F1 2020

[FaultyMario]

Picks so far:

DRI Toto Mattia Chris Zak Franz Otmar Cyril Fréd Guntr Claire DRI
HAM * HAM
BOT * BOT
VET * VET
LEC * LEC
VER * VER
ALB * ALB
SAI * SAI
NOR * NOR
KVY * KVY
GAS * GAS
PER * PER
STR * STR
RIC * RIC
OCO * OCO
RAI * RAI
GIO * GIO
GRO * GRO
MAG * MAG
RUS x * RUS
LAT * LAT


Hulk is currently without a seat, but he could be expected to take Grosjean's or maybe even Pérez's.
Naoki Yamamoto is being eyed for the second Toro Rosso seat.
Apparently Toto has decided that he wants to have George Russell in a Merc, but not right now, he is to spend another year cutting his teeth in Williams, Esteban has been let go. French driver in the French national(ized) team.



Launch dates:

Ferrari - - - - - - 11/2/2020
Renault - - - - - 12/2/2020
Red Bull - - - - - 12/2/2020
McLaren - - - - - 13/2/2020
Alpha Torro - - - 14/2/2020
Mercedes - - - - - 14/2/2020
Racing Point - - - 17/2/2020
Preseason Start - 19/2/2020

[JoeW]

Hulk and Mag on the same team isn’t really a good idea :)

[FaultyMario]

It's still too early to tell, as there could still be a way for Honda to bring Vettel back to RB. I mean, he's hugely popular in Japan, right? Plus, there is reportedly a clause in Ricciardo's contract that lets him negotiate with Ferrari should one of their seats open up.

[JoeW]

Those all sound like fun changes. Vettel back at RB where he had the most fun. Ric out of the nightmare known as Renault and into a true chance to fight for wins and back in the spotlight. I would welcome all of that. I only hope Ferrari doesn’t destroy the psyche of LeClerc along the way. Those guys are high pressure and low on fun.

[Blerpa]

Bottas renewed for one year in Mercedes.
Ocon is released from Mercedes as well, and being free from manifacturer ties he is bound to join Ricciardo at Renault.
Russell is now the candidate to replace Bottas in 2021, after a, hopefully better, second year at Williams.

[Crazed_Insanity]

Holy cow! I googled and found no such news. Where do you get your F1 news Blerpa?

I've only seen articles saying Hamilton probably prefers Bottas, the pair are working together pretty well for Mercedes. It'd be kinda foolish to mess with that... even if Ocon were the next Max, probably not a good idea to start such internal rivalry..., but we all know that's not really the case.

Anyway, good for Bottas. Hate to see him lose his seat for a pretty decent performance so far.

On the flip side, it really looks like Mercedes is not caring too much about the future. I think it's very possible for Mercedes to retire from the sports along with Hamilton. I think the only thing missing after all these years is that they couldn't win one with a German champion. Maybe they'll try to sign Vettel someday...

[Blerpa]

Italian motorsport.com breaking news article.
Let's see if it goes official during the weekend.
Mercedes future is set: Russell is coming and they have few very young drivers in lower series.

[Blerpa]

Ocon free from Mercedes and officially joining Renault for 2020 and 2021 alongside Daniel Ricciardo.
Hulkenberg is the first candidate for an Haas seat replacing Grosjean.

[Yobbo NZ]

What does that leave Mercedes with after 2020?
Will Hamilton retire after another championship and Mercedes pull out?

[FaultyMario]

It's not like their HR is short on CVs.

[Alan P]

What does that leave Mercedes with after 2020?
Will Hamilton retire after another championship and Mercedes pull out?

Haven't they said they'll be in F1 until 2025 at the earliest?

Off to google.....yes they did (https://www.grandprix247.com/2019/06/01/mercedes-set-to-commit-to-formula-1-until-at-least-2025/).

[Blerpa]

Williams renews its engine deal with Mercedes till 2025.
The team will keep building their own gearbox to retain constructor status, instead of Racing Point which uses the whole Mercedes package.
The move is a way for the german manufacturer to block Renault's attempt to sign a engine supply deal with Williams, preventing the english team to become a junior team for the french one.
Also this means Russell will be still at Williams next season before stepping up in the main team replacing Bottas the season after.
Nicolas Latifi is going to be the second driver at the expense of Robert Kubica (good riddance).

Meanwhile Pascal Werhlein - right now a simulator driver at Ferrari while racing for Mahindra in Formula E - has offered himself to Haas.
Gunther Steiner has declared Werhlein is out of F1 since 2 years ago and he declined the offer.
We still wait to know if Grosjean will retain his seat at Haas or Hulkenberg will replace him.
So far it seems Nico's salary is a bit too high for Haas' budget, but the parts will probably end up finalizing a decent deal which would satisfy everyone (Grosjan aside, of course).

[dodint]

Steiner should be out at Haas, honestly. What kind of dirt does Grosjean have on him?

[FaultyMario]

Politics, man. F1 was styled after the British house of Commons. I have no evidence of that, but I don't have doubts either.

[Freude am Fahren]

The team will keep building their own gearbox to retain constructor status, instead of Racing Point which uses the whole Mercedes package.

Huh?

What do you mean, how is Racing Point not considered a constructor? As far as I can tell they get points, just the same as the other 9 teams?

[Blerpa]

They are all teams and equals in terms of point standing, but Williams wants to retain their prestige as a full fledged independent constructor and not a customer team.

Also no idea why you people are getting your pants twisted about Steiner: Grosjean is out of Haas (unless a miracle is involved), the matter is only reaching a deal on Hulkenberg financial part of the contract. Aside from that is a 99% done deal already.

[JoeW]

Grosjean, Kubica, Stroll and Giovinazzi are all pretty much irrelevant as far as I’m concerned.

[Alan P]

Grosjean, Kubica, Stroll and Giovinazzi are all pretty much irrelevant as far as I’m concerned.

Three of those four will likely be out by Australia 2020.

[FaultyMario]

Vasseur seems to be happy with Antonio, FWIW.

[Blerpa]

Giovinazzi and Stroll will probably be in F1 next season.

[Alan P]

Giovinazzi and Stroll will probably be in F1 next season.

Sroll is a certainty and with Gio being a Ferrari academy driver I'd imagine he comes with funding from Ferrari, be that straight cash or cheaper engines if they run him.

[Rare White Ape]

I wish Stroll could fuck off, but things are what they are.

Giovinazzi, on the other hand, I have no opinion of, except that he has a cool name. Antonio Giovinazzi. It's cool to say and it's cool to type.

[FaultyMario]

Grosjean has confirmed he stays at Haas next year.
Kubica has confirmed he leaves Williams at the end of the year.

[JoeW]

How the fuck can Gro still be in an F1 car?

[FaultyMario]

He's fast, he's knowledgeable, he comes with sponsorship.

He is on par with Perez on a lot of respects.

[Blerpa]

SHOCKING AS FUCK.
Rumours have it Gene Haas is behind the confirmation of Grosjean's contract while Steiner had to officially backpedal on what he said on Hulkenberg.
Smells to me like team owner incompentence, inexperience (related to F1, mind!) and personal interference.
Also tight budget: Hulkenberg's salary is around 4.5 mil while Grosjean's one is about 1.8 mil.
Criticism of Haas way of managing the team (along with Steiner) is rising.
Also some say that Haas is too conservative for F1, particularly in regard of favouring experience before sheer talent too much for F1 ambient.

Now Giovinazzi is in risk of losing his seat in favour of Hulkenberg.

[FaultyMario]

Now Giovinazzi is in risk of losing his seat in favour of Hulkenberg.

Last I heard, Ferrari still want to grow him into a Twobens/Massa for LeClerc.

I can see Hulk pairing with the German-engined Williams. Williams would have to give him a lot of freedom on image rights to payback for a lighter salary.

[Blerpa]

Hulk's salary is too high for Williams, while Latifi, which is supposed to be second driver to Russell next season, comes loaded with money (a lot of which already goes to McLaren - unrelated to the son's "sponsor baggage", Nicolas's father has invested 270 million dollars in McLaren Group through Nidala, a British Virgin Islands company he owns).

[FaultyMario]

But aren't they getting Pup-grooming money from Mercedes for Russell?

What do they need besides buidling their chassis and ancillaries to keep receiving heritage money?

[Crazed_Insanity]

Yeah, if a team needs 2 paid drivers to stay afloat, back of the grid they will remain...

I have mix feelings for grojean. Sure, for the same salary, nico would be an easy decision. However, surely Haas doesn’t have a Rich budget anymore...

Wonder why Ferrari doesn’t want to groom its driver in a Haas with Ferrari engine. If Ferrari could finance the team a bit, it’d be much easier to let grojean go...

[Rare White Ape]

Sauber/Alfa Romeo have been the Ferrari feeder team for decades.

[Blerpa]

But aren't they getting Pup-grooming money from Mercedes for Russell?

What do they need besides buidling their chassis and ancillaries to keep receiving heritage money?

Yes, and still 4.5mil are a lot to pay for a driver instead of getting one that you do not pay and carries money with him.
They receive heritage money, as per the "manufacturer" prestige title as I wrote earlier, because they build their own whole gearbox.

Haas shot himself in the foot last season when refused to oblige to Ferrari relationship to give a seat to LeClerc; seemingly because Gene Haas wanted the team to remain independent (can you see a pattern?).
Cue to Ferrari saying "fuck these yankee guys", making Sauber their junior team, renaming it Alfa Romeo, putting there money, putting there a world champion like Kimi and having power of choice on at least one of the two drivers of the team, that's why Giovinazzi is still there and could very well be next season.

Saub- pardon me, Alfa Romeo is Ferrari Jr. team as much as Toro Rosso is Red Bull Jr. one.
Yes, Sauber was linked to Ferrari for many years, but now as Alfa Romeo we are at the point that in here talks are about engine parts given by Ferrari to Alfa to try them out... their relationship has gotten up a level, at least.

Haas did lose a great opportunity and this is going to bite them in the arse consequently.
Also I don't blame as much as you guys Steiner since rumours in Italy have it, like I wrote earlier, that many eccentric calls were made by Gene Haas and his entourage and Steiner had to live with these choices and make them work.

[Crazed_Insanity]

Oh yeah... forgot about that episode. Haas turned down the job offer from Ferrari. That’s how Sauber became the jr team.

That was pretty stupid.

To be able to have LeClerc’s service? Or kimi’s...

Wonder if they’re planning future entries using Ford. It’d be cool to have a Ford vs Ferrari movie sequel! But Haas is probably no Shelby. ;)

[Alan P]

Some talk on Twitter that Ferrari didn't want Haas signing up Hulk and actively tried to dissuade them. The Rumour is that Ferrari have a performance clause which allows them to ditch Vettel come season end, although what this clause is I do not know. Then Ricciardo is Ferrari's first choice, if he has the rumoured (but denied) 'big team' release clause in his Renault Contract. Big team being only Ferrari and Mercedes I'd guess. If they can't get Danny Ricc then Hulk is their next choice.

If Hulk drives for Ferrari, any time he has a podium or win due his car will spontaneously break down on the last lap to keep his 'no podiums' record complete.

[Rare White Ape]

So rumours of Ricciardo going to Ferrari are once again rearing their heads?

OK now I'm listening.

I'm already making plans to go to the AUS GP next year. If this comes off it will be nuts. Melbourne is the Australian home of the wog and the home of the pizza parlour. Bring it on!

[JoeW]

Would love to see Ric in a Ferrari but I would hate for that Ferrari environment to suck the smile off his face.

[Freude am Fahren]

I would think it'd be smarter to, rather than deny Hulk to Haas, just have a clause that says they can have him, unless Ferrari needs him.

[Alan P]

I would think it'd be smarter to, rather than deny Hulk to Haas, just have a clause that says they can have him, unless Ferrari needs him.

It seems Hulk priced himself out of the seat as well. It's reckoned he wanted $4m a season where as Romain is on about a quarter of that.

[Blerpa]

Hulk 4.5m, Grosjean 1.8m.
Now Haas wants to offer a simulator job to Kubica.

[FaultyMario]

Because of his Polish oil company sponsorship monies.

Haas is one of three F1 teams without a lubricants partner deal.

[JoeW]

This is insane to me. What lubricant company wouldn't want their stickers on the finest automobile in the world?

[Blerpa]

It's official: Mclaren will be powered by Mercedes engines (again) from 2021 till 2024.
Also Toro Rosso has started procedures to change its official name to Alpha Tauri (MEH).

[Freude am Fahren]

I was curious about that Alpha Tauri thing, then I found out it's the name of the Red Bull clothing line. Ugh.

[JoeW]

Lame

[Rare White Ape]

Alpha Tauri is the brightest star in the Taurus constellation. And Taurus is a bull. It fits, and it’s kinda cool. It can’t be worse than Scuderia Toro Rosso, can it?

But it’s easy to confuse with Alfa Romeo, so that sucks.

Damn, two teams involved in confected marketing name mix-up.

[FaultyMario]

Have you seen their fucking logo?

[Alan P]

Have you seen their fucking logo?

Just have. It's rather plain and dull.

[Tom Servo]

Alpha Tauri is the brightest star in the Taurus constellation.

Huh, I had never heard Aldebaran called that, but so it is.

[FaultyMario]

Naoki Yamamoto is being eyed for the second Toro Rosso seat.


... And he will be driving the Toro Rosso in FP1 during the Japanese GP.

[dodint]

Wasn't he born, like, in the last century?

[FaultyMario]

Wasn't he born, like, in the last century?

In the 40th anniversary of Honda's foundation, coincidentally.

[Blerpa]

The request from Scuderia Toro Rosso to be renamed Scuderia Alpha Tauri from next season has been approved.

[FaultyMario]

I will not start a new thread over these renders.

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

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

The RB will look better in its matte camouflage testing colors, but come Barcelona, the Mercedes will not only faster and more reliable but also look nicer.

[FaultyMario]

https://d2d0b2rxqzh1q5.cloudfront.net/sv/2.183/dir/046/image/046e365ca347a962c13672acef6e90f9.jpg


Joe's gonna love the wheelcovers:

https://www.racefans.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/racefansdotnet-20191031-163040-1.jpg

[dodint]

*sigh*

What's with the fenders?

[FaultyMario]

Let the memes begin!

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


What's with the fenders?

The fuck if i know!

[FaultyMario]

Details of the proposed floor.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EIOPkleWsAAHd46.jpg

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EIOPk6xWoAEFu02.jpg

[Crazed_Insanity]

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

Found this video on youtube with more explanations...

I think the car looks good. We'll see if this really improves racing.

[XHawkeye]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EIObdIMX0AM8OAc?format=jpg&name=small

#2021F1
1) low nose, CAD based volume to rid car of thumb tip designs
2) simpler 3-part front wing, full width, rids car of extreme Y250 vortices
3) wing elements roll up into endplate
4) wheel fins cleans airflow over tyre, so the FW diesnt have to
5) spinning wheel fairing

https://twitter.com/ScarbsTech/status/1189965662573285377

[XHawkeye]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EIOZIG5WwAMIG6-?format=jpg&name=small

Craig Scarborough
@ScarbsTech
Underneath is interesting and important though:
1) Clean FW underside
2) no bargeboards/s-ducts etc
3) no T tray splitter, underfloor flow managed by inlet vanes
4) IMPORTANT bit, the kickline in the underfloor
5) floor sealing helped by rear brake duct hanging vane

https://twitter.com/ScarbsTech/status/1189963097517236224

[XHawkeye]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EIOcAsgXsAEPaY1?format=jpg&name=small

#2021F1
1) rear wing still wide and 2 element
2) no upper endplate to reduce DF & tip vortices
3) beam wing works with underfloor
4) split in beam wing

https://twitter.com/ScarbsTech/status/1189966269086388226

[XHawkeye]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EIOezxbX0AE3P9s?format=jpg&name=small

#2021F1
To police fuel flow, Fuel system now has standardised
-High pressure and primer pumps
-Standard piping
-Standard flow meter (FFM) – as now
-Prescribed collector & certain internal components

https://twitter.com/ScarbsTech/status/1189969343892860931

[XHawkeye]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EIOf9QAWsAA5-Ux.jpg

#2021F1
Suspension is being sorted too
-Ban of Hydraulic suspension
-Simpler inboard systems (springs, dampers) and banning of inerters
-Kinematic restrictions to resolve poorly regulated area outside of the
wheel (POU)
Separation of suspension structures and their fairings

https://twitter.com/ScarbsTech/status/1189970824511533070

[XHawkeye]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EIOu3tiWoAQvcEK?format=jpg&name=small

#2021F1
Larger 18" wheels (18”) & fairings, standard supply
Tyre blankets kept for 2021 and 2022
Prescribed design hubs, nuts, wheel retention
Bigger disks 330mm, simpler design, fewer and larger holes
Postponement of standard brake supply until 2023

https://twitter.com/ScarbsTech/status/1189987008237703168

[XHawkeye]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EIDrg7QXYAARu32.jpg

Points since the summer break
#F1 #Formula1 #MexicoGP #MexicanGP https://twitter.com/f1visualized/status/1189209257213923330/photo/1

[dodint]

I am excited for spinners, yo.

[IMOA]

I am excited for spinners, yo.

With Neons!

[JoeW]

Are they really going to race with wheel covers?

And wtf is the deal with the cars continuing to get heavier? These guys kill me...

[Rare White Ape]

It's all kinda cool but those wheel covers can fuck right off. Something else that can fuck off is standardised brake components.

I love how they're going for more under body aero, but I'd like to see a less weird-looking rounded-off rear wing. Give them a dual-plane wing with end plates, like an Indy Car from the 90s, please.

And having the rear floor sealed by the appendages of the rear brake ducts is clever - it means the car can move around a bit and still have the seal sitting very close to the track surface. It will help a lot at bumpy tracks like Monaco, as well as giving them the option to allow more mechanical grip on high G corners like those found at Spa.

[Phil_SS]

Call me crazy but if the 2021's really look like that, I am excited. The renderings look cool as fuck.

And wheel covers are ace! Though, does that mean they won't be changing tires then?

[CudaMan]

Likely a detail the rendering department missed.

I dislike how the official F1 video refers to them as 18" "rims." Who are they trying to market to? This is F1.

Tell me this doesn't look miles better without wheel covers.

https://f1tcdn.net/gallery/var/fullsizes/2019/f1-2021-rules/009.jpg
[From: https://www.f1technical.net/gallery/2019/f1-2021-rules/009]

[Crazed_Insanity]

Probably will need to add 1 more pit crew member/tire to pop the cover off and on quickly! :D

I can't image never ever changing tires.

I think wheel covers are not for looks, but to further smooth out flows behind the car with the hope of enabling more passing?

[dodint]

And wheel covers are ace! Though, does that mean they won't be changing tires then?

My understanding is the wheel gun would operate through the hole in the middle, which is better visible on the Renault rendering.

Worth noting wheel shrouds were banned in 2010, in part, because they kept falling off during the race which caused a safety hazard. I am curious to know how they've ensured this will not happen moving forward; particularly in the wake of more permissive behavior in the form of driving people off course when someone tries to pass.

[JoeW]

I heard the announcers on the practice session today say that the wheel covers are just for the windtunnel testing. They said that they would not be used during the race.

[XHawkeye]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EIS7P3DWwAA1-Pp.jpg

[FaultyMario]

Giovinazzi confirmed in the second Alfa x Sauber seat.

Now the only question marks are on the Williams sponsorship seat and the Dr. Marko musical chairs game.

[Blerpa]

Probably Red Bull and Toro Ros- pardon me, Alpha Tauri will stay with the same lineups: Verstappen and Albon in RB, Gasly and Kyvat in AT.

[FaultyMario]

That's what I think, as well.

I hate the "we're so clever" quotes coming out of both Horner and Marko. 1, if Ferrari were interrumpting the fuel flow sensor readouts, it was probably in the gray area of the regulations and not strictly cheating, Mercedes did try to do the trickery and their gains were minor, they concluded that Ferrari had their optimized power output some other way; they would have objected if the fuel flow sensor could be tampered with in the way Horner and Verstappen insinuated. 2, Marko, yes you are a genius, yet you don't have a driver with enough FIA points for F1 in your junior programme.

[JoeW]

The funny thing is Hamilton said it a day earlier but it's easier to pin it on Max after the race was over.

https://www.essentiallysports.com/lewis-hamilton-claims-ferrari-lost-power-after-fia-investigation-into-engine/

[dodint]

fwiw I saw the Hamilton article first and then assumed Max was just piggybacking on it.

[JoeW]

That is probably true. However Max did use the actual word “cheating” instead of just heavily implying like Hamilton.

[CudaMan]

I don't remember anyone accusing Mercedes of cheating when they had clearly the best PU in F1 for years.

[Blerpa]

I don't remember anyone accusing Mercedes of cheating when they had clearly the best PU in F1 for years.

Years of accusations in Italy, actually. Both from fans and journalists.

[Blerpa]

Albon officially confirmed at Red Bull for 2020 F1 season, alongside Max Verstappen.
Gasly and Kvyat officially confirmed at Alpha Tauri for 2020 F1 season too.

[Crazed_Insanity]

I guess even RB recognized that the kid has thus far scored more points than Max; therefore, makes no sense to let the kid go.

If such trend continues, maybe Max could be sent back to Alpha Tauri? :D

[FaultyMario]

I think only Latifi needs to make a few payments and then we can have the spreadsheet ready for 2020.

[samoht]

Albon officially confirmed at Red Bull for 2020 F1 season, alongside Max Verstappen.

Makes sense, he's delivered what RB need in a second driver (never lower than 6th) after being chucked into the car mid-season.
I'll be happy if he can make a half-step forwards next year, with a winter to prepare properly.

[JoeW]

He's def better than Gasly. And his interviews are much more entertaining ;)

[Blerpa]

Honda makes it official: it will supply engines to both Red Bull and Alpha Tauri (ex-Toro Rosso) in F1 in 2020 and 2021.

[CudaMan]

I was worried Honda might be becoming like the old GM. They finally come good on a product right before they nix it. :lol:

Still, 2 more years is a rather tentative extension...

[Crazed_Insanity]

Agreed. I think Honda probably has already became the new GM... run by bean counters...

History just might repeat itself... RB wins championship come 2022, the year Honda decides to quit...

Old Honda would commit until they win. New Honda is at least more committed than Toyota... :p

[Blerpa]

Williams official news: Nicholas Latifi (at the moment second in the standings in F2 championship) will be racing for the Grove's team in 2020 alongside George Russell.

[FaultyMario]

That means the transfer checked out, eh?

[Yobbo NZ]

https://www.speedcafe.com/2019/11/29/armstrong-to-step-up-to-formula-2/

Another NZ driver on the way up. His dad isn't short of money either. Probably not Stroll rich, but could pretty easily fund his drives.

[Tom Servo]

Surprised to see Rob Smedley doing part of the keynote for AWS re:invent.


https://youtu.be/GPUWATKe15E?t=1979

[Blerpa]

Alfa Romeo F1 is now officially Alfa Romeo Racing Orlen (no Sauber anymore in the name).
Also Robert Kubica is the new test and reserve driver for the team in 2020.
Goddamn, we are never going to get rid of him, uh?

[JoeW]

Max confirmed RBR through 2023.

[Alan P]

Max confirmed RBR through 2023.

Charles through to 2024, Max to 2023, Lewis and Seb likely to retire before then. Maybe Bottas too. If the Williams is halfway decent and George puts in some good results reckon he'll be at Mercedes in 2021. Who will be alongside him is another question entirely, especially for 2022 onward

[FaultyMario]

I think Seb will be given a two year farewell tour on the German car and Lewis will want to ride the horse on his strict terms, win-win. Especially for Hamilton, he'll be to fashion what Jay-z is to music, and Milan is the New York to that end.

[Alan P]

I think Seb will be given a two year farewell tour on the German car and Lewis will want to ride the horse on his strict terms, win-win. Especially for Hamilton, he'll be to fashion what Jay-z is to music, and Milan is the New York to that end.

Mercedes get their German ex world champion who is actually German. Lewis gets to drive for the Prancing Horse for a couple of years and maybe wins them a title. Happy all round!

[FaultyMario]

Quick question, are we in agree that the bestest cars where those of the early oughties?

[Rare White Ape]

Hmm yes, they were mostly gorgeous.

https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/f1wikia/images/a/aa/Mclaren_mp4-17_manu-02_06.jpg

And the Ferrari F2004 is one of the greatest F1 cars of all time.

https://i.pinimg.com/originals/c5/44/14/c54414dff36dbe88237f63c1da9627d4.jpg

[Blerpa]

Quick question, are we in agree that the bestest cars where those of the early oughties?

If I've to chose then the 70s and initial 80s, but in general anything beside 1997s and onward. Especially now with all the winglets and aero crap.

[dodint]

FM: Were the early 2000s the best?
Blerpa: Anything before 1997.

That's so on brand. :lol:

[Blerpa]

My bad, I did read "eighties" instead of "oughties".

[FaultyMario]

That's so on brand. :lol:

Your honor, may I approach the bench? I'd like to clarify that the racing in that era was shit.

[Rare White Ape]

When has it ever been good?

The last few years have seen an improvement, but overall it has been pretty boring ever since I was born, with a few flashes of excitement scattered here and there.

[Crazed_Insanity]

My biggest fan was still Ayrton Senna, I think he single handedly made F-1 interesting..., at least for me. :p

I also loved the car designs back around that time. Late 80s and early 90s. Granted the wide opened cockpit that you could see drivers' shoulders probably contributed to his death, but I really thought those McLarens that he drove looked the most beautiful. Particularly the Marlboro paint schemes. I like Nigel Mansell's Williams too of course. Maybe I'm prone to like winning drivers and winning cars, but for some reason I didn't like Schumacher and Ferrari as much. I respected the achievements they accomplished together, I think that was quite amazing, but I personally only ended up liking Ferrari because of Kimi!

[Blerpa]

Anyhow, this thread is about the Formula 1 2020 season, so let's get nostalgia the fuck out of the way:

Mclaren will officially present its new car, the MCL35, the 13th of February, so 30 days from now.

[Crazed_Insanity]

Capable chassis with champsionship winning engine... McLaren's only excuse come 2020 will be lack of star power of its driver lineup? At least they have 2 rising stars driving their cars. Hope they can finally do well this season.

If Honda and Renault all upped their games, 2020 should be one awesome season!

[Blerpa]

Uhm, lack of star power? Putting aside Hamilton, Verstappen, Leclerc, Vettel and possibly Ricciardo, McLaren has one of the strongest couple of drivers there, probably the best of the rest.
Sainz has surprised me, Norris is a bonafide talent.
But that will turn to nothing if the car doesn't deliver.

[Freude am Fahren]

Anyhow, this thread is about the Formula 1 2020 season, so let's get nostalgia the fuck out of the way:

Mclaren will officially present its new car, the MCL35, the 13th of February, so 30 days from now.

The unofficial official announcement of the date: :lol:

(skip to 2:55 if it doesn't start there)

https://youtu.be/z2yz8xPM8jU?t=204

This would be pretty funny, except I'm sure it's a gag.

[The359]

https://youtu.be/XiOeWgX1glU

Real eerie to see how the disuse of the circuit has led to so much of the natural sand taking over things, but at least it seems that much of the circuit remains unchanged. I can't tell if Turn 4 is actually going to have more banking than it did before. The banking on the last corner is going to be crazy though.

[Rare White Ape]

Oooh that's a good video, thanks.

I'm glad that it appears they're keeping the original layout, though the shitty chicane before the final corner could do with some work. And I'd be surprised if that's indicative of the banking on the last turn.

Either way it is going to be fucking mental.

[The359]

I wondered if they're building a viewing area outside of the corner, which seems odd, but that's a lot of dirt/sand built up.

[FaultyMario]

Renault and RBR unveil their cars the day before McLaren. First post updated.

[FaultyMario]

God! it just dawned on me how much I dislike Ocon. I hope he and Verstappen take each other out of every race. That's going to make my F1 watching more enjoyable.

[FaultyMario]

Racing point has confirmed its launch date (17-feb), and judging by how close it is to the start of preseason testing (19-feb), it might as well be a shakedown.

Angelo, what's the significance of Ferrari using the theater in Reggio Emilia for the launch instead of their own, usual, facilities in Maranello?

Do you believe the rumors that the car (codenamed project 671) is compromised by "a crucial design flaw"? I always take autobild with a grain of salt.

[XHawkeye]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EPIVB7UWsAEWjU3.jpg:small

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EPIVB7cX4AAsGRY.jpg:small

https://twitter.com/GrandPrixDiary/status/1221061589245288448

[Blerpa]

Updated launch dates:

11 feb - Ferrari
12 feb - Renault
13 feb - McLaren
14 feb - Mercedes and Alpha Tauri
17 feb - Racing Point
19 feb - Alfa Romeo and Haas

Mario, sorry, I didn't notice your question before.
About the theater: no big discussion in here about it, Reggio Emilia is just another city (and province) close to Modena, the province city of Maranello; it is just 30 kilometers from Maranello and the theater, albeit not one of the most popular or important in Italy, is still relevant as it is where Pavarotti started his international career.

Reggio Emilia is also Mattia Binotto's hometown and there was created, 223 years ago, the italian flag, the "Tricolore", and that means a lot for Ferrari (insert more patriotic marketing blabble - they even underlined that Ferrari is the only italian team always present in F1 since its birth in 1950).
Just marketing and business for Ferrari and the city of Reggio.

So far the fans and italian news outlets are quiet about Ferrari new car: expect the hype, and the discussion, to ramp up as soon as it will be shown to the public.

[FaultyMario]

mmm... so instead of relying on a specific figure or on hyperbole, Ferrari expects its brand to be associated to tradition and Italian virtue.

It must be heartbreaking to be a ferrarista. :D

[Crazed_Insanity]

Updated launch dates:

11 feb - Ferrari
12 feb - Renault
13 feb - McLaren
14 feb - Mercedes and Alpha Tauri
17 feb - Racing Point
19 feb - Alfa Romeo and Haas



Williams is going to be late to the party again?!?!?!?

[FaultyMario]

Williams will present their definitive 2020 livery two days before the start of testing, on February 17th, using last year’s car. The team also intends to reveal images of its 2020 chassis online the same day, and the car will be seen for the first time on the opening day of the test.


##

[dodint]

I never understood the fanfare about the livery reveals. IndyCar has new liveries every week.

[FaultyMario]

There is no hope for at least 2400 people.

3453

[Rare White Ape]

I never understood the fanfare about the livery reveals. IndyCar has new liveries every week.

Marketing. Merchandise. Sponsors!

None of this is driven by your average human being. It’s all the marketing and advertising lizards who are at fault.

[JoeW]

Rumors are Ferrari is trying out the high rake design this year and are on the back foot as far as design goes. Expect a shitty year for them if this is true.

[Crazed_Insanity]

We’ll find out soon enough!

[FaultyMario]

It seems Lawrence Stroll has a deal down to take over control of Aston Martin. A rebrand of RP as Aston-Martin F1 is being planned for 2021, all it needs is to secure a technical partnership with Mercedes. Stroll is a shrewd businessman.

[The359]

I don't believe he has control of Aston Martin, he just is an investor in the company, most of the ownership of the brand comes from the Middle East. I believe the stipulation for Stroll's investment is that Aston Martin had to sponsor his F1 team.

Unfortunately I think this is going to be an unnecessary distraction for Aston Martin, as this disrupts their efforts with Red Bull Racing with which they are co-developing the Valkyrie and their new WEC/Le Mans hypercar program for 2021. On the plus side, Aston Martin has already abandoned the silly DTM program, so that frees up some money and development cost.

I just worry with seeing in Aston Martin a lot of the signs of Lotus from a few years ago, where they were putting their hands in every sport without any real production cars coming down the line and the company dwindled from all that investment with no return.

[FaultyMario]

Canadian fashion magnate and boss of Silverstone-based Racing Point F1 Team Lawrence Stroll has taken the first steps towards acquiring a share of Aston Martin Lagonda (AML), the troubled luxury sports car manufacturer. The deal takes the form of an in initial bridging loan worth £55.5m, ultimately to be converted into an equity stake of up to 20%.

[...]

Although various outlets have alluded to a late Thursday board decision between Stroll’s group and automotive conglomerate Geely, RaceFans understands that interest from the Chinese carmaker waned earlier, and an outline agreement was reached with Stroll’s consortium on Wednesday, and Thursday was spent sorting regulatory and legal formalities.

This is borne out by AML’s statement on voting rights issued at noon yesterday, and the formal announcement at 7am Friday via the London Stock Exchange’s website. Given the legalities, such matters are not decided overnight. Indeed, Palmer would not comment on when the deal was eventually struck.

According to various insiders, AML’s situation was precarious. The company faced three choices: accept an injection of capital, draw down on a US loan facility at punitive rates, or face a severe cash-flow crunch which could have seen it unable to meet short-term obligations and potentially plunge into administration, a situation the company has regularly faced in its 113-year history.

##

[Blerpa]

Williams will officially launch its car the 17th of February at 9am CET... with a set of photos.
There won't be any ceremony or unveiling of the car.

[Alan P]

I don't believe he has control of Aston Martin, he just is an investor in the company, most of the ownership of the brand comes from the Middle East. I believe the stipulation for Stroll's investment is that Aston Martin had to sponsor his F1 team.

Unfortunately I think this is going to be an unnecessary distraction for Aston Martin, as this disrupts their efforts with Red Bull Racing with which they are co-developing the Valkyrie and their new WEC/Le Mans hypercar program for 2021. On the plus side, Aston Martin has already abandoned the silly DTM program, so that frees up some money and development cost.

I just worry with seeing in Aston Martin a lot of the signs of Lotus from a few years ago, where they were putting their hands in every sport without any real production cars coming down the line and the company dwindled from all that investment with no return.
They're putting all their eggs into the DBX SUV basket. They already have 5k orders they've said but they need 10x that.

[FaultyMario]

You guys sure that... Mmm... Kimi and Connie didn't... Nevermind.

https://motorsports.nbcsports.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/02/montoya-2.jpg

[Crazed_Insanity]

:lol:

[Blerpa]

So it begins.
New Haas F1 Team VF-20.

3457

3458

[FaultyMario]

Black > Gunmetal.

I approve.

[Alan P]

I quite like that. Some bright lightness to the grid.

[Crazed_Insanity]

Would be a great color scheme for Kmart..., too bad it's going bankrupt now...

BTW, I found out on google that "the biggest-paying third party sponsors of Haas were watch maker Richard Mille and clothing brand Jack & Jones. They each paid an estimated $5 million and the remaining external brands together paid even less than that."

So they got $10+ million worth of sponsorship money. Didn't realize F-1 racing is that cheap!?!?!?

Why are there no US companies willing to sponsor them?

[JoeW]

They are too busy sponsoring nascar.

[FaultyMario]

They are too busy sponsoring nascar.

It really has to do a lot with ROI based on the territories where F1 audiences are.

[2ndMoparMan]

Kmart isn't gonna last this year, same with Sears.

[FaultyMario]

Kmart isn't gonna last this year, same with Sears.

You sure man?, I think I need a new drum for my Corona Clipper (https://typewriterdatabase.com/1948-smith-corona-clipper.9239.typewriter).

[FaultyMario]

Mercedes livery reveal.

https://i2.wp.com/www.motortime.es/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/EQabsMMXUAQp7l3.jpg

W10 painted in W11 colors. Red bits added for new sponsor Ineos (https://twitter.com/INEOS/status/1226854618019311618?s=20). Single red star (commemorating Lauda) among silver stars on engine cover to stay "forever" on Mercedes race cars.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EQaitarX0AAG5Yc.jpg

[Freude am Fahren]

I thought that was a picture of a scale model.

[FaultyMario]

No, that was presented at the Royal Automobile Club of London. Toto and the owner of Ineos even sat on the tires, like drivers do on photoshoots-

[FaultyMario]

Ferrari shown!

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EQgexUeXYAU31ws.jpg

[FaultyMario]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EQgF2qzUYAYEdvf.jpg

##

[FaultyMario]

I think that's last year's car. The new one was supposed to incorporate more tricolore elements.

Whatever the fuck that means

Edit: Not really

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EQg41opXYAA_dQ5.jpg
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EQg40fLWkAIjU_X.jpg

[FaultyMario]

Summary of Craig Scarborough's first impressions:



Rake!
2008 style viking wings, sit in unused space allowed for roll hoop. Back in 2008 BMW used them to drive flow to the rear wing
Very low front suspension set up, bigger offset to the pushrod on the upright than 2019. Revised sodepid inlet, with huge undercut below
Bargeboards with a double boomerang linked the sidepod vanes. Taller front upper fins sit inside height-free zone
Sidepods follow red bull jelly mould shape, engine cover droops down behind the cockpit padding and under shark fin

[FaultyMario]

Unusual/unfinished bodylines around the top of the nose (#5 area). Future development?
New more open wheels with spokes reaching closer around the wheel nut. Top wishbone separate from track rod
Revised sidepod inlet, note the cooling panel near the cockpit covers a huge area (yellow)


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


Hugely complicated array of boomerangs and sidepod fins
The top (wastegate) exhaust expands to meet the FIA minimum size, resembles an 80s 2 stroke exhaust stinger pipe


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



Minimal join twixt wing upper and lower endplate sections


https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EQhRk9rXsAAh5a0.jpg

[Crazed_Insanity]

Wow. Hope the complexities will actually payoff on the track. They look cool..., but I can't say that they look good.

[JoeW]

Red Bull looks pretty much the same.

Renault looks to be in trouble with a car reveal where the car won’t actually be there. Sad times...

[dodint]

Chinese GP cancelled due to beervirus. We need to get beervirus over to Azerbaijan too.

[Rare White Ape]

And Bahrain.

[FaultyMario]

Renault looks to be in trouble with a car reveal where the car won’t actually be there. Sad times...

They're said they're pretty much gonna use 2020 as one big test session.

[FaultyMario]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EQq2xmXWkAERCL2.jpg

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EQq2yUmWsAIMfjA.jpg

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EQq2zVxXYAIe5VA.jpg

[JoeW]

Ricciardo can’t be happy about that.

Hoping McLaren can step it up even more...to kick Renault’s ass consistently with their own engine would be hilarious.

Also, assuming RBR is still a minor step behind the front runners, I am really pulling for the red cars this year. Specifically Vettel.

[Rare White Ape]

beautifully sculpted aerodynamic details

There were not designed by any human craftsmen.

[Blerpa]

Stoffel Vandoorne is officially Mercedes F1 team's new reserve driver.
Not exactly breaking news seeing his involvment with Mercedes in Formula E.
EDIT: forgot to mention that the mexican Esteban Gutierrez is confirmed as alternative reserve driver for when Vandoorne has conflicting F-E commitments.

[FaultyMario]

mexican Esteban Gutierrez

Please stand up and take your hat off.

[FaultyMario]

There were not designed by any human craftsmen.

I take it you haven't seen the new Merc.

I, for one, welcome our new Jameses1 overlords.

1 Mercedes' James Allison and McLaren's James Key who I believe have fresher ideas than Newey.

[FaultyMario]

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

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EQwnvmaX0AEDBiB.jpg

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

Not bad for a Taurro Rosso.

[FaultyMario]

Link to comparo to last year's RB (https://twitter.com/ScarbsTech/status/1228403389656129539?s=20).

[FaultyMario]

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

And a large one, from the side. (https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EQvkTKWX0AEtpQY.jpg)

[JoeW]

Now the Alpha Tauri is the best looking one so far.

[Freude am Fahren]

Good Livery, car itself is kinda ugly I think. But it's not that far from best to worst looking chassis in modern F1.

I still love McLaren's livery best though.

[Rare White Ape]

Yeah the McLaren looks great in matte orange :up:

[FaultyMario]

And the unpainted bottom. Because add lightness.

[Rare White Ape]

Here’s a good shot of the Alpha Tauri, where you can see the livery a bit better. It looks real nice.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EQwoVC3WsAs4cfa.jpg

[JoeW]

I also like the green Alfa they tested with too.

[Blerpa]

Williams F1 unveiled their 2020 livery and car... I like the colours and the style.

For more pictures: https://it.motorsport.com/f1/news/fotogallery-f1-la-williams-toglie-i-veli-alla-fw43/4686810/
(scroll down to the gallery with directional arrows). Italian version, but who cares, right?

3481348234833484

[Blerpa]

Racing Point F1 new livery and car as well.
Once again, for more pics: https://it.motorsport.com/f1/news/fotogallery-racing-point-ecco-la-livrea-2020-della-rp20/4687052/

34853486

[FaultyMario]

Sergio Perez reveals he spent the offseason hitting up the carnitas.

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

[Blerpa]

Sergio Perez reveals he spent the offseason hitting up the carnitas.

Uhahahahahahahaha!
Never eaten "carnitas" so I looked it up... wow, that looks delicious!
I wouldn't blame Sergio for not resisting it! :D

[FaultyMario]

First impressions on new season of Drive to Survive.


Episode 2: ‘Boiling Point’
“You’re not mic’d up are you?” Haas team principal Guenther Steiner is asked by a concerned employee at the start of this episode. “They take it out,” Steiner reassures him. It’s hard to imagine they’ve taken much out of this episode, which covers Haas’s car, driver and sponsor woes during 2019 and features ‘South Park’ levels of profanity.

[JoeW]

Racing Point is looking really shitty next to all these nice cars.

[Blerpa]

First impressions on new season of Drive to Survive.

Is it out already?

[FaultyMario]

To limited media outlets.

[JoeW]

https://wtf1.com/post/on-this-day-in-f1-ferrari-filmed-probably-the-greatest-f1-advert-of-all-time/

[FaultyMario]

ScarbsF1 is speculating that Newey is reviving the Ackermann steering (http://www.auto-ware.com/setup/ack_rac.htm) in the new RB (https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EREd3H2WAAAkMF_.jpg). He last attempted it in the MP4/15 (https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EREd29iXYAMHIca.jpg) which lost the WCC to the Ferrari F1-2000 by 18 points (10 wins vs. 7).

[FaultyMario]

Ferrari celebrates Enzo's birthday (20/02/1898) on social media:

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

[FaultyMario]

Preseason testing schedule:






Wednesday, Feb. 19
Thursday, Feb. 20
Friday, Feb. 21


Mercedes
TBC
TBC
TBC


Ferrari
Vettel
Vettel/LeClerc
LeClerc


Red Bull
Verstappen
Albon
Verstappen(am) / Albon(pm)


McLaren
Sainz
Norris
Sainz(am) / Norris(pm)



Renault
Ricciardo / Ocon
Both
Both


Alpha Taurri

Kvyat
Gasly
Kvyat(am) / Gasly(pm)


Racing Point

Both
Perez
Stroll



Alfa Romeo

Kubica / Giovinazzi
Raikkonen
Giovinazzi


Haas
Magnussen
Grosjean
Both


Williams
Russell(am) / Latifi(pm)
Russell
Latifi

[FaultyMario]

The final version of the racing point is like a revised version of last year's Mercedes. And it's really fast, who would have thought that?

And maybe the Williams can compete in the midfield too! It's hit the ground running.

[Rare White Ape]

If that's the case, then who's the tail-end Charlie?

I'm going with Haas.

[FaultyMario]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/ERIzVWwXkAA745n.jpg

[FaultyMario]

Williams not looking shit.

Wow.

[Blerpa]

New Alfa Romeo F1 2020 official livery:

3487

New Haas F1 2020 car and livery:

3488

[FaultyMario]

who's the tail-end Charlie?

Too early to tell.

[XHawkeye]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/ERDL5xAWoAASZ8w.jpg

Barcelona set up 2016 (https://twitter.com/ScarbsTech/status/1229706893947523077)

[JoeW]

Has anyone ever bought the TV Pro package from F1.com? Curious if it’s worth it.

[FaultyMario]

It would be if it didn't crash so much.

Just the archival content makes it a tempting proposition.

[JoeW]

That's what I was thinking. It would be interesting to hear live team radio as well.

[FaultyMario]

F1 might find its knickers in a twist (https://twitter.com/SavlarSVK/status/1230424820141232130?s=19) early on in 2020.

[JoeW]

At least someone is innovating :)

[FaultyMario]

Problem is, if it altered ride height via a modification in toe then it can be considered a movable aero device.

[JoeW]

Yeah it will likely be banned...especially if it provides a real world advantage. But it’s pretty clever.

[Blerpa]

Already confirmed it is legal by FIA.

[Blerpa]

https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/mercedes-confident-legality-das-steering-mode-fia/4689138/

"The drag being reduced is mechanical, not aero.
The normal amount of toe-in/out means the tyres are not straight on a straight bit of road you want to go down. As the vehicle moves forward, the tyres are being slightly dragged along.
The benefit is more responsive cornering."

[FaultyMario]

Already confirmed it is legal by FIA.

Good. i have a hunch the RBs have been able to adjust suspension geometry on the go for a while, and that the new crossed track rod (https://pbs.twimg.com/media/ERElL9ZXsAMi0xn.jpg) is just a development on that.

Here's a cool explanation (https://pbs.twimg.com/media/ERNltE4WkAEBv3d.jpg) of the Merc steering adjustment thing.

[JoeW]

Keep the smart ideas coming :)

[FaultyMario]

Keep the smart ideas coming :)

Apparently this was in the works for quite some time, because physios needed to include exercises to build 'muscle memory' on the drivers which, as all of you fit guys know, is not something that is learned overnight.

What's even more clever from Mercedes is that they anticipated rule convergence and stuff like the Racing Point completely copying their designs, so from a performance-parity point of view, they are working on enhancements to their race strategies, this system is not expected to make them faster, but rather to give front tires 3 or 4 extra laps per stint.

[FaultyMario]

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

[FaultyMario]

Has anyone ever bought the TV Pro package Ifrom F1.com? Curious if it’s worth it.

I think there's a 25% discount code for joining before the end of February.

[CudaMan]

this system is not expected to make them faster, but rather to give front tires 3 or 4 extra laps per stint.
A side benefit will be less scrub on the front tires down the straights, potentially making a small difference in speed as well.

[Blerpa]

So they are implicitly saying that it IS legal for 2020 season.

https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/das-not-allowed-2021-fia/4690176/

[JoeW]

But not 2021 interestingly.

[Blerpa]

The regulations for 2020 cannot be changed: it would require the unanimity of all teams at this point.
Also they are announcing it as soon as possible so that other teams do not spend money on developing a similar system in vain.

[Crazed_Insanity]

I wish F-1 could simply allow these innovations to be perhaps 'sold' to other teams so that the budget teams don't have to redevelop them from scratch and still be able to add such innovations to their cars later. Let the 'market' decide whether if an innovation is worth keeping or not. Encourage teams to be able to show off their innovations all the while having some sort of patent protection for them... so other teams can only legally copy them for a fee... This fee will likely be cheaper than developing their own.

This should also help equalizing the cars... make it cheaper for the budget teams and allow the top teams to brag about how innovative they are.

Current way of ban this and ban that is getting kinda annoying...

[FaultyMario]

What I hate is the promoter (Bernie or Liberty, it doesn't matter) making decisions of sporting or regulation matters which should by definition be ruled upon by the members of the FIA.

[FaultyMario]

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

[FaultyMario]

Total laps (Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya is roughly 2.9 miles, so each 100 laps are 290 miles)

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/ERUdljkXsAAdB7H.jpg

[FaultyMario]

Best times overall.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/ERUdxnvXYAAiU-f.jpg

I suspect the RP is faster than the Ferrari from the get-go at this point.

ATM My top three are: Mercedes-RB-Racing Point

[JoeW]

Oh man that would be keeerazy if RP moves into the top tier with their Merc 2019 replica.

I personally detest RP so I wouldn’t really enjoy seeing this but shakeups are fun either way.

[FaultyMario]

I personally detest RP so I wouldn’t really enjoy seeing this but shakeups are fun either way.

Why? That team was owned by Eddie Jordan and Russian and Indian money launderers.

They're the Heskeths of the 21st century.

Go look for the story of when Jordan got the B&H money and then went to buy a yacht and then his team opposed the addition of a new race because it interfered with the vacation he had already booked for his new yacht.

[Crazed_Insanity]

Wow..., I always thought it’s ‘Alpha’ Romeo... thanks to Alpha Tauri’s side by side comparison to help me see the light!

Anyway, is Ferrari really sandbagging or are they heading for another disaster year? Slower times than the Alfas and didn’t accumulate a whole lot of mileage either... well, last year they did really well during preseason and that didn’t really help them... so perhaps they’re trying a completely opposite strategy?

[FaultyMario]

Ferrari

They went to the opposite direction of their design philosophy from last year. Bear in mind, they already know what not to do (add front DF to a slim package); I'm not too worried about them, they have the resources to figure out their car once they reach Europe.

[XHawkeye]

Midfield catching us, says Mercedes, as it reveals F1 test analysis secrets (http://bit.ly/38NvW2Y)

[Rare White Ape]

So they are implicitly saying that it IS legal for 2020 season.

https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/das-not-allowed-2021-fia/4690176/

I was just thinking the other day, not long after the steering system was first spotted, that rule makers all over the globe will be scrambling to ensure that this is banned from 2021. It’s too much of a good idea! I guess they want to limit the depth of the rabbit hole.

[Rare White Ape]

Behold, the successor to the worlds best F1 machine.


https://youtu.be/28sptR3UY90

[FaultyMario]

Final test schedule:






Wednesday, 26th
Thursday, 27th
Friday, 28th


Mercedes

Drivers alternate


Ferrari
Vettel (am) / Leclerc (pm)
Vettel
LeClerc


Red Bull
Drivers alternate


McLaren
Sainz (am) / Norris (pm)
Norris
Sainz



Renault
Ricciardo / Ocon
Ocon / Ricciardo
Ricciardo / Ocon


Alpha Taurri

Gasly (am) / Kvyat (pm)
Gasly
Kvyat


Racing Point

Both
Stroll
Perez



Alfa Romeo

Kubica / Raikkonen
Giovinazzi
Raikkonen


Haas
Grosjean
Magnussen
Both


Williams
Latifi (am) / Russell(pm)
Latifi
Russell



Last week
Total laps: 3,898
Fastest lap: 1’15.732, Bottas on C5s.

[Yobbo NZ]

Wait for the Polish fans to complain about Kubica not being in a full time drive after his testing today 🙄

[Crazed_Insanity]

New Zealanders wail and complain about treatment of their drivers a lot too! :p

We Asians can only complain about the lack of asian drivers... thanks to Alex Albon, at least we Asians have 'half' a decent driver on the grid. ;)

[Yobbo NZ]

Albon has actually surprised me, I thought he'd sink without a trace.
But he showed he was at least better than Gasley in that Redbull.

I still think Hartley was shown the door too soon though, he was starting to find his feet and starting to beat Pierre as well.

[Crazed_Insanity]

Yeah, Albon definitely earned his spot. I thought he’s going to crack under pressure and Kvyat is gonna be driving the RB again come 2020.

I do agree RB jr. drivers were pretty much all shown the door too soon... if you can’t adjust to the pressure quickly or if you can’t win quickly, they’d spit you out.

So far I guess Ricciardo and Albon are the most consistent and Vettel and Max were the quickest to win. If you don’t win or lack consistency... you’ll just have to go to Indycars or formula E. ;)

Btw, did the RB jr. program finished? No more young guns in the pipeline? So Kvyat and Gasley can enjoy some sort of job security for now?

[Yobbo NZ]

There is Liam Lawson, another New Zealander, in the junior ranks still.
But, he was just beaten by a GT Sport winner in the NZ Toyota racing series.

[Rare White Ape]

Igor Fraga.

Don't worry. He appears to have more talent in him that his humble eSports background implies.

[Yobbo NZ]

Yeah I read somewhere he'd done Karting, Formula Ford etc before.
Interesting to see how he goes in F3 against some proper good drivers.

[FaultyMario]

Jamie Fucking Chadwick. Mark my words: sky's the limit for that kid.

[The359]

https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/148452/first-images-of-complete-zandvoort-banking-revealed

Wow, that's not what I expected. Looks like a new NASCAR track.

I wonder if they will install a SAFER barrier.

[FaultyMario]

That's why Pirelli is testing new 'oval' tires.

ICYMI, there's good screensaver (https://pbs.twimg.com/media/ERy0SWxWAAEonNh.jpg) stuff from testing.

[FaultyMario]

Day 5

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

[FaultyMario]

Sectors times went purple to Lance Stroll S1 21.744 (FastestQ3 - 2019 21.284) S2 28.536 (FQ32019 - 28.040) and Verstappen 26.835 (FQ32019 - 25.878)

Ultimate lap 2019: 1:15.202
Ultimate lap Day 5: 1:17.115 (1.913 slower)

Here are the times from today's race simulations:

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/ERzHhLyXYAEQ_Hi.png

For comparison, last year LH averaged 22.547 in his first stint (all times are missing the first 60 seconds).

[Crazed_Insanity]

Way too much information!

Are you going to incorporate all these data into our fantasy league when you come up with the prices?

[FaultyMario]

Way too much information!

It's all wrong, though. Vettel came in with a late burner that went below the 1:17. Fuck Ferrari, I guess.



Are you going to incorporate all these data into our fantasy league when you come up with the prices?

No.

[dodint]

:lol:

[Rare White Ape]

https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/148452/first-images-of-complete-zandvoort-banking-revealed

Wow, that's not what I expected. Looks like a new NASCAR track.

I wonder if they will install a SAFER barrier.

Hoo-wee. I legit can’t wait to see this track up and running.

[FaultyMario]

Preseason summary laptimes:






S1
S2
S3
Full Lap


2019 Ultimate Q3 lap
21.284
28.040
25.878
75.202


2020 Ultimate lap Wk1
21.731
28.120
25.807
76.658


2020 Testing Ultimate Lap
21.531
28.120
25.133
74.784



Stroll
Bottas
Raikkonen
-0.418


2019 HAM Stint 1 Average
NA
NA
NA
82.547


2020 Merc "Stint 1" Average Wk1
NA
NA
NA
82.218


2020 Ferrari "Stint 1" Average Wk2
NA
NA
NA
84.091

[FaultyMario]

Cars are officially faster than they were at Qualifying last year.

The RP is looking fast on one-lap pace.
The Mercedes are obviously sandbagging, but it looks like they have a major advantage towards the end when running light.

From the length of the stints on the simulations, it seems like all teams have shortened their first stint, but Mercedes can run a much longer "last stint", so maybe their DAS is a really effective tool for opening up race strategies.

From looking at that table, what does Barcelona S3 favor? Top end or mid-speed cornering? Because that's where most gains came from.

[FaultyMario]

Barcelona S3 favors mechanical grip, it's a tight section.


The pace of cars from the tight left-hander at Turn 10 to the start-finish line is often viewed as a good indicator of how strong cars will be at Monaco – which features similar speed corners.

[FaultyMario]

Is it out already?

It is!

[Blerpa]

I liked it.
Critiques are on the first episode (boring) and on the fact that Raikkonen, Giovinazzi, Kyvat, Norris and Stroll were nowhere to be seen, basically.
Honestly I expected more and I expect more from now on.

Felt gutted for Hulkenberg in a way. But F1 is tough and so on.

[FaultyMario]

I think the Haas episode cleared up some of your more acid critiques of Steiner's handling of the drivers.

[Alan P]

I think the Haas episode cleared up some of your more acid critiques of Steiner's handling of the drivers.
Only watched Ep 1 & 2 but when Kevin slammed the door Gunther looked about ready to kill him!

[JoeW]

Due to Italy travel restrictions...all the teams based in Italy and those that receive power units from Ferrari may not be able to participate in Australia. Bleh...

[Crazed_Insanity]

Pirelli is Italian too.

Wonder if Aussie GP could go on without tires...

[JoeW]

Yes but Pirelli has manufacturing locations all over the world. Ferrari not so much.

[Freude am Fahren]

For road tires sure, but I wouldn't be surprised if they can only pump out F1 tires in one building.

[JoeW]

I just read that the F1 tires are made exclusively in Turkey at their high tech facility. I never knew that.

[Crazed_Insanity]

Now you know! Thanks to coronabeervirus!