F1 2021 – spoilers here

When was the last time anyone who told you to do your own research on something they were peddling was right?

These impressions are on point ?

(via @ConorSketches)pic.twitter.com/0vcTzyVItm

— ESPN F1 (@ESPNF1) November 19, 2021

The Sainz one is spot on 😂

Pictures of alleged score marks

Released by Red Bull. I’d have thought if something is moving enough to make score marks (if that’s what they are), you’d be able to see it moving!

Not really sure what I’m supposed to be looking at that’s incriminating TBH.

Nope, me neither.

Red Bull rear wing flapping away merrily in FP3! 🤣

There is a very faint difference in the surface when zoomed in that could be interpreted as the upper part of the element flexing when at speed.
Slightly iron given the redbull flexy front wings of the past.

I’d love it to be misdirection on Mercedes part and actually another part is the cause of the speed increase.

Those marks suggest only the top few cm of wing could be moving as it ends abruptly.

https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/red-bull-f1-rear-wing-fixes/6800119/

There is a very faint difference in the surface when zoomed in

So that paler curved mark on the right hand “end plate”? If that is what they mean, given the size of that mark, surely you’d see that amount of flex in the rear facing camera shots?

A suggested explanation given on f1technical.net forum is that the mark is probably from when a main element with less camber is attached. There’s no evidence of the top 2″ of the mainplane flipping back; no crease along its span, and the circled bit would require some sort of hinge to move backwards, otherwise it’d be like trying to bend a ruler the difficult way.

Christian Horner says the advantage that Mercedes’ rear wing gives them is “hidden in the way that it operates”.

I wish he’d make his mind up. Either it’s hidden, or it’s so obvious it leaves score marks.

Perez out in Q2 on softs!

I wish he’d make his mind up. Either it’s hidden, or it’s so obvious it leaves score marks.

We want to protest, but about what we’re not sure, they keep beating us and it’s not fair. But ignore our flappy wing there’s nothing to see.

Max summoned to the stewards office for not slowing under double waved yellows.

I’m not seeing what Horner’s seeing TBH and you’ve probably guessed I’m no Merc fan.

A suggested explanation given on f1technical.net forum is that the mark is probably from when a main element with less camber is attached.

I’d wondered if you could alter the angle of that element (with an Allen key or the like) but a different element would be an equally good way to change settings.

The only remaining cheaty thing I can think of is if the element pivoted in some way – those scratches would then have a matching set above the element further forward. But I’m not buying it at the moment.

Meanwhile the qualifying gap 1-2 was the same as the gap 2-6. If that happens in the TdF we start asking what drugs people are on.

I assume everyone else is sandbagging.

And *apparently* Lewis wasn’t using his new engine.

I reckon Mercedes just got some fine grit wet n dry and scuffed it up just to bait Horner.

Max summoned to the stewards office for not slowing under double waved yellows.

Perfect. Say ‘hi’.
🙂
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Entirely unrelated to anything above, but does anyone else find the C4 website absolutely hopeless? Constantly cutting out, sometimes for a couple of minutes. Youtube for example is fine so can’t be my internet. Any ideas what to do about it?

That last lap from Lewis – wow. And looking at the times Max improved on his final lap so looks to be a slam dunk penalty tomorrow I think as he was not improving much in segments 1 & 2.

As to the wing – I too really hope Merc are just winding RB up here and trying to distract them and waste time analysing stuff that just isn’t there. Agree those scuff marks could not be made by the lower element as it appears in that photo unless there is something really trick going on…

Intriguing nonetheless.

UPDATE: Valtteri will report to the Stewards ahead of the race for allegedly not respecting single waved yellow flags during Quali. pic.twitter.com/nhEEc1t28S

— Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team (@MercedesAMGF1) November 20, 2021

Max Verstappen, Valtteri Bottas and Carlos Sainz all under threat of #QatarGP grid drops as they are summoned to see stewards on Sunday

Times (UK):
10am: Verstappen
10.30am: Sainz
10.45am: Bottas

Live on #SkyF1
12.30pm: Qatar GP build-up
2pm: THE QATAR GRAND PRIX#F1

— Sky Sports F1 (@SkySportsF1) November 20, 2021

BBC report

So, it’s clear to Max what is and isn’t allowed when defending…but not to any other driver 🙄

So, it’s clear to Max what is and isn’t allowed when defending…but not to any other driver 🙄

If I was Norris after his Austria and Perez penalty I would be pretty pissed off now.

This sort of makes sense if you think of taking pole at a new circuit as a reflection of which team has the best technical understanding of their car and how to adapt it to a new circuit.

Take pole position at a new venue and you'll win the World Championship ? That's how it's been at every new F1 circuit since 2010 ? #QatarGP pic.twitter.com/eZBgU8ZhTc

— WTF1 (@wtf1official) November 20, 2021

If Max gets a grid drop today he’d best make sure all his passes are on the inside. I reckon lap time deletion for Bottas and Sainz, 5 place penalty for Max. But then I thought you weren’t allowed to drive another competitor off the track so what do I know?

3 place penalty is more likely

I really hope MV gets a penalty, I want to see how much Karen and co can complain like little kids about it.

https://tenor.com/7kjs.gif%5B\img]

He’s already had one penalty for ignoring yellow flags this year so if the rules are followed he should have a 5 place penalty, it’s a sliding scale. But there is an issue with the way the yellow flag notification was flickering in and off while the marshalls were waving the flags, giving the stewards a bit of a headache.

I suppose it might come down to if drivers in front were slowing and any other indications of an issue. Carbon fibre all over the track for example!!

I don’t like thinking this, but I’m getting the feeling the authorities want MV to win this year, whether that’s just to mix things up for TV viewers after LH winning so often, or for more nefarious reasons I don’t know. I can’t help thinking this with some of the decisions made.

I don’t think MV will get a penalty because of that reason. Unfortunately. 😠

New tests introduced for rear wings from Qatar onwards…
Linky

Elsewhere that’s been reported as investigative testing rather than a scrutineering test, so there won’t be any DQs because of these tests.

https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/fia-added-rear-wing-checks-after-qatar-f1-qualifying

Wait till the RB wings start failing next season’s additional testing. Be careful what you wish for.

Max got a three place penalty when he did the same at Mexico in 2019.
You would hope doing it again would get more of one. Although maybe that was for being a **** in the press conference

I don’t like thinking this, but I’m getting the feeling the authorities want MV to win this year, whether that’s just to mix things up for TV viewers after LH winning so often, or for more nefarious reasons I don’t know. I can’t help thinking this with some of the decisions made.

It’s a popular opinion, me included. Even some of the drivers are openly hinting at it too. If it is going on then the issue the FIA/stewards/Massi has is that after Lewis’ performance at Sao Paulo they will have to go full-on WWE to make it happen. It does remind me of the Ferrari years where it was virtually impossible for them to pick up a penalty, even for blatant breaches, if it goes that way then I will not be watching next year. If Lewis wins his 8th title this year then I can be happy that history is done and I can free up a lot of weekends for more bike riding and other fun stuff that doesn’t treat me like an idiot.

Anyway, hopefully today’s race will be interesting as a new circuit usually throws up a few curve balls for the teams.

If any driver didn’t slow under double waved yellows there should be a penalty, it’ll be telling depending on the verdict 🤔

Interesting. Toto has offered to send RB a rear wing to look at themselves. I wonder if they’ll take him up on the offer or just continue to moan about it…

Max will get no penalty there will be some excuse by FIA, I believe the others will be treated the same to make it look fair.

Hopefully I am wrong!

If they take away his fastest lap, where would he sit on the grid?

If it is non-consequential then I wouldn’t be surprised if that is what they go for.