The F1 Thread

[Nando]

I can't imagine Vettel wanting to walk into Lewis' team. He'd batter him.

Russell is very, very good, so hopefully he can find a route through to the top end. If Merc were to depart, that doesn't look particularly easy.

 

[Kenny]

If the F1 Season does start, Silverstone will be hosting 2 races (no fans of course) if the Government allow Sport to return

 

[Nando]

Formula E driver Daniel Abt dropped by Audi after hiring a professional sim racer to race as him in yesterday's virtual GP. Ouch.

 

[broughtonwolf]

Formula E driver Daniel Abt dropped by Audi after hiring a professional sim racer to race as him in yesterday's virtual GP. Ouch.

Awkward, as the Abt family have a longstanding and close relationship with Audi in racing and tuning.

 

[Nando]

Awkward, as the Abt family have a longstanding and close relationship with Audi in racing and tuning.

Indeed. His Dad runs the team.

 

[Nando]

Williams are in real trouble - could well be another rich daddy team with Latifi/Mazepin on the fringes which would be an awful shame.

Seems likely that 'Rokit' were just another Rich Energy too as their deal has been terminated with immediate effect.

 

[Carrotdude]

Saw rumours that Toto is off to partner up with Stroll and Aston Martin next season, question marks over whether Mercedes will pull the plug and just be an engine supplier again.

 

[Kenny]

Saw rumours that Toto is off to partner up with Stroll and Aston Martin next season, question marks over whether Mercedes will pull the plug and just be an engine supplier again.

Been around for a while and always denied but each step of the rumour has actually happened so far. All that is left is for Merc to pull their team and Toto to go for a walk down the Pit Lane

 

[Tredman]

Would he be happy at a team very unlikely to win anything? Be a bit of a comedown.

 

[Nando]

Auto Bild are saying this will be his last year in the current role - he's expected to move upstairs.

 

[Kenny]

First 8 Races confirmed

3-5 July - Austria
10-12 July - Austria
17-19 July - Hungary
31 July - 2 Aug - GB
7-9 Aug - GB
14-16 Aug - Spain
28-30 Aug - Belgium
4-6 Sept - Italy

Rest of the calendar to be announced

 

[Paddingtonwolf]

Singapore has to be 20 September or not at all. Plus they are going to need something in America (realistically Canada is the best bet as US, Mexico and Brazil are all rather FUBAR) plus one of Abu Dhabi or Bahrain to be a valid Championship. I suppose Vietnam or Japan could still happen if Singapore cannot.

 

[Kenny]

Vietnam won't be held, that was just cancelled until 2021. The Texas race will happen. Mexico probably won't.

 

[Carrotdude]

Can’t find it confirmed on sky sports but saw on reddit yesterday they were talking about doing a qualifying race on Saturdays for the 2nd weekend races at Austria and Silverstone. Basically use reverse championship order for a 30 minute race to decide the grid for the race on Sunday. Sounds quite fun tbh!

 

[Paddingtonwolf]

It needs all twenty teams to unanimously agree to that rule change. Toto has already said no chance Merc will agree so it won't happen

 

[Kenny]

Put forward by McLaren and Merc have politely said "fuck off with that shit"

 

[Carrotdude]

That’s a shame, I wouldn’t have minded to see it for the ‘extra’ second race weekends this year.

 

[The Bear]

That would be a good idea if it wasn't so difficult to overtake. Once the likes of Hamilton cut through up behind the usual top 6 drivers it'd be very difficult.

 

[Paddingtonwolf]

It would have been interesting for sure. What you would get is the Mercs, Red Bulls and Ferrari at the back, getting through three or four cars on the first laps and then following each other through the train with DRS wide open and superior engine power. By about the first pit stop the normal order would be restored. They wouldn't bother racing each other but would cooperate to get through the slower cars quickly and then down to attacking each other.

It would be great at places like Austria and Silverstone because there are clear overtaking points (right hander top of the hill Austria, end of the Hangar straight Silverstone) which get continually used lap after lap if a top car gets to the back of the field through an early incident or shit qualifying. I watched Lewis perform something like ten overtakes in front of me at that point in the circuit at Silverstone. It would completely suck at Monaco as you just cannot overtake.

 

[Kenny]

Baku, Singapore and Japan binned. The way it is going whole race season will be done in Europe