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Post by René on Nov 26, 2020 16:02:20 GMT
The triple-header finale starts this weekend in Bahrein. Trackwise it will be a bit of a cold shower in the desert after the visits to Istanbul, Portimão and Imola but it will have to do I guess. Twice in Bahrein (the normal track and next week the so-called oval track) and then Abu Dhabi. Championships are decided so it’s all about ending the season on a positive note. Don’t expect Hamilton to be less focussed on winning though. The Sakhir circuit has always been a power track and rain seems highly unlikely so beating the Mercs will not be easy. But who knows, stranger things have happened! Maybe a desert storm that makes the track really slippery…   |
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Post by charleselan on Nov 26, 2020 16:48:46 GMT
Pass the Mogadon.
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Post by chrisb on Nov 27, 2020 9:00:44 GMT
not a circuit I am going to hold my breath and watch, interesting aside is Lewis using his position to speak up against tyranny - that should be interesting, I did wonder if he was going to boycott the events on the strength of his words, but seriously doubt it,
I understand Tonto is leaving?
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Post by René on Nov 27, 2020 10:52:06 GMT
The enthusiasm for the desert race is heartwarming!  |
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Post by robmarsh on Nov 27, 2020 11:58:15 GMT
Chris your comment re tyranny. I find it hypocritical that F1, Liberty, Sky etc etc spout on about about equality, black lives matter, stand against racism etc but they race in Russia, China, Saudi Arabia. Expediency rules. Don't they understand the optics and that leadership is not about "Do what I say, not do what I do".
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Post by charleselan on Nov 27, 2020 12:00:47 GMT
The enthusiasm for the desert race is heartwarming! I suggest you spend the weekend on your slot track René and enjoy some real racing . To confirm it is not only the desert track I have a problem but other even more pertinent issues associated with those venues. Horner & Tonto would like us to believe that F1 is not political, but in reality there is nothing more political than F1. The only reason they are there is to fill their purse. |
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Post by mikael on Nov 27, 2020 14:51:52 GMT
Yes, it's a bit difficult to get exited about the remaining three "stadium races"(*), now that the World Championship is fully concluded.
(*) To compare with motocross, a race at one of those two desert oases vs. a race at, say, Spa, is (to me) a bit like a stadium motocross event vs. a race on a "real" circuit that follows the natural hills, etc.
On another matter, I was interested by a citation of Mick Schumacher in a news-snipped on grandprix.com. He said:
"We have a Formula 2 car that weighs 780 kilograms, while the cars of his (Michael Schumacher's) time were 500 kilos. But of course there are one or two similarities."
When comparing F1 cars (rather than F1 and F2 cars), I'm not sure it's as bad as that. In 2000, the minimum weight of the car, including driver, water, and oil (but not fuel) was 600kg. (So it's true that the empty car weighed about 500kg). Now, in 2020, the minimum weight (also including driver, oil, and water ) is 743kg. So (if I have got it right), the weight gain is 143kg. But considering that the power output (of the engine) was about 800HP in 2000, and it is about 1000HP now in 2020, the power/weight ratio is very similar (actually almost identical). But maybe I've got something wrong ...?
Reference:
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Post by chrisb on Nov 28, 2020 8:37:06 GMT
Rob, John, money talks louder than equality or human rights, it is such hypocrisy and says so much
Mikael, that is interesting, initially leads me off into a tangent but I like lighter motorbikes, mine is about 210 kgs other friends prefer heavier bikes 260kgs as they feel they are more 'planted' especially in wet conditions, I like light as I can throw it about more, the flexibility and manoeuvrability, especially in the twisties, and their bikes have around 30bhp more than me, I know its what you like and your comments about power-to-weight ratios does make me wonder, do some of the more successful drivers like this heavy weight and massive power more than a lot of power and a much lighter car, sorry I'm not putting this very well and I am not sure where I am going with this, but suffice Gilles in a lighter car would have much more car control, no, that's wrong, he would use much more of his natural ability to make the car work better for him, whereas the heavier car is working the driver? no, sorry, I will leave the comment in as I hope others can elaborate on what I am thinking,
having ridden a quad in the desert, and that was fun!! maybe we should ignore the circuit and take to the dunes
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Post by René on Nov 28, 2020 17:51:50 GMT
F1 has never been very critical on human rights when deciding where to race. They raced in South America when there were still dictatorial brutal regimes in power and in South Africa during the apartheid years. So nothing has really changed in that regard. But I agree with Rob that it doesn't really match very well with the equality messages that F1 is sending out all the time and going racing in Saudi Arabia of all places. And that also goes for Bahrain, China, Russia, Azerbaijan et al.
Anyway, qualifying was boring as expected. No surprises there and when the Ferraris got knocked out of Q2 I had enough and joined my wife and the doggy for a nice walk in a nearby forest. Much better!
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Post by chrisb on Nov 29, 2020 10:33:28 GMT
well it has always been the case Rene, wasn't Fangio sponsored by the Peron's? however as both Rob and yourself mention it is the hypocrisy that sticks in the craw so to speak, it does remind me of one of my other passions, cricket, where again I have my favourites, and I have people who are accoladed but I have no time for, Gooch being the prime example of being one I have no time for, his hypocrisy and duplicity was rewarded by overtaking my batting favourites Gower and Boycott in the runs amassed, and then accepting the plaudits for basically - anyway -
Rene it surely must have been extremely boring, with no one offering anything and the red cars not exactly going well, a nice walk sounds a much nicer option!
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Post by robmarsh on Nov 29, 2020 19:04:03 GMT
Formula 1 dodged a huge bullet today. Well done to the FIA for having the courage of their convictions to go with the Halo despite immense criticism. The Halo saved Romain's life today. Hats off to Doctor Ian Roberts and Medical car driver Alan Van Der Merwe for their brave and speedy actions in the immediate aftermath of Romain Grosjean's cash.
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Post by mikael on Nov 29, 2020 19:46:17 GMT
Yes, Grosjean would, most likely, not have survived a similar accident just, say, five years ago. Besides the halo, one has to say that the whole concept of the so-called safety cell is very well thought out.
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Post by René on Nov 29, 2020 23:10:53 GMT
There is no question Romain would not have survived this crash without the halo, no question. Wasn't a fan myself initially and neither was Romain for that matter but with the speeds these cars are doing nowadays, cockpit protection is a necessity.
But yeez, what a freaky accident it was! It was only a week ago when we talked about the fiery accident at Jarama in 1970 and those iconic photos of Oliver and Ickx in the flames. And now this. But Romain is allright, that's all that matters.
What a shame for Sergio Perez to miss out on another podium like that but he showed again he deserves to be on the grid. Nice for Alex though to score his second podium finish.
The McLaren boys were on form again!
Ferrari... pfffff
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Post by chrisb on Nov 30, 2020 9:27:44 GMT
so relieved for Romain and his family, maybe he is getting out of F1 at a timely moment, I detest the halo, it is vile aesthetically but my word I would much rather look at hideous looking cars than at yet another deceased driver, so well done F1 for ignoring me and saving someone's life, and a lot of respect to those marshalls, and the good Dr and driver, your bravery is a lesson to us all and yea so many memories flood back to hideous and tragic fiery accidents that others would have survived with today's excellence
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Post by charleselan on Nov 30, 2020 12:23:11 GMT
Like everyone else I should imagine the initial shots of the accident were only fleeting but the fireball was disturbing. One knew it was a potentially bad crash as the cameras were kept away which appears to be the policy in motor sport these days, and quite rightly so, until the outcome is known to be a good one.
I will admit that i have been a big critic of the "Halo" mainly on aesthetic grounds but have to adjust this now as it plainly saved Romain's life in this horrific accident.
My views on the accident may be out on a limb as i have not seen anything mentioned elsewhere relating to these feelings but they are my own. I believe the root cause of this accident was the circuit itself and its design. The huge swathes of run off areas preceding the crash scene lead to drivers swerving off course either through making space for themselves or being squeezed. Stroll for instance went right off to the right of the picture and proceeded to race back onto the track in amongst the pack which then created the bunching up in front of Romain. Kimi had gone off to the left of picture and it must have been this in Romain's peripheral view that caused him to veer to the right.
A narrower track and perimeter with some form of deterrent would have prevented cars coming back onto the track after exceeding the boundaries, that's where gravel traps were a good idea.
Now we come to the guard rail parting upon impact which is totally unacceptable as was pointed out by Sebastian after the race. This is what killed François Cevert and some others in the past and we are talking 50 odd years ago now. Also the fact that the guard rail was at a angle which is inappropriate and appeared poorly mounted. In actual fact there should not have been this type of barrier in place at that location anyway.
The idea that the car just broke in two was also extremely concerning, let alone bursting into flames. Remember Robert Kubica airplane like crash in Canada, that was huge and devastating but it did not end up like the Haas.
Those are my thoughts guys, feel free to disagree. To be honest I am just plain angry at what I saw, but hugely relieved that Romain is OK and praise to all the marshall's and medics who were amazing.
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