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Post by René on Mar 13, 2019 19:13:12 GMT
After a long winter wait, the 2019 Formula One World Championship is finally about to begin! As always a lot of excitement and expectations for a new season but maybe this year even more than usual with new rules and a lot of changes with driver/team/engine combinations. What can Leclerc and Gasly do in a top team? How will Honda perform? Can Ferrari translate its testing form to race success? How will the rookies do? Can homeboy Ricciardo make his mark at Renault and finally have a descent finish in Melbourne? How will Kimi do at Alfa and what about Kubica? Or will it be Hamilton and Mercedes all over again? Too many questions but a lot to look forward to! Let the games begin!  |
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Post by chrisb on Mar 13, 2019 20:38:07 GMT
I do think Hamilton will win this weekend, but, I would like to see Ricciardo or the Hulk
there are some interesting articles on MS forum and Stefan Johansson's opinion is a voice of sanity and hope?
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Post by René on Mar 15, 2019 16:23:33 GMT
I had a short night to watch the first free practice live, just to see the cars finally in action on track. Always a great feeling when the first race weekend has finally begun! Mercedes obviously very fast and a very subdued Ferrari. But like most experts (including Mark Hughes) I am still confident Ferrari has the strongest package. Certainly when looking at the long run pace of Leclerc on the hards which was just as fast as Vettel on the softs. This indicates Ferrari still has something in reserve. And they usually make a big step from Friday to Saturday. If they don’t, that would be a big surprise.
Red Bull-Honda looking solid, certainly the best Honda performance so far in the hybrid era. Alfa and Renault look like best of the midfield. And Williams is very slow, oh my... |
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Post by mikael on Mar 16, 2019 7:30:07 GMT
Pole position times of the present "turbo era":
2019: 1:20.486 (Lewis Hamilton)
2018: 1:21.164 (L.H.)
2017: 1:22.188 (L.H.) - new formula
2016: 1:23.837 (L.H.)
2015: 1:26.327 (L.H.)
2014: 1:44.231 (L.H.) - rain
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Post by René on Mar 16, 2019 10:55:25 GMT
Hmmm, disappointed to be honest. I hope this was more a matter of Ferrari not unlocking its full potential than a real picture of the pecking order for the season. I know Melbourne is not representative for the average track but still, seven tenth is a huge gap! I am struggling more and more with Mercedes telling us they had no idea, that it was no BS that Ferrari had an advantage. How can you not have an idea on such a huge advantage?
The Red Bull-Honda looked quite good and if reliability is good podiums and maybe a win or two should be possible this year. A shame for Gasly though but not his fault.
Leclerc was disappointed with himself for not improving in the last run but he'll get there for sure. But Seb is in another league then Ericsson of course.
The Haas looks good, like best of the rest but the McLaren also looked promising. Very good job by young Lando Norris! Carlos was just unlucky and could have been there too.
Renault not very fast yet. I'd thought they would be closer to the front and that also goes for Alfa.
Well, tomorrow is another day and maybe it's a bit closer and Ferrari can challenge the Mercs. Fingers crossed.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 16, 2019 19:28:17 GMT
Hmmm, disappointed to be honest. I hope this was more a matter of Ferrari not unlocking its full potential than a real picture of the pecking order for the season. I know Melbourne is not representative for the average track but still, seven tenth is a huge gap! I am struggling more and more with Mercedes telling us they had no idea, that it was no BS that Ferrari had an advantage. How can you not have an idea on such a huge advantage? The Red Bull-Honda looked quite good and if reliability is good podiums and maybe a win or two should be possible this year. A shame for Gasly though but not his fault. Leclerc was disappointed with himself for not improving in the last run but he'll get there for sure. But Seb is in another league then Ericsson of course. The Haas looks good, like best of the rest but the McLaren also looked promising. Very good job by young Lando Norris! Carlos was just unlucky and could have been there too. Renault not very fast yet. I'd thought they would be closer to the front and that also goes for Alfa. Well, tomorrow is another day and maybe it's a bit closer and Ferrari can challenge the Mercs. Fingers crossed. My feelings are similar. How have Mercedes sandbagged so effectively that none of the usually reliable sources could see through their tactics? I claim to be more interested in the technical side of the sport, so probably should be hugely impressed that Mercedes have found their way through another set of rule changes and emerged again with the fastest car. And I am impressed, but its a very grudging appreciation, as I'd really hoped that we'd see a significant change in the competitive order this season. There is a long season to go yet, and as you say, Melbourne isn't a truely representitive circuit, so maybe the constructors championship will prove to be more competitive than it looks at this moment. On the positive side, Red Bull Honda are looking very quick, and the Class B field is looking even more closely matched than last season, so it will be interesting following their battles. As for Williams, their plight is looking ever more desperate. The most recent Autosport podcast was discussing rumours that they are massively cash constrained, and this has been a big factor in the late completion of the car. One last observation, didn't Stroll do well? Heading Perez for most of qualifying and only 0.1 off him in Q1, just missing out on a Q2 place. |
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Post by Deleted on Mar 16, 2019 19:53:45 GMT
Pole position times of the present "turbo era": 2019: 1:20.486 (Lewis Hamilton) 2018: 1:21.164 (L.H.) 2017: 1:22.188 (L.H.) - new formula 2016: 1:23.837 (L.H.) 2015: 1:26.327 (L.H.) 2014: 1:44.231 (L.H.) - rain It seems that the 2019 'new formula' has done little to slow the rate of improvement of this "hybrid era" car. From a technological point of view, the rate at which they have become faster, more powerful, more fuel efficient, and more reliable is amazing. It would take more effort than I'm prepared to give, but it would be interesting to see how the spread of the field has changed over the period. I suspect that it has closed up significantly. We can only hope that this years aero changes have been successful in its aim of allowing easier following, catching and passing. Arrgh - It can be tough being a pedant. I did the check, 2014 Q3 - Wet. 1 - 1:44:231 Merc/Ham. 10 - 1:48.147 - Williams/Bot - Spread 3.916 sec 2015 Q3 - Dry. 1 - 1:26.327 Merc/Ham. 10 - 1:29.480 - Williams/Mal - Spread 3.153 sec 2016 Q3 - Dry. 1 - 1:23.837 Merc/Ham. 10 - 1:25.589 - RBR/Ric - Spread 1.752 sec 2017 Q3 - Dry. 1 - 1:22.188 Merc/Ham. 10 - 1:24.512 - STR/Kiv - Spread 2.324 sec 2018 Q3 - Dry. 1 - 1:21.164 Merc/Ham. 10 - 1:23.577 - Renault/Sai -- Spread 2.413 sec 2019 Q3 - Dry. 1 - 1:20.486 Merc/Ham. 10 - 1:22.781 - RP/Per - Spread 2.295 sec And conclude, the field spread isn't closing. So they are all improving at a similar rate. Bummer, I did think things were closing up. Also, most years it is Dry in Melbourne Quali. Making the fact that the year I went, 2013, and quali was washed out more unique/galling. |
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Post by Deleted on Mar 16, 2019 20:06:40 GMT
Hmmm, disappointed to be honest. I hope this was more a matter of Ferrari not unlocking its full potential than a real picture of the pecking order for the season. I know Melbourne is not representative for the average track but still, seven tenth is a huge gap! I am struggling more and more with Mercedes telling us they had no idea, that it was no BS that Ferrari had an advantage. How can you not have an idea on such a huge advantage? The Red Bull-Honda looked quite good and if reliability is good podiums and maybe a win or two should be possible this year. A shame for Gasly though but not his fault. Leclerc was disappointed with himself for not improving in the last run but he'll get there for sure. But Seb is in another league then Ericsson of course. The Haas looks good, like best of the rest but the McLaren also looked promising. Very good job by young Lando Norris! Carlos was just unlucky and could have been there too. Renault not very fast yet. I'd thought they would be closer to the front and that also goes for Alfa. Well, tomorrow is another day and maybe it's a bit closer and Ferrari can challenge the Mercs. Fingers crossed. My feelings are similar. How have Mercedes sandbagged so effectively that none of the usually reliable sources could see through their tactics? I claim to be more interested in the technical side of the sport, so probably should be hugely impressed that Mercedes have found their way through another set of rule changes and emerged again with the fastest car. And I am impressed, but its a very grudging appreciation, as I'd really hoped that we'd see a significant change in the competitive order this season. There is a long season to go yet, and as you say, Melbourne isn't a truely representitive circuit, so maybe the constructors championship will prove to be more competitive than it looks at this moment. On the positive side, Red Bull Honda are looking very quick, and the Class B field is looking even more closely matched than last season, so it will be interesting following their battles. As for Williams, their plight is looking ever more desperate. The most recent Autosport podcast was discussing rumours that they are massively cash constrained, and this has been a big factor in the late completion of the car. One last observation, didn't Stroll do well? Heading Perez for most of qualifying and only 0.1 off him in Q1, just missing out on a Q2 place. Stroll did well but he is still 1-0 down to Perez. After Bahrain he will be 2-0 down. After China, 3-0 down. Lance likes Baku but he will be 4-0 down after Baku. I have made this prediction and the prediction is mine. 4-0 down after four races. I can't see any further into the future. |
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Post by Deleted on Mar 16, 2019 20:46:43 GMT
One last observation, didn't Stroll do well? Heading Perez for most of qualifying and only 0.1 off him in Q1, just missing out on a Q2 place. Stroll did well but he is still 1-0 down to Perez. After Bahrain he will be 2-0 down. After China, 3-0 down. Lance likes Baku but he will be 4-0 down after Baku. I have made this prediction and the prediction is mine. 4-0 down after four races. I can't see any further into the future. The predictors rights have clearly been asserted ;-) And you may be correct. In turn my prediction, which is the prediction that I will make, and it will be my prediction, is that Stroll will continue to qualify within 0.1 to 0.2 sec off Perez, and some of those qualifications will be ahead of Perez over the course of the season. I also predict that Stroll will continue to be the son of a very wealthy man, in common with at least 95% of the field. |
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Post by Carl on Mar 16, 2019 21:19:33 GMT
Bill wrote: "Lance likes Baku but he will be 4-0 down after Baku. I have made this prediction and the prediction is mine. 4-0 down after four races. I can't see any further into the future." -------------
Be assured that the influence of sun and tides will continue until the plastic in the seas coagulates and only androids are left. You're right that Sergio Perez will have an easy stroll, especially after sending young Lance video clips of his dangerous alpha male wheel-banging of his own teammate approaching eau rouge. Stroll will return to Canadian F3 after his eyebrows are declared a moving aerodynamic device by Chase Carey, protective of his own autonomous moustache. The outcome of Toto Wolff and Mattia Binotto's spontaneous fisticuffs at Silverstone is unclear. |
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Post by Carl on Mar 16, 2019 21:59:49 GMT
I had a short night to watch the first free practice live, just to see the cars finally in action on track. Always a great feeling when the first race weekend has finally begun! Mercedes obviously very fast and a very subdued Ferrari. But like most experts (including Mark Hughes) I am still confident Ferrari has the strongest package. Certainly when looking at the long run pace of Leclerc on the hards which was just as fast as Vettel on the softs. This indicates Ferrari still has something in reserve. And they usually make a big step from Friday to Saturday. If they don’t, that would be a big surprise.
Red Bull-Honda looking solid, certainly the best Honda performance so far in the hybrid era. Alfa and Renault look like best of the midfield. And Williams is very slow, oh my... I feel really bad for Robert Kubica and George Russell, both of whom deserve a more valid opportunity to show what they can do, and glad not to have seen Kubica somehow impact the pit entrance wall during practice. Ouch! |
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Post by Carl on Mar 17, 2019 3:15:32 GMT
Hmmm, disappointed to be honest. I hope this was more a matter of Ferrari not unlocking its full potential than a real picture of the pecking order for the season. I know Melbourne is not representative for the average track but still, seven tenth is a huge gap! I am struggling more and more with Mercedes telling us they had no idea, that it was no BS that Ferrari had an advantage. How can you not have an idea on such a huge advantage? Renault not very fast yet. I'd thought they would be closer to the front and that also goes for Alfa. Well, tomorrow is another day and maybe it's a bit closer and Ferrari can challenge the Mercs. Fingers crossed. Rene, Ferrari has recently experienced disarray while Mercedes has continuity and Toto a better poker face, although tides can turn. As you wrote, this race will be definitive only for Albert Park, but I share your disappointment. Constant domination is boring. I hope every team finds what is missing and we can enjoy real competition. Cheers, Carl |
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Post by Deleted on Mar 17, 2019 7:22:41 GMT
Oh no its happening again, First Place - Silver car, Second place - Daylight.......
Bottas had a prefect race, obviously his team mate has put on too much weight and is now over the hill.
It is a shame that Verstappen couldn't get right up on Hamilton at the end, I'm sure he'd have tried a pass, and who knows how that would have worked out.
I don't know what went wrong for Ferrari, but that was a bad weekend. Were the Medium tyres a problem, for Vettel, or something else? He certainly lost pace after the pitstop. But Le Clerc did well, and possibly should have been allowed throgh to 4th, or a shot at the Fastest Lap.
Great stuff in the midfield, I really enjoyed Kvatt getting back past Gasley and keeping him there.
And the Hulk train was a sight to behold, more and more cars joining at the back. Another 40 or 50 laps, and a Williams might have made it up there too...
And on the subject of the midfield finishers (especially for Bill of Sydney) didn't Stroll do well? 9th and holding that position well under lots of pressure. On the otherhand, Perez tumbling to 13th. That's 2 - 0 for Stroll ;-)
So sad for Williams, especially Kubica getting out qualified and out raced by his rookie team mate.
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Post by Jamie on Mar 17, 2019 8:39:59 GMT
Well, Bottas was in a class of one today wasn't he....Mercedes were ominously strong all weekend which, though great for them, left me a little disappointed as i'd hoped for a much closer fight at this race. We know Melbourne isn't a reliable barometer of the true pecking order so maybe things will close up in Bahrain.
Hats of to Bottas though, absolutely dominant and didn't put a wheel wrong. Hamilton had a subdued race and I expect we'll hear stories of something or another not being right with the car in the days to come....we'll see.
So to Ferrari......how disappointing, I really was hoping that'd they'd be up there on race day but they looked out of it to be honest, not even on the podium - not good. I was also a little crestfallen that Leclerc was not ahead and pushing Vettel more as I really wanted the decision to go with an inexperienced youngster to be vindicated in a spectacular way from the start, it was far from a bad performance, really rather good in fact, but I was hoping for so much more. I think he'll be a real force later on though, my confidence in his abilities remains undiminished.
Red Bull looked ok in Max's hands, mediocre in Gasly's, Renault were meh, Haas looking good, great job Lando, Williams might as well go home. Stroll went well.
Feels like more of the same for 2019 after race one but there's still time (and hope) for the season to throw up a few surprises.
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Post by René on Mar 17, 2019 11:06:16 GMT
Pfew, this was not the start of the season I hoped for! And not only from a 'Ferrari fan' point of view. Mercedes seems miles ahead of the rest and the midfield is still as far off the top 3 as before.
Anyway, big congrats to Valtteri. That was a very good race by the Finn and this result will only make him stronger. Can he do a Rosberg? Jamie, you were right about Lewis's car, they discovered damage to the floor. The balance wasn't perfect. Just imagine if it was, then both Mercs would have finished more than 20 seconds ahead of Max!
Max did a good race and must be content with the Honda power but I still think they are third behind Mercedes and Ferrari.
Ferrari. Well what can you say? Both cars almost a minute behind the winner. That is almost 2014 (lack of) competitiveness. And that is was puzzles me. I cannot remember a winter test where all who should know, the entire F1 fraternity including all teams and all the best journalists picked out one team as the favourite with clearly the best car. And now they are all wrong. Even Toto said on German tele after being pressed by Timo Glock to share his thoughts on Ferrari, that he was puzzled too and was convinced they must have taken a wrong direction in set up or something because their testing speed was genuine.
Bahrein in two weeks time will tell us I guess. If Ferrari cannot turn the table and are really this far behind, then we're in for another very long two car championship. Go Bottas....
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