Formula 1 2017: General Discussion Thread

AMKC

Never too early to start the new thread.

So who here thinks 2017 is going to be a fantastic season?

I think it could be the best season of this decade.

Any news in here will be for the 2017 season.

Regarding drivers I heard a rumor that Estaban G is going to Manor and that the group that runs the Austin and Mexico races is buying into Manor. Anyone got anymore news on this?

AMKC

2017 calendar confirmed

http://formulaspy.com/formula-1/no-germany-bakule-mans-clash-avoided-new-2017-calendar-30568

2017 Formula One Calendar

March 26 – Australian Grand Prix

April 9 – Chinese Grand Prix

April 16 – Bahrain Grand Prix

April 30 – Russian Grand Prix

May 14 – Spanish Grand Prix

May 28 – Monaco Grand Prix

June 11 – Canadian Grand Prix

June 25 – Azerbaijan Grand Prix

July 9 – Austrian Grand Prix

July 16 – British Grand Prix

July 30 – Hungarian Grand Prix

August 27 – Belgian Grand Prix

September 3 – Italian Grand Prix

September 17 – Singapore Grand Prix

October 1 – Malaysian Grand Prix

October 8 – Japanese Grand Prix

October 22 – United States Grand Prix

October 29 – Mexican Grand Prix

November 12 – Brazilian Grand Prix

November 26 – Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

skipper_G

AMKC wrote: »

Never too early to start the new thread.

So who here thinks 2017 is going to be a fantastic season?

I think it could be the best season of this decade.

Any news in here will be for the 2017 season.

Regarding drivers I heard a rumor that Estaban G is going to Manor and that the group that runs the Austin and Mexico races is buying into Manor. Anyone got anymore news on this?

From what I understood the Manor sale and Gutierrez appointment are done deals. They won't announce the driver line up until the sale is finalised. The guy behind it is pally with Bernie and he wants at least 11 teams on the grid so it will happen. Price is finally right after Manor missed out on 10th. Also Gutierrez has changed his manager, now Adrian Fernandez ex Cart driver. Wasn't happy losing out on the Haas seat so this is to prevent it from happening again next year.

ankles

Less European traditional grands prix each year. I know it's a money game but their market is still primarily European, their drivers are mainly European, and their teams as well. Bring back Germay San Marino France European etc

Cookie_Monster

ankles wrote: »

Less European traditional grands prix each year. I know it's a money game but their market is still primarily European, their drivers are mainly European, and their teams as well. Bring back Germay San Marino France European etc

+1, The European GP isn't even in Europe any more FFS:pac:

skipper_G

Cookie_Monster wrote: »

+1, The European GP isn't even in Europe any more FFS:pac:

I read they might change that. Something about the organisers realising how stupid the name was

Ghost Train

Bit of a late start to season, 26th March. But I guess it's similar enough to this years calendar

Autosport

Can we switch the last 2 races so Brazil is the last race

Charlie-Bravo

Autosport wrote: »

Can we switch the last 2 races so Brazil is the last race

Yeah sure, consider it done.

*Looks in phone contacts for that little bollix that keeps us entertained throughout the year*

flazio

I actually liked it when Japan was the closer and there wasn't any time adjustment for Europe, meaning we had to make the special effort to stay up or get up to see who would be champion.

flazio

flazio wrote: »

I actually liked it when Japan was the closer and there wasn't any time adjustment for Europe, meaning we had to make the special effort to stay up or get up to see who would be champion.

Yeah, felt like an event to have to get up at 4.30. Like ya were part of something.

skipper_G

It's worth noting that in the official FIA press release re: the 2017 calendar,
1. There is no European GP - It's officially listed as the Azerbaijan GP
2. Brazil is not marked as provisional. So probably Bernie is playing some negotiations out for the future seasons as he usually does.

TheDoctor

I think next year is going to be the best year ever.

Crackle

flazio wrote: »

I actually liked it when Japan was the closer and there wasn't any time adjustment for Europe, meaning we had to make the special effort to stay up or get up to see who would be champion.

Funnily enough I never made that effort for any of the title battles, but did the year Sato was driving for Jordan I did to watch him finish 5th(?) for his only points finish. Looking back now, I've no idea why I made the special effort that time, maybe it was a significant result for Jordan, I dunno.

Like someone said before, I prefer Interlagos for the season ending race. Might not be as glamorous as Abu Dhabi, but it makes for a much better race in my opinion.

Ghost Train

I liked Japan as the final race. The late 90s, McLaren vs Ferrari

Brazil great too, Button and Hamilton winning their championships but its a tough race for a title decider.

skipper_G

French GP back on the calendar for 2018. Race will be held at Paul Ricard.

hotwhiskey

skipper_G wrote: »

French GP back on the calendar for 2018. Race will be held at Paul Ricard.

You got to be kidding me. I hate that boring ass track:(

skipper_G

hotwhiskey wrote: »

You got to be kidding me. I hate that boring ass track:(

It's a see of painted concrete run-offs, but a lot will depend on which configuration of the track they use.
Here's one of the Formula Renault races from this year as a sample

hotwhiskey

skipper_G wrote: »

It's a see of painted concrete run-offs, but a lot will depend on which configuration of the track they use.
Here's one of the Formula Renault races from this year as a sample

I watch the GT's on it every year. You know come to think of it. It really suite's the modern day F1 track a couple of football field's width before you see the barrier.

flazio

Still though, good to see the name "French Grand Prix" back on the calendar.

Jordan 199

Paul Ricard has sprinklers. So you could turn a dry race into a wet race in no time at all.

TheDoctor

Rosberg? Where did that come from? Don't understand that. What is he? 31?

marvin80

https://twitter.com/SkySportsNewsHQ/status/804676662231236608?lang=en

marvin80

https://twitter.com/oliverbrown_tel/status/804677618054397952?lang=en

TheDoctor

Who do Merc get now?

Ghost Train

marvin80 wrote: »

https://twitter.com/SkySportsNewsHQ/status/804676662231236608?lang=en

Fake news presumably? Doubt he'd call it quits. Does look like real sky news account though

TheDoctor

Sky must have been mugged off here

Mental Mickey

It's on Sky and BBC

Andrew76

BBC reporting it too. Bizarre. Wonder who'll get his seat next year.

marvin80

It's been reported across several news outlets like BBC.

If it's a hoax, it's a great hoax!!

TheDoctor

Sky now have quotes. Looks legit. Crazy

Wanderer78

wow, didnt see that coming. not the most amazing driver but best of luck to him

prettyboy81

Put Alonso in that Merc please please please!!!

beans

Looks like Rosberg has just retired!

D'oh, should have hit F5

TheDoctor

A massive seat just opened up on the grid.

Would they give it to one of their young drivers?

skipper_G

:eek::eek::eek: Rosberg has bigger cojones than anybody ever thought, it's the ultimate FU to everybody. He's basically said I did it, I'm champion, dropped the mic and walked off stage

Ghost Train

Hope it's not true and that his twitter just got hacked or something

Interesting to see who gets drive if it's real though

kopite386

WTF I did not expect Nico to retire ? Anyone know why ?

skipper_G

prettyboy81 wrote: »

Put Alonso in that Merc please please please!!!

Knowing Alonso's luck the Merc would end up as a dog and Button would come out of retirement to win the title

kopite386

More importantly who will get his seat ? 😉

TCP/IP

Vettel to Merc?

Glico Man

Merc to break the bank for Verstappen.

All drivers on the grid currently on the phones to their managers to get them that seat.

robyntmorton

Wow! The only way to make that any more of a mic drop would have been to do it during the FIA awards in Vienna when he actually gets the trophy!

I don't see Wehrlein getting the seat this year, though he might in 2018. Unfortunately, I have no idea who will. A big seat to fill either way.

skipper_G

Mercedes Twitter account is confirming, this is really happening.....

prettyboy81

They might want a German in the car. Vettel could be tempted & Ferrari could be happy to negotiate.

I hope Alonso gets the drive.

gitzy16v

Great news...he knew he could never be handed another WDC on a plate

El_Duderino 09

Brilliant. Delighted for him.

I listened to the BBC podcast and they were saying he would get better and better after winning the championship. I thought he had done his job and would completely lose motivation.

My personal theory is that he wanted to win as part if his weird relationship with his dad.

Did anyone else think it was strange in the podium interview when he cried as he said his dad would be arriving at the track soon... Soon! What in the bane of sweet suffering Jesus was Keke Rosberg doing on Sunday, that was more important than being at the race when his son might win the world championship?

Strange but his retirement fits in with that theory.

OldMrBrennan83

This post has been deleted.

Harika

more details are in a post on his facebook page, at least in german

gitzy16v

Nico Rosberg:
“Since 25 years in racing, it has been my dream, my ‘one thing’ to become Formula One World Champion. Through the hard work, the pain, the sacrifices, this has been my target.And now I’ve made it. I have climbed my mountain, I am on the peak, so this feels right. My strongest emotion right now is deep gratitude to everybody who supported me to make that dream happen.
“This season, I tell you, it was so damn tough. I pushed like crazy in every area after the disappointments of the last two years; they fuelled my motivation to levels I had never experienced before. And of course that had an impact on the ones I love, too – it was a whole family effort of sacrifice, putting everything behind our target. I cannot find enough words to thank my wife Vivian; she has been incredible. She understood that this year was the big one, our opportunity to do it, and created the space for me to get full recovery between every race, looking after our daughter each night, taking over when things got tough and putting ourchampionship first.
“When I won the race in Suzuka, from the moment when the destiny of the title was in my own hands, the big pressure started and I began to think about ending my racing career if I became World Champion. On Sunday morning in Abu Dhabi, I knew that it could be my last race and that feeling cleared my head before the start. I wanted to enjoy every part of the experience, knowing it might be the last time… and then the lights went out and I had the most intense 55 laps of my life. I took my decision on Monday evening. After reflecting for a day, the first people I told were Vivian and Georg (Nolte, from Nico’s management team), followed by Toto.
“The only thing that makes this decision in any way difficult for me is because I am putting my racing family into a toughsituation. But Toto understood. He knew straight away that I was completely convinced and that reassured me. My proudest achievement in racing will always be to have won the world championship with this incredible team of people,the Silver Arrows.
“Now, I’m just here to enjoy the moment. There is time tosavour the next weeks, to reflect on the season and to enjoy every experience that comes my way. After that, I will turn the next corner in my life and see what it has in store for me…”

kopite386

I was thinking it could be Vettel to get his seat I hope Alonso does but as someone said will they employ another driver who could challenge Hamilton as no.1 or give the seat to a younger driver so they know they are no.2 ?