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By moving the Alpha Tauri aero development team from Bicester to Milton Keynes and just shipping both as many mechanical parts as they can from RB and all the aero parts out to Italy to be built from the one facility, it seems like a pretty good way to effectively double your annual development budget and Op Ex.
I mean I know Hass has sim access and a design team at Ferrari but this does seem a step closer than that arrangement to what amounts to a 4 car team and all the benefits of that.
I don't think AT will be able to just run the same aero kit as Red Bull, they will have to show that they've developed their own designs from their own wind tunnel data. However, by saving money on gearboxes, suspension, etc., they will be able to spend more on investigating new concepts that will benefit Red Bull. Given how important suspension is to generating a stable aero platform, I'm suspicious that the biggest benefit might be from AT sharing the same suspension rather than directly from the aero side.
I don’t think AT will be able to just run the same aero kit as Red Bull
Sure, but they'll share data about it, and they'll be using the same wind tunnel. I agree about the suspension parts though. Surprisingly they don't share anything like as much as they can now. I'd be massively surprised if the AT (or whatever it'll be called next year) doesn't look exceedingly similar to the RB19
Sure, but they’ll share data about it
No, I'm pretty sure that data sharing is forbidden. However, engineers changing teams isn't. They won't be able to take data with them, but they will be able to take know-how about the concepts and processes.
Verstappen fastest in practice zzzzzz
...on mediums too.
I missed that! Oof
So Red Bull line-ups after the summer break then!... 🙂
Max & Danny
Yuki & Liam Lawson
...Perez and Debris are going backwards.
Track limits bite hard as always in Austria… not a great day for Checo, slowly chipping away at Marko’s memory of Baku 2018.
Will be interesting to see if Lando can do anything in the sprint, he seems to love this circuit. Drivers make a real difference round here: eight teams in Q3 is quite the mix.
Looks like it might be a wet day for the sprint
So Red Bull line-ups after the summer break then!… 🙂
Max & Danny
Yuki & Liam Lawson
I'm guessing that Lando's lawyer will be going through his contract looking for a way to trigger an escape clause for next year.
I’m guessing that Lando’s lawyer will be going through his contract looking for a way to trigger an escape clause for next year
Without a doubt, although the new upgrade was looking mighty fast at qualifying yesterday
Lando's upgraded McLaren (Piastri didn't get one) was looking like the 3rd fastest car on the grid
It'll be a few races before we know whether the improved McLaren is circuit specific or not. One of their big problems was too much drag but the DRS zones in Austria might be disguising that. I hope it is a big step forward, but I suspect they will still be at the front of the midfield at best.
One of Lando's fave tracks too, which makes a difference.
Speaking of which, he's just put himself 3rd for sprint qualy- beating both Ferraris!
not a great day for Checo
that might be understatement of the season. To not make sure at least 1 lap is clean is amateur hour.
Elsewhere, another horror smash at Spa 😕
https://the-race.com/junior/18-year-old-formula-regional-driver-killed-in-spa-crash/
Max showing he's all class again 🙄
Enjoyed the sprint race 🙂
Max showing he’s all class again 🙄
Checo drove him onto the grass, he deserved what came after it.
I haven’t seen it yet, but 21st ones clear on a 24 (short) lap race! Blimey.
Checo drove him onto the grass,
No he didn't.
Looks like another F1 penalties shit show is incoming.
Looks like this will be the new top 10
1 Verstappen (=)
2 Leclerc (=)
3 Perez (=)
4 Norris (+1)
5 Alonso (+1)
6 Sainz (-2)
7 Russell (+1)
8 Hamilton (-2)
9 Stroll (+1)
10 Gasly (-1)
What a complete joke F1 has become. ☹️
If you can't police the rules in the race, remove the rules until you can. Better still don't be so precious over a few feet of track.
How track limits used to be!...
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Yea, it really is. I tried watching it and gave up on it as usual. The RB is a piss take, I'm sure Max is bored in that car. The odd mid field battler that peters out after a lap or so.
While I unashamedly welcome Norris gaining a place, the way in which the track limits have been enforced is farcical.
I am becoming very, very tired of the selective jobsworthery in F1 of late.
How does this improve 'the show'. Let them use all the room they want - stick gravel in the dangerous bits if you don't want cars there, but F1 has always been about pushing the boundaries, riding the kerbs and getting out on the dusty bit where mistakes can be made.
It just saddens me.
And now this weekend Red Bull have been making noises that the 2026 engine regs are unworkable and hard to package. Unworkable for them maybe, but Merc, Ferrari, Honda, Renault, Audi, seem to be getting on with the job.
They can't put gravel on tracks that are used by motorbikes.
One positive, that new McLaren package looks pretty bloody decent!
They can’t put gravel on tracks that are used by motorbikes
World Superbikes at Donington today - just gravel traps and grass all round the circuit and no acres of tarmac.
the answer is stop trying to make it a show and stick with proper sporting rules that dont keep changing every season and in season. Hamilton was right to question of the penalties have been handed out but works both ways I guess
I thought I saw both Perez and noris exceeding track limits. According to twitter there were 1200 limits violations...
Each driver was allowed a number of discretions before getting flagged as a warning and only after that were penalties given out. It's quite possible that the likes of Norris and Perez only got to the flagging stage.
Planet f1 have a list of how many times each drive went off
scotroutes
Full Member
Each driver was allowed a number of discretions before getting flagged as a warning and only after that were penalties given out. It’s quite possible that the likes of Norris and Perez only got to the flagging stage.
Yes, I meant I thought I saw enough for a penalty.
According to planet f1 though (thanks @mikkel) only three instances each.
Ocon ended up with 30 seconds of penalties for track limits and 5 for an image release.
No limits violations for George and Zhou!
Edit to add; there were over 1200 reported limits violations yet only just over 100 made it to the final list 🤷 Guess they were marginal
1200 was just the ammount of times Hamilton said Perez was off 🙂
"The best drivers in the world"....
Stick a barrier or a gravel trap the other side of those kerbs and there will be no problem - it's down to the drivers to keep their wheels on the track. Sure you can go a bit quicker if you take a "creative" line but if the stewards have told them that they need to keep their wheels inside the white line then JFDI, and don't whinge if you get penalised when you don't.
But equally if the stewards are going to enforce track limits then 1) be consistent and apply it around the whole track 2) use automated decision making so the penalty shows immediately, maybe with a big red flashing light on the steering wheel so the driver knows they've done it too.
Just stop policing them. Why bother, it's bloody farcical? With no limits all drivers will use the amount of track that's offered to them. It's equal.
George and Zhou weren't in any really tight battles lap after lap. Hamilton was pushed hard by Norris and then pushed Perez hard. Hard racing at the limit is what we want to see and if the track can't support that without ridiculous policing, they should accept that as a track limitation.
Why bother, it’s bloody farcical?
This is the FIA rule in question:
33.3 Drivers must make every reasonable effort to use the track at all times and may not leave
the track without a justifiable reason.
Drivers will be judged to have left the track if no part of the car remains in contact with it
and, for the avoidance of doubt, any white lines defining the track edges are considered
to be part of the track but the kerbs are not.
Should a car leave the track the driver may re-join, however, this may only be done when
it is safe to do so and without gaining any lasting advantage. At the absolute discretion
of the Race Director a driver may be given the opportunity to give back the whole of any
advantage he gained by leaving the track
I'd say that's pretty clear. (Clearer than the ones about safety car procedures fo sho!). The only reason they abuse track limits at those turns is to gain an advantage.
Without policing the rules you could get situations at some tracks like Austin where the runoff around the S bends is just acres of painted tarmac without proper kerbs so if you stopped policing track limits what's to stop someone just straight lining the whole thing? Yes that'd be taking the mickey but you need to draw the line somewhere and, as luck would have it, there's already a line drawn around the edge of the track.
If there was a wall other side of white line like the street circuits have they wouldn't hit the wall and complain its unfair. Just keep it between the white lines or it that to hard for them.
Just stop policing them. Why bother, it’s bloody farcical?
Because what's farcical at this track, becomes "You bloody cheating bastards" on another. As explained in this informative video explainer
If there was a wall other side of white line like the street circuits have they wouldn’t hit the wall and complain its unfair. Just keep it between the white lines or it that to hard for them.
In principal the rules are fine - the track is the bit between the white lines.
But if the FIA are unable to police the rules they should drop it until they can. 1200+ breeches of the rule suggests the track layout needs adjusting. And apparently the FIA asked them to add gravel traps after last seasons race, but they refused. I have a feeling the ask will be a demand now.
But we all know cars jumping kerbs provides excitement. Cars on rails with no jeopardy - well you may as well pop down the local Scalextric club.
But adding more gravel means more cars may be lost from the race as they get stuck. We lose cars, but it also adds a random element that is lacking now. The ruddy cars just don't break!! 🙂
Barbed wire beyond the kerbs.
Cant they just put some big sausage curbs a cars width over the line. Fear or ripping the suspension off or damaging the floor would keep them in order
Cant they just put some big sausage curbs a cars width over the line. Fear or ripping the suspension off or damaging the floor would keep them in order
Didn't work
Anyhow back to the race...
- on the team radio that was broadcast, Hamilton did not sound like a man who is about to sign a new contract
- have Aston Martin lost their early season pace advantage
- when will Ferrari hire one of the thousands of armchair strategists who would've made better calls in the race than they did AGAIN. Heck I'm retiring in a few months - I'll do it for 50K, first class travel & accommodation at each race and a new company car every 6 months.
– on the team radio that was broadcast, Hamilton did not sound like a man who is about to sign a new contract
Agree - I can see him in Red next season - swap for Lecrlec. Rumours on Twitter that Toto wants to reign his salary in too.
– have Aston Martin lost their early season pace advantage
Probably chucking the budget at next seasons car now - concept is proven. Refine it a bit this year, and big push for 2024.
What about fitting things like pressure activated LED cats-eyes to the outside of the track.
If the car runs over them they simply squash out of the way but they light up so it is immediately obvious they have been touched. a piezo crystal mays that bit easy.
You could even put water in them so as they squash down they spray a small safe amount of water up so the car lodes a little grip too. I suppose you could use tomato ketchup instead of water for better visual impact.
– on the team radio that was broadcast, Hamilton did not sound like a man who is about to sign a new contract
He often moans constantly on the radio, it doesn't mean anything. He'll be back next year driving for Merc.
That stop by Max for fastest lap was just hilarious! Red Bull are winning every race this season, aren't they? Has that ever happened before?
Has that ever happened before?
No. McLaren should have done in 1988(?) but Senna got taken out by a backmarker so they only won 15/16.
Speaking of McLaren, they seem to have done a great job with their upgrade. Obviously still need a few races to tell for sure but very promising overall.
Merc have a big update coming next weekend, hopefully that sorts their balance problem out
Didn’t work
I would say it worked well. Those who breached track limits had to pit to fix the car. If it was gravel they would have been out of the race.
I would say it worked well. Those who breached track limits had to pit to fix the car.
Be a hell of a pit crew to fix this in a stop.
Monza, but still, quick corner.
Funny how things come around
https://flic.kr/p/2oM9Duv
They've done a shit job of that
It's coming Chrome,
It's coming Chrome,
Racing's coming Chrome.
A song about fans desperately hoping a team can live up to past triumphs while knowing inside that it's not going to happen? Seems about right for mclaren these days
Speaking of McLaren, they seem to have done a great job with their upgrade. Obviously still need a few races to tell for sure but very promising overall.
They have another 1/4 of the upgrade coming at Silverstone and the rest at Hungary. I bet Piastri cannot wait to get his hands on the car at Silverstone.
Funny how things come around
Yup!
So F1 seem to be stoking up online hate now.
Running tweets of the Lewis/Max crash from the 2021 British - needless to say the replies aren't "well, it's just racing old chap".
I wonder how long it will be until there's fighting in the grandstands.
So F1 seem to be stoking up online hate now
Its an unfortunate consequence if the popularity and people watching becoming United or City supporters.
Personally I couldnt care less who wins, as long as its a good race.
'Rivalries' are being created for clicks, shares and likes now though.
There was a tweet I saw last week from a lady saying she'd love to go to Austria as it's just a great setting for an F1 race. She felt unable too though as being a Lewis and Mercedes fan there'd be constant intimidation.
So now Austria and Zandvoort are now no-go zones unless you like orange. And IIRC there was a bad atmosphere in some areas of Monza last season too.
It's never been a clan sport, but is being promoted that way now.
Just put a little nerve gas in all the orange flares, that should solve the problem.
Rivalries’ are being created for clicks, shares and likes now though.
Verstappen commented on this about the Netflix series, and that its edited to make comments and things folks say to be taken out of context its done wonders for the viewing numbers, but even on pretty well established F1 sites the comments sometimes aren't pretty.
edit: I can see the same thing happen in Pro cycling. There was a minor controversy about WvA throwing his bottle in frustration at the end of stage on Monday that was mostly driven by an offhand answer to question on the new (again) Netflix series. I see they're doing the same for Tennis as well.
Where do we think Sonny Hayes will place this weekend then? Win from the pits, or enormous accident?
Tobi Gruner just confirmed on Twitter that Austria T9 and T10 will have gravel traps next year. Moto GP were asked and are "okay with it".
Where do we think Sonny Hayes will place this weekend then?
I'm expecting an incident with Joshua Pearce that makes sonny question his ability to get back to his former glory, but after going through tough times Sonny will probably nail it in an emotional finale at the last race.
Jenny Gow interviewing Lewis Hamilton on the Chequered Flag podcast.....
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0fzh976
Amazing to hear her back and I'm finding it quite an emotional listen just because it's her first interview since her stroke.
Hopefully kicking off a good weekend of F1.
Ah that's great, love jenny - really missed her on the 5 live coverage.
Great Q1!
Another wonderful qualifying performance from Perez
And Albon looks like a giant-killer.
Great quali for Mclaren!
The was good!
Perez out of a race seat before the end of the season?
At the end of the season rather than before would be my bet.
Recovery drives through the pack seem to be his specialty.
ISTR a joke in last seasons thread was about Horner having to say "great recovery drive Checo..." on the radio at every race 😆
Looks like Piastri made the right choice after all!
Yeah McLaren have done an awesome job, brilliant turnaround! They've made an enormous step. Love it