Formula 1 2017: sponsored by Chase Carey's tache

https://rts.org.uk/sites/default/d6/TV51-7-Carey_1.jpg

Rosberg has finished, which is a relief for those of us who dislike whiney Germans, but there's still plenty of action to be found in that department with Vettel leading Ferrari's latest doomed charge towards the first two rows. Red Bull are unchanged with Danny Ric and Mad Max in situ, whilst eternal champs Mercedes welcome Valtteri Bottas to join Hamilton. Midfield gonna midfield, and we have yet to find out if Manor will make it to Australia. Felipe Massa, and presumably his dad, are back from the dead.

Mercedes
Lewis Hamilton
Valtteri Bottas

Red Bull
Daniel Ricciardo
Max Verstappen

Ferrari
Sebastian Vettel
Kimi Raikkonen

Force India
Sergio Pérez
Esteban Ocon

Williams
Lance Stroll
Felipe Massa

Toro Rosso
Dani Kvyat
Carlos Sainz, Jr

Renault
Nico 'are you happy in your current job?' Hulkenberg
Jolyon Palmer

Haas
Romain Grosjean
Kevin Magnussen

Sauber
Marcus Ericsson
Pascal Wehrlein

Manor (if they make it)
Nigel Mansell
Pedro Diniz

Turn that photo black & white and add some chicken scratch to it and you can imagine him turning up in the history books as Robert E Lee's right hand man.

Please God let McLaren make a huge leap this year.

2017 F1 Launch Dates

Mercedes - 2/23
Red Bull - N/A
Ferrari - 2/24
Force India - 2/22
Williams - N/A
McLaren - 2/24
Toro Rosso - N/A
Haas - N/A
Renault - 2/21
Sauber - N/A

I actually left McLaren off the OP, that's how memorable their efforts were last year.

McLaren
Fernando Alonso
Stoffel Vandoorne

I'm going for 6 in the pre launch 'how many cars will be predominantly grey' sweepstake. And Sauber for the bonus ball.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by BBC

Formula 1 is about to be under new ownership by US group Liberty Media - and it could lead to profound changes in the sport.

The new chairman Chase Carey (great 'tache) has spent some time getting to know his new venture and the problems the sport currently faces...

His findings were:
• The revenue system is skewed in favour of the already rich and powerful, to the extent that the smallest teams are struggling to survive and money is tight for about half the grid
• There is a lack of competition on track
• Television audience figures are dropping in many markets - although this is largely because of a switch to pay television, to make more money from TV rights deals
• The longest-standing races are struggling to fund themselves and risk dropping off the calendar
• The decision-making process is not working properly
• Some significant business and sporting decisions have been made for solely financial reasons, disregarding other important factors, such as their effects on the sporting side
• An acceptance that F1 has lost some of its appeal, particularly a sense of edge and drama and as an extreme driver challenge.

---

In other news, the sky is blue, the world is round and the Pope may or may not be Catholic.

TBF to them, Marco Van Basten had five years and came up with 'The Offside Rule Is Bad'

Quote:

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Originally Posted by phonics

TBF to them, Marco Van Basten had five years and came up with 'The Offside Rule Is Bad'

---

Made worse by the fact he's talking out of his arse on that one.

They should go with the zeitgeist and just return everything to how it used to be. 9 points for a win, two qualifying sessions, minimum of 3 useless Italian equipes parking their elegant rustbuckets at the back of the grid, and a complete lack of safety provisions.

I'll take this opportunity to laugh at Ferrari again. They must spend that £100m every year on a really fancy gun with which to shoot themselves in the foot.

Ecclestone has finally gone :drool:

I mean, he's a honorary chairman but he no longer has any decision making power.

Bernie Ecclestone has managed two drivers in his life. Both died on the track. Paying $100m to end a bribery trial is outstanding, though.

Ding dong.

It's ten years too late but a good move anyway.

Ross Brawn is a great 'hire', as the Americans would and now will say.

I look forward to the immediate return of Brands Hatch and Imola.

'Murica FUCK YEAH coming again to save the mutha fuckin' day.

Given how awful all your own motorsport is that's hardly a ringing endorsement.

Oh trust me they absolutely ruined NASCAR yesterday. Instead of having one long race they're going to break it up into 3 segments and give "playoff points" to the winners if the first two segments. Of course the final segment is the "winner of the race".

It's all so fucking stupid. I AM going to the 24 Hours of Daytona this weekend. I don't know if that really counts as "our motorsport" but it'll be fucking awesome nonetheless.

Speaking of weird shit WSBK are making the 1,2,3 finishers from race 1 start in 8,9,10 in race 2 to make it MORE EXCITING. Lol.

= fatality no doubt.

The purist in me baulks at the idea of reversed grids but you can't argue with results, it does produce some good 'action'. Not sure I'd want to see it in a proper prototype series though.

It's remarkable how bad Indycar now is.

The CART years were superb, but it all went to shit with the split. Grand Am was fine for a while but multi-class sportcar racing simply does not have the same appeal.

Proper motorsport fans (I don't qualify, I'm in it for the DRAMA and driving skills mainly) wank over sports cars, but I just don't get them.

If I'm not going to watch single seaters then it's touring cars or nothing. Can't be doing with bikes either, not the same magnificent aesthetic as cars.

Le Mans 24hr and all this GT crap is the most mind numbing shite in the world. Also having different classes in the same race is shite.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Jimmy Floyd

Proper motorsport fans (I don't qualify, I'm in it for the DRAMA and driving skills mainly) wank over sports cars, but I just don't get them.

If I'm not going to watch single seaters then it's touring cars or nothing. Can't be doing with bikes either, not the same magnificent aesthetic as cars.

---

Bikes are a trillion times more exciting than cars.

Sportscar are good as a 'sport' but endurance racing makes for shit spectating. I also prefer bikes, both in excitement and in 'aesthetics.' There is something special about seeing someone fully leaned with his head centimeters from the floor.

I don't know about other endurance races or anything but the Daytona 24 hr is my favorite event of the year in any sport.

I'll get there ripe at about 7am. Walk around the paddock and watch everyone getting ready. Check out all the cars. They let you get pretty close to everything.

Then it's all about just walking around the different tents and shit and seeing all the exhibits and what have you.

Then they let everyone go out onto the track and sign the start/finish line and walk the grid as they stage all the cars and shit.

It's awesome to just sit on that banking and think about all the legends who have driven past that very spot.

Otherwise it's basically just a big ass party. I get pretty tore up every year. It's like a carnival on the inside with occasional car racing.

Plus I love when it turns night and you can really see the brakes light up and all that shit. The sound of the engines roaring out of a turn. There's a really great horseshoe section on the Daytona track (idk if anyones played Forza but anyways) that you come out of and go up into the NASCAR turn 1 and 2... it's basically a full out slam pedal to the medal sexfest for your ears.

I never really gave a fuck about endurance racing until I turned up there one year. I fucking love it.

Find me another finish in car racing as good as this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J94PF43oEps

To my mind only a few F1 (Arnoux and Villeneuve) for example but not many more.

I've gone to the St Pete Grand Prix the past couple years as well (IndyCar) and I feel like it's starting to get better.

Those later CART years and the years after CART were pretty awful but I actually got pretty lucky and saw Montoya make his final pass for the lead right in front of me in two different stands.

I think with most sports it's wayyy better to actually go to the events than watch them on TV.

I think I want to start watching the bikes though. It does look pretty exciting I'll have to say and @Magic I think you may have even recommended me doing so last year. One of you anyways.

Its because you know pushing too hard in a bike could end up in serious injury or even death, not the same in a car. The guys really do put their life/limbs on the line every time (well the good ones). That's why when you see a proper hardcore battle knowing there is so much to lose it's unreal and the goosebumps are real tho.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Magic

Find me another finish in car racing as good as this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J94PF43oEps

To my mind only a few F1 (Arnoux and Villeneuve) for example but not many more.

---

It's bikes though so it's completely irrelevant.

Jamie Whitham sounds like he was birthed from Fred Dibnah inside an actual steam engine.

Wisdom and the Whit. :drool:

i thought I heard Rossi finished 2nd like 3 years in a row or some shit?

Is he on his way out? Feel like he's been the only MotoGP guy since I've been born (no offense or anything I just don't know)

Rossi is the best I've ever seen (fairly analogous to Schumacher but without quite such an advantage in machinery) but he's at the end of his career now, it's a long long time since I watched him push his best friend into a gravel trap in order to win the championship.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Magic

Find me another finish in car racing as good as this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J94PF43oEps

To my mind only a few F1 (Arnoux and Villeneuve) for example but not many more.

---

Never seen that before. :drool:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by bruhnaldo

I think with most sports it's wayyy better to actually go to the events than watch them on TV.

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I would agree with that for pretty much any sport, but not for motorsports (and I have been to a lot of races.) Watching cars pass every few minutes is not better than watching the whole race. If you are in a box with a TV (or in a stand with a screen) then yes, it is great. Otherwise, you're basically missing 90% of the race. Many times I would just go to the practices when there is no one and you can check out the cars and stuff (plus it is way cheaper) and then watch the race on TV.

Also.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wp1klmtsWQA

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Magic

Bikes are a trillion times more exciting than cars.

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I didn't say anything about excitement. I just don't find two wheeled motors a compelling discipline. Knees on the road? Nah.

There's so much more to behold with a car.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Jimmy Floyd

I didn't say anything about excitement. I just don't find two wheeled motors a compelling discipline. Knees on the road? Nah.

There's so much more to behold with a car.

---

Is there?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Disco

Rossi is the best I've ever seen (fairly analogous to Schumacher but without quite such an advantage in machinery) but he's at the end of his career now, it's a long long time since I watched him push his best friend into a gravel trap in order to win the championship.

---

He's still up there though. His technique and adaption is second to none.

Almost won the title a couple of years back.

That's Manor officially gone then.

At least Jules Bianchi now has a drive.

I'm hoping this will convince Liberty of the need to ensure that we don't have teams going to the wall every 2 years. 10 teams guarantee that every team will get some prize money but I remember reading that Sauber would be the next to go (they're under financial pressure) and Force India are having to cut back budgets every year.

As Jim says, lets have 14 serious teams and 6 teams made up of mental Italians in wooden go-karts.

Not only that but a stability might attract more manufacturers and engine suppliers into the ecosystem.

Okay, I don't think I fancy paying £180 for MotoGP's season pass.

New Williams:

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http://d2d0b2rxqzh1q5.cloudfront.net...5317ec192f.jpg

I think it's white, but it definitely has ambitions to be grey. Is the Uri Geller sidepod a new thing?

The car is definitely white but the way the picture is taken they clearly wish it was grey so I think it has to count.

Now Ron has been taken out and shot McLaren are apparently going back to the colour scheme of the early 70's before the Marlboro deal. The press release convincing us that grey is really orange is going to be some read.

The good news is that Toro Rosso are apparently switching from blue to grey, so the grid won't be more colourful than it needs to be.

I do hope we get an exciting mix of grey, silver and black cars this year.

Please tell me at least that Renault are going back to proper yellow?

The Mercedes car is grey. Don't believe their 'silver' propaganda and marketing spiel.

Renault was matte yellow last year, but I reckon they can incorporate some grey if they harness the full power of the French design industry. Force India and Haas should be commended for their commitment to grey despite other options being available.

The Sauber will look grey because they couldn't afford colour photography. It doesn't matter though because the entire team is grey down to it's very core.

Damn it. We need a new engine supplier or manufacturer to shake the schemes up. Come back, Toyota.

For a series that's normally pretty exciting, this E race in Argentina has been a serious yawn so far.

The car swap pit stop thing is always good though.

The new Sauber is out; livery definitely has the feel of 'We're about to go out of business', much like the 1995 Simtek or the 1997 Lola. They've eschewed the grey that would have kept them in midfield anonymity for another season, but it was at least photographed on a vast grey floor.

Love how they thought we wouldn't see the stupid fin if they painted it to match the background.

Very disappointed, it's almost interesting.


Pics for reference:
http://i.imgur.com/mbRV77q.png
http://i.imgur.com/6KP8C2f.png

A new game that's only been playable in recent years is looking for gaps in the paintwork/design clearly left in the hope that someone actually sponsors the team.

Both 'launched' cars do demonstrate one thing, the new regs won't be giving us close racing any time soon. Actually make that two, backache for whoever has to hump those rear tires on and off the cars.

They look to me like there's going to be a fuckload of dirty air pushing people outside the DRS zone, leading to processional trash all year. Call me an optimist.

I know it's to be expected on the Sauber, but I can't help but feel there's a lot of space for sponsors going to waste on the side there.

At least it'll look okay while it's battling with the Mano... oh wait. I suppose we'll see it as it gets lapped by the fast cars.

EDIT: Damn, didn't see that at the bottom of Discos post

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Jimmy Floyd

They look to me like there's going to be a fuckload of dirty air pushing people outside the DRS zone, leading to processional trash all year. Call me an optimist.

---

My thinking is that all those little wing elements mean any damage will cost you your front end grip. Not only does that make following someone harder it also discourages trying to overtake in the first place.

That Sauber looks like my favourite Italy kit and, by extension, my favourite Valentino Rossi livery.

Meanwhile I see Toto and Niki have both signed new contracts. I'm a Toto fan I must admit, but does anyone know what Niki Lauda actually does? Does he have any form of decision making power, or does he just spout off on TV while the drivers seethe in their motorhomes?

Renault has revealed their effort. They've gone for a yellow front section with everything else black with yellow accents.

Are all of the cars going to feature these fins on the back?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Jimmy Floyd

Meanwhile I see Toto and Niki have both signed new contracts. I'm a Toto fan I must admit, but does anyone know what Niki Lauda actually does? Does he have any form of decision making power, or does he just spout off on TV while the drivers seethe in their motorhomes?

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His job is to be Niki Lauda and walk into rooms where people are talking about things so they think 'hey that's Niki Lauda, I wonder what he thinks about......' . He has a pervading aura of sensible badassery and people feel bad disagreeing with him. Imagine David Attenborough going on Call My Bluff, there's just no way you won't believe whatever he says, much the same seems to apply to Niki.

https://www.formula1.com/content/fom...7698561380.jpg

Sinco when did it become the job of a photographer to capture as little as possible of the subject in each picture?

Also, if there were a dictionary entry for 'I REGRET ALL DECISIONS' ....
http://i.imgur.com/2JbZ1Md.png

I had meant to put in the link to the rest but forgot.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Disco

Sinco when did it become the job of a photographer to capture as little as possible of the subject in each picture?

Also, if there were a dictionary entry for 'I REGRET ALL DECISIONS' ....
http://i.imgur.com/2JbZ1Md.png

---

That face is perfect :D

'Hello darkness my old friend....'

Force India:

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https://joesaward.files.wordpress.co...vers.jpg?w=500

Would you just look at all that sweet, beautiful grey.

Vijay is saving for his court case, colours must be expensive.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Jimmy Floyd

Meanwhile I see Toto and Niki have both signed new contracts. I'm a Toto fan I must admit, but does anyone know what Niki Lauda actually does? Does he have any form of decision making power, or does he just spout off on TV while the drivers seethe in their motorhomes?

---

"Mercedes Engine Convention, followed by meet and greet with Niki Lauda."

New Merc:

Toggle Spoiler

https://joesaward.files.wordpress.co...3812.jpg?w=500

Fully grey, but I expect no less from a team with their know how. The fin looks quite different to the others.

It's a lot smaller so I assume it cost about 8 times more to develop and will save two seconds across the whole season.

The Ferrari one will cost 10 times that and add to the lap time.

I find it hard to believe that Newey won't have designed the best one of these cars.

I could be horrendously wrong (like normal) but I don't think the changes will allow RB to claw back enough through aero gains to offset the existing Mercedes advantage. The other engine suppliers should have been able to close the gap slightly as well but still, I don't think it will be enough. Lewis is amongst the best there is and would be a decent bet in equal machinery, any advantage has to make him a massive favourite to walk away with it. So I guess I'm left with lolling at Ferrari and trying to work out if Max will have a 'difficult third album' or continue to wind up Riccardo enough to make him break.

Oh I don't think it'll beat the Merc, the German power unit's surely too good. I just reckon they might have at least an equal chassis, based on the usual Newey cycle of bossing aero formulae from the off, and be able to challenge at certain circuits. We also don't know how Bottas is going to get on, if he isn't locking out the front row every week then life becomes more difficult for our Lewis.

Ferrari being 9th and 10th on the grid in Melbourne is going to be quality.

They should have a dedicated channel broadcasting Vettels radio, I'd pay for that.

As shite as the other fins looked, they've managed to make it look even worse.


https://d2kmm3vx031a1h.cloudfront.ne...AWwuGVcz_1.JPG

I lolled very hard at the bird's eye shot they did in which you can't see the fin. Fake news.

https://joesaward.files.wordpress.co...3816.jpg?w=500

I think all the teams did a shot like that.

They have the weird step on the nose cone too, as well as the funny little donger right at the front. I wonder if post-Ron Mclaren will allow such aesthetically displeasing elements.

Of course not.

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https://joesaward.files.wordpress.co...2/img_3825.jpg

That room is probably designed just to wind Ron up.

Jesus look at that thing, Christian Albers will be on the phone wanting his car back.

Super secret diffuser.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/C5bRUk_WAAA_gXZ.jpg

Is this just an elaborate ruse to get a 2007 Spyker with a V12 on the grid? Also that main sponsor almost says Chandhok.

The new Canadian kid for Williams seems a laugh. Having spent a year being followed around current F1 circuits by a staff of 20 in a 2014 Williams, he's binned it three times in two days, keeping poor Felipe indoors.

Williams' Pat Symonds admits: "The last rookie with that many kilometers of testing for his debut was Jacques Villeneuve."

No wonder they shit the bed so much at the prospect of losing Bottas. Good to see the same stories as last year (and indeed every year) popping up during testing, Ferrari are apparently looking strong (as if) and Mclaren are having a mare (that one is probably spot on).

The lad's really hurt by the lack of testing opportunities. He probably could've had a year popping up in FP3 getting the laps in.

No, he's hurt by trying to sidestep the normal route where he would have gained valuable experience.

How shit would you have to be to get sacked from a pay drive?

Depends on how well you draft your contract. Seeing as Clare Williams booted Race Winner Pastor Maldonado and kept all his money you would expect them to be reasonably well covered in that respect.

I wonder how much Uji Ide brought in before they bothered to check his license?

I'm not sure he was paying much at all, Suzuki just wanted an all Jap line up, he even tried to bring him back.

Someone has dared add colour to the Force India.

View Tweet

Hot.

That looks fucking great, best car since...... I can't even think of the last decent looking one (after about 1995 anyway).

Clemency for VJ!

Raspberry ripple. Glory be.

Having thought about it for five seconds I'm going with best since the Brawn in 09. I think they got the paint cheap off the Woking version of Del Boy but it worked.

Palermo as fuck. :cool:

That looks pretty filthy as pink.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Gray Fox

Someone has dared add colour to the Force India.

View Tweet

---

I'm quoting this so I can look at it on the new page too.

The brilliant thing is that it's basically the same design as last year but with one colour changed. See how simple it is you dickheads.

Yeah but will it be quick? :baz:

There's a fine tradition of middling (or just plain crap) cars that were lovely to look at. Lotus and Tyrell spent most of the late 80's and 90's doing little else.

I have a guilty soft spot for the inaugural BAR.

https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com...c7a5d29b1d.jpg

Although less so for the bloke driving it.

Using precisely the same logic...

http://i.imgur.com/yXjrKc4.png

And no, I have nothing against Bertrand Gachot.

I like the yellow Jordan.

This one?

http://i.imgur.com/38P6sTT.jpg

Damon Hill drove some sexy cars.

http://i.imgur.com/blrobwK.png

That very one.

I'm a sucker for racing green.

http://www.eaurougeclub.com/content/...1-2001-291.jpg

http://www.racecar-engineering.com/w.../02/upcate.jpg

More sexual mediocrity.

http://www.aehdmedia.com/images/LeytonHouseCG901.jpg

http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/wp-conten...91-941x529.jpg

http://www.autosportcollection.net/i...to/C357_10.jpg

http://www.f1colours.com/wp-content/...benetton90.jpg

What was that multi coloured one? A Benetton?

Yup, 1988(?). Nannini and Boutsen.

Fair chunk of difference considering the situations and pilots.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y3H5gJEE-Ow

Those chunky tyres really helping out in the corners it seems.

Hopefully we can have a 2 or 3 team battle for the title this year. Instead of the usual one were Toto pretends like the other teams are really close to their pace, then the weekend comes around and the 2 Mercs lol off into the distance.

I suspect you may be disappointed.

I'm just hoping we get a season with McClaren as proper backmarkers. Seeing them and Honda seethe at each other, while trying to pretend it's all fine is great.

That one I think you're ok with.

That 1991 Jordan is a real beauty.

The line of the front wing and the nose cone, two things I will never tire of looking at. Same with the Tyrrell.

Remember when United Colours of Benneton was so huge they could afford to sponsor Formula 1? I don't think I've seen a shop of theirs in about a decade.

There are three in Geneva according to their website. I think they are still pretty big.

They did more than sponsor them, they bought the entire team and ran it for about 15 years.

The last good looking car to win the thing was a fucking Brabham, and banning tobacco sponsorship ruined any chance of a decent colour scheme. Bernie wins again.

That Benetton thing is like a Polo Harlequin.

http://www.skysports.com/f1/news/124...-eric-boullier

Quote:

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McLaren boss Eric Boullier says the team would be winning if they were still powered by Mercedes engines.

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Does anyone else want to tell him? :D

I can see Honda pulling out this year. Nothing in that relationship sounds positive.

Melbourne is here.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/39359382

Some absolutely first rate trolling there from dear old Lewis.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/39376752

And there's the follow up.

Who'd have thunk it.

It's going to be an absolutely rubbish season but at least it's back :drool:

MotoGP as well. Heck. Maverick Vinales is on a big bike.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Shindig

MotoGP as well. Heck. Maverick Vinales is on a big bike.

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Now we're talking. So many potential things to discuss. :drool:

Also WSBK has been dece and BSB+BTCC next weekend? Pinch me.

Make a poxy bike thread.

I'd win the BTCC on foot.

The interesting thing (if anything to do with F1 free practice is interesting) from the timesheets is that the Merc customer teams are all a fairly long way back, and also if the Hulk beats Jolyon Palmer by two seconds a lap all year it will be quite lol.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Jimmy Floyd

I'd win the BTCC on foot.

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Like Jason Plato would let you.

Don't tell me Alain Menu is still dragging one of his rustbuckets around as well.

What's John Cleland up to these days?

Plato and Menu? Am I 30 again?

I've just looked through the lineup for this year and recognise at least Plato and Matt Neal from the mid 90s.

Rob Collard must have been around for nearly two decades as well.

Not dying in a plane crash (I got him confused with David Leslie the other week). Alain Menu was last in the BTCC in 2015.

I did Rickard Rydell at the lights once, I'm pretty sure that gets me a trophy of some sort.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Jimmy Floyd

The interesting thing (if anything to do with F1 free practice is interesting) from the timesheets is that the Merc customer teams are all a fairly long way back, and also if the Hulk beats Jolyon Palmer by two seconds a lap all year it will be quite lol.

---

Being a customer sucks balls, biggest reason why Mclaren aren't shrugging off their kimono anytime soon.

This thread has reminded myself to record Qualifying and the race not like it will make much difference.

Lol at Hamilton thinking Ferrari are "favourites" and "quickest".

I think tongue was firmly in cheek for those, he knew exactly what was going to happen in practice.

That being said...

Mercs
Red Bull and Wings (Max Mad to run riot)
Fast Ferraris
^
^
^
^
^
Everyone.
^
^
^
^
^
^
Jolyon Palmer.

Riccardo going into the barrier was about the height of the entertainment.

Hamilton is such an insincere cunt.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Jimmy Floyd

and also if the Hulk beats Jolyon Palmer by two seconds a lap all year it will be quite lol.

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3.3 seconds :sick:

That's Taki Inoue stuff, I'm sure Palmer wasn't this bad last year.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/39360973

The kid really is useless so far, isn't he?

I'd be more worried about Lance Lol.

At least Wehrlein has a good reason for being off the pace.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Jimmy Floyd

I'd be more worried about Lance Lol.

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I saw him in an interview for the first time today. He's like the 15 year old who bought fake ID to get into the club, but it actually worked and now he doesn't know what to do.

Why do you persist? It's fucking crap.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Magic

Why do you persist? It's fucking crap.

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Divorced yet?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Jimmy Floyd

3.3 seconds :sick:

That's Taki Inoue stuff, I'm sure Palmer wasn't this bad last year.

---

Last year he was a steady 11-16 finisher. Not having the Marussias will mean he has no cushion this year. Maybe the new cars have knocked his radar out.

This is going well.

This is on a plate for Vettel.

That was pretty underwhelming as a season opener.

I forgot I even had it on. It was the over the top "VETTEL WINS IN AUSTRALIA" shout that made me remember it was on one of my monitors.

This combination of anthems is triggering flashbacks.

That was boring.

:cool:

Well, we've got MotoGP in a few hours. Maverick Vinales on pole after a washed out Qualifying. Marquez starts 7th, Lorenzo 9th, Rossi 13th. There's a Suzuki on the front row. Gasp.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Disco

This combination of anthems is triggering flashbacks.

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There's almost no possible result this year that doesn't lead to some fatherland musical action. Bring back Uncle Max and the von Trapp Family Singers.

The Dutch anthem isn't exactly spotless either.

If anyone finds a reliable source of MotoGP torrents I'd love to know about it, the guy who used to upload them to PB no longer does and KAT went down the drain.

I'm waiting on terrible youtube efforts. I'll be supporting prostitution and terrorism but I can't be arsed to give Dorna the £173 for the next 7 months. As good as that package is, not giving you it for the full 12 months is gash.

Yeah that's not worth it. I'll hook you up with anything I find.

I have finally found another source for Moto stuff, PM me compromising photos in exchange for a link.

Wish I could remember my password to disable uTorrent being blocked by sky. Every mirror site I used gets blocked as well. Ah, it's just a watershed thing. I'll d/l the races ready for tomorrow morning. The Sunday Ritual is on. Pity I already know who won the first race.

Forgot all about Gutierrez until I seen him pop up in E today.

That was an excellent race.

Moto3 and Moto2 watched. One of these races was better than the other. Franco Morbidelli looks like someone to watch. I dunno why I'm still surprised by racing families producing good racers. There's the Binder brothers, Marquez brothers, Rossi's half-brother, the Vinales brothers, etc.

China, lol.

It's like the Korean and Indian GPs pollution all rolled into one. Hopefully without the medical helicopter not being able to fly contributing to the eventual death of Jules Bianchi.

Oof.

This is a fucking mess so far.

Ferraris strategical masterminds strike again too.

Surprised Vettel was allowed to park it so for outside the lines. I would have thought that you have to stop within those two sidelines.
Strange that they investigated it and then left him off. It's either a rule, or it isn't.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by John Arne

Surprised Vettel was allowed to park it so for outside the lines. I would have thought that you have to stop within those two sidelines.
Strange that they investigated it and then left him off. It's either a rule, or it isn't.

---

Don't people do the same every race? Not as far over but still outside the lines.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Giggles

Don't people do the same every race? Not as far over but still outside the lines.

---

I've seen them point the car different directions - but never seen anyone as far over as Vettel appeared. If it's the rules (which is obviously is), I'm surprised we haven't seen more of it.

Is it just my stream or is the video feed in general horrendous?

So much for overtaking.

That was a horrendously bad race.

Better than the first one but yeah, the second half was pretty turgid.

Lol at Alonso.

Still, means we might get Jenson back at Monaco.

I wonder if he knows how shit Indy is. Maybe winning the Triple Crown (he should piss Le Mans in a couple of years) has become his new career ambition. Although he's not winning Indy is he, I suppose, so maybe it's all just some sort of marketing ploy.

Seems to be more a McLaren idea than his anyway.

I know in business everyone has a desperate need to 'crack America' just by default, but what are Macca and their fleet of about nine production supercars (nine cars, not models) going to gain from US exposure via the Indy 500?

Funding? Maybe Honda want to shift a few more Accords.

I'd have thought Honda want everyone to forget they have anything to do with it.

Given Alonso doesn't have a long time to get to know the track, I've taken the time to prepare this track guide for him;

http://imgur.com/O3snUSg.jpg

Remember the infield section they made for F1? That was fucking bad.

Aye, I believe it was made of lego.

I liked the year they only had 6 cars running, that was fun.

McLaren do have their 'Track22' plan, which intends to release loads of new models and double turnover by 2022 (Ron Dennis OUT; Peter Lim IN), so maybe they want to hang the intended electric one (lol) off the back of their previous American success.

I'm sure Jenson ties or breaks the GP starts record if he comes back, so it's probably going to be him for some positive PR.

Alonso throwing in the towel after 2 races speaks volumes though. There's been some talk of him offering to race for Mercedes for free next year. But that will come down to just how far Hamiltons love in, with him stretches.

He ties with Schumacher. Rubens still 16 clear of that.

Props to Riccardo Patrese for still being 5th in that list even though they drive inordinately more races per year now, and even though he was a completely talentless piece of shit.

I thought the reason Alonso went to Ferrari in the first place was because him and Hamilton couldn't stand each other?

They've been having a long distance love-in for the last few years. At first I thought it was Hamilton trolling him, but it seems to be mutual.

The distance is the crucial part of that, it wouldn't last five seconds if someone put them in the same team again and every team principal on the grid knows it.

Oh, and Patrese a 'piece of shit'? Bit harsh.

I guess he'd improved by the 90s.

Ngl, thing I miss most about F1 atm is Webber.

I've barely seen much Patresi but, from what I'm told, he became a bit of a mobile chicane near the end of his career.

Cruelly overshadowed by the most electrifying superstar ever to come out of the west midlands.

He managed to have his last three years alongside Mansell and Schumacher, having done a good stint with the ultimate wanker team mate Nelson Piquet earlier on. And there was one glorious year when whichever genius was running Brabham by then (not the short man) managed to pair him with de Cesaris. Hope they had a good parts supplier.

Button is confirmed for Monaco.

Well that's a little bit lol.

Alonso gets out of that shit car for a round, McLaren get to push their brand in the US, and we get more Button. Everyone wins.

Vandoorne not starting as the Honda has failed. Jesus wept.

At what point do McLaren realise they'd be better off cutting and running?

Lol Hamilton, looks like he'll get a penalty for slowing down in front of Smiley Dan.

He's properly mugged himself off here.

I haven't missed the old 'That's what I'm talking about!' at the end of races, I have to say.

I think Alonso having to retire right at the end is the perfect way to sum up McLaren this season.

Michael Schumacher had the decency to never use Italian in his victory chatter. He'll have a passport inside six months and he'll be going on about how he's an ethnic Italian.

:drool:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-39627135

£600m? Goodbye Force India.

I've caught up with this season now and think it's poised very well. On balance I'd say the Mercedes is marginally faster. Hamilton was unlucky with the safety car and then the pit incident in Bahrain, but still took an easy second and would have been a second or two up on Vettel taking out those things I think.

What is interesting now is what Mercedes do with Bottas. It became blindingly obvious in Bahrain that Bottas is not near the same level as Hamilton right now. With Vettel being the No.1 at Ferrari, surely Mercedes are going to have to drop their 'let them race' policy.

They already dropped it didn't they?

They won't need to if Bottas continues to be that slow. He looks extremely average at the moment but he always did have a habit of going missing for part of the race, still very early days for him though so I think he'll close the gap as he grows accustomed to the new car and team.

Stroll looks like the prize turkey this season, totally out of his depth and miles behind Massa. There must come a point where the massive wedge of cash doesn't look quite enough.

The camera angles at this track really show off the speed well.

Hopefull the Mercs being off there is them gearing the set-up for race trim. If not tomorrow is going to be quite dull.

Bottas in front. That's a Hamilton win then.

Cross these off your bingo cards:

- Honda mechanical retirement
- Stroll spin.
- Palmer out.

Good to see that Grosjean hasn't completely forgotten his Crashy Brothers roots.

Bottas looks strong here, it would be nice to see him win it. Hamilton hasn't had a clue through the last sector all weekend.

This is incredibly boring.

This track is awful. I can't remember seeing an on track overtake.

If I ran F1 I'd get rid of blue flags just to annoy Vettel.

Bottas :cool:

Vettel :lol:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Disco

If I ran F1 I'd get rid of blue flags just to annoy Vettel.

---

Not sure why Vettel had a go at Massa, he was nowhere close enough. Vettel just expects everybody to pull over let him fly on through.

Anthems at the start are bad but a photo op with the supreme leader at the end as well? Get the fuck out of backwards shit holes please F1.

Good set of MotoGP races in Austin. The Moto3 red flag was some nonsense but at least we got Fenati going nuts on the restart. Moto2 was actually not boring and I can see Morbidelli slotting into Rossi's role as soon as he retires in 2045. World Championship leading Rossi. With Vinales and Marquez showing they're human, this year might be about who's the most consistent.

Catching up on some bike racing today and I agree on Morbidelli, he trolled Marquez something silly in Argentina. Onto Austin now and I see Fenati is enjoying another false dawn, how long is it going to take him to get it together for more than a couple of races at a time?

I don't understand the confusion over the Rossi penalty, he gained an advantage by cutting the corner. It wasn't his fault but he took the piss by staying on the gas and closing right up to the guy ahead of him. Clear as day.

Yup. Although I'm glad Pedrosa's pace dropped to such a degree it didn't matter. Some big crashes that weekend (That Moto2 one at the start was .... well, it could've killed someone.) and that rider with the unpronouncable name made a great save.

Yeah Simon was lucky to 'walk' away from that, Manzi(?) didn't seem to want to brake at all for the first corner.

It was so dumb. :D Like he was turning up at the circuit for the first time.

Look at this thing, I bet Ron got them to put him in it as a joke.

http://i.imgur.com/fC7tHj4.png

Sure Fernando, this is what they'll all be driving.

I've been staring at that for over five minutes now and am still discovering new and terrible things about it.

Orange McLarens are American motorsport icons, so I reckon I was right with that marketing gimmick slant.

Half open wheeler half prototype. Full ugly.

If asymmetry is the future of oval racing, then I'm afraid oval racing has to be stopped.

Great race. Lewis all day long from here, let's hope they let them race to the finish.

No contest.

Can't believe I've missed this. Wait. I absolutely can. Nice to see Lewis back on the top spot. He's too good to be off there for long.

God, I fucking hate Vettel's post-race Italian. Stop that. You're worse than mert!

No, I think if you go to Ferrari you have to do it properly. Perhaps the extra £100m went on Italian lessons.

Nice of Lewis to reference Spains history of racial abuse on the podium there.

Arrivabene must the most miserable fucker you could possibly find at that circuit, if he was any sadder they'd be setting up a meeting with Kimi to cheer him up.

Something something... Grazzi! Something something.

Missed that qualifying yesterday. Hamilton is such a petulant classless child when things aren't going his way.

Lance Stroll to take himself and at least 1 other driver out of the race at turn 1.

First I've seen of this weekend, I'm almost ashamed to admit I'm looking forward to Indy more than the F1. :gs:

Is the indy an oval?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Giggles

Missed that qualifying yesterday. Hamilton is such a petulant classless child when things aren't going his way.

---

Every interview I saw, he took it well. He was cheesed off with the yellow - but who wouldn't be?

Yes, when F1 went there they built a mickey mouse infield section which everyone hated, the yanks don't use it though as it involves sometimes turning right.

Might give it a watch. UK channel​ or dodgy stream?

Definitely seen enough of this, it's mind numbing.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Disco

Yes, when F1 went there they built a mickey mouse infield section which everyone hated, the yanks don't use it though as it involves sometimes turning right.

---

I'm not sure that's the whole story (it's a very spectator-driven sport so they woo at high speeds and the fact they can see it all from whatever seat they have) but I really enjoy the NASCAR lot going around actual circuits.

You know it's just possible that my post wasn't a full critique of the entirety of oval racing.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Giggles

Might give it a watch. UK channel​ or dodgy stream?

Definitely seen enough of this, it's mind numbing.

---

I think it's on BT, I would think 4/5 this afternoon. I'll be using a stream or aceplayer depending on what I can find.

I never noticed the bus lane before. Who the fuck gets a bus in Monte Carlo?

I wouldn't think there's an awful lot of parking, plus it'll probably cost about £80 a stop.

How can you have Pat Symonds critiquing race strategy and still keep a straight face? Are our memories really that short?

Im flicking back and forth... has there been a genuine overtake yet?

Well Jenson did try one, not exactly successful.

Lance Stroll to slam his breaks on and trigger another one, probably.

I legitimately don't recall any on track overtake after the start.

Bring back re-fuelling and make them stop more.

If 'Seb' beats 'Lewis' this year in basically equal cars, is he OFFICIALLY the better driver?

Nah, just the better qualifier.

It would make him the better driver this year, that's all you can ever say without getting into personal preference. Also, the wider argument would require him learning how to overtake properly.

Wow, whatever Indy coverage I'm watching is so american I think I can feel my arteries furring up.

386bd184023343b6a6745dfff518be8a581212ce

And now there's a frankly bizarre advert for cancer medication. Actual cancer drugs being sold in the middle of a motor race, amazing.

I forgot the ball was on TV here so I didn't get watching.

The grid line up was full length shots of the drivers all making jokes, CanyouhearthedrumsFernando looked like it was the most embarrassing moment of his life.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Disco

And now there's a frankly bizarre advert for cancer medication. Actual cancer drugs being sold in the middle of a motor race, amazing.

---

How will the doctor know what to prescribe you if you don't tell him!?

Alonso is leading but we missed it because we were watching adverts......for Indycar, which we're already watching.

This is why American sports need stoppages, because they'll show the ads anyway.

It would appear to suffer from the same problem as the rest of america, anything that is higher/bigger/faster is automatically considered better. There have been a million passes so far (less than a quarter of the race gone) but there's no point in watching them as none of them mean anything. Favourite thing so far is someone asking a race engineer Yo, what's with all the math?!

Well, that crash is the kind that took Zanardi's legs.

The state of your lottery, America. I dunno if this is national, state or what but it looks like a game show Lenny Bennett would host in the 80s.

Dixon is lucky to be alive, it doesn't look the safest place to have an accident.

Suzi Perry is after fairly hefting up. She used to be a tight enough looking bit for her age.

Every interview she did in MotoGP made me think she was laying down for every straight rider in the paddock. Also, I'm amazed these races ever finish.

We're not even half way through.

This seems like the sort of thing you'd be safe enough turning on around now.

I once tried to watch a full Le Mans and soon realised to just give it ten minutes every few hours.

Yeah, the first 150 laps of this were entirely pointless.

Is he still winning?

:lol:

Familiar end to a race for Nando.

He did good, familiar ending though.

Jesus all these stoppages make it interminable to watch.

This is good shit though with so few laps to go.

Sato. :cool: Now there's a blast from the past.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Giggles

This is good shit though with so few laps to go.

---

Agreed, the last 15 laps were great.

Are American (or Indy Series) drivers that terrible that the likes of Chilton and Sato win races, and most astonishingly, Alonso can just rock up and almost pick up a win??

I imagine if one of those Yank drivers turned up to Spa in a Ferrari, they wouldn't stand a chance.

See also Scott Speed and Sebastien Bourdais. Indycar hasn't been competitive in that sense since the 1980s.

I'd imagine there's far more money in F1 so the quality difference would naturally be there, wouldn't be anything surprising. It'd be like Cronaldo going to the SPL for a few weeks and people wondering is the quality poor there when he does well.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Giggles

I'd imagine there's far more money in F1 so the quality difference would naturally be there, wouldn't be anything surprising. It'd be like Cronaldo going to the SPL for a few weeks and people wondering is the quality poor there when he does well.

---

I don't think it's quite that comparable, given the massive differences in cars, tracks and driving style (though their are obvious similarities) - there's also the fact the many F1 drivers are pay drivers, so there isn't necessarily more money to be made in F1 (except for the top, top drivers). For example, the winner of the Indy500 picks up something like $2.8m, whereas, Pascal Wehrlein is rumoured to be picking up just $400k a year.

It is not more likely that Yank drivers are more insular, and therefore less likely to want to challenge elsewhere, and even leave Indy?

Probably something in that too yeah. America is the world.

Also, :face:

http://nypost.com/2017/05/28/sportsw...dy-500-winner/


http://static01.mediaite.com/med/wp-...13-650x400.jpg

Jesus :D

The top American drivers these days all go into NASCAR for the easy money, and the less said about NASCAR the better.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by John Arne

I imagine if one of those Yank drivers turned up to Spa in a Ferrari, they wouldn't stand a chance.

---

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikiped...nt_2010_01.jpg

1995 Indy 500 and Indy Car Champion. 1996 F1 World Drivers' Championship runner-up. 1997 F1 World Drivers' Champion.

Montoya doubled up as well. It's been utter garbage since the end of CART (2002) though and even in the 90s it was a bit ropey beyond a couple.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Shindig

1995 Indy 500 and Indy Car Champion. 1996 F1 World Drivers' Championship runner-up. 1997 F1 World Drivers' Champion.

---

That's a good shout. Though he did have a Formula 3 background.

A few of them do, to be fair. Sato, Bourdais, Power, Kanaan, Zanardi, etc.

The standard has always been lower in Indycar because it's just a regional series, it's gotten worse in recent years because they buggered about with the rules to the point where it's no longer even a prototype series. There have been (as there always will be) good drivers who can occasionally make the crossover to F1 but there have been what, two who've ever come over and won a title? Bits of the race yesterday were good but you only have to look at the grid made up of failed F2 drivers and people in their late 40's to see what the standard is.

It was probably roughly parallel in the 50s and 60s, but then frankly it should have been as they had massive money and hadn't had their industries ravaged by war. And even then Jim Clark went over and pissed it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VsjWzn7Ettg

Look at the size of the safety stewards :D

I think the new owners of F1 would be wise to look at this weekend and make sure it's as easy as possible for F1 drivers to go and do things like this.

They should let Kimi have the weekend off for the Finland Rally.

Hulkenberg won Le Mans on his time off.

Lewis got a helmet for equalling Senna's pole position tally, which leaves him three behind Schumacher. What do you reckon he should get to commemorate that particular milestone? Answers on a postcard and a bonus point to anyone who matches my tremendously distasteful first thought.

Lol vegetated German lol.

And if it's 'Senna' and 'Schumacher' then it's 'Hamilton'. You're all at it you slags, enough's enough. He's not your mate down the road or anything.

Collaborator.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sy91BcB8pRQ

Toby Moody on commentary. Yay!

Anything in which Fabien Barthez qualifies ahead of Karun Chandhok gets my vote.

Oh, I forgot about him! :D

Kamui :cool: What a guy.

Toby Moody is surprisingly ok when he's separated from Julian Ryder slobbering over everything.

Other than 'Jackie Chan DC Racing' being a thing (and leading for a bit), this Le Mans reads like the least interesting edition ever, so that is probably another one for the regulated out of existence bin.

Everyone has retired except one of the Porsches, right?

I've never really got Le Mans. It is to pointless cars what the America's Cup is to pointless boats.

Yes. Toyota should have walked a 1-2, and probably a 1-2-3, but all of their cars have blown up/caught fire, and there is only one left battling away in tenth or something. Expect mass suicides before the end of the day.

lol the Corvette got a puncture on the last lap and let the plucky Aston Martin in.

'A Chinese team with Jackie Chan. They're certainly going to be kung fu fighting over the coming days.'

It's a good job only sad acts are watching this mate.

I may be a sad act but I thought the last bit between the Corvette and the Aston was pretty interesting.

I thought Jordan Taylor (Corvette) played it perfectly. He almost seemingly left the door "open" for the Aston then hit the sling-shot out of the corner to get back in front.

Of course, the two had a bit of a collision and that cut the tire smfh.

Was really hoping for Jordan to come thru for the W :(

I missed them incidentally donning the Ford GT as well. Ford should really have gone all out this year, since the 1966 car was British, but they insist on that.

Azerbaijan once again staking a claim for the most ridiculous grid anthem of the year, not only that but the music is out of step with the lady lip syncing along. Someone is getting liquidated for that.

I'd like to be a fly on the wall for that force india debrief.

Surely you don't get away with deliberately ramming another driver, black flag the dickhead.

Also Vettel just wheel bumped Hamilton out of rage. He's SEETHING.

Both need to be DQ'd for that. Hamilton will get off though.

That's what I mean. The FI thing was down to Ocon.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Giggles

Both need to be DQ'd for that. Hamilton will get off though.

---

Like on the road, the person behind is responsible for keeping the gap. Vettel misjudged where Hamilton would slow down to allow the SC to pull away then went mental about his own mistake.

Hamilton didn't change speed - whilst Vettel accelerated. I cant see how you can blame Hamilton for that.

Also, the FIA have allowed Vettel to change his front wing during a red flag stoppage (without losing his position) - even though he caused the incident - how is that allowed?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by John Arne

Hamilton didn't change speed - whilst Vettel accelerated. I cant see how you can blame Hamilton for that.

Also, the FIA have allowed Vettel to change his front wing during a red flag stoppage (without losing his position) - even though he caused the incident - how is that allowed?

---

Mercedes were working on their car also.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Giggles

Mercedes were working on their car also.

---

I thought the rule (as the commentator explained it) - is that certain work is allowed - however, changing the front wing is not (without a penalty). Strange.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Disco

Like on the road, the person behind is responsible for keeping the gap. Vettel misjudged where Hamilton would slow down to allow the SC to pull away then went mental about his own mistake.

---

He might as well have been a Lithuanian looking for a whiplash claim.

And to be fair - the commentators could be wrong.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Giggles

He might as well have been a Lithuanian looking for a whiplash claim.

---

I don't know what that means.

I think you can change loose/damaged bodywork if the stewards think it could be dangerous, which is why Vettel changed his front wing.

Alonso complaining about the lack of power in every radio message is a bit boring. Does he think that his mechanic isn't aware of that?

Of course not, but it's his only sensible public outlet other than outright slating the team in the press.

Yeah, it's still boring.

Well played, Stroll - that was awesome.

Stupid race at a stupid track, which Force India should have won and probably with a 1-2.

Needs more races like that. It's like Monaco, but you know, good and with overtaking.

Austria should be much more straight forward, which will be a shame.

Seemed a bit odd that Vettel was allowed to damage Hamiton's car, and then have a run at him (what a pleb), and yet was allowed to repair the damage he did to his own car without penalty under the red flag (whereas Hamilton could have no such remedy as good luck replacing the back end of the car in the pit lane). Quite convenient how the penalty panned out in the end as well. Quite a fun race.

If Vettel gets another one of those before Silverstone, he's due a 1 race ban. In reality there's only Austria so Hamilton should go full on troll mode and get a rise out of him.

I'm amazed he didn't get a DQ for it. Driving up to him and turning into him like tit.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by niko_cee

Seemed a bit odd that Vettel was allowed to damage Hamiton's car, and then have a run at him (what a pleb), and yet was allowed to repair the damage he did to his own car without penalty under the red flag (whereas Hamilton could have no such remedy as good luck replacing the back end of the car in the pit lane). Quite convenient how the penalty panned out in the end as well. Quite a fun race.

---

I had a sneaking suspicion at the time that they may have given him the stop/go when it became apparent that Lewis would have to stop. The timing is almost certainly coincidence but the new regime probably won't be so comfortable with a German in a red car ramming people and going on to win a race.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Disco

I had a sneaking suspicion at the time that they may have given him the stop/go when it became apparent that Lewis would have to stop. The timing is almost certainly coincidence but the new regime probably won't be so comfortable with a German in a red car ramming people and going on to win a race.

---

Sneaking suspicion? Absolutely blatant it was, and I say this as a Hamilton sympathiser, before his headrest came off they were saying it would be looked at after the race.

I heard it said on commentary but didn't see a message from the stewards, I doubt they'd be quite that quick off the mark.

The more I see the Vettel incident, the more I think he should have been DQ'd - although I don't actually think he meant to ram him - he put himself alongside Hamilton and clearly turned into him (accidently or deliberately). Do that in any other race or situation and it's an immediate black flag.

Regarding the stewards investigating after the race - the commentators on my feed certainly believed that the incident was broken into 2 incidents;
- the rear shunting, to be investigated after the race
- the side-swipe that was penalised during the race

But yeah - it wasn't clear at all. I'm pretty certain that I saw a stewards message about the investigation happening after the race.

Also, is it all possible that the headrest was unhatched either of the two times that Vettel smashed into Hamilton? I'm guessing not, given that it's kinda designed exactly not to do that, right?

He would have had to have taken the headrest off when the race was red flagged so some numpty just forgot to clip it on when they restarted. Unless, I suppose, it was somehow broken but this wasn't revealed until the car was up to race pace (so they unwittingly put a damaged one back on). That would be an interesting development, although wildly unlikely seeing as, as you say, I'd imagine it's designed to survive more than a mild rear-ending.

Oh shit yeah, I forgot that the red flag happened in-between both incidents.

I'm not sure about the black flag, when do you ever see black flags? The only one I can remember was Schumacher getting one at Silverstone '94 when he refused to stop for a penalty.

Didn't he also get one for overtaking on the formation lap? That rings a bell.

Schumacher chat reminded my of this old beauty...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m6CamQ3fn64

I mean just look at the on-board.... blatantly just drives the car forward, even when he recovered the initial "lock up".

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by niko_cee

Didn't he also get one for overtaking on the formation lap? That rings a bell.

---

That was the same one. Got a stop-go penalty for it, failed to come in, was black flagged, and then failed to come in for that either. Finished second to Our Damon, but ended up being disqualified and I think even had a race ban which resulted in some JJ Lehto and/or Nicola Larini based madness, as things did in the 90s.

How long has haas and roman been in q3 of qualifying?

This presenter bloke is a massive clown.

The MotoGP catch-up continues with France. Started with the Moto3 lot and .... I'm amazed nobody is dead. Seriously. So many riders being tagged and collected. Good set of races. Objectively the most watchable sport.

Vettel is such a snivelling cunt.

Bottas' start looked fine to me.

Kvyat :face:

Ricciardo on starting from the back, "I'm going to merk some fools tomorrow" :D

Was Lewis just a half a second faster than everyone else or did something happen?

It was just Lewis more than anything. He was a full second ahead of everyone after Q2 as well.

I'm sure the Ferrari operatives are on the case to get him demoted for blocking Grosjean. Presumaly Haas were bunged something (do they use Ferrari engines?) to not bother trying another lap when he had about 8 minutes to do so.

No further action. Presumably he apologised and that was punishment enough.

Difference between Verstappen and Kvyat: the first makes a mistake and puts it right but going round the outside of Vettel on one of the longest corners on the track, the other gets annoyed and takes out his teammate.

P45 incoming for Kvyat.

What's happened to Brundle, they said he'd been taken ill.

Hopefully he hasn't done a Jerry Lawler.

Just found this as an alternative to the (now behind a paywall) live timing site. https://f1.tfeed.net/live

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by BBC's Tom Clarkson

Give that Max Verstappen a championship winning car and he will win the championship.

---

.... yes. Anyone in a championship winning car is likely to win a championship. Stick to telling us about pit stops.

This is hilarious.

Well that all kicked off at the end. :D

Happy for that. Lewis being brought back into contention should be good, providing his car doesn't bin itself. Bottas is bringing it home as well, these days.

Moto3 in Mugello was nuts. 20 bikes running for the win. Great stuff.

1 point and another of Hamiltons favoured tracks next. He probably should be ahead going into the break. But then again he was at this point last season.

Di Resta in for Massa with about 2 hours until qualifying :)

Kvyat, having spun, returning back onto the track right in front of speeding Perez. He really is a fucking idiot.

Not too shabby from Di Resta considering the circumstances. He at least avoided Badoer levels of humiliation.

Yeah, he did well - and got faster with basically every lap he did.

Not sure if anyones watching. Ferrari have firmly set the stall out here.

Vettel has a car problem and has had Kimi on a piece of string behind him almost all of the race, but they're refusing to let him by to get the win.

Hamilton who was behind Bottas similarly has been allowed to pass on the proviso he gives the pace back should he not do it.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Gray Fox

Not sure if anyones watching. Ferrari have firmly set the stall out here.

Vettel has a car problem and has had Kimi on a piece of string behind him almost all of the race, but they're refusing to let him by to get the win.

Hamilton who was behind Bottas similarly has been allowed to pass on the proviso he gives the pace back should he not do it.

---

Yeah, Ferrari always wrong. Everyone else always right.

Turns out Ferrari were right. Pretty boring to see though.

They're clearly ruining the sport by not letting 'lewis' romp to the title. The cunts.

On a different track they would both have been passed, then again it wasn't a different track so probably the right call. I wonder if it would have been any different had Hamilton been able to communicate properly prior to the first stop.

Also lol at anyone expecting Ferrari to let their second driver through, has that ever happened when it actually mattered?

Giggles :D

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by John Arne

Giggles :D

---

Every race Ferrari have any success in it's the same shite here.

Ferrari should be out in front of everyone else, they have a built in advantage.

It would have been just as boring if Mercedes and Ferrari had swapped places.

How does the Hungarian Grand Prix keep going? Does their government plough loads of cash into it? It's hardly a glamour race, and it's the shittest circuit perhaps ever conceived outside of the brain of Herman Tilke. It's not like it even has any meaningful history. I can sort of understand the other central European shite (Austria) due to the sponsorship, but who gives a fuck about the Magyars?

I like it, it has some actual history. I think it has a place on the calendar too, as much as Monaco, Canada etc.

They hold quite a few races there and it's always going to be well supported from Germans, Austrians and Finns.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Giggles

Every race Ferrari have any success in it's the same shite here.

---

What shite? I'm not being flippant - I genuinely want to know which comments you think are so outrageously biased against Ferrari?

Hungary was brought in by Bernie late 80s as one of his first acts (iirc) to symbolise the fall, or impending fall, of the iron curtain and the economic opportunities he imagined might follow.

Not liking Ferrari is perfectly legitimate, they're a bunch of preening tossers and always have been since the old man was happy to let all their drivers die in the 50s.

Kind of like Hungary because it's still a proper(ish) circuit, even if all the gravel has gone to be replaced by run-offs.

Someone at the Beeb is having a laugh. They've swapped Alonso and Hamilton's grid spots. It have my heart a flutter.

Alonso crying into his helmet makes me so happy.

I don't think Hamilton will get away with not stopping again here. Vettel just needs to stay in his mirrors and he should be in for a win.

I turned my head when the pink cars went through the corners up the hill. I thought there was gonna be a big accident.

Fucking idiots, the first lap should have been warning enough.

That Force India debrief should be televised :D

I thought Ocon had his share of the blame as well, pair of absolute morons.

Have Mercedes borked this?

I think Mercedes have chucked this. At least go onto the super softs.

There's something about Les Combes, what a fucking electric defence that was by Hamilton.

They don't have any more sets of SS to use, and you'd back Hamilton to defend a lead 9 times out of 10.

ON the FI thing, I thought Ocon was silly to put his car into that gap but Lord Brundle is blaming Perez '100%' so what do I know.

I missed a few laps - did Alonso have a problem or did he just give up and quit because "waaa waaa my car isn't very fast"?

He asked if there was any chance of rain then retired the car citing a 'loss of power'.

50/50 Ocon vs Perez for me.

Ocon had every right to go for it and was given no room by Perez which was utterly stupid.

By the same token though, if Ocon had just bedn patient a few more corners, he's have nailed him on the straight.

Either way, it all conspired to allow Ricciardo to do another bitchin' over take and become hero of the day again.

Great defending from Hamilton at the re-start. Track position just seemed too important after that. As cited by the cards being switched in Raikkonen and Bottas and the same situation occuring.

So Lewis Hamilton has written a poem about Princess Diana? I dread to click.

Fucking hell.

Giggles, go to town mate.

I take it all back. Forza Ferrari.

These F1 drivers are so soft. There is a little rain at monza. and they are on the radio claiming its too dangerous. You earn all these fame. These are the conditions that separate the men from the boys.

Or the living from the dead.

Hmmm .... field's split on tires. Could mix this grid up.

Ocon starting from third. Ferraris a row back.

You know you're having a bad day when it's raining and Felipe Massa still beats you. Also, is Lance Stroll actually decent? It's so hard to tell but that's the third or fourth time he's looked like the real deal.

Surely this is going to be a Hamilton procession, unless Vettel overtakes the Willaims and Force India by the end of the 2 lap or so. In fact, even if he does, I don't think he will keep up with Hamilton.

Max is getting to be a bit of a crash magnet.

Alonso appears to be having a nervous breakdown.

Renault engines next year, man. He'll be fine.

Alonso still asking "where is Palmer". He is such an unlikeable twat.

Ricciardo however :wub: :wub:

I was reminded of the Prost-Heidfeld Formula E incident earlier.... I still cant believe that Prost only got a 10 grid penalty for it... the guy should have been banned from all motor racing for 2 years..

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wNgyuzxx_YY

Quote:

---

Venturi driver Heidfield welcomed Prost's apology, adding that he accepted his rival would not "drive anybody off on purpose".

---

He checked his mirrors three times. Pre-meditated.

Exactly... checked his mirrors... waited... then literally swerved into him at high speed. Unbelievable (Jeff).

Not the topic of conversation but what the fuck are those tracks. I've seen wider roads in Naples. You couldn't over-take each other on scooters on that shit.

It's a series heavy on the street circuits. Not great when you consider how wide the cars are. Street circuits are very spectator-friendly but tend to do little for the drivers.

There's street circuits and then there's barriers either side of the cars like a cattle farm.

That crash is savage.

FIA stewards really don't like punishing drivers for deliberately ramming someone do they.

This is interesting: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/41265779

More fuel for the rumour that they're planning to pull out altogether.

Sounds like Renault are dumping them more than the other way round. By then they will have their works team, McLaren as customers... maybe two is enough for them.

Puts old Seb under pressure, as Ferrari are going to want one of those Red Bull drivers to replace Kimi, or at least they should do.

Ferrari dont like young drivers. They are like the chelsea of f1

Rather tellingly Kimi just signed his new deal about a week before Vettel confirmed an extension to his. Looks like they're happy to mollify him with a clear number 2 even if it does harm their Constructor points. I suppose that doesn't really matter so much when you get given £100m extra just for kicks, I wonder where they'd have to finish in the CC to end up with less prize money than the winners. Is it even possible?

The formula is far more engine centric than it's been for years and RB really don't like it, there are huge penalties for leaving before 2020 so they may well run the operation down or sell part of it to a manufacturer to help cut costs even further. They already have a pre-existing relationship with Aston who could see F1 as an attractive prospect if Liberty make it all a bit more sensible. All speculation of course, but you don't sell as many fizzy drinks from a midfield team in a sport that is seen as less edgy than other things Austrian billionaires could spend their money on.

McLaren will never be good again will they

It's been said a few times over the last few years but their chassis is supposed to be one of the best on the grid, although I'm not sure how you're supposed to tell. Williams are the ones I worry about, they need an over 25 in one of their cars (because sponsors) and there aren't a lot of options on the grid that aren't Jolyon Palmer. Then again I suppose Willy are now the posters boys for 'I'm here because my dad was good/rich'

McLaren will be good again (or top 10 runners, at least) once they bin off these disastrous Japanese motors.

Over 25 drivers are hard to come by when people are constantly getting sent to tin tops at 23 because the next 20 year old has shown up. Very few solid grand prix drivers around in the way there used to be - Checo Perez and Grosjean the closest things to it.

They've kept their personnel even after a few years of abject failure, so the signs are decent for a revival.

There were rumours the other day that Porsche will buy out the Red Bull team (but keep them as a sponsor) and be ready for 2021.

That's the way it would happen but it probably needs Liberty to set out how the new deal for 2020 will work before any manufacturers commit.

I don't know why they would bother, but if they did you would expect them to run everything as a proper works team straight out of Stuttgart. They aren't really the sort to build the engines and out-source the rest.

Historically it's been far better to buy an existing team, convincing people who know what they're doing to move to Stuttgart to start from scratch would be a bit mental. Especially these days when there's Sauber, Force India, Toro Rosso, and maybe even Red Bull who would be available to buy.

That would make sense, but all the stories I have read implied that they would just re-brand the stationary in Milton Keynes.

That's all anyone ever does. Ferrari, WIlliams, and McLaren are the only ones who are the same team they started as.

The current Mercedes incarnation I think you can just about trace back to Ken Tyrrell.

Tyrell - BAR - Honda - Brawn - Mercedes

That is part of why I don't see what they (or the wider Volkswagenreich) would get from it.

The same thing Mercedes get from putting their stickers on at Brackley: prestige and brand prominence.

It's basically a way to get advertising out of R&D that you would be doing anyway. Hence why people like BMW, Toyota, Honda etc walked away when it was an aero formula with engine technology from last century. Now the engines etc are more relevant (and it's not being run by a mental octogenarian) they're slowly coming back because they see a return on the money they put in.

Porsche could never race again and they would still be the greatest brand in motorsport, and the research and development side would appear to be covered by them (and others) piling into Formula E at the expense of the mega expensive Le Mans programmes they were running. There is less scope for engine development through Formula 1 where they are concerned.

As Jimmy said, prestige and prominence. Nobody watches Formula E, or Le Mans for that matter.

Yeah, that goes for Mercedes, whose motorsport record was previously synonymous with Nazi backing and killing spectators, but Porsche don't need it.

They do if they want anyone to see what they're doing, F1 offers exponentially more exposure.

A fair bit happened today.

McLaren have dropped Honda for 2018 and moved to Renault

Toro Rosso have switched to Honda engines, which has apparently always been the plan. However the senior team wanted to stay with Renault. But all their bitching has caused Renault to pull the plug. The only solution is Honda or a new engine partner to F1.

Toro Rosso have announced Sainz is going to Renault for 2018 "on loan."

But you imagine now that Ricciardo and Verstappen will both be looking at moving away to a non-Honda powered team. Given we already know they are thinking of pulling the plug altogether, this certainly wont help.

It's all part of the same (supposed) phased withdrawal, Honda will inevitably be cheaper to offset the fact that they're still very obviously developing their engine. Where Ricciardo and Verstappen go is anyone's guess, will one or both fancy waiting it out to see who might be running the new team (Horner and Newey staying on might be a big factor)? Decent teams looking for a lead driver might include McLaren if they get their shit together, Ferrari are out while Vettel is there as I suspect would be Mercedes.

So what is McLaren the focus of Renault now? I thought they were starting up a works team again? Sorry I guess I can just google this information.

I think Hamilton would take one of those as his team mate, even if in Max's case it would result in an almighty toy-throwing exercise on both sides.

It's the other way around, Mclaren wanted Renault engines but you're only allowed to supply three teams so Toro Rosso (who are basically up for sale so happy to take a cheaper deal with Honda) had to be dropped. McLaren are supposed to be developing their own engine in time for the new regs (whatever they are) but that's been a story for about a decade so who knows how much truth there is to it.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Jimmy Floyd

I think Hamilton would take one of those as his team mate, even if in Max's case it would result in an almighty toy-throwing exercise on both sides.

---

I thought that too, but I think management would be happier with the current line up. Bottas is good enough to score decent points but isn't likely to be close enough to Hamilton to give the kind of issues they've had in recent years. I suppose you could look at Verstappen as a long term replacement for Hamilton but you're asking for a few years of inter-team ructions.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Disco

It's the other way around, Mclaren wanted Renault engines but you're only allowed to supply three teams so Toro Rosso (who are basically up for sale so happy to take a cheaper deal with Honda) had to be dropped. McLaren are supposed to be developing their own engine in time for the new regs (whatever they are) but that's been a story for about a decade so who knows how much truth there is to it.

---

There's probably still 300 Ford Cosworths stuck in the back of a Silverstone garage. Use them.

Coventry Climax is long defunct. Honda could probably have had the branding for a fiver.

They can have it if they can pronounce it.

'Lads, just pay the fi...'
*suicides*

Can you hear the drums Alonso is driving the dick off that McLaren.

Vandorne as well. When they announced the split, did they immediately slap new engines in?

No, the track just favours chassis over engine, hence the front of the grid looking like it does.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Disco

They do if they want anyone to see what they're doing, F1 offers exponentially more exposure.

---

Facebook has just informed me that the 'BOSS for Mercedes-Benz collection is here, as worn by the Mercedes-AMG Petronas drivers' (including black leather jackets, as worn by their previous Mercedes-driving customers), so maybe Porsche want a bit of that.

Yet another fashion war they've won.

Sorry, I should have posted the link in case anyone wants a thousand quid Mercedes-branded leather jacket. I saw Lewis 'Lewis' Hamilton at their HYPERCAR (which looks crap) launch the other day and thought that he looked like a wally these days.

https://s26.postimg.org/lu9teb9wp/Untitled.png

:gs:

Alain Prost was just giving Sky his 'thoughts', not sure what rock he has crawled out from to be the chief barb-spitter for Renault but jesus he must be even more of a corrupt shithead than Niki Lauda.

Sounded like he wanted to fire Jolyon Palmer asap as well.

Palmer is already gone, they wanted Sainz to take over mid season but I don't think TR would allow it. Palmer to Williams in the most undeserved promotion ever?

I mean it sounded like he wanted to walk over to the grid and haul him out of the car right now.

Why don't Williams go and get Di Resta back from Sky or something. In fact Brundle's probably still quicker than Palmer.

Wet night race

Wow, is it actually raining in Singapore? I've been waiting years for this, it could be utter carnage.

Shitting it down and they're all moaning about visibility on the parade lap. Come on Charlie, don't bottle it.

:roflol:

:lol:

I'm blaming Vettel for that. Idiotic move across.

Wow.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Jimmy Floyd

I'm blaming Vettel for that. Idiotic move across.

---

Looks like it, of the three he was the only one making a move across the track. He'll find a way to blame someone else though.

Be nice to see Ricciardo win this.

Hamilton just needs to make sure of a finish here. Let the Bull have the win and stroll it home in 2nd, unless he's much much faster.

Both Ferraris at fault for that for me.

I'd be doing the same if I were Hamilton, all sorts of dangers out here, get that car home in 2nd or even 3rd. He is godlike in the wet though so he may have the pace.

Was Vettel fucked from the first incident or did he bin it Massa style on his own?

Kimi did nothing wrong, Vettel moved across (legitimately) to cover Verstappen but just didn't know how little space there was or that his teammate was there. Vettel technically at fault but it was unfortunate more than anything.

This has Monaco '96 written all over it. Palmer to win.

Looks like Vettels was a car problem. He's spun it on a straight from what I saw.

Fluid from the max collision was pouring out the middle of vettels car. They claim it probably caused his spin

This is waiting for someone(Grosjean) to massively bin it and cause the red flag.

Some absolutely classic French strategic might there.

Bloody hell. The first time I miss the start of a GP, and all hell breaks loose.

Going back to the Williams drive, on this evidence literally anyone with a pulse and a licence would be an improvement.

Wet races were never his strong point, but he's gone full René Arnoux here.

On Motorbike news, Ana Carrasco became the first woman to win a World Championship race. Supersport 300. Sounds like something worth a watch seeing as the winning margin was 0.053 seconds.

Hamilton gets handed a lead and the piece of cunt hasn't stopped moaning since.

My first thought when I came home and saw Hamilton was leading was how happy you'd be at such events.

With that banker gone hopefully the red menace can fuck off for another year.

It's not over yet.

The one thing going for Hamilton is the swap he did at Hungary. You may well see him calling back that favour before the season is out.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Gray Fox

It's not over yet.

The one thing going for Hamilton is the swap he did at Hungary. You may well see him calling back that favour before the season is out.

---

The season was over after the race before this one.

The one time I wanted to watch the highlights the things on Channel 4...

Do they still do a package or no?

Just seen the start.

lol

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by phonics

The one time I wanted to watch the highlights the things on Channel 4...

Do they still do a package or no?

---

They had the whole race live. Highlights will be on late at night probably.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by niko_cee

Just seen the start.

lol

---

It was madness. All on Vettel too.

If the stewards see it that way he could be in for a demotion at Malaysia.

Didn't really look like anyone's fault in particular, unless we're saying the pole sitter isn't allowed to wantonly drift into the nearest threat, as has been done since time immemorial.

Only way it could have been better is if Verstappen had somehow got out of it and let Kimi torpedo Vettel.

On the crash - the commentators were adamant that it was Vettel's fault - having just seen a replay - Verstappen seems to move over to the left before Vettel comes across him - and then Verstappen made contact with Raikkonen.

I'd like to see a replay from Verstappen's car to see if he was reacting to Vettel.

I guess you have to ask why Vettel over at all... he's knows he had a slow start, and that there are probably two cars to his left... it's not the racing line over there... so perhaps he should have stayed where he was.

Lord Brundle said racing incident, so I'm going with that, but Vettel's move caused it.

No further action ruled.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by John Arne

On the crash - the commentators were adamant that it was Vettel's fault - having just seen a replay - Verstappen seems to move over to the left before Vettel comes across him - and then Verstappen made contact with Raikkonen.

I'd like to see a replay from Verstappen's car to see if he was reacting to Vettel.

---

If you watch Verstappen he moves to the right, towards the racing line, then discovers Vettel coming the other way. The only option for him is to go back to the left which brings him back towards Raikkonen, the alternative was to hit Vettel at which point you have to ask what else he should have done?

The worst part is that it looks like Alonso would have been up into second or third with one of the most ridiculous starts you'll ever see.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Disco

If you watch Verstappen he moves to the right, towards the racing line, then discovers Vettel coming the other way. The only option for him is to go back to the left which brings him back towards Raikkonen, the alternative was to hit Vettel at which point you have to ask what else he should have done?

---

Sure - but the question is.... is Vettel allowed to do that.. which as he was the car ahead (despite being slower), he's well within his right to move over to the left hand side of the track.
It's Vettel's fault - I just don't think any further action was warranted.

Vettel caused it. He moved across on Max expecting Verstappen to move left. Unfortunately, Raikkonen was right alongside Verstappen so he had nowhere no go.

In bike news, Valentino broke his leg three weeks ago. Already back in action. Nuts.

Massimo Arrivederci.

Been catching up on the bike racing this week, I think there's a very strong case for Mugello being the best track on any calendar.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by niko_cee

Massimo Arrivederci.

---

Five Ferrari powered cars out in Q1, not exactly the image they're going for.

I wonder if Agent Kimi will be sent rocketing up the inside again.

F1's youtube account has the full 2001 Malaysian GP.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by niko_cee

I wonder if Agent Kimi will be sent rocketing up the inside again.

---

Hardly worthwhile at this stage.

I think he's on the wrong side for that, there's mileage in trying to go round the outside at turn one though so that could be fun if he gets a good start.

To return to bikes again for a moment, I'm continually amazed that Moto3 and GP can be so engrossing while Moto2 remains deathly dull in comparison.

Yeah, Moto2's been the one I've most likely looked to skip. Morbidelli's form's kept me interested but it's all quite dull.

Didnt realise there was a race this weekend. About to start and kimi has just been dragged back into the pit lane and may not start. Vettel is starting last.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by SincereTheRebel

Didnt realise there was a race this weekend.

---

Neither did Ferrari.

Vette has done well to be in 6th before the first round of pit stops.

Slept through all of that. Vettel getting smacked at the checkered flag is probably worth seeing.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Shindig

Slept through all of that. Vettel getting smacked at the checkered flag is probably worth seeing.

---

Just seen it. Its vettels fault if you ask me

50/50 for me, Vettel assumed Stroll would hold his line so didn't give him any additional room and Stroll drifted to the right more than he really should have. Smacks of both of them switching off a bit after the end of the race, which is understandable, it will be a shame for Vettel if his performance is rewarded with a five place grid penalty.

I'd side with Stroll on that. He looked as far as he could be on Vettel's onboard. In fact, Vettel looked like he was trying to take the inside when he was half-way past Stroll.

EDIT: Also had a go at Alonso because Vettel can't handle traffic. Some 4-time Champion, eh?

Jolyon Palmer's away. Sainz replaces him immediately. Kvyat in for Sainz. 34 starts. 9 points. 9 DNFs.

Palmer has struggled to even be average, it's telling that Williams have considered a grumpy Scotch who's barely raced in five years and someone with one and half arms ahead of him.

I can't remember the last time Ferrari were this shit race on race. Hamilton is champion elect.

Some knobhead at Vietnam TV appears to have forgotten that the F1 is on and had instead put on Spurs TV.

Our channel that has the rights here (Eir Sport) had technical issues and missed the first good few laps. Woke up especially to see the start too. Cunts.

Also, fuck Sky yet again.

That Stroll failure could have been a lot, lot worse. Lucky to have happened where it did.

That was not worth getting up for.

This has been pretty much the exact opposite of last season for Hamilton. Last year he was the leading driver into the summer break. Then Rosberg won 4 of the 5 races after, with Hamilton suffering DNFs. There was even a Red Bull winning in Malaysia then too.

Four titles will match Seb in, for me, just about inferior machinery. We don't appreciate what we have in Hamilton. If you put Fangio/Clark/Senna on a higher pedestal and maybe Prost on his own second step, Hamilton is on the next one after that and maybe even getting up there with Alain.

Seb took all his titles in the best machinery available and played the team orders like a ponce.

Sky Sports Mix. F1 E-Sports.

It is what it sounds like :face:

If there's one thing I take from the sim racer streams I've watched, they're not as good as they think they are. In a pack, there's always a punt.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Giggles

Sky Sports Mix. F1 E-Sports.

It is what it sounds like :face:

---

E-Sports are quickly taking over the sports channels at night, and often during the day if there's a gap. Sky and BT both show FIFA tournaments, and BT show a startling amount of Street Fighter.

As it turns out, there's not enough real sports to fill six channels.

Oh, my. The problem with being so far behind in MotoGP is that I wind up catching results every now and then on BBC's website or whatever. There is a bike involved, along with a likeable rider that would really make an awesome champion. I'm only up to Assen which is like 7 races back and the title will be decided in a month's time.

I'm in the same boat but a little further ahead (in the middle of watching the Austrian races), which title are you talking about?

The big'n. I was thinking the other day about how the guy in question lacks an edge but was starting to put it together on his bike. It just might, might go to the wire.

All caught up now, I really hope he wins it. Races like Mugello and Motegi were epic.

Six rounds back. Going to watch Germany's races tomorrow. Assen was so GOOD! If I take two rounds a weekend, I should catch up by Valencia.

Got super burnt yesterday so today should be fun. The 90% chance of thunderstorms yesterday was bollocks.

Stevie wonder is playing after too.

Jagielka, Williams and Keane have to be one of the worst backs three's I've seen in quite a while.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by John Arne

Jagielka, Williams and Keane have to be one of the worst backs three's I've seen in quite a while.

---

Can hardly expect them to lead the grid first time out.

Jagielka had an engine change so I think we can let him off.

Whoops :)

All three still better than Magnussen.

This thread hurts my head.

Was there a Grand Prix today?

Doesn't start til 8pm.

What the fuck is this shit? :D

I love Verstappen. Give him a car equal to the bests.

I went for a cigarette and am absolutely shocked to see Alonso has retired.

Ferrari not so subtly turning Raikkonen's engine down so the inevitable swap with Vettel doesn't look too bad.

Ferrari as a whole remains a laughable shitshow in spite of their improved form this year. Apparently Marchionne is about to bosh Arrivabene and his various pasta-twirling acolytes. I'm sure that'll make a massive difference.

Pretty damned good race in the end. We were based high up on turn 1 again so had a great view of the vettel start and fair number of overtakes.

Weather was absolutely minging this morning so was proper scared it'd be a whitewash.

Lol at the people whinging about Max getting a penalty, there hasn't been a clearer example of track limits in years.

The shots of Schumacher standing on the barrier and Jean Todt crying :drool:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nt-3KT6ktHU

I love that Coulthard slowed down right at the end just in case Villeneuve needed the second place.... Everyone really did hate Michael, didn't they.

Liberty Media have been really, really good at stuff like this. Here's hoping they put together a network.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by John Arne

I love that Coulthard slowed down right at the end just in case Villeneuve needed the second place.... Everyone really did hate Michael, didn't they.

---

Well he was better than the rest of them combined so it stands to reason.

They were all prize cunts themselves, well apart from Mika. Eddie Irvine, what a shithead.

In that era though it really was anyone but Schumacher as the thinking man's choice. You couldn't watch Adelaide '94 and not fucking hate him forever more.

Or watch the FIA try and engineer a Ferrari win, and this is against Villeneuve a man who it could not be easier to dislike.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Giggles

Well he was better than the rest of them combined so it stands to reason.

---

Which just made it all the more frustrating that he decided to cheat so often.

I reckon out of the last 36 World Championships, 33 have been won by utter cunts.

No sign of that ratio decreasing any time soon either. I'm undecided on Verstappen.

Verstappen could go the way of Vettel but it's early days.

Who were your three? Or is it just Hill and Mika?

2x Mika, and Damon. I'm being a bit harsh on Button I suppose but I've always found him a smarmy twat. I guess he's not in the Piquet league.

Kimi has his charms, but, yeah.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Disco

Which just made it all the more frustrating that he decided to cheat so often.

---

The biggest cheats of the era were a whole team and their stolen emails, which always gets conveniently forgotten. Though they're kind of paying for it now I suppose.

Biggest in what sense? Toyota employees ended up in court on similar charges and Renault were done for the exact same thing (right down to the regulation they broke) shortly after Mclaren, it's just that there was no-one at the FIA with a personal grievance against their team principal so the FIA decided not to get involved or to apply any penalties. You could go back further before the days of computer logs or secure data when the done thing was to clear your desk into a big sack and any technical documents that might happen to be there too, after all who's going to know if they turn up in a slightly different form somewhere else on the grid? You could even go back to the early 90's when things like active suspension and mass dampers widely credited to Williams mysteriously turned up on Benettons and Ferraris. Nobody wins this game.

Drivers though? It's far more obvious when they cheat and Herr Schumacher was the worst culprit I've ever seen (although I bet Piquet would be up there if you went back and looked hard enough).

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Disco

Biggest in what sense? Toyota employees ended up in court on similar charges and Renault were done for the exact same thing (right down to the regulation they broke) shortly after Mclaren, it's just that there was no-one at the FIA with a personal grievance against their team principal so the FIA decided not to get involved or to apply any penalties. You could go back further before the days of computer logs or secure data when the done thing was to clear your desk into a big sack and any technical documents that might happen to be there too, after all who's going to know if they turn up in a slightly different form somewhere else on the grid? You could even go back to the early 90's when things like active suspension and mass dampers widely credited to Williams mysteriously turned up on Benettons and Ferraris. Nobody wins this game.

Drivers though? It's far more obvious when they cheat and Herr Schumacher was the worst culprit I've ever seen (although I bet Piquet would be up there if you went back and looked hard enough).

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I wasn't massively into F1 at the time. Can you give me examples of Schumacher cheating? Did he do it at both Benetton and Ferrari? And were the teams complicit in it?

Thanks.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michae..._controversies

These things have followed Flavio Briatore around rather a lot.

My old man always says Schumacher 'got what was coming to him' regarding becoming a vegetable. I wouldn't go that far but there's a certain karmic order about the whole situation.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Dave.

I wasn't massively into F1 at the time. Can you give me examples of Schumacher cheating? Did he do it at both Benetton and Ferrari? And were the teams complicit in it?

Thanks.

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Adelaide 94 he damaged his car and while coasting back to the pits he turned in on Damon Hill taking them both out of the race. Hill would have been World Champion had he finished.

Jerez 97 he rammed Jacques Villeneuve in an attempt to take him out of the title deciding race.

Also widely criticised for trying to run Rubens Barichello into the pit wall in Hungary. I forget which year but he parked his car across the track in Monaco during qualifying in an attempt to stop his rivals from setting their own times.

I don't think the teams were really complicit in much of that but he raced for Benetton during the years they are widely accepted to have been using illegal technology on their cars and for Ferrari when they were heavily favoured by the sports governing body.

Force India reserve driver Celis has just smashed up Perez’s car in FP2. Perez did no look too happy :D

Edit; might not be too serious - Force India engineer doesn’t seem too bothered.

Austria. When the team ordered Barichello to give up the lead to Schumacher on the final corner of the race. Was that a team call or did Michael stamp his seniority on it? Let's be honest, the politics are the best part of Formula One.

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Originally Posted by Shindig

Austria. When the team ordered Barichello to give up the lead to Schumacher on the final corner of the race. Was that a team call or did Michael stamp his seniority on it? Let's be honest, the politics are the best part of Formula One.

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It was Schumacher of course. If it had been the team then they'd all justifiably be vegetables now.

They had team orders long before Schumacher got there, and you can't really argue with 5 titles, it worked. Schumacher was a great driver but he never really knew where competitiveness gave way to outright cheating, hardly surprising when you think he came up under Eddie Jordan then Flavio Briatore. Then came the move to Ferrari (run by a Frenchman no less) and it all went a bit 1000 year dynasty.

Do you think Ayrton Senna being a cunt would be discussed more if he was still alive and sitting on six titles?

He was a sexy latin type, it's harder to get away with that stuff when you're a german brickie with a banana-face. Plus Senna raced against Alain Prost so almost anything is forgivable.

If he'd lived I think Schumacher would have retired him, he was Senna with a grasp of politics (beyond I'd like more money and less Gerhard Berger please), once they reformed the Axis I reckon he'd have struggled to get a top drive.

In Senna's defence, I refer you to that bullshit call (was it Estoril or some place?) where he was penalised for exceeding track limits or such when he took to the run-off (which included a chicane which cost him time) to avoid a crash. As for a hypothetical retiring of Senna, I don't think so. That Williams would become the car to be in. Alternatively, there was a McLaren ready for two World Championships or a sneaky Benetton he could drag to the front.

But then we wouldn't have got to see Damon Hill's title.

As someone who recently came into F1, why is Prost hated so much? I'm curious because it's easy to see why people dislike Schumacher, Hamilton, Verstappen or Vettel but I couldn't see anything relating to why Prost is so disliked.

I think part of it was his driving style. He was the type to just do what was required and play it safe. I think he also had the ear of the FIA during the Senna rivalry (hence the above penalty sticking).

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Byron

As someone who recently came into F1, why is Prost hated so much? I'm curious because it's easy to see why people dislike Schumacher, Hamilton, Verstappen or Vettel but I couldn't see anything relating to why Prost is so disliked.

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Watch the film 'Senna' for the outright fanboy perspective of why people didn't like Prost.

Prost should really have won about 8 world championships though, he was that good, just the Frenchness caught up with him at times.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Byron

As someone who recently came into F1, why is Prost hated so much? I'm curious because it's easy to see why people dislike Schumacher, Hamilton, Verstappen or Vettel but I couldn't see anything relating to why Prost is so disliked.

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:harold:

How the fuck could you recently enjoy this shite?

Coming from someone that can watch the completely uninteresting shite that is bikes :lol:

The Sky 'Legends of F1' (or whatever it is) one on Alain Prost is good, as he sits there feeling victimised trying not to speak ill of the dead.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Giggles

Coming from someone that can watch the completely uninteresting shite that is bikes :lol:

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Clueless. I love BTCC as well. I just enjoy good close competitive racing. Something which hasn't been in F1 for years.

'Good close competitive racing' is an synonym for randomness, and is very overrated. There has NEVER been that in F1 and nor should there be.

The issue F1 has compared to the past is that the cars are easy to drive and so there's less visible skill for the spectator.

I wouldn't even say MotoGP/2/3 is random. The cream rises to the top. BTCC's different. If you have to reverse a grid, your sport has problems.

I would say it's aerodynamics, you had the situation in Austin that nobody wanted to be within five seconds of the car in front because they leave such a huge trail of 'dirty' air.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Shindig

I wouldn't even say MotoGP/2/3 is random. The cream rises to the top. BTCC's different. If you have to reverse a grid, your sport has problems.

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Yup, track position just has far less importance in bike racing and things like tyre choice and conservation become more important. If you want the ur-example of meaningless overtaking it's oval racing, at least three quarters of every race is completely pointless.

It's disparity between top and bottom that makes your sport. In F1 that's absolutely huge.

It'll be interesting to see what happens now there are some vaguely sensible people in charge, new engine regs and almost certainly a budget cap should make a difference in that regard.

Caught up to Austria on the bikes. Morbidelli and Mir have the other two classes sewn up. Nobody can touch their racecraft. The MotoGP finish was great. I'm strangely enjoying Lorenzo hitting the front and killing his tires. Something tells me that might come in handy when Dovi needs a wingman.

Beware the BBC Sport page, I saw the Malaysia result by accident.

Phew. Didn't clock it before. Man, it's over in two weeks. Better get a move on.

Thats probably the title. Vettel and lewis with contact on lap one resulting in both of them in the pit

Vettel being a 4 time champion is a travesty. Just nowhere near good enough in traffic.

Raikkonen really is bobbins these days.

Vettel seething his tits off.

Literally everything about that was glorious, as will his tantrum when he gets penalised.

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Originally Posted by Disco

Literally everything about that was glorious, as will his tantrum when he gets penalised.

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Did they not say no investigation?

I don't think they've mentioned it, didn't look as bad second time but I would enjoy the teutonic seethe.

It wasn't a hanging and flogging incident, just shit driving from him and it cost him dear.

Hamilton's fucked.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Disco

I don't think they've mentioned it, didn't look as bad second time but I would enjoy the teutonic seethe.

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They said it was noted and then a few minutes later decided it wasn't to be investigated.

That was the turn one shenanigans, I'm talking about him passing Massa off the track and then whining about it.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Disco

That was the turn one shenanigans, I'm talking about him passing Massa off the track and then whining about it.

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Ah, I'd turned back to the NFL by then.

Alright, Hamilton. I dare you not to mention Senna in your post-race press conference.

Fuck off, Neymar.

Don't worry, Brundle did it for him. One day I'd love to see a flag disappear into the engine.

'Who is the most talented driver of the so called greats?', asks the BBC website, offering a multiple choice between 'Jim Clark' and different versions of 'I haven't heard of Jim Clark'. Thus far it's not looking good for Jim Clark.

1 Clark
2 Senna
3 Fangio
4 Moss
5 Prost
6 Schumacher
7 Stewart
8 Lauda
9 Piquet/Hamilton
10 the rest

I don't know who Jim Clark is but I'll say Jim Clark.

Stirling Moss should probably have realised he was cursed when that mad French tosser cost him a Le Mans by ramming his car into the punters. He was like the anti-Graham Hill.

Here's a shocker: Stirling Moss is not even 90 yet.

Trying to compare people like Moss with today's drivers is ridiculous. I'd say you're even pushing it when comparing drivers from the 70s and 80s. It's just a totally different sport thesedays.

And you can meet him for a free if you spend a million quid on a bomb-on-wheels magnesium Lister.

Jim Clark could have made a shopping trolley qualify on on pole. He was another species tbh. Hamilton isn't even top 10. Fuck him and the cheating Mercs.

I might consider that if they paint a Newcastle livery on it like a 2000 Lister Storm.

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Originally Posted by Magic

Jim Clark could have made a shopping trolley qualify on on pole. He was another species tbh. Hamilton isn't even top 10. Fuck him and the cheating Mercs.

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Racist.

Clark, Fangio, Senna, and Villeneuve. Then the rest.

Sato and Montoya >>>>> Verstappen (Jos) >> Ricciardo >>> Penis > The rest.

I'm not sure about Gilles. He was almost too mental.

I view 1992 as Year Zero for modern F1, or whenever the first great Newey car was. If you drove before that, you had a much harder job.

It's why Schumachers records look unbeatable but will most likely be eclipsed, he was just the first top guy to have his whole career in the period where you weren't going to a funeral every Tuesday. It's also worth distinguishing between who was best at actually driving cars and who was the best 'driver', for example Alonso is a good example of someone who can drive anything faster than almost anyone else of his generation but can't make a good decision out of the car to save his life.

Yeah, Hamilton complains a lot but usually pits when Pat Bonnington tells him.

Hamilton's decision to move from McLaren to Mercedes at that point surely one of the great F1 career moves of all time, mainly because it didn't seem obvious at the time.

I remember thinking he was daft at the time.

It'll be interesting to see who gets to number 5 first, between him and Vettel.

My mate, who is well into this, said something like "He won't be competitive the first year, but after that they'll blow everyone else away". Not sure how he knew that, but I imagine he wasn't the only one.

It was a gamble on Mercedes building the best engine. Not a certainty but their engine had been better first (if that makes sense) in the current formula and the new one put so much emphasis on the engine that it made sense to be with a manufacturer. Plus he'd already been through at least one year of McLaren failing to deliver a car good enough to win titles and he'd just watched the guy who shaped his career get sidelined. It was a surprise move but there were plenty of reasons to make it.

Wasn't the main one not having to make adverts and hang around with Jenson Button?

I'd always thought it was a combination of Ron Dennis and the pussycat doll exiting stage left at about the same time. There was one season (2011 I think) at Macca where he was dreadful and it kind of went from there. Add in the fact that Merc had Ross Brawn (a title winner with 4 teams, really) and Paddy Lowe and it would have made sense.

I also remember some story about Niki Lauda shoving notes under his hotel room door, although that could also have been a fever dream.

Was that the season he seemed to keep colliding with Massa for the lols?

He dragged some performances out of them, to be fair.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Lewis

Wasn't the main one not having to make adverts and hang around with Jenson Button?

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That was the idea at the time, I for one am glad because it gave him lots more free time to spend with tigers and Neymar Also, an age old question may soon be answered. Is it possible to make a worse rap album than Randy Savage?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Shindig

He dragged some performances out of them, to be fair.

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I loved 2009 for a different reason than everyone else, Alonso and Hamilton both in utter dogshit cars tearing lumps off each other every week over 16th. Silverstone was particularly good.

Those few corners they had in Mexico battling for 9th were the best thing about the race. Just visibly brilliant driving by both of them.

If I could halt the sport at 2007, I would. Literally hold Bernie at gunpoint and hold time and the sport itself hostage. And Super Agurri would still be alive.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/41857101

Yeah sure m8.

One wonders what direction he think Ferrari is taking the sport with shit like Ferrariland or whatever it is called.

The Prancing Horse International Race Series.

I have a grudge against Marchionne, because he looks like he's going to fire Arrivabene, and if Arrivabene's hair leaves the paddock I fear the cosmos may be unsettled.

lol at words like 'standardisation' even coming up.

Willy waving. All so they can kick up a fuss when their 'historic bonus' gets taken away and they need an excuse that doesn't make them look like complete cunts. Also, Arrivabene is absolutely getting fired, sorry Jim.

https://www.grandprix247.com/wp-cont...tpxZqmVbUx.jpg

RIP the worst hair in sport, luv u 4 eva x

I'd dispute that title.

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http://www.sherdog.com/image_crop/20...8_IMG_0986.JPG

Can I interest you in a surrogate? One that actually smiles occasionally.

https://i.imgur.com/PikbSKi.png

Luke Gale has the worst hair in sport because he won't accept baldness.

Reminds me of a thread I was going to make, Best Bald XI. Automatic selection for combovers.

I don't think there's ever been a good bald driver. Fangio was kind of receding.

Lewis Hamilton would be into Stirling Moss territory without the wonders of modern technology.

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Originally Posted by John

I'd dispute that title.

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http://www.sherdog.com/image_crop/20...8_IMG_0986.JPG

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https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/...trip=all&w=960

Sir Stirling is the obvious one. One of the Brabhams (David?) was bald, presumably still is. Robert Kubica was leaping and vaulting toward baldness when he left F1 so I'd assume he's there by now.

Aren't they all a bit bald due to the constant head gear wearing? Like golfers?

I also wonder if Lauda should count, he definitely lost his hair after all.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Disco

Sir Stirling is the obvious one. One of the Brabhams (David?) was bald, presumably still is. Robert Kubica was leaping and vaulting toward baldness when he left F1 so I'd assume he's there by now.

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Believe it or not Kubica still has hair, but I'm pretty sure he's gone into a local barbers, taken a few of the clippings and superglued it to his head.

I've been googling F1 drivers for a good twenty minutes and there's nary a slaphead to be found, this is starting to get worrying.

Kubica's held his hairline well. I saw his arm for the first time a few months back. Yikes. No wonder he lacks power in it. I can think of one bald motorcyclist and it's Bradley Smith. He went at 20.

Well, Johnny Herbert and Jacques Lafitte have made strong entries but there's a very clear top three in the F1 best baldie championship.

In third

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Teo Fabi
https://i.imgur.com/a0f8Vm0.png

In second

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Also Teo Fabi
https://i.imgur.com/4xQqvlo.png

And the winner

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The greatest picture in the history of the sport, unprecedented dominance from Fabi
https://i.imgur.com/MBYGkkr.png

Quality stuff. Late career Denny Hulme is the best I could come up with.

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https://orig00.deviantart.net/25fa/f...ry-d9wtzmv.jpg

That;s a strong entry, clearly still driving too and believe me those are rare.

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https://s1.postimg.org/12d9x3apm7/levegh.jpg

Going beyond Formula 1, what about Pierre Levegh of Le Mans Disaster (and almost winning the race single-handed during a previous attempt) 'fame'? By the looks of him that crash was deliberate.

Caught up to Aragon. Mir's a class act. Hope he does well with KTM next season. I like Fenati as well but it's clear his big sweeping riding style murders his chances in a dry race. Morbidelli should be safe in a straight fight between him and Luthi. In the top flight, I hope more for Dovi than I expect. Marquez has really fought for this and would've been comfy if it wasn't for his engine farting at Silverstone. Hopefully Sam Lowes does okay in Moto2 next season. He hasn't been able to stay on the thing in 2017. I don't know how long Bradley Smith's got left in the class, either.

Jonathan Rea became the first man in history to win the Superbike World Championship three times on the trot, breaking the points total record on the way. He's only five wins off Fogarty's record.

Why are you posting it in this boring thread? Lowes is on Luthi's bike so he has no excuses.

Did you see Sofuoglu's insanity?

I only keep up with Superbikes due to BBC articles. I was never 100% up on it when I had Eurosport. I'll always give Superbikes / Supersport guys the benefit of the doubt when they transition to MotoGP. Cal Crutchlow and Chris Vermuelen are the only guys I can think of that have made something of it.

Australia watched now. Damn it. :(

Well, turns out Hamilton tearing through the field is fun to watch. Pity he fell short of the podium. I also caught wind of MotoGP's finale. I had started watching it but the stream was pulled a couple of laps into Moto3. I'll not spoil it in case Disco or somebody is playing catch up.

Checking out the 2018 grid and I've noticed Morbidelli and Luthi are teammates. Oof. Tito Rabat's back, too. Fenati and Mir battling it out in Moto2 would be interesting, as would Mir having Alex Marquez as a teammate. KTM could be deadly if they carry their late form into next year. Lastly, can someone explain to me how Niccolo Antonelli has a ride for next year? 29 retirements or failures to start in five years in Moto3. He crashes everywhere.

I'm guessing we all saw this last week - Ted Kravitz showing a picture on his phone to camera when "MSY Mob" sends him a message :D

https://i.redd.it/umjob66ddlxz.jpg

Carlos Ghosn watching the race next to Alain Prost, they're assembling a proper team of villains over there.

I thought these E cars were supposed to have those windscreens this year.

EDIT: Scratch that, they're still racing in the Gen 1 car.

The incoming one has it.

http://hanabi.autoweek.com/sites/def...0-original.jpg

Speaking of electric vehicles, MotoE gets unveiled tomorrow. They're going to slot that in along with the Moto3 and Moto2 lot on Sundays. I might pay Dorna their blood money. Electric bikes sound cool as fuck.

EDIT: Debuting in 2019 at five of the European races. 18 bikes with some branding across MotoGP, Moto2 and Moto3. It sounds like they're all racing identical bikes.

How the fuck do you actually watch Formula E? It always seems bananas and I miss it but I literally have no idea how to watch it in the UK. Is it on TV? Is it online? Is there free / public highlights access?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Clunge

How the fuck do you actually watch Formula E? It always seems bananas and I miss it but I literally have no idea how to watch it in the UK. Is it on TV? Is it online? Is there free / public highlights access?

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It used to be online for free but now if your country has a TV deal it'll be geo blocked. 3e show it here and I think I recall Channel 5 having the UK rights.

Channel 5, Spike (whatever the fuck that is), and Eurosport apparently.

http://www.fiaformulae.com/en/championship/tv-schedule/

I'm sure I was watching it on Twitter the other day, but that might just have been free practice.

It's absolute dross anyway. I know the tech is important, but what's the point of watching silent cars driving slowly around small tracks.

Street circuits and close racing. I'd take a drop in speed for that.

It's ok, I've enjoyed most of the races I've watched. The main drawback for me is that the tracks are normally god awful stop start street affairs laid out for maximum crowd engagement (no bad thing but shouldn't be the only consideration) rather than being a good track to race around.

Like all good things there's a Reddit page dedicated to providing free streams, the races normally pop up on there.

I am a fan of 'Jev'. He should be racing in something better than that, ideally a 26 car (or vaguely merit based) F1 grid.

The man is a dreamboat, can you imagine him and Grosjean in a team together?

It's an interesting grid on the whole. Half of it reads like Helmut Marko's missed call list then there's Nicolas Prost (who is one of the most dangerous drivers I;ve seen in any discipline), Nelson Piquet Jr (LOL) and a host of names that were fast for five minutes in GP2/3 (someone save Esteban Gutierrez a seat he'll be here soon).

Oh and walking yawn Nick Heidfeld.

I've always thought Nick Heidfeld is still driven by bitterness about not getting that McLaren seat whenever it was. I can only find one race win, in any series, on the poor bugger's record since he was in Formula 3000 nineteen years ago.

Still, there's always this:

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In 2016, in an academic paper that reported a mathematical modeling study that assessed the relative influence of driver and machine, Heidfeld was ranked the 23rd best Formula One driver of all time.

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The Nico Hulkenberg of the early to mid 2000's.

I thought he was going to be the guy to win for BMW Sauber. :(