The Official Formula One Thread!

[OmegaJJH]

Originally Posted by Speedbird-1

Has Lewis signed with Mercedes for 2021?

Not yet which has just massively strengthened his hand!


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[OmegaJJH]

My gut feeling is it’s between Sainz and Danny Rick.

With Vettel then going to either works Renault team or McLaren with Merc engines if he chooses to continue.

If he retires and Danny Rick goes - Alonso back to Renault?


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[The Joker]

I wonder if Verstappen is totally locked in at Red Bull.

Ferrari need to move mountains to get him.

[V25V]

Sainz. Has to be a solid #2 to backup their boy, Leclerc.

Who cares really though? F1 is a dying sport.

[The Joker]

Originally Posted by V25V

Sainz. Has to be a solid #2 to backup their boy, Leclerc.

Who cares really though? F1 is a dying sport.

Who says it dying apart from you?

[V25V]

Originally Posted by The Joker

Who says it dying apart from you?

Oh come on. Lets be serious here:

1) the racing is dreadful
2) these motors are awful, not looking like that will improve (efficiency > power/sound)
3) costs keep going up separating the gap and will make that worse
4) halo
5) fenders of some sort will be next after the next freak incident
6) why would F1 exist any longer when its basically become a prototype class

I fall asleep during most of the races. Qualifying is best part of the weekend.

[sillo]

I'd like to see Sainz in that seat, but would be happy with Ric too.

In regards to F1 "dying" I'm pretty sure the sports revenue and viewership have been increasing since liberty's takeover. While some races will inevitably be snoozefests (France, Russia, Abu Dhabi), 2018 and 2019 had some great races and the midfield action in 2019 was great. If the halo really bothers you that much I don't know what to say there, it's pretty easy to just ignore and I'm also pretty sure the drivers don't mind it. I think the V6T Hybrids are engineering marvels and sound way better than when they first introduced them in 2014. TV also does them no justice, I think they personally sound awesome in person, especially the Hondas. The cars are the fastest they've ever been and 2020 should see lots of outright lap records fall. The only genuine complaint I have is the cars need to shrink a little bit, they're massive.

[V25V]

Originally Posted by sillo

I'd like to see Sainz in that seat, but would be happy with Ric too.

In regards to F1 "dying" I'm pretty sure the sports revenue and viewership have been increasing since liberty's takeover. While some races will inevitably be snoozefests (France, Russia, Abu Dhabi), 2018 and 2019 had some great races and the midfield action in 2019 was great. If the halo really bothers you that much I don't know what to say there, it's pretty easy to just ignore and I'm also pretty sure the drivers don't mind it. I think the V6T Hybrids are engineering marvels and sound way better than when they first introduced them in 2014. TV also does them no justice, I think they personally sound awesome in person, especially the Hondas. The cars are the fastest they've ever been and 2020 should see lots of outright lap records fall. The only genuine complaint I have is the cars need to shrink a little bit, they're massive.

I was in Austin last year with RedBull and had some very close access to the cars/teams, I posted in this thread I believe. They only sound good in the pit lane. At speed, they are VERY quiet. The best racing of the weekend were the historics. And while their racing wasn't actually good, the cars sounded amazing. And Austin was far from packed, not nearly as busy in person as I had expected to see.

My issue with the halo is not the halo itself (mostly as I do see some pretty glaring safety issues with it), its the direction the sport is taking. Like I said, the next freak incident will cause them to protect the drivers even more with something else and then we have another prototype class which will not be needed. If everyone cannot see that, then I do not know what else I can say.

Sorry I commented but just do not be surprised when you see fallout from the sport in future years, the "small" teams cannot keep up with the pace of spending and there are only so many paid drivers who will continue to wander down the F1 path. Most kids I know these days are much more focused on sports cars (IMSA, ALMS, etc), there is actually some money there to be spent by teams willing to take shots on drivers and sponsors to be acquired.

[sillo]

Originally Posted by V25V

And Austin was far from packed, not nearly as busy in person as I had expected to see.

I was at the race too (just the race though didn't go friday or saturday) and COTA claimed a sellout on race day and record weekend attendance for the 2019 race, topping the record that was set the previous year.

Originally Posted by V25V

Sorry I commented but just do not be surprised when you see fallout from the sport in future years, the "small" teams cannot keep up with the pace of spending and there are only so many paid drivers who will continue to wander down the F1 path. M

Hasn't this always been an issue though? The top teams have always been dominant and at least in the modern era we're familiar with now the small teams have been getting dominated and going bankrupt left and right. If the cost cap they're trying to implement for the new regs goes well I think some of these issues will get solved.

[V25V]

Originally Posted by sillo

I was at the race too (just the race though didn't go friday or saturday) and COTA claimed a sellout on race day and record weekend attendance for the 2019 race, topping the record that was set the previous year.



Hasn't this always been an issue though? The top teams have always been dominant and at least in the modern era we're familiar with now the small teams have been getting dominated and going bankrupt left and right. If the cost cap they're trying to implement for the new regs goes well I think some of these issues will get solved.

They can claim whatever they want, fact is that the paddock club was pretty damn slow and looking at the grandstands, they certainly were not full.

It has but the spending has increased and the gap is widening more now than ever before. The cost cap has caused big teams to threaten pulling out of F1 entirely. If they cost cap a team, they will not be able to do things like active suspensions (that variable toe via steering is a suspension change, but they can work around it in the gray areas), flexible wings, double diffusers, etc. I do not want spec racing but there should be a happy place where everyone can meet, but top teams are not going to feel the same way and that's where the problem is.

Again, mark my words and you can bookmark this conversation to prove me wrong if you wish. But I would not be at all surprised if F1 dies over the next 7-10 years or so. Motorsports in general are hurting and its just not the direction our world is headed towards. And I will NEVER get into Formula E, its just the worst.

[1st amg]

Originally Posted by sillo

I'd like to see Sainz in that seat, but would be happy with Ric too.

In regards to F1 "dying" I'm pretty sure the sports revenue and viewership have been increasing since liberty's takeover. While some races will inevitably be snoozefests (France, Russia, Abu Dhabi), 2018 and 2019 had some great races and the midfield action in 2019 was great. If the halo really bothers you that much I don't know what to say there, it's pretty easy to just ignore and I'm also pretty sure the drivers don't mind it. I think the V6T Hybrids are engineering marvels and sound way better than when they first introduced them in 2014. TV also does them no justice, I think they personally sound awesome in person, especially the Hondas. The cars are the fastest they've ever been and 2020 should see lots of outright lap records fall. The only genuine complaint I have is the cars need to shrink a little bit, they're massive.

With all due respect, the cars sound better than the first generation of the V6TT, but they sound like absolute $hit. Of course, i have been going to live races since 1988 and never missed the Canadian GP or US GP. The only time I passed on the races was in 2015 after seeing the cars of 2014. I was soooo dissappointed. All those glory years, when attending a race, you had to wear ear plugs, if you didn't, I swear by Sunday your ears would bleed.
I miss the V12's and V10, even the V8 were incredible, but these turbo cars suck a$$...I watch the sport still, but not with fanatacism of years prior.

[The Joker]

It's still the numero uno of motorsports and does need to sort itself out, and needs a close season.

The good races are few and far between but when they're good they're good.

[The Joker]

Originally Posted by V25V

They can claim whatever they want, fact is that the paddock club was pretty damn slow and looking at the grandstands, they certainly were not full.

It has but the spending has increased and the gap is widening more now than ever before. The cost cap has caused big teams to threaten pulling out of F1 entirely. If they cost cap a team, they will not be able to do things like active suspensions (that variable toe via steering is a suspension change, but they can work around it in the gray areas), flexible wings, double diffusers, etc. I do not want spec racing but there should be a happy place where everyone can meet, but top teams are not going to feel the same way and that's where the problem is.

Again, mark my words and you can bookmark this conversation to prove me wrong if you wish. But I would not be at all surprised if F1 dies over the next 7-10 years or so. Motorsports in general are hurting and its just not the direction our world is headed towards. And I will NEVER get into Formula E, its just the worst.

bookmarked

[The Joker]

Says Sainz to Ferrari, Danny Ric to McLaren.

If I was Ferrari I'd much rather have Danny, I know he's getting on but blitzed Vettal and held his own against Verstappen.

[airchitect]

I used to watch religiously and go to races during the V10 days. The v12s and v10s were just so great......I feel like pulling up an f1 sounds vid on YouTube. Anyway, once the turbo Dustbusters made there way in and Schumi retired, I was done. I miss those days.

[airchitect]

I wish they’d pull out half the tech and get back to screaming v12/10 basics. Minimal aero. Limited computers. Manual trans. Only the safety stuff stays.

[sillo]

Originally Posted by The Joker

Says Sainz to Ferrari, Danny Ric to McLaren.

If I was Ferrari I'd much rather have Danny, I know he's getting on but blitzed Vettal and held his own against Verstappen.

I think they want a true number 2 behind Charles, Ric wouldn't fit that role well.

[Rock]

Ferrari has a long established practice of getting behind one driver and using the other as a roadblock. Fine if you are the 'chosen one'. As Sean says, Dan is not the man to be 'second string'. If McLaren can get their 5h1t together with a new engine then maybe Dan can show us what he's got next year but my view is that these days you need to be with a top 3 team well before 30yrs old to have a shot at the WC.

[walds11]

Confirmed: Sainz to Ferrari and Ricciardo to McLaren.

[The Joker]

Originally Posted by sillo

I think they want a true number 2 behind Charles, Ric wouldn't fit that role well.

I think it's a mistake, Ferrari need to put the best 2 drivers in it can. Charles is still to be proven.

[The Joker]

Originally Posted by walds11

Confirmed: Sainz to Ferrari and Ricciardo to McLaren.

Nail in the coffin to Danny Ric's career.

Wasted talent

[Event Horizon]

Originally Posted by The Joker

Nail in the coffin to Danny Ric's career.

Wasted talent

The nail was driven down when he went to Renault...

Looking forward to sainz in Ferrari.

Would love to Ocon in MB again.

[Mifune]

Ive been a big Sainz fan for many years... right now, I think I would have rather seen a different choice.

[erhein]

Originally Posted by Event Horizon

The nail was driven down when he went to Renault...

I never understood that move.

[Zakalwe]

Originally Posted by sillo

I think they want a true number 2 behind Charles, Ric wouldn't fit that role well.

I agree on both counts but that’s where the Sainz signing is interesting. Whatever they put in his contract, I can’t see Carlos accepting number 2 status lightly; he’s always been a pretty spiky racer and he is genuinely quick. There’s been a race to anoint Leclerc a future world champ but wheel-to-wheel I’m not convinced he’s better than Sainz, albeit he may have the edge over one lap.

[OmegaJJH]

Originally Posted by erhein

I never understood that move.

He thought he could replicate what Lewis/Merc did by leaving a top team, (get lucky) and build something with a manufacturer through major regulation changes.

Plus, there’s 30 million other reasons I can think of


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[OmegaJJH]

Have you seen the latest....?

Alonso to Renault with Liberty footing the bill !!


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[walds11]

Originally Posted by OmegaJJH

Have you seen the latest....?

Alonso to Renault with Liberty footing the bill !!


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But if it’s the only seat open (right now), albeit a mid-field team, he really wants to drive in F1 and the loot is good, why not...

[erhein]

Originally Posted by OmegaJJH

He thought he could replicate what Lewis/Merc did by leaving a top team, (get lucky) and build something with a manufacturer through major regulation changes.

Plus, there’s 30 million other reasons I can think of [emoji1787

Yeah, that was sure some wishful thinking. lol

I like Daniel a lot, but I think he gave up a lot in terms of career potential for that money. I hope it works out for him.

[Dr.Brian]

Originally Posted by erhein

Yeah, that was sure some wishful thinking. lol

I like Daniel a lot, but I think he gave up a lot in terms of career potential for that money. I hope it works out for him.

He wanted to be the #1 man and it wasn’t going to happen at Red Bull. Max matured quickly and would continue to outshine him.
Renault lured him with money, and I suspect a lot of BS data about the car, what was in the pipeline, and where it was headed. Then reality set in and he was screwed, but consoled himself with $$$$.
I think his move, a quick one at that, shows that they sold him the best possible outcome dream and he’s not buying it anymore. He’s not building the manufacture with them and they’re not rocketing to the top of the grid.
He’s a fun driver to watch, and I hope he finds success there.