Formula 1 2021 - General Discussion Thread (Read 1st post rules)

flazio wrote: »

How about racing clockwise?
I can't see any stands in any danger.

Would they need to reverse all the marshal posts and side roads?

Deleted User wrote: »

Aye it was a stupid oversight to put it so close. It really wouldn't take much to either move the hairpin back and/or have a slight left kink to get away from the grandstand a bit. The way I'd do it would look like this awful drawing attempt.



My preference would be to do the red. But the green would be fine either IMO.
Either way the problem is that as it is the current entry into the chicane is too fast meaning that the chicane as a whole is basically a braking zone and single file which makes close following impossible.

I don't think there's much that can be done with that chicane or hairpin because the problem is that cars can't follow closely enough through turns 2 and 3 so lengthening the braking zone a bit wouldn't change it that much.

However, the track does have two overtaking spots at the end of the other two straights at turn 8 and turn 11. To be honest I think its bad reputation isn't really fair and it is harshly judged because for most of its existence it has been the season finale in an era where all competition for the championship has always ceased before arriving there and the enthusiasm for the season is usually dead, while some teams just treat it as a glorified test session for the following year.

The track got widespread praise from drivers when it was introduced. It is of course remembered for Alonso's failure to overtake Petrov in 2010, but that Renault had very strong straight line speed making it tough to overtake. Petrov and Alonso did go wheel to wheel at times however, and overall that race did make for an epic season finale.

The 2012 race (which wasn't the season finale) was another epic with Vettel fighting up onto the podium having started in the pitlane, which was vital for his championship hopes. Even more recently, in 2016, Rosberg's overtake on Verstappen was what ultimately secured his championship victory and was an excellent piece of racing. There's also plenty of overtaking at the track in lower formulas.

But no track will make for a great season finale when the season leading up to it wasn't great and the competition is over long before getting there.

Harika wrote: »

Russell was seen only that strong because bottas struggled all weekend

That doesn't really tally with the facts! Surprised at Marko is he just Salty Russell is signed up to Mercedes?

Inquitus wrote: »

That doesn't really tally with the facts! Surprised at Marko is he just Salty Russell is signed up to Mercedes?

It could tally with the facts. Why do you say it doesn’t tally?

I don’t know if Bottas had a good weekend or not. He hasn’t had a good last few races of the season.

Happy New Year folks Hope you are all staying safe and strong.

Link to image.

AMKC wrote: »

Actually it's more than twice Max's salary which if doubled would be 32 million so that plus some.
You are right about it almost been 4 times his team mates do it's just a million shy.
I wonder what Aston Martin will be paying him this year?
At least Formula 1 drivers actually earn there money and work for it so when I see these huge sums I have no problem with that.
Football players like overrated crybaby Ronaldo on the other hand do not even deserve 3/4s of what they are paid and it makes me sick that they get paid such stupid money. That's why I would never watch any of that rubbish be it English, Italian,Spanish or any other league I see it all as a waste of resources and TV time.

Why is an F1 driver more deserving of their millions compared to a soccer player? You're worth what someone is willing to pay you, if that's 30k a year or 50m, so be it.

AMKC wrote: »

Actually it's more than twice Max's salary which if doubled would be 32 million so that plus some.
You are right about it almost been 4 times his team mates do it's just a million shy.
I wonder what Aston Martin will be paying him this year? ...

Dead right about my dodgy maths. In my head I was thinking Max will be getting some performance bonuses and I doubt Vettel hit many performance goals this year.

Question marks about Australia, who will need to make the call to host the race in the next two weeks as the race track will need to be built.
Also 14 day quarantine or stay isolated for the teams.

Adamocovic wrote:

Itching to see their car design.

That colour scheme suggests a classy livery befitting a classy brand.

It's interesting that people.were calling racing point Aston Martin before they became Aston Martin but don't call Renault Alpine.

Harika wrote: »

Question marks about Australia, who will need to make the call to host the race in the next two weeks as the race track will need to be built.
Also 14 day quarantine or stay isolated for the teams.

I’d say they would waive the 14 day quarantine al long as f1 has a workable way to not interact with anyone outside their own group. Lots of sports events are doing that kind of thing. In Bahrain, they were escorted to and from the airport to make sure they didn’t go anywhere except the track and the hotel.

But I doubt Australia will allow them to go. Australia is taking a very different approach to covid than Europe. They’re trying to eliminate the virus so they can stay properly open for business. Victoria, where Melbourne is, has been Covid free for the last 2 months. Absolutely no new cases in the community. They had some new cases just before Christmas. I’ll be shocked if they allow it to go ahead.

I can’t see Melbourne paying to host the race, without fans and all the revenue they bring in, which is the reason they host the race in the first place.

Charlie-Bravo wrote: »

The way things are going with Covid and the UK, I don't think there'll be personnel easily allowed to testing, let alone go to fly away races. I know there's a good 10 weeks or so until Australia, but it's not getting better in the UK.

Yeah but I think those sports teams are already doing their own private testing. The provincial rugby teams can privately test their whole staff and players if one person tests positive using the government provided , random tests.

I’d say the teams could all have good procedures to regularly test all the travelling staff and be able to prove their staff are covid-free at the time they travel.

I just don’t think Australia or Victoria or Melbourne will have any interest in hosting the race this year. It would cost them a fortune and have no fans to make the money back and brings risk of covid which would cost a fortune to close the economy to eradicate.

There’s always a game of chicken over who actually makes the decision to call off the race. They might all know there won’t be a race, but nobody wants to make the call because they become liable for the broken contracts. Chances of the race going ahead as planned are minimal.