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Post by Carl on Mar 17, 2019 21:59:29 GMT
I was extremely pleased to see Valtteri Bottas leave his nice guy persona in the hotel and rise to the occasion with a superb drive. He was "in the zone" from the moment the lights went out and hopefully knows fully that he can do it again. I was very disappointed for Daniel Ricciardo, who had no reason to think putting his right side tyres on the grass would tear off his front wing... His abysmal luck continues in his homeland. Also disappointed for Renault in general and both of its drivers, who'll likely view podiums from a distance this year. Chris and I should receive a small gratuity from Bottas for our continued support  |
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Post by mikael on Mar 18, 2019 10:35:27 GMT
In hindsight (at this point), the calmness with which Mercedes carried out their test-work in Barcelona was conspicuous. It should be remembered also that the new rules are not all about aerodynamics; 110 kg of fuel may be used per race now, rather than 105 kg. It's just a guess, but it seems likely that Mercedes has extracted significantly more HP out of this extra "drop" of fuel than any of the other engine manufacturers.
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Post by robmarsh on Mar 18, 2019 11:27:26 GMT
Dear oh dear. Leclerc reminds me of a young Gilles in terms of his demeanour. Glad Honda got a podium and VB beat LH. Ijust couldn't get my adrenalin flowing this weekend.
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Post by charleselan on Mar 18, 2019 12:27:33 GMT
I can go one better Rob, I haven't even watched it and have no desire to do so either. My interest is at an all time low I am afraid. I have read a few reports on the web and pleased for VB also, sounded like an emphatic victory for the much maligned Finn. Astonished; saddened but not surprised at Ferrari pulling the team order on Charles, to me that was not a good move and does not auger well for the rest of the year.
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Post by mikael on Mar 21, 2019 6:58:10 GMT
I've read, some time ago, that Aston Martin don't have a problem with the shift from "TAG Heuer" to Honda power. But I wonder what Honda thinks about the Aston Martin branding on the Red Bull. It's not much exposition that they (Honda) get on the "A team" cars. (It's a good deal better on the "B team", Toro Rosso.) In the present situation, the Aston Martin-Red Bull-Honda constellation is a peculiar one, when one thinks about that Honda themselves are luxury sports car producers (although it's limited to one single model, the NSX), and that Aston Martin are in a constellation with Mercedes-AMG.   |
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Post by chrisb on Mar 21, 2019 7:41:23 GMT
Mikael, I do wonder if RB are moving into other areas, i.e. collaborative car building, with Aston, Adrian Newey is involved in a project and may well be the start of something new and quite honestly exciting, apart from maybe the aerodynamics but at least it may reduce tail-gating?
I must confess to have only watched the briefest of UTub highlights, Danny looked unfortunate in one respect and maybe needs to walk around not only the track but the outside as well,
Good results for some drivers, the Hulk did well I thought as did Magnusson, even Stroll had a good race, but Lewis and Seb were just poor I just thought, whether or not there was damage, I don't know but. I do find it very difficult to be sympathetic for drivers with their problems, when I think of racing at the old Spa in torrential rain one handed due to the gear leaver jumping out at 180 mph I kinda think that puts the modern day damage into perspective
team Willie - oh dear, talk about dysfunctional, but apparently the root of the problem has been sussed but has the answer? I do think Paddy has been sidelined too soon now and hope we see the potential real soon
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Post by René on Mar 22, 2019 16:24:04 GMT
After the first disappointment how the Australian race unfolded, especially for Ferrari, I am more optimistic now for the remainder of the season. Having read quite a few race reports and analysis I do believe Ferrari’s uncompetitiveness was probably a one off. They never seemed to get the car to behave like it did in Barcelona and the confidence just wasn’t there. I am sure they will strike back next week in Bahrein and are in the lead of the championship before the European season begins. Nothing to take away from Mercedes, they are very good as always, but the SF90 is the car to beat!
@ JC: I understand where you’re coming from re. team orders at Ferrari but there wasn’t really an issue. Binotto has been very clear from the day he became team manager that Vettel is the man for the championship in 2019 and he didn’t want any hassle in the first race. Seb was faster all weekend except for that last stint where the team made a mistake bringing him in too early. Charles is cool, he knows his position in the team but he also knows things can change very fast if he proves he is the man. I am sure under Binotto’s reign there will be room for Charles to step up.
@ Mikael: You are right, Honda’s branding on the Red Bull seems a bit modest compared to the Aston Martin branding. Certainly when you think there’s a Honda PU in the back and not even a single bolt made by Aston Martin! However, I don’t think Honda and Aston Martin are in any way competitors. It’s a different audience they are aiming at, even with the NSX from Honda. Chris is right by the way re. the collaboration between Aston Martin and Red Bull on the Aston Martin Valkyrie super car project. Adrian Newey was involved in the design and it uses F1 technology. But still, you’re right that it is a bit strange to see all these different brands mixed with Aston Martin more prominent than Honda. By the way, has there been more attention in Japan with Max finishing third?
@ Chris: No matter how impressive Clark’s race was at the old Spa, driving almost with one hand, in all fairness I don’t think you can compare this with modern times. Modern cars are just so different compared to cars from the 60s, not alone for the absence of a gear leaver (for 30 years now!) but a driver has to do a lot of other things on the steering wheel at much higher speeds. Let’s be honest, a modern car would probably lap a 60s car ten times if not more if they competed in the same race. It’s a completely different ball game. If the floor of a modern Grand Prix car is slightly damaged you easily lose a few tenth per lap. If your tires are ‘over the cliff’, the same. There’s just not much a driver can do about that, no matter how good he is.
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Post by René on Mar 23, 2019 19:27:06 GMT
It seems like we're in the middle of a forum shut-down... anyone still alive out there?
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Post by charleselan on Mar 23, 2019 23:42:53 GMT
It seems like we're in the middle of a forum shut-down... anyone still alive out there? For much of 2019 it has been thus René. There does not appear much to inspire comment from what we have seen and it would appear that other forums are much the same but for a few stalwarts. Maybe when all of the racing begins to start in earnest we will get better participation. |
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Post by Carl on Mar 24, 2019 0:23:33 GMT
It seems like we're in the middle of a forum shut-down... anyone still alive out there? Rene, It has been a strange recent period with winds at a standstill, but I'm still blustery here and planning to watch Indy Cars race in Austin tomorrow.
A really exciting Grand Prix race would generate some needed excitement.
Cheers, Carl |
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Post by chrisb on Mar 24, 2019 6:36:16 GMT
my apologies Rene, my so called part-time pensioner status has been disrupted recently by work, called for as I want a newer motorbike, ah the trials of life,
would echo Carl's sentiments, but adding that as Sxy et al have now the exclusive rights to so many series it is becoming more and more difficult to follow motor car racing, I did get the 2.5 minutes of practice on the Indycar race on utub and that looked cool, and I would be more than happy to pay to watch a stand-alone series as I do with Moto GP but I baulk at paying Murdoch's minions for 90% of what I have no interest in, including the political stances his broadcasters pontificate on and for several other reasons.
I do take your point Rene and yes maybe a damaged floor would account for a 1/10th of a second a lap deficit the point wasn't the comparison between a 230bhp lightweight car and a 1000bhp heavy car it was the fact that previous drivers could adapt to their problems, maybe Lewis did and I just didn't know that but it left me wondering how the previous great drivers would have adapted,
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Post by René on Mar 24, 2019 10:46:40 GMT
Thanks gentlemen. Yes, an exciting race is what we need right now! Chris don't be sorry, please. I haven't been very active on the forum myself lately. And work and/or private life is more important than the forum! Just wanted to check if you're still all alive.  |
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Post by charleselan on Mar 24, 2019 12:41:14 GMT
Thanks gentlemen. Yes, an exciting race is what we need right now! Chris don't be sorry, please. I haven't been very active on the forum myself lately. And work and/or private life is more important than the forum! Just wanted to check if you're still all alive. I am in agreement here René, no need for any apology from Chris at all. I had thought that he might have been attending that huge march and gathering in London yesterday (Saturday). All too often our personal lives get in the way of participating on the forum and that is how life is, work; family and problems all play their part. |
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Post by robmarsh on Mar 25, 2019 7:10:39 GMT
Hello all. I think last season was very intense and I for one needed a break from motor racing. I feel that now the seasons of the three series I normally follow closely, F1, Moto GP ans Indycar are underway my energy will return.
I haven't commented much because I don't unless I can add to the conversation and the comments so far, though not as high in volume as previous, are still very high in content and thought.
Like Rene, I have done a lot of reading on F1 behind the scenes, and I think this season will be more intense than last year and I expect that the politeness between the drivers and the teams will evaporate pretty quickly. I think Bottas and Leclerc will push their teammates very hard and I don't expect Hamilton's calm and polite demeanour to last past Monaco at best.
On the personal front I have been focused on selling our house we have lived in for 30 years plus trying to fulfil the visa requirements so we can move to the UK later this year. These things are hampered by continual power cuts due to theft, corruption and ineptitude on the part of the state owned power utility and the prosecuting authorities.
I am looking forward to this race and hope I have the power to watch it.
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Post by Jamie on Mar 25, 2019 20:27:20 GMT
Hello all. I think last season was very intense and I for one needed a break from motor racing. I feel that now the seasons of the three series I normally follow closely, F1, Moto GP ans Indycar are underway my energy will return. I haven't commented much because I don't unless I can add to the conversation and the comments so far, though not as high in volume as previous, are still very high in content and thought. Like Rene, I have done a lot of reading on F1 behind the scenes, and I think this season will be more intense than last year and I expect that the politeness between the drivers and the teams will evaporate pretty quickly. I think Bottas and Leclerc will push their teammates very hard and I don't expect Hamilton's calm and polite demeanour to last past Monaco at best. On the personal front I have been focused on selling our house we have lived in for 30 years plus trying to fulfil the visa requirements so we can move to the UK later this year. These things are hampered by continual power cuts due to theft, corruption and ineptitude on the part of the state owned power utility and the prosecuting authorities. I am looking forward to this race and hope I have the power to watch it. Blimey Rob sounds like you've a lot on your plate at the moment, where are you planning on living in the UK? |
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