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

Interestingly its entirely controller by Pirelli, the manufacturers have little say in the schedule.

Seen next years front wing on the mule Alpine, looks nuts

That's not next year's wing. It's the wing from the Renault 2018 car.

Indeed it is not. Sport isn't real life. People watch sport because it's separated from real life. I chat to friends who dislike technology and VAR in football because it removes the mystery and the difference of opinion. It solves the problems of whether the ball was over the line or whether it was a hand ball or not. They prefer the debate to knowing the answer.

Sport without controversy would be in trouble. More people are interested in this season and this finale then ever before. I think the real fans overstate the problems caused by a new viewer or casual fan watching something like this. Even seasoned fans didn't know what was happening at the time but it was still brilliant to watch.

Casual fans get swept along on the wave of emotion created by the real fans. As long as people are interested then it's hunky dory.

Yeah next years cars are 100% different from front to back in terms of bodywork and aero, they can’t just slap a new front wing on a current car and get any kind of useful data.

Everyone is assuming that it’s just going to be Mercedes vs Red Bull again but it would be very surprising to me if there isn’t a shake up with the new rules. Personally I expect Mercedes to still be strong with that dominant engine, but my money would be on Ferrari to produce the best chassis based on nothing other than the fact that they’ve had the freedom to put all their focus on next year while the others battled for the championship. Testing next year should be very interesting.

What F1 bullshit?

In a boat race?

Because of partners?

I can see Hamilton and Russel doing a Jack and Rose at the bow

I imagine it's a way for them to continue to invest in aero etc without it being considered part of their F1 budget.

Mercedes continuing to be sore losers

Do the driver contracts for 2021 end at the end of the last race? Are Kimi & Gio now officially not in F1, and is Bottas officially an Alfa driver?

I think in soccer (basing this on Football manager only) the usual date to switch contract is July 1st, not the last day of season. What's the usual here?

The piece in the Indo was reprinted from The Telegraph from someone I've never heard of. So the quality is about what you can expect.

Don't know why the Indo couldn't get David Kennedy to do a bit for them instead of reprinting rubbish from the Torygraph.

I'd forgotten about Declan. He's a good writer. Anyway, either would have done a better job than what was printed.

LED lights might look cool, but are they allowed under regs? Just another thing to fly off the car if there's a crash.

I'm not sure, but I wheely like them.

Mercedes didn't show up for the FIA Awards pre-ceremony today in Paris and there's rumours flying that they won't appear at the prize giving tomorrow night to pick up the constructors trophy. Seems very petty if they don't.