Formula 1 2019 - General Discussion Thread

H3llR4iser · 01-02-2019 3:55pm

AMKC wrote: »

Awe that's kind of sad just as Sauber were starting to come good. I know its the same company , people and all but this is now just basically Ferrari light now is it not? They are using the same engine and no doubt will be using more of the same now as well. I wonder what this means for HAAS going forward? They were Ferrari light.

The money injected by Alfa/Ferrari/FCA IS the reason they've been coming good, along with the direction that the appointment of Vasseur gave them. Sauber as Sauber, as Harika pointed out, started to be a goner when Monisha Kaltenborn took over; In the span of the 2012 season they went from being able to pick up the odd podium whenever some of the "big ones" (which at the time, included McLaren...) fell over, to struggling to score points over mere months. Heck, they picked up 4 podiums that season, more than Mercedes themselves. The only reason Sauber were still around before last season was Ericsson's financial backing.

With a bit of luck they can keep the trajectory from last year and fight with "Not Force India" over the odd podium whenever Ferrari, Mercedes and Red Bull make pants of a race. It might be a very long shot, but it wouldn't be too surprising to see Kimi's face on the podium again before he retires...

flazio · 02-02-2019 11:36pm

So, if by some insanity Kimi Raikonnen (or Joe Vinassi) wins a Grand Prix this year, will the Swiss or the Italian anthem be played in honour of the constructor?

recyclebin · 03-02-2019 1:57pm

It's still a Swiss team and not owned by Fiat. Factory is in Hinwil.

Cool_CM · 03-02-2019 2:00pm

They're still registered as being Sauber Motorsport AG on the entry list, so presumably they'll still be racing under a Swiss licence

https://www.fia.com/events/fia-formula-one-world-championship/season-2019/2019-fia-formula-one-world-championship-entry

chicorytip · 03-02-2019 2:20pm

Harika wrote:

Sauber has officially become Alfa Romeo Racing

When Alfa last competed in F1- as a works team - it's drivers scored a grand total of one championship point each over the course of two whole seasons. Those who are running this new incarnation will be hoping for even greater success!!

flazio · 03-02-2019 6:48pm

recyclebin wrote: »

It's still a Swiss team and not owned by Fiat. Factory is in Hinwil.

Factory location is irrelevant. Look at Mercedes-Benz, Red Bull, Renault and the various owners of the Silverstone outfit that started as the Irish Jordan. All have factories in the UK but are different nationalities.
If Alfa F1 is still Swiss owned then they could have their factory in Ballymahon for what it matters, it's still Swiss.

recyclebin · 03-02-2019 10:51pm

flazio wrote: »

Factory location is irrelevant. Look at Mercedes-Benz, Red Bull, Renault and the various owners of the Silverstone outfit that started as the Irish Jordan. All have factories in the UK but are different nationalities.
If Alfa F1 is still Swiss owned then they could have their factory in Ballymahon for what it matters, it's still Swiss.

Islero Investments are a Swiss company and own Sauber. There company address is also in Hinwil. It's not really clear who's the face behind this company.

pjohnson · 04-02-2019 10:08am

Haas Rich Energy F1 Livery 7th February.

Harika · 04-02-2019 11:53am

pjohnson wrote: »

Haas Rich Energy F1 Livery 7th February.

Until when will this go up in flames?

pjohnson · 04-02-2019 1:27pm

Harika wrote: »

Until when will this go up in flames?

Probably 8th February :pac:

pjohnson · 04-02-2019 4:29pm

Brendon Hartley joins Ferrari as Simulator Driver alongside Pascal Wehrlein, Antonio Fuoco & Davide Rigon.

Mick Schumacher will be doing at least some of the in season tests aswell (Fuoco would also be eligible to fulfill the in season "youth" criteria afaik if they go that way he has before).

Jordan 199 · 04-02-2019 5:18pm

Launch dates so far this year:

7th of February: Haas.

11th of February: Toro Rosso.

12th of February: Renault.

13th of February: Mercedes, Racing Point, Red Bull.

14th of February: McLaren.

15th of February: Ferrari.

18th of February: Alfa Romeo.

Frank Bullitt · 04-02-2019 5:29pm

ayux4rj6zql2ph · 04-02-2019 5:47pm

Gintonious wrote: »

Is that the first official picture of him in Renault kit?

Frank Bullitt · 04-02-2019 7:13pm

Peyton Lively Tiller wrote: »

Is that the first official picture of him in Renault kit?

Think so, few more floating around on twitter

Harika · 05-02-2019 10:21am

Racing Point stays racing point but were looking into names like Lola.

ayux4rj6zql2ph · 05-02-2019 1:48pm

Harika wrote: »

Racing Point stays racing point but were looking into names like Lola.

Speaking of Lola, it's a pity that Mastercard never came back as a title sponsor, the livery looked good.

PopePalpatine · 05-02-2019 2:03pm

As if Lola's corpse wasn't desecrated enough.

Frank Bullitt · 05-02-2019 5:22pm

Frank Bullitt · 05-02-2019 8:26pm

https://twitter.com/MercedesAMGF1/status/1092838417241726977

pjohnson · 05-02-2019 8:30pm

Camoflague livery for testing it is then!

Charlie-Bravo · 05-02-2019 11:32pm

I can't see anything in that pic. :pac:

Cool_CM · 06-02-2019 8:29pm

Just booked a trip to testing (2nd week), have always wanted to go and can't fupin' wait!

Harika · 07-02-2019 11:08am

https://twitter.com/JeanTodt/status/1093446476573888512

Inventor of the Hans safety device has passed away who very likely saved a lot of drivers from heavy injury or worse.

Harika · 07-02-2019 11:44am

Rich Energy claiming to beat RedBull in 2019.
https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/motorsport/8372522/f1-haas-beat-red-bull-2019/

He said: "We are confident we will beat Red Bull in many races this year. That is holy grail marketing but sometimes you get a bit of serendipity and right timing.