The Official Formula One Thread!

[Rock]

Hopefully they won't be strong at Silverstone.
It is boring to see the same drivers on the podium every race, season after season.
What would be good is to see some of the young talent in the Teams outside the 'Big3' get a foot on the podium.

[Dr.Brian]

Originally Posted by Rock

Hopefully they won't be strong at Silverstone.
It is boring to see the same drivers on the podium every race, season after season.
What would be good is to see some of the young talent in the Teams outside the 'Big3' get a foot on the podium.

I think the fact that outside of the big 3 everyone else was a lap behind is pretty telling and that’s what’s ruining the sport. Even with the newest Ferrari and Mercedes engines they can’t compete, at all really. It takes a series of crashes/incidents and a minor miracle to get one of the rest on the podium at all. Some of that is the driver, but if you need an unlimited budget to win, that’s a problem. When they fix that problem it will be a much better race. But that’s not F1, and of course the current big 3 don’t want that at all. When other deep pocket car companies are reluctant to sponsor a team, that’s a big problem. The other teams are just going to get worse and worse as the $$ dries up and they’re passing the hat around to get tire money and duct tape.

[texasmade]

Originally Posted by Dr.Brian

I think the fact that outside of the big 3 everyone else was a lap behind is pretty telling and that’s what’s ruining the sport. Even with the newest Ferrari and Mercedes engines they can’t compete, at all really. It takes a series of crashes/incidents and a minor miracle to get one of the rest on the podium at all. Some of that is the driver, but if you need an unlimited budget to win, that’s a problem. When they fix that problem it will be a much better race. But that’s not F1, and of course the current big 3 don’t want that at all. When other deep pocket car companies are reluctant to sponsor a team, that’s a big problem. The other teams are just going to get worse and worse as the $$ dries up and they’re passing the hat around to get tire money and duct tape.

Hasn't F1 been like that for years dating all the way back? It was either half the field blew their engine and only a handful of cars on the lead lap or now when only a handful of cars on the lead lap and everyone else is lapped.

[jatco]

Don't think the $$ are drying up anytime soon These 'lesser' teams are here for a reason, - because there's always that chance that things will turn around as new technology, sponsorships (via engines etc..)..can make them competative. Sure.. the Big guys get the Big bux..but if you're still in the hunt, and make it in the top 10, money comes your way. How it is used in future developements etc remains to be seen, - but they're still in there for as long as it, or the funds last.
We've seen many Mfgrs, engines come and go.. and now Honda is back in the game.. Yeah..its all about Presence...(and performance..)..so long as you're there and got the backing, you're in... Until...!!
Who would've thought that Haas would venture from Nascar/ (Indy) to F1...? $$

[TheRolexKingofLV]

I just booked my flight and hotel for Austin...anyone else going?

Possible meet up???

[jatco]

Originally Posted by TheRolexKingofLV

I just booked my flight and hotel for Austin...anyone else going?

Possible meet up???

If I lived that close, we probably would.
Have a great time.

[SDRider]

Great result for Verstappen. He drove a great race and earned that win.

I still can’t believe both Mercedes retired.

[SDRider]

Another exciting race but it sucked for Hamilton, getting punted by Raikkonen at the start. He made a bad start though which allowed Vettel and his teammate past and then saw him fall into the clutches of Kimi. Great drive to finish 2nd though after getting spun around on the first lap and starting from dead last after that.

I'm not sure why Vettel was telling his team to advise the safety car to slow down. Usually they are complaining that the safety car is going too slow.

[Zakalwe]

Originally Posted by SDRider

Another exciting race but it sucked for Hamilton, getting punted by Raikkonen at the start. He made a bad start though which allowed Vettel and his teammate past and then saw him fall into the clutches of Kimi. Great drive to finish 2nd though after getting spun around on the first lap and starting from dead last after that.

I'm not sure why Vettel was telling his team to advise the safety car to slow down. Usually they are complaining that the safety car is going too slow.

Slight dick move by Vettel, that.

The reason is that the Mercs he was being sandwiched by were on the medium tyres and Vettel was on the softs. The mediums take a lot longer to get up to optimum temperature, meaning Vettel’s best chance of jumping Bottas was straight after the restart. A slower safety car would mean even less heat in the mediums, thereby taking the Mercs even longer to get up to speed, improving his own chances of getting to the front. In the end Bottas’ tyres were cooked anyway.

I’m a bit disappointed by Hamilton’s sulking after the race (and I’m a fan) as well as Toto Wolff’s post race interview. Both implied that Ferrari have made a tactical decision to barge the Mercs of the road, both last weekend and this. Hopefully we can chalk that down to heat-of-the-moment frustration because otherwise it’s an utterly ludicrous suggestion.

[larsr]

Originally Posted by Zakalwe

Slight dick move by Vettel, that.

The reason is that the Mercs he was being sandwiched by were on the medium tyres and Vettel was on the softs. The mediums take a lot longer to get up to optimum temperature, meaning Vettel’s best chance of jumping Bottas was straight after the restart. A slower safety car would mean even less heat in the mediums, thereby taking the Mercs even longer to get up to speed, improving his own chances of getting to the front. In the end Bottas’ tyres were cooked anyway.

I’m a bit disappointed by Hamilton’s sulking after the race (and I’m a fan) as well as Toto Wolff’s post race interview. Both implied that Ferrari have made a tactical decision to barge the Mercs of the road, both last weekend and this. Hopefully we can chalk that down to heat-of-the-moment frustration because otherwise it’s an utterly ludicrous suggestion.

Well if you think Vettel and safety car comment make a "slight dick move" than I assume you think Ham sulking off and avoiding interview and Wolff and Ham spewing conspiracy theory issues are MAJOR dick moves.

Extremely disappointed with b.s. coming out of Mercedes after the team simply couldn't get it done...

[Goodwatch]

I can only hope that Max will mature some more and won’t become an ‘eternal promise’ and after that fade away. He is by far the best F1 driver my country has ever produced. Competitive to the edge and sometimes beyond that. But the kid is only 20 and still has 4 wins under his belt. The lack of power on the straights is becoming too obvious now and we will have to see if Honda will be able to change this.

[larsr]

Originally Posted by Goodwatch

I can only hope that Max will mature some more and won’t become an ‘eternal promise’ and after that fade away. He is by far the best F1 driver my country has ever produced. Competitive to the edge and sometimes beyond that. But the kid is only 20 and still has 4 wins under his belt. The lack of power on the straights is becoming too obvious now and we will have to see if Honda will be able to change this.

Relax. Max is the real deal and will do the Dutch proud. He has many, many years ahead of him to win multiple WDCs, if not with RBR then another team (all of which would love to have him).

[SDRider]

Originally Posted by Zakalwe

Slight dick move by Vettel, that.

The reason is that the Mercs he was being sandwiched by were on the medium tyres and Vettel was on the softs. The mediums take a lot longer to get up to optimum temperature, meaning Vettel’s best chance of jumping Bottas was straight after the restart. A slower safety car would mean even less heat in the mediums, thereby taking the Mercs even longer to get up to speed, improving his own chances of getting to the front. In the end Bottas’ tyres were cooked anyway.

I’m a bit disappointed by Hamilton’s sulking after the race (and I’m a fan) as well as Toto Wolff’s post race interview. Both implied that Ferrari have made a tactical decision to barge the Mercs of the road, both last weekend and this. Hopefully we can chalk that down to heat-of-the-moment frustration because otherwise it’s an utterly ludicrous suggestion.

That’s what I was thinking too. Ferrari were in great shape regardless so it was a completely ridiculous thing to say and I’m doubting it had any affect at all on how Bernd Maylander drove the safety car.

It was rather uncharacteristic how Lewis handled that post race but I can’t fault him for being supremely disappointed and not handling it in the best possible way. He is human after all.

I have to add, if Seth has any interest at all in Motorsport he should watch F1 racing because he owns an AMG GT which is the official F1 safety car and it is amazing to watch it pace the F1 field.

[texasmade]

Originally Posted by Zakalwe

I’m a bit disappointed by Hamilton’s sulking after the race (and I’m a fan) as well as Toto Wolff’s post race interview. Both implied that Ferrari have made a tactical decision to barge the Mercs of the road, both last weekend and this. Hopefully we can chalk that down to heat-of-the-moment frustration because otherwise it’s an utterly ludicrous suggestion.

Most likely was heat of the moment frustration. Sort of like how Vettel told Charlie to “nick off” in Mexico a couple of years ago. It was massive frustration on how the race panned out and people were venting.

[jatco]

One of the better races so far and a great recharge from Hamilton, so that he should be pleased with tho he didn't get the win. Bottas held Sab off for as long as he could but he too, couldn't quite make it to the top. Some great racing on those last 4 laps.
Kudos to Vettel for the win...and the 2 on podium.

[walds11]

Yep, the British GP was one of the better races this year Lots of overtaking. Lewis nice recovery for P2.

[SDRider]

Safety car video.

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

I thought it was funny what one of the commentators said about the safety car after Vettel's comment. He said that the safety car is some 7 seconds faster per lap this season than last season. That's a huge amount and if you were riding along in the safety car you would be absolutely terrified but the F1 cars are weaving back and forth just trying to keep heat in their tires and brakes waiting for the restart.

[jatco]

Originally Posted by SDRider

Safety car video.

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

I thought it was funny what one of the commentators said about the safety car after Vettel's comment. He said that the safety car is some 7 seconds faster per lap this season than last season. That's a huge amount and if you were riding along in the safety car you would be absolutely terrified but the F1 cars are weaving back and forth just trying to keep heat in their tires and brakes waiting for the restart.

.
Cool vid...

[offrdmania]

The best part of the race was when the safety car came out and bunched up the field. It bred great racing after that.

[texasmade]

Great race today. Not too sure what Ferrari were thinking not making Kimi and Vettel swap places sooner. Vettel was locking up all over the place on his 2nd stint when he was stuck behind Kimi when they were on completely different tire strategies.

[SDRider]

Man, that was a great race. Mercedes really got the strategy right and Lewis Hamilton drove a perfect race coming from 14th on the grid to win the German Grand Prix. Ferrari seemed to get caught out playing a conservative game and Vettel made an uncharacteristic mistake which cost him the win and a failure to finish and collect and points.

[TheRacer]

Ferrari can’t win the championship with Vettel.
That mistake is going to cost the title , even if the Ferrari is the best car out there .
Kimi is old but still fast , I would keep him for next year.


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[The Joker]

YESSSSS

[77T]

It was a day of strange situations - felt bad for Vettel after his mis-step.

I think Bottas had the better tires at the end and think he could have won but for team orders. I did like the wave-arounds during SC period to put the backmarkers out of harm’s way.

Can’t wait for the new Regulations - no tire warmers and a few other changes. I’d also prefer the newer chassis to have shorter wheelbase by 50cm. Then we’d see who has better hands, feet and skills.


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[dba]

Originally Posted by TheRacer

Ferrari can’t win the championship with Vettel

Because . . . . ?

[texasmade]

Originally Posted by dba

Because . . . . ?

He makes stupid mistakes which cost him dearly.

[TheRacer]

Originally Posted by dba

Because . . . . ?

Because if you want to win the championship , you can’t commit that mistake.
He was 1st with no pressure, no overtaking to do, he should have been different in the approach.
As I said Ferrari is the car to beat in this moment, 0.5s faster than Mercedes in qualifying but they are losing the championship with no sense .



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[dba]

Originally Posted by TheRacer

Because if you want to win the championship , you can’t commit that mistake.
He was 1st with no pressure, no overtaking to do, he should have been different in the approach.
As I said Ferrari is the car to beat in this moment, 0.5s faster than Mercedes in qualifying but they are losing the championship with no sense .

I also watched Lewis do the same thing in Brazil a couple of years ago. He benefited due to a large run off area, not gravel. Danny Sullivan did a 360 spin towards the end of the Indy 500 and still won.

I think when these very talented sportsman don't have anyone immediately around to fight, their minds can wander. It's human.

Lewis and Sebastian each have four world championships. I think they both know how to get it done. I also think that they each have their meltdowns.

No matter what, watching these two guys go at it hammer and tong has made for an exciting season so far.

[Dr.Brian]

I wonder if during the post race interview and the one after in the Mercedes SUV where Lewis said it all went down exactly the way he envisioned it, if he includes the part where James got on the radio and told Valteri, with his new ultra soft tires, that he was sorry, but he had to hold position.
Or perhaps, Avoiding the five second penalty that he deserved for inappropriately exiting the pit lane? It seems to me that Valteri got screwed out of another victory.
I also wonder what happened to Max with his new ultra soft tires? The Ferrari car must be extraordinary for kimi to put him in the rearview mirror with his old tires.
The last few races has also clearly shown how the midfield people can’t get out of the way of the usual race leaders fast enough when they are trying to fight back to the front from a penalty, etc. Though maybe not Ric so much. It would be nice if they had to at least pretend to earn that position back. Presumably with a better driver and faster car it shouldn’t be a problem. If Alonzo wants everyone to know how awesome a driver he is, he could put his elbows out and hold back one of the current superstars for a few laps. That would be impressive. That would be something worth watching. Or he could just pull to the right and let them glide by while recharging the battery.

[jatco]

Originally Posted by The Joker

YESSSSS

My wife was Very happy....!
It was a great drive from Hamilton no doubt. Cant recall if anyone has done that feat before. Too bad Botas got the Hold... he could have won it. Vettel, well he knew he blew it. We were hoping Magnessun would have made it back into the points. He's been doing pretty good of late. The only Dane in the field..(..my wife's Danish ) It was a pretty good race overall imo.