No F1 thread?

[Mito Man]

I still think there’s not much in it between Ferrari and Mercedes. Ferrari just have the edge but Vettel seems the more inconsistent driver, that said I think the championship will come down to reliability.
In Spa Vettel just slipstreamed past Hamilton, who kept a gap of 3-4 seconds to not damage his tyres, he pushed towards the end of the stint but Vettel responded with the same lap times, at which point he gave up and put the engine into coasting mode.
Don’t know why Hamilton was being overly dramatic about it thinking Ferrari have some magic under the bonnet, he seemed to forget that he was almost overtaken by Ocon who had the previous generation Mercedes engine I believe!

Ricciardo must be gutted, the Honda clearly outperformed Renault this weekend, wonder if they will keep that advantage in Monza.

We can add one more driver (Hulk) and a spectacular crash to the list of people caught out by losing front end aero due to dirty air. The video showed he braked at the same time as cars beside him but locked up and smashed into Alonso who was too close to his front wing. I guess the obvious thing is to brake earlier but must be hard to gauge something you can’t see or feel until it happens.

McLaren haven’t been developing the car for a few races now, their entire effort is on 2019 so dropping down the field is expected. I think they are using 2019 bits on the current car for free practice as parc ferme rules don’t apply.

[Rich B]

Yeah, that damn Alonso driving too close to the Hulks front wing...

[Mito Man]

I’m just quoting him:

Speaking before the decision, Hulkenberg had ruled out a mechanical problem, adding: “It’s just incredible to find out again on lap one how sensitive these cars are with aerodynamics. When you have a few cars that bunch up in front of you, how much grip and load you lose.

“When I hit the brakes, obviously I instantly locked up the front wheels and was just sliding into Fernando. Probably misjudgement from my side, a bit too late on the brakes, a bit too keen.

[integrale_evo]

McLaren haven’t been developing the car for a few races now, their entire effort is on 2019 so dropping down the field is expected.

Isn't that what they've said for the last 5 years or so when that years current car is shite?

[NotoriousREV]

he seemed to forget that he was almost overtaken by Ocon who had the previous generation Mercedes engine I believe!

The only reason Ocon was that close was because of slipstreaming. The Force Indias dropped back loads after that first lap.

[Marv]

McLaren haven’t been developing the car for a few races now, their entire effort is on 2019 so dropping down the field is expected.

Isn't that what they've said for the last 5 years or so when that years current car is shite?

Yup!

[Orange Cola]

McLaren haven’t been developing the car for a few races now, their entire effort is on 2019 so dropping down the field is expected.

Isn't that what they've said for the last 5 years or so when that years current car is shite?

Yup!

It's turned into code for "we dot have a fucking clue".

Did anyone else notice that despite Force India having had their constructors points reset back to 0 they're no longer at the bottom of leader board after just one race?

[Mito Man]

Thought it’s a bit bullshit that despite being a “new” entry they don’t get a new engine/gearbox allocation yet still have their points reset. It not mutually exclusive ffs, more FIA rule bending.

[Orange Cola]

Thought it’s a bit bullshit that despite being a “new” entry they don’t get a new engine/gearbox allocation yet still have their points reset. It not mutually exclusive ffs, more FIA rule bending.

That's what I thought, the FIA and other teams are getting it both ways because it leaves the potential for more prize money for everyone else at the end. Giving them a new engine allocation means they can turn the wick up even more and not worry so much about reliability as a way of regaining some of the lost ground.

I just hope they keep their form up because they stand a good chance of getting back to the same spot on the leaderboard.

No wonder the grid is still a team short, who the hell would want to start out new and potentially be treated like shit?

[Mito Man]

Something which hasn’t been decided yet is how much money per point new Force India will get. As they were an established team before they got more money per point. New teams start on a lower amount for the first couple of years so Haas are really pushing for that as a way to reduce competition from Force India for the next few years. They’re also worried about them becoming a Mercedes B team which is ironic as Haas are running a 2018 Ferrari drivetrain and suspension with 2017 Ferrari aero.

[JLv3.0]

Dear God - F1 sounds dull.

[Marv]

Dear God - F1 sounds dull.

There like had been one good race this year, I honestly can't remember which one

[Zonda_]

Dear God - F1 sounds dull.

There like had been one good race this year, I honestly can't remember which one

I watched that one, it was tremendous! I have no idea which one it was though.

[duncs500]

Hockenheim and Silverstone were both decent.

[Rich B]

Trying to justify F1 to someone who’s not interested in F1 is about as pointless as explaining football to someone who doesn’t like football.

The REALLY good events will be obviously good to everyone, but just because you don’t get it, doesn’t make the average match/race bad.

It’s sport, there’s good matches and dull matches, but if you’re not interested, chances are you’ll find it boring and not invest the time to get invested in it.

If it’s endless overtakes you want - watch motorbikes. If it’s scoring every minute, watch basketball.

[JLv3.0]

Hey hang on a sec - F1 is motorsport. I've loved motorsport since I could focus, and mainly car racing. This isn't me trying to 'not get it' for the lolz. It should be the pinnacle of automotive sport but for whatever reason they can't seem to make it work as a spectator sport.

[Rich B]

Hey hang on a sec - F1 is motorsport. I've loved motorsport since I could focus, and mainly car racing. This isn't me trying to 'not get it' for the lolz. It should be the pinnacle of automotive sport but for whatever reason they can't seem to make it work as a spectator sport.

oh right, what have I been watching and enjoying all these years then?

[JLv3.0]

Thats a fairly ad hominems answer but more power to you if you enjoy it Rich. I wasn't trying to undermine your interests or professional achievements

I'd ask - innocently, bearing in mind for the last 14 years Sunday has been a work day so my only real exposure to F1 is highlights and media comment - what it is you enjoy about it, but you'd probably find that aggressive as well, wouldn't you.

Serious question though. I don't need constant entertainment - I like test cricket FFS! - but races mainly seem to be won or lost either in the pits or behind the safety car.

Educate me. I'm quite bright sometimes.

[mik]

bearing in mind for the last 14 years Sunday has been a work day

All this “I live in Dubai” pish, when all this time he’s been a vicar.

[Rich B]

“Find that aggressive”? - I’m not a fucking flower mate!

I enjoy the background - the teams, the dynamics, the signings, the feuds, the rivalries, the whining and the wind ups almost as much as the racing. The dull races make the exciting ones all the better.

Then there’s the drama on track. Watching Vettel driving straight off the track when it started raining in Hockenheim, or Ricciardo coming from 6th to win in China - these things have me sat on the edge of my chair and jumping when they happen.

Always have. I can’t think of any other sport I’ve consistantly followed since a child.