2018 Formula 1 Racing Thread

[MikeFleming]

Time to gear up for the new season of F1.

NBC lost their contract/rights to brodcast F1 in the USA and most of the races have been picked up by ESPN. Note channel changes coming. :No idea who hte announces/commenters will be yet. And it's all up in the air for 2019:

F1 & TV rights - what does the future hold?
http://www.bbc.com/sport/formula1/42816877

[Raven855]

Another F1 tradition bites the dust......https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/formula-1-to-drop-grid-girls-for-2018-1000912/

[MikeFleming]

The beginning of the end. I wonder how long before the Tour de France follows suit and gets rid of the podium hoes?

It's definitely time-it's a very 50's-ish tradition.

[Bob Holmes]

I don't really care. I'm interested in the racing.


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[MikeFleming]

I'd be willing to give up the GGs (Grid Girls) if they'd show at least one car going through every technical check that is done to all cars every race weekend.

We've seen one car weighed in 20 years so far. How about showing us how they measure wings for compliance, test tyre pressures, show fuel composition specs, ...

Some real racing stuff (aka RRS).

[MikeFleming]

Well, here is it. Dropping "Grid Girls" [models] and replacing them with "Grid Kids".

Going for the Duggar Family viewer population?

http://www.bbc.com/sport/formula1/42950040

What could possibly go wrong?

[Raven855]

The grid girls have been a vanishing item for awhile. About the only time you saw them was on the podium and during Buxtons prerace review. I find the idea of grid kids wrong on many levels. It was fine at the end of the season with Fillepes son but the Mexican prerace was just absolutely boring. It was worse than all the Mercedes commercials.

[MikeFleming]

Looks like someone REALLY likes Alonzo:

http://www.bbc.com/sport/formula1/43009816

[Raven855]

The first out of the gate is HAAS. http://www.skysports.com/f1/news/32133/11200148/f1-2018-haas-reveal-new-car-the-vf-18-with-first-look-look-at-halo

[Bob Holmes]

I'm not sure how much the early reveals really catch the work being done, other than gross generalities.

Even early testing keeps the real goods under wraps.


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[Raven855]

This one’s for you Bob! http://www.skysports.com/f1/news/12433/11200062/sauber-unveil-first-f1-car-with-alfa-romeo-the-c37-for-2018-season

[Bob Holmes]

Awesome.


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[Raven855]

Does this mean you are going to paint the red car Mike?

Ferrari's 2018 cars will be painted a deeper shade of red than usual. That is the claim of Giorgio Terruzzi, a well-connected Italian journalist writing for Corriere della Sera newspaper.

The report came as Red Bull launched its new car on Monday, featuring a striking temporary livery that will likely be replaced by next week in Barcelona. Still, Daniel Ricciardo said: "The car looked very cool today."

As for the new Ferrari, Terruzzi said the tone of red is expected to be darker, thanks in part to the departure of sponsor Santander. He said the 2018 livery, to also feature less white, is similar to the shade of red seen on the 312 car of 1969.

[MikeFleming]

Does this mean you are going to paint the red car Mike? Do a "red change" on the SVO?? Probably not.

I wonder if I can get my new Tesla 3 in the new Ferrari color? All new car colors other than black cost an extra $5K. I wonder if they will do custom reds?

[MikeFleming]

More stuff to read:

McLaren: Papaya orange and Renault engine for 2018
http://www.bbc.com/sport/formula1/43162270

Lewis Hamilton aiming to set new standards in F1 in 2018
http://www.bbc.com/sport/formula1/43159079

Cast your eye over F1's new machines
http://www.bbc.com/sport/formula1/43108581

[Raven855]

Interesting intro overview of the new front aero designs. http://www.skysports.com/f1/news/12536/11263127/f1-in-2018-the-new-cars-analysed

[MikeFleming]

Pirelli introduces new line of snow tyres for F1:

https://www.bbc.com/sport/formula1/43223501

Quote of the day:
McLaren's Alonso was the first out on track and he joked that the "car is performing well in the snow so far".

[Raven855]

The second testing is done. The things learned; Mercedes is fast, Ferrari is fast, Red Bull has improved, looks like Haas is struggling, Renault may have improved, ToroRosso was a big surprise and McLaren disappointed. Less than 3 weeks to race day! It should be good, but my only expectation is that one or both of the McLarens will not finish the race.

[MikeFleming]

Is anyone using Honda power this year?

[Raven855]

ToroRosso. They ran well. McLaren broke 4 or 5 times and logged the fewest miles of the testing

[Bob Holmes]

McLaren is in bad shape, what a shame.

Three horse race, again, this year. With Mercedes as the heavy favorite.


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[Raven855]

Thoughts for Melbourne..........
Mercedes
Red Bull
Ferrari
Renault
McLaren
Hass
Force India
ToroRosso
Sauber
Williams

[Bob Holmes]

Switch Ferrari and Red Bull. Do the same for McLaren and Force India.

Sad to see how far Williams has fallen.


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[MikeFleming]

Two Weeks!
Two Weeks!

Two Weeks!
Two Weeks!

[Raven855]

Switch Ferrari and Red Bull. Do the same for McLaren and Force India.

The RedBull Ferrari order was challenging. I chose RedBull for a couple of reasons. First, all the Ferrari engines smoke on startup and deceleration. There were new and tighter regulations this year on the oil used, amount of oil you could use and crankcase evac. I can’t help but think that The Ferrari engine will be down on power and fuel economy as a result or at the very least not make the improvements that the others have. The Ferrari chassis is longer this year also, have they recreated the Deva that Mercedes had last year? Telemetry data seems to say that they are having challenges with Kers harvesting and usage. Vettle is known to not hide his feelings well and he has certainly not been happy with this years car. If you consider engine Developement the Honda has shown the biggest leap forward but that does not say much. The Renault is next and in testing they confirmed that with RedBull ran all 3 of their engines and ran them in a detuned state for breakin and longevity. They also hinted that they will most likely use 4 engines this year to keep performance from dropping off too much. Red Bull ran pretty strong despite that and I gave the edge to RedBull and Renault.
I rated the McLaren where I did for a couple of reasons. They have had a good chassis and there were a couple of occasions where the honda ran really good last year. They have had some early teething issues but the last day showed some good promise. If you look at the McLaren, Prodromou has always made the cooling ducts on the small side and the McLaren performed better as the cooling ducts were continually opened up during testing. I still think Fernando is the better driver comparing these two teams. Edge to McLaren.....

[Raven855]

Two Weeks!
Two Weeks!

Two Weeks!
Two Weeks!

This reminded me of an old joke. A professor walked into his class on Sex education and asked a question, Alright how many of you have sex more than once a day? A lot of the class raised their hands. Three to four times a week? More hands went up. 2 to 3 times a week? More hands. Once a week? Once every 2 weeeks? More hands up? Once a month? Every other month? All hands but one guy? Once every 3 to 4 months? Nothing. Once every 6 months? Nothing. Once a Year? Finally the guy shots up his hand and is frantically waving it! The professor asks him, Why are you so happy with once a year? A guy is hopping around excitedly screaming Tonight’s the night! Tonight’s the night!

[rodster]

This reminded me of an old joke. A professor walked into his class on Sex education and asked a question, Alright how many of you have sex more than once a day? A lot of the class raised their hands. Three to four times a week? More hands went up. 2 to 3 times a week? More hands. Once a week? Once every 2 weeeks? More hands up? Once a month? Every other month? All hands but one guy? Once every 3 to 4 months? Nothing. Once every 6 months? Nothing. Once a Year? Finally the guy shots up his hand and is frantically waving it! The professor asks him, Why are you so happy with once a year? A guy is hopping around excitedly screaming Tonight’s the night! Tonight’s the night!

Classic! ;)

[MikeFleming]

Two and a half days.

Who will be the new announcers / commentators?

[Bob Holmes]

It's the U.K. Announcers


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[MikeFleming]

^
I heard (read?) it's the same blokes that announce/comment on the France Tour bicycle races.

[MikeFleming]

One Days!
One Days!

Formula 1 coming soon!

Additionally, there is this:
https://www.autoblog.com/2018/03/22/formula-one-f1-tv-streaming/

[Bob Holmes]

Yep, and I'm bummed


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[MikeFleming]

Who will be the first to crash where the halo is damaged (used)?

[Bob Holmes]

That used to be easy, Maldonado. A bit harder now.


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[MikeFleming]

That used to be easy, Maldonado. A bit harder now. True - we've lost Maldy & Massa (M&M) But we still have Verstappen! Still a favorite crasher.

[MikeFleming]

I must say I'm extremely disappointed with ESPN's F1 broadcasts and announcers. We'll leave it at that for now.

[Bob Holmes]

[emoji106]


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[MikeFleming]

How did Vettel get ahead of Hamilton:

http://www.skysports.com/f1/news/12433/11302323/australian-gp-how-mercedes-were-beaten-to-first-2018-win-by-ferrari

http://www.skysports.com/f1/news/24181/11303736/australian-gp-lewis-hamilton-in-disbelief-after-sebastian-vettel-victory

[Raven855]

Got to say it’s been one of the biggest letdowns of a season start that I can remember. Vettle wins, but that is not the way a race should be won. The ESPN coverage was so poor that ESPN has come out and apologized. Very litttle passing despite additional drs zones. I would like to see the DRS zones eliminated entirely, just let the drivers use it when they want. There was a lot of hype over how good the sky coverage was in England. Their announcers were poor and it sure seeems like they have been sold some snake oil. I sure hope F1, SKY and ESPN can get their problems fixed before the next race. Bahrain should be a good race. The Ferraris will be faster. There are longer straights and that favors them. I’m hoping the Haas make a great recovery and challenge the Red Bull’s.

[Meotchh]

I hear Eddie Cheever, Scott Goodyear, & Allen Bestwick are looking for a new home. Seeing as ESPN is an ABC company, they would the ideal candidates! :fi_av_smiles_y_17:

[MikeFleming]

Bah'rains in 2 more days!!

[Raven855]

F1 app isn’t ready. Wonder what ESPN will do?

[MikeFleming]

F1 app isn’t ready. Still. FIFY.

[Raven855]

Any guesses on the pecking order for this race. Anyone getting a feel for the top performers at this track? I’ll go; Mercedes #1, Red Bull #2, Ferrari #3, Haas #4, Renault #5 and McLaren #6......

[MikeFleming]

So you're snubbing Ferrari and promoting McLaren?

OK, I can live with that.

[Bob Holmes]

I think you are correct, Tony.


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[Bob Holmes]

Force India and Williams have dropped from mid-pack to the back. Williams travails are baffling. I'm sorry to see them fall from grace.


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[Raven855]

In other news the grid girls will be back for Monico and Russia.

[MikeFleming]

Is it wrong (socially unacceptable) that I uncontrollably LOL every time I watch Sebas bang his head while pounding his hands on the steering wheel after running into the barrier in the rain yesterday at Hockenheimring, giving the win to Hamilton (along with both the drivers and constructors championship leads)??

hehehe

Curious that real rain didn't start until the podium ceremony.

[Raven855]

You weren’t the only one laughing. The last two races have been pretty entertaining, but can’t help but feel that Ferrari and Vettel will be pretty focused next race. The silly season is here it appears

[brsvo]

I didn't laugh but it was his fault. A little rain is often slicker than a lot. It must have been slick he wasn't going fast at all.

[Bob Holmes]

I did chuckle. I think we are in for a decent stretch run to the championships.


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[MikeFleming]

I did chuckle. I think we are in for a decent stretch run to the championships. Agreed - I was actually surprised that he spun as he wasn't going fast at all.

[MikeFleming]

2018 F1 Calendar.

9704

[Bob Holmes]

Spa is probably my favorite. Maybe Monza.


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[MikeFleming]

Spa is probably my favorite. Maybe Monza. Two years back (with less down force/drag) cars were reaching 375 kph at the end of the very long run into Les Combes (the "straight" after La Rouge). They will be slower (top speed) this year, but probably with faster lap times.

[Under Pressure]

Spa is a great track. It's Giacomo Agostini's favorite.

[MikeFleming]

https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/onesport/cps/480/cpsprodpb/7F95/production/_102816623_ricc.jpg

Daniel Ricciardo won seven grands prix at Red BullDaniel Ricciardo is leaving Red Bull at the end of the season to join Renault.
In July, Red Bull team boss Christian Horner said the Australian, who is out of contract at the end of the season, was close to signing a new deal. (https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/44703724)
Ricciardo is fifth in the drivers' championship with two wins this season.
"It was probably one of the most difficult decisions to take in my career so far, but it was time for me to take on a fresh and new challenge," said the 29-year-old.
"There is a lot ahead in order to allow Renault to reach their target of competing at the highest level but I have been impressed by their progression in only two years.
"Each time Renault has been in the sport they eventually won. I hope to be able to help them in this journey and contribute on and off track."
Horner said Red Bull "respected" Ricciardo's decision and will "continue to evaluate the numerous options available to us" for his replacement.
He added that the team were "fully focused" on the remaining nine races.
Ricciardo, who has won in China and Monaco this year, had been linked with Mercedes and Ferrari, while McLaren and Renault both held talks with him.
He has won seven races and achieved 29 podium positions for Red Bull since replacing Mark Webber in 2014.
Team-mate Max Verstappen was given a lucrative new contract last autumn.
It made the 20-year-old Dutchman the third best-paid driver in F1 behind Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel of Ferrari, earning more than the $25m salary McLaren pay to two-time world champion Fernando Alonso.
Ricciardo has finished ahead of Verstappen in both their seasons as team-mates.

https://www.bbc.com/sport/formula1/45056366

[Under Pressure]

Babe"s!

[Bob Holmes]

Happy to see Riccardo move on to a team that values him.


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[MikeFleming]

Force India: Formula 1 team to come out of administration

https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/onesport/cps/480/cpsprodpb/EC2E/production/_102726406_forceindia_rex.jpg

Force India are currently sixth in the constructors' standingsF1 team Force India have agreed a deal to come out of administration, saving all 405 jobs at their Silverstone base.
The team's management, backed by a consortium of investors led by Lawrence Stroll, have secured the future of the team.
Force India was placed in administration in July.
The team's driver Sergio Perez said he started administration proceedings (https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/44994539) in order to fend off a winding-up petition from another creditor.


Vijay Mallya resigns as Force India director (https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/44323466)
Chequered Flag podcast: Hungarian GP preview (https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p06fyy16)

Canadian billionaire Stroll is the father of Williams F1 driver Lance.
Force India chief operations officer Otmar Szafnauer, along with his senior management team, worked with the administrator to find investors able to secure the long-term future of the business.
"This outcome secures the future of the Force India team in Formula 1 and will allow our team of racers to compete to our full potential," said Szafnauer.
"I am delighted that we have the support of a consortium of investors who believe in us as a team and who see the considerable business potential that Force India has within F1 now and in the future."
Three of Formula 1's biggest names - McLaren, Williams and Renault - have been concerned about a potential sale to Stroll.
The teams are worried that Force India, which uses Mercedes engines, could effectively became a Mercedes 'B' team. (https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/45026461)

[Bob Holmes]

Christmas in August for Lance.


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[MikeFleming]

I've been wondering for decades why more billionaires haven't purchased or started F1 teams. Seems like a rich boy thing for sure.

After all Larry Ellison spends $2Billion a year on one boat just to have someone else race it.

[Bob Holmes]

Yep.

We need Bezos to fund one.


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[MikeFleming]

I've had this thought that Fernando and Kimi should retire from driving and become TV commentators replacing the current F1 announcers/pundits on Sky. Then there's this out today:

https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/onesport/cps/480/cpsprodpb/14BA0/production/_102969848_alonso_getty3.jpg

Spanish two-time world champion Fernando Alonso has announced he is to retire from Formula 1 at the end of the season.

The McLaren driver will end a career that began with a debut for Minardi at the Australian Grand Prix of 2001.

Alonso, 37, who is competing in his 17th F1 season, won the 2005 and 2006 championships when racing for Renault.

"After 17 wonderful years in this amazing sport it's time for me to make a change and move on," he said. "I made this decision some months ago and it was a firm one. There are still several grands prix to go this season, and I will take part in them with more commitment and passion than ever," he added.

"Let's see what the future brings; new exciting challenges are around the corner. I'm having one of the happiest times ever in my life but I need to go on exploring new adventures."

Alonso has in recent years branched out into other series and in June he won the Le Mans 24 Hours sportscar race at his first attempt.
He joined Toyota's World Endurance Championship (WEC) programme this season with the aim of winning Le Mans, and has dovetailed it with F1.
That victory provided him with the second part of motorsport's 'triple crown'. Twice a Monaco Grand Prix winner, he is only missing Indianapolis 500 success.

He competed in the Indy 500 for the only time to date in May 2017, retiring towards the end of the race with engine failure, having run strongly throughout and led for a total of 27 laps.

Only Englishman Graham Hill has won all three classic races in the history of motorsport.
Alonso ended Michael Schumacher's five-year dominance of the drivers' championship when he won the first of his titles in 2005.
At the time, he became the youngster ever driver to win the title.

He has also finished championship runner-up three times, and to date has achieved 32 wins, 22 pole positions and 97 podium finishes.
In his statement confirming he would retire at the end of this season, he suggested there may be a chance of him one day returning.
"I want to thank everyone at McLaren," he said. "My heart is with the team forever.

"I know they will come back stronger and better in the future and it could be the right moment for me to be back in the series; that would make me really happy."

'Thank you, for being my life'

Alonso tweeted a video 'letter' to F1 in which he said:
You were not expecting me and I wasn't sure I wanted to get to know you.
When I barely knew how to walk, I ran towards your noise, your circuits, without knowing anything about you,

Alonso was 24 when he won his first championship

We had very good times, some unforgettable, others really bad. We have played together, against incredible rivals. You played with me, and I learned how to play with you too.

I have seen you changing, sometimes for good, sometimes in my opinion for bad. Every time i close the visor of my helmet I feel your warm embrace, your energy, there is nothing like it.

But today I have some other bigger challenges than those you can offer me. And this year, while I am still driving at my best, is how I want to remember you.

I can only be grateful to you and to the people that are part of you, for having introduced to me so many cultures, traditions, languages, wonderful people, for having been my life.

I know you love me, be certain that I love you too.

https://www.bbc.com/sport/formula1/45188028

[Bob Holmes]

Couldn't find a competitive car.

More mis-steps in his team choices than anyone with his skills.

Sorta sad


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[MikeFleming]

About now I'm betting McLaren wishes they'd stuck with Honda power??

[Bob Holmes]

Well, their switch exposed the fallacy of the "front running chassis handicapped by Honda power"

They serve crow in the lunch room.


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[MikeFleming]

They serve crow in the lunch room. While Ranault, Red Bull, Ferrari and Mercedes serve schadenfreude??

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schadenfreude

[Bob Holmes]

You can even go back for seconds.


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[MikeFleming]

Spa - AHP

( Another Hamilton Pole )

[Bob Holmes]

And McLaren to a new low.


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[MikeFleming]

And a big upset from [the new] Force India!!

[Patrick]

Spa - AHP

( Another Hamilton Pole )

Maybe not ???
Who saw the wreck in practice when there was a DRS failure in the low downforce position under heavybraking?

[Raven855]

Well no Hamilton on pole. It’s KIMI! With his slow starts will the force Indias, Hamilton and vettle beat him to the first corner?

[Bob Holmes]

Crash city potential.


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[MikeFleming]

So Lewis held the track record for maybe ten seconds, then Seb held it for a few seconds and now Kimi has it.

[MikeFleming]

Very exciming race to watch at Monza with a most unexpected result.

[Raven855]

Monza was a good race. Ferrari mismanaged the race and lost. I think it was only a speed bump though and their true pace will have them winning again next race.

[94VERTiGO]

COTA, 2018. Had to have been one of the best races of the season. Congrats to Kimi, I was a little surprised, and amazed that he held on to finish P1. Glad to see those red cars back up front. Even Lewis, who usually would have been crying about a 3rd place finish was excited that there was some action at this race.

[Raven855]

It was a good race. I sat on turn 4, they spun out in front of me on the first lap. Kimi just seemed to have the pace this weekend, the car really worked for him! As much as the car really worked for him, it didn’t work for Ricciardo. He can't seem to catch a break! Hamilton just needs 5 more points to win the Champonship.

[94VERTiGO]

And, Leweeeeeezzzz takes championship numero sinco in mexico....Congrats to him and Merc. Good race for Max, too bad for Riciardo, man he has been snake bit this season.

[Raven855]

I’m beginnning to think that tire management is the great equalizer. Did you get the right quantities of the right compound for the track and the temperature at time of race? It’s all a throw of the dice, you get tires that should be great for 70* and it’s 60. Race over. Ricciardo has had more than his share of problems but I heard that one of the Toro Rosos is on engine number 8. Red Bull could become the new McLaren next year....

[MikeFleming]

Red Bull could become the new McLaren next year.... Speaking of McLaren, the Honda-engined cars are beating them. DOH!!

That's gonna leave a mark.

[MikeFleming]

Making a prediction for tomorrow's Brazil race: Botas will win with some assistance from Hamilton (since his season has been run).

Team work.

[MikeFleming]

Brazil: Interesting race with expected results.

However the penalty against Ocon - IMHO was absolutely backwards. It's clear from all camera angles that Verstappen cut into Ocon, not leaving room for his car that he KNEW was there. And Ocon DID pass him on the stqaight entering the braking zone.