F1 2021 – spoilers here

So are Mercedes sand-bagging or have they got problems?
Not looked too good today – gearbox issues for Bottas, and looking a handful underneath Hamilton.

Certainly didn’t read like sandbagging from the online updates. Let’s see where they are after the weekend; you’d be brave to bet against Merc getting on top of teething troubles fairly rapidly.

Great day for Red Bull, though: consistently at the top of the timing tables and the lap counter. McLaren and Alpine must be feeling pretty good, too, especially considering Alonso’s not had his turn yet.

Too early to start thinking that Hamilton, Verstappen, Alonso and maybe Perez and Ricciardo could all be in a solid fight for the title…?

Too early to start thinking that Hamilton, Verstappen, Alonso and maybe Perez and Ricciardo could all be in a solid fight for the title…?

yep, way too early

Why are some teams only running one car? Is it just to save money? Surely once all your staff and equipment are there anyway you are as well running both cars to maximise data?

yep, way too early

I know 🙂 …buy hey

Why are some teams only running one car?

Because them’s the rules this year: only one car on track during testing.

Why are some teams only running one car?

ALLof the teams are only running one car. It has been like that for years.

Some teams have times for both drivers, are they sharing a car?

Yes, one driver for the morning session and the second does the afternoon…

better morning for the mercs, the ferrari looks like a pig.

spoke too soon 😀

I know it’s only day 2 of testing and means nothing, but Danny R and Fernando at the top of the timings makes me happy.

I know it’s only day 2 of testing and means nothing, but Danny R and Fernando at the top of the timings makes me happy.

I’m really hoping the Renault, McLaren, Aston-Martin, and Ferrari are as close as last year so we can seen Alonso, Ricciardo, Leclerc, Sainz, and Vettel going at it.

End of an era – Murray Walker – a true legend of motorsport. Your enthusiasm made F1 for me.

https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/formula-1-commentary-icon-murray-walker-dies-aged-97/5714734/

I’ve got a lump in my throat.

RIP Murray.

Ah sh!t…what a life tho

Oh no. Dusty here. 🙁

Oh no, i grew up listening to Murray’s Superlatives. RIP.

So….

No runn9ng for Hamilton today? Yet Bottas seems to be dialling in the car, so with so many more laps than Lewis is this advantages Bottas for Mercedes?

And are Mercedes really so “mid pack” as they seem?

it’s testing so I dont think theres any real idea how much fuel they are carrying which I suppose is true for them all unless they are doing race runs.

No runn9ng for Hamilton today?

Where did you get this from? Hamilton was always due to be in the car this afternoon

https://the-race.com/formula-1/f1-testing-driver-line-up-2021/

Live testing stream on YouTube

Bugger. Just a teaser.

Didn’t know Hope (and renthal) made F1 kit…
https://www.instagram.com/p/CMb913Xjuq8/?igshid=oilrxx3m4bil

😉

tomhoward
Full Member

Didn’t know Hope (and renthal) made F1 kit…
https://www.instagram.com/p/CMb913Xjuq8/?igshid=oilrxx3m4bil

😉

Heh, cool!

Really nice lap from Yuki- car looks like it’s on rails and the engine sounds like a proper racing car. Dying for the season to start now!

Anyone seen S3 of drive to survive yet? Episode 7 – Guenthers choice is a highlight…

Anyone seen S3 of drive to survive yet?

It’s been a very cold, miserable, wet Sunday so binged the first six episodes in one sitting. Excellent stuff though very heavy on the drama…

You can see how much Covid restricted their access though – so much is missing- never even mentioned Lewis finishing the British GP on 3 wheels, or the big crash behind the safety car…

It’s not a review of the year or a highlights show, though: it’s a series of narratives showing the stories behind the racing. Everyone’s already seen the on-track action, so unless it’s part of a worthwhile story it won’t necessarily be in.

I did raise an eyebrow at Steiner’s negotiation meeting with 1&1 (some time prior to the Eifel GP if the episode’s narrative is chronologically coherent) where the overalls were already prototyped with full UralKali and red/blue/white livery—though looking back now there were rumours that Mazepin was already a done deal around the time of the Eifel.

I watched the whole of Series 3 in two sittings….enjoyed it a lot, tho I find Christian Horner increasingly annoying…he seems to love himself on camera so much!

This is well worth a listen for anyone who likes to know the behind the scenes stuff. It’s the ex-boss of Lotus talking about when Renault wanted to buy them. The whole thing is worth a listen but the Lotus/Renault stuff starts about 20-30 mins in.

Oh no, Johnny Dumfries has passed away at 62:

Here

Just seen that, very sad.

Sad news indeed, too young. Nice interview with him here…
https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/archive/article/january-2021/47/john-bute-from-van-driver-to-le-mans-winner-the-motor-sport-interview

I always wonder how he’d have done if it hadn’t been Ayrton in the other car. Must be similar to Albon etc sat alongside verstappen, their talent must start making you doubt your own ability and once that’s in your head the game is lost.

Edit – just read that interview and it seems very much like a parallel with the red bull “golden boy” situation.

Hadn’t realised that Grosjean is now driving in Indycar…. the thought of him on a Super Speedway is pretty terrifying. Also as a result Russell is now director of the GPDA, seems impressive that your fellow drivers already trust you with the role when realatively young and inexperienced.

I thought Grosjean wasn’t doing any of the oval races, only “street” ones? I could well be making that up

…. the thought of him on a Super Speedway is pretty terrifying.

He’s doing all the road course races and 1 short oval race to see how he gets on. He’s always said that the thought of racing on Super Speedways scares him.

Didn’t Russell lob it in the wall last season while warming his tyres, maybe it’s a pre-requisite for the role?;-)

It may be that all the other drivers know he’s good and are hoping this will be a distraction.

Ah didn’t know that about Grosjean, wasn’t mentioned in the article i was looking at