The F1 Thread

[The Bear]

The Force India looks too much like the McLaren IMO.

 

[Carrotdude]

I know what you mean but I think it looks better. Mclaren managed 100 laps today!

 

[Nando]

Apparently Mercedes weren't using DRS on their short stints today. Jesus.

 

[Paddingtonwolf]

Looks like Hamilton against Rosberg again then.

 

[Carrotdude]

Alonso to miss the 1st race of the season

 

[FrankMunro-371]

Alonso to miss the 1st race of the season

Doctors advised him against racing in Australia so as not to risk a second concussion.

Kevin Magnusson will replace Alonso.

 

[Kenny]

Martin Brundle has designed his ultimate F1 track using part of the courses on the F1 Calendar..........Scalextric have built it.

I need this.

 

[The Bear]

Apparently Alonso thought he was still driving karts when the doctors asked him who he was after his crash. He said his name was Fernando, he drove karts and wanted to be a F1 driver.

No wonder he had a concussion!

 

[Carrotdude]

I guess it was just a really bad concussion but it does seem odd that no one seems to know how or why he crashed. Also odd that Mclaren played it down so much to begin with.

 

[Deutsch Wolf]

This Van der Garde business is all a bit strange. If I knew my employers didn't want me any more but they'd ballsed up contractually I'd just get my money out and leave - I wouldn't force them to use me. Not exactly going to make for a good working environment (plus Sauber need the dollar from Ericsson/Nasr)

 

[Freddeno]

This Van der Garde business is all a bit strange. If I knew my employers didn't want me any more but they'd ballsed up contractually I'd just get my money out and leave - I wouldn't force them to use me. Not exactly going to make for a good working environment (plus Sauber need the dollar from Ericsson/Nasr)

I was thinking the exact same thing..will be very strange for him to drive there after this.

 

[lemonjelly]

This Van der Garde business is all a bit strange. If I knew my employers didn't want me any more but they'd ballsed up contractually I'd just get my money out and leave - I wouldn't force them to use me. Not exactly going to make for a good working environment (plus Sauber need the dollar from Ericsson/Nasr)

It's kinda the way a lot of employment law works though, particularly in the UK.
For example, if you're taking an employer to tribunal, & want compensation only, then you'll get a standard payout if successful. If you request re-instatement & the employer refuses, then bigger award owing to the employer being a shyster.
It may be legal posturing. His case can be strengthened by arguing to enforce the contractual agreement, rather than saying publicly "pay me to go away".

 

[The Bear]

Seems like utter incompetence from Sauber's management.

This is great: https://twitter.com/DJRedders/status/575808001287831553

 

[Law's Bus]

Seems like utter incompetence from Sauber's management.

This is great: https://twitter.com/DJRedders/status/575808001287831553

The whole thing is utterly hilarious! How can you just decide to ignore a contract and hope that you don't get called on it? I love Sauber's argument that VDG would be "dangerous" as he hasn't driven the car yet. Clearly, both Manor drivers will be counted in that group too...

 

[Kenny]

McLaren appear to using a bus. Nearly 4 seconds slower than the Mercs today in practice

The Sauber situation carries on providing - VDG turned up, put his race gear on and them promptly did nothing as Sauber used their other 2 drivers. Seems Sauber have got a get out clause though "Sauber has terminated his contract and that creates legal complications that mean he will almost certainly not be granted an F1 licence by the sport's governing body, the FIA."

 

[Carrotdude]

That Mercedes..... How have they managed to pull even further away from the pack in the off season?

 

[Tredman]

Awesome qualifying from lewis, nearly 0.6s faster than Nico. Looking very calm and collected.

 

[Kenny]

Red Bull luck starting early. Ricciardo has used one of his engines already. Went pop in P2 yesterday and is dead. Now has 3 engines for the whole season.

 

[Wombat del combate]

Is it only four for the season or five? I recall reading on the BBC that the inclusion of an extra race, even though it would never be logistically possible and would be struck from he fixture list in short order, meant that they could have an extra engine.

 

[Kenny]

4.

Christian Horner was fuming on Sky earlier (just watching the replay of P3 and then the Qualifying) and blamed the "Silver team, and not the one from Japan" for the rule that they have 4 engines for the season and have to use them in practice as well as the races.