Author Topic: F1 thread (Read 27067 times)

squeezer · « **on:** August 19, 2014, 02:01:59 AM »

'Bout time we got this topic rolling over here...

Toro Rosso just hired a 16 year old to drive in 2015. Max Verstappen, son of ex-F1 driver Jos, gets the race seat and Vergne gets the boot.

Sounds too young to toss into that pool. I guess we'll see.

R Doug · « **Reply #1 on:** August 19, 2014, 05:58:26 AM »

Wow, that IS young for the top class. It'll be interesting to watch his progress.

This weekend is my favorite track, Sheri and I look forward to seeing them back on the track after the summer break.

squeezer · « **Reply #2 on:** August 21, 2014, 12:43:51 PM »

Well, there's actually going to be a 'Mercun in an F1 race. Alexander Rossi will drive for Marussia this weekend. Chilton apparently has contract issues.

R Doug · « **Reply #3 on:** August 21, 2014, 01:02:50 PM »

Quote from: squeezer on August 21, 2014, 12:43:51 PM

Well, there's actually going to be a 'Mercun in an F1 race. Alexander Rossi will drive for Marussia this weekend. Chilton apparently has contract issues.

Finally, an American in a car! How long has it been since Scott Speed left? I wasn't aware that Rossi would fill the seat.

Thanks for making my day.

EDIT to add: Scott Speed's last F1 race was 2007.

R Doug · « **Reply #4 on:** August 21, 2014, 01:07:55 PM »

Oh yeah, this weekend will be kind of special for me and Sheri. We are planning to spend two weeks traveling Belgium, Switzerland, and Germany next year. The planned trip will start out by attending the the F1 race at Spa-Francorchamps in 2015. We will be purchasing seats in Eau Rouge (my favorite corner in the world).

It will make watching the race more interesting because we get to imagine being there next year.

We can't wait!

squeezer · « **Reply #5 on:** August 21, 2014, 03:42:21 PM »

Quote from: R Doug on August 21, 2014, 01:07:55 PM

Oh yeah, this weekend will be kind of special for me and Sheri. We are planning to spend two weeks traveling Belgium, Switzerland, and Germany next year. The planned trip will start out by attending the the F1 race at Spa-Francorchamps in 2015. We will be purchasing seats in Eau Rouge (my favorite corner in the world).

It will make watching the race more interesting because we get to imagine being there next year.

We can't wait!

Well, that just pegged the Awesome-O-Meter. What a cool trip.

I've been reading that the drivers are really psyched about Eau Rouge this year. With reduced downforce, several have been saying that it will be really tough to go through flat out again. I won't be able to watch it this year, but I think it's going to rock.

squeezer · « **Reply #6 on:** August 22, 2014, 09:35:42 AM »

Well, that didn't last long. Chilton cleared up his contract issues and is back in the Marussia seat. Rossi drove FP1, but we'll have to wait for his race debut.

squeezer · « **Reply #7 on:** September 17, 2015, 04:41:53 PM »

We got a 'Murican in the race this weekend! First time since 2007.

Alex Rossi will race 5 of the last 7 races (the other 2 conflict with his F2 gig).

He's in the Manor Marussia, so we know he'll be spending the race getting out of the way. But still.

Jim · « **Reply #8 on:** September 17, 2015, 06:58:40 PM »

Quote from: R Doug on August 21, 2014, 01:07:55 PM

We will be purchasing seats in Eau Rouge (my favorite corner in the world).

Had to look it up...
https://www.formula1.com/content/fom-website/en/latest/features/2015/8/the-best-corner-in-f1-racing----a-pictorial-history-of-eau-rouge.html

R Doug · « **Reply #9 on:** September 17, 2015, 08:55:14 PM »

It's the corner that separates boys from men (so to speak)

http://youtu.be/QD17cX9MvNg

squeezer · « **Reply #10 on:** September 17, 2015, 11:19:17 PM »

And men from the track.

squeezer · « **Reply #11 on:** October 31, 2015, 05:42:35 PM »

Tomorrow's race could be interesting. It's at a much higher altitude than they've raced with this engine spec and no one's sure if the turbos can make it. The thin air is messing up the aero too. As Rosberg put it, they're running Monaco wings and getting Monza downforce. Add in new asphalt, and everyone is sliding. And rain is possible.

Plus, Rosberg's been cranky and may try to run Hamilton wide at turn 14.

R Doug · « **Reply #12 on:** October 31, 2015, 09:03:59 PM »

The lack of aero must be the reason for the record breaking speeds in the speed traps.

squeezer · « **Reply #13 on:** October 31, 2015, 10:28:23 PM »

That and one of the longest straights in the series.

kneescrubber · « **Reply #14 on:** November 12, 2015, 07:29:44 AM »

http://www.foxsports.com/motor/story/f1-usgp-cota-austin-texas-threatened-cut-state-funding-111115

Quote

To use a technical term, I think we’re screwed

R Doug · « **Reply #15 on:** November 12, 2015, 08:31:25 AM »

I read this last night and it appears the State is looking to cut funding from ~$25 Million to ~$19 Million to support the facility on an annual basis.

I believe this release from COTA and Bernie is a lot of jockeying to get scare the State into going back to its original committed funding.

I can't tell you how many large loan requests I've declined when government funding is part of the primary source of repayment or equity into the project. Administrations change and so do commitments from them (Fed, State, local, etc...). This reconfirms my belief to not rely on such funds for projects.

I hope this gets ironed out and racing continues at this great venue.

R Doug · « **Reply #16 on:** November 16, 2015, 08:12:29 PM »

Because, McLaren Honda

visitors can't see pics , please register or login

squeezer · « **Reply #17 on:** November 16, 2015, 11:25:44 PM »

[emoji38]
What a freaking season for those guys.

R Doug · « **Reply #18 on:** January 28, 2016, 08:13:15 PM »

Well, the best off season news so far include the following...

Kevin Magnussen to potentially Replace Renault F1 Team's Pastor Maldonado.

Cars will be louder

Honda found nearly 300 more HP

thatguy · « **Reply #19 on:** January 28, 2016, 09:44:37 PM »

Honda may want to get it to finish a race first.

squeezer · « **Reply #20 on:** January 29, 2016, 12:21:47 AM »

I've got my fingers crossed for Magnussen. Since Maldonado's drive comes courtesy of $$ from the Venezuelan national oil company, I think Magnussen's in if the price of oil stays where it is for a bit longer.

squeezer · « **Reply #21 on:** February 01, 2016, 08:25:44 PM »

Maldonado has officially announced that he's out. Magnussen still isn't officially in, but every news outlet says he will be, probably by the end of the week.

R Doug · « **Reply #22 on:** February 03, 2016, 04:03:06 PM »

http://www.skysports.com/f1/news/12430/10154227/renault-launch-2016-car-with-kevin-magnussen-alongside-jolyon-palmer

Kevin's in!

squeezer · « **Reply #23 on:** February 04, 2016, 07:52:38 AM »

squeezer · « **Reply #24 on:** February 24, 2016, 09:15:12 AM »

The FIA has approved new qualifying rules to make things "more unpredictable." Teams are looking them over now and we should know in about a week if it's going to happen this year.

The new system:
Q1 is 16 minutes.
The slowest driver is eliminated after 7 minutes.
Then, one driver is eliminated every 90 seconds.
7 drivers total dropped in this session.

Q2 is 15 minutes.
Slowest driver is eliminated after 6 minutes.
Then again, one driver is eliminated every 90 seconds.
That drops another 7 drivers.

Q3 is 14 minutes.
8 drivers in Q3 as opposed to 10 in the old rules.
Slowest is eliminated after 5 minutes.
Then one is dropped every 90 seconds.
The 2 drivers left when the checkered flag waves continue on for a 90 second shoot-out for pole.

Without cable, and since F1 doesn't stream in this country, I won't be watching this. But it sounds like fun. There's no real chance to take it easy and then rip off a fast lap at the end of a session. It's pretty unforgiving for mistakes. You'd have to be on your game the whole session. I'm hoping they give it a go.

R Doug · « **Reply #25 on:** February 24, 2016, 10:07:37 AM »

Wow, qualifying may be more entertaining than the race itself.

I like this idea better than Bernie's inverted grid idea where the top 10 qualifiers are given inverted grid positions (i.e. Pole Position qualifier would be moved to the 10 spot on the grid, etc...)

squeezer · « **Reply #26 on:** February 24, 2016, 10:41:08 AM »

Quote from: R Doug on February 24, 2016, 10:07:37 AM

I like this idea better than Bernie's inverted grid idea where the top 10 qualifiers are given inverted grid positions (i.e. Pole Position qualifier would be moved to the 10 spot on the grid, etc...)

So agreed. In my mind, that inverted grid thing is associated with stock car club racing (from those few times I went to the little bitty ovals that used to dot the countryside). It adds to the fun there and I'm not knocking it, but when you're talking world championship, you gotta reward achievement, not punish it. And on those little tracks, overtaking was pretty easy. When it's as tough as it can be in F1, it's just wrong.

squeezer · « **Reply #27 on:** February 27, 2016, 06:19:16 AM »

The new qualy rules were approved. But they won't go into effect until the 5th race of this season. The tech folks asked for time to get the software right.

squeezer · « **Reply #28 on:** March 05, 2016, 01:02:12 AM »

Man, they changed the qualification rules three times this week. Right now, it's back to the new rules implented from the first race. But I don't think we'll really know until they actually run in Australia.

By the way, Hamilton was trashing the state of F1 at the Barcelona test and said MotoGP was a better series. Uh-huh.

sodapop6620 · « **Reply #29 on:** March 19, 2016, 06:50:25 PM »

First race tonight!

R Doug · « **Reply #30 on:** March 19, 2016, 09:19:21 PM »

The new qualifying system was horrible.

It appears they're going to change it by the next race.

squeezer · « **Reply #31 on:** March 20, 2016, 12:19:14 AM »

Didn't see any of it but read it was such a fiasco that the team bosses are actually meeting before the race tomorrow to change it.

PatM · « **Reply #32 on:** March 20, 2016, 10:43:10 AM »

Just saw the Alonso incident.

Glad he is ok.

thatguy · « **Reply #33 on:** March 20, 2016, 12:22:48 PM »

Qualifying was a Mongolian clusterfuk. However the race was fairly exciting. Good start for Haas.........sort of.

sodapop6620 · « **Reply #34 on:** March 23, 2016, 07:51:56 AM »

I like the fact that they finally brought a 3rd type of tire for them to race on. But i am not sure why only 1 set of the medium titir forthe weekend.

squeezer · « **Reply #35 on:** March 23, 2016, 09:07:11 AM »

The tire thing is a mostly a team choice now. A couple of weeks before the race, teams choose 10 of the 13 sets of tires they will have for the weekend.

squeezer · « **Reply #36 on:** March 23, 2016, 06:57:14 PM »

And, by the way, for Bahrain, Merc has chosen one set of mediums and Ferrari chose three. Looks like the red guys are thinking about a 1 stop strategy this time around.

sodapop6620 · « **Reply #37 on:** April 09, 2016, 09:47:59 PM »

I think Bottas got the short end of the sick on the crash with Hamilton.

R Doug · « **Reply #38 on:** April 10, 2016, 05:22:25 AM »

Quote from: sodapop6620 on April 09, 2016, 09:47:59 PM

I think Bottas got the short end of the sick on the crash with Hamilton.

I've gone back and forth on that. Race craft would say that the car passing needs to be (at the last) half way along side the car that's being passed going into the corner. This happened so quick that Bottas was along side Hamilton at the apex (a little late). But, Hamilton should have been aware someone was on his inside via mirrors and shouldn't have slammed the door as harsh as he did. He left Bottas with no room and Bottas was trying to avoid by staying up on the curb.

I'm still mixed on it but totally understand the ruling in this case. There are some rulings which make no sense to me what-so-ever.

thatguy · « **Reply #39 on:** April 10, 2016, 08:50:52 AM »

Quote from: sodapop6620 on April 09, 2016, 09:47:59 PM

I think Bottas got the short end of the sick on the crash with Hamilton.

Do you believe Kimi got the short end last year at Sochi?

sodapop6620 · « **Reply #40 on:** April 11, 2016, 08:18:28 PM »

I would have to watch the sichi race again to see what you are talking about.

thatguy · « **Reply #41 on:** April 12, 2016, 09:43:00 AM »

Allow me.

http://youtu.be/4eL65wE6ZSU

R Doug · « **Reply #42 on:** April 12, 2016, 09:48:51 AM »

Quote from: thatguy on April 10, 2016, 08:50:52 AM

Quote from: sodapop6620 on April 09, 2016, 09:47:59 PM
I think Bottas got the short end of the sick on the crash with Hamilton.

Do you believe Kimi got the short end last year at Sochi?

It's funny how similar Kimi / Bottas and Bottas / Hamilton contacts were!

I forget, did Kimi get penalized for that move? He clearly shoehorned his car in a space that didn't exist.

thatguy · « **Reply #43 on:** April 12, 2016, 09:54:06 AM »

He did. A 10 second stop and go was converted to a 30 second penalty because the infraction happened at the end of the race. So he lost 3 places on the grid dropping him from fifth to eighth.

sodapop6620 · « **Reply #44 on:** April 12, 2016, 07:27:03 PM »

Lools like kimi was farther back when he caused the crash. Oh well they arent paying me so whatever happens doesnt affect my wallet.

Acadian Rider · « **Reply #45 on:** April 16, 2016, 07:51:57 AM »

Kimi out qualifies Vettel. Can't wait to see the start tomorrow.

R Doug · « **Reply #46 on:** April 16, 2016, 07:57:06 AM »

Seb only did one hot lap in Q3 and blew a corner. It will be fun watching Lewis come up through the field.

squeezer · « **Reply #47 on:** April 16, 2016, 11:05:19 AM »

Kimi overshot a corner too. I wonder if they could have had the front row? With Ferrari's starts, Rosberg on harder tires than everyone else, and Hamilton at the back, that first lap should be busy.

Learned this week that the NBCSN Roku app -- which I think means their website too -- streams FP1 and FP3 live without commentary. I like the lads, but it was pretty cool watching the teams work with nothing but engines (excuse me, "power units") as a background. Just a ballet of speed.

squeezer · « **Reply #48 on:** April 16, 2016, 07:54:36 PM »

Waste a little time checking out these classic McLarens:
http://www.mclaren.com/formula1/heritage/hidden-details-2459762/

R Doug · « **Reply #49 on:** April 17, 2016, 11:23:04 AM »

Thanks for the link, it answered some questions I remember having back in the day.

What an entertaining race today with all of the good cars either starting from the back or getting caught up in some thing and needing to charge back through the field.

I thought Seb was a little harsh on Kvyat after the race (public TV verbal dress down in the pre-podium room). It appears Seb now recognizes it was a racing incident.

I believe it was a brilliant move for the young Russian.

https://www.formula1.com/content/fom-website/en/latest/headlines/2016/4/vettel-diffuses-kvyat-row.html