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

Turkish Grand Prix this weekend 😎

The whole track has been power washed for this weekend to make sure it isnt too much of a fun watch

Resurface it just before the race, like Turkey last year!

Yeah, in a joke anything's possible.

It was a joke based on the improbability of them doing it and the unexpectedly exciting race we got from Turkey when they resurfaced their track too close to the race last year. It wasn't a serious suggestion

According to a leaked calendar for next year, Monaco is going to change form a 4 day race with practice on Thursday and a day off on Friday, the the normal 3 day weekend with practice on Friday.

I can't say it make s much difference to me. I think it's the turd in the F1 crown and only produces good races occasionally, in spite of the terrible track. But I'm sure people will have strong opinions about changing anything to do with Monaco.

Think of those looking to party in the Amber Lounge!

Bernie sprinklers.

Saturday looks fairly wet, then scattered showers on Sunday.

Low grip fun!

By chance, I watched the Moto GP this weekend. Was quite amazing seeing the bikes react to turn 1 (I think) and how the riders managed to keep hold of them.

Commentators reckoned it was the weather conditions and no amount of resurafing would solve it in the long run. Once the rain season kicks in, any work would be undone.

Pretty much. There's a teaser on their social media. Linked to it in the Turkish GP thread.

Mercedes-Benz will be hoping that the commemorative livery brings Red Bull as much luck as they had in Germany a couple of years ago.

They have had lots if special livery do. Remember the one for David Coulthard at his last race in Brazil 2008 was it? Unfortuntly he crashed on the first lap.

There have been a few others too for what I am not sure. See them when Channel 4 has there highlights from the Red Bull centre like at the Russian race.

Here is a video on some of them after a little bit on the history of Red Bull it starts on the liverys from 1 minute 40 in,

https://youtu.be/-yX9dBSXrIU

Apparently this is the livery

I think it looks great. As a one-off it's a lovely change.

That will be savage on track. I believe AT are running a special livery also.

I dont like the way it looks but I never like red and white mixed on cars, the japanese script is cool though they should keep that.

Blasphemy

The FAI are testing out new gloves on five of the drivers at the Turkish GP. Lewis Hamilton, Sebastien Vettal Carlos Seinz, George Russell and Daniel Riccardo are all using these new gloves that are supposed to offer better fire protection than the current FAI F1 gloves and still give the drivers the feel they want. Be interesting to see what the drivers say about them.

I think the livery looks great, it's just such a shame they don't get to run it in Japan.

It sounds like Honda are slowing down their retreat from F1 somewhat and maintaining a closer relationship with Red Bull than it seemed previously, probably due to the unexpected success of this year. They probably don't want a repeat of Brawn GP.

Lol I meant the FIA. Not my fault they are so similar.

Piastri seems like a genuine prospect, much more so than Zhou.

Rumours also of Andretti buying Sauber/Alfa, which might make a pay driver less necessary, and also pave the way for an American.

I mean, I want to be excited but I think you're probably right.

Joe saward is always talking about how team owners know they can run another racing team (like an indy team) well so they think they can run an F1 team, but that's not how it works. He says f1 has a unique culture which means it takes inside knowledge of F1 to make it work. But you'd have to think Andretti would have the kind of racing knowledge to make F1 work IF they have the budget.

Sauber is a great story of survival in F1 as a team who has never really achieved anything note and never really competed at the front. But it would be great if they were taken over by someone with a budget and racing knowledge who could make them competitive at/towards the front.

Think criminally underrated is an exaggeration. He plays his second driver role well and given the choice, I think most would take Bottas over Perez. That said, think most would take Hamilton, Vertsappen, Norris, LeClerc, Alonso, Russell, Gasly, possibly Ricciardo & Sainz over him and would expect them to better his results in the Merc so he is middle of the pack ability wise.

I hope he gets a win before he leaves the team. Great opportunity today.

I think thats more a result of Verstappen driving better and a much improved Red Bull this year than anything else. As bad as Bottas has been, the constructors is as good as lost unless Perez improves. Always seems to be on the back foot after Saturdays, having to gamble on strategy to get him into the mix.

Really Bottas is the man redbull need.

Perez isn't right where he needs to be all the time. Bottas would arguably be a tenth or 2 off Verstappen all year long and able to win when Verstappen can't.

Will be interesting to see him in the Alfa next year though.