Formula 1 2020 - General Discussion Thread (See MOD warning on first post)

astrofluff wrote: »

First time in a new car? No problem, says Max in Spain 2016.

Bit of a gift with the Mercs canceling each other out (this is why Wolff doesn't want another Rosberg hungry driver in his team) and Danny Ric getting shafted with the strategy.

H3llR4iser wrote: »

Let's be clear - there's no way Mercedes are gonna "shaft" Hamilton, unless he decides he wants to be a singer/designer/whatever he fancies for 2021. He is an integral part of the team, it's not just an employer-employee relationship where "hey, someone younger and cheaper than you came around, thanks and feck off, please!".

Not only that, but for the brand it would be a spectacular own goal, because the narrative would immediately shift from that of the "perfect winning machine" to an "ungrateful bunch of Krauts" (although there is hardly a German in that team ) in a matter of minutes...

He still needs to bring the world title number 8 ... That is reason enough

billybonkers wrote: »

George posted the fastest time in the W10 in post season testing last year on 2020 tyres too. Did over 800km

2 tenths ahead of Leclerc

With 3 practise session and qualifying he should have more than enough time to get used to the car

It’s not as much his use of the car I’d be concerned about. Rather how he deals with where he will be racing.

Sure he was up there winning and competing in F2 but he’s been way down the pecking order for two seasons now.

Will be completely different pace being up in the mix now. Really depends on his decision making and bottle when it comes to overtaking or defending. Be interesting to see how he does mentally.

KMag has signed for a full season with Chip Ganassi Racing in IMSA
https://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/kevin-magnussen-van-der-zande-in-cgr-cadillac-dpi/

ELM327 wrote: »

Like they did for Ferrari in the early 2000's

I suppose so. It’s already too late now. Best chance is that Mercedes balls up the 2022 regulations changes. I wouldn’t want to hang my hopes on that happening.

A Canadian one?

ELM327 wrote: »

Like they did for Ferrari in the early 2000's

Funny that the FIA did quite a bit to stop Ferrari back then but only really succeeded in 2005 with the tire ruling.

Merc really haven't had rules changes that stifle them (or try to) ever.

Gintonious wrote: »

Funny that the FIA did quite a bit to stop Ferrari back then but only really succeeded in 2005 with the tire ruling.

Merc really haven't had rules changes that stifle them (or try to) ever.

What was the tire ruling?

Deleted User wrote: »

No tyre changes through the race.

The FIA weren't just against Ferrari the entire time though, it was 03 or 04 Michelin were taking the piss by having lots of tyre left when the grooves were almost non-existent which gave their teams a boost. FIA then clarified that the grooves had to still be in the tyres even when worn.

Yes but the only front running Bridgestone team going into 05 were ferrari. Williams and Mclaren were on michelin. It's well held tht the ruling benefited those on michelins

Deleted User wrote: »

I meant more that while they did try to rein in Ferrari they weren't completely unfair, as in the minimum groove ruling. Because while it did help Ferrari (Bridgestone) which they didn't really want to do it had to be done for the integrity of the racing.

Yeah Michelin really took the piss with the regulations in 03. And while the FIA and race organisers took a lot of flack for the 05 US GP farce, the problem was ultimately caused by Michelin bringing unsafe tyres. I wouldn't want to see them in F1 again.

Bridgestone always played by the rules and left a safe margin, but it really hurt their pace with the 05 regulations.

The FIA never directly intervened to slow one team down or speed another team up, but what they did do was roll the dice every year with major reg changes designed to force Ferrari back to the drawing board along with the other teams, in the hope that someone else would do a better job at some point.

That's been the big problem with the hybrid era, Mercedes started with a massive head start in 2014 and since then the entire sport has been organised around stable rules where everyone just gradually evolves the previous year's car, making it impossible for existing gaps to ever be overcome as all the teams develop at a roughly similar pace as long as there are no major changes in the regulations.

quokula wrote: »

Yeah Michelin really took the piss with the regulations in 03. And while the FIA and race organisers took a lot of flack for the 05 US GP farce, the problem was ultimately caused by Michelin bringing unsafe tyres. I wouldn't want to see them in F1 again.

Bridgestone always played by the rules and left a safe margin, but it really hurt their pace with the 05 regulations.

The FIA never directly intervened to slow one team down or speed another team up, but what they did do was roll the dice every year with major reg changes designed to force Ferrari back to the drawing board along with the other teams, in the hope that someone else would do a better job at some point.

That's been the big problem with the hybrid era, Mercedes started with a massive head start in 2014 and since then the entire sport has been organised around stable rules where everyone just gradually evolves the previous year's car, making it impossible for existing gaps to ever be overcome as all the teams develop at a roughly similar pace as long as there are no major changes in the regulations.

Your understanding of stability and how it impacts the gap between teams is inaccurate. Stable rules mean more marginal gains across the board, and thus closing the gap between teams. Massive rule changes fundamentally favour teams with more resources and money. Mercedes can just throw another lot of people at the new car while keeping a separate chain of developments moving on the existing package. Also the claim of a head start to the 2014 rules is not only inaccurate but untrue, same rules for all teams and manufacturers.

First time since Italy 2001 that 2 drivers make mid season F1 debuts at the same race.

Can anyone else name those two?

kksaints wrote: »

Was one Tomas Enge?

Alex yoong for the second?

Bingo