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Post by René on Jul 9, 2020 15:25:05 GMT
Second race of the season. New name, same track. Will we see a replay of last week’s race? Given the number of safety cars and dropouts, this seems unlikely. Under normal conditions Mercedes is too strong and will dominate the race so hoping for rain and more mechanical failures! Ferrari will bring a new front wing but the gap to the Mercs is too big. They need more power… Red Bull could be a threat to Mercedes but reliability needs to be better to challenge the black Silberpfeilen. Good news: Mugello will be on the updated calendar. A proper race track and new to F1. And, as you all will know, Teflonso will be back next season. Opninions will be devided I’m sure. 
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Post by charleselan on Jul 9, 2020 19:24:54 GMT
This will be a strange situation having two F1 races at the same venue one week apart, but we live in strange times. I wonder if the Merc's are pushed hard enough in hot dry conditions yay they may be frail, the indicators were there last weekend. That is a great picture of Ronnie in the Lotus 79, René, his last GP victory. I remember to this day where I was and what I was doing when the news came through he had won the Austrian GP of 1978, it just put the icing on the cake from a brilliant weekend spent with my then girlfriend  . |
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Post by mikael on Jul 9, 2020 20:46:02 GMT
Too bad they didn't prepare the track such that the direction (of travel) could be reversed. That would have given the impression/illusion of a different track. (It would have demanded new, additional loops for the pit entrance/exit, etc. But it probably wouldn't have cost a fortune ...) And it would be a whole new challenge for the drivers.
Senna going both ways round the track when trying out a kart in Japan (in a typical "variety program"). He's faster clockwise than counterclockwise (but it might, of course, be just because the counterclockwise lap was the first lap out (with cold tyres) - the clockwise lap was the second one).
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Post by robmarsh on Jul 9, 2020 21:23:43 GMT
I think the corners are completely different when you run a race track back to front. Apexes are at different points and a corner that is tight coming in and opens up would be the other way round. That would affect your speed down the next straight.
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Post by Carl on Jul 9, 2020 22:05:08 GMT
I think the corners are completely different when you run a race track back to front. Apexes are at different points and a corner that is tight coming in and opens up would be the other way round. That would affect your speed down the next straight. Rob,
As you describe, the track and all its sections would indeed be completely different, and unless safety were compromised, a totally new challenge would be wonderful.  |
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Post by Carl on Jul 10, 2020 7:22:21 GMT
Too bad they didn't prepare the track such that the direction (of travel) could be reversed. That would have given the impression/illusion of a different track. (It would have demanded new, additional loops for the pit entrance/exit, etc. But it probably wouldn't have cost a fortune ...) And it would be a whole new challenge for the drivers.
A brilliant idea and not that difficult to achieve by way of foresight and a few key adjustments. It would be fascinating to see how the drivers approach and master a reverse direction on tracks with which we are familiar. |
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Post by robmarsh on Jul 10, 2020 7:31:47 GMT
Too bad they didn't prepare the track such that the direction (of travel) could be reversed. That would have given the impression/illusion of a different track. (It would have demanded new, additional loops for the pit entrance/exit, etc. But it probably wouldn't have cost a fortune ...) And it would be a whole new challenge for the drivers.
A brilliant idea and not that difficult to achieve by way of foresight and a few key adjustments. It would be fascinating to see how the drivers approach and master a reverse direction on tracks with which we are familiar. Not only that Carl but all the knowledge re set up, engine mapping etc from the previous race would be of know use. If the use of the same track for two races in a row then knowing F1 and Tilke they would probably just plonk a massive square of tarmac, put all the spectators on the outside of the square and use blue washable paint to outline the track. As they don't have to obey track limits these days the cars with the highest top speed and ability to take right angled corners the fastest would win as the drivers would turn the track into a square. |
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Post by Carl on Jul 10, 2020 23:40:33 GMT
Martin Brundle seems to have made the same choice throughout 2nd practice as I quickly made: to strenuously avoid the mindless chatter of David Croft and Paul di Resta. How do these two manage to make Grand Prix racing dull? Isn't anyone at Sky TV paying attention?
Brundle must feel he's trapped in a nightmarish conspiracy of dunces. |
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Post by René on Jul 11, 2020 19:11:31 GMT
Interesting qualy in the rain. Great pole lap from Hamilton, top class. Max was also strong and a magnificent 3rd for Sainz, very good.
Ferrari's (lack of) performance is shameful. Very, very disappointing.
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Post by charleselan on Jul 12, 2020 12:02:02 GMT
Quite a good qualification session in the rain, which brought about some impressive performances. Lewis Hamilton's pole lap was something rather special indeed, made even more so thanks to the issues experienced by his team-mate. Max was also really "on it", but do not think he had an answer to Hamilton.
As ever I am mighty impressed with Carlos Sainz Jnr, and fail to see why so many remain sceptical about the lad. He is not going to be a Number 2 at Ferrari and that is a certain fact; I rate Charles highly but Carlos is going to be handful. Lando in the other McLaren was also impressive, that is such a great pairing.
Also great to see Esteban Ocon doing a smashing job and outshining Ricciardo which rather shut up his UK media fan club, boy on S*yF1 and C4. Pierre Gasly also going exceptionally well.
However what about George Russell; truly outstanding performance, that lad cannot be allowed to spend another year in a Williams. To be honest I think Renault have missed a big opportunity here for they could have made a bid for him instead of bringing Teflonso back. MB could have done a loan deal and it would have allowed them to see how George performed in a somewhat more competitive machine, and how he and Esteban matched up, a win; win really.
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Post by René on Jul 12, 2020 16:37:27 GMT
Follia Ferrari. La Ferrari fa harakiri!
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Post by robmarsh on Jul 12, 2020 19:26:26 GMT
Ferrari have really hit rock bottom. Will they panic or regroup. Only a week to wait. Not the same excitement as last week but still pretty good. Another good race by Lando Norris. LH didn't put a foot wrong and Red Bull a bit disappointing. The Panthers went well and Renault were better but Mercedes still ahead. I hope Bottas doesn't drop off now, otherwise the championship will go to LH.
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Post by René on Jul 12, 2020 19:51:52 GMT
Ferrari have really hit rock bottom. Will they panic or regroup. Only a week to wait. Not the same excitement as last week but still pretty good. Another good race by Lando Norris. LH didn't put a foot wrong and Red Bull a bit disappointing. The Panthers went well and Renault were better but Mercedes still ahead. I hope Bottas doesn't drop off now, otherwise the championship will go to LH. It doesn't get any worse than this for Ferrari, does it. Jeezzz. Can't see a quick recovery either to be honest but I hope I'm wrong. Lando is doing a great job. Not a talent like Charles or Max in the lower formulae but F1 fits him very well. Really nice to see. The Mercs are still too fast or as Max said, the Red Bull is too slow for now. |
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Post by Carl on Jul 13, 2020 5:03:55 GMT
Ferrari have really hit rock bottom. Will they panic or regroup. Only a week to wait. Not the same excitement as last week but still pretty good. Another good race by Lando Norris. LH didn't put a foot wrong and Red Bull a bit disappointing. The Panthers went well and Renault were better but Mercedes still ahead. I hope Bottas doesn't drop off now, otherwise the championship will go to LH. It doesn't get any worse than this for Ferrari, does it. Jeezzz. Can't see a quick recovery either to be honest but I hope I'm wrong. Lando is doing a great job. Not a talent like Charles or Max in the lower formulae but F1 fits him very well. Really nice to see. The Mercs are still too fast or as Max said, the Red Bull is too slow for now. The Ferrari debacle was sad to see because Formula One needs a competitive Ferrari presence, and so does Rene! I was amused in the aftermath, however, by David Croft's explanation that Charles Leclerc was launched onto Sebastian Vettel's rear wing by his inside wheels running over the kerb, which of course would have lifted his inside wheels only. He was launched into the air by his spinning left rear tyre climbing Vettel's spinning right rear. I doubt anyone at Sky TV had the heart to enlighten... their main man.The race stagnated into an undercut/overcut strategic bore, but became very exciting later with an incredible back and forth between Bottas and Verstappen for second place and the wonderful four way duel of Lando Norris, Segio Perez, Lance Stroll and Daniel Ricciardo for fifth. |
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Post by chrisb on Jul 13, 2020 7:43:37 GMT
I watched the highlights on utub, Croft's excitement is just dreadful, i don't know how many times he needs to change his pants but a bit of decorum at least wouldn't go amiss. I am actually struggling to distinguish his words now, but C4's presentation with the lead 'bloke' just feels immature and old Top Gear'sh. only when you get a professional - like Lee [funny that] do we get some sensible stuff, and it is worth listening to, but I am struggling to get past the 'bloke'
The Ferrari unhinging wasn't good to see, I hope they do get themselves sorted out for Hungary, but fear the four Mercs are going to run away with things, I was pleased to see a Williams up into the second qualifying but then remembered the banner image, what is also great to see are McLaren getting it together and Renault doing well,
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