|
|
Post by René on Jan 23, 2023 13:48:59 GMT
One month to go before the first test in Bahrain is scheduled. Only three days of testing to be ready for the first Grand Prix a few days later, also in Bahrain.  Looking back to the 2022 season, there were certainly positives with better looking cars that could follow each other closer, a more competitive Ferrari and a Mercedes on the sideline for a while. A second world title for Max Verstappen who drove almost faultlessly but the utter dominance of the Verstappen/Red Bull train in the second half of the season was also a bit too much unfortunately. Sure, Ferrari dropped the ball on several occasions but the (top) speed difference between the Bull and the rest was massive at times. Record breaking massive. But it is what it is and it's up to the other teams to catch up. Red Bull will have less development hours as a result of finishing first and breaching the cost cap. This will give Ferrari and Mercedes a chance to close the gap and let’s hope they do so we will see more of the Ferrari vs Red Bull battles as we saw in early 2022.  2023 will see two rookies at the start, namely Oscar Piastri from Australia and Logan Sargeant from the United States and one half-rookie, Nyck de Vries from the Netherlands. We will also see the return of the Hulk at Haas which will surely please Chris. Some drivers have changed teams as have some team principals. And two well-known names are not among the drivers, namely Sebastian Vettel who has retired and Daniel Ricciardo who has become Red Bull’s test and reserve driver.  Oscar Piastri and Logan Sargeant in British F4Alfa Romeo F1 Team ORLEN - Ferrari24.Zhou Guanyu, 77.Valtteri Bottas Scuderia AlphaTauri - Honda RBPT21.Nyck de Vries, 22.Yuki Tsunoda BWT Alpine F1 Team - Renault10.Pierre Gasly, 31.Esteban Ocon Aston Martin Aramco Cognizant F1 Team - Mercedes14.Fernando Alonso, 18.Lance Stroll Scuderia Ferrari - Ferrari16.Charles Leclerc, 55.Carlos Sainz jr. MoneyGram Haas F1 Team - Ferrari20.Kevin Magnussen, 27.Nico Hülkenberg McLaren F1 Team - Mercedes4.Lando Norris, 81.Oscar Piastri Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team - Mercedes44.Lewis Hamilton, 63.George Russell Oracle Red Bull Racing - Honda RBPT1.Max Verstappen, 11.Sergio Pérez Williams Racing - Mercedes2.Logan Sargeant, 23.Alexander Albon A massive 23 race calendar is planned that will start in early March and end in late November! And no less than 3 races in the US with the addition of Las Vegas! Probably too much for old school fans like us and too many artificial race tracks but we’ve also seen the return of Imola and Zandvoort in recent years. And if the racing is any good and the championship exciting, we might stay interested.   |
|
|
|
Post by Carl on Jan 23, 2023 17:59:47 GMT
An excellent summary of last season and next, René! I wonder whether the honorable Doctor Marko and Christian Horner will abide by restrictions from outside their Rude Bull bailiwick. I haven't seen any episodes of the Netflix soap opera, its popularity apparently indirectly responsible for another American GP. With the renewed interest, Martin Brundle would be wise to avoid walking on the grid in Las Vegas, bound to be overflowing with self-important celebrities, and should instead encourage David Croft. The newly devised course in Las Vegas is actually well-designed, a polar opposite to the casino parking lot in 1982. The race is apparently at night, although average temperatures are very comfortable in November. Night races are a popular trend, despite spectators having to deal with the distractions of glare and reflection. While Miami also looks well-designed, the sad fact is that none of the three are the equal of existing courses like Road America, Mid-Ohio, Watkins Glen and, of course, the best one of all, Riverside International, now a boring condominium suburb with doughnut shops and mini-malls where greatness had been. All we can do is hope for well-behaved billionaires at all venues, and for Megan Thee Stallion to be attracted to David Croft and carry him away across her shoulder. |
|
|
|
Post by chrisb on Jan 23, 2023 19:34:02 GMT
talking of billionaires I see Saudi Arabia is making a bid to 'buy' Formula One, which when I think about is downright ridiculous, ok so they have been knocked back initially but.....
23 races, I am caught in two minds about this, having been brought up in the 60's where there was over 20+ F1 races, I think in 1961 there was something like 40 I would have to double check but I do know it was quite a number, it's just the whole show these days, whomsoever coined the phrase 'formula one circus' was spot on, I will look forward to seeing how the new Williams boss do, and of course my mate the Hulk is back and I can't wait for him to win his first F1 race, ok ok a bit optimistic to say the least but we can dream?
I haven't seen the new layouts as yet and just wonder why we aren't racing at those other magnificent circuits Carl mentions, they really would be such a wonderful challenge,
|
|
|
|
Post by Carl on Jan 24, 2023 1:30:29 GMT
I haven't seen the new layouts as yet and just wonder why we aren't racing at those other magnificent circuits Carl mentions, they really would be such a wonderful challenge, Chris, It's all about money and the nearness of 5-Star hotels. Even Siebkens Inn doesn't measure up to the standards demanded by spoiled and entitled team bosses and sponsors. There are no luxury hotels close to Mid-Ohio or Watkins Glen, where all the drivers and team principals once stayed at the Glen Motor Inn and were happy just to have a decent bed and coffeemaker. Now called the Hotel Laurel and somewhat rundown, Sir Lewis would refuse even to look inside the room always reserved for Jim Clark in the past.
If Saudi Arabia succeeds in buying Formula One, their expertise will doom Grand Prix racing.  |
|
|
|
Post by robmarsh on Jan 24, 2023 9:13:45 GMT
One silver lining if the Saudi's buy F1. We will have petrol engines for sure. With their surplus of oil probably 16 cylinder 5 litres.
|
|
|
|
Post by René on Jan 24, 2023 12:25:54 GMT
I haven't seen the new layouts as yet and just wonder why we aren't racing at those other magnificent circuits Carl mentions, they really would be such a wonderful challenge, Chris, It's all about money and the nearness of 5-Star hotels. Even Siebkens Inn doesn't measure up to the standards demanded by spoiled and entitled team bosses and sponsors. There are no luxury hotels close to Mid-Ohio or Watkins Glen, where all the drivers and team principals once stayed at the Glen Motor Inn and were happy just to have a decent bed and coffeemaker. Now called the Hotel Laurel and somewhat rundown, Sir Lewis would refuse even to look inside the room always reserved for Jim Clark in the past. If Saudi Arabia succeeds in buying Formula One, their expertise will doom Grand Prix racing. Brilliant post, Carl although I think you're selling Sir Lewis short in this case. He is an enthusiast. If the Saudis succeed, it will mark the end of Formula One. |
|
|
|
Post by René on Jan 24, 2023 12:28:34 GMT
One silver lining if the Saudi's buy F1. We will have petrol engines for sure. With their surplus of oil probably 16 cylinder 5 litres. And at least two refueling pit stops per race!   |
|
|
|
Post by mikael on Jan 24, 2023 14:41:30 GMT
I read that F1 will put more emphasis on electric power from 2026. Rather than this, for sure large, gas-gulping 16 cylinder, 5 litre engines would be much more entertaining :-D
Back to reality: to me, "more emphasis on electric power" doesn't sound too encouraging - unless the combustion engines stay as powerful as they are now, and the whole "package" is ramped-up to 1500+ HP.
Back to "cannonballs" - as Gerhard Berger called the immensely powerful turbo cars of the mid/late 80's - that would be interesting!
|
|
|
|
Post by chrisb on Jan 24, 2023 19:31:58 GMT
With more and more talk about hydrogen fueled engines and their benefits I do wonder if this might also be a direction motor racing might take,
What made as you say Mikael the cannonballs even more interesting was the lack of aerodynamics and just mechanical grip and just how beautiful they were
Sad but true Carl that hotel had as many stories as the circuit itself and wouldn’t it be some story
|
|
|
|
Post by René on Jan 25, 2023 18:34:14 GMT
New cars (or livery) launch dates: Haas - 31 January (livery launch) Red Bull - 3 February Williams - 6 February (livery launch) Alfa Romeo - 7 February AlphaTauri - 11 February (livery launch) Aston Martin - 13 February McLaren - 13 February Ferrari - 14 February Mercedes - 15 February Alpine - 16 February  |
|
|
|
Post by robmarsh on Jan 26, 2023 11:06:32 GMT
Good news Pauly D has been dropped by Sky. Just Croft to go hopefully next season along with Ted. They also dropped Johhny Herbert who could be a real pita at times so not too sad from my side.
|
|
|
|
Post by mikael on Jan 26, 2023 13:56:13 GMT
Yes, what of a world of a difference there is between two speakers like, say, late Murray Walker and David Croft. Walker was genuinely excited - that was very clear. Croft seems just to be artificially excited; that is to say, he just pretends to be excited; that's the impression one constantly gets. Everything seems rehearsed and shallow, like the eternal, "and it's lights out and away we go".
|
|
|
|
Post by René on Jan 26, 2023 20:15:49 GMT
Charles warming up the tifosi today at Fiorano.  The 2021 car was used to get in the groove again. |
|
|
|
Post by chrisb on Jan 28, 2023 10:14:41 GMT
Commentating is such a skilful act, how we liked the genuine commentator, like Jack Burnicle in motorbikes and Murray whose genuine enthusiasm coupled with quite an amazing history was infectious, although I personally preferred the more dulcet tones of Raymond Baxter what all three had in common was being genuine.
When I watch the brief highlights of a F1 race I have to mute Crofty after a few minutes as it is so irritating, it's as if the producers tell him to crank up the 'enthusiasm' whilst clearly he isn't. I can't remember the guy who took over from Murray on ITV and he actually improved when he stopped trying to be the centre of attention and allowed the racing to be so.
I do wonder if Seb is going to work behind the mike now.
|
|
|
|
Post by Carl on Jan 28, 2023 17:56:32 GMT
As an American and thus at a distance removed, I'd say Raymond Baxter was nearly equal as an authority and easier to listen to. David Croft is a complete idiot and should be abducted during the Austin grid walk by Megan Thee Stallion and never seen again, while the equally obnoxious Leigh Diffey will likely preside today at Daytona. It's stereophonic stupidity across the globe. This stupidity is a reflection of the contempt for motorsport enthusiasts by broadcast networks, but remarkably someone at sky had the good sense to usher Pauly Dee and Johnny Herbert out the door. One step forward followed by one or two also forward would be welcome relief. The knowledgeable and elegant presentation of American Bob Varsha wasn't loud enough for the network cretins, who brought in the Aussie boombox. Cheers, Carl P.S. - Sebastian Vettel says "yeh" far too much |
|
