Formula 1 2018: General Discussion Thread

Frankie Lee

When it comes to liveries sometimes it is better to keep things simple. A couple of my favourites:

Jordan 199

Ferrari and Mercedes launches today.

weekaizer

Jordan 199 wrote: »

Ferrari and Mercedes launches today.

Any idea of time and will it be live on social media or sky sports?

Jordan 199

weekaizer wrote: »

Any idea of time and will it be live on social media or sky sports?

The Mercedes launch will be at 12.10PM. You can see it on their website here.

The Ferrari launch is on at 2PM. You can see it on their website here.

H3llR4iser

Jordan 199 wrote: »

The Mercedes launch will be at 12.10PM. You can see it on their website here.

The Ferrari launch is on at 2PM. You can see it on their website here.

12.10...tell me Mercedes are taking the proverbial at the new "ten past the hour" idiocy

H3llR4iser

El_Duderino 09 wrote: »

Ferrari is their title sponsor ( under alpha Romeo) they also supply the engine and probably other parts. They supply Charles leclerc. And I’m sure all that is more than enough to make sure sauber votes with Ferrari on sporting matters.

For example, I bet sauber will stop calling for budget restrictions even though sauber would be one of the greatest beneficiaries of budget cap.

News from Italy seems to suggest it's quite a bit more than that - maybe not on the "BMW Sauber" level of involvement, but close enough. Ironically, Alfa/Ferrari now get to use Sauber's facilities and wind tunnel...built by BMW

Adamocovic

robyntmorton wrote: »

Remember, just because the photo is official doesn't mean the photo is accurate.

That said, I'm glad to see claims have been made of a Honda engine actually powering an F1 car this year.

I've seen a lot of speculation online that this year they may catch a lot of people by surprise and find themselves up competing near the top.

I'm reserving my expectations though until we see some testing.

HombieZanalei

Adamocovic wrote: »

I've seen a lot of speculation online that this year they may catch a lot of people by surprise and find themselves up competing near the top.

I'm reserving my expectations though until we see some testing.

I've nothing against McLaren (I'd love to see them back near the front in fact) but wouldn't it be gas if that happened? I've a funny feeling that in a few years time they'll regret jumping ship, and I can't help but feel that the ones who will benefit will be Red Bull...

Cool_CM

Green light on that Merc makes it look like a ufo :pac:

Jordan 199

I liked the Mercedes launch.

El_Duderino 09

H3llR4iser wrote: »

News from Italy seems to suggest it's quite a bit more than that - maybe not on the "BMW Sauber" level of involvement, but close enough. Ironically, Alfa/Ferrari now get to use Sauber's facilities and wind tunnel...built by BMW

That’s interesting. It might be more like Red Bull Torro Rosso relationship

El_Duderino 09

HombieZanalei wrote: »

I've nothing against McLaren (I'd love to see them back near the front in fact) but wouldn't it be gas if that happened? I've a funny feeling that in a few years time they'll regret jumping ship, and I can't help but feel that the ones who will benefit will be Red Bull...

That might well be the case but I think the relationship was destroyed between them. McLaren’s culture was at risk due to staff morale. I think Honda might well get their sh1t together, but McLaren were probably right to dump them. Now they can negotiate to get back with Mercedes in the future.

In hindsight they never should have left Mercedes but I still think they were brave to try to get a proper works engine partner.

Joeface

I feel Mclaren could have the same year as last year , after reading this head line yesterday on autosport

"McLaren plans 'substantial' Melbourne update" ...........lads ye haven't even raced yet and yer annoucing Substantial updates .

El_Duderino 09

Seriously drastic coke bottle effect on that Mercedes. The engine must be smaller than last year. Could it lead to cooling issues?

muckwarrior

Joeface wrote: »

I feel Mclaren could have the same year as last year , after reading this head line yesterday on autosport

"McLaren plans 'substantial' Melbourne update" ...........lads ye haven't even raced yet and yer annoucing Substantial updates .

That's not at all uncommon. Team's often start winter testing with a base spec and then introduce an upgrade at either the last test or the first race.

Joeface

muckwarrior wrote: »

That's not at all uncommon. Team's often start winter testing with a base spec and then introduce an upgrade at either the last test or the first race.

I get that , but no other team (as far as I can see) went to the trouble of doing a press release

muckwarrior

El_Duderino 09 wrote: »

Seriously drastic coke bottle effect on that Mercedes. The engine must be smaller than last year. Could it lead to cooling issues?

Even after reading this before looking at the pictures I was still shocked at how slim it is :eek:

El_Duderino 09

muckwarrior wrote: »

That's not at all uncommon. Team's often start winter testing with a base spec and then introduce an upgrade at either the last test or the first race.

I think the tests are probably more about doing a proper shakedown and finding which parts are likely to break. Then calibrating simulations with the car on track. Practicing getting the tyres up to temperature and figuring out how making this change and that change makes a difference to handling etc.

As fans we want to know who’s fastest but that’s not really what testing is about for the teams. The first time we’ll know how fast they actually are will probably be in Melbourne in Q3.

Mike Litoris

Mother of God!

That thing is sleek and the amount of elaborate aero going on in front of the sidepods! :eek:

With a bit of luck they've pushed it too far and we've a bit a of a battle this year.

Jordan 199

I do like the Merc. Darker paint on the sides too.

Cool_CM

Another 5 minutes until we see what the Ferrari looks like:

http://www.skysports.com/f1/news/12474/11258931/live-ferrari-launch-new-car

Adamocovic

Ferrari launch not working for me. Please someone help me out and post a picture of it when it's revealed.

Mike Litoris

Great to see a few of the drivers going for more solid colour helmet designs from the 70's and 80's.

Liking Alonsos

Cool_CM

Adamocovic wrote: »

Ferrari launch not working for me. Please someone help me out and post a picture of it when it's revealed.

Try this (you have to watch it on the youtube site):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JV893Roq9EQ

Mike Litoris

Oh the Ferrari is pretty sleek too! Kimi is bored already

Mike Litoris

Here too

www.skysports.com/f1/news/12474/11258931/live-ferrari-launch-new-car

Burkie1203

Eh have merc and ferrari forgot the engines?

Cool_CM

Interesting side-pods! Looks sleek - really hope that it isn't a dog!

Jordan 199

PukkaStukka

Looks like the wheelbase has been stretched. Hard to tell from the photo but it seems narrow at the back