for a top drive but age goes against him with all these kids about.

C-Rank - Ocon, Ghasly, Kvyat, Russell, Magnussen, Raikkonen, Stroll, Giovanazzi
Team midfield. If it looks like I'm undervaluing Russell it's because, until I get to see him in the points, I'll pass him up. The rest are just kinda there, although I think Stroll is trying his hardest. If Vettel's moving to Aston Martin, Stroll should take a testing roll. Maybe he can slot back in a better driver once Seb fails.

D-Rank - Latifi, Grosjean
I'll not be too harsh on Latifi because he's just got to the party. Grosjean's had a decade though. He can't stay out of trouble long enough.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Verstappen could drive Leclerc under the table.

I rate Bottas slightly higher than above, I think he might have a bit of divorced dad who-gives-a-fuck about him this year as well, might run Lewis close-ish until whenever the latter starts bothering.

[Giggles]

Switch teams and your opinions switches though, guaranteed.

Anyway, it’s:
1. Hamilton.
2. A bunch of mongs.

[phonics]

Verstappen was better at 16 than LeClerc is at however old he is now. Kid looked like Senna with less skills before he was allowed to have alcohol on the podium. It's easy to forget, Max Verstappen is 22. He's the same age as George Russell, that's how good he's been. An absolute prodigy.

[Pepe]

I agree with Shindig's list almost entirely, but I also agree that Verstappen is much better than Leclerc.

[Shindig]

So do I, to be fair. Leclerc needs a good Ferrari under him to really get at Verstappen. The only worry with Max is the idea that all those years at Red Bull might ultimately feel wasted. Imagine him moving to Mercedes at 30+ just to get a title under his belt. Or him not even getting that opportunity.

[phonics]

You were ranking the drivers though.

It’s a bit of a shit tier system if we’re assuming different cars.

[Shindig]

I mean, it's not a single-make series and he did come to prominence driving a Ferrari that wasn't shit.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Verstappen will win his title(s) when Hamilton retires, either through moving to Mercedes, or through them no longer being top dogs post-Hamilton. I suspect that once either Hamilton and/or Toto move on, the crown will slip.

There will be other rivals on the scene by then mind. Leclerc has stapled his nuts to Ferrari which may or may not prove a good decision; Russell will presumably follow Hamilton in the Merc, and who knows who else might build a good car by then.

[Giggles]

Will this one be on channel 4?

[7om]

What is going on with Red Bull? Car looks so unstable this weekend.

[Disco]

Understeer on the way in and oversteer mid corner, looks like a pig to drive.

[Disco]

Tracing Point trying to qualify on mediums is ballsy, who do they think they're racing here?

[SincereTheRebel]

Albon "I told you not to put me in traffic" :D

[7om]

The way it’s going with Albon reminds me of Gasly last year. I feel sorry for him because the pressure is building.

[SincereTheRebel]

Hamilton through turn 4 was nuts. He basically just downshifted and through it into the corner.

[Disco]

Hamilton through turn 4 was nuts. He basically just downshifted and through it into the corner.

That looked mad, I'm not sure he even bothered braking.

[SincereTheRebel]

There was a a touch of the brake. It all looks so smooth and stable though.

1284489357299245057?s=19

[7om]

Russell faster than Albon. Fuck me that’s shocking.

[phonics]

Do you thin Christian Horner likes having a small child to bully and spends friday night taking pieces out of his second drivers car.

[Shindig]

I'm sure of it. All that bitterness just stems from his days as a driver. Being outclassed by Ricardo Rosset would turn anyone psychotic.

[Gray Fox]

I saw the result but have only just seen the timings. 2 rows of Mercedes at the front and the main 2 a full second a lap faster than everyone else.

A short lap not driven by engine performance either.

[Jimmy Floyd]

I don't understand how the Red Bull is that dogshit. Normally this would be the sort of place where Newey comes into his own.

[Disco]

Wet :drool:

[SincereTheRebel]

Max crashing on the way to the grid :D
Suspension arm that connects the car to the wheel has snapped. Don't know if that is fixable quick time

[7om]

Verstappen :|

Has anyone ever crashed on an installation lap before?

[Disco]

Grosjean, inevitably, and I want to say Massa and Barrichello have done similar.

[Shindig]

Coulthard's done it on a formation lap but not sure about the installation lap.

[Giggles]

Those wheels were pointing different directions, is that something they can fix in 10-15 minutes?

[SincereTheRebel]

Note the idiot driver at the back of the national anthem drivers parade who

a) didn't take off his hat
b) held the 'end racism' t-shirt up to his chest because he got it late and didn't want to put it on

[Giggles]

Those wheels were pointing different directions, is that something they can fix in 10-15 minutes?

Sounds like a yes.

[Pleb]

Just turned on.

Inters? :D

[Giggles]

Just turned on.

Inters? :D

Pits will be bedlam in 2-3 laps.

[John Arne]

It would be nice if they showed the current tyre on the graphic on the left.

[Pleb]

Fucking hell Ferrari :D

[Pleb]

Bottas not getting a time penalty for that jump-start is a bit :sherlock:

[Shindig]

He went backwards at the start so they might let him off.

[Giggles]

With the way everyone is praying for rain every race now, that old Ecclestone idea might have been a good one after all.

[Pleb]

Mad Max staying on Inters longer than the others might of been a stroke of genius.

[Pleb]

Here comes the rain :drool:

[Gray Fox]

Or not.

[Gray Fox]

I feel like Max is hung out to dry on those hards.

[Pleb]

Hamilton going on softs at the end there.

Bottas's championship run under threat?

[Giggles]

Are they going to do Alborn for the track drying?

[Gray Fox]

Are they going to do Alborn for the track drying?

Ted reckons they could DSQ him altogether. Likely a 10 sec penalty though.

[7om]

Why did they put Charles on those softs so early? We all knew they were dogshit so why even bother.

[Gray Fox]

Fantastic to see Hamilton lapping both Ferraris on pure pace. Max also showing the last 2 races just how good he is.

[Giggles]

What’s the thing with the Racing Point that Renault are complaining?

[Shindig]

Constructors are supposed to build their own chassis. Racing Point have either copied or straight up borrowed Mercedes' 2019 chassis.

[Giggles]

Ah, Pink Mercedes, I get it now. Are they not a Toro Rosso/Sauber type team at all then?

Also, would Renault not be getting themselves in trouble by even knowing that?

[Shindig]

All they should get from Mercedes is an engine. Although Renault spotting it might just put Racing Point at a position where they say, "Oh, we just copied that chassis rather than being given it." It's hard to prove unless there's a receipt from Mercedes or whatever.

[Lewis]

The other teams have the decency to be embarrassed by not being able to beat it.

[Giggles]

What’s this bullshit Haas thing too? Are radio communications allowed or not?

[Gray Fox]

Giggles

Racing Point are owned by Daddy Stroll, which is why Lance will always get a drive if he wants one.

This was supposed to be the last season before a regulation change so they took the decision to pretty much get tracing paper out and copy the Merc 2019 package(Tracing Point lol), to get a boost in money from a good constructors finish. The reg change has now been pushed back a year so they could in theory gain this advantage for 2 years as most were looking to the 2021 car.
Regulations say certain components have to be a teams own design, but others can be bought. For example Brake ducts I believe have to be a teams own design. They tweaked them enough to avoid trouble and are now a slightly slower Mercedes pretty much.

The car has already been checked over once at the start of the season and passed the test. Renault repeatedly throwing tantrums is just sour grapes.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Missed the race, did Max beat Bottas on strategy/luck or on pace? Impressive if the latter.

[Shindig]

Bit of both. Bottas had fresher tyres but too much ground to make up.

[Gray Fox]

And that's after he binned it on the installation lap, breaking one of his suspension rods. It got fixed on the grid with seconds to spare, which is impressive stuff.

[7om]

What’s this bullshit Haas thing too? Are radio communications allowed or not?

Apparently no communication is allowed between the driver and the team on the formation lap. Kvyat also tried to communicate with his race engineer on the formation but they ignored him knowing it’d get them in trouble.

[John Arne]

That was a monster drive by Verstappen.

[Disco]

Renault must think they have something on RP/Mercedes, some CAD info going between the teams or something of that ilk, otherwise what do they expect from this protest? RP invited an FIA scrutineer into their factory to supervise the whole process and they were fine with it, it seems unlikely they'd have suddenly changed their minds.

[Disco]

Apparently no communication is allowed between the driver and the team on the formation lap. Kvyat also tried to communicate with his race engineer on the formation but they ignored him knowing it’d get them in trouble.

By that rationale shouldn't Max have a penalty as well?

[Giggles]

How do you punish that and let someone off a jumped start?

[Disco]

He went so early that he stopped again before the lights went out. Can't blame him either, he knew that was his only real shot at winning.

[Gray Fox]

Ant and The Cucumber broke it down in THE SKY POD. He is actually just about still within the limits of the box when the lights do go out.

[Jimmy Floyd]

The thing I have always found strangely amazing in F1 is how they are able to park it on the grid spots so accurately after the formation lap. Whenever you see the onboard of them doing it I always just think shit I would overshoot this by a mile, or take ten minutes slowly inching up.

[SincereTheRebel]

Or better yet, driving into the pits for a stop with 20 man in the shape of the letter U. How they don't knock over people more often, I have no idea.

[Disco]

A lot of places have marks on the wall or edge of the track showing where your grid slot is. They're all the same anyway so they probably have something on the car to give them a reference point they can actually see.

[Jimmy Floyd]

11 October Nürburgring
25 October Portimão
1 November Imola

:drool:

[Disco]

Keen to see F1 back at Imola but all three of those are at least interesting.

[Jimmy Floyd]

I was never a huge 'ring man but stick it in a freezing autumn and I'm signed up. The other two are glorious.

[SincereTheRebel]

Ive been crying kut for Imola for years. It better not have fucking changed.

The sound.


https://youtu.be/1fXG3xbClco

[Jimmy Floyd]

It has changed a bit, but only in so much as the old Variante Bassa has been straightened out so it's just right foot all the way from the exit of Rivazza to the braking zone of Tamburello, which is far better for modern cars.

Personally I think Villeneuve is a silly corner and if they straightened that out then you've got yourself an oven-ready modern F1 track. There is only really 1 place you could have a DRS zone at the moment unless you had one up the hill towards Alta which seems a bit OTT.

[7om]

Apparently Imola will be a 2 day event. Why would that be?

[Disco]

They do a lot of GT racing, maybe there's other stuff going on in the week.

[Shindig]

Portimaonia running wild. There's still time to get Brands Hatch on the calendar, lads.

[SincereTheRebel]

I'll meet you there

[phonics]

Apparently Imola will be a 2 day event. Why would that be?

One of the issues surrounding it was that it didn't have all the things to be a FIA Grade One track so maybe they're doing a couple of things to get round the regulations.

[Disco]

Looking the other way on track safety. At Imola. I think that's extremely unlikely, it's apparently to give the teams an extra travel day.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Might just be experimenting while they have the chance. Some of the city street races would probably love to be two day events rather than 3.

[Shindig]

They were talking about 2 races on a weekend at one point. Although that would've went the way of reverse races. Also, I've just looked on a map to see where the track was in relation to San Marino. It's not even close. I hate that.

[Disco]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/53564603

By that point it will be 13 years since the last title. Come on lads, you can outdo the pre-Schumi drought if you really put your minds to it.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Their previous best comedy years of 1986, 1992 and 2014 are really being challenged here I feel.

[7om]

What are they now, fifth fastest on the grid?

[Gray Fox]

Mercedes, both black and pink, Red Bull and McLaren all have faster cars.

They are at least a smidge faster than Renault.

[John Arne]

So Lewis Hamilton, the man who tells everybody to take responsibility and help to change the world, retweeted (to his 18m followers) an anti-vaxxer video in the middle of one of the worst pandemics in human history :D


I may not always get my posting right but I'm learning.

[Disco]

Their previous best comedy years of 1986, 1992 and 2014 are really being challenged here I feel.

Honourable mention for 2012 when Alonso dragged that dog of a car to within a Petrov of winning the title.

[thommo]

Sergio Perez has tested positive for coronavirus.

[Shindig]

Do they have a test driver they can sub in?

[thommo]

I guess either Vandoorne or Gutierrez will take over for this race.

[Disco]

Vandoorne is doing milkfloats, so unless they nick another Mercedes driver it will probably be Gutierrez.

[Shindig]

Also, I've picked up Adrian Newey's 'How to Build a Car'. £2.99 from Apple Books. I'll dig into that during work but each chapter is named after a car so I'm hoping this gets super technical.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Some saying Gutierrez, some saying THE HULK to step in. Would be pretty lol if he broke the podium duck this way.

[7om]

Hulk confirmed. I love it.

[John Arne]

Did Perez leave "the bubble" - any scandal involved, or just bad luck?

[7om]

He went to Mexico via private plane to visit his mom.

[Disco]

Him and his wife went to Italy between races, whether that is out of his bubble I'm not sure.

Hulk back though :cool: Hopefully he wipes the floor with Stroll.

[Jimmy Floyd]

If he beats Stroll this weekend in a car he hasn't driven before it'll be a terrible indictment on the latter. Next weekend, more likely.

[7om]

I'm in the minority but I think Stroll is underrated. He's actually looked good so far this season.

[Jimmy Floyd]

He's half decent, people just hate him because there are probably 500 drivers of similar or greater talent who will never receive the hothousing and guaranteed drives/opportunities that he has.

His raw pace isn't great to be honest at this level. Racecraft is alright.

[Disco]

He should look good, he's been afforded every opportunity and advantage throughout his whole career without ever needing to reach any sort of standard.

[phonics]

Hulkenberg getting his first podium off this would be lol.

[phonics]

Everyone keeps telling me Albion is really good but all I see is him consistently underperforming.

How do you spin out for no reason at all?

[7om]

People wouldn’t even be discussing Albon if he hadn’t been punted off the podium twice by Hamilton.

[Disco]

He was in the second/third best car after half a season in F1 and performed well in the lower series with comparatively little backing (ie he traded mostly on his talent). It's also acknowledged that the Red Bull this year is not easy to drive and the only yardstick is a driver who is settled in the team, part of the development process, and who most people think is the second only to Hamilton.

He could easily be another JEV/Vandoorne/Gutierrez/Wehrlein etc etc but there are plenty of reasons why he's viewed as a strong prospect. Still, a few more 'poor' performances and they can drop the 'London born' entirely and he can be full Thai.

[Shindig]

He's half decent, people just hate him because there are probably 500 drivers of similar or greater talent who will never receive the hothousing and guaranteed drives/opportunities that he has.

His raw pace isn't great to be honest at this level. Racecraft is alright.

If he could qualify, he'd feature more strongly. Monza might be a good chance for him to threaten for pole. I don't think he's too bad. He's still only 21.

[Disco]

The first three sessions have confirmed something for me; Paul di Resta is as rubbish as those new graphics they seem to be pushing this year.

Also, Hulkenberg only a tenth away from Stroll already. :drool:

[Shindig]

Russell through to Q2 again. If only that Williams had race pace.

[7om]

I wish Mercedes would just fuck off.

[thommo]

I'd love to see Max in the same car as Hamilton or Bottas. Incredible what he can do in a Red Bull that is clearly not up to scratch.

[Disco]

I wish Mercedes would just fuck off.

They will do tomorrow.

[Shindig]

I'm not bothered by it. F1 has always been this way.

[Gray Fox]

Hulks car is fucked. He doesn’t race after all.

[Disco]

That guy has no luck.

[Gray Fox]

Helmut will be having Albon before the firing squad before the day is out.

[Giggles]

This is some snoozefest.

[Disco]

Not great is it, the race is fourth and back.

[Shindig]

Grosjean's a director of the GPDA. I know. I'm stunned too.

[Gray Fox]

The other 19 drivers need to drag him off into the countryside for him to never be seen again.

[Shindig]

Pirelli, you've got some questions to answer. :D

[Gray Fox]

What a finish. Fuck Pirelli right off.

[7om]

I was so desperate for Hamilton to DNF there.

[Giggles]

Don’t Pirelli supply all the teams?

[Gray Fox]

Yes. They also race here again next week. There was a suggestion they’d supply the softer tyres next week. Maybe not now.

[Pleb]

I'm wondering if there was debris on the track or the tyres are genuinely that shit (as to be expected) :sherlock:

[7om]

Next week's softs completely out the question then? They'll be qualifying on mediums or possibly hards after today's shit show.

[Shindig]

It couldn't have been debris. Drivers were complaining about vibrations all through the race.

[Gray Fox]

The tyres were ran for 40+ laps and their suggested range was up to 40.
1 stopping and doing so early because of a safety car probably lead to this.

[Disco]

They did most of the race, on a track where you barely bother the brake pedal, on a single set of tires. Shock horror some of them let go, it shouldn't take a pitwall full of geniuses to work out the solution.

[Jimmy Floyd]

I don't think enough's been made of the genius required for Hamilton to actually get round that lap without going off the road, never mind quickly enough to retain the lead.

[Yevrah]

I know nothing about F1, but I saw the headline and thought "you what, how? Was he 4 laps ahead or something?".

[Disco]

Max had just stopped so he was about 30-40 secs clear. Not a full lap either, but still impressive.

[Disco]

Just looked it up, Hamilton was 34 seconds ahead at the start of the last lap and got his puncture nearly half way round. He did a 1:55 against Verstappens 1:27 and finished about 6 seconds ahead.

Maybe two more corners and he'd have got him.

[Shindig]

Bottas got royally knackered by his happening on the pit straight.

[thommo]

It was impressive driving to nurse it round, but he was also incredibly lucky that it didn't completely disintegrate. Sainz's tyre ended up a lot worse and he had the puncture occur at Chapel - Hamilton wouldn't have had a podium if he had had a similar failure.

[Disco]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/53654385


Formula 1 tyre supplier Pirelli says the failures suffered by three cars near the end of the British Grand Prix were caused by "extremely long use" on a demanding circuit.

Needless to say it wasn't a terribly taxing Monday morning in the Pirelli office.

[Gray Fox]

Bin off 1 stop races and you're good.

[Jimmy Floyd]

The best balance is when 2 stop is a bit faster than 1 stop, but not overly so.

[Shindig]

Bike news: Marquez is out for a third race after doing push-ups on a knackered arm. :D

[7om]

How come Ted Kravitz won't be at the next two races? It won't be the same without him.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Don't think he did all the races last year either.

[Disco]

It would be classic 2020 if the Mugello round, which has Ferrari 1000 in the actual title of the event, ends up only being their 999th race.

[Gray Fox]

Bottas confirmed for Mercedes in 2021. Hamilton has yet to sign but is expected to.

Leaves Vettel either in a Tracing Point, taking over Albon when he mysteriously disappears in September or missing out.

[Disco]

Vettel to Aston Martin looks done, it's just haggling with Perez that's holding up the announcement I suspect.

On Perez, I see that as long he gets a negative test he can be back for the weekend. Not sure how that works with the FIA mandatory 10 day thing but they can stop pouring maple syrup into Hulkenbergs engine at least.

[Jimmy Floyd]

It would be classic 2020 if the Mugello round, which has Ferrari 1000 in the actual title of the event, ends up only being their 999th race.

That is when we get a hastily arranged round at Castle Combe I think, or around the M25.

[Disco]

It would likely be The Northamptonshire GP (Silverstone 3: Hybrid Boogaloo). A bigger issue will be getting freight there/back if borders are closed or quarantine measures in place.

[Jimmy Floyd]

This is on the way back from Spain: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pau_Grand_Prix

So is Paul Ricard actually, let's not tempt them.

[Disco]

It's the French who'll scupper it if they decide to close the Spanish border so we're saved from another headache inducing trip to Paul Ricard. Pau, alas, is not even grade 2 so no chance.

[Disco]

On Perez, I see that as long he gets a negative test he can be back for the weekend. Not sure how that works with the FIA mandatory 10 day thing but they can stop pouring maple syrup into Hulkenbergs engine at least.

Perez tests positive again, Hulk gets another shot.

[7om]

https://www.fia.com/news/f1-renault-protest-decision

Racing Point fined 400k and docked 15 points.

[Jimmy Floyd]

That will go to CAS if anything will.

[Disco]

I've only skimmed it but some of the language does look a bit wooly, not that I'm an expert or anything.

[Pleb]

...but there allowed to keep the part that the FIA don't want Racing Point to use for the rest of the season? :sherlock:

[7om]

My understanding is that they can continue to use the "illegal" rear brake duct. Essentially because if they asked Racing Point to design them again they could come up with the exact same design, as they can't unlearn what they now know.

[Gray Fox]

Vettels engine obliterating itself. Keeps getting worse for the red cars.

The Tracing Point deduction is a little lenient if it even sticks. Given the added performance they have for the rest of the season they should still come back and finish above Renault and possibly Ferrari. Which would be massive going into next year/reg change.

[Jimmy Floyd]

How much performance does a Merc brake duct give them over whatever brake duct they would otherwise have had? Probably not that much.

[Disco]

More than you'd think, the front ones are leading edge aerodynamic elements that control air flowing around the wheels and towards the floor. I couldn't be arsed to read it but I'd wager part of the protest is that even if they have different internal workings the actual shape is the main part of the design and therefore shouldn't have been on the car this year (as it became a listed part).

[phonics]

I like the fact that the FIA said if they'd been more honest about the work they'd done then the FIA would have helped them to do the thing they've been docked points for :D

[Jimmy Floyd]

More than you'd think, the front ones are leading edge aerodynamic elements that control air flowing around the wheels and towards the floor. I couldn't be arsed to read it but I'd wager part of the protest is that even if they have different internal workings the actual shape is the main part of the design and therefore shouldn't have been on the car this year (as it became a listed part).

Five hundredths? Less?

[Disco]

Fronts feed into the floor which is crucial
so I would say potentially more but I see it's actually the rears they've complained about so minimal. The main takeaway is how shit the FIA look, their scrutineer admitted he probably should have paid more attention to the brake ducts and they said in their own judgement that the rules were not at all clear. A proper court could have a field day with this. RP made a good point today though, they buy the suspension bits from Mercedes perfectly legally and they're already a particular shape so the brake ducts sort have to be where they are and the shape they are in order to fit. They were legal last year too so were they supposed to forget how they worked on Jan 1st?

It's a bit of a farce really and the ducts are a smokescreen for midfield teams trying to stop the manufacturers from clogging their part of the grid with customer cars.

In more fun news that is an interesting grid for tomorrow, plenty of people starting behind those they will feel they can get past and there's going to have to be plenty of stopping for tires if the last few sessions as anything to go by. Plus Hulk, how is Grosjean still stealing a wage while this chap is available :cool:

[7om]

Wouldn't be surprised to see Hulk and Perez at Haas next year.

[Gray Fox]

I believe the parts didn't actually infringe on technical regulations, more sporting regulations. I.e. they were done for the act of copying, not what they actually copied.

That's if I've understood right.

[phonics]

Just seen the full qualifying results.

Albon is a fraud or Red Bull genuinely do tank their second car. The guy who you replaced is driving a shittier car and outperforming you. He's closer to Grosjean than he is Hamilton.

P.S. Does Sainz frequently ending up behind Norris have Ferrari worried?

[niko_cee]

Probably not. They like to have a supplicant in the second car so as long as he's on board with that it'll be fine. He's probably getting good "don't show the other guy up and do what I say" experience in his current role.

[Shindig]

He's got the added bonus of there no longer being a feeder team on the grid. And the ones making a splash in F2 are all Ferrari boys.

[Gray Fox]

Just seen the full qualifying results.

Albon is a fraud or Red Bull genuinely do tank their second car. The guy who you replaced is driving a shittier car and outperforming you. He's closer to Grosjean than he is Hamilton.

P.S. Does Sainz frequently ending up behind Norris have Ferrari worried?

Big teams will never admit to it, but there's always a #1 driver in their minds. Hamilton at Mercedes, Max at Red Bull, LeClerc at Ferrari, Ricciardo at Renault etc. The perfect scenario for a team is to have one driver romping to wins, with the other comfortably sat in 2nd place to bring in the 1-2.
When they don't have that it can tend to go wrong. See Alonso and Hamilton, Rosberg and Hamilton, Vettel and Ricciardo.

Ferrari also have more things to worry about than that. Like why can a young superstar in the making and a 4-time world champion barely drag the car into Q3? They've openly admitted it'll be like this next year too.

Elsewhere 5 teams have appealed the Tracing Point sanction. The team themselves who want it removed and then McLaren, Renault, Williams and Ferrari who want a stronger sanction and to have the thing they copied removed from the car for the rest of the year.

[Disco]

Sainz is no slouch, ran Verstappen closer than any of his other team mates have. The Albon thing is clear, the car is hard to drive and he hasn't learnt how to manage it in qualifying yet, he races fairly strongly though and is still making the right moves (I think the penalty was wrong last week, Magnussen at fault in that one). Contrast that with Gasly who was both slow and supine when he was in that seat.

[phonics]

Bloody hell Niko Hulkenberg is handsome.

They say money doesn't bring you happiness but all these fuckers look like they've never even had a zit.

[bruhnaldo]

f1tv >>>

Got the sky feed on the main tv (thoguh that's just how it comes thru on regular tv here) then got Lando's in car on a smaller tv and then got my laptop to pull up the lap data and all that stuff :wub:

[bruhnaldo]

I didn't catch why we qualfied so poorly but Scenario 7 gonna get us a top 5 finish i feel it in my bones fellow McLaren fans

[Disco]

I've been using this one, it's not bad for a freebie https://f1.tfeed.net/

[phonics]

I’m not paying for F1TV cause it always crashes over here and I don’t watch enough live.

The mariokart esque lap market with everyone’s position on the track should be standard on tv tho.

[bruhnaldo]

OH man this old man gonna make me cry i'm high and sentimental

[Gray Fox]

Murray Walker via phone before was bad enough. Low key said his body had pretty much failed him but he still had his marbles. :(

[Disco]

Who is he?

[Gray Fox]

Captain Sir Tom Moore.

100 years old and raised over £30m for the NHS by marching up and down his garden.

[phonics]

Clearly couldn’t turn up quickly enough for last weeks race. Pathetic effort.

[Disco]

Does the Sir not trump the Captain?

Hamilton to skittle Bottas off at turn one and HULK to storm to a sexy first victory.