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I last went to Silverstone for the 1981 GP won by John Watson. There was a great atmosphere as the Renaults got sicker and sicker each lap until one by one they dropped out to huge roars from around the circuit leaving Watson to win.
Prior to that I'd only been to Silverstone once before and that was sitting in the stands watching Lola T70s thundering through the old Woodcote corner.
My only other GP was when my Dad took me to Brands Hatch for the 1968 GP. Oulton Park was my "local" circuit though still not exactly close and I still rate Oulton and Brands above Silverstone, though neither could host a GP now.
Spa? Best circuit in the world at the moment.
Are general admission tickets still available for F1 races? So you can walk the circuit.
If it's grandstand only seats I can't see the appeal. Just watching one or two corners all weekend would bore me senseless.
I'd probably go for Barcelona as a destination as it's a) likely to be warm and a race will happen! b) you could combine with a city/beach break. 🙂
Yes I think you can get GA tickets for all circuits, they're the only ones you can buy for Silverstone for this year as everything else is sold out.
We intend to see as much of Spa as we can on the Friday and Saturday but everything I've read suggests that it's a nightmare to find a spot and walk around on race day - too many folk jammed in deckchairs on the paths etc. So I think we'll be happy with our seats at Pouchon for the race.
In the scheme of things I'd love to be at the Canadian GP, love a street circuit. Just a bit more awkward to get there and it doesn't match up with school hols..... Barcelona is out for us for the same reason.
Does anyone remember the Birmingham Superprix? I went to the last one they ran, must have been '89 or '90. Touring cars were there, F2 and TVR Tuscans. Great racing and I seem to remember John Cleland having a punchup with someone after getting nerfed off. A bit more ballsy than Lewis and Max giving each other the Paddington Bear hard stares after they've cut each other up 😀
Seems the FIA have said the Abu Dhabi cover up investigation will produce its first outputs by 3rd Feb, with final ratification at the WMSC meeting on 18th March (the start of the Bahrain race weekend). First test is starting 23 Feb so if Lewis is waiting for the FIA's review before deciding on his future in F1 it'd mean Merc potentially have 2 or so weeks to publicly sort out a replacement, though I'm guessing they've already got someone on standby.
I'm guessing that the FIA plan will be to do the bare minimum to keep Lewis in the sport, but ultimately to keep Lewis in the sport
They just can’t say - ‘yeah, it all went tits-up’ - or they undermine Max’s championship and open themselves up to more ridicule.
They’ll do a deal behind the scenes as is the usual FIA way.
And Lewis will know what he’s doing already. He’ll be back otherwise it looks like he’s having a massive strop approaching Alonso realms of toy-out-of-pram antics! 🤣🤣
Hamilton will be racing this year. All the drivers following him will need full wets though if he doesn't dry his eyes.
Hamilton will be racing this year. All the drivers following him will need full wets though if he doesn’t dry his eyes.
I bet Red Bull and Max or for that matter any team/driver would be a bit miffed and very vocal with it.
As far as I'm aware Lewis has said nothing publicly, What do you want him to do?
I actually want Hamilton to walk away - the F1 Circus needs him more than he needs them. Just walk away, head high and let the shitshow implode.
Honestly thought Ben Dover would get the job tbh
Haha! That started my day with a chuckle 😃
Max should have 1* on his car with an explanation on the body work
Prost out at Alpine, Szsadasdasawdraqafnauer (sp?) and BWT in
Budkowski's departure is more interesting IMO - he was an FIA man, there was a bit of a kerfuffle when he took on a role with a team as he'd seen lots of sensitive info from all the teams. I'm wondering if he'll pop up in a new FIA role once the whitewash Abu Dhabi review is concluded.
Brands Hatch.
Looks like Brands Hatch to me
Definitely Brands Hatch.
My very first job was there at the 1985 European Grand Prix. Used to get to camp there in the forest inside the grand prix loop inside the ticket line, with a press pass, so none of that queuing at 6am to get a good spot to watch 🙂
So yes, Brands Hatch grand prix circuit rather than the Indy circuit, without a doubt.
That’s great footage - not much has changed in some respects! Recognise every inch of the track, the perimeter less so!
Best track in the UK. I watched Ford Galaxies race around there, which was, er, interesting. Oh and a Grand Prix.
It's really not changed much compared to the current layout which is quite rare I would assume. Most circuits have had a major redesign.
Ah Brands GP was my favourite circuit from when I raced Formula Ford. The only corners that have really changed are Graham Hill bend and Dingle Dell corner.
I loved the Hawthorns/Westfield/Dingle Dell areas, Hawthorns in particular was a quick lift and lob it in at about 120mph. Very addictive! The turn in to Dingle Dell is totally blind with the car going light over the crest - real heart in mouth every time.
I really miss it!
Well, that was easy as Silverstone doesn't have any elevation change or trees even if you're not familiar with Brands Hatch....
WTF??? No live timing from the first test, just best lap times of the day.
https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article.breaking-2022-pre-season-testing-dates-in-barcelona-and-bahrain-confirmed.3ZwPqa2c9GFqg7mFTDubau.html
https://twitter.com/NobleF1/status/1486305899534860289
That’s bizarre. I guess they’re looking to not repeat the drama of the first hybrid era test, but this change in regs is absolutely nothing like that. Good to see they are being much more open with the public following last years mess…..
Struggling to believe any team is happy with that unless they are really worried about their own car
yeah Bahrain paid to be the first event with coverage
At least the new f1 theme song is good though
Heard this may be the case a few weeks ago. So much for F1's new 'show-and-tell' culture! 🤦♂️
the-muffin-man
Full MemberHeard this may be the case a few weeks ago. So much for F1’s new ‘show-and-tell’ culture! 🤦♂️
Posted 48 minutes ago
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Yeah I heard about the TV a few weeks back but I think it's the first time that no fans and no live timing has been confirmed though?
It's a real shame, i love the bit with new regs where somebody has found something and the others all scramble to bodge implement it into their cars
Bit of a kick in the dick for the back of the grid and mid-pack teams, time was when they'd run underweight on qualies while everyone else was pounding race sims, just to try and attract sponsors.
Having just read the Autosport article, I'm not actually that miffed anymore. I'd forgotten there would only have been 1 test this year under normal circumstances, and the press will still be there (and it's the highlights i'll watch anyway) so it's not really that bad.
However, as its F1 they seem to have gone about it all the wrong way as usual. The test in February is much more exciting than the one a week before the season opener
Goddamit! Pre-season testing is where all the excitement in when a new set of rules are being implemented!
Trying to judge the pecking order from testing times, seeing how the cars look and what changes are being brought to the track, waiting for the first race to see if what appeared from testing is representative of true performance or were teams sand-bagging/runnign light....,
Massive, massive own-goal by F1 here. Total failure to grasp the overall excitemnt that a new rule-set can bring to keep the old skool, die hard fans happy, and tempt new ones in before the first race even begins. More for the tech-heads I admit, but it can spill out across the media and raise awareness and interest.
Total Fail by the management.
edited for typos.
Massive, massive own-goal by F1 here. Total failure to grasp the overall excitemnt that a new rule-set can bring to keep the old skool, die hard fans happy, and tempt new ones in before the first race even begins.
NASCAR have been hyping up their new 2022 cars like crazy over the off season, every test session, simulated racing, testing different setup rules to see what gives the beast racing on different circuit types, everything up on YouTube. We've waited an extra year for the new F1 cars and they mess it all up.
And the Barcelona test is the ones most fans would have gone to. There'll just be a few ex. pat's in Bahrain.
Again it's all about the $$$$$!
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They really are the 'oh, we didn't think of that' organisation! The running by Ferrari this week. As there is such a massive rule change Ferrari asked if they could run last seasons car over the 4 days. Seems the FIA didn't think teams would ask that and by the sound of it couldn't be bothered to let Ferrari know in a decent time-frame.
How am I supposed to sulk and not watch something that's not even being broadcast!! Pfffft total bullshit
I suppose the big question is if Hamilton will be there
I suppose the big question is if Hamilton will be there
He won't be. Latest rumour is Wolfe has Pastor Maldonado ready to make a comeback and take his spot. He arrived to sign the contract this morning.
Haha!
Excellent.
I just don't understand WTF Honda are thinking.
https://twitter.com/NobleF1/status/1487007246127149056
I just don’t understand WTF Honda are thinking.
I was just reading that too!
Honda do all the work now, but get none of the glory. 🤷♂️
As with everything it seems there's murk lurking underneath tied in with the Audi/Porsche deal to come.
Half expect that if RB dont win the WC this year, they will get upset with Honda like they did with Renault and dump them?
I just don’t understand WTF Honda are thinking
At a Board level Honda have removed their focus away from combustion engines, so from a marketing perspective may not want to give mixed messages from publicly being involved in the project.
However, they may feel that there is a lot of engineering benefit from being involved behind the scenes. Either trickle down technology, engineering excellence, or in the medium term F1 may move to technologies which are seen to be more relevant to non-combustion engines in road cars.
Also, dont forget theres an engine freeze for a few years, so its probably more a build/supply agreement, rather than a development one.
Can't see the other teams being happy about this since they all agreed to an engine freeze on the back of RB's lobbying as Honda were pulling out... Now means RB will get concessions as a "new" engine supplier for 2026. All very fishy to me!
Now means RB will get concessions as a “new” engine supplier for 2026. All very fishy to me!
Where does it say that???
Honda will continue to supply power units to Red Bull directly from Japan until the end of the current Formula 1 regulations, in a dramatic change of plan.
So they are going to continue to build them in Japan, rather transfer than to Milton Keynes as planned.
It sounds like they dont want their ISP leaking over the VW.
Part of the reasoning of moving the production to Milton Keynes, was to allow Red Bull to retain staff, who were going to be displaced due to the cost cap. Sounds like Honda have changed there mind on that one.
Memo to all the new engine staff Red Bull have poached...
"You know that job with a big pay rise we offered you in Milton Keynes - well the commute may be a little longer than expected now!" 😬
Now means RB will get concessions as a “new” engine supplier for 2026. All very fishy to me!
Where does it say that???
In the article linked above:
"The change has been made in part to ensure that RBP will still be a new participant when its own engine is introduced in 2026.
It will thus benefit from the concessions that are being discussed mainly to help encourage the VW Group to finally commit to F1, such as a higher power unit budget cap."
The Honda/VW potential IP issue is one thing I suppose, and I guess if there will be a tie between VW and RB Powertrains then they would want to ensure RBP would be classed as a new engine supplier if/when VW comes on board with them for 2026. Perhaps them building the engines with Hondas IP would mean VW wouldn't be classed as a new "supplier" as RBP would be the ones building the engines?
At this late stage there must already have been a shit load of IP data passed to Red Bull Powertrains. Will the Red Bull employees magically unlearn this knowledge!?
Memo to all the new engine staff Red Bull have poached…
“You know that job with a big pay rise we offered you in Milton Keynes – well the commute may be a little longer than expected now!” 😬
Except all the new staff will just move/continue with the 2026 engine project.
Probably more of a concern is what about the Honda employees that were due to transfer to RB?
At this late stage there must already have been a shit load of IP data passed to Red Bull Powertrains. Will the Red Bull employees magically unlearn this knowledge!?
I think the key personnel will actually be Honda people. All the development work has been done in Japan by Honda and they will have retained the research data. The UK facility was going to be for servicing the engine that Honda homologated, not developing a new one. Even if they have to produce new engines, the people manufacturing the components will only be given the specs of the parts they produce, not the research data used to develop it.
And oof..Aramco to sponsor Aston Martin
Not a good look.
I doubt that Stroll Sr. gives a shit about how it looks. He's a money guy.
Glad it's not at all Russian again. #irony
I'll reserve judgement till I see them all on track, but this new car look isn't growing on me yet. Especially that swoopy rear wing.
And they really have missed the 'cool' look by going to 18" rims and then covering them with frisbees! 🙂
Looks like the frisbees could be spouting some interesting surface treatment too from those renders. All the ones seen so far have been smooth.
Hubcaps look ****
Isn't that just a livery reveal rendered on the FIA's standard '22 car? I think RedBull will be the first actual car to break cover next week.
Errrr!?...
https://www.racefans.net/2022/02/04/revealed-new-haas-livery-for-2022-season/
https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/haas-unveils-2022-formula-1-car-design-and-livery/7870458/
...seem that Twitter feed is a fake account! 🙂
Ah OK then - actually looking at it the front wing end plates are different to the FIA's version. I stand (or sit) corrected!
Seems the images released are renders of the actual Haas car for this season (well bits they want to show!). FIA Show car and latest Haas pic below...
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...radiator intakes on Haas are tiny.
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So which one is it?? lol
Here we go (I think...)
The one I posted is a fake account, hence the 😉
Launching the new era of Formula 1 cars
Here's hoping that the 2022 cars provide closer, more entertaining racing. I'm quite meh about the aesthetics of that Haas.
I’ve been gone. Now I’m back!
Taki Inoue here with his riposte.
https://twitter.com/takiinoue/status/1490087465260134407?s=20&t=BJbWfwI8MHKK5T1yJyzpqg
I'd like to see Hamilton win an eighth title though.
I used to watch F1 all the time but got bored. I tried last year but it seemed to be run like a reality TV show rather than a sport so I don't thing I will bother next year.
I have been back. But now I am gone!
I want to see the new cars and their impact but if it turns out to be the Max Verstappen show I’m out.
I'm in the same frame of mind as Kryton and WCA although for years I've preferred GT racing and endurance. I would hazard a guess that the last time I watched a full F1 season or at least tried to was just before they brought in grooves in the tyres rather than dealing with aerodynamics I think that was when I decided that it wasnt worth the time. I do still like Spa and Suzuka though
if it turns out to be the Max Verstappen show I’m out.
the C4 coverage will be. Dead dull own the presenters and the company owner that makes it
Surprised this hasn’t been posted yet! 🤣🤣🏎🏎💨💨
https://wtf1.com/post/horner-bought-himself-a-mercedes-factory-tour-at-a-charity-auction/
Fair play to Horner, he winds me up but it's money to charity and he won't get to see anything anyway.
That is actually really good craic. I expect Horner and Mercedes to be on the wind up for the entire thing (if he actually does it)
There's quite a few people in the paddock who could've beaten the £4k bid for the Merc factory tour I'm sure, but in light of the bickering between Wolff and Horner, that did make me chuckle.
Anyone tuning in for the McLaren and Aston Martin car launches tomorrow?
Has anyone put in an order for a Lego MCL36?
Lando Norris has signed a new contract at McLaren taking him to the end of 2025
He's young enough to wait a couple of years and see how the new regs pan-put. No guarantees at this stage that the current leading teams will still be leading in two years time. And there's every chance McLaren can be top again.
Especially with engine freeze, cost cap and more standard parts.
And Zak Brown is steering McLaren very well.
...and I bet they don't renew Danny Rik's contract till Silverstone at the earliest.
Good news for Lando and McLaren. The team have been working hard to update their infrastructure with a new wind tunnel due to come on stream in 2023, here's hoping that Norris is able to challenge for a WDC in 2024.
Ricciardo knows that 2022 will be make or break for him after a lacklustre 2021 (Monza win aside). I don't know if Ricciardo's three year contract with McLaren is for three years outright or whether it's a two year plus one year retainer.
Lando WDC 2023 then? Happy days 😀