The F1 Thread

[Kenny]

Cheers. Thought it was odd how quick he gave it back.

 

[Carrotdude]

He should have waited until the start finish straight and then he could have re overtaken in the second drs straight up to turn 4

 

[Kenny]

Think the excitement is a bit over the top, sure they finished a lot closer than they usually have in recent years but there was one overtaking attempt at the front after the opening few laps.

I really hope the new rules next year make for much better racing, swapping places through pit stops and boring DRS assisted drag races don't make for much entertainment.

I guess if you are just watching the race and don't have an investment in a driver then your point is right but if you are a Lewis or Max fan (and trust me its like supporting a football for a lot) then the race was very good. A tactical battle for 40 or so laps then a tense build up to a great finish and the Lewis fans are celebrating like they have survived with 9 men for 30 mins to win by a single goal.

 

[MARKakaJIM]

I guess if you are just watching the race and don't have an investment in a driver then your point is right but if you are a Lewis or Max fan (and trust me its like supporting a football for a lot) then the race was very good. A tactical battle for 40 or so laps then a tense build up to a great finish and the Lewis fans are celebrating like they have survived with 9 men for 30 mins to win by a single goal.

It's more like golf to me these days. They can sort of apply pressure to one another by pushing the limits from time to time but there's almost zero direct interaction, particularly at the front.

They either get stuck a second or so adrift of their competitors in the dirty air or they get into DRS territory and essentially get a free pass at a given point on the circuit. Even the tactical side seems to have become incredibly narrow, you pit first and almost guarantee track position with the undercut or you stay out and hope the later stop gives you fresher tyres to come back at the end.

Fuel stops must have taken a lot of flexibility out of strategy, I can't imagine them returning now on a safety basis, but the tyre situation just makes a lot of the strategy feel contrived. You pick the option that works best and then fudge in either the one that falls apart too quickly or the one that gives no grip for a stint against your will.

I really hope the drastic design changes to the cars make a big difference and they can start to do away with all the extra measures they've had to introduce to try and retain the pretence of racing.

 

[t3ch]

the efforts to reduce the dirty air next year should hopefully be a big help

 

[The Bear]

Changes coming to Albert Park for November.

 

[PuntsWolf]

Is this try and open up an overtaking opportunity?

 

[The Bear]

Supposedly. They say it will knock about 5s off the lap time and make for closer racing.

Australian Grand Prix: Daniel Ricciardo backs changes to Albert Park track

McLaren driver Daniel Ricciardo backs changes being made to Australia's Formula 1 circuit in an attempt to improve racing.

www.bbc.co.uk

I don't like the chicane at 9/10 going, there's no overtaking opportunity at 11.

 

[Paddingtonwolf]

You will be able to try and overtake into 11 if they make the newly created straight a DRS zone

 

[Nando]

9/10 is the best part of the track - really difficult to nail and has in the past encouraged some late lunges.

11/12 is very, very tight and isn't a braking zone, they tend to lift off and drop to 6th/7th so I wouldn't expect much action there unless they overpower the DRS zone so that the deal is done well in advance of the apex, which is not good viewing.

Personally, I'd leave 9/10 as it is and then straighten out out 11/12 with DRS into 13 which is a proper opportunity but always a risk with the gravel trap at the exit.

 

[The Bear]

Agreed Nando. They could have also gone in a straight line from 9/10 to 11 and make that a 90 degree left hander for an overtaking opportunity.

 

[Paddingtonwolf]

It looks like the six and seven kink is basically being removed by that widening so you could be starting the move from there and flat out round the outside of eight and out drag down to eleven I suppose.

 

[Carrotdude]

11 is a semi heavy breaking zone tbf, 12 is more of a lift off corner. I think with DRS turn 11 will be a potential overtake area. The race is usually boring af but gets away with it as we’re all hyped for the new season. Hopefully the changes help

 

[Paddingtonwolf]

Yas Marina and Monaco are the dullest tracks of all but Albert Park is in the conversation.

 

[The Bear]

Turn 11 is just a lift + shift down a gear and is a high speed corner. Never ever been a braking zone.

 

[Paddingtonwolf]

But if six / seven is ironed out as the diagram implies then the overtake starts from the exit of five and can continue round eight and then all the way to the eleven / twelve complex. That has to be what they are aiming at.

 

[The Bear]

Maybe if they make it a DRS zone but they already have three of those. Turn 11 is approached at near top speed as it is. Another long straight before it isn't going to make much difference. It's too high an apex speed (160-170mph) to be an overtaking chance.

 

[Paddingtonwolf]

I’m thinking more about outside of eight. Sort of like trying to go round the outside of Parabolica at Monza.

 

[sycophantia]

Would not Phillip Island be suitable for F1? One of my fav bike racing circuits but not sure it would be ok for cars.......plus its miles from anywhere

 

[Paddingtonwolf]

Imagine the carnage of F1 at Bathurst!!!