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Post by René on Oct 17, 2018 15:23:42 GMT
The big question is: can Lewis wrap up the title this weekend? Or will we see a last minute resurrection of the Maranello squad? The title is surely lost for Ferrari but a strong end to the season would be deserved after a good season. Just read they placed a few extra high kerbstones in turn 16 and 17 to avoid another overtake 'à la Max' that we saw last year... Anyway, I hope we will see a good race. It's about time!
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Post by robmarsh on Oct 17, 2018 16:05:34 GMT
I like this track. I am pumping for Vettel once again and a double retirement for the Mercs
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Post by chrisb on Oct 17, 2018 16:05:48 GMT
I like this circuit, like so many US circuits it has an 'edge' to it, no Tilkedom in this kingdom, It is on my list of circuits to visit, just not quite sure how I would manage to see all the ones I want to visit,
I have gone for Riccy - on the basis of, why the hell not, in reality the way Hamilton is driving at the moment if anyone gets close I would be mightily impressed.
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Post by Carl on Oct 17, 2018 16:17:52 GMT
COTA has a number of excellent corners, but it needs a less pretentious name (Austin Turns?) and removal of the trackside cosmetics, a pointless distraction also blighting the renovated Paul Ricard.
I choose the unpretentious Kimi Raikkonen.
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Post by chrisb on Oct 19, 2018 9:30:15 GMT
Carl, I caught something on you-tube about Kimi - he really is a very funny guy, and I can see why Seb wanted him to stay, not just because of the secondary role but because he relaxes him, or rather brings Seb back down to earth without trying to, a real cool dude,
I di wonder how did Kimi and Juan Pablo got on?
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Post by René on Oct 19, 2018 15:34:48 GMT
COTA has a number of excellent corners, but it needs a less pretentious name (Austin Turns?) and removal of the trackside cosmetics, a pointless distraction also blighting the renovated Paul Ricard. Yes, if they replaced the painted run-off tarmac with grass the track would actually be a beauty. Even if the best corners are copies from exisiting tracks. But certainly one of the best 'new' tracks.
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Post by Carl on Oct 19, 2018 15:59:02 GMT
A name that few will ever say and trackside bordello cosmetics are silly, but corners that resemble the best is pretty cool. Ideally, a natural terrain road course would be unique to its terrain, but what if the terrain is dull? Texas has few natural features beyond cacti, chaparral, a few rivers and AJ Foyt. In its embrace of spartan deprivation, Texas even brags about being the Lone Star State.
The steep uphill, blind entry and steep descent leading into fast esses is fairly unique, isn't it? I also really like the triple apex turn around the observation tower.
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Post by René on Oct 19, 2018 19:50:16 GMT
A name that few will ever say and trackside bordello cosmetics are silly, but corners that resemble the best is pretty cool. Ideally, a natural terrain road course would be unique to its terrain, but what if the terrain is dull? Texas has few natural features beyond cacti, chaparral, a few rivers and AJ Foyt. In its embrace of spartan deprivation, Texas even brags about being the Lone Star State. The steep uphill, blind entry and steep descent leading into fast esses is fairly unique, isn't it? I also really like the triple apex turn around the observation tower. Absolutely, the uphill and turn 1 are unique and give the track charachter. It's a good track for sure. Out of interest, how is F1 doing in the States according to your experience? The crowds are always good at COTA but how does F1 compare to Indycar or NASCAR in the US? And how big is the sport and racing in general in the States?
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Post by Jamie on Oct 19, 2018 21:07:56 GMT
Hamilton’s taking the mickey today.....I doubt Seb could win an argument at the moment, a three place grid penalty already.....Lady Luck has deserted him for sure.
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Post by René on Oct 19, 2018 21:56:20 GMT
Hamilton’s taking the mickey today.....I doubt Seb could win an argument at the moment, a three place grid penalty already.....Lady Luck has deserted him for sure. Yes, it seems nothing is coming Ferrari's way anymore... Murphy's law.
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Post by Carl on Oct 20, 2018 3:40:43 GMT
A name that few will ever say and trackside bordello cosmetics are silly, but corners that resemble the best is pretty cool. Ideally, a natural terrain road course would be unique to its terrain, but what if the terrain is dull? Texas has few natural features beyond cacti, chaparral, a few rivers and AJ Foyt. In its embrace of spartan deprivation, Texas even brags about being the Lone Star State. The steep uphill, blind entry and steep descent leading into fast esses is fairly unique, isn't it? I also really like the triple apex turn around the observation tower. Absolutely, the uphill and turn 1 are unique and give the track charachter. It's a good track for sure. Out of interest, how is F1 doing in the States according to your experience? The crowds are always good at COTA but how does F1 compare to Indycar or NASCAR in the US? And how big is the sport and racing in general in the States? Rene, The interest in Formula One has waned somewhat but remains strong. There have been too many unsuitable tracks over the years, so continuity has suffered. IndyCar continues to improve while F1 aerodynamics discourage close racing, so the balance has shifted. Those two series attract the more serious and knowledgeable fans but there is also wonderful USAC dirt track racing on 1/4 and 1/2 mile tracks, most popular in the midwest heartland states. The ignorance of NASCAR fans is astounding. Many were stunned by the speed differential at the newly built 2 mile oval, California Speedway, not understanding that a light and sleek single-seater with massive horsepower could lap 50 mph faster than Dale Earnhardt. The series was hugely popular in the 90s and early 2000s, but incompetence and disinterest in the third generation France family dynasty has seriously degraded quality, attendance and television audiences. Nowadays, half the grandstands are often empty at popular tracks once certain to sell every seat.
How to appear more depraved than Bernie Ecclestone:
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Post by robmarsh on Oct 20, 2018 6:50:04 GMT
The "conventional wisdom" for family owned businesses is that the first generation founds the business the second generation improves it and the third generation destroys it. NASCAR won't be the first to follow this path.
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Post by René on Oct 20, 2018 20:18:44 GMT
Absolutely, the uphill and turn 1 are unique and give the track charachter. It's a good track for sure. Out of interest, how is F1 doing in the States according to your experience? The crowds are always good at COTA but how does F1 compare to Indycar or NASCAR in the US? And how big is the sport and racing in general in the States? Rene, The interest in Formula One has waned somewhat but remains strong. There have been too many unsuitable tracks over the years, so continuity has suffered. IndyCar continues to improve while F1 aerodynamics discourage close racing, so the balance has shifted. Those two series attract the more serious and knowledgeable fans but there is also wonderful USAC dirt track racing on 1/4 and 1/2 mile tracks, most popular in the midwest heartland states. The ignorance of NASCAR fans is astounding. Many were stunned by the speed differential at the newly built 2 mile oval, California Speedway, not understanding that a light and sleek single-seater with massive horsepower could lap 50 mph faster than Dale Earnhardt. The series was hugely popular in the 90s and early 2000s, but incompetence and disinterest in the third generation France family dynasty has seriously degraded quality, attendance and television audiences. Nowadays, half the grandstands are often empty at popular tracks once certain to sell every seat. How to appear more depraved than Bernie Ecclestone:
Thank you Carl. I guess NASCAR has always been another world but it used to be better than what it is now. Can still remember seeing the first NASCAR races on Eurosport in the 90s and they were quite spectacular at times. Not on the same level as F1 or Indycar, by far, but I still enjoyed watching the occasional race. Not anymore. The article about Brian France is interesting to say the least.
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Post by René on Oct 20, 2018 20:22:26 GMT
Well, FP3 is looking a lot better for Ferrari. Maybe we still have a race on our hands. Ok, Seb has a grid penalty but if he gets pole he will start 4th. Who knows. I'm getting all excited and geared up again.... FORZA FERRARI
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Post by Carl on Oct 20, 2018 20:43:49 GMT
Watching a dry and clear FP3, I noticed the trackside bordello cosmetics are nicely toned down from previous years. Good to see that, and also the great crowd! Poor Martin Brundle was wasted in a helicopter from which he could see far less detail than on the ground at various corners, where his great knowledge excels. They should have sent David Croft and Paul di Resta aloft instead and simply disconnected their audio. The British announcers (whose names I haven't learned) on CBS Sports broadcasts of British Touring Cars are far better than those two. Four IndyCar drivers were visiting in different garages during FP2 and FP3. J.R. Hildebrand, who almost won the 2011 Indianapolis 500 but for rookie enthusiasm in the final turn, was talking extensively with Fernando Alonso. Josef Newgarden knew he was on camera and doing his best to look fierce to impress Helmut Marko while Conor Daly and Alexander Rossi, neither one auditioning, were more relaxed.
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