Formula 1 2018: General Discussion Thread

Harika

Another announcement from Mercedes today. Bottas one or two years?

skipper_G

Harika wrote: »

Another announcement from Mercedes today. Bottas one or two years?

I'll guess Bottas 1 year, thinking if it was a 2 year deal like Hamilton they would have done it yesterday as well.

Harika

https://www.racefans.net/2018/07/20/formula-1-18-inch-wheels-2021/

So possibly a new tyre supplier from 2020 with 18inch tyres from 2021. That sounds tailored for Pirelli as who would develop two different specifications?

skipper_G

Stroll linked to Force India seat
https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/stroll-linked-force-india-move-williams-1061540/

That's pretty depressing if it happens, he's not slow but he doesn't have the strength of character and he often seems out of his depth and overwhelmed on the radio.

Frank Bullitt

skipper_G wrote: »

Stroll linked to Force India seat
https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/stroll-linked-force-india-move-williams-1061540/

That's pretty depressing if it happens, he's not slow but he doesn't have the strength of character and he often seems out of his depth and overwhelmed on the radio.

This just feels like he is bringing his money to a team with a bit of ownership limbo on them.

I don't rate Stroll at all, maybe we hear his radio more than others but he is a full on moan bag.

Although, if he leaves, Kubica may well return.

skipper_G

OSI wrote: »

Bottas got a 1 year deal.

Yep as expected, he must feel like the unwanted stepson

ayux4rj6zql2ph

This post has been deleted.

billybonkers

skipper_G wrote: »

Yep as expected, he must feel like the unwanted stepson

He has an option for 2020 also

Mercedes-AMG Petronas Motorsport today completed its driver line-up for the 2019 season, and potentially beyond, with confirmation that Valtteri Bottas will stay with the team next season.

The 28-year-old Finn has signed a one-year contract extension with the team, with an option for a further year in 2020

Frank Bullitt

2021 sees the introduction of 18' wheels now.

skipper_G

billybonkers wrote: »

He has an option for 2020 also

Mercedes-AMG Petronas Motorsport today completed its driver line-up for the 2019 season, and potentially beyond, with confirmation that Valtteri Bottas will stay with the team next season.

The 28-year-old Finn has signed a one-year contract extension with the team, with an option for a further year in 2020

You mean Mercedes have an option for 2020
The difference in the two announcements is pretty clear, all the fanfare for Lewis and his 2 year deal and they try to sell a 1 year deal with options as somehow just as big a deal.

Bottas isn't a bad driver, but he's not a superstar either, he knows it, the team knows it and we all know it.

Mike Litoris

Gintonious wrote: »

2021 sees the introduction of 18' wheels now.

Ah no. Inevitable but I think they look poxy on F1 cars.

skipper_G

There's a nice article on motorsport.com summarising the main points from the tyre changes here https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/ban-tyre-blankets-18-inch-wheels-2021-1061724/

But if anybody wants to have a read of the whole document you can find it here on the FIA site http://legal.fia.com/web/appeloffre.nsf/66BB645500234AEAC12582CF0035D224/$FILE/2018-07-19%20ITT%20Tyres%20F1%202020%202021%202022%202023.pdf?openelement

skipper_G

Gintonious wrote: »

This just feels like he is bringing his money to a team with a bit of ownership limbo on them.

I don't rate Stroll at all, maybe we hear his radio more than others but he is a full on moan bag.

Although, if he leaves, Kubica may well return.

There's a new rumour doing the rounds which goes "Stroll wants to bring Kubica with him to Force India as a teammate/mentor"

The midfield silly season is going to be crazy, Sainz to Mclaren, Ocon to Renault, Perez to Haas, Stroll to Force India, Leclerc to Ferrari, the list goes on. There's some potential for a shakeup

ayux4rj6zql2ph

This post has been deleted.

Thomhic312

Prisoner 6753 wrote: »

So a Stroll/Kubica lineup at Force India?

God knows daddy Stroll can bankroll that.

Who of the current drivers won’t be on the 2019 grid?

Grosjean

ayux4rj6zql2ph

This post has been deleted.

skipper_G

Thomhic312 wrote: »

Grosjean

Agreed.

Charlie-Bravo

I think it's more likely Grosjean will be in Indycar next year rather than F1.

muckwarrior

No loss. While he can be quick on his day, at this stage it's clear he doesn't have the consistency or composure to ever be a champion.

Harika

Sauber boss Fred Vasseur says a former world champion like Kimi Raikkonen could be a fit for his team in 2019, amid rumours of a move for the Finn

AMKC

I also have to say I do not like the look or idea of 18 inch wheels and skinny profile tyres on F1 cars. Maybe if they could make the tyres a bit fatter it might not be to bad but I just think an F1 car should have big fat tyres as its part of an F1 car.

ayux4rj6zql2ph

This post has been deleted.

flazio

Prisoner 6753 wrote: »

Where did the Kubica/Haas rumour originally circulate from? Gunther Steiner is denying it.

Bored journalists.

Harika

flazio wrote: »

Bored journalists.

Jup as they write him down as cheap alternative to Grosjean. With the life insurance issue he won't signup for a cheap ride, especially with his age.

ayux4rj6zql2ph

This post has been deleted.

Joeseph Balls

Harika wrote: »

Jup as they write him down as cheap alternative to Grosjean. With the life insurance issue he won't signup for a cheap ride, especially with his age.

Life insurance issue?

Harika

Joeseph Balls wrote: »

Life insurance issue?

Because of the accident he got a big lump sum payment as he cannot do the profession anymore. When he becomes a full time driver again he has to pay that back.

Cookie_Monster

skipper_G wrote: »

There's a nice article on motorsport.com summarising the main points from the tyre changes here https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/ban-tyre-blankets-18-inch-wheels-2021-1061724/

that a crazily stacked contract. who other than pirelli can realistically get it, no one could afford to develop a tyre same as current for a single year and then a totally different one the following year?

Harika

Cookie_Monster wrote: »

that a crazily stacked contract. who other than pirelli can realistically get it, no one could afford to develop a tyre same as current for a single year and then a totally different one the following year?

Yeah that's why I thought either introduce it 2020 or offer pirelli now a one year extension

Joeseph Balls

Harika wrote: »

Because of the accident he got a big lump sum payment as he cannot do the profession anymore. When he becomes a full time driver again he has to pay that back.

Ah yes, remember now.