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At least McLaren should be able to build as good a car as Torro Rosso next year:
https://www.bbc.com/sport/formula1/44961301
Except TR are claiming they have a valid contract with Keys, so could be some extra negotiation between them and McLaren to sort it out.
Anyhow, RedBull's chance to shine this weekend? Max to throw it away in FP3 again, or will he wait until qualifying to bin it?
Wet quali was great and has set up an interesting start tomorrow.
I wonder what the outcome would have been had Vettel crashed out when he clipped Bottas - given his previous this (and last) season I think Ferrari would be looking very closely (if they are not already) at their options. Would love to see Riccardo in a Ferrari next year.
Rumors are that the new bosses aren't so keen on Leclerc and might prefer to keep KR. Wishful thinking, but there's still the slimmest of chances that Alonso or Riccardo have a chance at the seat.
The Force India situation seems "interesting" too - the management asking Perez to pull the trigger to take control away from Mallya, avoid a winding up order and effectively try to keep the team sellable (at a reasonable price). I hope they manage to survive as the last couple of teams that went into administration never came out. They weren't getting the same results though, so hope that swings it. Mr Stroll Snr seems to be supporting them with large chunks of cash, but that could mean even worse things for Williams if he shifts young Lance to the new Force India as part of the deal. Without his cash they'd go looking for aother pay driver who's funding exceeds their talent and that pretty much consigns them to the back of the frid. Martini are off next year too IIRC, no wonder Clare W is so keen on budget caps and prize money reforms post 2021.
Seems highly likely that Raikkonen will keep his seat again, and RIcciardo will re-sign for RedBull. Vandoorne's looking like he might "do a Palmer" this year too which could trigger a whole wave of changes in the midfield driver line ups, but I think the top 6 seats are pretty much fixed now.
Wishful thinking, but there’s still the slimmest of chances that Alonso or Riccardo have a chance at the seat.
Doubt that Ferrari would take Alonso on again, Riccardo yeah stands a chance, but who will he partner?
I can't believe that I'm 2nd in the stw fantasy league. How has that happened?
Summer break now, going to have to find something else to watch for a few weeks.
Doubt that Ferrari would take Alonso on again
Slim chance, for sure, but the management has changed and Vettel's ability to perform under pressure has got to be on their minds. Alonso sounds like a real prick to work with, but he ability to perform under pressure is astonishing. Business people don't mind working with total pricks if they get results.
So, mid season test at Hungary, and Williams and Force India showing 2019 front wing designs...
https://www.planetf1.com/news/revealed-new-2019-front-wing-breaks-cover/
Looks like Force India have looked at the new regs, and gone "what is the maximum loss we can expect if we interpret these literally/as intended", and come up with a super simple baseline spec wing. Whereas Williams appear to have a more complex shape, like they've said "what changes do we need to make to get a 208 wing compliant for 2019".
That Force India wing is almost like going back to 2009 when the wide/low front wing was introduced.
Detail shots of the FI wing:
And some of the williams wing on the next page..
Interesting piece from Joe Saward on the FI drama
https://www.motorsportweek.com/joesaward/id/00285
Whereas Williams appear to have a more complex shape, like they’ve said “what changes do we need to make to get a 208 wing compliant for 2019”.
If the regs I've seen posted are correct, I don't think that'll be a legal wing for 2019 (too many elements)
I was hoping it would be more like this. (Prettiest GP car ever.)
No - this is the prettiest F1 car ever
Nah this is
If we're playing that game you're all wrong!...
This was the prettiest Lotus 49
You know what, looking at those cars above I don't remember thinking "Gosh, I wish these cars were faster." Especially if it meant fewer overtakes.
End of thread. (as far as best looking car goes at least!)
End of thread. (as far as best looking car goes at least!)
bring it
[img] 
[/img]
Or...
That Tyrell was definitely designed with Scalextric in mind.
Is this going to run until Spa? It's gonna be a long summer break...
Boom - I win!...
🙂
You see - with a lot of these 70s and 80s cars there's a simple solution to front wing outwash - make the front wing no wider than the inside of the front wheels!
The new 2m wide one seems to defy logic - they remove all the fancy vortex generators, but then widen the wing and give scope for outwash again.
Actually speaking as a die-hard Lotus fan yes, the-muffin-man wins.
I am pretty sure Vettel will win the WDC this year as there is only so many times LH will get away with it despite his talent and team mate support.
Which annoys me as I prefer Hamilton as driver, although I find that Vettel's personality has become as annoying at LH's over the years !
as there is only so many times LH will get away with it
Get away with what?
Yep - get away with what?
He's had some luck this year - usually at Bottas's expense, who deserves to have won a few races this year - but he's also had bad luck in the past.
If Bottas had won a few he would be in contention for the title. All Mercedes are doing now is putting their backing on the driver most likely to win the championship. Whereas Raikkonen will never have the chance to beat Vettel - he's got No.2 firmly inked in his contract.
BTW - guess which cigarette brand I first tried as a teenager in the early 80s! 🙂
Marlboro?
Gold Leaf?
Camel?
Rothmans?
So while F1 peeps are on their holibobs - lets see some iconic F1 photographs - I'll start...
...and a pack of 10 JPS - nothing at all to do with a die cast model of a Lotus 72 I had as an 8 yr old! 🙂
Only smoked 3 though and gave the rest to a mate.
Personally I think Hamilton will win the WDC, Vettel & Ferrari always seem to implode when the pressure's on.
Niki Lauda has had a lung transplant
https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/137804/lauda-recovering-from-lung-transplant-surgery
So it was more than a bit of flu then. Heal fast Niki.
Meanwhile DanRic is offically quitting RedBull at the end of the year, tipped to go to Renault. Gasly in at RedBull or is it too soon for him?
Blimey!
(And get well soon Niki!)
Best thing for Dani Ric - he risked becoming Max's wing man. Good luck to him.
Hopefully he'll be passing broken down Red Bull Hondas next season!
That is a surprise.
http://www.skysports.com/f1/news/12433/11459194/daniel-ricciardo-to-leave-red-bull
Guess he wasn't as impressed with the Honda engine as Christian Horner and Helmut Marko claim to be. Sainz would be the obvious pick for the second Red Bull seat, unless there are any ex-World Champions coming off contract and desperate for a competitive drive.
Didn't see that happening, but Renault have had multiple past success after periods of being mediocre or inactive. Fingers crossed he'll be heading up a new successful period!
Now where does this leave Saintz? IIRC his Redbull contract could have been terminated if a RB seat was not available for 2019...
unless there are any ex-World Champions coming off contract and desperate for a competitive drive.
GP2 engine...GP2 engine
...unless there are any ex-World Champions coming off contract and desperate for a competitive drive.
Alonso doesn't fit Red Bulls image. They've knocked him back before.
Although I'm sure he'd relish the chance to work with Honda again! 🙂