Formula 1 2018: General Discussion Thread

Prisoner 6753 wrote: »

Is this something that can be done tactically? As in put it into administration and someone swoops in and buys it all on the cheap as a going concern?

I added a tweet in the edit, looks like it was forced on them. I did a (one) law course at university and from this massive knowledge I would say it is bad.
Also on sky Szafenauer said they are days away of changing ownership.

Harika wrote: »

Force India is now in administration.

https://twitter.com/rich_energy/status/1022922604125073408?s=20

This is the tweet from the energy drink brand that is run out of yer man's house. And that would be the energy drink brand that no one has ever seen in a shop. It smacks of free publicity, has done from the first day that guy tweeted about the team and still does now. He's got amazing brand recognition for the price of a tweet and a ream of printer paper.

Having said all that administration is inevitable, but the word is it's a sort of planned one with buyers lined up and the team will be sold as a going concern thus avoiding folding and losing their prize money entitlements. Fingers crossed that last bit is accurate

Harika wrote: »

Timing is suspicious as why would it be done Friday evening? Guess because courts are not working on weekends and that ensures two more days to work on the deal.
Even then there are four weeks till the next race.

And the energy drink was talking of buying force India now it is a 30 million last minute sponsorship deal.

Yeah he was claiming to be buying the team and bringing investment in the hundreds of millions. He had no money to speak of, his accounts on the companies house website prove it. He's full of crap.

I read the rumour that Nikita Mazepin's old man is being linked with the team now as well. Mazepin is absolute garbage, he's been testing a few times and is always miles off the pace. Thankfully even if he managed a miracle and won GP3 he wouldn't have enough points for a super licence so not much point in his father buying the team.

Harika wrote: »

Checo is indeed behind the administration:
https://www.racefans.net/2018/07/27/perez-behind-legal-proceedings-to-close-force-india-over-4m-debt/

and here the mazepin story: https://www.racefans.net/2018/07/27/gp3-driver-mazepin-billionaire-father-linked-force-india-f1-buy-in/

Checos media session was cancelled today, wondering if he will continue driving for them now. Mazepin has no super license, his points are from being second in the FIA karting championship in 2014 ...

Apparently BWT are also involved here. Seen something about how the sponsorship was a loan. Weird stuff.

How rich is daddy Stroll

Harika wrote: »

Checo is indeed behind the administration:
https://www.racefans.net/2018/07/27/perez-behind-legal-proceedings-to-close-force-india-over-4m-debt/

and here the mazepin story: https://www.racefans.net/2018/07/27/gp3-driver-mazepin-billionaire-father-linked-force-india-f1-buy-in/

Checos media session was cancelled today, wondering if he will continue driving for them now. Mazepin has no super license, his points are from being second in the FIA karting championship in 2014 ...

That story makes sense to me, I think the administration is being coordinated by the people who run the team, namely Otmar Szafnauer and Bob Fernley. The petition has support from Mercedes and BWT. They've been trying to force the owners to sell, VJ has been holding out for more cash in the hope Liberty announces changes to the commercial structure for 2021 onwards and can increase the value of the team. Administration takes the choice out of his hands, once the administrator is appointed he will sell the team to the buyers who are already lined up.

It would be very sad to see Force India go bankrupt. Really hope someone buys it and can keep that team going. It's amazing what they have done with there limited resources and budget. They have but teams like Mclaren and Williams to shame.

https://twitter.com/andrewbensonf1/status/1023096023663751170?s=19

I was watching the F3 races at Spa, was a nice finish to it with a familiar name on the top step in race 3

vectra wrote: »

You did say it would be the same as driving behind any car that has high downforce.??

Yes, the RB has a lot of DF, as does the Ferrari. Kimi driving behind the RB is pretty similar to Vettel being behind the other Ferrari.

Harika wrote: »

In all fairness, it is good stuff so should be payed for.

Also:
Chase Casey was running around to gather signatures that the new owners of ForceIndia will keep the 50 Million Euro price money as established team and not count as new team. Renault, McLaren and Williams denied that signature, what makes the rescue of FI more difficult. German Source

No Info why McLaren and Williams are doing that, Renault is concerned that the sport is controlled by the B and C teams of Mercedes and Ferrari.

In a nutshell, that's the biggest problem F1 has.
They ahve to get everyone to agree on something before it's passed.
With the best will in the world you'll never get 100% agreement on something so then nothing gets agreed

A little off topic but the 2017 Mercedes-Benz is available on Gran Turismo Sport racing simulation as of today.
Took it for a spin around Les Mans.