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Post by René on Oct 8, 2020 11:53:45 GMT
After the moodless Sochi event we’re back at a real race track, albeit not the 'real' Ring or Nordschleife. But the modern Nürburgring is still an interesting track that usually produces good racing. Without a doubt Mercedes will be hard to beat again but it’s not a pure power track and there are lots of twisty parts so we might see a strong Red Bull able to challenge the silver/black arrows. The battle right behind the frontrunners will be fierce as always between Renault, McLaren and Racing Point and who knows, maybe Ferrari. The Scuderia has not stopped the development of the SF1000 and they will bring new updates to Germany. A good result for Seb in his home race would be nice! And then there’s the weather of course. Always a factor in the Eifel region but this time of the year even more. I am staying home so I’m fine with lots of rain!  Let’s hope for a good race! |
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Post by robmarsh on Oct 8, 2020 13:26:43 GMT
Nice pic Rene, the 1985 Grand Prix. Probably one of the top three seasons in the last 40 years.
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Post by charleselan on Oct 8, 2020 14:29:43 GMT
Great archive photo there, taken I believe by Bryn Williams who I met many times during that period out on track. Not one of three best Rob, the best by a long way. Those cars look so amazing and all instantly recognisable and significantly different in design and shape; and then again those engines. I think this was one which Stefan could well have won, he was very quick that weekend only to be taken out by his team-mate Michele, and look who is out front....Keke. Good to see it back on the calendar even in very truncated form, will watch and keep fingers crossed that the MB's have problems. It could well be very wet  . |
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Post by robmarsh on Oct 8, 2020 17:01:23 GMT
Great archive photo there, taken I believe by Bryn Williams who I met many times during that period out on track. Not one of three best Rob, the best by a long way. Those cars look so amazing and all instantly recognisable and significantly different in design and shape; and then again those engines. I think this was one which Stefan could well have won, he was very quick that weekend only to be taken out by his team-mate Michele, and look who is out front....Keke. Good to see it back on the calendar even in very truncated form, will watch and keep fingers crossed that the MB's have problems. It could well be very wet . The cars were still very pretty then and small. Loved the Williams, Lotus, Ferrari and McLaren of that year. I had the privilege of seeing them all race at Brands Hatch that October, around now in fact. |
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Post by chrisb on Oct 9, 2020 11:11:45 GMT
hear hear Rob and I would echo both yours and John's sentiments 1985 was simply one of my favourite ever motor racing years - superb so thank you Rene for reminding us of such great memories
understand 1st practice has been cancelled by fog, where's Jackie when you need him- fog, yea I remember that
I have plumbed for Danny - it would be wonderful if Regie get a victory this year as they really have done well
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Post by charleselan on Oct 9, 2020 17:57:10 GMT
For me definitely the last great season in 1985, shame in a way that the Williams Honda cars became so dominant after that even though Prost beat them in '86, more a case of Williams throwing it away really in my opinion.
Great looking at that photo and trying to identify who all of the drivers and cars are. I haven't checked yet but I am certain there are three Renault's in that picture but I have no recollection of them running three cars at any stage. I can see Patrick Tambay to the right of the picture and Warwick right in the murk at the back, and also what appears to be another towards the rear and left!
Shame about the weather at the Nurburgring today, but it was never the best of places weatherwise at any time of the season, fingers crossed for tomorrow therefore.
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Post by chrisb on Oct 10, 2020 6:29:27 GMT
off the top of my head I do remember Regie running a third car on occasion I think for Phillipe Alliot? I haven't checked but I do remember that at Adelaide and sure it was with a camera mounted on the car?
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Post by René on Oct 10, 2020 12:41:35 GMT
Ferrari looking surprisingly good in FP3. Fingers crossed!
Stroll is out, not feeling well (Covid?). The Hulk will replace him.
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Post by charleselan on Oct 10, 2020 15:23:11 GMT
off the top of my head I do remember Regie running a third car on occasion I think for Phillipe Alliot? I haven't checked but I do remember that at Adelaide and sure it was with a camera mounted on the car? Chris, All along I had a feeling that the third Renault was driven by Francois Hesnault but did not look it up anywhere, anyway it so happens that I have a 1985 Yearbook on the shelf behind my computer desk and have just confirmed this as fact. As you so rightly pointed out it was a camera car, Hesnault took the drive after leaving Brabham mid season, a none too successful partnership. His successor Marc Surer however proved far more capable and had some excellent drives as Piquet's team mate. JC |
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Post by charleselan on Oct 10, 2020 15:34:07 GMT
Isn't it great to see a decent race track once more, not the old Nurburgring of course but I will take this one any day of the week as it is infinitely better than the revised Hockenheim. The drivers appear to like it as well which is a good sign. If there is one good thing to come out of this pandemic it is the return of these older traditional (modern era) circuits, and from this one hopes that many lessons will be learnt. Interesting to see that the dreaded MB's were not nearly as dominant with so little running time and a new venue to these cars. Pleased for Bottas, he genuinely beat Hamilton fair and square and Max looks like trouble . What can one say about Charles Leclerc, yet again simply outstanding. I actually got annoyed with Martin Brundle during the commentary when he said that Lewis and Max were the two top drivers these days, anyone with an unbiased view can see that young Charles is right up there with them. Hate to say this (no I don't), but he could well be better than the both of them. Nice to see Nico Hulkenburg back but in very challenging (for him) circumstances, could be on a hiding to nothing, however I have a feeling he will run steadily through the race maybe even get a top ten in the end. I think it just depends on how quickly he gets into the race groove. Also brilliant to have Nico Rosberg on S*YF1 today the guy is a breath of fresh air, too bright for the others on there sadly. |
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Post by René on Oct 11, 2020 10:36:19 GMT
off the top of my head I do remember Regie running a third car on occasion I think for Phillipe Alliot? I haven't checked but I do remember that at Adelaide and sure it was with a camera mounted on the car? Yep, Francois Hesnault in the third Renault and indeed the first onboard images from a live Grand Prix! |
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Post by René on Oct 11, 2020 10:48:24 GMT
Isn't it great to see a decent race track once more, not the old Nurburgring of course but I will take this one any day of the week as it is infinitely better than the revised Hockenheim. The drivers appear to like it as well which is a good sign. If there is one good thing to come out of this pandemic it is the return of these older traditional (modern era) circuits, and from this one hopes that many lessons will be learnt. Interesting to see that the dreaded MB's were not nearly as dominant with so little running time and a new venue to these cars. Pleased for Bottas, he genuinely beat Hamilton fair and square and Max looks like trouble . What can one say about Charles Leclerc, yet again simply outstanding. I actually got annoyed with Martin Brundle during the commentary when he said that Lewis and Max were the two top drivers these days, anyone with an unbiased view can see that young Charles is right up there with them. Hate to say this (no I don't), but he could well be better than the both of them. Nice to see Nico Hulkenburg back but in very challenging (for him) circumstances, could be on a hiding to nothing, however I have a feeling he will run steadily through the race maybe even get a top ten in the end. I think it just depends on how quickly he gets into the race groove. Also brilliant to have Nico Rosberg on S*YF1 today the guy is a breath of fresh air, too bright for the others on there sadly. Glad to read you still find some enjoyment in modern F1! Martin Brundle is generally very good with his comments and analysis but obviously not this time! Not mentioning Charles when talking the top drivers of this current group is strange to say the least. I am sure it was just a minor brain fade...
Enjoy the race guys! Forza!
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Post by mikael on Oct 11, 2020 14:23:39 GMT
"Citation of the day" from RTL's main F1 commentator Florian König (an excellent commentator, by the way): "To those who believe that Valtteri Bottas can take the 2020 Championship: it's like believing in Santa Claus."
That made me laugh ...  |
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Post by charleselan on Oct 11, 2020 17:13:45 GMT
Mikael,
That is hilarious, but Oh! so true. The guy was in with a chance today of beating Hamilton, but rooted his front tyres and then had the me chancel disaster; it could only happen to him. I really cannot see Nico Rosberg ever doing that, as he said yesterday when you have the momentum over Hamilton you keep him down.
JC
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Post by charleselan on Oct 11, 2020 18:02:39 GMT
Trying to watch the race with a far more compelling Moto2 race running at the same time (MotoGP was run earlier to avoid the clash with the earlier running than normal F1 race) proved difficult.
Some of my analysis may be a bit controversial but to us e the current phrase "it is what it is".
Bottas blew it even before the mechanical failure, by destroying his front tyres and handing the lead to Hamilton. Max never really threatened although was close, I was expecting more from him to be honest.
Charles Leclerc's early defence was excellent but no one stands a chance of doing a "Jarama Villeneuve" these days with that bloody awful, and false, drag reduction system which removes any possibility of a driver holding position through race craft. The fact that he kept Ricciardo behind for so long was testimony to the lads skills. Anyway the Ferrari was woefully slow anyway in race trim. A point highlighted by the performance of Leclerc's team mate.
I have to say this but I feel that Sebastian Vettel is a "busted flush" now, he will never regain the powers that he once held; going to the Pink Squad may revitalise him a bit, but.........
Nico Hulkenberg was outstanding in my opinion and deserved the "Driver of the Day" award, that was one hell of a performance. The Fizzy Drinks team should really put him in the second car next year and place Alexander Albon back at Alpha Tauri alongside the ever impressive Pierre Gasly. Alexander needs to rebuild his career and confidence and keeping him at the main team will destroy his career, he is too good to be swept aside because of his current dilemma.
Watching the S*KF1 coverage Croft was as dire as always with his outbursts that seem to make him sound like a man who had been subject to having his underpants pulled up far too sharply. Brundle also annoyed for the second day running with his supposed defence against the criticism of Hamilton's greatness. Firstly he mentioned that he had to beat his team mate, pretty obvious but what is the quality? Secondly he made the absurd comment that the best drivers always end up in the best cars, really tell that to Stirling Moss; JYS; Ronnie; Gilles; Ayrton in quite bit of his career etc etc!
Plus', great to be back at the Nurburgring.
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