Formula 1

[greatvoyager]

This is interesting, Red Bull have hired a Mercedes engineer from the power trains department to lead their engine development programme.

Red Bull hire Ben Hodgkinson from Mercedes to lead new powertrains division in sign of 'long-term intent'

Long-time Mercedes man Ben Hodgkinson to join Red Bull to head up the Milton Keynes outfits new powertrain division, as they ramp up capabilities to become engine providers too beyond Hondas F1 exit at the end of this year

www.skysports.com

 

[Peregrine 4903]

Brilliant race from Hamilton today, the Mercedes was the better car at this track but Hamilton was still magnificent, still the best driver on the grid.

Verstappen needs to sort out his problems with track limits, but I think the championship battle could certainly last.

Bottas was unlucky but also poor at the same time, needs to up his game but I don't think he has anything else to give.

Perez had an alright race, his stint on mediums was brilliant, but he needs to improve his pace, still a step in the right direction for red bull.

Norris is flying this season.

And Mazepin, has surely got to be up there for worst F1 driver in history, he is laughably bad.

 

[birchesgreen]

I did query Mazepin getting a 5 second penalty, he was already last.

 

[greatvoyager]

It was an interesting race, nice to see McLaren getting another double points finish.

 

[DarloRich]

Brilliant race from Hamilton today, the Mercedes was the better car at this track but Hamilton was still magnificent, still the best driver on the grid.

Verstappen needs to sort out his problems with track limits, but I think the championship battle could certainly last.

Bottas was unlucky but also poor at the same time, needs to up his game but I don't think he has anything else to give.

Perez had an alright race, his stint on mediums was brilliant, but he needs to improve his pace, still a step in the right direction for red bull.

Norris is flying this season.

And Mazepin, has surely got to be up there for worst F1 driver in history, he is laughably bad.

Track limits is SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO boring. Let them race. If they keep all 4 wheels pointing the same way it is fine by me. It will be closer this season but the Mercedes grinding winning machine will deliver. Bottas is a number 2 and Russell would be better imo. Marzipan is bad but he is sitting on a massive pile of money so will be in the seat for 2 years. I am always very impressed how Perez can eke out his tire life. Why cant most of the others?

Norris is doing very well. Putting his more experienced team mate in his place. Will have to see how long it continues. Was also pleased to Vettel improve his qualifying show.

 

[najaB]

Track limits is SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO boring. Let them race. If they keep all 4 wheels pointing the same way it is fine by me.

So cutting chicanes is fine too?

 

[DarloRich]

So cutting chicanes is fine too?

yeah - why not. lets make it fun

 

[JamesRowden]

Spike strips to enforce track limits would be fun

 

[najaB]

Spike strips to enforce track limits would be fun

That's kinda the point - back in the day the track limits were enforced by a hay bales, a wall or a ditch.

Those have been removed in the name of safety, so time penalties have replaced flaming death as the consequence of going off the tarmac.

 

[GB]

A 1m wide patch of dirt just beyond the curbs with the run off areas beyond that would do the trick.

 

[najaB]

A 1m wide patch of dirt just beyond the curbs with the run off areas beyond that would do the trick.

You saw what happened in Imola when Russel got a wheel onto the dirt/grass in the wet...

 

[DarloRich]

That's kinda the point - back in the day the track limits were enforced by a hay bales, a wall or a ditch.

Those have been removed in the name of safety, so time penalties have replaced flaming death as the consequence of going off the tarmac.

Then make the "run off" area outside the corner harsher so that use has a penalty other than death. Make it more abrasive or put in rumble strips , anything to create a slight penalty for running wide. At present it just seems like part of the track so may as we be used. It is just dull deleting lap times for inching over a white line. It is F1 VAR killing the joy and excitement.

However, until they put me in charge of F1 and I can sort the sport out, the drivers need to pay attention and stop whining. You are supposed to be the best drivers in the world. Keep it inside the lines.

 

[najaB]

Then make the "run off" area outside the corner harsher so that use has a penalty other than death. Make it more abrasive or put in rumble strips , anything to create a slight penalty for running wide. At present it just seems like part of the track so may as we be used.

They do use different methods on different tracks, which do include different surfaces, curbs, etc. But at the end of the day the best drivers in the world should be capable of keeping all four wheels inside the clearly marked white lines.

 

[greatvoyager]

It would be nice if all rules were enforced consistently. Perhaps they should cover the corner in a substance that will mark the tyres as it runs over, then it would surely be easier to know who did and didn’t gain.

 

[DarloRich]

They do use different methods on different tracks, which do include different surfaces, curbs, etc. But at the end of the day the best drivers in the world should be capable of keeping all four wheels inside the clearly marked white lines.

I agree - I just added that! I don't like how the rule is applied but a rule it is therefore stop whining and get on with it.

 

[greatvoyager]

Romain Grosjean is to test a previous Mercedes car at Paul Richard.

Romain Grosjean to make demo run in Mercedes following F1 career-ending crash at Bahrain last year

Romain Grosjean will drive a Mercedes on a one-off return to Formula 1 following his fiery accident in a Haas at last year's Bahrain Grand Prix.

www.bbc.co.uk

 

[JohnMcL7]

Martin Brundle has some good comments about track limits especially pointing out that these track designs need to work for a variety of vehicles:

Martin Brundle: The verdict on Lewis Hamilton's Portuguese GP win and Red Bull's track limits claim

The Sky Sports F1 expert assesses the big talking points from Portimao after another closely-fought Mercedes-Red Bull head-to-head and takes an in-depth delve into Formula 1s ongoing track limits debate, explaining why what constitutes Formula 1’s ‘field of play’ matters

www.skysports.com

 

[greatvoyager]

Martin Brundle has some good comments about track limits especially pointing out that these track designs need to work for a variety of vehicles:

Martin Brundle: The verdict on Lewis Hamilton's Portuguese GP win and Red Bull's track limits claim

The Sky Sports F1 expert assesses the big talking points from Portimao after another closely-fought Mercedes-Red Bull head-to-head and takes an in-depth delve into Formula 1s ongoing track limits debate, explaining why what constitutes Formula 1’s ‘field of play’ matters

www.skysports.com

He does make some good points.

 

[PG]

So given the weekend's events in Spain, with Toto publicly confirming Valtteri in the seat at Mercedes for the rest of the season but Valterri ignoring the radio message not to impede Lewis because he was 'running his own race', can we conclude that a new occupant will be in the seat next year if Lewis carries on for another year?

 

[najaB]

Can we conclude that a new occupant will be in the seat next year if Lewis carries on for another year?

I think that was pretty much a given anyway - I doubt that Russell is going to be happy in a Williams forever and a year as the second driver alongside Hamilton will (hopefully) set him up well for his future career.

 

[PG]

I think that was pretty much a given anyway - I doubt that Russell is going to be happy in a Williams forever and a year as the second driver alongside Hamilton will (hopefully) set him up well for his future career.

Yep seems a likely outcome. Will Valtteri leave F1 or would another team want him? - maybe Red Bull given that he's no slouch and Sergio hasn't exactly been much of a match for Max...

 

[najaB]

Yep seems a likely outcome. Will Valtteri leave F1 or would another team want him? - maybe Red Bull given that he's no slouch and Sergio hasn't exactly been much of a match for Max...

I think pretty much any team would take him.

As you say he's no slouch and the Max and Valtteri combo actually could be quite explosive.

 

[PG]

I think pretty much any team would take him.

Can't see Ferarri being interested or McLaren for that matter as they've both got good driver pairings right now.

 

[najaB]

Can't see Ferarri being interested or McLaren for that matter as they've both got good driver pairings right now.

Assuming that everyone stays where they are, yes. But if there's an opening in either team he would be on the shortlist to fill it.

 

[PG]

Assuming that everyone stays where they are, yes. But if there's an opening in either team he would be on the shortlist to fill it.

With the exception of Dani Ric I think their drivers are pretty nailed-on for the foreseeable.

 

[najaB]

With the exception of Dani Ric I think their drivers are pretty nailed-on for the foreseeable.

All things being equal, yes I expect that both McLaren and Ferrari have their drivers for 2022 but F1 is anything but predictable. Sainz is only a on a two-year contract so he might be tempted to break it if a longer drive came up somewhere else.

 

[greatvoyager]

With the exception of Dani Ric I think their drivers are pretty nailed-on for the foreseeable.

Before Spain Dan was a question mark, now I think he’s starting to get back into his mojo.

 

[PG]

Question about Red Bull engines from next year - will they be obliged (under F1 rules) to supply engines to another team if they are approached to do so?

 

[najaB]

Question about Red Bull engines from next year - will they be obliged (under F1 rules) to supply engines to another team if they are approached to do so?

I believe so, yes.

 

[JohnMcL7]

I believe so, yes.

I thought they only had to supply engines if another team were unable to and they were supplying the fewest teams? Hence Renault would have had to supply engines to Red Bull if they hadn't sorted out their own engine and given Renault only supply their own team whereas Red Bull will be supplying two, that would surely leave Renault having to supply engines?