F1 2019 (spoilers obviously)

When the RB breaks down the uninformed are going to be quick to think “that Aston Martin’s a bit shite”

thepurist
Now, I’m no F1 engineering god but given Honda’s history of tight packaging & heat management in the McLaren, would you be pushing the limits on your first foray with their PU?

Ha, well that’s a good point, however I wouldn’t have been running a Honda PU in the first place, as I’d not have publicly slagged off the only competitive engine supplier I had available.

Fingers crossed they’ve done their sums right though, a three way battle with RB, Ferrari and Merc would be interesting. The removal of ‘party modes’ in quali should help them.

Very keen to see what MV can really do in a competitive car. Well Gasly too for that matter.

There seem to be significant additional cooling vents in the rear bodywork of the Red-bull.

They’re just gloss graphics on a matt paintjob.

First pictures: New Red Bull-Honda RB15 breaks cover

The Honda will break down a lot as it’s a Honda.

The Merc will break down a lot as it’s a brand new engine.

The Ferrari’s will crash into each other a lot as Vettel won’t stand Leclerc passing him.

And Danny Ric will come through and take the 2019 F1 Title! 🙂

There’s been an explosion at the Dulux factory!…

Looks like JCB have switched their sponsorship from Williams too.

in the timeless words of Ali G, dat is rank

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bt1jQzYB7Nm/?utm_source=ig_share_sheet&igshid=1d8l25kly4mu4

McLaren – to me the nicest livery so far…

First pictures: McLaren presents its MCL34

Re that LH video.
The first drive in a brand new MB F1 car must be the best thing ever. And he gets paid to do it!

I looked at the pictures of that Racing Point Force India Stroll BWT SportPesa thing.

I realised that they’ve done exactly the same to the other side too. Sad times.

Check out the front wing on the Alfa!
https://www.f1technical.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=12&t=27915&sid=25f88193eeceb3915c678f213b02eabb

That wing looks a bold move on the Alfa, either that or it’s just for shakedown sandbagging and the real thing arrives for the first test.

I hope that McLaren is fast.

Ferrari’s answer to Mercedes…

Looks nice with the black instead of the white IMO

Removed…photo appeared above

Tidy, and with echoes of the Alfa front wing, though possibly a more refined/less extreme design.

Looking at all these and seeing compromised cooling again – yay for “closer racing” 🙄

Williams documentary on bbc2 now…. I do love Claire

On the cooling front – the Mercs rad and engine ducts are much bigger than last year .

That bbc doc was a tough watch, but very good. Bit dusty in here…

My word. That Williams documentary was amazing. Some of the best television I’ve seen in a very, very long time

Excellent programme

Some of the best television I’ve seen in a very, very long time

I’d agree with that, I feel I did it a disservice in my post, it really is brilliant.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m0002p1x/williams-formula-1-in-the-blood

Indeed it was excellent and brought a tear to my eyes at the end.

Grew up always wanting to meet Frank. Have to admit to being a lit bit enamoured with Claire, she has a strength of character. Shame about the relationship with her brother, looks like he needs a bit of a kick up the arse to make something of himself away from the race team, the opportunity is there.

Loved the bit about Mansell being a pain in the arse out of the car and the way they all rushed to see Frank in France and how close they all were was amazing. I started watching F1 in the late 80’s so didnt realise just how good Piquet was.

Williams not ready for 1st day of testing

https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/williams-miss-first-day-test/4338991/

Williams not ready for 1st day of testing

https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/williams-miss-first-day-test/4338991/

Totally embarrassing that for Williams. What a total shambles that team is becoming under the stewardship of Claire. It makes me fear for the future of them, it really does.

… and we’re off!

RedBull in ‘looking like a Red Bull’ shocker.

Alfa livery – 7/10

Predictions for testing:

Merc – most laps but not fastest

RedBull – at least 2 engine changes this week

Ferrari – quick laps on the last day (or whenever Vettel’s driving as they won’t let LeClerc beat him)

Not sure who’s going to be at the back this year – McLaren & Williams have done a lot of work so hopefully it’ll just be a bigger midfield.with no real tail enders.

Kimi in the gravel. Good start!

Probably still hungover from Christmas! 🙂

Not sure who’s going to be at the back this year – McLaren & Williams have done a lot of work so hopefully it’ll just be a bigger midfield.with no real tail enders.

Williams by a country mile – they just haven’t got the resources anymore. They’d probably be quicker re-badging an F2 car.

Such a shame, but the Williams way of stubbornly being independent just doesn’t work in F1 anymore.

Williams now won’t be ready until at least mid-day on Wednesday…..

My guess is there are creditors stopping supply of materials.

No way this should happen when you only have 8 days of testing available.

Not a shabby number of laps for the Red Bull Honda

Agreed that this looks bad for Williams. Not convinced they are going bust, but to end up in this mess is ridiculous

Claire Williams: “It is looking more likely than not that we will now not be in a position to run on track until Wednesday at the earliest. This is obviously extremely disappointing, but it is unfortunately the situation we are in. We will be getting the FW42 on track as soon as we are able.”

That’s not a confident statement.

Fairly shocking quote on BBCF1: “Sources say the car is projected to be as much as two seconds slower than last year’s”.

Crumbs.

All the cars are predicted to be 1.5 seconds slower this year due to the new aero regs.

All the cars are predicted to be 1.5 seconds slower this year due to the new aero regs.

Vettel is already 2 seconds faster than the fastest day one time from last year’s first test.

All the cars are predicted to be 1.5 seconds slower this year due to the new aero regs.

I was under the impression that most teams had managed to regain most if not all of the losses from the regs. Even if they haven’t, it would still mean Williams would be falling at least half a second back from what was already the back of the grid.