MegaSack DRAW - This year's winner is user - rgwb
We will be in touch
You can only enforce a rule by means of a standardised test, so it is by passing the test(s) that you show compliance with the rule.
'Interpreting' the rules is, rightly or wrongly, an intrinsic part of racing, see BOM Bargain Racement suspension mods, some of the whoppers pulled in WRC, NASCAR etc.
For me it's all part of the fun, I imagine the other teams will be thinking "why didn't we think of that?" rather than "It's not FAIR!"
You can only enforce a rule by means of a standardised test, so it is by passing the test(s) that you show compliance with the rule.
Yes, but passing the test doesn't mean the car is compliant with the law, just that it passed the test. The Ferrari fuel flow scandal is an example of that thinking taken too far. IIRC, they were measuring fuel flow once per second and the Ferrari was compliant with that, but they were increasing the flow between tests. The rule was that fuel flow had to remain below a certain threshold and Ferrari were in deliberate breach, despite passing the tests.
The rule on flexi wings is that they are supposed to be quite rigid, with only minimal deflection under load. Designing them to pass the static load test but to flex in operation is deliberate non-compliance, even if they pass the tests. This is not the same as designing them to flex to the limit of what is allowed, which is what any designer should be doing.
Turkey cancelled, second Austrian GP instead
Grosjean takes his first pole in Indycar at the GP of Indianapolis.
Would love to see him take the win tomorrow.
🤦♂️
Oh, we’re backing out of those sort of jokes now, are we? Righto 🙂
Mazepin has arrived in Monaco!
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Nice!! Very nice...
LOVE Gulf Racing colours!
That and Martini were some of the best.
What is the relevance of Gulf colours on the McLaren at Monaco?
Forget the question. Just checked on F1.com. Very pretty.
That Gulf livery needs to stay!
What is the relevance of Gulf colours on the McLaren at Monaco?
it’s more interesting than the race usually is
McLaren have run in full Gulf colours only once previously - at Le Mans in 1997, with the McLaren F1 GTR
Noobs. 97 was 50:50 Gulf:Davidoff, ‘95 and ‘96 had full Gulf colours
^^^ Very Good
I think the only question isn't whether Mazespin crashes out it when. We should run a pool!
My money is on binning it hard enough in Free Practice that he can't qualify, i'm thinking massive tankslapper into the wall at Tabac.
He then gets given 20th on the grid and then understeers off at Saint Devote on the first lap.
a crashstappen clip the inside wall coming out of the swimming pool and into the wall opposite.
Monaco - who can forget Ricardo Rosset here memorably stuffing his Tyrrell into the barriers in a half-arsed attempt to doughnut the car around so that it was pointing in the correct direction:
Fun fact - Rosset's pit crew were so incensed at his ineptitude that they swapped the letters around on Rosset's pit lane scooter so that they read "tosseR".
Rosset's stunning effort is probably the Monaco gold standard of rubbishness - Mazepin has had a very high bar set for him.
A spin a Rascasse on lap 1 of free practice of Friday.
I’ve got a fiver on colliding with one of the front/midfield runners in qualifying and then not making it to the tunnel in the race.
Looks like I picked the wrong season to quit betting against a safety car.
That McLaren looks stunning, should look epic during qualifying.
We should run a pool!
He won't make it that far round the first lap out of the pits.
Grand Hotel hairpin I reckon, it's deceptively tricky being the slowest corner in the entire F1 calendar. Either that or he'll nerf Latifi off while at Sainte Devote. One place where you really don't want a rookie with attitude issues is Monte Carlo, the potential for havoc is off the chart.
I am very keen on McLaren's Gulf livery, if Ricciardo can get his confidence up this weekend then we may well see an orange and blue podium.
This might make things messy if the title race is still close at the and and we end up with races being cancelled, especially if it comes down to the Merc and Red Bull having circuit specific advantages. Will also complicate the planning of when to switch fully to the 2022 car development.
https://twitter.com/p__matt/status/1394541028321943553
Fun fact – Rosset’s pit crew were so incensed at his ineptitude that they swapped the letters around on Rosset’s pit lane scooter so that they read “tosseR”.
"It's a very short debate, Murray."
Still giggling at that.
Lando Norris secures a "multi-year contract" at McLaren.
Lando Norris secures a “multi-year contract” at McLaren.
Hope they can deliver the car to let him make use of his talent!
Lando Norris secures a “multi-year contract” at McLaren.
Which at least puts an end to the speculation that Merc might lure him away to replace Bottas.
Either that or McLaren get a big payout for Lando. I think that works well for McLaren they either have a very good driver for a few years or they get hefty compensation for him. Lando to Merc and Russel to McLaren maybe?
Lando to Merc and Russel to McLaren maybe?
I think a lot of people were hoping that would happen, but it really was just wishful speculation. I would love to see Lando in the Merc driving the way he is now, but, realistically, it's either Bottas or Russell in the Merc next year. Merc are ruthlessly businesslike and they aren't going to mess around when they already have two very good drivers to choose from.
We should run a pool!
Can I take the logical option of the swimming pool chicane.
I'm going all out. He won't make the start line; too many crashes in practice/quali and not enough replacement front wings.
We should run a pool!
Can I take the logical option of the swimming pool chicane.
Very logical, and clipping the front right on the barrier before ploughing in to the barrier on the exit will certainly feature, it's a long way around the circuit.
If there or Rascasse are the first spacks, then he'll be so far back that he'll have to be going the wrong way round the circuit.
I'm going to say pit exit (cos it's tight), or some proper n00b spack on that bumpy weird camber between Casino and Mirabeau (giving him the benefit of the doubt cos the 1st corner isn't really a feature in an outlap, and the run up to Casino Square is fairly benign). Unless of course there's another car starting a fast lap, in which case, red flag on the run up to Casino Square.
He has driven around Macao and Monaco in a F2 car...so in theory 1. he has experience in tight street circuits, and 2. he knows the Monaco...But as this is Mazepin, I still think he'll spin at Rascasse on his out lap of 1st practice
He has driven around Macao and Monaco in a F2 car
F1 cars are a bit wider and have a longer wheelbase, plus much more powerful and quite a bit heavier. Hopefully the F2 experience has boosted his confidence and he sticks it straight into the wall.
Lewis quali lap from 2019 just WOW!!!
Weather forecast for Monte Carlo this weekend. Cool and cloudy, not ideal for bringing one's rear tyres up to temperature quickly - a weakness that Mazepin has demonstrated everywhere TBH.
I wonder if we'll see rain?
Alonso in the wall, doesn't sound too bad though
Shame that Leclerc's gearbox has sharted itself, the Ferrari of Sainz looks pretty handy. The Gulf McLaren is pretty, but they need to be running higher than 7th and 13th. Amazingly Mazepin hasn't stuffed it yet.
I forget who explained it, but one of the drivers said some of the time gain at Monaco comes from being able to aim the car inside the apex (ie hitting the barrier) knowing that you would drift just wide enough to get round. Leclerc obviously got the memo.
I think the only question isn’t whether Mazespin crashes out it when. We should run a pool!My money is on binning it hard enough in Free Practice that he can’t qualify, i’m thinking massive tankslapper into the wall at Tabac.
Well there has indeed been a Haas in the barriers in FP3 but it was Mick Schumacher who misses out on Qualifying...
Blimey, Ferrari on pole for the first time in as long as I can recall, Hamilton is back in seventh. Ricciardo is clearly still struggling with the McLaren, he's in 12th place. The Red Bulls are split by seven places and .97sec.
Leclerc obviously got the memo.
Ahem...
I remember one commentary where Coulthard explained they would walk the circuit and work out which barriers had a post or not on the apex and flex if nudged.
I dont normally bother with Monaco but I hope it goes better than the support races this morning, both so far have had big pile ups on the first lap going up the hill after sainte devote
not looking good for Ferrari now
Yep - he's out.
Seems like Ferrari opted for the glory of pole rather than play safe and sort the rear end of the car out and take a 5 place grid drop.
That's a pity. I can understand Ferrari's thinking - this is probably their only real shot at winning a race this year so worth taking the risk.
Well Lewis's toys are being thrown out the car!! 🙂
Well Lewis’s toys are being thrown out the car!!
And in spite of that, it's still as dull as ditchwater.
It's not a classic! 🙂
Dull dull dull but that is Monaco
dreadful place dreadful race.
Post race interview, and Max can't stop smiling, fabulous!
I haven't watched the Monaco race for years, and haven't done today.
Lewis this week was bemoaning that f1 had become a billionaires playground. He doesn't realise he is the exception, it always has been a sport for the wealthy elite, and that is why Monaco is on the calendar.
Very dull. Another good race for red bull next in Bacu as their Limbo wing has maximum effect.
It wasnt that bad. lots did happen but not on the track. Very worthy podiums. A big swing in the championship and highlights the vulnerabilities of Mercedes. Maybe the development of 2021 Mercedes is not quite finished
eh ? Bottas was running comfortably in 2nd place until his mechanical
yeah bottas mechanical in the pits
and ?
Mercedes moaning about RB limbo wings should be careful
https://twitter.com/thomasmaheronf1/status/1396504875555491840
That was terrible. A race who's time has clearly passed. When the only overtake was to avoid last place, as Schumacher squeezed past Mazepin you know thinks are dire.
Yawn....
And in spite of that, it’s still as dull as ditchwater.
Dull dull dull but that is Monaco
Havent watched F1 for years, channel flicking last night and saw C4's show, my god what a boring race, was there a single overtake in the entire race?
was there a single overtake in the entire race?
Schumacher overtook Mazepin. Norris lapped Ricciardo, if that counts.
The trouble is that the drivers love driving there, the glitterati love being seen there and the corporate types love being there to schmooze and be schmoozed into doing deals. Yesterday there was a complete lack of on track action, I can't even really recall anyone being in a position to attempt a pass (Noris doesn't count and Mazepin only counts half because everyone is disappointed that he didn't launch it into the barriers). Bottas' stripped nuts and LeClerc's broken shaft provided what little entertainment there was, alongside the unusual whining noise that car #44 started making after the pit stops.
I recall talk of a new development/land reclaim in Monaco which could potentially then be incorporated into the circuit, but think there was a lot of resistance from folk whose view of the harbour/whatever would be obstructed by the new buildings.
the unusual whining noise that car #44 started making after the pit stops.
I’m a Hamilton fan but that’s quite funny 👏🏼👏🏼😂
Every year I watch the Monaco F1 race, and every year I question why I bother.
Even all the build-up & talk basically goes along the lines of 'great pedigree, virtually impossible to overtake, commitment close to the barriers, virtually impossible to overtake full-concentration, must get on pole to have any chance...did I mention virtually impossible to overtake?"
Even when the car in front is on completely destroyed tyres or has some kind of mechanical issue, faster cars still can't get past.
When the most exciting bits of the race are someone breaking down on the formation lap & someone else with a wheelnut that wouldn't come off, you know it's been a bit shit.
I remember when BBC sold out and started mainly highlights with a couple of full length races one of the races they took full length was Monaco! Who the **** decided that was a good one to take in its entirety?! If ever a race wants highlights only its this one.
It’s one of those that always seems to have the potential for great drama but almost always (ie any time it doesn’t rain) fails to deliver—especially these days, now that cars don’t fall apart anywhere near as often as they used to and everyone’s good enough to get round without sticking it in the wall. The only crashes seem to be the exit of the swimming pool during qualifying.
Remember that one of the all-time Monaco classics was 1992, the defining feature of which was a few minutes of edge-of-the-seat lack of overtaking 🙂
I watched the Porsche Super Cup that went before it. Much better racing than the F1, and the cars look amazingly planted and quick round such a tight circuit.
When the most exciting bits of the race are someone breaking down on the formation lap & someone else with a wheelnut that wouldn’t come off, you know it’s been a bit shit.
I don't think that's fair. Schumacher and Mazepin fighting over last place was the most exciting bit.
thols2
I don’t think that’s fair. Schumacher and Mazepin fighting over last place was the most exciting bit.
What....? More exciting than the mechanic skilfully whacking the side of the wheel gun hoping that it would somehow fix the damaged nut?! No way!
Actually, the most exciting bit was probably Vettel & Gasly scampering up the hill side by side, but the editors decided to cut from that action in case it woke people up.
And I was quite pleased to see Vettel get a decent finish & some points. I'm not sure that will carry over for the rest of the season, but at least it gets him some points on the board & perhaps a mental boost. He's looked like he needs a big hug for too long now.
+1 for Monaco generally being a bore-fest, F1 cars generally outgrew the circuit decades ago and with modern reliability it's more often than not the first car into Sainte Devote off the lights that takes the chequered flag.
Remember that one of the all-time Monaco classics was 1992, the defining feature of which was a few minutes of edge-of-the-seat lack of overtaking
Yep, Mansell climbing all over the back of Senna's McLaren Honda was edge of the seat stuff until it became clear that Senna's car was practically the same width as the tarmac. 1996 was pretty entertaining though - Schumacher stuffed it early on, Hill was way out in front and set to win at Monaco for the very first time until his engine blew, then it rained and only three cars made it to the finish with a well deserved win from 14th place for a man with (almost) a very amusing surname.
IIRC, in addition to the 1998 debacle, Rosset crashed at Monaco in the 1996 race, on his way to the hilarious statistic of twenty retirements or DNQs out of 33 races. On that basis, Nikita Mazepin has proven himself to be better than Rosset having actually finished the race yesterday.
I don't understand why merc thought bringing hamilton in early would work in monaco. I thought he'd definitely run long
in other news:
https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/bottas-wheel-nut-still-stuck-mercedes/6514622/
It was a completely dull race, really felt like a waste of time. It may have spiced up the championship table for a while and I'm happy for Norris with his podium but as a spectacle it was pointless. It only needs one genuine overtaking spot to be made though, then it would be at least possible to race. As it is now they all know they can drive at 7/10ths, not risk hitting a barrier and there's nothing a following driver can do to get past on-track. The strategists take care of when to take the mandatory pitstop and that's the fun sucked out of it, barring a mechanical or a driver getting frustrated enough to try a dive somewhere.
I remember when BBC sold out and started mainly highlights with a couple of full length races one of the races they took full length was Monaco! Who the **** decided that was a good one to take in its entirety?! If ever a race wants highlights only its this one.
It was a 'quirk' of the deal they did with Sky. The BBC had half the races live, the rest highlights. The only guaranteed live one was Silverstone, after that it was an odd choice system. The BBC picked one then Sky told them one they would be doing live then the BBC picked another etc. It basically resigned the BBC to having all the boring tracks live and only a few of the interesting ones. So the BBC would choose Spa then Sky would tell them to have Monaco, BBC goes for Canada then Sky tell them they have to do Bahrain etc. It was designed to essentially force fans to get the Sky F1 channel if they wanted to follow the interesting stuff while making sure the BBC couldn't get the best races as live ones.