Formula 1 2018: General Discussion Thread

AMKC · 15-05-2018 01:20PM

The new rain lights look very cool. I like them. Maybe they could be used as reverse lights as well so in a place like Baku when one of the cars goes out of a corner into runoff and decide to reverse instead of doing a spin the other drivers would know and maybe it could prevent an accident from happening.

AMKC · 15-05-2018 05:48PM

I see Felipe Massa will be racing in Formula E next year with Venturi.

skipper_G · 15-05-2018 06:02PM

AMKC wrote: »

I see Felipe Massa will be racing in Formula E next year with Venturi.

3 year contract, firm commitment on both sides.

mickdw · 15-05-2018 06:10PM

Any bit of formula e I've seen seems to suggest Vergne is the main man.
He would seem to be a major loss to f1.
As ricciardo team mate, he compared well.
Could he come back?

skipper_G · 15-05-2018 06:30PM

mickdw wrote: »

Any bit of formula e I've seen seems to suggest Vergne is the main man.
He would seem to be a major loss to f1.
As ricciardo team mate, he compared well.
Could he come back?

Hartley came back, nobody saw that coming. And if they had a seat to fill they don't have a junior ready to take it. Always a possibility

skipper_G · 15-05-2018 09:23PM

Ferrari ran the original spec tyre from the Spanish GP, in testing today, the same tyre that would have been used before Pirelli changed it. The end result was massive blistering, exactly why Pirelli changed the specification. And to think some people claimed it was done intentionally to benefit Mercedes.

https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/vettel-ferrari-worse-off-pirelli-tyre-specs-1037957/

Frank Bullitt · 16-05-2018 11:34AM

skipper_G wrote: »

Ferrari ran the original spec tyre from the Spanish GP, in testing today, the same tyre that would have been used before Pirelli changed it. The end result was massive blistering, exactly why Pirelli changed the specification. And to think some people claimed it was done intentionally to benefit Mercedes.

https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/vettel-ferrari-worse-off-pirelli-tyre-specs-1037957/

Maybe the race would have been more exciting had they brought them...

H3llR4iser · 16-05-2018 04:56PM

skipper_G wrote: »

Ferrari ran the original spec tyre from the Spanish GP, in testing today, the same tyre that would have been used before Pirelli changed it. The end result was massive blistering, exactly why Pirelli changed the specification. And to think some people claimed it was done intentionally to benefit Mercedes.

https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/vettel-ferrari-worse-off-pirelli-tyre-specs-1037957/

The reality is that Catalunya, since the beginning of this regulation regime, has always been a "Mercedes track" - I was there in 2014 and after 3-4 laps there was an eternity between Hamilton & Rosberg and the rest of the group; To the point that people started laughing and making jokes about it on the grandstand where I was.

For all the talk about PUs and "party modes", Mercedes' true asset these years has been the chassis providing great mechanical grip and balance - something that the Montmelo track exposes really well, perhaps better than any other track on the calendar. The cooler than expected temperatures probably helped as well.

Anything can happen in Monaco as we know; In Montreal, the advantage should be in Ferrari's camp again, while I'd hazard that Paul Ricard's fast corners (from Signes all the way to Virage de la Tour) might advantage Mercedes again - but it needs to be seen if such advantage won't be offset by the mistral straight(s) and the (likely) high temperatures.

chicorytip · 16-05-2018 07:17PM

H3llR4iser wrote:

The reality is that Catalunya, since the beginning of this regulation regime, has always been a "Mercedes track" - I was there in 2014 and after 3-4 laps there was an eternity between Hamilton & Rosberg and the rest of the group; To the point that people started laughing and making jokes about it on the grandstand where I was.

I don't think it's valid to link race performance with the physical characteristics of particular tracks. Of the leading teams Mercedes have, by far, the best engineers and strategists. Over the course of an entire season this is as important a factor in achieving success as driver ability. I think Vettel is the best driver on the grid by a mile but big changes are required at Maranello.

Cookie_Monster · 16-05-2018 09:44PM

chicorytip wrote: »

I don't think it's valid to link race performance with the physical characteristics of particular tracks..

of course it is, Sky talk about it non stop ffs. There have always been certain tracks more or less suited to certain teams and cars and setups. it 100% valid.

Charlie-Bravo · 16-05-2018 10:24PM

Monaco is always an interesting one - because it's more about chassis setup, rather than grunt of the power train. This year is a little weird as we're 5 races in and we're not too sure who is good where particularly. Will McLaren have a stronger performance at Monaco as their chassis is normally a decent one and can usually extract a goodresult from there. With Alonso in the car I'd expect a seriously good result.

AMKC · 16-05-2018 10:55PM

chicorytip wrote: »

I don't think it's valid to link race performance with the physical characteristics of particular tracks. Of the leading teams Mercedes have, by far, the best engineers and strategists. Over the course of an entire season this is as important a factor in achieving success as driver ability. I think Vettel is the best driver on the grid by a mile but big changes are required at Maranello.

Vettel is not a bad driver but he is not the best driver on the grid either. Sure he has four WDCs but that is because he was in the best car at the time and got lucky. He has a tendency to do stupid things like in 2010 when he crashed into Mark Webber in Turkey or even last year at Baku crashing into Hamilton and then again in Singapore when he caused his tea mate and the Red Bull of Verstappen I think to crash into each other when the race was his to win if he had just been calm a little longer. Instead Hamilton went on to win a race he would not have won otherwise.
Alonso is the best driver on the grid he just has not had the car to show it the last few years. If Vettel had of been in the car Alonso was in I think the results would have been worse. In fact any other driver would struggle to get the few decent results Alonso did get out of the crap cars he has had the last few years..

Ghost Train · 16-05-2018 10:59PM

Redbull usually do okay in Qualifying in Monaco
Kimi on Pole last year, Ricciardo the year before, would be good to get the grid a bit mixed up. McLaren could do ok
Only problem with Monaco is that overtaking is near impossible, could be a bit like Melbourne, which wasn't a good race

El_Duderino 09 · 17-05-2018 08:41AM

astrofluff wrote: »

Monaco is always an interesting one - because it's more about chassis setup, rather than grunt of the power train. This year is a little weird as we're 5 races in and we're not too sure who is good where particularly. Will McLaren have a stronger performance at Monaco as their chassis is normally a decent one and can usually extract a goodresult from there. With Alonso in the car I'd expect a seriously good result.

Monaco is interesting from an academic point of view but it's a snoozer once qualifying ends. Barring rain or a major crash, it's a procession. Its so unfit for purpose as a modern F1 venue it's ridiculous. The camera angles are cool though. I get that it's needed for the business side of F1 but I wish the business people could arrange a week long jolly to Monaco without there being a race.

The McLaren looks to be behind the red bull and Renault with the same engine. Hard to tell where Haas fits in on mechanical grip. And force India have slipped back but are still around as good as McLaren.

Its entirely possible that McLaren could finish 10th on merit in Monaco.

Harika · 17-05-2018 12:12PM

Rumour Rumours Rumours
Boullier to be axed, as McLaren was expecting to fight for podiums but in reality fighting FI and Haas. They are not even best Renault team but Nr. 3 behind RedBull and Renault

Wehrlein to replace Hartley. ToroRosso are looking to replace Hartley as he is under performing. Personally I doubt it, as while he cannot match Gasly, he brings important development feedback from his experience into the team and historically they were quiet patient and it is a rookie team

McLaren is looking into fielding a full time Indycar team with Alonso as driver with either the Andretti Autosport or Rahal Letterman Lanigan teams. That would enable him to go for the TripleCrown.

chicorytip · 17-05-2018 12:47PM

Harika wrote:

McLaren is looking into fielding a full time Indycar team with Alonso as driver with either the Andretti Autosport or Rahal Letterman Lanigan teams. That would enable him to go for the TripleCrown.

Alonso needs to devote his time and energy completely to F1 or else leave the sport. His pursuit of the "triple crown" is ill judged and, ultimately, will undermine McLaren's chances of success.

Harika · 17-05-2018 12:58PM

chicorytip wrote: »

Alonso needs to devote his time and energy completely to F1 or else leave the sport. His pursuit of the "triple crown" is ill judged and, ultimately, will undermine McLaren's chances of success.

to clarify, Alonso as full time indycar driver and leaving F1

muckwarrior · 17-05-2018 03:17PM

LIGHTNING wrote: »

Would you stop :rolleyes: Vettle won 4 WDC's because of luck and the best car.

He's undoubtedly a top class driver, but I think saying he's "the best driver on the grid by a mile" is completely wrong. IMHO he's probably joint third.

ayux4rj6zql2ph · 17-05-2018 05:18PM

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muckwarrior · 17-05-2018 05:22PM

Prisoner 6753 wrote: »

This post has been deleted.

No, Alonso is number 1 in my mind. As much as I dislike him I think Hamilton is probably the second best on the grid, with Vettel, Ricciardo and Verstappen very close behind.

El_Duderino 09 · 17-05-2018 06:40PM

muckwarrior wrote: »

Prisoner 6753 wrote: »

Please don’t say Hamilton is the number one. Like Vettel, it’s the car that has been a major factor

No, Alonso is number 1 in my mind. As much as I dislike him I think Hamilton is probably the second best on the grid, with Vettel, Ricciardo and Verstappen very close behind.

Hamilton might well be the best.

Its impossible to tell how good Alonso is. When he does well they say it's Alonso's magic driving. When he slips back they say it's the engine or the car.
I like Alonso and I really wish he was in a top car, but it's impossible to say he's the best when here's nothing to benchmark him against. He's faster than his teammate but we don't know how fast he is either. Vandoorne might be faster than peres or sains, but who knows. He might be slower than them which would cast doubt on Alonso's speed. We just don't know.

ayux4rj6zql2ph · 17-05-2018 06:49PM

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flazio · 17-05-2018 07:49PM

I don't think it's all that straight forward as to who is the best driver. Let's say it's between Hamilton and Alonso, you put them in the same car and off they go.
I reckon you'd see Hamilton own Alonso on some tracks, especially in qualifying, and Alonso dominating others. We've seen Hamilton beaten by Rosberg and Bottas at some tracks, and while it's happened less with Alonso's teammates, look at how battles between himself and Sainz tend to go and you certainly wouldn't call the works Renault a vastly superior car to the McLaren.
Alonso is a great driver but undisputed greatest on the grid. I don't think so.

AMKC · 17-05-2018 09:23PM

LIGHTNING wrote: »

Would you stop :rolleyes: Vettle won 4 WDC's because of luck and the best car.

That is what I said.

TCP/IP · 17-05-2018 09:48PM

Best driver is between Alsnso and Vettel. Hamilton is not near both drivers.

ayux4rj6zql2ph · 17-05-2018 09:56PM

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El_Duderino 09 · 17-05-2018 11:11PM

TCP/IP wrote: »

Best driver is between Alsnso and Vettel. Hamilton is not near both drivers.

I can’t agree with that. I haven’t seen any evidence that Vettel is as good as Hamilton. He’s a bit faster than Kimi and he’s been over the hill for half a decade.

I think Vettel is very good but I can’t see how he can be seen as faster than Hamilton. I like Vettel and I think Hamilton is a knob, but that’s a separate question from which one is faster.

El_Duderino 09 · 17-05-2018 11:12PM

Prisoner 6753 wrote: »

This post has been deleted.

Was Schumacher offered another contract? I presumed he was dropped for Hamilton.

skipper_G · 17-05-2018 11:45PM

I don't like Hamilton or Vettel the personalities, but you don't win 4 world titles by luck. To claim otherwise is plain idiotic.

FWIW while I believe that Alonso is one of the best on the grid, same car same day it would be very tough to call which of the 3 would come out on top. As flazio said a few posts back, there are so many other variables which can come into play. We can all play the what if game, but it doesn't change history.

skipper_G · 17-05-2018 11:59PM

El_Duderino 09 wrote: »

Was Schumacher offered another contract? I presumed he was dropped for Hamilton.

I remember it the same way as you, I always figured he was dropped and he claimed his retirement was his choice so as not to lose too much face, when in reality the team wanted Hamilton because he was so much better at that point and Schumi got the shove. Early in 2012 the German papers reported they were offering Schumi a new deal and the clickbait websites picked it up and ran with it, Ross Brawn was quick to refute the rumours though.

Formula 1 2018: General Discussion Thread

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