Or... the dregs that don't warrant their own thread. You decide.
Just a fraction of the old thread (starting late Nov. 2013):
Quote from: LjudDrivers to keep numbers throughout career! Huzzah! A proposal anyway, but there seems to be general approval all around. So each driver would have their own personal number and would only swap for #1 in case of winning the championship. FIA/Bernie also asked teams for larger numbers on the car, but teams are reluctant.
Quote from: ChrillI'm not too happy about this. I like the numbering we have now. It gives me as a viewer some sense of what the team has achieved. Running 1-2 on your car is good. Running 18-19 is not all that funny. I like it.
Then again, if at least number 1 is for the current world champion, then I'd be OK with it. I'd want number 69.
Oo-er!
I'm fine with the numbers as they stand. I mean, am I likely to memorize the 22 driver/number combinations when we have only two drivers per (easily-identifiable) car, and they each wear a uniquely(ish) coloured crash helmet? That said, I would be happy to see drivers limited to one helmet design per season (preferably they keep it their entire career, but I'll settle for one a year); also some variation between team-mates wouldn't go amiss - don't both pick designs of predominantly the same colour.
Quote from: ChrillThey do it in the US and people associate numbers with drivers there I am sure. In Europe, I only know Valentino Rossi.
Perhaps the sport could abandon tiresome names completely... come in Number Six, your time is up.
Moving on seamlessly from that nod to 1960's British TV... I see Williams is further strengthening its aero department with a pair of acquisitions: http://grandprix247.com/2013/12/09/williams-announces-new-recruits-from-red-bull-and-lotus/
Quote from: LjudDrivers to receive double points on final race from 2014 on! Meaning winner gets 50, 2nd place is worth 36 points, etc. on final race, other races the points stay the same. http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/111795
Is this some kind of joke? Are they bloody serious with this? I'm no longer watching F1, screw 'em all!
Apparently there's already a petition against it (not that those ever worked, anyway, but worth a shot?) http://www.petitionbuzz.com/petitions/formula1
Oh for fuck sake. So you build up a 49-point lead over 18 rounds only to suffer an unfortunate mechanical failure/get taken out by another driver/run over tyre-ripping debris etc in Abu Dhabi and see the title snatched away, because apparently this one race is worth twice any other. Do the people who come up with this stuff actually like Formula One?
Signed the petition and I shall now (well, later today) e-mail the FIA to express my displeasure.
Quote from: ChrillSigned it and used the Penfold outrage as my comment.
So you build up a 49-point lead over 18 rounds only to suffer an unfortunate mechanical failure/get taken out by another driver/run over tyre-ripping debris etc in Abu Dhabi and see the title snatched away, because apparently this one race is worth twice any other.
This. Hah.
Omitted my first four words? :)
A fourth place at Yas will earn just one point less than a victory at any other circuit. Seems reasonable. I honestly didn't think the FIA would ever out-gimmick DRS, of course I should've known better.
Quote from: LjudThe first thing when I did when I spotted this was look at the calendar. Couldn't quite believe it wasn't the 1st of April.
Quote from: ChrillQuote from: Penfold
Omitted my first four words? :)
A fourth place at Yas will earn just one point less than a victory at any other circuit. Seems reasonable. I honestly didn't think the FIA would ever out-gimmick DRS, of course I should've known better.
With this new change, I think even "fake rain" would make more sense than this. Bernie's idea of random rain to spice it all up.
Quote from: MattI will make the last MF1 round worth half as much to compensate.
Quote from: LjudArtificial rain, shortcuts, "turbo" button which you have, but the guy in front doesn't, double points on one race. Sounds like sport alright. Should perhaps put a joker instead, Jeux Sans Frontières-style. Or, might be an idea for MF1. Have a chance to win double points on any one race in the season, must be decided before qualifying. :P
Well, at least Vettel is with us: http://grandprix247.com/2013/12/10/vettel-this-is-absurd-and-punishes-those-who-have-worked-hard-for-a-whole-season/
Helmut Marko saying that the original idea was to have double points for the final four races but that it got whittled down to just one: the thrill-fest that is Abu Dhabi - a venue which has co-incidentally just paid a sizeable fee for the privilege of closing out the season.
Quote from: ChrillQuote from: Penfoldco-incidentally
yeah
Pirelli rules out one of their prototype constructions after Rosberg suffers 200 mph failure in Bahrain test: http://grandprix247.com/2013/12/19/pirelli-safety-of-tyres-which-will-be-supplied-for-2014-is-not-in-question/
A further two Red Bullers go off to pastures new: http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2013/12/19/two-red-bull-staff-switch-to-mercedes/
With Montezemolo and Domenicali openly critical of double points rule: http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/111924 Bernie suggests there could be a new vote on the issue at January's Strategy Group meeting: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/motorsport/formulaone/10530334/Formula-One-chief-Bernie-Ecclestone-says-double-points-rule-could-be-scrapped-next-month.html
Live in hope and all that.
Quote from: ChrillIt's unusual for F1 to speak openly against these things. That is a good sign.
Lotus deal with Quantum Motorsports dead; praise the Lord we have Maldo's money this year, team boss Lopez thinks to himself: http://grandprix247.com/2014/01/16/lopez-says-all-is-well-but-quantum-deal-is-dead-while-ijaz-still-claims-to-be-a-lotus-owner/
On their car's development: "We are very satisfied with the development of our car," Lopez said, "which will perhaps look a bit different from the others. We believe it is better to use the next few weeks in the wind tunnel, which will give us more than one test on the track would."
Hmm, but how different will the car look... intriguing.
F1 sticks with Pirelli for the next three years: http://grandprix247.com/2014/01/16/pirelli-concludes-three-year-f1-tyre-supply-agreement-with-fia/
Tyres will likely be conservative this year (I don't mean voting Tory in the EU elections) and so less of a factor anyway, unlike the measly 100 kg fuel limit that may see engines dialled right down at the thirstiest circuits - interesting piece here: http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2014/01/15/new-fuel-limit-2014-toughest-f1-rule/
Quote from: LjudBernie is no more. He has just stepped down(?) from his throne as director of things F1.
Hmm, so he's stepped down from the board but will continue to run the business on a day-to-day basis: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/formula1/25762411
Ron Dennis back as McLaren CEO; Whitmarsh's days as team principal likely numbered: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/formula-one/25766407
Quote from: ChrillWhat the above two news stories really mean is that "Bernie is no longer OFFICIALLY running things, but he is running things" and that "Ron Dennis will take a look at McLaren and see what can be improved". Dennis is definitely not back as team principal although perhaps it cannot be ruled out for the future. Ross Brawn, anybody?
Brawny is said to be Ron's top choice but is currently on a six-month sabbatical; so will he cut that short or might some interim guy fill the void - perhaps even Dennis himself?
Lotus waves goodbye to another member of staff, this time a chief engineer: http://grandprix247.com/2014/01/22/pilbeam-leaves-lotus-to-join-mclaren/
McLaren extends Santander sponsorship deal (or 'partnership' as they insist on calling it) for some unspecified duration.
Williams rumoured to be 'partnering' with Martini as title sponsor for 2014 and beyond; FW36 replete with Martini branding set to be unveiled on day one of Jerez test - if story is accurate.
Minimum weight limit raised by 1 kg to accommodate sturdier tyres: http://grandprix247.com/2014/01/23/heavier-pirelli-tyres-force-f1-car-weight-increase/
Quote from: ChrillThat's good. 1 kilo will make all the difference.
Some surprising news out of Lotus today as Eric Boullier leaves the team and has his position filled by co-chairman Gerard Lopez: www.formula1.com/news/headlines/2014/1/15409.html
Is Boullier McLaren bound?
Honda said to be doling out the big bucks in McLaren tie-up: http://grandprix247.com/2014/02/05/honda-package-for-mclaren-includes-free-engines-and-big-cash-injection/
What a financial platform for the team if stated figures are accurate - or even if they're just anywhere near the truth.
Hunt's 1974 Hesketh 308 is up for auction, and all one requires to own this slice of F1 history is about half a million quid: http://grandprix247.com/2014/02/10/james-hunts-iconic-hesketh-308-to-be-auctioned-in-monaco/
I'll take two! Oh, what do you mean there's only one available... but I must have a pair to flank the estate's grand marble portico!
Modern F1 is too artificial, says Villeneuve: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/formula1/26178312
Yep.
Quote from: ChrillOnce again, who asked him? But yep.
No cajoling required to get Jackie's opinion.
FOTA on the brink of collapse? http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/motorsport/formulaone/10638103/Formula-One-Teams-Association-on-the-brink-of-collapse.html
Organization has been largely impotent since Ferrari & Red Bull exited so they may as well shut-up shop. Just crazy that the teams can't talk to the FIA & Bernie with a unified voice.
Graham Hill's Lotus 49 'Gold Leaf' is heading to auction; register your interest now: http://www.classicandsportscar.com/news/classic-car-auctions/ex-graham-hill-lotus-49-to-be-auctioned-at-goodwood
And now FOTA is officially dead: http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/112702
Not like it's useful to have all teams speaking with one voice when dealing with the FIA or Bernie....
Quote from: Matthttp://www.planet-f1.com/news/3213/9196782/Ecclestone-Hints-At-Azerbaijan-Race
I'm doubtful of this actually happening, and like everyone, I don't see the need for another street race. Baku is actually an interesting city, but I would have hoped that F1 would learn to avoid complicated political situations (see: Bahrain) and Azerbaijan has ongoing issues with Armenia.
Yeah, tremendous. Another tedious circuit in a country without any apparent interest in motor racing. Hope you're right to doubt any future Baku GP, but when Bernie and a big money deal see each other....
McLaren to start season sans title sponsor as Dennis refuses any low-ball offers; hopes to have agreement in place within first few events (obviously it's fingers crossed for strong early results to bump up the price): http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2014/03/06/mclaren-announce-sponsor-next-events/
Domenicali steps down as team principal, some bloke named Marco to replace him: http://grandprix247.com/2014/04/14/domenicali-stands-down-as-ferrari-formula-1-team-principal/
Fabio Leimer (GP2 champion) failed to secure a 2014 berth at Sauber despite having $14 million to ease his passage - the team is said to have requested twice that amount; meanwhile, van der Garde's 'many millions' may help him edge out Sutil in 2015: http://grandprix247.com/2014/05/05/leimers-14-million-could-not-buy-him-a-seat-with-sauber/
Quote from: M4A1CarbineQuote from: Penfold
Fabio Leimer (GP2 champion) failed to secure a 2014 berth at Sauber despite having $14 million to ease his passage - the team is said to have requested twice that amount; meanwhile, van der Garde's 'many millions' may help him edge out Sutil in 2015: http://grandprix247.com/2014/05/05/leimers-14-million-could-not-buy-him-a-seat-with-sauber/
$14 mil can't buy a drive in F1? I need to re think my investment strategy, been practicing gran turismo too long to let it go to waist. :-\
Quote from: ChrillI have about $14 million to spare. I'll happily give you it. They did say he needed to double it? Yeah, you can come waving with $28 million next year.
Quote from: MattQuote from: M4A1Carbine
Quote from: Penfold
Fabio Leimer (GP2 champion) failed to secure a 2014 berth at Sauber despite having $14 million to ease his passage - the team is said to have requested twice that amount; meanwhile, van der Garde's 'many millions' may help him edge out Sutil in 2015: http://grandprix247.com/2014/05/05/leimers-14-million-could-not-buy-him-a-seat-with-sauber/
$14 mil can't buy a drive in F1? I need to re think my investment strategy, been practicing gran turismo too long to let it go to waist. :-\
I assure you that playing video games long enough will always go to the waist.
Lotus chief calls for a more even distribution of F1's riches: http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/113809
What a novel idea.
Merc to trial volume-boosting exhaust in FP1 or at next week's test: http://grandprix247.com/2014/05/08/mercedes-to-test-megaphone-exhaust-in-barcelona-practice/
I'd rather they didn't bother.
Quote from: ChrillThe sound is quite ok now, I don't much mind since I've become accustomed to it. I just wish the engines would rev higher.
Same here.
Two-year contract extension for Rosberg: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/formula1/27523534
Finding F1 a trifle dull these days even with all those DRS passes? Well frown no more, for the FIA has dug deep into its bag of cunning plans and hauled out... sparks! Yes, it's titanium skid blocks for all: http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/114525?source=mostpopular
Exciting stuff I know, but wait just a minute because the FIA isn't done with us yet. Back into the bag it goes and this time comes out clutching............. standing restarts! Oh yes, have your lead eliminated by a safety car and then line yourself up to risk it all in the pot luck of a grid start: http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/114529?source=mostpopular
Quote from: ChrillThat idea with sparks is idiotic, but I quite like the idea of a standing start after a safety car. That works fine for me.
Yeah, obviously the race leader should face a high risk of losing his position if, say, the guy running 17th smashes into a wall.
Quote from: ChrillQuote from: Penfold
Yeah, obviously the race leader should face a high risk of losing his position if, say, the guy running 17th smashes into a wall.
Exactly. With the fake rain, we're basically back at the original of F1 racing. This is the future.
Quote from: MattI think they could go with more controlled rolling restarts, like NASCAR or IndyCar, rather than the standing start idea. Those create opportunities for passing and more excitement without being as random or risky as a standing start.
I'd rather that than standing starts, but what I don't get is why restarts need to provide a good opportunity for passing. I've always viewed the safety car as simply a tool to allow the track to be cleared rather than a chance to shake-up the running order.
Quote from: ChrillWhat Penfold says. We might as well do restarts every 15-20 laps the way it is now. To spice up the action.
Need it nice and unpredictable. How about we have Charlie Whiting pull a numbered ball (or two) from a hat before each race, and then as the leader begins said lap Charlie can hit the giant red restart button, fireworks will erupt all around the circuit, and the drivers will bunch behind the leader as he makes his way back to the grid.
Lotus-Mercedes in 2015? http://adamcooperf1.com/2014/06/24/could-lotus-switch-to-mercedes-power-from-2015/
Quote from: ChundlahThe irony that 'Teflon' Bernie has been allowed to pay $100 mln to make his BRIBERY TRIAL go away should not be lost on anyone...
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-28656050
He ended up paying more than the original (alleged) bribe but I'm sure it was still worth his while...
Quote from: LjudYou know how it goes...
http://i.imgur.com/7b1hkQX.png (http://i.imgur.com/7b1hkQX.png)
All credit to Cerf_, for making the comic.
Lotus-Mercedes it is: http://www.grandprix247.com/2014/10/09/lotus-to-race-with-mercedes-power-from-2015/
Quote from: ChrillWell.. Lotus might be a challenger in 2015 then. We can assume they abandoned this years car a long time ago.
Quote from: ChundlahWe can probably assume they abandoned it during the winter... Usually the next year's car is an evolution of the previous one, carrying over all the ideas that work and changing those that don't, quite apart from it having four wheels I'm not sure what else Lotus will carry over from this year's car. Actually, it's a massive risk for the team because with the engine changing there won't be any continuity with the car at all and there's no guarantee that the change in power will launch them back to the sharp end...
Quote from: Chrillhttp://www.autoexpress.co.uk/audi/89171/audi-to-join-f1-in-2016
Red Bull-Audi and Toro Rosso-Audi for 2016?
Quote from: LjudThe amount of times VW didn't enter F1, I don't believe they will this time, either ...
Though if anything, I find it more likely they outright buy one of the teams (STR) or something and go all Toyota, but doubt anything's gonna happen anyway.
Quote from: ChrillWell, Domenicali to Audi is something interesting. Perhaps he is going for Le Mans, yes, but... he doesn't have experience there.
Rubens was all set to nick Kobayashi's seat for the last three races: http://www.foxsports.com/motor/story/caterham-problems-put-stop-to-surprise-comback-for-barrichello-110414
Stumbled across an interesting snippet: "Meanwhile, Italy's Autosprint said the Strategy Group on Tuesday ruled to scrap plans for standing re-starts after safety car periods next year ..."
Haven't seen this mentioned elsewhere but my God I hope it's accurate.
Extract from: http://www.grandprix247.com/2014/11/26/todt-rubbishes-red-bulls-twin-turbo-plan/
Quote from: ChrillI haven't heard anybody being positive about it. A standing re-start only achieves two things - unfairness to whoever is leading as well as increasing the risk for ANOTHER safety car period thanks to start pileups.
Staggered that such a terrible idea made it this far. Now just fingers crossed that double points get ditched.
Quote from: ChrillEven Bernie said "Teams don't get it" and admitted that double points looks set to be removed, although he wants it to stay.
Well, this is sad to see... Marussia's assets are being auctioned off: http://cal.cagp.com/event/marussia/#imageclose-1
Quote from: ChundlahAt least if you buy the cars you csn run them in 2015, Caterham 's buyers got permission to do that...
Quote from: ChrillThen again, you also need an entry to the whole series. I don't think that's included with the car sadly.
Quote from: Cabanacathttp://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/marussia-block-unsportsmanlike-minardi/?v=2&s=1 (http://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/marussia-block-unsportsmanlike-minardi/?v=2&s=1)
#Minardi
Losing teams and losing viewers: http://www.wsj.com/articles/u-s-bucks-trend-with-f1-viewing-1423684118
But don't worry, it's most likely only the casual viewers turning their backs on F1. So that's okay.
Quote from: ChrillAfter all, the thing we need is old men with money in their pockets to buy a wristwatch or two.
I feel sure there must be a longer term flaw in that approach....
It's taken them some time, but the FIA has finally listened to the fans and tackled F1's big issue - drivers changing helmet designs mid-season: http://www.grandprix247.com/2015/02/18/fia-prohibit-helmet-design-changes-during-season/
Now just sit back and wait for the viewers to roll in.
Quote from: ChrillYeah, it always frustrated when all of a sudden, you'd see a car with the number 1 and lots of red bulls and a completely new helmet. I would scream out loud, throw things at the TV in frustration over not knowing who drove that vehicle.
... well now you'll know ;)
Quote from: ChrillSo, seems Manor are aiming for the Australian GP with Will Stevens and... *drumroll* someone else. We don't know who yet.
https://www.facebook.com/ManorRacing/posts/788324517890038
FIA condenses 2016 calendar with Melbourne pushed back to the 3rd of April: http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/118705
Max Mosley proposes teams receive significant technical freedom in exchange for operating within a budget cap: http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/118698?source=mostpopular
Wow, there's a novel idea. Think I suggested this three or four years back... perhaps even earlier.
Quote from: MattI like the condensed calendar. Too many breaks in the season. Although IndyCar has condensed their calendar too much, and both fans and sponsors have complained about it. Sponsors don't like only getting exposure in six months of the year. F1 will still be longer than that though.
Quote from: ChrillIf teams struggle to make it from November to March, are they going to fare better not getting money from November to April? I see this is a cost cutting measure (less time to travel back home, simply jump from race to race when far away) but it also gives you a longer time without the same sponsorship income.
Quote from: MattIf you're getting the same amount for the year, it doesn't matter. I assume each team receives their payments differently, some may have deals to spread out payments over the entire year as it is. But even if they don't, it's just a matter of budgeting the money you make while you're receiving payments so that you can cover the rest of the year.
No new sponsor (wonder why?), but McLaren is poised to treat us to an exciting new livery in Barcelona: http://adamcooperf1.com/2015/05/02/mclaren-to-debut-new-livery-in-spain/
Quote from: LjudApparently we're not having 5 engines per car this season afterall. http://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/plans-for-fifth-engine-set-to-be-scrapped/
Quote from: ChrillQuote from: Ljud
Apparently we're not having 5 engines per car this season afterall. http://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/plans-for-fifth-engine-set-to-be-scrapped/
Seems like Red Bull, or Renault really, are in a bit of trouble then.
I'm thinking three engine penalties for Ricciardo this year... the first of them in Canada.
Quote from: ChrillThat's assuming they get everything running nicely with their fifth engine, the one they debut in Canada, and suffer not one single engine failure for the rest of 2015. Including Canada, you have 13 races remaining. That means every single engine will need to complete at least four full race weekends, one engine doing five. Assuming one more engine cocks up (and it's likely at least one will), I can see them getting penalised for engines 4-5 times this year.
Mine is the optimistic scenario where Renault has nailed its reliability issues by Montreal; yours might be the more realistic vision of Ricciardo's future.
See, all four Renault-powered machines made it to the flag... all it took was to dial down the power: http://www.grandprix.com/ns/ns30784.html
Teams may get free choice over which two tyre compounds they use, although Pirelli ain't so keen on the idea: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/formula1/32672072
Quote from: ChrillQuote from: PenfoldTeams may get free choice over which two tyre compounds they use, although Pirelli ain't so keen on the idea: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/formula1/32672072
The "small" teams would always be too aggressive, in hope that one day their aggressive choice turns out to be the right one and they hurry past the established teams. A Force India and a Sauber on the podium once per season would make those teams happy.
One notch softer with the option tyre would give an eye-catching boost to qualifying performance, and then pit on lap 5... much as some went for a short first stint in the days of refuelling.
Renault's dyno telling porkies: http://www.grandprix247.com/2015/05/14/renault-something-is-wrong-with-our-dyno/
Good to see Manor hiring some new technical bods: http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2015/06/01/ex-mercedes-and-mclaren-staff-join-manor/
Quote from: ChrillWell, Manor are supposedly working on a new chassis. Why? Save it for 2016.
Introducing a new chassis this season will get them Ferrari's fancy 2015 powertrain... so quite a boost to performance.
Quote from: ChrillYes, but they should invest for 2016. They signed some actual names for developing the car, which is something they can only do if they have money to invest:
http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2015/06/01/ex-mercedes-and-mclaren-staff-join-manor/
I wouldn't be surprised to see the 2015 car, assuming it materializes, form the basis of next season's challenger - we have rule stability after all. Then fairly early next year this expanded technical team could crack on with an all new motor for 2017... and do so under the Renault name if you take this rumour seriously:
http://www.grandprix247.com/2015/06/02/is-bob-bell-leading-renault-take-over-of-manor/
Helmut Marko not expecting a power boost until last three races: http://www.grandprix247.com/2015/06/15/renault-delay-roll-out-of-improved-power-unit/
How useful.
In other news... McLaren has now successfully crash tested a shortened nose for the MP4-30 and could deploy it as early as Austria. So at least there's a chance of higher running positions before the inevitable retirements.
Force India test driver positive on upgrades: http://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/revised-force-india-is-mega-really-quick-claims-ocon/
Draft 2016 calendar runs to 21 races as Germany returns to the fold and we gain Baku. Two notable changes as Russia leaps forward to May and Malaysia becomes a back-to-backer with Singapore in late September.
April 3: Australia (Albert Park)
April 10: China (Shanghai)
April 24: Bahrain (Sakhir)
May 1: Russia (Sochi)
May 15: Spain (Barcelona)
May 29: Monaco (Monte Carlo)
June 12: Canada (Montreal)
June 26: Britain (Silverstone)
July 3: Austria (Red Bull Ring)
July 17: Europe (Baku)
July 31: Germany (Hockenheim)
August 7: Hungary (Hungaroring)
August 28: Belgium (Spa)
September 4: Italy (Monza)
September 18: Singapore (Marina Bay)
September 25: Malaysia (Sepang)
October 9: Japan (Suzuka)
October 23: USA (Austin)
October 30: Mexico (Mexico City)
November 13: Brazil (Interlagos)
November 27: Abu Dhabi (Yas Marina)
Quote from: ChrillMoving Malaysia back may be a good idea, with what April being monsoon season. I'm thinking they would want to reduce it to 20 races but I don't see which one would be removed. These 21 races do appear quite likely to happen. Perhaps the move to a later starting date is enough to give the mechanics some time off anyway
Quote from: ChundlahSurprised to see that the Korean GP has not been afforded its now traditional 'provisional then cancelled' status...
Quote from: ChrillQuote from: ChrillThese 21 races do appear quite likely to happen.
Never mind.
http://www.grandprix247.com/2015/07/17/russian-grand-prix-on-verge-of-financial-collapse/
I'll go out on a limb and say the money will be found to keep Sochi rolling.
Might have two U.S.-owned teams in F1 next year: http://www.espn.co.uk/f1/story/_/id/13259251/us-based-investment-group-hoping-buy-existing-team-join-f1-grid-2016
Montoya saying F1 should ban tyre and brake temperature sensors to increase the challenge: http://www.grandprix247.com/2015/07/30/montoyas-plan-to-improve-f1-gets-backing-from-button/
Quote from: ChrillAnd Button agrees. Hah. Me too. The idea that drivers are drivers have long been forgotten. They are robots. Let them decide when the car needs to pit for tyres, or if the brakes are getting too hot. Remove all sensors related to improving performance and keep only that which is installed for safety.
Renault close to ending supply of customer engines: http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/motor-shows-frankfurt-motor-show/renault-boss-carlos-ghosn-admits-f1-divorce-red-bull-close
Ghosn states they'll run their own team or quit F1 completely.
F1 is so damn popular at the moment that Austrian broadcaster ORF may not continue live coverage beyond 2016: http://www.grandprix247.com/2015/09/16/austrian-broadcaster-may-stop-f1-coverage/
More powerful DRS, that's what we need. And perhaps limit cars to two engines per season.
Quote from: Chrillhttp://www.grandprix247.com/2015/09/17/rossi-chooses-number-53-ahead-of-singapore-debut/
Alex Rossi will race for Manor in car number 53.
Also this chart of used engines for 2015:
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CPGJDxwWoAAufzx.png)
Interesting graphic. How long before Ferrari takes engine no. 5?
Quote from: Chrillhttp://www.grandprix247.com/2015/09/21/button-expected-to-announce-f1-retirement-in-japan/
Jenson Button expected to announce his retirement in Japan.
http://www.grandprix247.com/2015/09/21/marchionne-singapore-was-not-just-a-one-off/
Marchionne thinks Singapore was not a one-off. Makes me wonder if they know something we don't. How much of an improvement did the parts added in Singapore really offer? Are they genuinely on par with Mercedes now? They sure sound overly positive.
http://www.grandprix247.com/2015/09/21/mercedes-reveal-that-manor-engine-deal-is-real/
Manor-Mercedes is looking more and more certain for 2016, with Mercedes speaking in favor of supplying the team with engines. Also, Mercedes reveals that Manor will be working with Williams to develop the Manor chassis.
Quote from: ChrillRed Bull is blackmailing Ferrari in the media in order to force equal footing. They want the same engines, the same fuel and the same software as Ferrari, or else they will quit Formula 1. You know what? Go right ahead then. I don't want to lose 4 cars but I also don't want a team forcing their way around like they are better than everyone else.
Great way to start a business relationship....
This does, however, illustrate why McLaren went with Honda; sure Merc & Ferrari dole out the same hardware to their customers, but the HP gains from tailor-made fuel/oils and fancy software guarantee it's not a level playing field.
Silly season 2016 is all about the engines, and today we add Toro Rosso with Honda power to the mix: http://www.grandprix247.com/2015/09/23/honda-power-may-be-only-option-for-toro-rosso/
Bit more than a snippet this one... Renault is actually going to buy Lotus: http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2015/09/28/renault-confirms-it-is-buying-lotus/
So, will it be Grosjean, Vergne, or even Ocon alongside Pastor?
Quote from: ChrillI think it will be one of the latter two. Grosjean not announced but Pastor is, that sounds like a Grosjean-to-leave-anyway thing.
Also, rumours has it that Ferrari-Red Bull talks have broken down over the fact Ferrari won't provide the very same engine, fuel and software spec that they themselves run. Red Bull exit looking like a real possibility now. That would almost certainly force 3 car teams, with Bernie offering teams a 25 million Pound bonus for running a 3rd car the entire year.
Quote from: ChundlahSo, seven or eight teams in F1 next year? It's looking possible that all of Red Bull's toys will come flying out of the pram because Why Shouldn't They Get Exactly What they Want? In truth, there's never been such a dearth of engine manufacturers in the sport and Honda's woes this year will dissuade others from chancing their hand. Which leaves Ferrari to supply both the RB teams...
That VW buyout looks rather unlikely now, doesn't it, which casts further doubt on the long term future of both teams...
Quote from: ChrillI'm thinking Volkswagen needs some positive news. Joining F1 could be that.
Because nothing says 'we're one with the common man' quite like blowing 100 million quid a year on two cars zipping round a load of distant tarmac strips....
Quote from: ChundlahBernie's monumental error was to turn F1 into a closed shop. Effectively it's a 10 team franchise system and, on reducing the number of teams and increasing the entry requirements it has only served to exacerbate the difference between the haves and the have nots.
None of us want fly by night teams springing up like Andrea Moda back in the day, but I think Bernie expected more manufacturers would want to run teams as they do in rally and touring cars...
Quote from: MattThere aren't even that many manufacturers in rally, are there?
Quote from: LjudVW, Citroën, Ford and Hyundai. Not counting WRC2, WRC3, etc. So no, not quite many. WTCC only Honda, Citroën and Lada (plus Chevrolet in several non-manufacturer/independent teams). BTCC has 4 manufacturer entries (Infiniti, BMW, Honda, MG), but quite a lot of different cars as independent entries. DTM only has BMW, Mercedes and Audi. Even WEC doesn't have a whole lot, though a bit more.
In comparison, F1 has Ferrari and Mercedes (and sort of Honda, and sort of McLaren (they do make cars, don't they)), perhaps Renault returns. Not a huge difference. And we did have Ferrari, Honda, Toyota, BMW, Renault at the same time at one point, until they all quit at the same time, too.
Manor confirmed as a Merc customer for 2016: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/formula1/34410873
Also entered into partnership with Williams from whom they will receive gearboxes and suspension - I wonder whether that will be solely the rear springy bits or front end as well?
A half-decent chassis & aero package and they'll be worrying guys like Sauber next year.
Quote from: ChrillI think 2016 could become a season where all teams score points. If the Honda engine steps up, and the Manor-Mercedes-Williams love affair works fine, then Sauber sure needs to step up unless they want to finish dead last every race.
Sauber have invested a lot in their 2016 car, word is the upgrades added in Singapore are not really built for the 2015 car but a step toward a massively improved 2016 car. I hope so. I want more Swedish points.
Quote from: ChrillHow is this for Red Bull?
Ferrari is willing to supply 2016-engines to Toro Rosso, but not to Red Bull. Mercedes is possibly willing to supply 2015-spec engines to Red Bull in 2016. They may go for that, but it's starting to look likely that Red Bull will leave F1.
If Red Bull goes can Toro Rosso remain? Surely it's one out, both out....
Would RB ever accept being stuck with second-tier Merc engines? Okay, probably still a step-up over Renault's 2016 offering, and presumably less of a power deficit than the team has endured this season, but I'm struggling to see Mateschitz swallow that pill.
Quote from: ChrillQuote from: Penfold
Would RB ever accept being stuck with second-tier Merc engines? Okay, probably still a step-up over Renault's 2016 offering, and presumably less of a power deficit than the team has endured this season, but I'm struggling to see Mateschitz swallow that pill.
It may well be a temporary solution. If Red Bull is to remain in F1, they NEED their own engine. I can't see them continuing in a position like Williams or Sauber where they would be 2nd team to use the engine.
Doesn't seem as if VW will be coming on board so not sure how they get their own engine; and how many seasons before any new unit would be competitive? Christian Horner said in Sochi that Bernie told him the problem had been solved, but that unfortunately Mr. E. hadn't specified which problem or what the solution was. Helpful.
Only current-spec engines will be allowed from 2016: http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2015/10/14/teams-barred-from-using-old-specification-engines-in-2016/
So bang goes Merc/Ferrari supplying 2015 units to Red Bull.
Quote from: ChrillHow about a Red Bull Racing Championship in the future? Screw Bernie, screw the FIA, go solo.
Quote from: MattNever going to happen. Also describe one instance where splitting something into two championships hasn't ended in disaster.
Quote from: ChrillRugby and Soccer.
Or, for motorsports:
RallyCross. There's the nice American one and the nice FIA one. Both are nice.
Quote from: MattSoccer isn't really split into two championships. It's a bunch of regional championships that then have their best teams play each other. It's not like there are two leagues claiming to be the top division of English soccer, or any other country. I know nothing about rugby, but I would guess that it's the same. RallyCross is a different situation because it's an entirely new type of sport/racing. They both began around the same time. If it continues to grow, then they'll need to merge, or they'll both bleed viewers and interest from each other.
Boxing, American open-wheel, and American sports cars are the three best examples of two championships competing against each other. Boxing has a ton of federations all claiming to be the top, and no one cares about it anymore. AOW killed itself when CART and the IRL split and now is, depending on who you ask, struggling to survive. ALMS and Grand-Am dealt with a lack of interest and they finally merged. Unless all of the teams agree to move to a different championship, splitting F1 in two would do the same thing that the CART/IRL split did.
To quote a little Lincoln, "[a] house divided against itself cannot stand." [#MURICA]
Red Bull could run unbranded Renault engines next year. They're basically your standard Renault unit (so that's a big positive) but the French firm's name has been ground off: http://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/red-bull-could-be-saved-by-unbranded-renault-plan/
Quote from: MattI still don't understand why Ron Dennis is so set on having Honda to himself. That engine needs all the testing and input it can get. Having another team run the engine would give McLaren another team they have a chance to beat.
Not if it's Red Bull. That's just a way to highlight your own car's shortcomings... same reason Ferrari & Merc won't sell RB top-spec engines.
Edit: Renault staff seeping back into Lotus's base of operations; and Bob Bell (former Renault stalwart) also tipped to rejoin his old team after departing from Manor: http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/121647?source=mostpopular
Quote from: MattIf Ron's concern is that his own team can't compete with RBR, then maybe he should be more concerned with other issues. I'm not even sure I buy it. Given how obviously underpowered the Honda is, the McLaren as a car doesn't seem to be that bad. I also think that maybe people didn't give Vettel enough credit for RBR's success. Look at what he has been able to do at Ferrari.
Anyway, point is, I don't think RBR is some unbeatable organization on equal engine footing. They're good, but they go through cycles just like any other team. Being relevant with a good engine but getting beaten by RBR is still better than being irrelevant and getting beaten by everyone. And if the Honda isn't any better next year, they could get beaten by Manor and Haas.
The Honda unit has a fundamental design flaw in the turbo/compressor/MGU-H arrangement which they will attempt to rectify in the off-season, so in this aspect the no. of cars carting their engines round circuits next year is irrelevant. Obviously I've no idea how advantageous it would be for Honda to have an extra team to work with (would Merc. have suffered had they supplied just their own outfit?), but Ron Dennis has presumably reasoned that any gains won't outweigh the negative of assisting a business rival.
Ferrari open to technical partnership with Red Bull to develop a second line of engines: http://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/ferrari-offers-red-bull-new-engine-idea/
FIA & Bernie see plan to introduce a budget engine in 2017 voted down: http://www.grandprix247.com/2015/11/25/f1-low-budget-engine-proposal-rejected-by-large-majority/
Suggested that the FIA could still force through the change... but they probably won't. However, the four engine suppliers "have agreed on a course to address several key areas relating to power unit supply in formula one", or so states a jointly issued statement. Announcement due in mid-January.
Ecclestone & Todt given mandate by WMSC to address F1's 'pressing issues': http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2015/12/02/ecclestone-and-todt-given-new-power-to-address-f1s-pressing-issues/
Always good to get a fresh perspective on a problem....
Also in that article: extra engine development tokens for the next four years, which should be something of a help for Honda & Renault; and the path is now clear for Toro Rosso to run a 2015-spec Ferrari unit next season.
Quote from: ChrillRenault confirm Lotus takeover, but not yet detailed if the Lotus team will run Renault engines for 2016 or remain with their Mercedes contract for now. Renault-Mercedes would be an odd team name.
http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2015/12/04/red-bull-to-use-tag-heuer-branded-engines-in-2016/
With Red Bull running Tag Heuer-branded Renault engines next year, I think we can safely say the Renault team will use their own supply.
Quote from: ChrillSo that's a Renault-Ilmor-TAG Heuer engine? Interesting.
Catchy name. Might need a smaller font to fit it on the car.
Talking of Renault... reported that the team will enjoy a healthy budget from now on: http://www.grandprix247.com/2015/12/07/renault-to-have-mercedes-sized-budget-for-f1/
Quote from: ChrillCOULD THIS SPELL THE END OF MALDONADO?!?!?!?!?! Oh here's hoping. I'd enjoy seeing a JEV - Palmer line-up, albeit a bit inexperienced. There are no experienced strong first team drivers on the market for a seat for next year.
Looking at THIS (http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2015/12/07/revealed-which-drivers-have-enough-superlicence-points-to-race-in-f1/), the most experienced drivers available are:
Sebastien Buemi
Anthony Davidson
Kazjuki Nakajima
Mark Webber
JP Montoya
Now, I don't see any of these being lined up for a 2016 drive.
Nah, I think Renault wants his money... at least for now. With the historic payments from Bernie, Pastor's dosh, a healthy dollop from Red Bull for engines, and killing the RB-Infiniti tie-up (said to be worth £40 million or more to Red Bull), Renault can get their 200 - 250 million Euro budget without too much financial effort.
Former Ferrari aero guy has joined Manor: http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/122495?source=mostpopular
F1 to stick with V6 hybrids until at least 2020, and they will be cheaper: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/35357791
Quote from: ChrillTake a look at these delicious 2017 prototype tyres.
(https://minardif1.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.f1fanatic.co.uk%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2016%2F05%2FXPB_812840_HiRes-886x590.jpg&hash=05576ddf12ed328b598aeac1480b716a96d8a52d)
Watched highlights of the Monaco Historic GP thingy yesterday, enjoying all those '70s cars with their fat tyres and wildly differing aero designs, and whilst we won't ever have the latter it is fantastic to see some more meat on our modern-day wheels.
Quote from: ChrillThe Swedish commentator, Eje Elgh, was racing in that Monaco GP Historique. Good driving too. He said "I can't really see left, I am going a bit blind. I should only race at Monza". Heh. He was up to P4 before pitting after rubbing the tea tray car against the wall.
(https://minardif1.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fs33.postimg.org%2Fdpufs8c6n%2FElgh_711_5.jpg&hash=0c104f2646bb9d68cdb5a3ed0acb3d9fec8d203c)
Beautiful car (March?) if you can ignore the wacky front wing. Adrian Newey was racing in his stunning Gold Leaf Lotus, but I lost track of how he fared - perils of highlights.
Selection of pics from the event: http://petrolicious.com/here-s-all-the-insane-action-from-the-monaco-historique-grand-prix
Quote from: ChundlahI think it's a March from the early 70's, sure that I've seen some pictures of Ronnie Petersen driving one in STP colours and it was rather successful. The Beeb did a feature about strangest looking F1 cars during one of their live text commentaries. If the Ferodo colours are original livery then it must be a customer model as they sold to a lot of the grid at the time...
Quote from: ChrillIt's definitely a March (called the March 711), but this colour scheme belongs to Frank Williams Racing.
Quote from: Chrillhttps://www.formula1.com/content/fom-website/en/championship/awards/dhl-fastest-pit-stop-2016.html
That Williams pit stop in Baku, Azerbaijan. Wow.
Mental. Too bad their cars aren't lightning fast....
Quote from: ChrillSauber has now been sold to the world renowned Longbow Finance SA. Oh, you haven't heard of them either? I can't find ANYTHING about them on Google, so I haven't a clue who is behind it. At least it's a Swiss based finance company. Good for them. Should secure some monies.
They kept that all tightly under wraps. Now if we could just have some details....
Quote from: ChrillAsk and you shall receive. I've done some googling (and by some, I mean a LOT) on Longbow Finance. Their CEO is a man called Pascal Picci. I have managed to find that he has some Swedish connections indeed:
PER CENNY BRACK, MAIDENHEAD, UK - This PER CENNY was born in March 1966. Former Indy 500 winner (and former Marcus Ericsson coach) Kenny Bräck is born in March 1966. He happens to live in Maidenhead too.
EGIL RAUSING - Egil is the middle name of Finn Rausing, part-owner of Tetra Pak. Tetra Pak has been speculated to be part of the rescuers who saved Sauber earlier this spring. Mysterious "Swedish investors" which was heavily denied.
KARL-JOHAN ERLING GORAN PERSSON - Owner of international chain H&M and one of the largest Swedish companies worldwide.
Right, so both Tetra Pak and H&M can be linked to Longbow Finance through this Pascal Picci guy. Intriguing to say the least. I am sure this information is not supposed to be announced yet, if at all. But clearly some very rich Swedes are invested in Marcus Ericsson. This will almost certainly mean that he will remain at Sauber for 2017, then.
That's some quality sleuthing... give yourself a gold star.
Hope to hear something from Sauber this weekend.
Quote from: ChrillMedia has now started reporting that Longbow Finance is pretty much a facade for Tetra Laval, which indeed confirms the ties to Mr. Rausing and Tetra Pak.
Standing starts in the wet! www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/125505
Sale of F1 may actually happen this month; Liberty Media tops list of potential buyers: http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/126051
Quote from: ChrillIf that ousts Bernie, I'm all for it. If it doesn't, I'm not all too bothered.
If Liberty Media takes control of F1 it seems that Bernie will indeed be stepping down... it will just be in three years' time: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/37298242
McLaren to burn BP fuel next year: https://joesaward.wordpress.com/2016/10/25/mclaren-and-bp/
This has been on the cards for a while given that the majority shareholders wanted him out, but Ron Dennis is now officially no longer chairman or CEO of McLaren: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/37987396
Quote from: Chrillhttp://www.bbc.com/sport/formula1/37970529
New investor on the cards for Manor: http://www.grandprix247.com/2016/12/01/manor-set-for-new-investor-boost/
Paul Ricard, which happens to be owned by a certain Mr. B. Ecclestone, has completed a deal to host the French GP from 2018; this be the layout preferred for F1: http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2016/12/08/f1-use-chicane-mistral-straight-paul-ricard/
Quote from: ChrillI agree with using the Mistral straight chicane. It'd be absurd to keep them revving at max all the way down that straight. The chicane will provide an overtaking oppurtinity, something Paul Ricard appears to lack overall. I'm glad to see F1 returning to France but if we had to add one European race then maybe Paul Ricard was not meant to be the one.
Not even my top choice of track in France!
Right, so what news do we have today.... Well, here be some fancy words concerning Liberty Media's plans (hopes) to trim the budgets of F1's top teams: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2016/12/17/us-mogul-john-malones-spending-cap-save-formula-1/
Perhaps step 1 in levelling the playing field should be reforming the allocation of prize money? Based on comments on a few F1 forums - not to mention my own rants on this one - such a change would be regarded as long overdue. Unfortunately, the Concorde Agreement doesn't come up for renewal until 2020 so we're probably stuck with prize fund as is until then.
Quote from: ChrillQuote from: PenfoldUnfortunately, the Concorde Agreement doesn't come up for renewal until 2020 so we're probably stuck with prize fund as is until then.
Not to mention some teams surely have longer deals negotiated in privacy with Mr. Bernie. 2020 may see a redistribution of prize money but won't stop the "historical payments" given to many of the teams.
Not 100% on this, but to me the reporting here: http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/123649 reads in such a way to suggest that all team payments were finalised in the current Concorde Agreement; certainly the extra cash doled out to Red Bull, Merc, and Williams earns a mention.
Quote from: ChrillImpressive stuff. Daniel Ricciardo completed 100% of all laps raced this season. He finished every race this season, never lapped. No other driver managed to go the entire season without retiring or being lapped. Rosberg's only DNF came in the Spanish GP, Hamilton also DNFed in Malaysia. Vettel failed to start in Bahrain, and DNFed another 3 times. Maximums Verstappenigo crashed out of a bunch of races this year and DNFed 3 times (all caused by driver error, mind you!)
Are you sure his name isn't Maximus?
Quote from: ChrillMaximus Prime.
Quote from: ChrillSauber looking increasingly likely to fit Honda engines into their 2018 challenger. Wehrlein to Sauber is apparently nothing more than Mercedes paying for a seat, no engine deals involved.
I think a few months back in the 'engine' thread ('sounds of F1' or whatever it's titled) you said a Honda-Sauber deal was a near certainty - just McLaren holding things up. Crazy to have Honda back in F1 and restrict engines to just one team.
Bernie's 40-year reign (of terror) may be at an end: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/38713153
Quote from: ChrillIn arguably the biggest news story of all time, Trump's pussy grabbing and factual alternatives, Brexit and 9/11 included, Bernie Ecclestone has stepped down as CEO of the sport we all love. HE IS GONE.
... or at least shuffled off to an honorary role. Turns out the rumours were correct as Liberty now employs a certain Mr. Brawn: http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2017/01/23/brawn-among-key-f1-hires-announced-by-liberty/
Young British driver Lando Norris (great name!) joins McLaren development programme: http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2017/02/22/norris-joins-mclaren-young-driver-programme/
Quote from: ChrillGreat signing. Chuck Norris is looking strong, he can definitely make it into F1 with this backing.
... but is he so tough that under his beard there's another fist?
Quote from: ChrillNope, Chuck Testa!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LJP1DphOWPs
Delightfully random.
McLaren confident they can build a better car than Sauber and so directs them down the rabbit hole and into the warm embrace of Hondaland: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/39761616
This is positive. If Alonso does remain at McLaren in 2018, he will only be driving the second worst car.
So the same as this year....
Boullier - "Honda's engine is crap and they need to get cracking on next year's version post-haste": http://en.f1i.com/news/267103-honda-must-initiate-work-2018-engine-boullier.html
https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/motorsport/brabham-supercar-and-f1-team-mooted
Potential Brabham return to F1? David Brabham is the son of Jack Brabham, the founder of the Brabham F1 team. He's apparently pulling some strings, looking at buying Force India from the arrested Vijay Mallya. Yayz!
Force India has been such a great unit to watch in recent years, tending to punch above their weight, that I just hope any new owner doesn't mess with how they operate.
Money! But can you guess which team got the biggest share of F1's prize fund last year? http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/129388/formula-1-team-payments-for-2017-revealed
Eddie Jordan making some strong claims about Merc's future in F1, see the video here: https://steemit.com/f1/@supercoiner/eddie-jordan-s-f1-predication-mclaren-mercedes-engine-deal-and-petronas-quitting
All denied by Mercedes.
He's been making various Mercedes related claims lately, and I believe him. Except for Ferrari, manufacturers tend to join F1 only for a period of time. Once they achieve their goal (or fail it miserably), they retire. Mercedes will probably do a Renault, that is continue to provide engines but not run their own team.
That's what I'm thinking. People dismiss EJ's musings at their own risk: the man has form for making seemingly outlandish claims which get strenuously denied by the relevant parties but which then come to pass. China F1 Racing here we come....
I'm hearing some whispers regarding Honda. They are reportedly backing out of their Sauber deal and retiring from F1 effective at the end of this season. That would lead me to assume a McLaren-Mercedes and a Sauber-Ferrari solution for 2018.
Sauber has a team principal now. His name is Vasseur. Frederic Vasseur.
http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2017/07/12/ex-renault-boss-vassuer-appointed-team-principal-sauber/
Also, regarding my previous Honda comment:
McLaren-Ferrari engines with possible rebadging is what I'm hearing. Not Mercedes. Time for a McLaren-Alfa Romeo, perchance?
4 posts in a row. Lots of news at the moment...
I spoke of Sauber-Honda falling through yesterday. Now media is picking up on the same thing:
https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/sauber-honda-engine-deal-called-off-929575/
From what I've heard, the deal was in fact completed but clauses to drop out have been activated. I'm not sure if Sauber or Honda activated the clause.
Eddie Jordan stated during Baku coverage that Vasseur would be Sauber principal - the man knows his onions.
Sad way for the mighty Honda to bow out of F1, assuming these tales be true. Of course there's a fair dollop of nostalgia in my affection for the partnership: that McLaren-Honda tag always flits my mind back to the glorious days of Senna.
Edit: Moved the piece about Copenhagen circuit to the 'Formula 1 Circuits' thread....
The Shield:
(https://s3.postimg.org/l86258x6b/Ferrari_Shield_01.jpg)
More here: http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2017/07/13/shield-revealed-first-picture-f1s-new-head-protection-device/
Ferrari + Shield has taken to the track: http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2017/07/14/first-pictures-shield-action-track/
(https://s21.postimg.org/c2b6s6fwn/Ferrari_Shield_02.jpg)
And Vettel felt dizzy by it and had it removed immediately. So that's that.
A random guy on Reddit who claims to be an IndyCar insider says that Alonso is going to skip Singapore to run the Sonoma IndyCar race.
I hope Jenson doesn't have a triathlon booked in for that weekend.
Jenson would have a penalty to serve then, though. It'd be better to draft Kubica 8)
Three-place grid drop... that's more like a treat for McLaren these days.
Always hard to picture Merc. willingly furnishing McLaren with engines, and damn near impossible in my mind for a Ferrari link-up, and now we get confirmation of just that from Zak Brown: http://www.skysports.com/f1/news/12433/10949979/mclaren-claim-mercedes-and-ferrari-dont-want-to-help-with-2018-engine
McLaren-Renault it is. They already supply Red Bull so clearly they are willing to give their engines to teams which they will then struggle to beat ;D
Not sure that would apply to McLaren....
Get your grains of salt ready. You need to take these rumours with them.
Toro Rosso is looking to take on Honda engines for 2018, with McLaren going the other way and running Renault engines. Alonso has agreed to remain at McLaren on the condition that another engine is in the car.
These are all rumours in German media, which is where I get most of my horse dung.
Stunned into silence by the double whammy of those insane rumours above and the FIA revealing that from next year cars must run the Halo device. One man's suitably cynical take on Halo introduction: http://www.racer.com/more/viewpoints/item/142478-buxton-halo-goodbye
I'm happy for the Halo being introduced. Dismissing it on looks is absurd, because it's not there to look good. It's there to save lives. Henry Surtees, Justin Wilson, Maria de Villota (spelling on that?).
Not to mention the near miss of Max Chilton getting hit by a tyre at Silverstone 2-3 years ago, or Alonso almost being beheaded by Grosjean at Spa some 5ish years go.
Did you read his piece because at no point did he dismiss the Halo on looks. What he did do was question the FIA's process of testing & then selecting Mr. Halo ahead of any alternatives; and also bemoaned the FIA ignoring Merc's take on the system: "Unfortunately, the sleek Mercedes idea (below) was bastardized by the governing body; the rudimentary construct that eventually saw its way to being tested in the real world falling in line with the FIA's basic parameters for roll cages. Thus the lumpy hoop we now know as Halo, rather than the intelligently considered, aero efficient concept first released to the world in renders two years ago, is what we have to put up with."
(https://minardif1.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.racer.com%2Fimages%2F2017%2FJuly_2%2FF1%2FMercedes-cockpit-protection-concept-1.jpg&hash=cd52926bbdcd882b27360b4c035ebf0998f7b386)
Of course I didn't read. You expect me to make an effort?
I have revised my expectations (even further) downwards....
One line from that article: "... at the FIA's own best estimates, the Halo would only be effective in 17 percent of potential incidents."
Christ knows how they arrive at such a figure: 17%... not 17.4% or 16.75% but bang on 17%. Whenever I read this type of wild estimate presented as fact (typically by some Government or pressure group) I'm reminded of the late columnist/author/playwright Keith Waterhouse and his 'National Guesswork Authority plc'. Not that this means a jot to anyone else here.
Sauber's recovery drive continues with plans to hire 100 new staff: https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/sauber-planning-to-boost-workforce-949680/
Would be good to have them back in the mid-field next year after a season of trundling round at the back - although 2016 wasn't exactly anything to write home about.
Massa up for a spot of Formula E in the years ahead: https://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2017/11/10/massa-plans-formula-e-move-not-next-season/
Alonso to enter Le Mans with Toyota and keen to participate in more of the 2018 WEC (which I guess means he'd do as much as McLaren allows): http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/41947568
Speculating is dangerous, but here's some piece of Schumacher information. The reason I report this is that his family always denies anything reported if it strays far from the truth, but they have not denied this.
Schumacher is aware enough to celebrate Christmas with his family for the first time since his accident, the family will be celebrating the holiday with Michael in his home-turned-rehab-facility. This is according to German media "InTouch". Previous Christmas celebrations have not been held at the house he is staying in, indicating at least some sort of progress has occurred under 2017.
A sliver of promising news as we plough into the festive season.
N?rburgring is negotiating a return to F1 in 2019, probably alternating once more with the Hockenheim circuit. Also, Force India will let their drivers battle again in 2018. There you are, some news for you.
So this week's news boils down to a team continuing to allow its racing drivers to race, and one of the most tedious F1 circuits on the planet being in talks to once again alternate GPs with another of the most tedious F1 circuits on the planet. Thin gruel indeed....
Ah, but then you should join F1 Fanatic's Connect 4 F1 edition!!
https://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/groups/f1/forum/topic/only-connect-f1-edition/page/40/
Answer my question, who is the fourth driver in the sequence?
Nothing obvious leaps out. I guess that's kind of the idea....
Not related to World Championships - perhaps to do with race wins? I'll ponder on it and post a wild guess (if I can manage even that) on the thread.
Edit: also I need to read that entire thread to know which questions have already been asked.
https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/mclaren-to-undergo-biggest-change-in-2018-look-993928/
McLaren will be the team undergoing the biggest change of looks in 2018, including livery, garage, VIP amenities, etc. SUPER EXCITING STUFF RIGHT. They're also attracting some new sponsors, although no word on a title sponsor.
https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/force-india-working-on-factory-upgrade-993607/
While McLaren is focusing on cosmetics and looks, Force India is working on upgrading their factory. Now that seems more reasonable.
But the McLaren factory is already perfection, that's why they keep winning all the titles....
Could well be a full-on papaya orange McLaren this year. That alone should gain them half a second.
Then again, how is orange-black --> papaya orange undoubtedly the biggest change in looks? I mean, Alfa Sauber goes from blue and gold to red and white. That's a bigger change. So McLaren probably has some sort of rather unique branding planned, perhaps not on the car's livery but their overall appearance in the paddock.
The 4th race of the 2019 season (yes, next year) will be the one thousandth F1 race since the series began in 1950. How about that, huh?
That is something. Wonder how many of them I've seen... certainly over 500, maybe even nudging towards 600.
Oh, and if the 2019 calendar mirrors this year's then the 1000th race will be held in Baku.
You have? Oh boy. I've probably seen most races since the mid-to-late 1990s but very few before then (at least complete races). I do miss a race every now and then, not quite every season but perhaps 2 out of 3 seasons will see me missing a race and not catching up later.
This is the package for 3M's product line Futuro:
(https://franceracing.fr/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/3M-Futuro.jpg)
Why would I post an image of a pack of "opaque tights" in an F1 forum? Well, that logo is familiar. Legal battle bla bla oopsie.
What's that strange rustling noise I hear... perhaps a large bag of money being readied in F1 headquarters?
Quote from: Chrill on January 16, 2018, 07:57:26 AM
You have? Oh boy. I've probably seen most races since the mid-to-late 1990s but very few before then (at least complete races). I do miss a race every now and then, not quite every season but perhaps 2 out of 3 seasons will see me missing a race and not catching up later.
Back into the early '90s for me. My dad always watched F1 and so by default did everyone else, but of course I can't remember any of it until I was little older
How old actually are you, Sir?
Am now frightfully into my thirties, my young mucker. Surely the sophistication of my posts indicated a more advanced age? Ahh no, to be fair they would not do that....
I just assumed you're my age. I'm a 90s kid. I apologise.
That's okay, I'll forgive you for being a '90s kid.... :)
Smoke signals pointing to live F1 all but vanishing from Italian telly boxes: https://www.jamesallenonf1.com/2018/01/f1-to-disappear-from-rai-free-to-air-tv-in-italy-a-foretaste-of-uk-situation/
I can't see this increasing move to subscription channels as anything but negative for F1's fanbase in the long-term - exactly how such a move has undermined interest in cricket over here.
Then again, Liberty is looking to launch a streaming service this year. I expect any future F1 TV deals to allow streaming in that country.
Good option for F1 devotees who don't want to pay for a whole suite of channels but perhaps not so useful for attracting new eyes to the sport; plus the viewing figures will never come close to those achieved by FTA channels - fewer adults watching means fewer children are exposed to F1, and that's a long-term disaster for the sport.
https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/vasseur-made-honda-move-within-hour-of-starting-at-sauber-998451/
Some interesting reading on how Vasseur, among other things, cancelled the Sauber-Honda deal about an hour into his first day at work.
An hour to ditch Honda... why did he wait so long :P It's obviously a sensible decision given the gearbox situation he outlines (plus, you know, the Honda engine), and is one of the reasons 2018 should see a return to some decent form for the team.
I appreciate his realism too. Sauber won't be a new Red Bull, but the aim must be Force India. Yes, the occasional podium when stars align but regularly fighting just behind the top dogs.
I admire your optimism. I still see them as more fighting behind the guys who are behind the top dogs, in other words duking it out with Haas & Toro Rosso rather than McLaren, Renault, Force India, and Williams - though of course there's always that chance of producing a stellar car (or one of those guys producing a dud...).
Talking of Sauber (and Force India), their complaint to the EU of anti-competitive practices in F1 has been withdrawn: https://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2018/01/25/force-india-sauber-withdraw-eu-complaint-f1/
I believe you misunderstood me. Matching Force India is the goal for the coming few seasons, not for 2018. The mid-to-long term goal is being there. It took Force India many years to reach this position, and they have now been consistently among the best of the rest for many seasons.
I figured you had in mind 2019 or 2020 before they're in a position to fight just behind the top dogs, it's just that I see them more towards the rear of the midfield over that timeframe. So perhaps "duking it out with Haas & Toro Rosso" was overly negative, let's include Force India & Williams as likely close competitors - I just picture McLaren & Renault separating themselves from that bunch.
https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/brawn-overtaking-force-field-solutions-1020664/
Ross Brawn announces that the "let's improve overtaking" focus group is already making progress, with some changes about to be introduced in 2019 and 2020 before a big 2021 overhaul of the rules.
I already had 2021 marked down as the date when F1 reaches the promised land, but obviously if they can tweak a few things for next year all the better. Everything crossed that all DRS systems are removed at the end of 2020 and ceremonially burnt on a pyre constructed atop a twenty foot podium on Monza's main straight.
Oh god no, we're not burning the DRS. We're introducing a Super DRS, which will always be available for everyone except the guy at the front. Therefore the leader will always be overtaken on every single straight and the winner is basically whoever overtakes before the final corner.
I'm picturing a train of cars jostling for second place but all waiting for the final lap to make their move on the leader. Of course mister leader may just unexpectedly veer off-line and lift a little to let some other poor bastard head the train. All sounds like great entertainment....
Indeed! It would make F1 even more tactical!
You know how in athletics they have a "rabbit" to ensure a fast time for middle- or long distance running? Well, we're going to have a tortoise! Jarno Trulli will drive a 2016 Manor F1 car and will always start on pole position. He is near impossible to overtake, but also fairly slow. Trulli trains are a fond memory from the past, so we'll bring those back.
Well, on Friday morning Brawny will present his (and Liberty's) ideas for the future of F1 to the team bosses, and hopefully details of said plans will be released for public consumption. Based on comments from this thread, it is clear that the overwhelming majority of F1 fanatics are desperate that provision be made for a 'Super DRS' and/or mandatory 'Trulli Trains'.
Honest question. Is the memory of Trulli Trains a fond memory of yours? Yes or no?
No. I'd consider them more an illustration of how F1 had let itself chase speed through aerodynamics without a thought to the 'dirty air' issue. Introducing DRS has allowed the situation to fester because, hey, there are plenty of overtakes going on so why tackle the underlying issue.
Leclerc praises Ericsson as a really strong driver:
https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/leclerc-ericsson-making-first-gps-difficult-1024763/
It's great to see Ericsson being spoken about in kind words. We don't get that a lot. Vasseur has been talking him up, media and journalists also after this race. Now his worst rival, the team mate, agrees. I hope he can continue this positive trend, my fellow rutabaga.
Yep, but you were beaten to the punch by Mr. Carbine on the 'Rate the Drivers' thread. I'm afraid that's minus one from your MF1 ranking for posting duplicate info....
Quote from: Penfold on April 11, 2018, 04:37:58 AM
Yep, but you were beaten to the punch by Mr. Carbine on the 'Rate the Drivers' thread. I'm afraid that's minus one from your MF1 ranking for posting duplicate info....
Why would he post news about Ericsson in that thread? ::)
You cheeky little post editor, you!
The Methuselah of Formula 1, Rubens Barrichello, survived a cancer scare earlier this year. According to him, only 14% diagnosed with that condition go on to recover. We're happy he's not gone, he's a happy fellow.
https://www.grandprix247.com/2018/04/17/barrichello-a-miracle-that-i-am-alive/
Good old Rubens. Glad he's okay.
Ferrari will basically only bring ultra softs to Azerbaijan.
https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/ferrari-goes-aggressive-on-ultrasofts-for-azerbaijan-gp-1027466/
Toffee Van Door and the Saubers taking same approach. One stop or two? Ultras then softs, or ultra/super soft/ultra?
Williams losing Martini sponsorship end of the year: https://www.racefans.net/2018/04/17/williams-replace-martini-f1/
So that's Stroll & Sirotkin safe for now.
Outwashing front wings could be banned for 2019 to reduce effect of driving in dirty air (though change needs approval of teams so probably won't happen): https://www.racefans.net/2018/04/17/outwashing-front-wing-designs-targeted-in-bid-to-increase-overtaking-in-2019/
If introduced by end of April, it does not unanimous from what I understood.
(https://scontent-arn2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t31.0-8/30420217_1828207223904221_152529935697814699_o.jpg?_nc_cat=0&oh=f7614a21661a02ca037de3b84d8c263a&oe=5B67C9FE)
Valerie going to have keep Toto keen with some sexy drives....
Quote from: Chrill on April 19, 2018, 07:31:06 AM
If introduced by end of April, it does not unanimous from what I understood.
So just voted through by Liberty and the FIA? Sounds good to me.
Penman. If you were Ricciardo and got offers from Mercedes, Ferrari, and Red Bull, where would you rather go? You'd likely be seen as the second guy behind Hamilton, Vettel, and Verstappen.
You know you can take Vettel, you've done it before. You know Verstappen too. Hamilton is the only unknown in terms of driver pairings. Then there's the cars and their engines. What would be your pick?
Good question. Maybe Dan would take Vettel, maybe he wouldn't, I don't think Seb was at anything like his best in 2014 - although not like he was out-scored by someone such as Kvyat. Besides, Dan is a top class F1 guy so he will just believe that he can beat anyone running the same machinery and that makes it all a car/engine decision for me (him). Obvious choice based on recent years would be Merc, but with their engine advantage much reduced or even eliminated by Ferrari, and with Ferrari & Red Bull having chassis/aero packages at least their equal, I don't see the Silver Arrows as default top dogs any more. So Ferrari... running extremely well as of now with engine, chassis, aero all working beautifully together, but can they keep it up? When the new regs come into play in 2021 would you (Dan) be confident in Ferrari adapting better than their rivals, or would that honour go to Red Bull? If there's to be less above-body aero post '21 and a higher reliance on underbody effects, does that tilt the game in Red Bull's favour? Big issue for RB is engine... Renault or Honda? I'm assuming they'll take the latter and that the Japanese offering will be up with the best - perhaps aided by the simpler engine design we'll likely see for 2021. So, erm, yeah... Red Bull by a whisker for their aero/chassis talents.
See, even though Danny Ric is Australian, he does come with Italian heritage. Which should make them red horses (of the prancing kind) very attractive. It is, after all, the team. However, come 2021, they may well drop down the order if we do see a budget cap getting introduced. Liberty seem serious about it, although some sort of silly compromise will probably make the cap less efficient than we could ask for.
He can worry about the 'prestige' of driving for Ferrari when he's got a title or two under his belt.
Bernie Ecclestone left a gift to many F1 circuits before retiring: Massive discounts for their upcoming races.
https://www.racefans.net/2018/04/25/ecclestone-parting-shot-liberty-f1-calendar-headache/
Liberty has to foot that bill, then.
Must take issue with this line: "Bernie Ecclestone handed discounts to several of the sport?s most lucrative races shortly before he was eased aside."
Lucrative - adjective - (especially of a business, job, or activity) producing a lot of money.
Which races would one classify as lucrative? Monaco with its zero Pound/Dollar/Euro/Yen hosting fee, but the rest of them seem to lose money on every race.
Red Bull and Honda to have a chat about engines: https://www.racefans.net/2018/04/30/red-bull-honda-may-deadline-2019-engine-deal/
Did the halo save a life? Maybe.
https://www.motorsport.com/fia-f2/news/how-the-halo-passed-its-first-major-test-1038622/
That photo is nasty.
It may have stopped him getting a faceful of wheel, as would a full canopy. One of them has the advantage of not looking like scaffolding.
Two hundred million Pound cash boost for McLaren Group courtesy of Nicholas Latifi's dad: https://www.racefans.net/2018/05/19/mclaren-receives-200-million-cash-injection-from-company-linked-f2-driver-latifi/
Poor Van Door....
Latifi isn't even close to securing the super license points necessary, though, so it's not as though he is a shoo-in for the 2019 seat.
I should've really said poor Chuck Norris - I'm sure Van Door will have 2019 to underwhelm us yet further, but perhaps Latifi could then snatch that second seat from under the nose of L. Calrissian. Of course, the investment may be primarily a business decision, or Latifi Sr. might be eyeing up an IndyCar or WEC seat for his lad if McLaren expand into those formulae.
There were fairly strong rumors, that weren't exactly refuted, that McLaren will be moving into IndyCar next season. They could send him there since IndyCar does provide superlicense points and Latifi could hope to get a chance in F1 after that. I don't think he would, but no reason for McLaren to tell him that...
As soon as that for McLaren into IndyCar? I've never supported a team in IndyCar but McLaren would change that - my affection for them a seemingly incurable affliction dating from the Prost/Senna era.
https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/red-bull-to-arrange-test-for-marquez-1040037/
Red Bull will give a private test to a bunch of two wheeling friends, chief among them Marc Marquez of MotoGP. His team mate Dani Pedrosa, and some motocross fool Tony Cairoli will also partake.
I mean, they're surely stronger than Hartley, but obviously this is more PR than an actual evaluation.
Is Force India being taken over by the British energy drink "Rich Energy" after all?
Mallya stepping down:
https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/sports/vijay-mallya-resigns-as-force-india-f1-director-seeks-appeal-in-assets-case/articleshow/64418215.cms
Reports saying the deal 'is done':
https://www.wheels24.co.za/FormulaOne/readyforce-india-buyout-deal-is-done-source-20180525
Rich Energy tweeting this:
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Derim3eX0AAEpZW.jpg)
Putting it all together, looks like a takeover is about to happen.
Loving the old Lotus John Player Special colours... although the name 'Rich Energy Racing' doesn't exactly roll off the tongue. Still, be good to get some clarity around Force India's future.
How does that company have enough money to buy an F1 team?
Quote from: Matt on June 04, 2018, 08:00:11 AM
How does that company have enough money to buy an F1 team?
There has got to be external investors. For one thing, I've never heard of Rich Energy before Force India speculation arose, so it could tie into a big worldwide launch.
http://www.f1i.com/news/299430-rich-energy-force-india-much-ado-nothing.html
Rich Energy Racing. Are they simply a fraud? Perhaps. Seems noone has ever heard of them really. Penfold, you're a Brit, have you ever had one of their drinks? Have you even seen them in stores?
This is a 'premium' product we're talking about, no way does Rich Energy go hawking it's wares in something as mundane as a shop. See their partners page for an idea of where you might find their overpriced liquid: https://richenergy.com/partners/ - or you can buy direct for a quid per tiny can: https://richenergy.com/shop/ And no, I've never drunk the stuff... but then I don't down energy drinks so I'm not even a potential customer.
Oh yeah, I am still massively dubious that this outfit has the cash to buy and run an F1 team.
https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/red-bull-honda-engine-deal-1046734/
Red Bull Honda confirmation imminent.
https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/headlines/2018/6/red-bull-and-honda-agree-two-year-engine-deal-.html
And confirmation is now confirmed.
Fantastic news for McLaren as they'll no longer have a Renault-powered car one second up the road. Now it'll be a Honda-powered Red Bull way in front... oh hang on, I can see how that might not be such a positive.
With Toro Rosso basically matching McRenault, I can see Red Bull easily maintaining their position for 2019. The deal is for two years, so by the time 2021 and new engines roll around they may yet opt for Aston Martin or some other partner. Now, with Honda, Red Bull is effectively a works team once more.
Although next year tyres will simply be called either 'hard', 'medium', or 'soft', we will be able to discover exactly which compounds are being used (like I care): https://www.racefans.net/2018/07/14/f1-fans-can-still-learn-real-tyre-names-under-simplified-2019-system-pirelli/
In this week's episode of "A needless change requested by no one", we have a potential new points system: https://www.racefans.net/2018/07/06/f1-considering-new-points-system-to-cover-top-20-finishers/
For me it's fine as is and I don't care to see F1 award points simply for turning up to the grid, no matter how dire or short your race.
Ferrari/FIAT chief Sergio Marchionne has died very suddenly following complications after surgery.
https://money.cnn.com/2018/07/25/news/companies/sergio-marchionne-obit/index.html
Sad news for his family and friends.
McLaren poaches (but not in water) Toro Rosso's technical director, a certain Mr. James Key: https://www.racefans.net/2018/07/26/toro-rosso-technical-director-key-to-replace-morris-at-mclaren/
Got to be an improvement on the current state of affairs - for McLaren that is... obviously not so great for Toro Rosso.
Sauber aiming to boost staff numbers by a third: https://racer.com/2018/08/08/sauber-plans-major-staff-expansion/
I imagine Williams will have to go the other way once their cash machine departs, so perhaps a Sauber staffer should cruise the streets of Grove and bag themselves a few strays.
F1 bods could drop the rule which forces drivers who reach Q3 to start the race on tyres used in Q2: https://www.racefans.net/2018/10/04/q3-tyre-rule-under-discussion-after-claim-it-favours-top-teams/
This is quite amazing, somebody has actually noticed that the top three teams are now so much faster than everyone else that they can often run a harder compound in Q2, conferring on them an even greater performance advantage come Sunday, whilst the laggards of Q3 get picked off by those lucky chaps starting just outside the top ten.
What was even the point of this rule from the start? I remember at first it applied to "whatever you run in Q3 you will start with" and people wouldn't run in Q3 because they wanted to keep options open. So then they moved that rule into Q2 which never made real sense.
Just let everyone qualify where they do, and then let them pick whatever tyre they want. That if anything would lead to bigger variety in strategy. "Hey Vettel is P2 behind Hamilton, Vettel will go softer on tyres and hope he can beat Hamilton off the line".
Also, force them to run in every session. Q2 in Russia was a farce.
... as was the podium.
Reason for this tedious tyre rule, well according to that well known pillock Charlie Whiting, it was an attempt to produce varied strategies amongst the top runners - and he thinks it should be retained for that very reason (even though Merc. & Ferrari typically start on the same tyre these days). As you say, giving them a free choice over race tyres is more likely to result in variation; they could nominate starting tyres a set time before the race and that's what they're stuck with, no way of knowing what your competitors are running until after that point.
Cars to have lights on their rear wings: https://www.racefans.net/2018/10/12/f1-cars-to-use-rear-wing-lights-in-2019/
Prototypes have them. They look good there, but those cars also race at night and tend to have the lights on all the time.
It may come in handy in heavy rain, but otherwise they'll make little to no difference.
For some tedious reason that I can't be arsed to explain, F1 (Liberty Media) will not receive any hosting fees from Brazil for the next three years (and the teams will also forfeit their share of the Brazilian payments): https://www.racefans.net/2018/10/17/f1-to-hold-next-three-brazilian-grands-prix-for-free/
https://twitter.com/tonystewart/status/1055257820889784320?s=21
Looks like Magnussen drove a dirt winged sprint car tonight. Maybe the craziest form of racing there is.
Those always were spectacular to watch on Eurosports and their segment "Watts". The show included various clips from around the sporting world of "striking, funny, shocking videos ... in the sports field."
Rich Energy announced as Haas title sponsor for 2019: https://www.racefans.net/2018/10/25/new-livery-for-haas-in-2019-after-rich-energy-deal/
I thought they didn't have money. Oh well, this could turn out to be the end of Haas if they expect payments and it never shows. That hairy old Rich Energy CEO looks like 50 shades of shady.
Doubt it would be the end of Haas given that they still have their own money. But it might make them start looking to sell.
Penny. You being British, have you yet to see a Rich Energy drink in any store ever? From what I've heard, the products barely exist at all.
Don't be ridiculous. Rich Energy doesn't do anything so common as letting people buy their precious tins of caffeine-laden water from shops.
Fair enough. Why sign as title sponsor for an F1 team if you do not intend to actually sell your products?
That company is an absolute mystery to me. God knows how they're going to generate enough cash to be a title sponsor... perhaps they'll do something radical like trying to sell a decent quantity of their product?
It could just be a really advanced form of money laundering for all we know. Who actually funds Rich Energy? I mean, the two lads listed as CEO aren't all that wealthy.
I think I read that the yearly amount was not that high. Possibly only $10 million per year, and half as much as Williams was asking for.
$10 million is still a lot of money, obviously, but I would expect an F1 title sponsorship to be more.
https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article.saubers-ericsson-'sacrificed-his-mexican-gp-for-team-mate-leclerc.5xbFbEU43m0yuaAc4qkoIy.html
Ericsson, with no need to be loyal to Sauber, bashed the team for ruining his race for Leclerc's sake. Fair enough, he made it up anyway. Ericsson was dead last with a 15 second margin, yet finished P9. On some rather worn supers. 55 laps or so, he made them last.
Sergio 'Ready, Set, Go!' Camara is now part of the McLaren family: https://www.racefans.net/2018/11/06/sergio-sette-camara-joins-mclaren-young-driver-programme/
That is a young line-up. Sainz, Norris, Camara. One wonders if they will suffer from lack of experience? Sure, McLaren will be the third F1 team for Sainz but he has only driven for Toro Rosso, and as the young kid behind the Hulk.
I assume building a reasonable car for 2019 is a more pressing concern!
And driver input is quite important for that to happen!
No doubt helpful when it comes to setting up the car on a race weekend, but I imagine far less (probably zero) input from drivers when it comes to designing a new motor. If McLaren builds another crap chassis (hopefully they've learnt from 2018 errors) then no quantity of experienced drivers will save them!
M. Schumacher (that's Mick) joins the Ferrari Driver Academy. yolo.
https://www.bbc.com/sport/formula1/46881708
So, there's the official confirmation that Ferrari is taking the Mick... I've often that was the case.
Look at you, always the punny one.
https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/brexit-fears-theresa-may-letter/4326280/
Could a no-deal Brexit have a negative impact on the teams based in the UK? (Basically all but Toro Rosso, Ferrari, Sauber). Some of the teams, including "one of the biggest", seem to think so. I guess Red Bull or Mercedes, then, since McLaren and Williams no longer qualify for that title.
McLaren still qualifies as one of the biggest by size, I think.
Okay. Three concerns expressed by David Richards on behalf of Motorsport UK:
1) Ability to hire staff from across the EU.
Irrespective of whether or not a withdrawal deal is agreed with the EU, European citizens will at some point in the next two years lose the automatic right to live and work in the UK, and will instead (quite rightly in my view) be put on an equal footing with people from any other continent. Still waiting on the much-delayed Immigration Bill to see the Government's exact position, but given its generally pro-business attitude to life, I put the likelihood of skilled migration being curtailed at roughly zero percent - it might just have a more global flavour to it.
2) Ability to move goods & people across European borders.
This is just crazy. To how many non-EU countries does the F1 circus travel? Perfectly able to navigate Customs in Russia, Brazil, China, etc, etc, but suddenly going from Britain to France is going to be a nightmare. Yes, staff will in the future require a visa to travel throughout Europe, and I assume there will be additional (electronic) paperwork to be lodged for all the equipment teams lug around, but that's it, there's not going to be a calamitous breakdown in travel between here and the Continent. The chief executive of Calais port said just the other week that lorries will run smoothly even in the event of a no-deal Brexit, that the frequency of spot-checks on freight will remain as it is now.
3) Cost of importing/exporting goods.
I'll assume F1's imports/exports across the Channel fall mainly under the 'Transport Equipment' section of the EU's Common Customs Tariff. If, for some bizarre reason, the UK chose to persist with the EU's current tariff regime this would entail a 4.3% charge being applied to such goods; not ideal, but less than one might reasonably expect the Sterling/Euro rate to fluctuate during any given year - perhaps Motorsport UK should argue for us joining the (doomed) Euro experiment to eliminate currency costs!
If the Government has any sense, and at this point I do have my doubts, they should modify import tariffs along the lines detailed here (this includes zero-rating of car components): https://brexitcentral.com/leaving-eu-wto-terms-will-pull-barriers-world-trade-cut-prices-consumers/
Pink Panther Racing Force Point India takes a punt on a new title sponsor: https://www.racefans.net/2019/01/21/racing-point-agrees-major-sponsorship-deal-with-sportpesa/
Well now, is that a Stroll associated company? I didn't think it was. That is, then, a genuine title sponsor.
Yep, company is nothing to do with papa Stroll as far as I can tell. The three biggest shareholders are Kenyan, then there are three Bulgarian and one American investor all with sizeable chunks of the firm.
So I was Googling away for info., as one does, and apparently SportPesa is the main shirt sponsor of Hull City AFC - clearly I don't pay enough attention to second-tier football clubs.
Oh yes. The Tigers from Hull, arguably the most fun place in the UK. Spectacular place, amazing colourful people with a lovely accent.
Speaking of second-tier football clubs, in FIFA 19 I brought fourth-tier club Forest Green to the Premier League with 3 successive promotions. I won the Premier League in our 2nd year running. That was fun.
If only there was some deranged billionaire out there who wanted to try that in real life.
Hull... UK City of Culture 2017 to end of 2020. I know, I thought it was a joke the first time I heard it, just as I did when Liverpool was announced as European Capital of Culture back in 2008.
Quote from: Penfold on January 22, 2019, 04:19:20 AM
If only there was some deranged billionaire out there who wanted to try that in real life.
Oh yes, we'd need more of those in football. The only deranged billionaire owner who appeared to be an actual decent human (the Leicester City Chairman) crashed to his death in a helicopter. Unfortunate.
https://www.motorsport.com/f3/news/ticktum-asian-winter-series-superlicence-bid/4327378/
Dan Ticktum may not get his super license after all, because the series he is racing on does not fulfil FIA's criteria. It's run over merely three weekends and on just two circuits, which is just not enough to be considered a racing series. Then again, FIA included it on a list. At first. So we'll see if Ticktum can replace Albon/Kvyat if need be this season.
https://www.gpblog.com/en/news/30326/alonso-wants-a-third-formula-1-world-championship-in-2020.html
Alonso implies he has no plans for 2020 and a "third world title" would be a nice thing, also saying "I'm 37, Schumacher raced until 43".
Well, sure.
Only needs to find a suitable drive, how hard can that be? Oh yeah, that's why he just left F1.
Huski Chocolate, Swedish purveyors of cocoa-flavoured drinks, will have their logo emblazoned on the MCL34's rear wing: https://www.racefans.net/2019/02/05/mclaren-signs-huski-chocolate-drink-new-sponsor-f1-2019/
I've genuinely never heard of Huski. Oh well. They are red and white. As is Coca-Cola, a company always rumoured to show up on the McLaren cars:
https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/coca-cola-agrees-sponsorship-deal-with-mclaren/3197157/
Also, McLaren's social medias have gone from orange to black-and-white. Let's face it, Coca-Cola does not mix with orange (Fanta?) and red and orange does not go too well together.
Could we be in for a return to red and white McLarens in 2019?
I still think we'll have orange cars but with red and white rear (and front?) wings.
Well, having never heard of this hot new brand of hot chocolate, I had to look em up. Some big names behind it, such as a dude called Von Essen. Yeah, that sounds pretty rad. It's also a Swedish noble family. They have the money, no doubt.
Seems to be a brand of chocolate sold at cafes and hotels, or at events. Not really the supermarket type of thing.
Similar in that respect to Rich Energy.
Huski launching a cold version of their chocolate drink (sounds awful, as Marvin the Paranoid Android would say), hence their sudden enthusiasm for boosting/creating some brand awareness. So is McLaren losing Chandon from the rear-wing aerofoil, or NTT from the endplates?
Most likely Chandon, I can see no mention of them for 2019. This deal is not for the end plate but the wing itself.
Well, it's not as if McLaren has much use for champagne these days....
Quote from: Penfold on February 08, 2019, 04:25:28 AM
Well, it's not as if McLaren has much use for champagne these days....
But hot (and cold) chocolate they need?
They can't serve champers in the staff cafe....
... but perhaps they will be offering some of BAT's non-cigarette products: https://www.racefans.net/2019/02/11/mclaren-announces-deal-with-british-american-tobacco/
I mean, they are bringing in some really good sponsors. Coca-Cola, hot cold chocolate, and BAT. Not bad.
Quote from: Chrill on February 06, 2019, 05:29:09 AM
Most likely Chandon, I can see no mention of them for 2019. This deal is not for the end plate but the wing itself.
Just seen the McLaren launch and turns out Huski is only on the back of the rear wing; meanwhile, Dell's sponsorship has been upgraded from barely-visible logo on the bodywork and now takes pride of place on the rear wing.
Liberty won't use gimmicks to make the show more exciting: https://www.racefans.net/2019/03/05/liberty-media-gimmick-up-f1-carey/
Proposed point for fastest lap to help 'spice up' the end of a race: https://www.racefans.net/2019/03/06/f1-bosses-want-to-award-a-point-for-fastest-lap-in-2019/
Really good comment piece on the pitfalls of rewarding the fastest lap: https://www.racefans.net/2019/03/07/why-a-point-for-fastest-lap-would-be-a-change-for-the-worse/
Quote from: Penfold on March 07, 2019, 01:44:20 AM
Liberty won't use gimmicks to make the show more exciting: https://www.racefans.net/2019/03/05/liberty-media-gimmick-up-f1-carey/
Proposed point for fastest lap to help 'spice up' the end of a race: https://www.racefans.net/2019/03/06/f1-bosses-want-to-award-a-point-for-fastest-lap-in-2019/
That lasted long, Liberty.
Perhaps a day is a long time in Formula 1....
I'd be more OK with awarding an extra point for "most places made up in the race". Starting P20 and finishing P11 is more spectacular than starting P3 and winning, I suppose. Then again, with retirements, who knows if anyone will make up any places?
Paddy Lowe has left the (Williams) building and may not return. Apparently, for some unknown reason there was a flaring of tension between Lowe & management during testing.
https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/fastest-lap-bonus-points-2019/4348938/
Pushing ahead with the absolutely ridiculous idea of points for fastest lap.
Man, I can't wait to see which of the top ten drivers will have enough time over his closest rival to bung on new tyres at the end of the race. Getting excited just imagining how much energy the commentators will devote to this latest (completely non-gimmicky) development in F1's illustrious history. I hope they talk about nothing else during the last 10 laps of every single race.
Out of absolutely nowhere, Charlie Whiting passed away at the age of 66. Perhaps one of the most popular and uniting men in the F1 paddock, an absolute pillar of the F1 community.
https://www.racefans.net/2019/03/14/fia-f1-race-director-charlie-whiting-dies/
He seems to have suffered a very suddenly Pulmonary Embolism.
I do hope we'll see a moment of silence on the grid ahead of the race.
That's a sad piece of news with which to start the day. F1 race director not being Charlie Whiting... that will take some getting used to.
Indeed. He had a way of uniting drivers even when they didn't like what he said. Very calm manner, always extremely polite. He got respect from everyone in the paddock not because of his title or his role, but because of his manner. Huge loss for F1.
He was walking around all happy and ready to go yesterday, so this indeed is very sudden.
Alfauber signs Juan Manuel Correa as a development driver: https://www.racefans.net/2019/03/21/alfa-romeo-usa-correa-2019-f1-junior-driver/
He did not set the world on fire in GP3 (which is a good thing, the world is warm enough!) so I don't see what he'd bring to Alf... money? Oh! Yeah!
McLaren's Zakky Brown agrees with that Renault bloke on the downsides of having B-teams in F1: https://www.racefans.net/2019/03/27/racefans-round-up-27-03-2/
https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/alonso-mclaren-test-pirelli-bahrain/4360022/
Alonso will drive the 2019 McLaren (but for Pirelli) in the Bahrain post-race tests. So technically he's not testing for McLaren, although he is. But he's not. However, he'll be testing a 2019 McLaren F1 car for McLaren for Pirelli.
That is damn good of McLaren to allow Alonso all that time in one of their new cars just to help out Pirelli; I hope he doesn't spoil this great altruistic act by giving the team unsolicited feedback on their 2019 motor - and especially not go into detailed comparisons with last year's car.
F1's proposal to add a fourth session to qualifying in 2020 has been ditched: https://www.racefans.net/2019/04/30/no-change-to-qualifying-in-2020-as-q4-plan-fails-to-find-support/
Steady as she goes.
Some miserable news to begin the day - we've lost Niki Lauda to the racing Gods: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-48345660
Incredibly sad. We were all hoping for him to recover from the latest illnesses and his period of bad health. It was not to be. He'll be remembered as one of the true icons of F1.
https://www.motorsport.com/wrc/news/toyota-alonso-spain-debut-unlikely/4466446/
Alonso to make his rallying debut with Toyota later this year? They say no.
Ahh, but what does the Man from Del Monte say?
McLaren to build the World's largest fan-assisted clothes dryer: https://www.racefans.net/2019/06/22/mclaren-to-build-new-wind-tunnel-at-mtc/
Will it dry clothes any faster than the old one? No, but perhaps more accurate drying will be achieved.
Also, having their own dryer to use and abuse (and to rent to others) should help trim (cover?) the annual laundry bill; every penny counts when running a large household to a fixed budget.
It is true, but even if they charge a dollar or two per run, it is an expensive thing to build when the use of it will be further limited in the future.
For such a large and efficient dryer I believe they will be able to charge as much as $3 per cycle. The money is going to roll in....
https://www.grandprix247.com/2019/07/08/williams-to-ditch-mercedes-for-renault-return/
Williams looking set to move to a 2020 Renault engine. "Williams-Renault", have we heard that before? Well, yes. Yes we have. You, like me, must be thinking "Ah yes, the 2012 Spanish Grand Prix where Maldonado won the race". He is the most famous driver to win with Williams-Renault.
My first thought for Williams-Renault, quite predictably I'd say, was of Thierry Boots Off (Boutsen) claiming victory in a rain-sodden Adelaide back in 1989. My second thought was of course the legendary Maldonado win in Barcelona. None of that may be true.
Quote from: Chrill on July 08, 2019, 03:51:37 AM
https://www.grandprix247.com/2019/07/08/williams-to-ditch-mercedes-for-renault-return/
Williams looking set to move to a 2020 Renault engine. "Williams-Renault", have we heard that before? Well, yes. Yes we have. You, like me, must be thinking "Ah yes, the 2012 Spanish Grand Prix where Maldonado won the race". He is the most famous driver to win with Williams-Renault.
https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/williams-closing-mercedes-engine-deal/4492518/
Williams looking set to remain with Mercedes, and have not negotiated with Renault regarding a switch to the French manufacturer.
;D
Toro Rosso to be called Alpha Tauri from next year. You wait three decades for the Alfa name to return and then two of them show up in quick succession. Sort of.
Now this is a surprise... McLaren will ditch Renault engines at the end of 2020 and once again be powered by Mercedes. Will anyone else be using Renault units come '21, or has the French outfit simply had enough of being beaten by its customer teams?
I'm thinking this could spell the end of a Mercedes works team. Come 2021 there are new regulations. Mercedes have dominated these regulations but risk dropping back with new ones. Also, the car manufacturer itself is doing poorly and the F1 investment may no longer be worth it. They could return to being just a manufacturer of engines come 2021.
If so, it remains to be seen whether Lewis goes red or simply retires.
Yep, the Mercedes Board might already feel they've gotten everything they wanted out of running an F1 team - the 2021 regulations and forthcoming budget cap could just be what pushes them over the edge. I remember a couple of years back Eddie Jordan questioned Merc's long-term commitment to F1, now it turned out he was wrong about them pulling out at the end of 2018, but perhaps it was only his timing that was off.
Right. Well, that's a 2021 Driver Speculation thread definitely coming. Lewis to Ferrari, Bottas to Alfa Romeo to replace Kimi. Vettel retires. Red Bull continues to rotate their 2nd driver alongside Max Verstappen. I guess at the start of 2021, it's back to Albon after letting Gasly have a go for a large part of 2020. Kvyat is no longer with Toro Rosso, but has found security at Haas where he replaced Magnussen. Grosjean somehow keeps remaining with Haas.
Part of EJ's Merc speculation was that the team would be flogged off to a Chinese outfit who wanted a quick way into the top echelons of the sport. Whether or not that holds true, surely somebody would buy Merc's operations if it came on the market, and that somebody will need a couple of drivers - as might those Panthera guys.
Panthera could take the slot, but they seem to be getting started on their own. No, if Panthera becomes team 11 then someone else will have to take the place of Mercedes. What about a team from F2, such as Prema (Ferrari) or DAMS (Renault)? Renault desperately need someone to use their engines, so it would make sense from their point of view.
Hamilton obviously not expecting Merc to depart F1 anytime soon; sounding very much like he plans to be with the team in 2021 and beyond: https://www.racefans.net/2019/11/01/hamilton-says-hes-not-hit-his-peak-and-wants-huge-challenge-of-2021-rules/
I'd not mind seeing Hamilton in red!
Same here, but it doesn't seem like he's going to make that jump.
Not news, but quite a good piece on the friendship between Hamilton & Lauda: https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/opinion/f1/mph-niki-laudas-tough-love-his-great-bond-lewis-hamilton
https://www.racefans.net/2019/11/27/hamilton-concerned-mercedes-could-go-the-wrong-way-without-wolff/
If Toto leaves Mercedes (either for Formula E, which he attended recently, or for a role with Liberty), Lewis is not sure about his own future with Mercedes.
Is this Lewis starting to look at Ferrari, or is this Lewis starting to look at retirement?
Genuinely keen to start the 2021 Drivers Speculation thread since Lewis and Ferrari are flirting like never before, especially since rumours put Mercedes out of F1 at the end of 2020.
Hamilton looking into 2021 team:
https://www.bbc.com/sport/formula1/50624370
Binotto "happy" Hamilton could be available:
https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/ferrari-hamilton-availability-2021-happy/4604344/
Wolff admits Hamilton at Mercedes 2021 is not certain:
https://www.gpblog.com/en/news/51343/toto-wolff-25-chance-hamilton-will-sign-with-ferrari-for-2021-f1-season.html
At the same time, McLaren returning to Mercedes power for 2021 could be a sign that Mercedes is looking to revert back to providing engines without running their own team. It could also just be proof that Mercedes is remaining in F1. We'll find out, and all that.
https://www.racefans.net/2019/11/29/hamilton-expects-hardcore-racers-mercedes-will-stay-in-f1-after-2020/
The involved parties keep discussing Mercedes' future. To me, this sounds like Hamilton trying to convince Mercedes to stay more than anything. Of course, that fits my theme of "Mercedes out of F1", which is why I may interpret it that way. Still, no smoke without fire.
Racing Point might became Aston Martin!
https://www.racefans.net/2019/12/05/aston-martin-racing-point-f1/
Dan Ticktum brought into the Williams family and will be their development driver for 2020: https://www.racefans.net/2019/12/17/ticktum-joins-williams-young-driver-programme/
Just a couple more weeks and we'll know whether Merc is staying in F1 for the long haul (assuming they deign to tell us). Link thingy: https://www.racefans.net/2020/01/29/mercedes-crunch-meeting-quit-f1-2020/
The fact that this is a "crunch meeting"... Well, maybe Merc have survived these situations before but it seems like Mercedes really could drop out by the end of this year. That would rip the 2021 silly season wide open, either forcing Hamilton to move or retire.
Of course, a part of me kind of wants to see that happen just to shake the order up. A new team to buy Mercedes, new management, new engine most like. What could that do to the 2021 pecking order? I'd say it's all very open for Red Bull come 2021, but you never know what Renault or McLaren could come up with.
Lewis and Esteban at Renault, Bottas alongside Verstappen at Red Bull, Leclerc and Ricciardo at Ferrari?
I struggle to see Lewis going anywhere besides Ferrari, but I'd rate him returning to McLaren as more likely than donning the Renault colours. Perhaps we get Bottas left at the new 'not Mercedes' team for a spot of continuity, his team-mate to be determined hopefully by talent (Russell?) but more than likely by money/Nationality/relationship to the new owners....
I do wonder why you think this hypothetical 'not Mercedes' team might have a new engine supplier? Merc. may leave F1 as a constructor but they've got multi-year engine contracts to honour, and it makes economic sense for them to supply as many teams as possible.
True. It could well remain a Mercedes powered team!
https://www.espn.co.uk/f1/story/_/id/28597661/daimler-ceo-dismisses-mercedes-f1-exit-speculation
This is perhaps the most damning proof of Mercedes leaving yet! The Daimler CEO dismisses the speculation entirely. We know that within F1, the final step before confirmation is dismissing the news entirely.
It's right up there with the owners of a struggling football club expressing their complete confidence in the manager!
For the record, I have full confidence in Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
Joel Glazer, is that you?
I'll happily admit to a touch of schadenfreude at Man Utd's expense. Mind you, they're clinging on to a fairly lofty 5th in the league despite having less than half of Liverpool's points (come on The Reds!), so I'm hoping continued poor form will see a downward drift - there's only a four-point gap right back to 14th-place Newcastle.
Well, whenever I play FIFA I either go for Man United or a team for League 1 or 2. It gives me roughly the same challenge.
I recently won the Champions League with Fleetwood Town so that was fun.
Lance Stroll and Nicolas Latifi are American.
https://www.racefans.net/2020/02/11/canadian-f1-pair-stroll-and-latifi-to-race-under-american-licenses/
So the wait for a great American F1 driver continues....
Not exactly an F1 snippet, but former Minardi and Arrows driver (and for me a real blast from the past) Gianni Morbidelli is going to race in the European NASCAR series this year: https://www.euronascar.com/2020/03/05/gianni-morbidelli-set-for-euronascar-debut-with-caal-racing/
Always had a soft spot for Arrows/Footwork, but then who wouldn't when they had guys like Alboreto, Suzuki, and Derek Warwick racing for them. Oh yeah, and Taki Inoue....
Seven of the teams don't seem all that happy about Ferrari's cheating being neatly wrapped up in a confidential agreement with the FIA: https://www.racefans.net/2020/03/06/why-the-fias-latest-response-wont-placate-ferraris-furious-rivals-in-engine-row/
My interpretation of the original (and indeed the updated FIA press release too) was that the following was said by FIA to Ferrari:
"Shit is weird with that engine, but its super hard to figure out what that is and if its like illegal or cool, so we'll just decide to not look further into it if you agree to not use that technique in 2020".
Basically, the process would probably have been expensive and prolonged and would potentially lead to a change in the 2019 payouts over a year after that season ended.
Assumption is that Ferrari also agreed to let the FIA into what exactly they were up to, specifically how they were able to sidestep the monitoring process, and that this is why an extra fuel sensor was mandated for 2020.
Renault not quitting F1, at least according to Abiteboul: https://www.autoweek.com/racing/formula-1/a32647229/renault-denies-manufacturer-leaving-f1/
Renault confirming they will not quit is pretty much confirmation that they will.
Hopefully they'll hang around for a few more years. The budget cap might make it easier for Renault to justify continuing, puts them on a more level financial footing and lets ingenuity win the day... until all room for ingenuity is finally extirpated from F1.
https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/williams-considering-selling-team/4798066/
Williams terminate deal with Rokit, and announce that they are willing to sell the company outright to secure the future of the staff. Covid-19 could be about to claim its first F1 team.
Good grief. Will Michael Latifi make it two Canadian team owners?
Renault boss confirms they're sticking with F1: https://www.racefans.net/2020/05/29/renault-confirm-they-will-stay-in-f1-after-announcing-e1-8bn-cost-cut-plan/
If Latifi does buy Williams, here's hoping the team get the investment necessary. I also sincerely hope that the Williams name, and their staff, remain in at least some capacity. I'd like to see what Claire can do with a reasonable budget.
I'm sure you know F1 is posting classic races on YouTube. The 2011 Canadian Grand Prix is well worth a watch:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JOSTqGXs2MY
Button, 6 times in the pits (5 stops), wins on the final lap. Great race.
I remember it well. What I'd like is some of the late-eighties stuff where my memories are pretty hazy, and where commentary comes courtesy of Murray Walker & James Hunt. Something with Alboreto in a Ferrari would be perfect.
McLaren is the first confirmed signatory of F1's new Concorde agreement: https://www.racefans.net/2020/08/18/mclaren-is-first-team-to-sign-f1s-new-concorde-agreement/
All 10 teams have now signed:
https://www.racefans.net/2020/08/19/all-10-teams-commit-to-f1-by-signing-new-concorde-agreement/
Mercedes and Haas, two teams speculating about their future, have therefore committed to a future in F1. Remains to be seen whether new teams are allowed entry for 2022 or 2023, because a grid of 10 is small.
A grid of 20 cars is pathetic for the pinnacle of motorsport - aside from anything else I'd love some extra seats for young talent. Christ, I remember when they had pre-qualifying just to whittle down the numbers....
I watched the F3 race this last weekend. A grid of 30 cars! It's a bit too hectic for my liking, really, but I'd say 24 or 26 cars would be perfect.
Of course, they achieve 30 cars by running ten 3-car teams so it's not like they have more teams.
In my mind, a full F1 grid will always be 26 cars despite this tally not being reached since, umm, I think probably the mid-nineties.
So they've thrown a ton of data at a computer to try and calculate the quickest F1 qualifier of all-time (well, since 1983 because that's when more accurate timing was available). You probably saw it a couple of days ago, but in case you missed it: https://www.racefans.net/2020/08/20/brawn-and-smedley-explain-how-they-calculated-f1s-fastest-driver/
Some names on that top 20 list are quite unexpected, but I would agree with Senna at the top. Frankly, I'd be amazed if Schumi in his prime could've got as close to Ayrton as they've suggested, but maybe I have a Senna bias from remembering the times he out-qualified team-mate Prost by more than a second.
There goes Williams, sold off to private equity firm Dorilton Capital: https://www.racefans.net/2020/08/21/williams-name-to-remain-in-f1-as-team-is-sold-to-us-company-dorliton/
Rumours doing the rounds that INEOS has agreed to buy a 70% share of the Mercedes F1 team. Wouldn't surprise me if company owner Jim Ratcliffe made such a move.
Wolff says no: https://www.racefans.net/2020/09/14/wolff-rejects-made-up-report-mercedes-team-will-be-sold-to-ineos/
Honda announces they will withdraw from F1 after the 2021 season:
https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/honda-exit-2021-red-bull/4885092/
I did not see this coming. What next for Red Bull? Renault won't rejoin them, for sure. Ferrari and Mercedes won't be keen on it either. Will they be doomed to force a new engine manufacturer to join, can they force their way back into Renault's arms, can they make Ferrari/Mercedes supply them, or will they be forced out of F1 due to lack of engine?
Things didn't exactly end on a high note with Renault, but on the other hand this is business and from next year the froggies will lose their only customer. Money to be saved if they can supply the two Red Bull teams.
Also, wow! Really didn't see this coming from Honda - just get a decent engine going and they call it quits. Again. This time they might actually stay away for good.
Since Renault don't supply "enough teams", I believe they are obligated to accept both Red Bull teams come 2022. You're not allowed to decline below 3 teams, right? Renault, Red Bull, AlphaTauri.
I'm not 100% on that rule for engine suppliers, but your three team minimum does have a familiar ring to it. I certainly can't see a good option for RB outside of Renault... otherwise it's five running Ferrari units or six with Mercs.
From what I've read it appears the rule is that whoever supplies power units to the fewest teams must be willing to provide them to anyone without an engine contract.
However, Red Bull has devised a cunning plan for its post-Honda existence, and it entails using, wait for it, Honda engines. Yes, that's right, they stick with Honda power but service & maintain the engines themselves, and all they need for this to be feasible is a complete freeze on power unit development from the end of '21. I mean, that sounds like something that's going to happen, right???
Story linky thing: https://www.racefans.net/2020/10/15/red-bull-want-f1-engine-freeze-to-keep-racing-honda-design/
I could see Ferrari especially agreeing. If we go back to mid-2019 engines, before the silly FIA started meddling. Otherwise, yeah no.
This is at the car company level rather than F1, but I see Mercedes is taking a bigger stake in Aston Martin: https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/industry/mercedes-take-major-aston-martin-stake-part-new-technical-partnership
Certainly a close relationship between the two.
Sooo... Aston Martin the new AlphaTauri/AlfaRomeo then? That should mean Vettel will not stay for long. Either promote him to Mercedes or dump him, then.
I suppose you'd say not quite at Alpha/Alfa level because Aston still an independent company, but this move surely cements the relationship with Mercedes. Have to consider Vettel as the figurehead of Aston Racing, at least for the time being, so assume he stays at least a couple of years unless he's soundly beaten by Stroll in '21....
For the young drivers test after the Abu Dhabi GP, some new kids will be testing!
Roy Nissany and Jack Aitken will share duties for Williams. At Haas, we will see Schumacher in the car. At Renault (well, Alpine), a little-known 39 year young Fernando Alonso will be driving. Red Bull, similarly, will use up-and-coming Formula E driver Sebastien Buemi (32 years old). Robert Kubica, the promising talent who won the Formula 3.5 series (fifteen years ago), will drive for Alfa Romeo.
https://wtf1.com/post/young-drivers-alonso-kubica-and-buemi-set-for-abu-dhabi-test/
Fangio was 38 upon entering his first F1 race and he did okay in the sport, so let's give this Alonso chap a chance.
Ah yes. But he debuted at 38 not due to a lack of progress in junior formula racing. Rather, F1 literally did not exist. ;D
Quite, two years earlier for his first proper Grand Prix and a whole load of racing beforehand, but that would've somewhat spoiled my whimsical comment....
Mercedes F1 will now be a three-headed beast with equal shares held by Mercedes, INEOS, and Toto Wolff: https://www.racefans.net/2020/12/18/mercedes-sells-stake-in-team-to-ineos-as-wolff-extends-contract-as-team-principal/
We can call it Team Cerberus.
How about calling them Mercedes?
Well, yes, but Cerberus because of the three heads...
The ce in MerCEdes does stand for Cerberus. Mer stands for Mercedes. Des stands for "Das Engine ist Superb"
So long Frank, one of the giants of the F1 World: https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article.breaking-legendary-f1-team-boss-sir-frank-williams-dies-aged-79.mCPM4nj5n62elIhFoPhtv.html
Williams rings money out of ROKiT (I'd forgotten all about that terrific partnership!): https://www.motorsportweek.com/2022/01/05/williams-wins-35m-lawsuit-against-former-title-sponsor-rokit/
Oracle now upgraded to Red Bull title sponsor: https://www.racefans.net/2022/02/09/red-bull-eye-race-strategy-and-car-development-gains-in-500m-oracle-deal/
$500 million for five years, at a $140 million cost cap? They've covered most of their total budget with this deal. Insane.
https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/red-bull-lands-record-150m-cryptocurrency-sponsorship-deal-8220897/8220897/
This coupled with Oracle, and Red Bull themselves won't need to bring any money at all to the team! Well, pay salaries of Max, Sergio and Adrian perhaps because there are a few posts you can exclude from the budget cap. Still, Red Bull is operating incredibly well financially now.
Free to throw more cash at their nascent engine programme....
Andretti hoping (and it's a big hope) for a 2024 entry in F1: https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/andretti-reveals-details-of-f1-team-plan-as-clock-ticks-on-fia-call/8514494/
Andretti Haas Renault-Ferrari F1 Team. Problem solved.
https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/russian-gp-contract-terminated-sochi-petersburg/8661644/
F1, who originally "suspended" the Russian GP, has now terminated the deal with Russian promoters entirely. Meaning no Sochi 2022, and no Saint Petersburg 2023 and forward. No Russian GP on the horizon for at least a few years, most likely.
While the FIA refused to ban Russian drivers, this comes as a welcome move. We don't punish individuals for their origin, but we do prevent them from representing Russia and we now also prevent Russia from promoting itself through F1. Really appreciate that.
I have two coworkers from Russia who are devastated. One is stuck in Russia, unable to cross the border as he is afraid he will be forced into the Military. His family, and most around him, are strongly opposed to the war. The other, who lives in Stockholm, has had to (hopefully temporarily) cut contact with his family because his family is fully in support of the "peacekeeping operations" Putin has launched in Ukraine. He also feels like he's got a target on his back simply for being Russian, with all the anti-Russia sentiments around the globe. It's weird, isn't it? As a Swede, I'm incredibly fortunate and very spoilt because I have genuinely never known anyone directly affected by war before.
On a lighter note, the following topics can now be started:
2023 Driver Speculation
2024 Driver Speculation
2025 Driver Speculation
2026 Driver Speculation
2027 Driver Speculation
2028 Driver Speculation
Max confirmed until 2028 at Red Bull. That is a long term deal if ever I saw one.
https://www.racefans.net/2022/03/03/verstappen-signs-new-deal-to-stay-at-red-bull-until-2028/
I wasn't sure where to post this, but Snippets works. Volkswagen wants two German drivers when their two teams enter F1 in 2026. That's a problem, because Vettel is old, Hülkenberg is both out and old, and Schumacher isn't fast. So who could they employ? Well, I'll use my lovely future predictions document for this and rate the drivers in order of how likely they are to even be in F1 in 2026.
1. Mick Schumacher (27 years)
2. Pascal Wehrlein (32 years)
3. Nico Hülkenberg (39 years)
4. Sebastian Vettel (39 years)
5. Lirim Zendeli (27 years)
6. David Beckmann (26 years)
7. David Schumacher (25 years)
They better hope someone pops up until then, there are no talented Germans in junior racing right now.
In F2, there are none (although aforementioned Beckmann competed in the last race at Imola)
In F3, there is one driver, David Schumacher. He's not good enough for F3, so likely not good enough for F1.
In various F4 series, we have Tim Tramnitz (2021 ADAC F4 runner-up) and that's pretty much it. I guess they'll have to expand it to neighbouring countries. Roman Staněk of Czechia, Frederik Vesti of Denmark, and Tijmen van der Helm of the Netherlands are all more likely to end up in F1 in the future than any German rookie I know of!
So that's Porsche as an engine supplier, possibly for Red Bull, which seems pretty straightforward; and Audi as a full entrant but through buying an existing team - and thank God because we certainly don't ever want more than 20 cars on the grid.... And I think Audi must fall into the 'believe it when I see it' category, just trying to think who they'd target now that McLaren has rebuffed their approaches.
Quote from: Penfold on May 16, 2022, 01:27:16 AM
just trying to think who they'd target now that McLaren has rebuffed their approaches.
From a business perspective, I'd say Williams makes sense. Dorilton Capital is in it to make money, and selling to Audi makes money.
Of course, Aston Martin and Sauber are two other options.
In a perfect world, F1 could enjoy five competitive engines in 2026:
Porsche:Red Bull
AlphaTauri
Mercedes:Mercedes
McLaren
Ferrari:Ferrari
Haas
(Alfa Romeo)Renault:Alpine
Andretti
(Sauber)Audi:Aston Martin
Williams
But we could never have 11 teams divided on 5 different manufactures, yet see all engines used by at least 2 teams. That would make too much sense.
Audi-Sauber could be announced as soon as this weekend's Belgian GP, for a 2026 debut.
https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/audis-f1-plans-take-shape-as-announcement-looms/10356808/
Would be novel to have an actual new team in F1 but seems we're forever stuck with just 20 cars on the grid
Off-season? I think not. Binotto resigns.
https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/binotto-resigns-as-ferrari-f1-team-principal/10405914/
Word is, Fred Vasseur is a potential replacement. He'd build the team around Leclerc, much to Sainz's chagrin.
And what happens next year when Ferrari finishes behind both Red Bull and Mercedes....
Another almost certainly not new team for F1:
Lo, a 45-year-old Canadian businessman who has connections with Williams owners Dorilton Capital, sayshe is actively investigating the possibility of financing his own Formula 1 team, either by purchasing an existing team or setting up a new entry.
"In the last few years, I've been approached by many players in the F1 world, from teams to highly aspirational potential team owners or investors," Lo told the Daily Star. "We've been looking at a current team and that's how the idea of starting a new team came about. There are a lot of opportunities right now. I believe we're going into a new era of a younger audience, a newer fanbase. Accessibility seems easier than before.
"We would be very fortunate to be involved, in whatever capacity. With a current team, that would be faster. Realistically, to get the car on the grid [with a new team], it would be 2026. That's a short period of time, a very tight timeline."
And on that subject...
Michael Andretti says that his team's efforts to secure a place on the F1 grid are making "pretty good progress".
The Andretti organisation, which runs teams in series such as IndyCar, Formula E and Extreme E, has been actively lobbying for a place onto the Formula 1 grid in future seasons – either by acquiring an existing team or as an entirely new, 11th entry. Speaking as the team introduced W Series champion Jamie Chadwick to their Indy Nxt programme for 2023, Andretti said his team was still committed to joining F1.
"We're still moving forward, still working hard," Andretti said. "I think we made pretty good progress the last couple of months. And we're not giving up."
Andretti announced in August it plans to build a new headquarters in Indiana at a cost of £170 million. "We actually have the groundbreaking next week for the new facility," he said in response to a question from RaceFans. "So we're really excited about that, it's going to be awesome."
Just the minor issue remains of getting other teams to agree to share the prize money....
And in sadder news, I see Patrick Tambay has died aged 73: https://www.racefans.net/2022/12/04/two-time-grand-prix-winner-tambay-dies-aged-73/
Quite frankly, Andretti is the only one with merits to join the grid.
If Mister Lo has the money, he could team up with someone like Prema or DAMS to make it happen, but I don't want to see "Dorilton Racing Team" any time soon.
Finally some more news on Andretti's F1 ambitions: https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/andretti-and-cadillac-announce-formula-1-entry-plans-/10417491/
Would love to know the timescale Andretti has in mind... wait for the new engine regulations in '26?Does seem a long way off but would it be worth building an entry for the year before
Quote from: Penfold on January 05, 2023, 11:48:05 AM
Finally some more news on Andretti's F1 ambitions: https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/andretti-and-cadillac-announce-formula-1-entry-plans-/10417491/
Would love to know the timescale Andretti has in mind... wait for the new engine regulations in '26?Does seem a long way off but would it be worth building an entry for the year before
Depends how badly the 2025 and 2026 cars will differ. Andretti and Cadillac is not bringing a new engine, so I see 2025 as a potential date for entry.
We'll see if the FIA tender brings in more interested parties, I wouldn't mind a full grid of 26 cars if the three new entrants can compete with AlphaTauri, Alpine, Aston Martin, and McLaren rather than struggling to keep up with whoever runs P20. That $200 million "dilution fee" will serve to keep teams like HRT and USF1 away from the grid, but bringing in Andretti sounds perfectly reasonable.
I wouldn't mind an Asian team, so how about TOM's or Mugen from Super Formula? And then for the 12th entry, we'll just grab something from South America. How about Senna Racing Team? Bruno heads it up, maybe Massa and Barrichello can join as ambassadors or something akin to a Lauda-esque role?