Teh Formula 1 Encyclopedia: 2018 Edition.

[IMOA]

I kinda took Hamilton’s comments to mean that yeah, it was ocon’s fault but if max was smarter he would have left him more room. His comments in the cool down room were spot on, pointing out to max how much Ocon had to lose and how much max had to lose. That’s kinda where I am, Ocon was a muppet, deserved his penalty but if max was a bit more experienced and drove smarter he would have kept the win.

As for handbags in the weigh in, that was just lame as fuck and showed how immature max still is. Reminded me a bit of the school yard where some kid tries to start a fight with another to impress the big kids. Very very lame and Ocon did the right thing by laughing at him.

That said, awesome race from start to finish which was brilliant without rain, weird incidents or order shuffling accidents etc. Just a really really good motor race.

[balki]

I'd put more of the blame on Ocon, but it's not like he dive-bombed in the braking zone or turned into Max.
Having looked at it a few times I have to say that if it was a fight for position (rather than unlapping) it would likely have gone down as a racing incident / no further action taken

[CudaMan]

I saw one headline say that Max and Ocon "came to blows" after the race. To my knowledge the Maxshove at weigh-in was the only thing that happened. Is that "coming to blows" these days?

Lewis had the best reaction to the whole incident when he told Max in the cool-down room how much he had to lose vs what Ocon had to lose. If Max is smart he'll take those words to heart and learn from them.

[Blerpa]

Ocon was stupid. Max stupider.
He unlaps himself? Well, let him go... you have a race to win, not a backmarker to lap. Not mature enough.
Max got 2 days of social services from FIA, not enough of a penalty for all the shoving he did, to me.

[FaultyMario]

I would have given him a suspended race ban. It's harsh enough without it being a penalty unless he did something stupid again.

[dodint]

I have been traveling a lot and haven't watched the last few F1 races. I am unsurprised to check in to the thread and see everyone talking about Max running into someone, again.

;)

[JoeW]

You weren't missed...

[dodint]

¯\_(ツ)_/¯

[JoeW]

:cool:

[FaultyMario]

I have been traveling a lot and haven't watched the last few F1 races. I am unsurprised to check in to the thread and see everyone talking about Max running into someone, again.

;)

Not only that, he tried to pick a fight afterwards. :double wink:

[balki]

Thought he raced really well in the US and Mexico
Brasil as well, aside from the crash/spin/shove

With Alonso retiring he may be the second best driver next year, but at times his attitude sucks about as much as the other 19 drivers combined

[XHawkeye]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Dr0tbobUwAA2k-a.jpg

[JoeW]

Whiting confirms contact 100% Ocons fault.

[Crazed_Insanity]

I thought he only said that it was 'wholly unacceptable' for Ocon to race the leader. Did he really also said it was 100% Ocon's fault?

I can agree with the wholly unacceptable for Ocon to race the leader like that, even Senna punched Eddie Irvine for doing that, but I think onboard views are clear that it wasn't 100% Ocon's fault.

[FaultyMario]

I can agree with the wholly unacceptable for Ocon to race the leader like that, even Senna punched Eddie Irvine for doing that, but I think onboard views are clear that it wasn't 100% Ocon's fault.

Saint Senna punched Irvine because he had the audacity to unlap himself. Twice.

Not the best example.

[FaultyMario]

Dude, you've got a huge... car (http://www.racefans.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/racefansdotnet-20181113-190420-1.jpg)!

[Crazed_Insanity]

Yeah, didn't realize cars got much longer over the years... cool pic!

[XHawkeye]

The story of 2018 season in nutshell (https://www.reddit.com/r/formula1/comments/9x0kty/the_story_of_2018_season_in_nutshell/)

3149

[FaultyMario]

The story of 2018 season in nutshell (https://www.reddit.com/r/formula1/comments/9x0kty/the_story_of_2018_season_in_nutshell/)

3149

Don't bet against raikkonen?

[racerfink]

Looks to me (and sounds, from the car-to-pit radio) that it’s all on Max. Ocon had a battle for position sitting behind Hamilton. He had to go, or risk losing that position sitting behind a slower Max.

https://www.formula1.com/en/video/2018/11/Ride_onboard_with_Ocon_for_the_laps_leading_up_to_ Verstappen_clash.html?fbclid=IwAR2q17JrFaMwpKjTHMq fUgx9EhdAhsc-5L1jzW_U__7BY0r3nin5c71KUTw

[FaultyMario]

Looks to me (and sounds, from the car-to-pit radio) that it’s all on Max. Ocon had a battle for position sitting behind Hamilton. He had to go, or risk losing that position sitting behind a slower Max.

https://www.formula1.com/en/video/2018/11/Ride_onboard_with_Ocon_for_the_laps_leading_up_to_ Verstappen_clash.html?fbclid=IwAR2q17JrFaMwpKjTHMq fUgx9EhdAhsc-5L1jzW_U__7BY0r3nin5c71KUTw

Verstappen is the idiot, he had a faster car for a couple of rounds sitting behind him, just waiting to be given the green light to pass. Max threw the win away, the video is pretty clear.

[Crazed_Insanity]

Don't bet against raikkonen?

Finnish drivers are not the fastest, but always the most consistent.

However, since they're both #2 drivers of the team, surely their lack of priority might have caused them to unable to fully maximize their points count...

Anyway, looking forward to see Kimi ending up on the podium as a #1 Sauber driver sometimes next year...

[balki]

racerfink, that link now makes me want to sign up for F1TV

XHawkeye's rounds 1-10 vs 11-20 comparison shows Vettel scoring 40 less points, but Ricciardo 54 less, so it's a bit deceiving

[JoeW]

Yeah great video. Might look into that next year.

After some reflection and watching that video I really think Max lost sight of Ocon when Ocon pulled out to go around. The drivers have notoriously bad vision to the rear and to the sides of their cars. I think Ocon pulled out and Max lost sight of him...maybe thinking he went too wide in turn 1? Max went inside on turn 1 (the typical racing line) leaving plenty of room outside. Then Max probably had no idea where Ocon was at that exact moment in time and just took the normal racing line into turn 2. Not realizing Ocon was trying to shove his car down in there.

In the heat of the moment I think Max lost sight of Ocon but Ocon knew exactly where Max was.

Tough call to know exactly what was happening but I love that footage and the audio to the pits...great stuff.

[Freude am Fahren]

Man, if they hadn't botched the pit stop, he would have been out in front of VER anyway. Too bad.

Here's my opinion, First of all, Max knew he was coming and faster (he said as much on the radio), he probably should have just eased up going through 1 and into 2 and let him pass and be done with it. But that's easier said than done when you know Hamilton is right behind, and giving up a second or so could mean Hamilton in DRS, which means bad things for the Red Bull.

As for Ocon, I think the responsibility to make a clean pass is much higher when unlapping yourself, and when Max defended into 1, Ocon should have probably backed off and tried again into 4 or on the next lap. Once they get through 1, I think Ocon has to give up in this situation.

So mistakes (IMO) by both men lead up to it, but the final action that caused the contact, I think, is Ocon's fault.

[racerfink]

Mercedes was struggling to get Hamilton to the finish. That’s why Max went by him so easily. All that jubilation by the Mercedes boys back at the factory was because they were sweating bullets about the motor going the distance.

[racerfink]

https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article.hamilton-brazil-engine-failure-was-imminent-mercedes.1KfPixnFSkaaCq4KE8YekU.html

[FaultyMario]

Mercedes was struggling to get Hamilton to the finish. That’s why Max went by him so easily. All that jubilation by the Mercedes boys back at the factory was because they were sweating bullets about the motor going the distance.

So it was a compound error? FI pit crew lost a couple of seconds in Ocon's stop. RBR wall forgot to tell Verstappen that Hamilton was nursing an engine problem and could have afforded to let Ocon by?

[Crazed_Insanity]

So mistakes (IMO) by both men lead up to it, but the final action that caused the contact, I think, is Ocon's fault.

I still think Max is a bit more at fault if this were a fight for actual position. He just didn't leave him any room at turn 2. Where do you expect Ocon to go? He already has half of his car on the curb at turn 2 and yet they still touched. Anyway, I'd be willing to see it as just a racing incident. Max just left no room for the other guy... and the other guy should've known who he's up against... Both Ferraris having made contacts with him earlier on the season knows Max and therefore didn't get into this kind of racing with Max... Ocon will learn now.

Now, the fact that it wasn't even real racing for position, I can agree that Ocon is more at fault.

Thanks to that video leading up to the event, I think it's more clear to me now FI was probably not involved in any conspiracies to purposely slow Max down... unless they botched their pitstop on purpose to do exactly what Mercedes wanted? :p

[Rare White Ape]

I’ve seen this many times now, and to me it’s all on Verstappen. He knew Ocon was there, even going back a whole lap when Ocon showed his nose a little bit going into turn 4.

I don’t disagree with the 10 second penalty for Ocon, but I would say that it was entirely reasonable for Ocon to have placed his car alongside Verstappen… right up until the moment that Verstappen chose to take the apex on that right hander. It looked like he had left him room!

I didn’t think it would be possible for me to hate a current driver more than I hate Hamilton, but here we are.

[FaultyMario]

Hate him? He'll be the Terry Malloy of millennials.

[IMOA]

You accelerate between turn 1 and 2, once Ocon didn’t get the move cleanly done in 1 he shouldn’t have attacked from behind into 2. He didn’t need to go anywhere or disappear, he just need not to put himself there once the initial move failed. If it was for position I would have said max’s fault but it wasn’t, it was unlapping and the onus was on Ocon to do it cleanly and he was just too aggresive.

That said, I also agree with Hamilton, max had a lot more to lose and should have driven smarter.

[Rare White Ape]

The onus is always on the driver behind to pass cleanly, but we also have a b-pillar rule (which I guess in open wheel terms is the roll hoop) that also places onus on the leading car to give room if a pass hasn't been completed yet.

Ocon was making a clean pass, and they could've continued side-by-side through the second left-hander as well. My view is that Verstappen violated the b-pillar rule in the second part of the s-bend and turned in on Ocon.

If it was a battle for position, it would clearly be Verstappen's fault.

[Crazed_Insanity]

You accelerate between turn 1 and 2, once Ocon didn’t get the move cleanly done in 1 he shouldn’t have attacked from behind into 2. He didn’t need to go anywhere or disappear, he just need not to put himself there once the initial move failed. If it was for position I would have said max’s fault but it wasn’t, it was unlapping and the onus was on Ocon to do it cleanly and he was just too aggresive.

That said, I also agree with Hamilton, max had a lot more to lose and should have driven smarter.

He went into turn 1 super hot and passed Max... and eclipsing turn2 apex as closely as possible, but Max still hit him. I really think Ocon had no where to go... other than cutting into turn2 completely...

[Blerpa]

Mercedes was struggling to get Hamilton to the finish. That’s why Max went by him so easily. All that jubilation by the Mercedes boys back at the factory was because they were sweating bullets about the motor going the distance.

Rumours had it he had a broken exhaust and finished the race with 50HP less than normal.

[Freude am Fahren]

Is the exhaust considered part of the ICE? Or can it be changed out without penalty?

[MR2 Fan]

:eek:

serious crash involving driver Sophia Flörsch in the Formula 3 race (video may be disturbing)...apparently 5 people injured but alive.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oaUdY8clZsw

[MR2 Fan]

Driver just updated twitter

@SophiaFloersch


Just wanted to let everybody know that I am fine but will be going into Surgery tomorow morning. Thanks to the @fia and @hwaag_official @MercedesAMGF1 who are taking great care of me.
Thanks to everybody for the Supporting messages.
Update soon.




Amazing after that crash...

[dodint]

Wow.

[JoeW]

That doesn’t even look real. It’s like she was running a completely different race. I would love to hear how she was going twice as fast as everyone else. Edit...two wheels fell off the car earlier on the straight after making contact with debris from another crash off camera. That would do it.

Most disturbing thing I’ve seen this season is the Ferrari pit guy getting his leg mangled. That was just ugly.

[Tom Servo]

Boy, Macau never disappoints in "teenager on XBox Live" results, does it?

[Crazed_Insanity]

Wow! She’s lucky.

[Blerpa]

Fractured Spine... call that lucky.

[Crazed_Insanity]

She could easily be dead if that structure that she crashed into weren’t there. If it were a regular building or a pole...

[MR2 Fan]

It reminds me of the Rubens crash at Imola, the one that was really bad until 2 much worse accidents happened of course :(

[Dicknose]

And why road tracks are more dangerous than purpose built course. No runoff room. She was probably lucky that she was launched up and hit the fence rather than the wall.

[CudaMan]

Her car hit a photographer's stand. Possibly a temporary structure? But there's a picture of a pole in it that was bent from the impact. When I saw the cell phone video first appear of the crash, I thought it was likely the driver didn't survive. That was some *rapid* sudden deceleration from high speed and not much crash structure on the top of the car to absorb energy.

She had contact with another driver entering the braking zone, her car spun around backward and launched over the blue curb at the apex (a curb designed to keep drivers from cutting the apex too much). Without that blue curb she would have hit the tire barrier, which would have likely had a better outcome although you never know if the angles and forces would have ended up just wrong enough.

Given the impact I'd consider her very lucky.

[Freude am Fahren]

Yeah, it was temporary, and I think the poll you're talking about is the one for the fence? It hit a photographer or marshal on the head, so I hope they are okay as well. If that structure weren't there, I'm not sure where she would have ended up. In the bushes? In that alley? In the lobby of that casino?

I posted something similar over at Jalopnik:

I normally hate when someone survives a scary accident and the response is "lucky," since the answer is usually engineering, not luck. But in this case, I don't think you can argue otherwise.

It kinda looks like that temporary structure made of guardrails had a gap just big enough for her helmet area. If she had been slightly higher or lower, I think she may have had some direct contact, helmet to metal, but I'm not sure she did in reality, since there's no talk of serious head injuries. I could be wrong about that, and the roll hoop, etc just did its job. Also looks like she hit just shy of flat against it. The rear end hit slightly before, also maybe saving her life.

But still so many possibilties for a worse outcome there. One of, if not the, worst accidents I've ever seen.

I'd like to see images of the car, as well as her helmet to get a better idea of the actual impact areas. Just image, were she a little higher, and the roll hoop goes through the little gap, and her head is the highest first point of impact at those speeds. No possibility of survival in that case. Or if I was wrong about the impact specifics, and her head was simply saved by the integrity of the car, what about someone much taller. I always worry when I see tall drivers whose helmet sit far above others, even if they are below the hoop.

The video in this thread is the first I've seen of those angles, but the angle I'm going off of is the slow-mo from inside the turn:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=25&v=fHZWJkcBz8U&ab_channel=IlPolemistaMisterioso

[FaultyMario]

BBC: 'No fear of paralysis' for [Sophia Florsch] after surgery (https://www.bbc.com/sport/motorsport/46267135)

[CudaMan]

I just saw that same video slo-mo. It appears the fence poles that bend are from the car catching the chain link fencing between the poles -- not from the car hitting a pole directly as some have said. You can also see, from that video, the vertical poles internal to the photographers' stand. If you scroll down in this article on PetaPixel, there are photos from inside the stand after the accident as well as a photo of the top of the car (and her helmet) after it comes to rest.

https://petapixel.com/2018/11/19/racecar-goes-airborne-and-slams-into-photographers-box/

[Crazed_Insanity]

Pretty sure engineers don’t usually analyze impacts from top of the car...

Remembered a bunch of Indycar drivers killed this way... Greg Moore, Jeff Krosnoff, Gonzalo Rodriguez all died due to hard impacts from top side of the car...

This temporary structure for sure soften and absorbed lots of energy to help her survive this high speed impact.

I’d still say it’s more luck than engineering.

Of course, engineers do also deserve a lot of credit too for drivers to be able to survive such high speed impact.

[Freude am Fahren]

https://petapixel.com/assets/uploads/2018/11/Macau-GP-Sophia-001-800x533.jpeg

Damn, from the roll hoop forward look to be untouched by the barrier somehow.

Would have been a real bad impact without the air, but firs the blue kerb, then the yellow car made for a huge ramp.

[FaultyMario]

So called sausage kerbs need revision in street courses. It's no Macau that needs to be changed, it's safety measures.

[Tom Servo]

I dunno, I think Macau might need changes. The only times I ever hear about it are when some new horrific crash happens.

[Alan P]

I suspect there may end up being a chicane placed somewhere along the main straight. It is, basically, flat out from the last corner to turn 4 with Floersch had her accident.
http://www.racingcircuits.info/asia/macau/macau-guia.html#.W_TDjfZ2urw

[Blerpa]

Robert Kubica is Williams Racing new driver for 2019.
Bah.

[dodint]

Yesssssss!

[The359]

Regarding the Macau crash, it looks like the rollhoop may have even been what went through the photographers slot, there's almost no damage to it and the camera is still attached.

However I do see a purple mark on the top of her helmet, which could be from purple banners that were on the structure.

[JoeW]

Kubica is a never was...he doesn't even qualify as a has been.

[CudaMan]

Can't tell if trolling the Max haters. :lol:

This is my favorite Kubica lap. Balls and precision, right on the limit. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qbYMoKxif6I

[JoeW]

Lol...partially.

But still...he’s like 33 or 34 right? Alonso is only a few years older. I’d rather see an up and coming talent get a chance rather than an old guy whose last ride was 8 yrs ago.

[samoht]

I'm glad Kubica is returning, although it's a pity it's with such a weak car and likely weak teammate, so it won't really settle the question of his capability either way. Williams apparently attempted to take a big leap this year, and got it wrong - sounds like it's easier to make small improvements when you're already in the ballpark, than to make a huge jump. So unless they find some photocopied Ferrari plans lying about, I don't see how they're going to suddenly crack the secret of top-line aero between this season and next.

Also, McLaren is going to be humiliated in 2019. Fernando has been carrying this team, slogging away and finding any chink of light, any way of getting an advantage over faster midfield runners and clawing down a few points. Of the 62 points McLaren have scored this year, putting them a solid 6th in the championship, a full 50 of them have been earned by Alonso. I don't see either of their 2019 drivers as obviously better than Vandoorne (who shone in the junior formulae) so I'd forecast McLaren getting 24 points next year, which would place them 9th out of 10 teams. Even if they do better than that, 8th place this year was Torro Rosso, and I back Honda to out-develop Renault this winter, so the gap is likely to grow rather than shrink.

[Rare White Ape]

I’m happy to see Kubica back in a full time drive. I’ve a lot of respect for him.

[Crazed_Insanity]

Nice to see him back, but even Michael Schumacher couldn’t return to beat his younger teammate...

Regardless of how talented you were, age and physical handicap can’t possibly do you any favors...

Williams’ uncompetitive anyway, should be a fun PR stunt. Who knows, maybe he’ll end up faster than Kimi in the Sauber? Nah...

[CudaMan]

Kubica was, from what I understand, on his way to Ferrari before his rally accident. You don't get a Ferrari race drive if you're a never-was. He was also one of the few drivers feared by Alonso, I think it was.

I was a fan and I'm hopeful he can bring some speed and entertainment to 2019. Williams hopefully started focusing on their 2019 car very early this season...

It's going to be a real shame to lose Alonso. Such a great racer and fun to watch.

[XHawkeye]

Listen to the Honey Badger by Daniel Ricciardo (https://t.co/5q7JMLIMXW)

[Alan P]

Listen to the Honey Badger by Daniel Ricciardo (https://t.co/5q7JMLIMXW)

I read that earlier, it's a good read. Brendan Hartley's is also worth reading too.

[Rare White Ape]

That was cool :up:

I love how “just gonna send it” is part of the lexicon now :lol:

[FaultyMario]

News from Abudouble:

Haas is challenging RPFI's right to receive revenue. On the basis that the team is not a 'constructor' because they didn't build the chassis they're currently racing, and instead only bought it from SFI.

[Crazed_Insanity]

What a convoluted legal mess it has become..., it’s the same fucking team!!!

[Rare White Ape]

Nah it’s a different team.

I think HAAS is mostly trying to claw back the few million dollars they’d get if it wasn’t going to the team formerly known as…

They’d have to share it with the other teams tho.

[Blerpa]

What a convoluted legal mess it has become..., it’s the same fucking team!!!

For once I agree with you.
Fuck this idiocy.

[dodint]

I like Bob. I will enjoy that he's getting closure in the sport from this. Although, sadly, in a Williams. Not a lot (any) Polish F1 drivers to look up to. I still have and wear the RK hat with the Polish flag on the back that Ash got me like 10 years ago.

[Crazed_Insanity]

Nah it’s a different team.

I think HAAS is mostly trying to claw back the few million dollars they’d get if it wasn’t going to the team formerly known as…

They’d have to share it with the other teams tho.

It’ll be good for the sport if FI receives what it deserves. I’m not sure splitting FI’s share will benefit the sport nor Haas all that much... figure out how to beat Sauber properly please!

[FaultyMario]

I like Bob. I will enjoy that he's getting closure in the sport from this. Although, sadly, in a Williams. Not a lot (any) Polish F1 drivers to look up to. I still have and wear the RK hat with the Polish flag on the back that Ash got me like 10 years ago.

I don't think Williams will be shit next year. The set of hands on the steering wheels will certainly be more talented. And I think they've solved the problem they had with their new tread in the wind tunnel. I'm of the belief it just took them too long to solve that issue this year, and they had fallen too far behind the competition already and just went: "aw fuck it, let's cash Stroll's checks and get ready for next season".

Don't forget there's an aerodynamic shakeup coming up and they had -reportedly- kept the guy who invented the stacked diffuser for Super Aguri in a consulting role.

[Crazed_Insanity]

We’ll see...

Unless we get a big rule change, or discovery of big loophole, I can’t see drastic order changes... especially not from modern day Williams and Mclaren! :p

Problem need senior management change more than anything else...

[FaultyMario]

As far as I understand it, Mclaren's problems were indeed management related. That company was tailor made to fit Ron, no the Bahrainis.

Williams was just cash-strapped. They were in the same position as Sahara Force India, I suppose their plan worked since the outfit didn't go under or get sold. Like Marussia, Sauber or the aforementioned Force India.

[Crazed_Insanity]

Yep, Mclaren has zero excuses.

Williams, OTOH, could perhaps blame lack of funds, but seeing how Sauber is improving... I don’t think money is the main issue.

Maybe their paid drivers just suck?

https://www.forbes.com/sites/csylt/2018/04/08/revealed-the-2-6-billion-budget-that-fuels-f1s-ten-teams/#3e23ba7d6595

Forbes doesn’t know much about Sauber funding, but apparently Williams is not the least funded team. It has also generated profit!!!

[FaultyMario]

seeing how Sauber is improving... I don’t think money is the main issue.

Maybe their paid drivers just suck?

https://www.forbes.com/sites/csylt/2018/04/08/revealed-the-2-6-billion-budget-that-fuels-f1s-ten-teams/#3e23ba7d6595



Dude, Sauber changed ownership a couple of times in the last six years, after Peter bought it from BMW, Monisha's group came in, and they too fell short in their plan, remember when van den Garde sued them for selling him a race seat but not race time? Then with Ericsson came swedish investment (and not just sponsorship), and now Ericsson will be gone because Marchionne found a way for AlfaRomeo to buy in in them and install a puppet regime, of sorts.

In a sense, Claire's strategy was good for the original Williams' owners group. Their fortunes did not follow John Booth's, Kalterborn's or Vijay Mallya's.

[JoeW]

Got a little extra eye lubrication when they were flanking Alonso around the track and then the triple burnout to top off the festivities.

Max takes 4th from Bottas in the end and almost got Kimi.

New season can’t come soon enough.

Can’t stand Rosberg as an announcer btw.

[FaultyMario]

Rosberg has the charisma of a dustbin.

There, fixed.

[Alan P]

Damn the next race is so far away! I’m surprised a winter series of some sort in the ME and Southern Hemisphere hasn’t caught on.

[Alan P]

Got a little extra eye lubrication when they were flanking Alonso around the track and then the triple burnout to top off the festivities.

Max takes 4th from Bottas in the end and almost got Kimi.

New season can’t come soon enough.

Can’t stand Rosberg as an announcer btw.

Jenson was announced as joining the Sky team earlier today so hopefully less Rosberg.

[FaultyMario]

Damn the next race is so far away! I’m surprised a winter series of some sort in the ME and Southern Hemisphere hasn’t caught on.

I'm too poor to attend january's ROC, but the venue seem's ideal and Mick Schu has been confirmed alongside Vettel in Team Germany.

[Rare White Ape]

Damn the next race is so far away! I’m surprised a winter series of some sort in the ME and Southern Hemisphere hasn’t caught on.

There used to be one, in the 1960s and 70s. It was called the Tasman Series; Grand Prix cars and drivers came to Australia and NZ for a couple of races at various circuits (might have been six rounds, I’m not sure).

Read about it here:

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tasman_Series

[FaultyMario]

I think it'll eventually be split between a Grand Prix championship contested in historical locations and venues during the warmer months and a World championship in the tropics during the northern winter.

Say 12 rounds of GPs between April and October, followed by 3 months of races that award points for the WCC but don't affect the WDC outcome. Big teams field their reserve drivers and test, smaller teams cash in on pay-drives and alternative sponsorship.

[Tom Servo]

Putting forth Helena to take over Charlie Whiting's seat for 2019.

https://scontent-lax3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/46897153_2430804946936348_3308458641488609280_o.jp g?_nc_cat=100&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-1.xx&oh=12d6bb5c838dd06c05fad705f8c098c7&oe=5C731ECB

She can't work the lights or anything, but I imagine she won't do much worse.

[Crazed_Insanity]

:lol:

[IMOA]

FFS, can someone explain the american obsession with putting a TV above a fireplace. It's too high! Surely with some thought you can position it a lot better.

[JoeW]

Yeah I was shocked no penalty on that one. So he slows down a little...just enough to be a pain in the ass and cause a problem.

[Kchrpm]

We have living rooms with fireplaces that are supposed to be used for family entertainment. That position was traditionally the placement for a painting, and then we would sit around playing/reading/listening/whatever. Replacing the painting with a TV and keeping everything else the same gives the home a more classic look/feel, and prevents you from having two walls that are off limits for seating.

That being said, I don't use that setup and would try to avoid it personally, but I do understand the usefulness. It's especially useful if you use the room for hosting, because you have far fewer sightlines blocked by other seated people.

[Tom Servo]

Honestly, I would have preferred to put it elsewhere, but the layout of our townhouse made either putting it above the fireplace or in front of the fireplace the only really reasonable spots.

[CudaMan]

Some of us crazies set up our rooms around acoustics first, then everything else falls into place based on that. If there's a fireplace in the way of where the TV will have to go, so be it. Although I haven't personally done that yet. As an aside, traditional fireplaces are kind of useless in CA now with our clean air regulations.


There, fixed.
But who else is going to say "shafted" on live TV commentary now? :lol:

[dodint]

traditional fireplaces are kind of useless in CA now

Well, yeah, just open a window...

[Tom Servo]

Huh, I wonder if those vary by county - it's pretty rare for my folks not to be able to use their wood-burning fireplace down in San Diego. Ours is gas (as are most of the ones I've seen in the LA area), so no worries on the clean air regulation front.

[dodint]

Insurance is a factor, at least it is in WI and PA. Lots of converted fireplaces to save on insurance costs. Last wood fireplace I had was at the beach in NC, go figure.

[Crazed_Insanity]

Just put it right in front of the fireplace and loop the HD fireplace videos...

Or if you really like to play with real fire... then get one of those mounts that can help lower your TV:
https://www.amazon.com/Monoprice-Fireplace-Pull-Down-Full-Motion-Articulating/dp/B01GSRRIVM/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1543253128&sr=8-4&keywords=fireplace+tv+mount

I'm thinking of doing pull-down mount myself because I'm tired of our cats going behind our TV or just sitting in front of our TV while we're watching it...

[XHawkeye]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ds8aFiiXoAA29Yk.jpg

[XHawkeye]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ds45nugXcAIiMhE.jpg:large

[balki]

missed the podium, was it that bad?

[JoeW]

Hamilton trying to sell more Hamilton

[JoeW]

Any idea if the Race of Champions is televised in the USA?

[XHawkeye]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DsyrVMYWwAAjpU1.jpg

[The359]

Just had to share this since Alonso announced he's going to run the Rolex 24 at Daytona with Wayne Taylor Racing

Jordan Taylor "interviews" Alonso for the seat: https://twitter.com/jordan10taylor/status/1067514625615425536

[dodint]

The world's whiniest racing driver mated with the world's whiniest team owner. I hope they get punted in T1 lap 1. :lol:

[SkylineObsession]

Unsurprisingly, Hartley has lost his seat.
https://www.velocitynews.co.nz/news.php?id=4116

[Crazed_Insanity]

Toro Rosso seemed to have lost its momentum later on during the season... or maybe they were just lucky during the beginning when everyone else were less developed...

Anyway, I just think Hartley didn’t have lady fortune on his side. I don’t think he’s that much slower than Gasly. His season reminded me of Michael Andretti’s F1 attempt...

If the teams drop in reformance was due to Honda, then I guess Red Bull will be screwed! Hope not.

[Blerpa]

His season reminded me of Michael Andretti’s F1 attempt...

We don't talk of that insolent buffoon over here.

[Crazed_Insanity]

For sure he’s no ayrton Senna, but if he and Mansell had a straight swap, I’m sure the buffoon could’ve done well as JV did... or maybe not. Guess we’ll never know. :p

[Alan P]

Toro Rosso seemed to have lost its momentum later on during the season... or maybe they were just lucky during the beginning when everyone else were less developed...

Anyway, I just think Hartley didn’t have lady fortune on his side. I don’t think he’s that much slower than Gasly. His season reminded me of Michael Andretti’s F1 attempt...

If the teams drop in reformance was due to Honda, then I guess Red Bull will be screwed! Hope not.

I think Honda were really pushing the upgrades on Gasly's car at least. I think he had engine penalties for most of the last half of the season.

Looking this up he received a Grid penalty for 'using too many power unit components' in Germany, Russia, United States and Mexico (as well as an early Gearbox change here.)

[Yobbo NZ]

Then at Brazil, when Gasly wouldn't let Brendon through, they had no spares. Which was why Brendon was reluctant to battle him.
I think once Brendon is right out of the Red Bull family, we'll hear the story of what was going on.

[Alan P]

Then at Brazil, when Gasly wouldn't let Brendon through, they had no spares. Which was why Brendon was reluctant to battle him.
I think once Brendon is right out of the Red Bull family, we'll hear the story of what was going on.

Much like previous RB drivers there always seems to be one preferred or number one driver who gets all the support, pit choices, new parts etc and the other basically gets minimal support. Sainz, Webber, Hartley and many others have had this happen.

[Crazed_Insanity]

I think Honda were really pushing the upgrades on Gasly's car at least. I think he had engine penalties for most of the last half of the season.

Looking this up he received a Grid penalty for 'using too many power unit components' in Germany, Russia, United States and Mexico (as well as an early Gearbox change here.)

I hope Honda learned a lot during the period... Frankly I didn't see anything amazing happening.

Mercedes and Ferraris can often charge back up from the back of the grid, but not so for TR/Honda...

Anyway, I don't think Hartley should blame the team for unfavorable treatment. He was just as unlucky as Ricciardo was this season I think... except Ricciardo's DNFs are clearly more the team's fault... whereas when Hartley crashes, you can't really blame those on the team...

Oh well, at least he's lucky enough to have a full season in F-1. Not very many racers get that opportunity.

[FaultyMario]

Is Lewis trying to do a John Surtees?

http://pbs.twimg.com/media/DtZ7Rz7WkAASLp1.jpg

[XHawkeye]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DtbGfexWsAA5tC7.jpg

[Blerpa]

Retro: The day Hakkinen “kicked Senna’s ass” at McLaren (https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/mika-hakkinen-ayrton-senna-mclaren/4307330/)

[Crazed_Insanity]

Nice article with great insights, but at the time, I really didn't think Senna was threatened by Mika. Michael finished on the podium once too you know! Just when Michael was getting comfortable and got on the podium, he was replaced by Mika! :p

[XHawkeye]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Du3tIxlU8AEcpfq.jpg

https://www.racefans.net/2018/12/19/how-much-f1-teams-spent-race-2018-part-one/

[Crazed_Insanity]

It’s amazing FI had the lowest budget last year!

It’s also amazing every team breaks even in the end. Lost no money and made no money. So why are they complaining about cost? And what would be the motivation for making improvements?

[Rare White Ape]

Eh?

Huh?

Wha?

[Rare White Ape]

It’s also amazing every team breaks even in the end. Lost no money and made no money.

You literally can’t spend more money that what you have. If you do, you go out of business. If you’re a small team with a low budget, every cent it’s spent on things that make you go faster.


So why are they complaining about cost?

It’s so they can spend more money on things that make them go faster, which lets them win more points, which gives them more money.


And what would be the motivation for making improvements?

If you’re a sportsperson, you need more money in order to win. If you’re a businessperson, you need more money in order to win, and then use that as part of your marketing campaign in order to sell more of the things you make that earns your company more money.

D’ya get it?

[Crazed_Insanity]

I’m sure it’s more a financial accounting game to make everybody look like they’re breaking even like that. Can you imagine normal businesses operating like that? No losses and no profits? All the teams?

If Force India could do that well spending so relatively ‘little’, Williams shouldn’t complain by doing such a lousy job. Mclaren also should just kill themselves... because theyre the worst sports and business team!

It’ll also be nice to know how much of the teams current budget is used to stay competitive and how much was used to develop next years car. Force India might have spent quite a bit previous year so that they’re able to stay competitive this year even under administration... so given the chaotic low budget this year, next years car might be crap...

Anyway, still pretty nice to be able to get a glimpse of their finances I suppose...

[Tom Servo]

Well, I mean, the charts show when shareholders subsidized the team to get them to break even. There's not really any magic here....

[Crazed_Insanity]

Well, I’m a shareholder of some companies and I have never subsidized any of the companies that I own stock with whenever they lose money so I wouldn’t know.

[Tom Servo]

The graphic under Alfa Romeo Sauber literally says "after shareholder subsidies" under "break even".

[FaultyMario]

That's why I hold Claire Williams in high regards. She is a majority shareholder of a Frankfurt-traded company and in spite of everything she kept control of it thru the PDVSA and Stroll years. I hope they do well in the transition year (years?) before the new ruleset, I hope all of the 3 independents do well, actually.

[JoeW]

All the cars being on an even playing field benefits everyone. I love a good competitive race instead of the recent “7th place is like winning” mentality.

[Freude am Fahren]

So getting back the F3 crash at Macau, here's an interview with Sophia Floersch, looking quite healthy, hoping to get back in a car next month or so. :up:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=129956psfhE&ab_channel=ABCNews

[CudaMan]

All the cars being on an even playing field benefits everyone. I love a good competitive race instead of the recent “7th place is like winning” mentality.

Spec racing is awesome. F1 is pretty much the last place where it's "build your own car and see where you stand." It should stay that way. Plenty of other places to find vehicular parity in racing.

[JoeW]

Not talking about spec racing. Just saying it would be nice if 7th place wasn’t seen as some kind of badge of courage.

[MR2 Fan]

So getting back the F3 crash at Macau, here's an interview with Sophia Floersch, looking quite healthy, hoping to get back in a car next month or so. :up:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=129956psfhE&ab_channel=ABCNews

Not to downplay any of the safety equipment which seems to work miracles, I still think she is extremely lucky

[Rare White Ape]

Not talking about spec racing. Just saying it would be nice if 7th place wasn’t seen as some kind of badge of courage.

That’s just the way it is, when the top three teams are an unstoppable force.

At least nowadays they award points beyond the top 6 finishers so the bottom feeders can get some scraps and extra prize money at year’s end.

[Blerpa]

Considering F1 is the most elite racing series in the world... 7th place IS a badge of courage.

[dodint]

meh

Bunch of tarted up karts, really.

[Rare White Ape]

Oh, but what karts they are!