F1 2021

[JoeW]

Surprisingly I kind of like it.

Do you think Ferrari is going to be shit again this year? I’m not really informed one way or the other but is the consensus that they will struggle again?

[Crazed_Insanity]

Looks interesting, not sure if I like it or not...

Yeah, I thought Ferrari fixed its slowness problem... I guess we’ll find out.

[FaultyMario]

There was a bit of crazy story about Mattia Binotto doing the rounds on saturday, he had apparently been fired from Ferrari, but Czech GT Driver, Josef Král, has since recanted statements made on a video uploaded to Youtube. Meanwhile there's a Turkish journalist, Serhan Acar, who claims Binotto's new role is as representative of Ferrari before the FIA World Motorsport Council, and that he would stay in the corporate structure in an Engineering role.

[FaultyMario]

Aston Martin has upped the ante...


G:|---------------------| |---------------------|
D:|---------------------| |---------------------|
A:|-0-0-2-3-2-0---0-2---| |-0-0-2-3-2-0---0-2---|
E:|-------------3-----0-| |-------------3-----0-|

...


The new (for some races) FIA F1 Safety Car:

https://www.racefans.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/racefansdotnet-21-02-10-16-29-57-22.jpg

[FaultyMario]

And its sister, the DBX medical car:

https://media.autoweek.nl/m/c8gyib7bx942.jpg

[The359]

Hey look, Aston Martin sold one DBX.

[Fiat500]

Aston Martin has upped the ante...


G:|---------------------| |---------------------|
D:|---------------------| |---------------------|
A:|-0-0-2-3-2-0---0-2---| |-0-0-2-3-2-0---0-2---|
E:|-------------3-----0-| |-------------3-----0-|

...


The new (for some races) FIA F1 Safety Car:

https://www.racefans.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/racefansdotnet-21-02-10-16-29-57-22.jpg

Chain, keep us together?

[Fiat500]

Oh, breaking the chain of Mercedeses that has been since 1997?

[FaultyMario]

You know I miss that song, and if Liberty were any clever, they'd already had signed a contract with Ocean Spray and mandated drivers did the Thursday track walk on longboards!

[Fiat500]

Ah, of course. I don't think I've ever watched a British F1 transmission, so I didn't get the reference.

[Rare White Ape]

Stop. Posting. Spoiler. Tags. Unless. It’s. In. A. Current. Pop. Culture. Thread.

Please.

[FaultyMario]

Hey guys, how do you feel about spoiler tags?

Useful, cumbersome?

I'll start a new thread, first, here are my thoughts but to not make it annoying to those who don't wanna read them, I'm going to wrap them... aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay! gotcha, mick!

[Crazed_Insanity]

Mobil version of the forum just can't open up spoiler tags. I think that's giving people the most annoyance. If that can be fixed, perhaps it wouldn't be too much of a problem.

Still, unless if you really don't want to spoil movies or novel or sports game ending, why would you want to use that tag?

Personally I don't mind getting spoiled! :p

[Rare White Ape]

Thanks Mario.

Now let’s carry on by posting the usual jokes about this being the only time you’ll see an Aston Martin leading an F1 race, etc.

[FaultyMario]

New Ferrari has been "leaked". By the Ferrari web master who knew not how to secure his images before release.

Can't hotlink to them as I've only seen them on imgur so far.

Plus, is red with a black floor. And the Marlboro chevron thing is green. I guess it's perceived better that way.

[FaultyMario]

This is a truly horrendous color scheme.

https://soymotor.com/sites/default/files/usuarios/redaccion/portal/avazquez/ferrari-sf21-2-soymotor.jpg

I wish there was a forum function to hide its ugliness.

Edit: Added officially released rendered image.

https://soymotor.com/sites/default/files/styles/mega/public/node_gallery/sf21-leclerc-sainz-soymotor.jpg

I'm quoting Kipper the Dog here: it looks "horrible, horrendous, terrible, tremendous".

[FaultyMario]

You know what's sad about this monstrosity? It debuted 25 years to the day of the on-track debut of the F310.

https://api.ferrarinetwork.ferrari.com/v2/network-content/medias/resize/5e15b6cebbb0ae378595a4d4-ferrari-f310-1996-cover-desk?apikey=9QscUiwr5n0NhOuQb463QEKghPrVlpaF&width=1440&height=900

[Rare White Ape]

It's a new red Ferrari. Shocking.

I wish they would go back to the late 80s-early 90s dark gloss red livery.

[Crazed_Insanity]

Maybe they decided to slowly fade that back in... see the end of the car is dark red... maybe by next year it'll be fully dark red.

I just don't understand the green part. Why don't they make that more consistent. Make the smaller MM logo green too(On the side of the nose) instead of black?

Anyway, it's probably the most interesting Ferrari color scheme ever? Hope the car has more pace rather than just look interesting like Williams.

[FaultyMario]

Maybe it's showing how its ass looked after the spanking they got last year.

[FaultyMario]

And no, the most interesting Ferrari color is blue and white, Google it.

[FaultyMario]

Spotters guide?

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EwIYRk9WgAQqayv.jpg

[FaultyMario]

From all the gossip going around, it seems Binotto's team can't meet deadlines.

This is what Shell has posted to twitter:

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EwH4vE_WgAosX9I.jpg

[Crazed_Insanity]

Yeah, tobacco is not only bad for your health, but makes you look bad as well. This Shell version looks better.

[FaultyMario]

Alpine looks awesome at speed, in the sun.
And the Williams doesn't look bad, once it's running.

[FaultyMario]

Lots of sand on track in the first afternoon session.

Laptimes are obviously unrepresentative, but it's good to see the Macca and the RB topping the sheets.
Highlights: AT02 looks planted, and the A521 is looking fast.
Mercedes are having reliability issues, that doesn't mean what it would mean if they were Sauber or McLaren. It means they've got a fast car and they're taking it to the limit and trying to break it.

The Aston Martin is certainly a green Merc.

[FaultyMario]

Also, I'm not sure but the Red Bull looks less raked. I'm going to check what the tech bloggers say later in the day.

[FaultyMario]

From the little that was shown of the Mercedes on track, it seems the car's problems are derived from having "too much power". They were clearly testing a car that has a power unit that can overstress other components.

Maybe Honda aren't the only ones who brought a 2022 engine one year forward. We'll have to see how the McLaren behaves in the remaining 2 days.

[JoeW]

Where are you watching this?

[FaultyMario]

Illegal streams: live.harleyquinnwidget (dot) com and such.

Might be blocked by your ISP, though.

[Crazed_Insanity]

It's interesting that Mercedes is having reliability problem...

I was just reading an article about Mercedes' secret weapon... that full chassis dyno that Honda custom built originally... capable of putting the entire engine and chassis on simulated runs to structurally test the entire car. So essentially when they're on the track, they won't ever have to worry about breaking anything. Every track mile is valuable and ended up being use to setup the car... not to break in parts. Time wasted in a garage fixing stuffs during preseason testing is time you'll never get back...

So this season, somehow their secret weapons isn't working?

Perhaps the end of their dominance is this season?

[FaultyMario]

Hey look, Aston Martin sold one DBX.

Aston Martin is also selling Jimmy Choos (https://twitter.com/i/status/1370216155856654339) now.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EwN_pTnWYAUHv5O.jpg

[FaultyMario]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EwS5fdyXMAY5gaS.jpg


Me, rethinking my life decision of going to college to major is psychology when i could have become a stripper and have made bank by now

[Crazed_Insanity]

:lol:

What is the purpose of that pole in the garage?

[JoeW]

Dancing...duh.

[Rare White Ape]

Formula 1 ASMR


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nEZ-ce6sFUU&ab_channel=FORMULA1

[FaultyMario]

"There's nothing wrong with the announcer except he's passed away"


- Murray Walker (1923-2021)

[Rare White Ape]

He was the voice of a large part of my childhood.

May he rest in peace :(

[FaultyMario]

He was probably the most professional fanatic ever allowed in the announcers' booth.

[Crazed_Insanity]

:(

[Freude am Fahren]

Damn that's too bad.

But to be honest, I thought he died a few years back...

[FaultyMario]

It seems analysts haven't yet got a clear pecking order of 3rd to 7th, but as a sort of preliminary vision, Red Bull have hit the ground and Verstappen looks happy, so maybe we'll have some races this season.

Also, good opinions on the experimental medium tires Pirelli brought to this test.

[FaultyMario]

Is it OK to call him Yuki Fucking Tsunoda?

[FaultyMario]

Good test for Williams, Alpine, Red Bull, Alfa Romeo, Alpha Tauri and McLaren. So-so for Ferrari, Mercedes and Haas. I do not think Aston Martin will go home with their program list full of checks.

Testing went very well for Kimi, Russell, Ocon and Tsunoda. I wouldn't expect a 5-star rating from Valtteri, Vettel or Sainz.

[Crazed_Insanity]

Looks like we’ll have an interesting season!

Who knows, maybe Mercedes is just sandbagging and will finish 1 2 anyway?

Hope not.

[FaultyMario]

Who knows, maybe Mercedes is just sandbagging and will finish 1 2 anyway?


Those bags of sand were massive this year, analysts think Mercedes were actively trying to break their car. Will buxton believes they did not bring their full aero package to testing and that they will instead run it next week on their "filming" day at Bahrain.

So perhaps, they got all the coorrelates they needed and proved whatever they needed to prove from their engine and will arrive at the GP ready for Hammer Time.

[FaultyMario]

The basis for that rumor is that no parts shown by Mercedes so far warrant their token expenditure.

[Freude am Fahren]

Anybody notice the new Alpine packaging.

As The Race pointed out, the Renault has always been kinda bulbous behind the airbox.

But the Alpine is a right ol' chonker.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HsUL8tDdm0E

[2ndMoparMan]

We doing Fantasy F1 this year?

[Crazed_Insanity]

Oh yeah! We have forgotten to start our fantasy before the preseason test!!!

[FaultyMario]

Oh yeah! We have forgotten to start our fantasy before the preseason test!!!

No, normally predictions are posted on motorsports sites one or two days after preseason testing. It's pretty clear Mercedes are #1, RedBull are a solid #2 and Haas should roll around last.

But the 'midfield' should be all mixed up.


“But behind Mercedes and Red Bull it’s a field, really, and where we are in this field is difficult to say. I expect it to be competitive. McLaren seem good, seem quick. Aston Martin, when they actually run, seem pretty quick. The rest I don’t know, really.”

[FaultyMario]

But the Alpine is a right ol' chonker.

Apparently the wide top should work well now that there's reduced efficacy from the floor, just for this year.


This is Scarbs' explainer:


Alpine run a large engine cover, as a continuation of the recent Renault philosophy. Cooling radiator are moved from the sidepods to above the engine. This is what makes the bodywork so wide. There will be some impact on the flow to the rear wing. But, sidepods will be correspondingly smaller, this improves airflow around the car towards the diffuser. As the diffuser is more efficient, it can create more downforce than that lost from the rear wing, but with less drag. Offsetting the penalty of the bulkier bodywork.


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

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EwWmnMlW8AEYkLY.jpg

[Rare White Ape]

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

I saw this pic and mused that only a dozen years ago the back wheel would have fitted entirely within the frame of this shot. And I don't mean that because I find current F1 cars ugly, they're just long.

Then I thought, hang on, they are ugly, and had yet another moment of "back in my day." Just imagine: all of the knowledge and engineering contained in the newest Adrian Newey F1 car, but packaged within the form factor of his earliest F1 car. With a V10 engine.

https://www.indycals.net/images/decal_images/large/90leytonhouse2.jpg

[Crazed_Insanity]

Yes, have to agree latest F1 cars are uglongy!

I miss the era when Senna was around.

[samoht]

I don't think Merc are sandbagging. I don't think the benefit of hiding their pace for a fortnight would be enough to outweigh the loss of meaningful maximum attack running.

I'd put Red Bull ahead of Merc as favourites for the opening round, and a fairly evenly matched championship fight. Which means this could actually be Max's year.

Anyway, not long to find out!

[FaultyMario]

i think Mercedes spent their tokens on the super diffuser McLaren also had a concept for but not the tokens to go thru with.

by keeping it under wraps for two weeks, Mercedes has until the summer break until one of their closer rivals can get a working clone of their design. they maybe safeguard their advantage for, I don't know... 4 rounds? that's between 20 and 40 points in the wcc.

[XHawkeye]

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

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ewi7QolWEAEzuRk.jpg

More short cars here (https://twitter.com/Motorsport/status/1371543477692084225)

[Crazed_Insanity]

:lol:

They look so cute! :up:

Maybe they need to do this to attract more female fans! ;)

[Tom Servo]

Those remind me so much of these little remote control cars I had years ago. I have no idea how to even search for them now, but they had a battery pack/remote and you plugged the car into that, charged it, and then pop it off and drive it around for 4-5 minutes.

[FaultyMario]

F1 has a new commercial partner. Tell me you wouldn't buy their products just to put it on your work desk.

https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1697/1767/products/DSC03598_copy_800x.jpg

[Crazed_Insanity]

Sorry. Can't get to my work desk right now... :p

Interesting way of storing coffee...

[FaultyMario]

Quick notes from Round 1:

***

Honda PU is all-new. More power, more efficiency, lower CoG, narrower package.


***
"Grandmother, what great engine cover you have!"
"That's to intercool you the better, my child."

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/ExVefQDXMAEujb8.jpg

[JoeW]

Doesn't appear to be a Honda powered F1 vehicle? Looks like the Renault powered Alpine.

[JoeW]

This whole thing where Mercedes says they are on the back foot and RBR are the favorites is bullshit. I think everyone knows it. No way Mercedes is so dominant last year and all of a sudden a few minor aero changes puts them below RBR? Hilarious.

[FaultyMario]

Mercedes problems might have to do with tire squirt (http://www.somersf1.co.uk/2012/05/red-bull-tyre-squirt-duct.html), if Gary Anderson is to be believed



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uY4RxORH7qc

[FaultyMario]

It's a combination of the minor aero tweaks hurting Mercedes more than RB and the new Honda PU closing the gap to the Mercedes PU.

AFAIU, Red Bull's advantage should last about 5 races, with Mercedes being known to be superb at turning around their problems due to their organizational culture. So, only if Red Bull can sustain development pace with Mercedes, then we have competition for the WCC.

[FaultyMario]

My take? Mercedes makes Aston Martin pay up their dues by being a testing bed during the first part of the season.

[FaultyMario]

I have just one question. How hard is it to get into the cockpit?

With the halo raising the height and all the bits around the splitter area... how do you do it?

[Crazed_Insanity]

Ask Grojean!

[FaultyMario]

you might argue that with the car sideways (all mangled up) it's still easier to get out of than it is to get in.

[Crazed_Insanity]

Yeah, that’s probably why they raised it? Easier to slip out on the side?

[Rare White Ape]

I have just one question. How hard is it to get into the cockpit?

With the halo raising the height and all the bits around the splitter area... how do you do it?

You don't have to be an athlete but it certainly helps. As you know, the headrest can be removed making the entry much wider, which allows the hips and shoulders to get into the cockpit without any hassle assuming you aren't a fat bastard. And I'd argue that the halo makes it easier to lower and raise your body because there's a nice place to grab onto.

It's all in the upper body. Stand on the seat, hands on halo, pull your legs up and poke them into the footwell, lower yourself down. Probably no harder than doing a triceps dip.

https://fitnessgoals.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/sexy-arms-tricep-dips-1.jpg

The reverse: more upper body, but a bit harder. Pull up until you can support your weight on your arms and your legs can retract and stand on seat, then step out.

[FaultyMario]

McLaren is looking hooked in FP1!

[FaultyMario]

Order for Bahrain GP looks to be:

Red Bull
Mercedes
McLaren
Ferrari
Alpha Tauri
Alfa Romeo
Aston Martin
Alpine
Williams
Haas

[Crazed_Insanity]

Gasly has probably burned his bridge back to RB, but seems to be doing extremely well at AT! Christian Horner ought to reconsider why he has 'killed' so many RB young drivers over the years... Besides Gasly, current drivers such as Sainz, Ricciardo probably won't ever return to RB too.

Hope Perez does well and won't end up looking like Gasly and Albon throughout the season against Max. If that happens, and if Honda PU were really that awesome, it just might be possible for AT to overtake RB with overall team points? That'd be really funny.

If Yuki does well and is smart, when he gets to promotion to RB, hope he'll turn it down.

[JoeW]

Watched FP1/2 today. I like the new lineups and everyone looks to have forward progress except: Alpine, Alfa and Haas.

My projected constructors order for the season:

Mercedes
RBR
McLaren
Ferrari
Alpha Tauri
Aston
Williams
Alpine
Alfa
Haas

I know some surprises but this year might be pretty fun to watch.

[FaultyMario]

Looks like the Mercedes can be at the top in qualifying, bar a superb lap from Verstappen.
The race looks to be different, if it's run on medium, as it should be, then drivers who can not-abuse their tires should have a good Sunday drive.

[FaultyMario]

@JoeW

I don't think it's going to say static for the whole season. Around the summer break we should see movement from 3rd to 8th.

Also, I think Red Bull have the advantage on race pace at this stage, the Mercedes looks outright fastest but difficult to sustain its speed. In that regards, the McLaren might not be the fastest, but it looks like it gives its drivers lots of options.

[JoeW]

Yeah I hope it mixes even more but that’s just a prediction for the final order at the end of the season.

[FaultyMario]

Aah, that makes sense.

[FaultyMario]

It's all in the upper body. Stand on the seat, hands on halo, pull your legs up and poke them into the footwell, lower yourself down. Probably no harder than doing a triceps dip.

The reverse: more upper body, but a bit harder. Pull up until you can support your weight on your arms and your legs can retract and stand on seat, then step out.

Correct. I saw Perez step out of the in-service car (when it's on jacks) and the stepladder was slightly ahead of the splitter area, so they "walk forward" when they get in or out. Their approach is roughly at a 30° angle.

[Crazed_Insanity]

Results of FP2 seemed interesting... with the exception of RB, Mercedes and Williams, it seems that all the #2 drivers are faster than the #1!

Also, it's nice to see all the past champs Vettel, Kimi, Alonso and Michael Schumacher racing so closely near the back! ;)

I think this season should be more interesting than the ones before?

It'll suck if Mercedes finishes 1,2 again after all of these showings... :p

[JoeW]

Seems like we say that every year...

[FaultyMario]

Have you guys read the Gasly piece (https://www.theplayerstribune.com/posts/pierre-gasly-formula-one-racing)?

[FaultyMario]

Bahrain Grid (times are Q3):

1 Ver 1:29.00
2 Ham 1:29.39
3 Bot 1:29.59
4 Lec 1:29.68
5 Gas 1:29.80
6 Ric 1:29.93
7 Nor 1:29.97
8 Sai 1:30.21
9 Alo 1:30.25
10 Str 1:30.60

11 Per
12 Gio
13 Tsu
14 Rai
15 Rus
16 Oco
17 Lat
18 Vet
19 Msc
20 Maz

[FaultyMario]

I think Perez, Tsunoda and Vettel are off position. I expect a lively race and I wouldn't rule out lap one contact if, say, Tsunoda and Stroll have fast starts and start haggling those at the top of the midfield.

[Crazed_Insanity]

What’s going on with Vettel? You’d think he’s driving for Haas or something...

Perez is looking just like Gasly and Albon... hope he’ll have a better race considering his experience...

Nice to see both Williams moving up! Out qualifying Vettel with the same engine!

Top7 qualified within a second of each other... will Mercedes finish 1 2 again?

I can’t wait!

[JoeW]

I am finally excited about F1 again.

Vettel and a couple others got caught out by two yellow flags at the end of Q2.Like Mario said he’s out of place. Perez got caught out by trying to Mediums near the end of Q2 when the track was getting better...a ton of mid pack guys went out on Softs and just put Perez a bit too far down. Due to this Max only finished like 6th or 7th in Q2. So being .3 or 4 down on Max put him out of the top 10. I doubt that will happen again where he gets caught out like that.

I love seeing Saint be consistently faster than LeClerc. And Ferrari is back! And how about that Alpha Tauri? Jeezus that car looks planted...and I really like the white wheels in action. Danny also showing Lando the back of his car...loving how it’s all getting started.

Tomorrow is a different day but so far I am loving it.

[Crazed_Insanity]

Yes, even if Mercedes continues to finish 1 2, there’s sufficient mixing up between drivers and teams which makes interesting comparisons possible.

Sainz has really been surprising me since switching to mclaren... I really thought he’ll be screwed signing with Ferrari, but apparently he’s doing just fine!

[JoeW]

Ferrari itself seems to have recovered pretty well thus far. Race pace will be on display tomorrow for everyone.

[JoeW]

Minor beef...I hate the new logos next to the driver's names along the side of the screen. I can't tell what is what.

Also, several of the cars look alike from the front now. Maybe it will be better during the day races.

[Rare White Ape]

Are you talking about the team logos?

I agree they're pretty small but I see myself getting used to them. They're not as bad as the bloody numbers they display now on the MotoGP broadcast; they used to have the stylised numbers for each rider but then switched to the mono-font colour garbage and mixed bold font name which is practically useless if you want the info at a glance. The MotoGP graphics suck.

Easy side-by-side YouTube screenshot for comparison.

https://i.imgur.com/AuROA9V.png

[JoeW]

Totally agree.

I think the F1 logos might look better as just the logo without the colored background. I think the background is distracting me from the logo.

So just the Merc Star, the prancing horse, the McLaren swoosh all on a black background might be easier to discern. Like the Alpine symbol...the A on a black background.

[FaultyMario]

@Mick

If what they say about the Honda PU is true: that the cylinder head in the ICE is smaller and the camshaft is more compact and that does not affect the electric output of the package, where do you think it could be more easily applied?

Hi-performance bikes? wide range small displacement vehicles? hybrid cars?

Rumor has it that they insourced new ICE manufacturing to the Kumamoto (bike engines) plant.

[Rare White Ape]

Depends really. Anything smaller and lighter will deliver benefits in either performance or efficiency. I think these developments could be applied universally and benefit the whole product range.

Performance = going faster on the same amount of fuel
Efficiency = going further on the same amount of fuel

Apply where you see fit.

Although sometimes new tech doesn't benefit everyone. VTEC was developed originally in motorcycles but only a handful of bikes use the tech, whereas it is widely used in Honda's higher-spec sporty cars. On the VFR800 it introduced a spooky shift in torque while accelerating out of a corner so it was an unpopular addition and added unnecessary complexity to an already lightweight high performance engine.

[JoeW]

Very pleasant change seeing the Aston pace car. I hated those Mercedes cars.

[FaultyMario]

Is there a headwind coming into T1?

[JoeW]

There was yesterday

[FaultyMario]

Cheeky! I'll make sure to watch the start closely!

And with that, I raise my cup of coffee and I wish you all an entertaining 2 dozens of Sundays.

[FaultyMario]

Perez is one lucky dude.

[Blerpa]

L O L.

[FaultyMario]

Yes, hotheadedness from the RB pit, the message should have been: "let him thru at X".

[Blerpa]

Don't spoil! ;)

[Rare White Ape]

I stayed up for that one, and I am glad I did.

[FaultyMario]

Don't spoil! ;)

My lord and master Mick would forsake me if I didn't.

According to him, spoilers are reserved for Fake Shit Space Wizards. ;)

[samoht]

I stayed up for that one, and I am glad I did.

Strongly agree!

(Race discussion below, don't look if you've not watched the race yet).
Yup, a classic battle for the win that was in play all race long and went down to the wire at the end. Suggests a very exciting season - imagine another 22 races like this!

It reminded me of Bahrain 2014, I think Hamilton has a knack for keeping someone with more grip behind him around this circuit. Pretty good track actually, for all that it's fashionable to hate Gulf State Tilkedromes this one really gives good racing.

I think Lewis should adapt Murray Walker's quote as his new motto - "Catching me is one thing, passing me is quite another".

Nice work by Tsunoda to get points on his debut. He lost places on the opening lap, which could be criticised but feels like a decent strategy - as a rookie, better to err on the side of caution and then gain the experience of 56 laps of racing, than fight too hard and risk being out on lap 1.

Talking of rookies being out on lap one, Mazespin is just hilarious. I'm glad he managed to crash all by himself without messing up anyone else's race. Already being called the new Maldonado in our household & online.

Ferrari seem to be near the front of the midfield and close to McLaren, so have improved a lot but still not challenging for the title. I'm not surprised as they must be a fair way behind on knowing how to make power legally, having gone so far down their meter-cheating path previously. But not bad and gives LeClerc a chance to show his skill.

Looking forward to all the upcoming races even more now.

[FaultyMario]

Still undecided if "Leave it to me, Bono" or "mazeSpin" was a better product out of the meme factory.

[JoeW]

More please!

Mazespin...not impressed.

Tsunoda...impressed.

You know who won the race on that early pit stop. That early gap set the tone.

Following is so hard due to aero turbulence. He chewed up his tires just trying to stay close. And the straight line speed and power advantage of team x is obvious.

Great to see Ferrari gain back what they lost.

Perez did great considering starting from where he did.

Results were predictable as status quo but they way it happened was much more interesting :)

[FaultyMario]

Re: Early pit stop.

McLaren struck gold with Norris' strategy. That was a winning strategy, it kept Lando out of reach of the faster Perez and ahead of Leclerc, who -I have the feeling- was faster today.

[JoeW]

Totally agree. Pit strategies ftw apparently ;)

The winner's pit strategy really made his race even though he made some complaints early. He built that lead which really put #2 on the back foot all race long. The announcers did not echo my sentiment but I knew all race that #2 was at a disadvantage from then on.

[Crazed_Insanity]

I suppose Hamilton had shown Mercedes why he is worth their money today...

Max has also shown that he and Hamilton are in a league of their own.

At least we don’t have a Mercedes 1 2 finish! ;)

[Blerpa]

Max has also shown that Hamilton is in a league of his own.
There, fixed it for you.

[JoeW]

Hamilton has shown that his team had a better strategy today.

There, fixed it for you.

They undercut the fuck out of everyone. Twice. That second undercut I was predicting. I was saying as soon as Max got within 2 secs they should pit again...and BAM...they pit. They knew RBR had to pit again because RBR put the Mediums on again at the first pit stop. They probably should have tried to cover Mercedes by pitting the lap after and put Mediums on. Passed Hamilton around lap 15 on Mediums, and pull a lead for about 15 laps. Then cover Mercedes again at their second stop when they both put Hards on.

Hindsight is 20/20. RBR borked that call.

AND Max had Differential issues. So I'm looking forward to next race. Now this could all be just the tip of another Mercedes runaway iceberg. But this was a nice warning shot by RBR at a track they haven't normally done very well.

On the bright side...aside from the Perez issue...no major mechanicals...besides the Alonso brake issues forcing his retirement.

[Blerpa]

Max had diff issues.
Hamilton had no tyres.
Who won? Who was not capable to pass with a faster car, with better tyres and better traction?
The rest is chit chat from people that have started watching F1 yesterday.

[JoeW]

Poor Hamilton was unable to pass Max on equal footing during the 1st 13 laps while Max had Diff problems. So Mercedes stepped in and made the decision for him.

The rest is chit chat for blah blah blah....

2 weeks until more fun and ribbing.

[Crazed_Insanity]

The 2 were very close compared to the rest of the field; therefore, they are in a league of their own.

Had Max been in front near the end, no way Hamilton could pass either. Anyway, I did not watch the entire race... we’re there really passing on track between the two? I only saw the one Max pulled on Hamilton, but he had to yield back because he went out of bound?

Anyway, RB has improved for sure, Perez had also been unlucky in this race... however, Max is still clearly #1 of the team by a big margin even with a seasoned teammate. I really don’t understand why Max has failed to prove himself to be in the same league as Hamilton today.

[Rare White Ape]

Verstappen proved he was the second best driver in the second best car. They had a better strategy and the car was 0.5 seconds per lap quicker for much of the race, including the crucial final 15 laps and I was even predicting that he'd eat Hamilton for breakfast in the last two. That was Max's race to lose, and lose he did.

[XHawkeye]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/ExliRO6VoAYGhkR.jpg

[Crazed_Insanity]

I think Max probably had the best car today. Perez probably would've done much better if he didn't have to start last...

I agree this race was Max's to lose and lost it he did...

Reason for their special league is by the results of their respective teammates. They are both quite respectable drivers, but even if Perez started where he supposed to be, I doubt he'd be too much quicker than Bottas?

I dunno, maybe Bottas' result wasn't really representative because Mercedes used him as pawn to mess with Max's race...

Anyway, I really would like to see Hamilton and Max in the same car...

[FaultyMario]

why were happy and (don't remember who) classified as DNFs?

[FaultyMario]

Verstappen proved he was the second best driver in the second best car. They had a better strategy and the car was 0.5 seconds per lap quicker for much of the race, including the crucial final 15 laps and I was even predicting that he'd eat Hamilton for breakfast in the last two. That was Max's race to lose, and lose he did.

It felt like Malaysia 2012, when Alonso was defending against a faster Perez. The guy most concentrated always wins.

[FaultyMario]

AND Max had Differential issues. So I'm looking forward to next race. Now this could all be just the tip of another Mercedes runaway iceberg. But this was a nice warning shot by RBR at a track they haven't normally done very well.



that's what he reported, but the guys on telemetry could not give him a new diff setting... i think because of the moments at which he reported it, that it had more to do with the car turning on the tires.

Speaking of concentration, verstappen did well in the first stint, completely domineering his rivals when he was in control and had to defend; but when he had to go on the attack, he floundered.

The same has happened before. so, I think it's fair to say that it is his main weakness, not good enough on the attack.

[JoeW]

I mildly disagree. His tires just got decimated trying to follow and pass Hamilton. Lead driver there just needs to keep it together. Hamilton didn’t even have to drive defensively because he knows how much following closely takes out of your tires. Max caught lapped traffic in several bad locations...just luck of the draw there. But all those times just add up and by the time there were 7 or 8 laps left they both probably had the same tires.

Anyways...I really think the difference maker was Mercedes pit strategy calling him in for the undercut both times. Normally no way to recover from that but Max almost overcame all of those bad pit decisions to still win. He should’ve just kept going when he passed Hamilton...he would have easily got a 5 sec gap after that.

I’m really just excited to see closer racing. The fact that RBR got pole there is a good indication of things changing for the better. This scenario probably won’t occur quite the same again so maybe the points are closer 10 races down the road. Maybe by mid season Hamilton doesn’t have a two race win advantage over 2nd place. Let’s just keep it closer so we all don’t lose interest again.

[JoeW]

Wow they agreed with me...

https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article.how-mercedes-aggressive-tactics-helped-them-beat-red-bull-in-bahrain-despite.34dWh4rZiFupPmJq3bMVSo.html

[Crazed_Insanity]

You da man!

That was definitely Max's race to lose.

Next time during contract negotiation between Hamilton and Mercedes, when the question is asked whether if Hamilton needs Mercedes... or Mercedes needs Hamilton?

I think the answer is now 'both'? At least starting beginning this year, Mercedes won't win by default anymore. Without Hamilton to perfectly execute the plan, there's no way Mercedes can win this race. Similarly, without such awesome strategists in the team, there's no way Hamilton will be able to undercut Max again and again...

Maybe they had a bit of lady luck on their side as well? If it was a fully green race, maybe Max would be able to pull a bigger gap between him and Lewis?

Anyway, point is, this is the year Hamilton deserves a raise... given that he no longer has the superior car?

Looking forward to see Perez qualifying the car near the front too? At the moment, there's still a pretty great disparity between the 2 RB cars..., making me think that although RB/Honda has improved and closed the gap, but who knows how Lewis and Max would qualify if they were in the same car?

[FaultyMario]

The Spanish Shogun's steel-like will and determination have once again been tested by destiny.
Kampaku Alonso's march to the podium was stopped by a sandwich wrapper lodged in his left-rear brake duct.


After the race, the mystic warrior-driver was quoted as saying: "The spirit of plastic is fierce, whether the plastic be small or big; and so it is with battles. The Way of battles is the same for man to man fights and for ten thousand a side battles."

[samoht]

Seems like someone told Mazepin 'this is a very powerful car, you need to treat the throttle pedal like you would treat a beautiful woman'

[JoeW]

That my friend, is fucking hilarious...bravo

[JoeW]

Watched FP1/2 today. I like the new lineups and everyone looks to have forward progress except: Alpine, Alfa and Haas.

My projected constructors order for the season:

Mercedes
RBR
McLaren
Ferrari
Alpha Tauri
Aston
Williams
Alpine
Alfa
Haas

I know some surprises but this year might be pretty fun to watch.

Woo I’m doing pretty well on my prediction so far. Perfect record through all the points positions. 20ish races to go...

[Crazed_Insanity]

Sure, you got the top 6 right, but the bottom 4 are still up in the air because they are currently tied at 0 points! :p

[Crazed_Insanity]

After looking at that pass from the outside by Max some more, did he really gained an unfair advantage?

Max was clearly already ahead thru out the entire turn 4!

They really need to build tracks in ways that if you got out of bounds, gravel or grass or whatever would slow you down or damage your car... so we don’t need to rely on race control to tell people to give back position... designing a track like that is essentially inviting racers to go there. I think Hamilton himself utilized that runoff plenty of times? As long as it’s not for position then it’s okay?

That was really the lamest part of an otherwise awesome race.

[Rare White Ape]

After looking at that pass from the outside by Max some more, did he really gained an unfair advantage?

Max was clearly already ahead thru out the entire turn 4!

If he was clearly ahead then why did he run wide?

Let's analyse that for a minute. There are two main reasons that I see why Verstappen needed to go wide. They are:

1. He was travelling too fast and needed to run across the white line, otherwise he'd have had to slow down to tighten his trajectory and let Hamilton pull alongside on corner exit

2. Hamilton's defense and car positioning caused Verstappen to have to adjust his trajectory for the fastest way through the corner, given that he was off the racing line

I see a mix of the two. On corner entry Hamilton moved his car to the right and defended down the inside line on the grippy part of the circuit, and on corner exit, Hamilton allowed Verstappen to have enough room to stay on the track given that Verstappen was effectively ahead at this point and had right of way. If Hamilton was ahead he likely would have driven Verstappen off the circuit because they are allowed to do that in F1 in certain circumstances which are not relevant right now.

Additionally, seeing as how Hamilton left enough room for Verstappen until it was clear that they were not going to collide, it was fully incumbent on Verstappen to be able to pass Hamilton and navigate the corner without running wide. You need to do both in order to make a successful and fair pass.

So Billi, analyse this pass again, but take in all the information you have available to you from the moment Verstappen hit the DRS button to the moment he returned to the track. Can you tell me if the pass was a fair pass?

[JoeW]

The real problem which Mercedes initially was pissed about, and were nearly penalized for, is the ambiguous/non existent rules on running wide at turn 4. Hamilton did it all race long to his advantage. So it wasn’t a problem until Max started catching him and then they changed the rules.

Mercedes was initially pissed until they realized later it would save their ass.

[Crazed_Insanity]

Max was half car length ahead going into turn 4 and he remained ahead exiting turn4.

Only thing unfair would be Max had the advantage of greater exiting speed, but you decided to defend the inside line so naturally Max had to go outside...

Now, I understand rules are rules, Max should not have gone outside of track limit.

If Max was really going in too hot and we have a wall on the outside, Max likely would’ve crashed into the wall and possibly have Hamilton crash into him as well.

Anyway, this incident is becoming controversial but I think the best way to fix this is to not build a track that tempts driver to go outside the track limit. Better to have gravel or high curbs or something that’d make drivers think twice before going there on purpose...

To have race control make the call to give back position is just not very satisfying. Likewise, to not give back the position also doesn’t feel right either. Unless Max won by a huge >5s margin, it would’ve felt like Max stole the race...

So best fix for this problem is not to design a track like that! :p

[JoeW]

Or either enforce track limits or don’t. When his team got on the radio and told him to start taking turn 4 cleanly, Hamilton was pissed. He had been abusing that all race long. Max had not.

[FaultyMario]

Some drivers were, Max was one of them. There is no evidence that the message "Hamilton has been using the exit of T4" was also relayed to Perez. Nor was Bottas instructed either way.

The confusion lies with race control and not the drivers, IMHO. However, drivers had been instructed about qualifying and passing using only the track inside the white lines.

[Crazed_Insanity]

Or either enforce track limits or don’t. When his team got on the radio and told him to start taking turn 4 cleanly, Hamilton was pissed. He had been abusing that all race long. Max had not.

Problem is enforcing the rule will end up making the race less entertaining.

Let the track itself enforce the rule naturally... you venture outside of the limits, your car will then be slowed or damaged, just compromised somehow. If you got lucky and still able to complete the pass, great. If you end up damaging your car, well, that’s the price you pay! No need to involve race control, unless it caused a yellow flag...

This is not basketball or tennis or auto cross, don’t just draw a white line on asphalt and tell drivers that they can’t cross that line...

[Rare White Ape]

We've been there done that. Motorsport is a hundred years old and it only changed a decade ago.

High kerbs launch cars into the air, which is dangerous for a low open wheeler. Grass and gravel can cause cars to become stuck, requiring a tow and a yellow flag or SC. The interface between different surfaces is never perfectly level and it can damage cars and introduce debris. And you have to consider the needs of motorcycle racers, who use the same tracks as F1.

All of these things make racing less safe and less interesting. Plus a smooth runoff allows a driver a second chance if they screw up. The choice was made to adopt low profile kerbs and paved runoff areas.

The trade-off is pretty simple: follow the track limits. Assuming they are all well informed and appropriately skilled, then track limits will not become an issue. There is no controversy here.

[Crazed_Insanity]

Maybe we can involve technology somehow, such as if a car goes out of bound, power will be reduced or something.

Relying on another human to make the call in real time is not always reliable, maybe they should just utilize the 5s penalty post race because race control should have ample time to see things from various angles...

Of course this particular incident was pretty clear cut that Max went out of bound. However, considering how hard it’s to pass and I don’t really think Max gained too much unfair advantages by that pass because he only went out of bound after the pass...

Anyway, to me, this was the only annoyance of an otherwise awesome race. I think I’d be annoyed even if Max won the race by a small margin. That’s why I’d propose that we don’t build tracks like that!

[FaultyMario]

For a long time I've thought that the way DRS has been in implemented is flawed. It makes no strategic difference if all can activate at the same place, every time.

I think that It'd be more interesting to set an allocation of clicks per driver per race. It could be detemined depending on the number of straights of 400-meter in length or more per lap. For example, at Sakhir, there are 3 such sections of track, so how about each driver gets 110 clicks per race that they could use regardless if they're within 1" of the car ahead of not. That way DRS becomes a tactical option.

Now, imagine race controls finds that track limits are being abused at certain parts of the track, an electronic positioning system could be deployed at such a place as to automatically detect when a car completely went outside the track limits, a penalty on DRS could be activated, the infringing driver could get 5 clicks deleted or have DRS disabled for the next 2 laps. I guarantee you that Hamilton wouldn't have gone off 29 times if such a system was in place.

[JoeW]

Fucking genius

[Crazed_Insanity]

Yes, after fucking a genius, the likelihood of your offsprings being smart will definitely increase! I like that idea! :D

[Tom Servo]

The problem with an automated system that penalizes drivers that go outside track limits is it will invariably fuck up the situation where someone is forced outside of track limits by another car. Then it'll just be a way the more aggressive drivers will use to hurt their opponents - even if you're clearly losing the corner, as long as you have the inside line and can force the guy overtaking you to either have a collision or exceed track limits, you can just bully your way through.

The answer there, of course, is that the automated system would just notify the stewards that track limits have been exceeded and leave it up to them whether to take action, at which point you're pretty much back where you started.

[Crazed_Insanity]

Yeah, we just need a proper race track, forget about motorcycle races! :p

Allowing runoff for safety reasons’ fine, just don’t allow drivable asphalt areas that could potentially help reduce lap time. Painting a white line and tell drivers to not cross it is just too tempting and there will always be scenarios that end up controversial happening...

[Godson]

The real problem which Mercedes initially was pissed about, and were nearly penalized for, is the ambiguous/non existent rules on running wide at turn 4. Hamilton did it all race long to his advantage. So it wasn’t a problem until Max started catching him and then they changed the rules.

Mercedes was initially pissed until they realized later it would save their ass.

You forget that race control told Hamilton to tighten it up on T4 at around lap 30....

So no, it wasn't all race long.

Max pissed away a win by not making a clean pass. After giving the position back, max botched the follow some 4 corners later.

Max has the ability to be great, but he doesn't have the patience to pull a WDC, currently.

I'm reminded about an old racing quote, and it applies to max quite a bit.

"When the green flag drops, the IQs drop to single digits"

[balki]

Max wasn't good enough to beat the best driver in the best car, guess he should just call it a career.

He's looked to consistently be the second best driver in F1 for the last 18 months, and I'd put him closer to Hamilton than to whoever is considered third best (Leclerc made plenty of boneheaded mistakes last year and Vettel looks washed up).
I know he's had 120 starts, but he's still only 23 (younger than Kimi and Alonso were when they won their first titles). He still has 5+ years to hone his racecraft while keeping most of his speed.

[FaultyMario]

Am I hearing it wrong or does the Renault engine drop more revs on downshifts that the other 3?

[Rare White Ape]

Max wasn't good enough to beat the best driver in the best car, guess he should just call it a career.

He's looked to consistently be the second best driver in F1 for the last 18 months, and I'd put him closer to Hamilton than to whoever is considered third best (Leclerc made plenty of boneheaded mistakes last year and Vettel looks washed up).
I know he's had 120 starts, but he's still only 23 (younger than Kimi and Alonso were when they won their first titles). He still has 5+ years to hone his racecraft while keeping most of his speed.

George Russell is the heir to the crown. He'll probably win a title before Verstappen does.

[balki]

I was actually going to say George Russell would be next in line but didn't want to type all that much.
He looked really impressive that one race in the MB, but then again Max also got a top drive mid-season and managed to win that race, so we can't go by a sample size of 1 (can't tell how good a Williams driver is aside from always out-qualifying his teammate).

[Crazed_Insanity]

Everyone makes mistakes. Not sure all it takes is mistakes free to be champs.

Clearly Max has talent. Of course talent alone won’t win championships either..., but talent will make you the faster teammate... so if you’re lucky enough to have a winning car, you won’t end up 2nd.

Vettel is clearly washed up. Became #2 too way too many times.

George has clearly demonstrated that he’s good enough to fit Hamilton’s big shoes. However Mercedes dominance appeared to be waning...

This might be the year Max surprises some of you guys... ;)

[JoeW]

I can hear it now if Max starts winning...well he should win because he’s got the faster car....

I’m not convinced. I still say the Merc is faster. Especially on the straights. I didn’t see a single car pass a Mercedes on the straight. Maybe I missed it?

[Crazed_Insanity]

Whether it’s down to car or driver, Max was the fastest during qualifying.

If we could get Perez to consistently out qualify Bottas, then we can be sure RB Hondas are the cars to beat.

Perez able to finish 5th from last is probably indicative that RB has a great car this season?

[FaultyMario]

George Russell is the heir to the crown. He'll probably win a title before Verstappen does.

Yup, I reckon that Sir Lewis Carl Davidson Hamilton would want to honor the Empire.

[FaultyMario]

I didn’t see a single car pass a Mercedes on the straight. Maybe I missed it?

Not enough evidence, says I. Bahrain was way too gusty and the part of that track (where the mini and the main straight are located) got really dirty throughout the race. Cars were making some odd noises as they got pushed down onto the track surface, like they were being sandblasted.

[JoeW]

Yeah...we are going way overboard on the rhetoric just 1 race in...but methinks we were way overdue some F1 to talk about ;)

I'd say we'll have some pretty solid data in about 4-5 more races.

[JoeW]

Apparently Hamilton left the track at turn 4 29 times before race control said something to Mercedes.

But here is a better article explaining the ongoing confusion...
https://www.espn.co.uk/f1/story/_/id/31157724/f1-track-limits-confusion-explained-bahrain-grand-prix

One last thing. I saw an article title today “Seidl delighted with points haul in Bahrain-and how McLaren have closed the gap to the leaders”.

I don’t even have to read it. It’s obvious...changing to Mercedes power is how. Dumbasses.

[Crazed_Insanity]

Also apparently Ricciardo got badly beaten by Norris was probably due to damaged floor caused by Gasly.

He didn’t even notice until after the race... probably lost quite a bit of rear downforce... so now he could sleep better at night knowing that he was slower not just because of his ability...

If Norris could consistently beat Ricciardo like that thruout the whole season, then he might end up as the next Vettel...

[Rare White Ape]

Joe: thanks for the article. It’s very illuminating.

As I see it, there is no confusion. If I was to illustrate it to a group of school kids, I’d say that each driver has a glass to fill with regards to gaining an advantage.

Hamilton filled his drip-by-drip and race control felt the need to step in. Verstappen filled his all at once until it overflowed.

And you have to remember that F1 drivers are ruthless sportspeople. They will always push the boundaries of rules and track limits to gain their advantage. Some are smarter, some are more ruthless. Some are smart AND ruthless.

[Tom Servo]

I love Toto Wolff essentially claiming that running wide there isn't gaining an advantage. If that's true, why did Hamilton do it 29 times?

[JoeW]

And why did Hamilton complain over the radio when they told him to stop?

[Tom Servo]

I just watched the Netflix show's episode where he did the practice start from on the track instead of in the designated area at Sochi and it seemed like the same exact tactic. He knew he wasn't supposed to do it, but did the whole "well, show me where in the rulebook it says I can get a penalty for it" thing.

[Rare White Ape]

That's what I was saying about ruthlessness and intelligence. Hamilton knows exactly what he is doing. Toto Wolff knows exactly what he is doing.

Wolff's comment about driving with a copy of the rulebook in the cockpit is 100% true, except it's the lawyers in the pit garage who read it, not the driver.

The rules are clear - clearer to them than they are to us.

[Crazed_Insanity]

If I were max, something like this legality BS is telling me to give position back? I’d tell them fuck off, I’d just finish the race and you can penalize me with 5s later...

RB the team really also need to have more lawyers to back their driver up rather than just fold and tell driver to give back position...

Obviously Mercedes and Hamilton have much better team work.

[Rare White Ape]

Ignoring the stewards decision. What does the rulebook say about that? I'll bet the larger of my two testicles that it would lead to more than a +5 sec penalty.

Potentially disqualification, or loss of points, or back-of-grid penalty.

[Crazed_Insanity]

Can we try to find out? Passing from the outside that resulted leaving the track momentarily after the pass, which also posed no danger to self or others deserves such harsh punishment? You don’t think you’re a bit biased?

Just saying even if it does carry such severe punishment, I’d still risk it.

Passing in F1 is physically hard enough already, we really don’t need further legal crap to discourage passing as well. What Max has done was good for the show.

Toto said it, going wide on the outside doesn’t really gain much advantage. Surely Hamilton would also agree, until it’s the other guy doing it.

This is clearly not that clear cut and kinda controversial.

So yeah, I’d encourage Max to just continue to do it and then risk penalties later. Like Senna said, he sees a gap, he’ll go for it. That’s what Max did and that’s why I like him. Of course the risk may be penalties or crash and death, but that’s racing. Who enjoys racing by the legal book? Hamilton doesn’t do that and that’s why he’s a multi champ.

Unless RB is so confident with their car, then sure, maybe they’ll be able to drive it by the rules and still win.

They just have to realize Mercedes and Hamilton are constantly pushing to and beyond the boundaries of the rules. If they don’t do likewise, it’ll be hard to beat them.

[Tom Servo]

That's what I was saying about ruthlessness and intelligence. Hamilton knows exactly what he is doing. Toto Wolff knows exactly what he is doing.

Wolff's comment about driving with a copy of the rulebook in the cockpit is 100% true, except it's the lawyers in the pit garage who read it, not the driver.

The rules are clear - clearer to them than they are to us.

Definitely agree with you. It's the whinging afterwards that bugs me. It's like a child who keeps pushing the envelope, knowing full well that they're doing so right up until the point where they get admonished, and then crying when it happens. I've got no problem with the pushing of the envelope, it's that "what, us? We didn't do anything!!" crying afterwards that I hate so much. It's a lot like the people who insist on arguing with the ref in other sports - you're not going to win. Take the warning and stop doing what they told you to stop doing, and quit wasting everyone else's time.

[Rare White Ape]

Eh, believable disbelief can be part of the game too.

For example, I don't know if you're familiar with the incident, but at the Bathurst 1000 a few years ago there was a FCY, which means pitstops for everyone and the risk of double-stacking. The DJR Penske team asked their 2nd driver in the 18 car who was in 3rd place at the time to take an extra long period of time to go down Conrod Straight so that their lead driver could get in and out of the pits without the 18 car having to wait and lose positions. The act caused the entire field to back up behind because they weren't allowed to pass and gave an advantage to their sister car in first place.

They did break a rule there, however on team radio they were talking about overheating in the car so it wasn't provable. A few laps later the crew chief for the 18 car was interviewed in the pits and when asked about what had happened he couldn't contain a wry smile and basically let out the confirmation that they were purposefully backing up the field to avoid double-stacking in the pit stop. Race control used this as evidence and penalised the team of the 18 car for breaking the rules, giving them a drive through penalty, forcing them back to 6th place.

If it wasn't for that interview, they might've gotten away with it. If Hamilton replied on the radio with something like, "OK they're finally telling us to stop," then it would have been treated very differently by race control.

[Tom Servo]

I think there's a middle ground there. "Oh, I thought that was allowed, I'll stop then."

[Crazed_Insanity]

Another easy way out is, whatever Hamilton does, others are allowed to do as well.

Since there’s asphalt there and it’s not unsafe to drive there. Let’s just racers race on there, okay?

Why artificially draw a line there and tell them not to cross it? :p

Seriously, if you didn’t cut corners and reducing actual racing distance and you didn’t pull anything dangerous and unsafe, why would a penalty be necessary?

[Tom Servo]

No joking around, I've seen at least three different people explain this to you at least four different times. I ain't adding to it.

[Rare White Ape]

He has his Verstappen-tinted glasses on.

[Crazed_Insanity]

I think my tint is pretty neutral.

If they run the race as I suggested, nobody needs to nag Hamilton about going over that line during the whole weekend and Toto also need to provide no explanations about there’s no advantage and Max would‘ve pulled off one helluva pass.

Of course, rules are rules. I get it. It’s not that I don’t get the rule, I just thought they probably need to change it or modify it to make it more enforceable or enjoyable for the fans or something.

Not just warn and allow it while driving solo as Hamilton did and then penalize some when racing side by side, as Max did.

[JoeW]

I wonder what a perfect Billi world would be like to live in :)

[Crazed_Insanity]

It’ll be perfect of course! :p

[Blerpa]

The rule per se is clear and simple (I cannot fathom how people can mix that): if you are on your own and not gaining concrete advantage just do as you please; if you are in race battle with someone and passing her/him... you cannot profit from that space.

Everyone and her dog are barking about Hamilton and his 29 times over. Well, all the others drivers in the race did the same.
Obviously journos and F1 "real" time radio do not show that (it is clear as fuck that race direction chooses what team radios to broadcast and usually does it to dramatize the action on track for the viewers).

Verstappen was sleeping during briefing.
Also, no point not obliging giving back position: F1 rule pundits have pin pointed the fact that in a past race Vettel got an after race 10 second penalty for similar stuff.
And deliberately saying "fuck it, we are going pedal to the metal, in case they will penalize us later" will meet the wrath of FIA.
Good luck with that.

About the rule? Even if it is simple to understand for people not being baboons (On your own? Do it. Passing someone? Do not.) the discretionality irks and I would be Lewis I would respond to the "Ehi, man, 29 times... back off, com'on" to the tune of "Either you can or cannot, get stuffed" (which will obviously encour, once again, in FIA's wrath).
So... either change that stupid corner or make it so drivers CANNOT do that trick in any condition whatsover during a whole race weekend.
Tough shit if you go over, in any case.

[Crazed_Insanity]

But in this less than perfect world, we can’t change that corner and we’ll just have to happily accept that stupid rule and live with this otherwise great race with this slight imperfection. No biggie. I’m used to this world as it is, just that I’m looking forward to that perfect world someday! :)

[Tom Servo]

Everyone and her dog are barking about Hamilton and his 29 times over. Well, all the others drivers in the race did the same.

From the article Joe posted...



"No, nothing changed at all during the race," Masi added. "We had two people that were looking in that area at every car at every lap and pretty much every car bar one was doing the right thing within what we expected in a general sequence. There was the occasional car that had a bit of a moment or went out there but it wasn't a constant thing."

[JoeW]

Oh snap.

[Crazed_Insanity]

F1 has been working hard on aero changes to make passing easier..., we really should just allow cars to race as wide as physically possible to help too. As long as we’re not cutting corners or doing anything unsafe, race director should’ve just let Hamilton run the entire race like that... and not order Max to give it back.

[Blerpa]

From the article Joe posted...

Interestingly enough that is not what people that watched the images of the race said.
Go figure.
And Masi's words are ambiguous at best.
Even more proof that the best way to handle the situation is to not be lenient at all and to forbid to stray far in that corner.

EDIT: Nope.
Less aero in general and more mechanical grip.
It is like 40 years we keep saying that.
Running out of the track limits and be content about it is not a solution.

[Crazed_Insanity]

Wider track can certainly be one of the solutions, just not feasible every where...

Think about it, even if we do return to mechanical grip only, it’d still be hard to pass at Monaco, right? ;)

Spirit of the rules should be for safety and for fairness. Max broke the rule for sure, but I don’t think Max was being unsafe nor do I believe he gained an unfair advantage passing and going around the long way on the out side.

Looking at some onboard shots, I think Ocon and Yuki on lap 20 had a similar incident, except Ocon wasn’t quite ahead of Yuki while he was off track at turn 4. He remained side by side with Yuki and was only able to complete his pass after turn 6.

Should race director also told him to back off and just stay behind Yuki since he went outside the track limit?

Personally, I’d think that’s just racing. But of course rules are rules.

[XHawkeye]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ex-2QjvXIAEqPti.jpg

[JoeW]

Sprint race qualifying is happening this season for a few races. Should be interesting.

[FaultyMario]

Hulk is the official AM development and reserve driver.

[samoht]

Hulk is the official AM development and reserve driver.

cue speculation about him being the unofficial replacement-for-underperformers driver

[Crazed_Insanity]

Yes, Vettels vast experience should make him a great development driver!

Vettel really should never join a team who isn’t intend on treating him as #1 driver.

Makes me wonder if perhaps AM is setting Vettel up to fail in order to raise the stock value of Lance Stroll? When push comes to shove, will the team/boss really see you as their #1 or will he see his son as the true #1?

Starting with preseason testing, it really made no sense to have your #1 driver logging way less miles than his teammate. Especially when Vettel had very little experience in the car compared to the Jr. driver.

[Freude am Fahren]

IT'S RAWE CEEK !

[FaultyMario]

It is!


Check qualifying times, they've been moved (or shortened) because F1 is basically a British sport and the British prince consort is being put in the ground.

[Freude am Fahren]

They moved them. But all practices this year are 60 minutes, instead of 1&2 being 90.

[JoeW]

Oh that crafty Mazespin is back at work.

[Crazed_Insanity]

:lol:

Looks like Mercedes is back?

[Freude am Fahren]

https://i.redd.it/d810dtcy5it61.png

[FaultyMario]

Valtteri Approvves!

[XHawkeye]

A Mercedes that's fun to watch lapping the track. (https://twitter.com/fiftybucksvt/status/1382674405176836096) <--- Open for video

[samoht]

A Mercedes that's fun to watch lapping the track. (https://twitter.com/fiftybucksvt/status/1382674405176836096) <--- Open for video

Something for me to work towards!


So, questions for Imola weekend:

Is the season really gonna be the equally balanced battle we hope? Red Bull had issues in Bahrain with their diffs and Checo's power failure, and may have more to come from the new engine. Conversely Merc may be on a steeper development curve recovering downforce, and Bahrain may have been a particularly weak track for them.

Can Alpha Tauri capitalise on their promise and be third-best in the race?

Without car damage, will Danny Ric equal/beat Lando?

Are Ferrari as strong as they looked?

Can Seb get on top of things, or is it all downhill from here?

Is the Williams going to be better here than at windy Bahrain, and can Russell make up for his error last year?

and finally - what are the odds on Mazespin completing his first F1 race this weekend? Low, I feel.

[JoeW]

Odds on Mezespin making it to the end of the season?

[Crazed_Insanity]

As long as he’s financially supporting Haas, why would they let him go? :p

Anyway, can’t wait to have all those answers revealed over the weekend!

[2ndMoparMan]

Odds on Mezespin making it to the end of the season?

Shouldn't be there in the first place.

[Kchrpm]

A Mercedes that's fun to watch lapping the track. (https://twitter.com/fiftybucksvt/status/1382674405176836096) <--- Open for video

Holy shit.

[Rare White Ape]

That's why they hire ex-racing drivers to pilot the safety cars :up:

I have watched the MotoGP safety car fully sideways at Philip Island on many occasions.

[Crazed_Insanity]

Track limit rule again! Lando should have that front row!

I get it, rules are rules, I just thought that sucks.

[Freude am Fahren]

He would have been 3rd anyway, but yeah I'm glad they are at least so far being consistent.

[FaultyMario]

Shouldn't be there in the first place.

He should finish the season, alright. Contract must be watertight on both ends.

On the other hand, I hope the MSC plan works and that Gunther can go ahead and have a not-so-new Schumacher paired up with a solid veteran to fight up for fifth in the 2022 constructors championship with the rule shakeup.

[JoeW]

Qualifying is fun again...Merc no longer half a second above everyone else. Exciting times until their first set of upgrades...then it’s over again :)

[FaultyMario]

They ALL brought upgrades to Imola.

RB is sporting some funny looking miniwings in the driver's headrest and Verstappen and Perez have new helmet spoilers!

Rumor has it that Honda are able to squish more juice from their package but that RB wanna save up the extra power for as long as they can.

[JoeW]

Well it’s all about the holeshot at Imola...no passing after that. So let’s see how it plays out. Norris is looking pretty damn fast as well.

[Crazed_Insanity]

Lando is definitely giving Ricciardo a hard time. Also surprised to see Perez giving max a hard time...

Vettel and Alonso really should just retire if they can’t consistently beat their team mates...

[Blerpa]

Also surprised to see Perez giving max a hard time...

I'm not.


Vettel and Alonso really should just retire if they can’t consistently beat their team mates...

The only one that should not be in F1 right now is Mazepin.

[Rare White Ape]

I love your responses in this thread Blerpa :D

[JoeW]

Miami race confirmed for 2022 and 10+ yrs.

Because that would be so much better than nearly every other cool actual track I can think of...

[Rare White Ape]

It's in a parking lot around a sports stadium in the middle of suburbia.

So good!

[samoht]

Some answers to my earlier questions:



Is the season really gonna be the equally balanced battle we hope? Yes, looks like it I'd say, Red Bulls slightly faster but very close. Championship lead is now one point.

Can Alpha Tauri capitalise on their promise and be third-best in the race? No, Gasly was on the wrong tyres (full wet) at the wrong time which is fatal in changing conditions, Yuki Tsunoda made a couple of significant errors.

Without car damage, will Danny Ric equal/beat Lando? No, Lando was >1 second a lap quicker at Imola, a remarkable gap. Great work to take third, Lando could perhaps start to look like a future champ if he keeps this up.

Are Ferrari as strong as they looked? Yes I guess? Basically neck and neck with McLaren for best of the rest again.

Can Seb get on top of things, or is it all downhill from here? No, poor in qualy and the race. A cynic might suggest that Vettel was hired to make Stroll Jr look good, certainly he's achieving that.

Is the Williams going to be better here than at windy Bahrain, and can Russell make up for his error last year? Yes Williams looked a lot better at Imola, justifying the 'our car doesn't like the wind' line from the team last race. I guess Russell didn't actually make up for his error as he didn't bring home any points.

What are the odds on Mazespin completing his first F1 race this weekend? Yes he made it. Several spins along the way, and in last place over a minute behind his team-mate, but he completed the race.


I think Bottas made a misjudgment in moving over on Russell. On a dry track I'd consider that acceptable as he did leave a car's width, but to swerve that late, that quickly when the "car's width" of track you're leaving is cold wet and slippery, well it's asking for an accident. I don't think Russell did anything wrong... apart from remonstrating with Bottas afterwards, it's important to show self control and not risk damaging a promising career. I understand he was shocked, upset and angry but he shouldn't do that sort of thing for his own sake. Anyway I predict it'll be put down as a racing incident, no fault either way, although perhaps the violence of the consequences might push the stewards into awarding a penalty; if so I'd say Bottas should be the recipient.


Pity Hamilton fell off passing traffic, spoilt the fight for the lead, but he did great to come back to 2nd (helped by the stoppage).

Well done to Max, a great drive when everyone else made mistakes, he almost made one of his own behind the safety car but caught it. Looked great today and a well deserved victory.

Checo must be v disappointed, hopefully he can bounce back as he showed a lot of potential in the Bulls yesterday.

[Crazed_Insanity]

Season is still young, I suspect some of the the answers might change as time goes on?


I'm not.



The only one that should not be in F1 right now is Mazepin.

Anyway, RB’s race outcome is no longer surprising... hope Perez can put the pressure on Max on race days too. Perhaps rain didn’t do any favors for Perez whereas Max is known to do well in rain...

Lastly I regret picking Alonso and Vettel in my fantasy league now, things are not looking good for them... also regret not picking Lando! If Lando could consistently beat Danny, future is gonna be bright for that boy! Still not counting Ricciardo out yet, he may just need a bit more time to get used to the team?

At least the Russian finished a race, ahead of some folks... ;) still, I’d agree he needs to go.

[FaultyMario]

I found the race on the boring side. Not a lot of racing to speak of.

[Crazed_Insanity]

Way too many mistakes by way too many drivers maybe?

[JoeW]

I swear Hamilton is the recipient of the best luck...all the time. Seems like every time he makes a mistake things happen to basically give him a do over. So annoying.

Agree with samoht on all counts. I enjoyed the race. If Gasly hadn’t held up the field while on Wets, that battle for the last podium spots would have been quite different.

I think this is Bottas last season with Merc. He’s just not making it happen.

[Crazed_Insanity]

What’s your take on Bottas/Russel incident?

I’m not sure who I’d assign most of the blame...

Hamilton was definitely lucky, but he is also amazingly good! Most drivers probably would’ve given up and jumped out of the car, but he figured out a way to get out of his mess!

His good fortune was delivered to him by Russel and Bottas! Maybe it’s just team work! ;)

[Rare White Ape]

I found the race on the boring side. Not a lot of racing to speak of.

I wonder if we watched the same race! That climb by Hamilton back to P2 was the mark of a true champion. Despite his earlier mishap, that's the sort of hunger that delivers you 7 titles. Nobody else on the grid right now can do that.

[JoeW]

Omg you are hilarious...

[Crazed_Insanity]

I have to agree Hamilton has the mark of champion and Lady Luck! No question about that!

[Rare White Ape]

Omg you are hilarious...

You didn't say I was wrong though...

[JoeW]

Because it’s obvious you must be joking.

So he pulls a dumbass move and ends up against a wall. He’s thinking it’s all over. By the time he gets the thing back on track he’s a lap down. No way out of that hole. But the stars align once again for the touched Hamilton and he gets a red flag race stoppage. Basically a free pit stop to fix the car as well. Before race restart they give him the lap back behind the safety car so he finds himself only a five seconds behind the race leader in 8th place when the race starts back. Well who the fuck wouldn’t be juiced up and happy as fuck about the good fortune that fell into their lap. So we’ve got a guy in arguably the fastest car (especially down the straight), with 30 laps left to pass a few guys who are in inferior cars. Big fucking deal.

Now his attitude wouldn’t have been so chipper and racy without getting that red flag and getting his lap back.

[FaultyMario]

I tuned out at the red flag crocodile launch (it should have been a standing start, imho).

[FaultyMario]

My take on Russell-Bottas:

This could have been nasty, a Halo once again helped save someone from injury (Bottas), a whack from the tire, at those speeds is not something desirable.
I'm almost fifty-fifty on this one, and I think that Bottas is genuinely a good and clean racer, except that given track conditions and the speed at which it happened, his slight weave was a little too much.

Toto Wolff has said that Russell shouldn't race a Mercedes that hard. I suppose he is implying that front running teams should be given some respect by backmarkers.

To Wolff I say: fuckwidat. A Mercedes shouldn't be driven that slow, if one of his cars is at the tail end of the points, it then risks being raced for position, you fool!

Track was clearly too variable, as demonstrated by Hamilton's off and Verstappen's and Perez' spins. It was only natural that if a Williams stepped on the watery stuff, it'd lose control; and it'd only be in that position because its driver had gone for the fabled gap. So, good on Russell for trying to grab the position from a weak-kneed driver.

Verdict: 55 Bottas, 45 Russell.

[JoeW]

I’m kinda the other way. But it’s all happening in a split second. The Bottas weave was barely perceptible. And what does Russell think he’s doing out in the damp part of the track with no downforce (DRS deployed) and fresh slicks? Can’t say I wouldn’t have gone for the chance to pass a Merc either but I would have been a little skeered out there at the edge of the track at 200mph.

How about that other pass early on? Was it Norris? I forget. But I remember saying it was super ballsy and risky but it stuck.

Edit...it was Norris passing Sainz and Gasly on the straight. It’s like Norris expected/hoped Gasly would move and he did. But if he didn’t there was definitely a crash.

[Crazed_Insanity]

I just thought that was pretty much a 50/50 racing incident.

Bottas could’ve left more room, but should a Mercedes really just yield to a Williams?

I suppose Totos right, should’ve just yielded and then pass him back later?

As for George, you knew the risks, you commit yourself in such dangerous situation racing against a car that’s out of your league...

Yeah, maybe you deserve his seat more, but you should know better that guys is not going to give up his seat and position so easily, especially to you!

[Rare White Ape]

Because it’s obvious you must be joking.

So he pulls a dumbass move and ends up against a wall. He’s thinking it’s all over. By the time he gets the thing back on track he’s a lap down. No way out of that hole. But the stars align once again for the touched Hamilton and he gets a red flag race stoppage. Basically a free pit stop to fix the car as well. Before race restart they give him the lap back behind the safety car so he finds himself only a five seconds behind the race leader in 8th place when the race starts back. Well who the fuck wouldn’t be juiced up and happy as fuck about the good fortune that fell into their lap. So we’ve got a guy in arguably the fastest car (especially down the straight), with 30 laps left to pass a few guys who are in inferior cars. Big fucking deal.

Now his attitude wouldn’t have been so chipper and racy without getting that red flag and getting his lap back.

Alright, now name another driver who can do the above.

Racing is a big part luck, and a big part making the right choices. Not just on track but in career. I've been trying to say exactly this for almost a year now.

You've got a big hard-on for hating Hamilton and it colours your view. Your admiration for Verstappen is not in question, however being the guy who leads the challenge to Hamilton's title, I don't see him producing world champion drives almost every weekend like Hamilton does.

[Tom Servo]

To me, Bottas purposely tried to squeeze Russell. He probably left him enough room if he was driving a more stable car and was a more experienced driver. Russell ended up either having to snap off the throttle potentially losing control or keep his foot in it and try to avoid Bottas, and we saw how that turned out.

Russell had the run on him, Bottas tried to make it difficult, and it bit him both of them. I have a really hard time blaming Russell for trying to avoid a collision with Bottas, who went wider there trying to defend than pretty much any other driver for the rest of the race.

[Crazed_Insanity]

Alright, now name another driver who can do the above.

Racing is a big part luck, and a big part making the right choices. Not just on track but in career. I've been trying to say exactly this for almost a year now.

You've got a big hard-on for hating Hamilton and it colours your view. Your admiration for Verstappen is not in question, however being the guy who leads the challenge to Hamilton's title, I don't see him producing world champion drives almost every weekend like Hamilton does.

I don’t think we max fan boyz hate Hamilton as much as you guys hate Max...

The main point really is that Hamilton should not have made such a mistake as that Russian rookie. As for the recoveries, latest example would be Perez! Last to 5th in Bahrain. Yeah, it’s not 2nd, but Perez would be happy with 2nd on a normal day! ( Perez also won a race from last to 1st last year too , remember?) so far I guess Perez is also marked to be a champ? ;)

[JoeW]

Well gee whiz...you gotta have a championship car to even start a championship drive. And we all know Bottas is shit so I guess that leaves just Hamilton until another manufacturer steps up with good machinery. Although I think you are being pretty ridiculous thinking Max couldn’t do the same. He’s pulled off some pretty great “through the pack recovery drives” in non championship machinery.

[Rare White Ape]

That's what I've been saying all along!

*gesticulates with hands*

And how do you get championship machinery?

[JoeW]

Lucking into your first championship by passing some no name guy for 5th place. Then being a mid pack guy for five years until F1 changes the engine specs and your team happens to have the magic formula for that spec and all of a sudden you are driving the fastest car on the grid? He even managed to get beat by his teammate one of those years. Is that how most drivers do it?

[JoeW]

Stewards agree...

https://www.gpfans.com/en/articles/63929/russell-and-bottas-avoid-fia-sanction-over-high-speed-imola-crash/?fbclid=IwAR1zfKKK3yABy8gOLHqUYU56AsMd7WO3jvDswnbx VBHw7ukM8DKl5JM_B_w

[Rare White Ape]

Lucking into your first championship by passing some no name guy for 5th place. Then being a mid pack guy for five years until F1 changes the engine specs and your team happens to have the magic formula for that spec and all of a sudden you are driving the fastest car on the grid? He even managed to get beat by his teammate one of those years. Is that how most drivers do it?

You're 100% correct. All of it. A large part of Hamilton's success is luck.

[FaultyMario]

[Max]’s pulled off some pretty great “through the pack recovery drives” in non championship machinery.

...


Machines win races, men win championships.

[Crazed_Insanity]

Hamilton was indeed lucky to be able to get a Mclaren seat at such a young age and at a right time when the team was still good. However, it certainly wasn’t just luck that he tied with Alonso on his rookie year.

Anyway, Hamilton was seemingly given all the amazing opportunities, but he is also definitely amazingly skilled to seize those opportunities. Pretty sure very few would be able to repeat what Hamilton has done given those same opportunities.

Rosberg had been with Mercedes for a long time and won only 1 championship and was burnt out.

IMHO, JV was the luckiest sob. He waltz into Indy and won the championship and the Indy500 and then waltz right into a Williams ride and won F1 championship. He’s clearly good enough to pull those stunts off when given the opportunities, but clearly he is not as great as Hamilton.

To be as good and as lucky as Hamilton, that’s just not easy. I think Rosberg only barely won his championship on one of Lewis’ off year... so it's true that machinary doesn't win championships... Weber couldn't do it in a fast RB and Rosberg only managed to do it once. I'd definitely rate Hamilton as one of the greats. Can't say if Max is really greater, but he certainly looks like he has the potential to become one... because his trajectory is comparable to a young Hamilton. The home team that hired them as a rookie is totally and completely excited about them...

This year turned out to possibly be the year the 2 could butt heads on even ground...

[Crazed_Insanity]

Stewards agree...

https://www.gpfans.com/en/articles/63929/russell-and-bottas-avoid-fia-sanction-over-high-speed-imola-crash/?fbclid=IwAR1zfKKK3yABy8gOLHqUYU56AsMd7WO3jvDswnbx VBHw7ukM8DKl5JM_B_w

Yep, fair verdict IMHO too.

I totally forgot about DRS reduces rear down force, which explains why the rear snapped out like that... I wonder if he could've avoided the spin if he let go of the DRS prior to dipping into the grass...

George was overly ambitious and Bottas should've given more room on such a narrow track...

However, can't blame George for going for that gap and I also can't blame Bottas for not yielding his line and give up his position... for a Williams. This is racing after all...

[samoht]

George has put out a statement walking back his criticism of Bottas, and apologising.

I think he's belatedly realised that (a) it looks a lot like a 50/50 incident from the outside, and (b) his goal this year is to convince one person, namely Mr Wolff, and having a hissy fit at Bottas does the opposite.

I don't believe this'll affect anything negatively, but it'll be interesting to see how Russell handles racing in the pack over the next 21 races in an improved Williams, with a lot of pressure not to mess up. I still back him to get the Merc seat next year, and to capitalise on that opportunity.

[Crazed_Insanity]

Had George pulled it off, it would've done some serious psychological damage to Bottas and for sure his career in Mercedes would be over... and George would come out as the next Max!

I wonder if Bottas truly saw George coming in his mirrors. Was Bottas just focusing on driving and then got hit by George or was he seriously just holding his line and gradually squeezing him off track? Either way, Bottas has shown that he won't give up his seat/position that easily to George.

George should also be racing RBs or Ferraris like that rather than a Mercedes if he wants to stay on Toto's good side! ;) I'm sure this isolated incident won't hurt his chances with Mercedes. Like Senna said, if a racing driver doesn't go for that gap, he's no longer a racing driver. George is obviously proving himself to be a 'young' racing driver... :p

[JoeW]

I think there were several instances where people tried to go around the outside heading down the straight and into that turn and it didn’t work out for them. Still thinking it wasn’t the wisest decision to give it a go in those conditions.

[JoeW]

Oh, and calling George the next Max is an insult of the highest caliber. Basically condemning him to a life of underachieving and failure.

[Crazed_Insanity]

:lol:

Anyway, I’m just so excited to see so many talents on the current grid, making bunch of them past champs look bad! Well, Hamilton still looks good though.

[JoeW]

I’m surprised most of you don’t like the 18” wheels. They look great to me.

[Crazed_Insanity]

What are you talking about?

[JoeW]

The teams are testing the tires and wheels for next year. There are photos up on the F1 site. Rick just making a comment about next years wheel set up.

[Freude am Fahren]

I think they went too far. They should have gone ~16" I think.

They're only at 13" currently.

I'm not a fan of low profile tires. I like a bit of meat. :)

https://www.racefans.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/EzamZS0XsAMune_.jpg

[Crazed_Insanity]

My bottom of the line 1990 Civic hatch had 13” steel wheels!

2002 S2000 has 16” wheels.

It’s about time RB Honda catches up...

[Rare White Ape]

I don't think they suit the cars either, so something that is tempering my apprehension is the fact that the rules are changing next year, and the new cars have the potential to look even worse!

[JoeW]

Well I dig it.

[Crazed_Insanity]

Major concern I have is that the tire logos will become harder to see. Can't tell if it's goodyear or bridgestone... tires are spinning fast enough as it is, the reduced font size due to lower profile will make them harder to read! :p

Also, does this mean F-1 cars will get bigger brakes? Drivers need to give their necks more workouts!