The Official Formula One Thread!

[SDGT3]

UEFA just pulled the UEFA Finals match that was to be hosted in St. Petersburg Russia in May.

[77T]

Originally Posted by SDGT3

I disagree. If F1 had any principals at all and said we will not race there it doesn't matter what the organizers think or do, the circus will not show up to town but F1 loses their fees.

I agree with you that the EU could force F1's hand just like they did back in the day when cigarette sponsorship was a big part of F1 and the EU made the teams take the branding off the cars for all races held in Europe but they were allowed to have the advertisement at other locations.... until they weren't allow to even do that anymore.

When in doubt, follow the money trail. F1/FIA are ONLY INTERESTED IN THE MONEY, always have, always will and they are the most hyporcritical sporting organization on the planet. At least FIFA and the IOC don't have ridiculous slogans like "We Race As One" when they really don't mean it.

The FIA, like TRF, stays out of local or Geo-political fracases.

But if the EU banned travel like they did for Covid-19, then the race would be cancelled or transferred to another track.

These are tough times for everyone. This is a motorsports thread. It’s best that I don’t comment further as that could get it closed.


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[SDGT3]

Complaints about the new car's heavier weight by some drivers calling it "sluggish". Also "Porpoising"... not seen since the ground affects nearly 40 years ago. Interesting to see on video and the reason why they run on track as this action is almost impossible to mimic on a simulator.

https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/a...ZS6nqmIWApkEuM

[enjoythemusic]

OMG that link is a cookie nightmare!

[walds11]

Originally Posted by enjoythemusic

OMG that link is a cookie nightmare!

Try this:

https://youtu.be/_eTgUHumS5o

[enjoythemusic]

Thanks!!!

Ooooh goodie, I also see it on my F1 Roku app and other new videos. Woo hoo!!!

[asloper6001]

Originally Posted by SDGT3

Complaints about the new car's heavier weight by some drivers calling it "sluggish". Also "Porpoising"... not seen since the ground affects nearly 40 years ago. Interesting to see on video and the reason why they run on track as this action is almost impossible to mimic on a simulator.

https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/a...ZS6nqmIWApkEuM

That's wild! The first race of the season is going to be really interesting. I miss my soap opera too on the weekends.

[77T]

Porpoising
It appears some teams have mis-engineered their mass dampers or needed better inerters.

Would be interesting to know which teams shared their rigs during earlier testing.


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[Speedbird-1]

Sochi cancelled.

[drjrhc]

Originally Posted by Speedbird-1

Sochi cancelled.

I am glad to see them do this.

It would be unconscionable for them to hold the race with what Russia is doing.

Not the venue’s fault, but unfortunately a stand must be taken.


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[enjoythemusic]

Wonder if they'll be canceling the Saudi Arabia race due to their ongoing bombing in Yemen.

[77T]

Originally Posted by enjoythemusic

Wonder if they'll be canceling the Saudi Arabia race due to their ongoing bombing in Yemen.

Well, nothing has been cancelled.

- “it is impossible to hold the Russian Grand Prix in the current circumstances.”

It could be removed from the official calendar, but hasn’t yet. The signaling language is “current circumstances”.

There’s months of change ahead…


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[Goin2drt]

Originally Posted by enjoythemusic

Wonder if they'll be canceling the Saudi Arabia race due to their ongoing bombing in Yemen.

Nope way too much money in that country. F1 is all about the dollar and the entertainment value. Like most professional "sports" they are really just entertainment now.

[enjoythemusic]

Originally Posted by 77T

Well, nothing has been cancelled.

Ahhh, ok, I thought they did. So they're waiting for the proverbial dust to settle.

[SDGT3]

F1 putting their finger in the air and seeing which way the wind blows and left the door open to go to Sochi in Sept. Personally Mugello in autumn sounds like a real good neck stretcher.

[77T]

Originally Posted by enjoythemusic

Ahhh, ok, I thought they did. So they're waiting for the proverbial dust to settle.

I think the full announcement, including it’s headline, signals their intent. The boldface text below is the headline followed by the pronouncement.

The FIA Formula 1 World Championship visits countries all over the world with a positive vision to unite people, bringing nations together.

We are watching the developments in Ukraine with sadness and shock and hope for a swift and peaceful resolution to the present situation.

On Thursday evening Formula 1, the FIA, and the teams discussed the position of our sport, and the conclusion is, including the view of all relevant stakeholders, that it is impossible to hold the Russian Grand Prix in the current circumstances.

The signals I read are:
- bringing nations together
- swift and peaceful resolution to the present situation
- in the current circumstances

If this can be resolved via any means but violence (UN, EU, treaty, etc.) I see a chance Sochi is saved.

The Organizers have already paid a hefty €millions scheduling/hosting fee. It is they who can summarily cancel the event.

If they don’t cancel, then there will be a deadline set by the FIA/F1 org (e.g., logistics milestones, team shipping, etc) by which conditions must be satisfactorily resolved. If not resolved, and if Organizer doesn’t cancel, then F1 would remove it from the schedule.

For all involved (especially Ukraine) I hope it can be resolved.


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[texasmade]

Originally Posted by 77T

I think the full announcement, including it’s headline, signals their intent. The boldface text below is the headline followed by the pronouncement.

The FIA Formula 1 World Championship visits countries all over the world with a positive vision to unite people, bringing nations together.

We are watching the developments in Ukraine with sadness and shock and hope for a swift and peaceful resolution to the present situation.

On Thursday evening Formula 1, the FIA, and the teams discussed the position of our sport, and the conclusion is, including the view of all relevant stakeholders, that it is impossible to hold the Russian Grand Prix in the current circumstances.

The signals I read are:
- bringing nations together
- swift and peaceful resolution to the present situation
- in the current circumstances

If this can be resolved via any means but violence (UN, EU, treaty, etc.) I see a chance Sochi is saved.

The Organizers have already paid a hefty €millions scheduling/hosting fee. It is they who can summarily cancel the event.

If they don’t cancel, then there will be a deadline set by the FIA/F1 org (e.g., logistics milestones, team shipping, etc) by which conditions must be satisfactorily resolved. If not resolved, and if Organizer doesn’t cancel, then F1 would remove it from the schedule.

For all involved (especially Ukraine) I hope it can be resolved.


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Aren't the organizers essentially the Russian government? Russia loses the fee which I'm guessing is like $50M. That's not even a rounding error to Putin.

[PeepingTime]

Most seasons Sochi is the dullest race

[77T]

Originally Posted by texasmade

Aren't the organizers essentially the Russian government? Russia loses the fee which I'm guessing is like $50M. That's not even a rounding error to Putin.

There is massive subsidy there - but also money from other Russian commercial concerns. VTB Bank was title sponsor and now sanctioned so in addition to global condemnation, commercially this was a bust.

Haas dropped Uralkali and I’m not sure of MAZ situation. Haas is crippled methinks - Andretti may swap out their newly announced plans and take up an equity stake.

But the FIA/F1 decision is now final - Sochi is removed from the schedule.


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[Petroc Tremaine]

Haas have removed Russian flag colours from their car. I would imagine they have also lost a large chunk of Russian sponsorship cash as well.

We'll see if teams have sorted the porpoising caused by the ground effect stalling at the next test (10th March)

[77T]

Originally Posted by Petroc Tremaine

Haas have removed Russian flag colours from their car. I would imagine they have also lost a large chunk of Russian sponsorship cash as well.

Yes, on 3rd day of testing Haas announced that they dropped Russian sponsor who had backed MAZ seat.

That throws a question mark into the team’s driver lineup methinks.


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[PeepingTime]

Maybe a result of pending sanctions

[jatco]

From the 'Mirror'
.
"While Steiner insisted Haas’ immediate future, there are several names that could step in and replace Mazepin if he is ousted - with Pietro Fittipaldi leading the way.

Steiner confirmed the 25-year-old, who is entering his third season as Haas’ reserve driver, would be the first choice to step up."

[SDGT3]

Who knew that the way Mazaspin would vacate the seat was in this fashion? HAAS has a big problem, however as they barely had enough spare parts at the end of last season to complete the season. Without that title sponsorship, they surely won't be able to complete the season unless a white knight in the form of ..... Andretti comes in and buys an ownership stake in the team.

[77T]

Originally Posted by SDGT3

Who knew that the way Mazaspin would vacate the seat was in this fashion? HAAS has a big problem, however as they barely had enough spare parts at the end of last season to complete the season. Without that title sponsorship, they surely won't be able to complete the season unless a white knight in the form of ..... Andretti comes in and buys an ownership stake in the team.

I agree that this couldn’t have been predicted. And without funding, the campaign is doubtful.

Andretti wasn’t using his money - as you can guess it was to be OPM. So he may take a stake in the team but that level of cost is woefully short of what a full-season sponsor brings in $€¥. This came too fast for Andretti perhaps - but anything is possible and a US sponsor could be found hopefully.

Predictably, the sponsorship candidates also would expect a fire sale price as the circumstances are desperate. When you NEED money, there’s little around; when you’re flush it seems everyone wants a piece of the action.


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[SDGT3]

In racing it's always OPM. Of course this is much sooner (2 years) than Andretti wanted to enter, but perhaps they buy a minority stake and save themselves the $200m entry fee F1 wants and buy HAAS piecemeal.

I read that Pietro Fittipaldi, their 3 year reserve driver could step in if Mazapin is out. Maybe an influx of some Petrobras $$$$ could save the team as well. Regardless, I really don't think the other 9 teams care what happens to a team like HAAS.

[OmegaJJH]

Originally Posted by SDGT3

Regardless, I really don't think the other 9 teams care what happens to a team like HAAS.

Not so sure about that. I think Williams / Alfa Romeo / Alpha Tauri would be watching this cash injection with a keen interest.

I do agree that the front runners are perhaps a little less concerned.

On a separate note, I used to eat, sleep & breath F1. Consume news each day, watch car launches & testing with a keen interest. For the first time in my life, I’m just not interested in it this year. Think the conclusion to last season has ended my love affair with the sport.

Time will tell on that I suppose.


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[bibbi]

Originally Posted by omegajjh

on a separate note, i used to eat, sleep & breath f1. Consume news each day, watch car launches & testing with a keen interest. For the first time in my life, i’m just not interested in it this year. Think the conclusion to last season has ended my love affair with the sport.

Time will tell on that i suppose.


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^^^ +1

[Uggi]

Originally Posted by OmegaJJH

Not so sure about that. I think Williams / Alfa Romeo / Alpha Tauri would be watching this cash injection with a keen interest.

I do agree that the front runners are perhaps a little less concerned.

On a separate note, I used to eat, sleep & breath F1. Consume news each day, watch car launches & testing with a keen interest. For the first time in my life, I’m just not interested in it this year. Think the conclusion to last season has ended my love affair with the sport.

Time will tell on that I suppose.


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Agree with you. The nasty taste left by that last race hasn’t left my mouth yet either. Difficult to love the sport after that.

[77T]

Originally Posted by OmegaJJH

For the first time in my life, I’m just not interested in it this year. Think the conclusion to last season has ended my love affair with the sport.

Originally Posted by bibbi

^^^ +1

Originally Posted by Uggi

Agree with you. The nasty taste left by that last race hasn’t left my mouth yet either. Difficult to love the sport after that.

In all sport there are things that once done, cannot be undone. A mistake. A misjudgment. A fumble. A missed call.

Could be by a teammate, coach, Official or even equipment failure.

Last year there were some spectacular fails on display - you could name your top 3 and others could have a different top 3 - but everyone would have the finale in that list.

The pressure does bring some players on the stage to their breaking point. A good friend departed the stage voluntarily after a bad deal, and another left quite unexpectedly, but that leaves gaps not easily filled.

I’ve seen worse decisions by the way - but not in the last laps of the ultimate race - with no room to spare for error - in the glare of the video crews - only to see a result that I knew would garner great criticism no matter how the end played out.

But if we let that spoil the sport for us, then we become a victim.

So that’s not what I came into the sport to become - I’m in for the 2022 season. Gird yer loins, it’ll likely have some new car teething pains, team unrest, race variables and human errors.


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