A Dutch website www.netherlandsnewslive.com has quoted Helmut Marko saying RB may replace Max’s engine at Sochi but they’re going to wait for qualifying and look at the weather forecast before making a decision. He didn’t seem to mention the other grid penalty. I think they’ll do it.
I've seen alot of screenshotsof of weather forecasts varying from rain to washout conditions on twitter today for sochi, if redbull gave max a new engine and there was another Spa type scenario with a cancelled race and half points awarded it would be a well played move.
The surrounding forest was a big factor in conditions not clearing in Spa. Remember it wasn't actually monsoon conditions like what we've seen in Asian rounds. It was just persistent rain with no chance of draining away.
Any other track on the calendar with those exact same weather conditions would get a race going. Even Hockenheim. (although the old track might be questioned) Unless it's monsoon conditions, we should be OK for a wet race.
In light of the statement they released after Spa I don't think the FIA will award any points without some sort of racing taking place so it could be no points for anybody if its a total washout. That would still be good for RB if they do decide to replace it.
Yeah I'd say you're right about that. Unless they could do a serious attempt at racing then they won't do that again.
But here's a question. If max took a penalty and they don't do the race, would the penalty roll over to the next actual race?
Whitmarsh joining Aston Martin, with Otmar reporting to him. I think it was inevitable that there was going to be some changes within the team given their performance this year. I wouldn't be surprised to see Otmar moved on at the end of the year with Whitmarsh taking over as CEO and team principle.
So Honda have introduced a new battery pack, and for sometime now. And I thought Merc were sneaky!
Sounds like it is lighter, more efficient and yields more power!
In fairness, its not sneaky so much as its using an upgrade much later than Mercedes. Merc was organised enough to use the upgrade at the start of the year. Ferrari had the engine cheating stuff in 2018 so their programme was set back as they had to design a whole new engine. Honda has always been playing catch up and they designed a brand new engine for this year too. So they're just late introducing their full allowance of new engine parts.
Ferrari will only get the last few races of the year out of their newest parts where Mercedes are getting the whole 2021 season out of theirs.
Great news for a Max fan or anyone who wants to see a change from Hamilton winning again.
Thought Merc only introduced theirs a few races ago?
I thought they used their allocations at the start of the season but i could be wrong. There are a few different components and different schedules for different parts of the engine (ice, MGU K and H).
I saw a list of components and which ones everyone took. I'll see if I can find it.
There are other areas that teams can still improve their PU, software plays a part so it might have been that. I remember a comment about derating at the end of straights.
Fair enough. Software and thst kind of thing is probably a whole industry in itself. I don't think that was covered by the components allowances.
I remember Honda made some big changes for reliability reasons before the summer break. That would give them performance gains as they could run the engine harder because of the better reliability.
I feel Taylor and Virgo are just familiar at this stage. I don't think they're any better commentators than the whole load of younger players coming through. Some a not good, but the ones that are good are as good as the two old boys. Mcmanus gives good technical insights, Hendry is very critical and Ken offers good positive chit-chat.
Nothing wrong with promoting the younger lads and getting rid of dead wood. Taylor is like an old version of Ken offering nice chit-chat but his references are 30 years out of date. He comes across as a sound man but miles out of date for the job. I don't think Virgo was ever that great as a commentator. But he was familiar.
They'll never beat this guy though.
Yeah his enthusiasm was infectious. I started following in 1998 and by that stage he was getting very confused and made it hard to follow at times. He was still good but he would never have gotten the gig in the first place if he was mixing up drivers and teams and all the rest.
But he's iconic. Nothing wrong with moving on, even from a legend like Walker, when their time has passed.
Just realised this is in the wrong thread! Meant to post about the commentators I the snooker thread. Ah, it might as well stay here know.
I figured as much, I just thought I'd save your blushes by steering it back to a motorsports connection.
Head of Netflix considering buying the live rights
https://www.formel1.de/news/business/2021-09-22/netflix-ceo-ueber-formel-1-liverechte-wuerden-darueber-nachdenken
Tsunoda explains he was surprised to get another year in F1 with Alpha Tauri. Didn't see\read the interview but sounds like he is being modest.
Coulthard comes out and said "he should pack his little bag and go home, this is not the voice of a racing driver, after next year he has no place in F1".
Seems a bit strong.
Bit harsh from Coultard maybe, I think Tsunoda had performed as expected, competitive with his teammate in a non competitive car and has prob done enough to get another chance! Coultard is old stock from back when it was a prerequisite to be a bit c*nty if you wanted to be an F1 driver. Nothing wrong with Tsu being honest…. Provided he’s a prick on track of course!
Do you think Tsunode has been competitive with Gasley? I don't think he's been within an ass's roar of Gasley this year.
His debut and Baku are the only races where he's been remotely close to Gasly. He's lucky to get another year I think.
Jesus absolute brainfart from me! My bad! I was thinking he’s with Williams for god knows what reason 🙈 no he hasn’t been competitive with Gasly…. I take it all back😂😂
It's just Alfa seat 2 that's left isn't it?
Technically Yep.
But theres quite a lot of reports that Guanyu Zhou has bought that seat for 35m.
It cant be announced until F2 season is over.
Makes sense for Haas to keep the 2 lads. This year's car isn't indicative of anything and it's all about next year for Haas. Schumacher has shown some potential, Mazepin hasn't shown much of anything good but he brings the money.
Tsunoda was never in any danger really. Unless RB decided to parachute Albon into the AT or bring back Kvyat again. Neither were likely.
Mazepin is on this week's Beyond the Grid. Comes across as quite normal and even likeable, surprisingly.
I would argue Albon is better than Tsunoda has been this season. But RB doesn't rate either Albon or Gasley so it's not surprising that they stuck with him through lack of options
I too think Tsunoda is very lucky to get another year and understand where Coulthard is coming from. It's almost like Tsunado was hoping to be dropped and was surprised he was kept and he should have been very happy for that maybe praise the team and say he will do better instead he says he was surprised he was kept himself as he did not think he would be on the grid next year.
It was a bit harsh from Coulthard but he said that at Monza.
Tsunado should have just said he was surprised but then said what I said above.
As for Haas I agree with keeping the two drivers. It would have been harsh to drop them but next year they and the team will have to do better.
Tsunoda was very quick in F2, Mazepin wasn't that quick at all. When Tsunoda came into F1 he did have a good race at the start but he is a little too hot headed, and is not thinking before he acts/speaks. He needs a mentor to give him the right focus, such as someone who is a past driver. Maybe Coultard should step up!
