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That Bahrain vid up there ^^^^^^^^
Wasn't LH on shagged/slower tyres whilst NR was on fresher/faster tyres in the last battle?
Just employ 2 german drivers then.
No, no. no.
You need a German, and a fast one. If the german is winning, keep it that way by nobbling the other. If Danni Ricc is closing then deploy both to keep the team well ahead.
I don't honestly believe this is what is happening, but if it was it's the obvious motivation.
I don't buy the whole 'German driver winning is best' stuff. If Rosberg wins the WDC then they sell more cars in Germany. If Hamilton wins they sell more cars in the UK and, more importantly, the US. He has a much higher profile in the wealthy young market that buys expensive cars, hanging out with other stars and appearing at fashion events for example. This makes the cars appear 'cool' and fashionable, Rosberg probably appeals more to their traditional market of middle-aged golfers.
As long as Merc have a winning car with WDC driver in it then they're happy. Having 2 WDC drivers may be better but it could also cause internal problems.
Does anyone know why Mercedes swapped the mechanic teams over?
I don't for a second believe Mercedes would screw things up for Hamilton but I can very well believe Bernie is pulling some strings somewhere. It's in F1's interests to keep the title race as interesting and alive as possible so I'm sure he's had influence in results in some form.
Bernie influences results through an unequal allocation of money.
Can you imagine the joy of one side of the garage knowing they are moving over to Hamiltons side and the other moving to Rosbergs.
One side had won 2 championships with Hamitlon and now possibly winning a third whilst the other side must be kicking themselves if Hamilton doesnt win it this year.
Does anyone know why Mercedes swapped the mechanic teams over?
for equity in the teams of mechanics - so they don't bias one driver over the other, they swap every year or two.
Why would a German car manufacturer want a German to be World Champ? It's a complete mystery.
I reckon that a lot of people at Mercedes would like to see a German champ in a German (ish) car - all other things being equal, and that's the bit for me that makes it very hard to believe Hamilton is being deliberately nobbled. I just can't see that they would prefer their target audience seeing their engines blow up to Hamilton beating Rosberg.
No one is deliberately knobbling Hamilton and most definitely not Mercedes. As above if Merc didn't want him to win they would have refused his salary demands last year and LH would now be running around in 3-6th in an inferior car. Mercedes is a global business, what's important is they win constructors and championship and keep pishing the brand forward as sporty rather than dull old mans car.
LH has a massive ego (fair enough he is a sport where that's not uncommon) and being beaten by his team mate in the same car is in his mind "not possible", so it must be a conspiracy.
igm agrees with Jamba shocker.
He's right you know.
Mercedes to enter Formula E...
http://www.grandprix247.com/2016/10/04/mercedes-takes-up-an-option-to-enter-formula-e/
Saw that Muffin Man, given the likely direction of road car development it makes a lot of sense. Also FE already seems to have more interest from a younger audience than F1 so is good for marketing. Don't think FE is big enough to take them away from F1 yet, but given the uncertainties post 2020 its a good backup plan.
Bernie refuted reports that he was seen tipping a bag of sugar into the fuel tank of a Merc.
He also later denied claims that he's a "knob".
[url= http://www.telegraph.co.uk/formula-1/2016/10/03/lewis-hamilton-being-sabotaged-by-mercedes-is-an-absurd-suggesti/ ]Coulthard on the possibility of sabotage.[/url]
He also later denied claims that he's a "knob".
You can't believe everything he says.
"Yer big-ends gone mate - gonna cost 'ya!"...
http://www.grandprix247.com/2016/10/06/mercedes-lewis-engine-suffered-a-big-end-bearing-failure/
Ban phones from drivers press conferences. Pretty disrespectful from Lewis.
Just employ 2 german drivers then.
They tried that. One was too old and kept crashing into shit, one was just shit.
Pretty disrespectful from Lewis
Really? Utter over-reaction from old fart journo's is how I read it.
The language might be a bit near the knuckle but that's all; the rest is in good fun. Much more so than Kimi's bored monotone.
Ban phones from drivers press conferences. Pretty disrespectful from Lewis.
When you see what he was messaging it's hard fo see it as anything other than massively distespectful. Just another press conference and he couldn't be bothered with it.
...and Liberty Media want to engage with younger F1 fans. Even my daughter follows Lewis on Snapchat and often shows me things he's posted.
^^^^Grumpy Old Farts! 😀
Just another press conference and he couldn't be bothered with it.
About time someone showed F1 journos the respect they deserve. Mandatory press briefings are a complete dull-fest of cliched comments from the drivers/managers/footballers, at least Lewis gave them something to actually write about.
They really are dreadful, given that everything has to be approved by marketing types why not just wait for a press release from them!
Same questions every week and just how dull are the majority of the drivers?
Whilst off sick earlier in the week, I managed to catch some BSB and WSB races, proper racing that was.
The horror! "Massively disrespectful" Really? He's just farting about.
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That's right up there with weeing on the cenotaph.
Off with his head!
They tried that. One was too old and kept crashing into shit, one was just shit.
Roflcopter.
Snapchatgate gets a bit more serious!...
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/37583862
And is Kimi slowly becoming star driver of the season? Quietly getting on with the job and showing that Vettel is no driving god. And Vettel getting a gentle boot up the backside from his boss as well.
It's dull to watch and Seconbergs driving is a cure for insomnia. They always muck about in press conferences.
And is Kimi slowly becoming star driver of the season?
It is definitely good to see him driving well again! It was always a bit tortuous to see him lagging so far behind...
Only slightly odd immature chebends and peados use snapchat above the age of 14.
Is LH the Michael Jackson of F1 - grew up in the spotlight to his long term detriment.
LH is clearly under the impression he is important. And cool.
Haterz gonna hate.
He's won three world titles and countless pole's and races.
He's not barged, used illegal methods countless times and 'win at any cost' yet he's scorned at because he treats the question time as a distraction like all the recent ones have. Would you prefer corporate Nico or he's own man Lewis? Even the others come out of their stifled shells when Lewis hoofs about.
Kimi literally couldn't even be arsed' with the questions. He hates it. Yet he's seen as 'cool' as he's 'a man of few words to the media'. Can't win.
Haterz gonna hate.
How perceptive.
Yup, not a fan.
It just goes to show those who do incredible things are not necessarily nice people. The trouble with F1 for many years is that the people involved take it so seriously and think merely being part of the bandwagon makes their opinions matter outside their bubble.
Well, I for one am not impressed with the whole circus. My opinion, and I am aware not a universally held one but there it is.
I don't rate him as a person, but as a driver....
Hamilton heading for a one man crusade against the media.. his odd behaviour seems up there with Tyson Fury / Justin Beiber. I cant help think that his behaviour is aimed at the team with a slight tit for tat. I wont do my media commitments if you dont sort out the car for me. I wont try if you dont.
This season has definitely had its moments. Especially the rise of Verstappen and the fall of Vettel ( although the signs were there when he was at red bull v Danny Ric). The introduction of the Shoey, U turns on Qualifying, Radio bans and engine penalties that span to the next country. BTW where has the fuel flow meter gone and the fuel used graphics?
Going on the LH slo-mo falling out with Mercedes (and they're higher powers) and Vettels lack of motivation at Ferrari, I would not be surprised to see LH In a red car and V in a silver arrow come 2018.
The introduction of the Shoey
Shoey?
The Australian chap that lowers the tone by drinking out of his shoe.
And you thought eating Macdonalds was bad for you
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Ricciardo is my favourite driver. Excellent at what he does and comes across as very likeable too. He makes Verstappen look a bit Theresa May to be honest! There's going to be some tough battles between the two of them in the future I think...
Hamilton heading for a one man crusade against the media.. his odd behaviour seems up there with Tyson Fury / Justin Beiber. I cant help think that his behaviour is aimed at the team with a slight tit for tat. I wont do my media commitments if you dont sort out the car for me. I wont try if you dont.
I've been watching him big up/thank his team/crew on Instagram all week. And being 0.013 off pole isnt trying eh? Lewis is a winner, he's pissed off his emotions are coming out yet he know he's needs to support them. Being jealous or annoyed at his flash lifestyle isn't a reason to post once sided comments.
Lewis is no where as conceited as Beiber, or as stupid as Fury.
well that went fast .. lots of blue flags and big winners in the race. Nice drives from Vettel, Hamilton but as usual its was a case of what couldve been for both.
I guess media relations will resume pretty soon once the drivers are reminded of their media obligations and full respect to the team. If this carries on it could be deja vu from last seasons final races. Its looking like the big man upstairs may have to intervene if Hamilton is to win the Championship
Does look ominous for Rosberg winning it this year. The only thing that will get Hamilton back in there is a mechanical failure really, Rosberg proved in Malaysia that the Merc has enough inherent speed to salvage a podium from a first-lap incident. He's going to win a championship in the same way his dad did, consistent scoring beating other, more talented drivers who have had poorer luck. Won't make his championship worth less than any other but won't mark him out as a great driver either.
Pity as I really don't like Rosberg, comes across as boring and fake with the 'German' nationality but living in Monaco all his life, only showing 'passion' when the cameras are on him and him having an aura of the boring accountant about him. He won't be a charismatic champion that the media likes 'for sure'.
There's still a chance for LH, a DNF from Rosberg and win for LH and the lead is back to 8 points....
What was the race like? I didn't bother.
Good, action all through it.
Conspiracy corner: Has the reason LH has been beating NR but LH's engines blow up more often been because LH has had the wick turned up more? And now Mercedes management have said no more exploding engines NR is suddenly looking relatively better?
Just a thought.
Only slightly odd immature chebends and peados use snapchat above the age of 14.
That's kind of the point, but couched in sneering tones.
Lewis does engage with the youth. Unlike most of the other drivers and the whole circus. That's why he's 'cool' coz he's the only driver most young folk will recognise. Not for is driving, but for his persona.
Sadly that's what F1 needs; someone to drag new fans in at the bottom. Heaven knows it won't be the spectacle of the racing.
Are people still lauding Hamilton's catwalk lifestyle? Or has he been told to stop pissing around and spend some more time praciticing starts?
Reasonable comeback drive though.
Max seems to be a bit more mature when he doesn't have to deal with others.
Good to see Vettel liven up a bit, I can't see the Ferrari warning to him had anything to do with that though.
Can't have been a boring race as it flew by.
On the comment ^^^
Ever seen a 40something male in a pub wearing Fox/Skateboarder type kit?
Seems every other cyclist wears this casually
Aye - pretty much all over now for Lewis. He needs more than one mechanical for Rosberg.
He's not really been on it since Austin last year. He seems to have lost an edge. Perhaps a change of scene is in order?
Not on it? Except that winning 6 out of 7 streak earlier in the year. He's been undone by reliability this year but its not the first time that's been a factor in the wdc and won't be the last. The pressure is off Nico now, he can pretty much coast home given the dominance of the merc.
He's just as much been undone by not bring able to start properly. In something like 5 races he has messed up the start.
I'm sure Hamilton feels it doesnt sit right either with his starts. Especially seeing the rest of the grid dont seem to have half as many bad starts as he does. Is it the pressure, is it the car, is it a higher power?
Fair point dragon, without checking I'd guess the only time they've both made a clean front row start is when they took each other off.
Great shot on Twitter of the loads F1 tyres are under...
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That's punctured surely
Doesn't look like it; look at the suspension arms. There's a lot of upwards deflection on the left side.
I wouldn't rule out an anti-roll bar failure, though
I think it's normal - if you watch the slow-mo replays during races the tyre deformation is eye-opening. Apparently the torque of the new engines is enormous.
Another one of Vettel in Eau Rouge...
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That's the extreme of the suspension movement I'd have thought, probably been bumped over the kerb and compressed on landing as the front right is under very little load compared the the right rear. Having the rear diffuser at that angle means it won't generate downforce!
Still doesn't explain why Pirelli can't produce a tyre that is consistent when pushed, Bridgestone and Michelin (Indy aside) managed fine when the cars were generating similar (maybe slightly higher) loads.
Why is this happening? Worrying in regards to potential tyre failure(?)
hora - MemberWhy is this happening? Worrying in regards to potential tyre failure(?)
It's a squashy thing getting squashed, happens anywhere a tyre gets stressed (plenty of DH slowmo's over the years showing much the same)
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Why is this happening? Worrying in regards to potential tyre failure(?)
Well they're not exactly low profile. Very tall sidewalls. I imagine they are designed to cope.
Still doesn't explain why Pirelli can't produce a tyre that is consistent when pushed,
They're producing the tyres that the fia asked them to produce. If the fia change the spec (as for next year) then pirelli can change construction to suit, but they've been pretty much working in the dark each year as they've not been able to develop the tyres on representative cars. Hence the demands for 2017 test mules.
They had a dedicated test car before entering and still got it wrong, Since then they've consistently had to modify tyres mid-season to cope, force high pressures and suspension geometry limits on the teams and consistently defend themselves in the media. After a few seasons of data mining from every team they should have a handle on it by now.
The failure of Pirelli to produce a racy and degrading tyre comes down to their decision to use thermal degredation as the mechanism for causing the tyres to wear fast. They have had ample opportunities to change this philosophy but they haven't. This is why the teams were desperate for Michelin to come in the last time the tyre contract came up for renewal.
Hulk to Renault is now official.
Presumably this will mean the affable but hapless Palmer is getting the boot.
Presumably this will mean the affable but hapless Palmer is getting the boot.
Probably and Magnussen too as it looks like they have approached Bottas as well.
Red Bull really should release Sainz though - what are they going to do with him? Unless they have plans to oust Ricciardo the Red Bull line-up looks set for a good few years to come.
leaving him stuck in Toro Rosso isn't fair.
Currently Magnussen is looking more likely to get the boot than Palmer
[url= https://www.jamesallenonf1.com/2016/10/see-ya-later-force-india-confirms-nico-hulkenberg-will-leave-after-2016-f1-season/ ]JA on F1 (last sentence for the time-poor 😉 )[/url]
Looks like Lance Stroll is a dead cert for Williams
It would appear highly probable that the scenario in which Ron Dennis reconsiders, reappraises and revokes the agreement which heretofore has upheld his position as principal executive of the mclaren racing team is appearing to become more likely to come into effect in a measurable quantum of time no longer than 12 calendar months.
Or without the ronspeak it looks like his contract isn't being renewed.
Ron Dennis is out?
Interesting stuff happening on the engineering front too:
[url= http://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/dennis-s-future-at-mclaren-in-doubt-840309/?s=1 ]Sauce for Ron story [/url]
I suspect that Ron'll be back next season
Looks like we may have a race on tomorrow between Red Bull and Mercedes:
Hopefully Hamilton will be on fire this weekend and win with the Red Bulls and Ferrari's helping to prove that Rosberg can't duel in wheel-to-wheel combat and lose a few points. Should spice things up for the last 3 races then.
It would appear highly probable that the scenario in which Ron Dennis reconsiders, reappraises and revokes the agreement which heretofore has upheld his position as principal executive of the mclaren racing team is appearing to become more likely to come into effect in a measurable quantum of time no longer than 12 calendar months.
Well played, sir! 🙂
Red Bull really should release Sainz though - what are they going to do with him? Unless they have plans to oust Ricciardo the Red Bull line-up looks set for a good few years to come.
leaving him stuck in Toro Rosso isn't fair.
I think that Sainz is amongst a few very talented drivers (like Hulkenburg and Bottas also) that are really unfortunate to have come along when there is a particularly competitive field, a situation that has been made worse until very recently by the old guard (Massa, Raikonnen and Button) having long careers. Now they are already being squeezed by the new crop like Wehrlein, Ocon et al. Tough times!
Hammy gets pole.
Should make for a good one.
I think the 2nd car in quali usually goes on to win.. But at least it makes Rosberg have to put in a shift with the red bulls and Ferraris close behind. I wonder if Hamiltons 7th gear shift problems gets sorted overnight
Nicely set up for a repeat of last year's first corner fun 😀
If either of the Ferrari's (most likely Vettel) gets a jump then all bets are off 😆