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Post by René on Mar 1, 2023 16:49:38 GMT
 Here we go, first race of the year!  Only one week after the pre-season test so not much time to make drastic changes or add new parts. Main focus will be on set-up tweaks and getting the car in that famous sweet spot. A sweet spot that Red Bull has clearly found already but most other teams are still looking for. All eyes will be on Ferrari and Mercedes if they can show the speed, or at least the potential, to challenge Red Bull. Fingers crossed they can! It will be the longest season in history which could feel even longer if there’s no real fight for the wins and title. So c’mon Ferrari, and yes c’mon Mercedes, give Red Bull a run for their money!   Also interesting to watch will be the progression of Aston Martin. Can they live up to the promise they showed in testing? It would at least be good for the show if Alonso has half a descent car. That could create some fireworks!  And then there are the rookies. The very talented Oscar Piastri from Australia who has to deal with a difficult McLaren. American Logan Sergeant for Williams who did a very good job in testing so far. And from The Netherlands 'half' rookie Nyck De Vries for AlphaTauri who already made his spectacular debut last year in Monza but this will be his first full F1 season. And possibly another rookie, namely Brazilian Felipe Drugovich for Aston Martin if Lance Stroll is not fit to race.  In any case, enough to look forward to!  |
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Post by chrisb on Mar 3, 2023 16:27:06 GMT
what is happening? Teflonso as John would call him is quickest? puzzled as clearly that haven't copied the Mercs have they
the Hulk 5th quickest, yeah!! rock on the Hulk!
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Post by René on Mar 3, 2023 19:35:31 GMT
The Aston Martin is obviously a good car so we’re in for some fireworks with a Teflonso in his second youth!  This is gonna be fun. It’s also clear that many teams are still struggling to find a good balance. Is the Haas really as fast as the Ferrari? That’s hard to believe so there must be more potential in the SF-23. And the Mercedes? Three days of testing seemed not enough to be prepared for this race so a surprise result is in the cards.  |
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Post by René on Mar 4, 2023 16:48:53 GMT
Wow, that was much closer than expected, even if it’s a Red Bull front row! Congrats to Max and Checo and I also feel more optimistic about the Ferrari performance. Strange moment when Charles decided not to go out again because he had the speed for pole but he wanted to save his fresh tires for the race. So not a car issue but strategic. And Alonso faster than the Mercs. Strong start also from the Hulk to get his car into Q3!   1 Max Verstappen RBR 1:31.295 1:30.503 1:29.708 15 2 Sergio Perez RBR 1:31.479 1:30.746 1:29.846 15 3 Charles Leclerc FER 1:31.094 1:30.282 1:30.000 17 4 Carlos Sainz Jr. FER 1:30.993 1:30.515 1:30.154 18 5 Fernando Alonso AST 1:31.158 1:30.645 1:30.336 15 6 George Russell MER 1:31.057 1:30.507 1:30.340 15 7 Lewis Hamilton MER 1:31.543 1:30.513 1:30.384 15 8 Lance Stroll AST 1:31.184 1:31.127 1:30.836 18 9 Esteban Ocon ALP 1:31.508 1:30.914 1:30.984 15 10 Nico Hulkenberg HAA 1:31.204 1:30.809 17 |
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Post by Carl on Mar 5, 2023 4:23:35 GMT
1. John Charles Redding / Lotus 25 (elapsed time not calculable after speed of sound exceeded on longest straights)
2. Max Verstappen / Red Bull 1:29.708
3. Sergio Pérez / Red Bull 1:29.846
4. Charles Leclerc / Ferrari 1:30.000
5. Carlos Sainz Jr. / Ferrari 1:30.154
6. Fernando Alonso / Aston Martin 1:30.336
7. George Russell / Mercedes 1:30.340
8. Lewis Hamilton / Mercedes 1:30.384
9. Lance Stroll / Aston Martin 1:30.836
10. Esteban Ocon / Alpine 1:30.984
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Post by René on Mar 5, 2023 10:39:47 GMT
1. John Charles Redding / Lotus 25 (elapsed time not calculable after speed of sound exceeded on longest straights) Brilliant, Carl!   |
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Post by René on Mar 5, 2023 11:12:05 GMT
Enjoy the race guys. Forza Ferrari!  |
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Post by chrisb on Mar 5, 2023 11:50:59 GMT
what was the problem with Charles's car? I have to say despite the circuit and other aspects of modern that have been discussed ad finitum F1 is looking good, certainly better than for a few years and then I think of the Lotus 25, 38, 49. 72 and maybe not so good,
Brilliant Carl, couldn't agree more
The RB's are looking good but the star of the show thus far has to be my man, the Hulk is back and glowing green!!
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Post by Carl on Mar 6, 2023 0:21:03 GMT
Haven't we seen this before? The same as last year all over again. Maybe Piero Ferrari brings bad luck and should stay home.  Fernando Alonso was brilliant and deserved to win, so I altered my vote. |
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Post by René on Mar 6, 2023 11:55:47 GMT
Bwah, what can you say. Not entirely unexpected, but the differences were more extreme. Certainly not a race to remember, although Alonso will think otherwise!  Aston Martin did a splendid job, no denying that and also Lance drove an excellent race considering he didn't even test this car. So well done to them. Mercedes's concept is flawed but Ferrari's car still has the potential to fight Red Bull I think... believe... hope. Charles's retirement was painful and heartbreaking though.  I remain optimistic for now (what else can I do?) and hope that the characteristics of this circuit have played a role. In Jeddah it will certainly be different and we will hopefully see a fight between several teams for the win... including Ferrari of course! |
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Post by robmarsh on Mar 6, 2023 13:08:03 GMT
At this rate I will not be renewing my Sky subscription and may even cancel before the end of the year. Sky's presentation lacked energy as did the whole weekend. I didn't even watch a complete free practice session. It is only three months since the last GP of last season, nothing has changed, and it is difficult to even remember which circuit they are on. I am tired of seeing one car/team dominate the races. Really feeling totally switched off F1 today and motor racing is losing the charm that has kept me enthralled for fifty odd years.
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Post by René on Mar 6, 2023 14:10:38 GMT
At this rate I will not be renewing my Sky subscription and may even cancel before the end of the year. Sky's presentation lacked energy as did the whole weekend. I didn't even watch a complete free practice session. It is only three months since the last GP of last season, nothing has changed, and it is difficult to even remember which circuit they are on. I am tired of seeing one car/team dominate the races. Really feeling totally switched off F1 today and motor racing is losing the charm that has kept me enthralled for fifty odd years. Yes I share your feelings and frustrations Rob. I also have to do my best to stay optimistic but I'll give it a little longer. The sport is more commercially popular than ever, but is drifting further and further away from old school enthusiasts like us. Especially with the extreme dominance of one team/driver and circuits without real race fans. My Spa ticket has already been ordered, especially since it might be the last one for a while but I do hope it won't be another Verstappen win like last year. Many thought that was a brilliant drive but his car was simply much much faster than the competition. It was far too easy and kinda depressing to watch... |
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Post by robmarsh on Mar 6, 2023 18:46:03 GMT
Agree 100% Rene. I actually am starting to get the impression that Sky and anybody linked with them are being tasked with talking up the sport and the excitement even though they know they are talking BS. Very tired of all the manipulation in the world.
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Post by mikael on Mar 7, 2023 22:25:52 GMT
The real problem may be those exceptionally dull Arabian "circuits". Otherwise, the cars are looking good and they are faster than ever; and apparently, they allow also for some good fights/duels.
To compare racing on real racetracks with that taking place on those floodlighted "stadium tracks" is like comparing stadium motocross with motocross on real, natural tracks. It's simply not comparable!
Another (still remaining) problem is the sound. Even now, nine years on, the TV crew/producers haven't yet come to the point of adjusting their microphones to the "new", less noisy turbo engines  As Lauda said now many years ago: adjust the microphones - or, if you're present on track, remove your earplugs - and everything will appear just like it used to. What it all comes down to, I guess, is just the engine sound/commentator balance. Watching TV, you can hardly hear any engine sound - you can hear only the commentator(s). If this balance is adjusted, back to how it used to be, pre-2014, watching will undoubtedly be much more enjoyable.
Stadium motocross, in floodlight ...
... and the real thing.
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Post by René on Mar 7, 2023 23:23:40 GMT
The real problem may be those exceptionally dull Arabian "circuits". It certainly doesn’t help! |
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This is gonna be fun. It’s also clear that many teams are still struggling to find a good balance. Is the Haas really as fast as the Ferrari? That’s hard to believe so there must be more potential in the SF-23. And the Mercedes? Three days of testing seemed not enough to be prepared for this race so a surprise result is in the cards. 
Aston Martin did a splendid job, no denying that and also Lance drove an excellent race considering he didn't even test this car. So well done to them.
As Lauda said now many years ago: adjust the microphones - or, if you're present on track, remove your earplugs - and everything will appear just like it used to. What it all comes down to, I guess, is just the engine sound/commentator balance. Watching TV, you can hardly hear any engine sound - you can hear only the commentator(s). If this balance is adjusted, back to how it used to be, pre-2014, watching will undoubtedly be much more enjoyable. 
