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

vectra · 04-11-2020 2:32am

Ikozma wrote: »

What are the chances of mclaren challenging Mercedes nxt year with the merc engine and Danny ric/lando? I could see them battling hard with rb at the very least, also with the progress renault have made this year will Alonso pose a threat

Could possibly include Aston next year with Vettel if it works out.

Jordan 199 · 04-11-2020 4:25am

murphyebass wrote: »

Is Ocon really up to it?

I don't think he's doing a bad job at all to be honest. He has had bad luck when it comes to reliability issues compared to Ricciardo. Ricciardo retired from one race compared to four for Ocon.

muckwarrior · 04-11-2020 10:17am

Jordan 199 wrote: »

I don't think he's doing a bad job at all to be honest. He has had bad luck when it comes to reliability issues compared to Ricciardo. Ricciardo retired from one race compared to four for Ocon.

Yeah, I think it would be harsh to drop Ocon at this stage. But for reliability he should be closer to Ricciardo, and I don't think anyone expected him to actually beat Ricciardo. That said, if Alonso is still Alonso, he'll probably end up dominating Ocon, and that could be the end of his career.

Harika · 04-11-2020 1:25pm

Ikozma wrote: »

What are the chances of mclaren challenging Mercedes nxt year with the merc engine and Danny ric/lando? I could see them battling hard with rb at the very least, also with the progress renault have made this year will Alonso pose a threat

Low as they are still rebuilding. You have to give the new management team around Zak brown and Torsten Seidel all credit, they turned the ship around. Their engine might get the best but aerodynamic won't be. Mercedes is here outperforming red bull, don't forget that.
Midfield will be far closer, or we will see the Aston Martin, Renault and McLaren team distancing themselves a bit from Alpha Tauri and leaving Alfa, Haas, Williams further behind. Mercedes will be top dog, red bull behind and Ferrari is anyone's guess

afatbollix · 05-11-2020 1:13am

One thing about Albon is that Red Bull is owned by a Thai family, The Yoovidhya family who I'd say is very happy that they have a Thai driver in a seat.

(I know he's British but he races with a Thai license and has a Thai flag on his car)

The Asian market is huge 4 times bigger than Europe. It makes marketing sense to have an Asian in the car.

I personally think they will keep him for next year.

SMC92Ian · 05-11-2020 1:26am

muckwarrior wrote: »

if Alonso is still Alonso, he'll probably end up dominating Ocon, and that could be the end of his career.

Wouldn't be the first career Alonso has ruined, probably will politic his way around Alpine next year.

AMKC · 05-11-2020 11:14am

afatbollix wrote: »

One thing about Albon is that Red Bull is owned by a Thai family, The Yoovidhya family who I'd say is very happy that they have a Thai driver in a seat.

(I know he's British but he races with a Thai license and has a Thai flag on his car)

The Asian market is huge 4 times bigger than Europe. It makes marketing sense to have an Asian in the car.

I personally think they will keep him for next year.

Red Bulls problem is simple. They should just put Alex Albon in the Alpha Tuari and move Danill Kvyat to Red Bull.
I think Alex would do much better in the Alpha and Danill would have no problem now driving the Red Bull and do it better than Alex.

Harika · 05-11-2020 1:21pm

AMKC wrote: »

Red Bulls problem is simple. They should just put Alex Albon in the Alpha Tuari and move Danill Kvyat to Red Bull.
I think Alex would do much better in the Alpha and Danill would have no problem now driving the Red Bull and do it better than Alex.

Kyvat was fired already, makes them look like donkeys.
Still assume they want tsunoda for some kind of deal with Honda/Acura so gasly, tsunoda, Albon is one too many

AMKC · 05-11-2020 1:44pm

Harika wrote: »

Kyvat was fired already, makes them look like donkeys.
Still assume they want tsunoda for some kind of deal with Honda/Acura so gasly, tsunoda, Albon is one too many

True but he has improved since then.

Yes true if they pick Tsunoda them Alex is probably gone but I would put Tsunoda in the Alpha Tauri for a while and move Danill up to Red Bull still like I said before.

LollipopJimmy · 05-11-2020 2:27pm

I don't see how it would make them look like donkeys, he has improved over the last two seasons, no harm to give him a cracking of the whip.

The only thing is why were Albon and Gasly so much better in the Alphatauri than in the RB?

Adamocovic · 05-11-2020 2:40pm

afatbollix wrote: »

One thing about Albon is that Red Bull is owned by a Thai family, The Yoovidhya family who I'd say is very happy that they have a Thai driver in a seat.

(I know he's British but he races with a Thai license and has a Thai flag on his car)

The Asian market is huge 4 times bigger than Europe. It makes marketing sense to have an Asian in the car.

I personally think they will keep him for next year.

Jacques Villeneuve agrees with you anyway!

“He is only there through his passport, because he [Thai owner] owns half of the company and that’s why he is protected,”

He really does like to cause a stir in his interviews. Also said Albon was the worst second driver at Red Bull. Klein better keep his head down!

mickdw · 05-11-2020 2:44pm

Kyvat had some speed when at redbull. He is possibly worth a shot again but not really what they need in the 2nd car. Hulk is the man for the job.

recyclebin · 05-11-2020 2:53pm

I did not know Red Bull were half Thai owned. Thought they were Austrian. Explains the patience in not sacking Albon for being worse than Gasly was.

AMKC · 05-11-2020 4:48pm

recyclebin wrote: »

I did not know Red Bull were half Thai owned. Thought they were Austrian. Explains the patience in not sacking Albon for being worse than Gasly was.

Me either until today. Well you know what they say. You learn something new ever day

:

Anjobe · 05-11-2020 5:04pm

recyclebin wrote: »

I did not know Red Bull were half Thai owned. Thought they were Austrian. Explains the patience in not sacking Albon for being worse than Gasly was.

Krating Daeng came first, Mateschitz partnered with them to reformulate it and market it to Westerners.

I think the patience with Albon is more to do with (a) he wasn't as bad as Gasly had been initially even if he ended up worse, and (b) Red Bull didn't have anyone else ready to promote in his place. I feel a bit sorry for Albon now, he might have been up to it if he had a chance to develop as a driver in a less pressurized and more supportive environment, and it doesn't look like he will get another opportunity back in the junior team like Gasly and Kvyat had.

TCP/IP · 05-11-2020 5:13pm

So a night race in Saudi Arabia in 2021 - https://www.skysports.com/f1/news/12433/12124480/saudi-arabian-gp-to-join-formula-1-calendar-from-2021-season

Jordan 199 · 05-11-2020 5:27pm

I do like the night races. Bahrain looks better at night than day in my opinion.

chicorytip · 05-11-2020 5:30pm

AMKC wrote: »

True but he has improved since then.

Yes true if they pick Tsunoda them Alex is probably gone but I would put Tsunoda in the Alpha Tauri for a while and move Danill up to Red Bull still like I said before.

I don't think he has improved as a driver, in overall terms. He's quick but erratic and hot-headed, certainly not the consistent type of performer Red Bull are looking for. The best thing they can do is leave Albon there for another year and see if he can toughen up mentally. That seems to be his problem rather than a lack of driving skills.

Burkie1203 · 05-11-2020 6:33pm

https://twitter.com/RGrosjean/status/1323703526783070208?s=19

Sheeps · 05-11-2020 6:53pm

I wonder how many of the drivers will continue with the woke B.S with the knowledge they're (excluding the women and lgbt team members) will be going to be racing in Saudi Arabia next year?

Man with broke phone · 05-11-2020 7:22pm

Sheeps wrote: »

I wonder how many of the drivers will continue with the woke B.S with the knowledge they're (excluding the women and lgbt team members) will be going to be racing in Saudi Arabia next year?

I know one fella who will be using his voice to advertise corporate brands while he pretends to care.

AMKC · 05-11-2020 7:24pm

chicorytip wrote: »

I don't think he has improved as a driver, in overall terms. He's quick but erratic and hot-headed, certainly not the consistent type of performer Red Bull are looking for. The best thing they can do is leave Albon there for another year and see if he can toughen up mentally. That seems to be his problem rather than a lack of driving skills.

I do. He does not take people out in races anymore for one and has had some good racing as well. Maybe he was erratic and hot-headed but not now. I think he would be a very good number two beside Verstappen now just what Red Bull need

AMKC · 05-11-2020 7:34pm

Sheeps wrote: »

I wonder how many of the drivers will continue with the woke B.S with the knowledge they're (excluding the women and lgbt team members) will be going to be racing in Saudi Arabia next year?

I do not like that they are going there but also can not see them stopping the women members of any team or any lgbt members either as its doubtful they would know who is and it's not like that is anyone elsees business as that's private anyway. Also most of the PRs are Female.

05-11-2020 7:41pm

Hope none of the lads were in Israel in the last few years or they'll be out the cost of a new passport.

Sheeps · 05-11-2020 8:16pm

AMKC wrote: »

I do not like that they are going there but also can not see them stopping the women members of any team or any lgbt members either as its doubtful they would know who is and it's not like that is anyone elsees business as that's private anyway. Also most of the PRs are Female.

If you were openly LGBT here would you go in the knowledge you could be imprisoned or executed if they caught you? The point is that it's not private business in Saudi Arabia.

donspeekinglesh · 05-11-2020 8:39pm

AMKC wrote: »

I do not like that they are going there but also can not see them stopping the women members of any team or any lgbt members either as its doubtful they would know who is and it's not like that is anyone elsees business as that's private anyway. Also most of the PRs are Female.

There was no problem with women team members or press when Formula E was there a few years ago. Don't know if there's any openly LGBT+ members of that paddock though.

This is a good read actually: https://medium.com/@piratemoggy/what-its-actually-like-to-visit-riyadh-alone-for-formula-e-ce88cfc0f4cd

pjohnson · 05-11-2020 8:50pm

AMKC wrote: »

I do not like that they are going there but also can not see them stopping the women members of any team or any lgbt members either as its doubtful they would know who is and it's not like that is anyone elsees business as that's private anyway. Also most of the PRs are Female.

Both Alfa Romeo (Ruth Buscombe) and Racing Point/Aston Martin (Bernie Collins - Irish) have female heads of strategy.

Racing Point also have at least one female mechanic and possibly another female engineer in the pit crew.

Adamocovic · 05-11-2020 9:58pm

Kvyat is a weird one for me. I always felt he was hard done by.

His first full season with RB he finished ahead of Ricciardo in the standings. Had less finishes outside of the top 10 too. People may argue his car was more reliable and that Ricciardo out-qualified him (12-7) but I still thought it was a bright first season.

Ricciardo had just gotten out of beating Vettel the previous year, and he was (still is) one of the most competitive drivers on the grid.

Yes Kvyat wasn't perfect, but was looking promising. Helmut Marko was pushing and pushing him. I know he is demanding but it's not surprising Kvyat drove aggressively with Helmut pushing him towards that.

I think a lot of it had to do with who was next in line. Verstappen. He had all the talent, was wanted by the top teams, and there was pressure to promote him.

After the collision from Kvyat it offered them the best chance. Funny to think two races before he was dropped he was standing on the podium. Dropping him after 4 races always felt too soon to me, but it worked out in the long run with Max dominating.

Personally, still think people look back painting him as much worse than he was. Was he the finished product? No. Definitely not. But he had shown a lot of promise.

Delighted he's got back his swagger and his mentality has improved. Seeing the same for Gasly in my mind. Two drivers with chips on their shoulders.

Charlie-Bravo · 05-11-2020 11:06pm

The FIA are banning use of 3D imaging or forms of scanning to replicate other teams' aero designs. Which is a bit rich since development over the years is all based on copying designs. How in hell will any team catch up with Merc if they can't copy the idea and make it better.

Conversely, Racing Point did a good copy of the Merc but really haven't been at the races since the first few races this year.

I don't know, is banning this technique a good idea to limit teams how they develope their cars?

Ikozma · 05-11-2020 11:30pm

LollipopJimmy wrote: »

I don't see how it would make them look like donkeys, he has improved over the last two seasons, no harm to give him a cracking of the whip.

The only thing is why were Albon and Gasly so much better in the Alphatauri than in the RB?

Less pressure I'd imagine

Ikozma · 05-11-2020 11:38pm

For fun, what's your top 5 in order favourite drivers at the moment, not necessarily the best
Mine would be
Danny ric
Lando
Gasly
Albon
Ocon

mickdw · 05-11-2020 11:47pm

Ikozma wrote: »

For fun, what's your top 5 in order favourite drivers at the moment, not necessarily the best
Mine would be
Danny ric
Lando
Gasly
Albon
Ocon

Ricciardo
Albon
Norris
Sainz
Leclerc.

GarIT · 05-11-2020 11:47pm

Räikkönen
Verstappen
Vettel
Ricciardo
Grosjean

I used to hate Verstappen but if I'm remembering correctly he didn't Kneel at the first few races and his comments on the last race or two improved my opinion of him, saying things that normal people say and not giving a **** about PR/PC ****e.
I think I might like Vettel and Grosjean as extensions of Kimi when they were racing with him.

Ikozma · 05-11-2020 11:53pm

GarIT wrote: »

Räikkönen
Verstappen
Vettel
Ricciardo
Grosjean

I used to hate Verstappen but if I'm remembering correctly he didn't Kneel at the first few races and his comments on the last race or two improved my opinion of him.
I think I might like Vettel and Grosjean as extensions of Kimi when they were racing with him.

You like the grumpy type obviously lol!

tipp_tipp_tipp · 05-11-2020 11:57pm

Danny Ric
Norris
LeClerc
Vettel
Hamilton

GarIT · 05-11-2020 11:58pm

Ikozma wrote: »

You like the grumpy type obviously lol!

Except ricciardo. It's so tough, I'd probably include lando as 6, and Hulk and Alonso if they counted.

Ikozma · 06-11-2020 12:00am

Danny ríc seems very popular, I'm happy about that

Jordan 199 · 06-11-2020 12:03am

Ikozma wrote: »

Danny ríc seems very popular, I'm happy about that

It's very hard to dislike him.

This is it · 06-11-2020 12:07am

Ikozma wrote: »

For fun, what's your top 5 in order favourite drivers at the moment, not necessarily the best
Mine would be
Danny ric
Lando
Gasly
Albon
Ocon

LeClerc
Ricardo
Sainz
Gasly
Norris

Special mention for Vettel too, big fan

Adamocovic · 06-11-2020 12:10am

Ikozma wrote: »

For fun, what's your top 5 in order favourite drivers at the moment, not necessarily the best
Mine would be
Danny ric
Lando
Gasly
Albon
Ocon

It’s promising that so many people have the young future drivers there!

For me it’s:
Lando
Ricciardo
Sainz
Russell
Vettel

muckwarrior · 06-11-2020 12:13am

pjohnson wrote: »

It doesnt stop the thread being dragged to shíte with the soapboxing. And this is the only thread for the 2020 season so when its dragged to the gutter by that one poster it affects the whole thread on everyone else.

Two posters!

artanevilla · 06-11-2020 12:26am

Kimi
Ricciardo
Norris
Russell
Vettel

H8GHOTI · 06-11-2020 12:39am

astrofluff wrote: »

...
Conversely, Racing Point did a good copy of the Merc but really haven't been at the races since the first few races this year...

Seems like since the legal challenge they went to shįt. Shame, it was a promising start but they’ve obviously made some change even though they were told they could keep using those brake ducts.

recyclebin · 06-11-2020 10:24am

I usually support the McLaren drivers and ex drivers so:
Norris
Sainz
Kimi
Perez
Magnussen
Hamilton

I'll add Ricciardo to my list next season but this season he's the competition for third in constructors. Alonso is probably the only ex McLaren that I dislike due to his toxic attitude in both stints he had at the team. I probably won't be cheering for Sainz next season as Ferrari are probably my least favourite team.

skipper_G · 06-11-2020 10:28am

Ikozma wrote: »

For fun, what's your top 5 in order favourite drivers at the moment, not necessarily the best
Mine would be
Danny ric
Lando
Gasly
Albon
Ocon

Perez
Leclerc
Verstappen
Norris
Ricciardo

aidyhawse · 06-11-2020 10:37am

Räikkönen
Ricciardo
Sainz
Vettel
Hülkenberg (Done a few races this year so technically counts in my opinion)

Joeface · 06-11-2020 10:41am

my list is odd

Vettel
Sainz
Kyvatt
Gasly
Riccardo

I suddenly realise they are all EX Redbull , No affiliation for the Top 3 looking at the lists . I can only assume is cause we don't actually see them race , just drive off into the sunset

h3000 · 06-11-2020 11:11am

Ricciardo
Vettel
Sainz
Norris
Albon.. I like the guy. I wish things went better for him.

AMKC · 06-11-2020 11:57am

Daniel Ricciardo
Lando Norris,
Carlos Seinz,
Charles Leclerc,
George Russel

And Nico Hulkenberg too but only 6th because he is not full time racing.

vectra · 06-11-2020 12:10pm

muckwarrior wrote: »

Two posters!

NONE now since the ONE has apparently stopped posting

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

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