F1 2020 (spoilers abound)

Yeah, plenty of ways in which that call could have backfired, so it’s understandable that they didn’t make it, just as it’d be understandable if they did.

Norris delivered an absolute belter to make sure he was within 5 seconds of Hamilton, though. Great effort.

Of course the big question from the weekend that nobody’s looking at – who’s winning the face mask battle? Poor old Lando suffering with a shonky McLaren design that wanted to fall of his nose, LeClerc having to fiddle with his every 10 seconds. Toto rocking the aero-screen looked pretty cool, but I think RedBull showed everyone how it should be done.

LeClerc having to fiddle with his every 10 seconds

Apparently they know about it and will be giving him a better one in Hungary.

Have to say, much as it looked the more practical option, I thought Toto’s look was less “F1 principal” and more “pound-shop dental hygienist” 🙂

Toto won the mask battle – less to fiddle with, and it enables him to communicate better to his team members. Agreed, it may not be quite as sexy or allow as much opportunity for branding, but I’d like to think that’s a secondary concern for him

Ferrari panicking?

https://www.bbc.com/sport/formula1/53309834

As you’d expect when their own car from last year would’ve given them a kicking

As you’d expect when their own car engine from last year would’ve given them a kicking

FIFY

I don’t believe last years car couldn’t go round corners and just deployed 2,000bhp down the straights

All three Ferrari powered teams were massively slower this year. It’s not impossible that they all screwed up their aero, but…

FIA reaches ‘settlement’ with Ferrari following 2019 engine investigation

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ON a slightly different topic. I have been critical in the past of Hamilton for not living in the real world and frankly acting like a spoilt brat. However I think his comments over the black lives matter have shown him in a very different light and been thoughtful, respectful and wise. He made points clearly and fairly and without criticising or alienating others.

I think this should be applauded

ON a slightly different topic. I have been critical in the past of Hamilton for not living in the real world and frankly acting like a spoilt brat. However I think his comments over the black lives matter have shown him in a very different light and been thoughtful, respectful and wise. He made points clearly and fairly and without criticising or alienating others.

I think this should be applauded

Agreed, Lewis has gone way up in my estimation over the last few months.

Ferrari panicking?

Yup, it would seem so.

It’s worth remembering that the car’s aero is a balancing act between downforce and drag. It looks as though all the Ferrari powered cars were designed around a more powerful engine package that fell foul of the regulations last year. It’s not simply a case of removing front and rear wing to correct the problem, the entire aero package is flawed and it’s not easily fixable – we only need to look at McLaren back in 2017/18 to see how this can manifest itself. Also, Ferrari will be stuck with this car and engine for this year and next.

Leclerc’s second place at the weekend was a drive worthy of champion, Vettel looked as though he simply couldn’t be arsed anymore.

The Race have an excellent summary here.

A couple of other things to think about are:
i) The design team will look at the different circuit configurations and decide how to balance the needs of them all. Merc seem to have done this very well for the last few years. They haven’t been fastest at every circuit, but best overall. Ferrari may have settled for a different compromise that didn’t work at this specific circuit, but will be better at others. Still, I can’t seem them being too happy about fighting for fifth places with McLaren and Racing Point.

ii) The Ferrari engine probably lost a lot of power in qualifying mode, but won’t be as badly affected in race mode.

Ferrari are just being Ferrari – the only time in history when they were consistently good was during the Schumacher era.

Unless they hit the ground with a perfect car for the new regs in 2022 they could easily go another 20 years between championships.

Ferrari are just being Ferrari – the only time in history when they were consistently good was during the Schumacher era when they handed the team over for foreigners to run.

On another point – did F1 use the services of a GCSE art student to make that font choice? It’s horrible and just doesn’t work in heavier weights! 🙂

I thought the turn3 penalty was harsh, Albon had acres of track space to his left, but he turned into Hamilton’s line just after he got his nose in front.

Another steward inconsistent penalty imo.

eh, were you watching a different incident? I thought the stewards had no choice TBH. Hamilton tagged his rear wheel, meaning Albon had clearly got ahead of Hamilton, and from the on board you can hear that Hamilton hasn’t lifted at all. He could’ve lifted, opened up the steering and given Albon the corner. Hamilton’s a race-driver so he’s not going to do that, but the penalty’s consistent with the rules.

I think this should be applauded

Yes, agreed.

I think the font choice is to look a little bit like a race track from above? At least that’s what the “M” reminds me of.

eh, were you watching a different incident? I thought the stewards had no choice TBH. Hamilton tagged his rear wheel, meaning Albon had clearly got ahead of Hamilton, and from the on board you can hear that Hamilton hasn’t lifted at all. He could’ve lifted, opened up the steering and given Albon the corner.

In terms of forward movement alone, Albon hit Hamilton: his rear wheel collided with Hamilton’s front from behind. Clearly, though, there’s lateral movement, and the question of whether Hamilton caused the collision. Had he lifted off close to impact then the impact would simply have been harder. Had he lifted off early in the move then he could have taken a tighter line (not opened the steering up—that refers to reducing steering input, which would have taken him towards Albon quicker) but as you note, that’s not necessarily the action of a successful racing driver.

The question is really one of whether Hamilton could and should have taken a tighter line, which would have meant ceding the corner quite early on. The stewards clearly felt that he should have. A tight call, probably just about the right one, but only just.

These questions are best left to ex-racers who have all the info at their fingertips – like the Stewards. I always think its a bit daft when us armchair enthusiastic fans try to call it one way or another.

The stewards clearly felt that he should have. A tight call, probably just about the right one, but only just.

Nah, very clearly Hamilton’s fault. You can tell the stewards thought so to, as it took them no time at all once they’d looked at the footage (and probably listened to the onboard of Hamilton keeping his foot flat to the floor) I don’t think any racing driver worth his pay would’ve done anything different though.

he could have taken a tighter line, not opened the steering up

Yep, you’re right, thanks for the correction, after I read it back I realised I’d got it the wrong way round, but it was too late to edit. D’oh!

I always think its a bit daft when us armchair enthusiastic fans try to call it one way or another.

Oh, absolutely. It’s utter nonsense, but still fun to discuss 👍

Vettel, Hamilton, bad as each other 😉

And both outclassed by their teammates on the day.

Also, can’t wait for Verstappen and Hamilton to go properly head to head. It was a shame that Verstappen’s race ended so quickly and in the way that it did on Sunday

Alonso’s back

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/53325412

I can’t wait for more “hilarious” antics when things aren’t going his way

Definitely no seat for Vettel anywhere then is there?

Definitely no seat for Vettel anywhere then is there?

It will be F1’s loss if that’s the case, as he’s a brilliant driver on his day. I can’t believe he won’t find a car.

Alonso at Renault?

Well, that is going to be one mother of a train wreck.

I can’t believe he won’t find a car.

Vettel’s out, always was IMO. Even if he wasn’t, he’s not exactly selling himself right now in any respect.

Definitely no seat for Vettel anywhere then is there?

Will Racing Point dump Perez for an ex-champ? Not impossible.
Bottas was my bet to go to Renault, but that’s dead. Will Merc dump him for Vettel? Not impossible.

But, my money’s on Seb changing nappys next year unless he wants to hang out with Kimi again.

Will Merc dump him for Vettel? Not impossible.

I can’t believe that Hamilton doesn’t have a contract that gives him some say over his team-mate. Surely?

he’s not exactly selling himself right now in any respect.

No kidding, He’s clearly had enough of racing with Ferrari.

Will Racing Point dump Perez for an ex-champ?

iirc Perez brings a lot of personal sponsorship to the team, it’s effectively a pay to drive deal. Vettel will want paying, it wouldn’t make any sense from any angle.

I can’t believe that Hamilton doesn’t have a contract that gives him some say over his team-mate. Surely?

Hamilton doesn’t have a contract signed and is asking for a big pay rise. Having Vettel available reduces Hamilton’s leverage. My money is on Hamilton and Bottas being re-signed next year, but crazier things have happened. My guess is that Vettel would drive for free if Merc offered him a seat.

I think Merc would look at Vettel’s last couple of seasons and keep clear of the rolling cluster ****.

Alonso at Renault?

Kind of feel sorry for Seb, but his performance on Sunday was one to forget. I get that it must be difficult for a four-times WDC to muster the enthusiasm to trundle round in the fifth fastest car on the grid, but the thought of Vettel heading to retirement at thirty three (he was born in 1987 FFS!) is a little disheartening. I can’t see Merc offering him Bottas’ seat, nor can I see him at Aston Martin unless Stroll makes a real pig’s ear of things this year.

Alonso has a remarkable talent for upsetting manufacturers and it isn’t just limited to Formula One. He’ll be returning to F1 after a two-year sabbatical, forty years old and with a vaunted hotshoe team mate fifteen years his junior and a car that’ll be midfield at best. Hmm…

My money is on Hamilton and Bottas being re-signed next year

I dunno, there are a couple of question marks there. One is how long does Hamilton want to keep going (probably a while longer) and the other is whether Bottas can properly sustain a title challenge thus year. If we get a good way into the season and Bottas has crumbled, my money’s on Hamilton and Russell. If Bottas is leading the championship through more than just good fortune when Toto comes to blow the dust off his pen, who knows?

I can’t believe:
1. Renault have gone for Alonso
2. Alonso has gone for Renault

Ok, so Renault get a fast driver who can help develop the car but he’s never been one to create team harmony, but what does he get out of it? He’ll be in the midfield at best…

or can I see him at Aston Martin unless Stroll makes a real pig’s ear of things this year.

Doesn’t Stroll Snr have a sizeable investment in AM? If so jnr won’t be moving?

One is how long does Hamilton want to keep going (probably a while longer)

Hamilton is 35 and Schumacher* was 37 when he last won a GP (2006) . Wasn’t Schumacher considered to be pretty fit? Can Hamilton maintain his current form for another 2 years? I’d have thought he can win races, whether he can resists the likes of Albon, Verstappen, LeClerc, and continue to win Championships, is another matter. I’d have thought his age, wage have got to start working against him at some point haven’t they?

*Not the oldest to win a GP, but most of the 40+ year old drivers who were winning were racing back in the 1950’s. Any bets on whether Hamilton can continue into his 40s?

Let’s have a battle of the has-beens at Renault next year, Alonso Vs Vettel. \o/