The Official Formula 1 Racing Thread

[dpantski]

They need to have a total change in the sport IMO because not being able to race until 20 mins after its stopped raining (and it was only a 10 minute shower) is silly and F1 cars used to be able to race in wet conditions. Nowadays its a bit damp and they've got the safety car out. Now I don't want to see anyone hurt but the cars seem far less driveable in the wet now.

The race was ok, I guess I'd expect more excitement from a wet race but there a lot of people stuck behind slower cars/drivers because they couldn't overtake off the dry line.

 

[zeeblofowl_1969]

I'm surprised that Ivy Adams hasn't dropped in lately. Her boy Max has been lighting up the sky since arriving at Red Bull. He had another podium at Silverstone and got promoted from 3rd to 2nd after the Rosberg controversy. Speaking of Rosberg, his fortunes have gone in the opposite direction. In early May, he had an "insurmountable" 43 point lead over Hamilton. Now, in early July, he has a 1 point lead. That's rather amazing. But I still think that Nico has the advantage, because Hamilton will surely have some engine penalties before the end of the season (he's on his last power unit now). Last year, it was easier for the Mercedes to race through the field and grab a 2nd or 3rd (if starting from the pitlane), because only the Ferraris could really put up a fight. Now, it would be harder to break into the top 5 - so Lewis will likely lose some major points when he takes on another power unit or components. Maybe he could pull a Honda and introduce two complete power units in one weekend, thereby increasing his supply and only seeing maximum penalties once. :dunno:

But as for the race at Silverstone, whenever there's rain, there's no such thing as a boring race. Hamilton just managed the race and his tires and took a relatively easy win. But young Verstappen showed that he possesses more and better race craft than the veteran Rosberg IMO. In a slightly faster car, he would have probably kept Nico behind him. Both Red Bulls were quick. The ***** Indias and the Toro Rossos were solid. The McLarens looked better than I expected - especially compared to this time last year. The Ferraris looked much worse than I expected. The Williams were simply pitiful. The Haas cars disappointed.

What says you? Great race???

The race was great love to see these guys push it in the rain.
Just funny how not long ago Hamilton radioed into his team "how do i correct this' and was told repeatedly they couldn't tell him yet Rosberg does it and the team gives the info immediately????
Things that make you go HMMMMMMM......

 

[The Identifier]

They need to have a total change in the sport IMO because not being able to race until 20 mins after its stopped raining (and it was only a 10 minute shower) is silly and F1 cars used to be able to race in wet conditions. Nowadays its a bit damp and they've got the safety car out. Now I don't want to see anyone hurt but the cars seem far less driveable in the wet now.

The race was ok, I guess I'd expect more excitement from a wet race but there a lot of people stuck behind slower cars/drivers because they couldn't overtake off the dry line.

Agreed, it's ever so slightly frustrating.

For some years now a wet track means a safety car start which goes on until the track is ready for intermediates - which is exactly what happened this weekend, and always does. The full wet tyre is hardly ever used under racing conditions.

The excitement brought about by a bit of rain is soon diminished by what becomes a precession behind the safety car.

 

[Supafly]

Wow, that Hungary GP was quite something. Hamilton proved he was the better driver, just in the starting takeoff, and going on to not giving away anything.

Rosberg has to get better, yet he is dominating the F1 scene this year, again, with Hamilton, and the rest just has to get a lucky break if they want to win.

Of course, Verstappen shows his first flaws>: Some ditty moves towards the end of the race, but hey, that is what champions do, Schumacher was a pretty dirty racer, too, if he got challenged

 

[Rey C.]

I was really surprised that Verstappen's double move didn't even come under review by the stewards, especially since it was on the very popular Raikkonen in a Ferrari. Seems like the lad got away with one. The stewards were pretty weak this weekend, IMO. Rosberg also got away with one during Q3 to take the pole. Not really slowing down for a double yellow used to be a big no-no. Course, Nico being on pole probably set Hamilton up for the win, because when Lewis starts on the pole, he pretty much sucks balls these days.

BTW, how about Raikkonen's run from 14th to a 6th? I haven't checked the F1 site yet. Did he win Driver of the Day?

 

[larss]

I was really surprised that Verstappen's double move didn't even come under review by the stewards, especially since it was on the very popular Raikkonen in a Ferrari. Seems like the lad got away with one. The stewards were pretty weak this weekend, IMO. Rosberg also got away with one during Q3 to take the pole. Not really slowing down for a double yellow used to be a big no-no. Course, Nico being on pole probably set Hamilton up for the win, because when Lewis starts on the pole, he pretty much sucks balls these days.

BTW, how about Raikkonen's run from 14th to a 6th? I haven't checked the F1 site yet. Did he win Driver of the Day?

Still a few hours of voting to go right now for DotD, but I think he deserves it.
Lewis did a fine job up front keeping Rosburg just over a second behind all the way. He always seemed to manage to find that little extra when he needed it, nursing both engine and tyres. He will need a new engine or two at some point, which will come with penalties so the longer he can keep his current power until working, the better.

 

[dpantski]

BTW, how about Raikkonen's run from 14th to a 6th? I haven't checked the F1 site yet. Did he win Driver of the Day?

Did he pass a single car though? Or did he make his way up the order because the top 3 teams were considerably faster than everyone else on race day? Alonso was 7th and over 30 seconds behind Raikkonen at the end. What I will praise him for is how he was able to keep Verstappen behind him after the first pitstops.

Rosberg may have finished 2nd after starting from pole, but I have to give him credit for getting around Ricciardo at the 2nd corner, it would've been easy to sit 3rd behind him until the pitstops and try to get ahead that way but he did it on the track.

Sad day for Palmer, he was driving well and Renault did a great job to get him ahead of Hulkenburg in the pits but then he spun and possibly threw away his only chance of points in F1.

 

[larss]

Update - #HungarianGP Driver of the Day is Kimi Raikkonen

 

[Supafly]

Game day, F1 back in Hockenheim, just 4 1/2 h to go.

And how awesome is the starting grid?

Mercedes - Mercedes
Red Bull - Red Bull
Ferrari - Ferrari

Damn, this will be a fantastic day!!!

 

[Rey C.]

Supa, I meant to ask you this before, but are you at all close to Hockenheim? Have you ever been to the German GP at either location?

I thought this was one of the best races of the year. I loved the layout of the old track much more. But the action yesterday was good throughout the field - and I'm not just saying that for obvious reasons.

 

[dpantski]

I thought this was one of the best races of the year. I loved the layout of the old track much more. But the action yesterday was good throughout the field - and I'm not just saying that for obvious reasons.

I think the new layout has been a massive success, the hairpin offers one of the best overtaking opportunities on any F1 track and the first 30 seconds of the first lap never fails to deliver since the track is wide enough and has significant braking zones.

Rosberg is looking like he did last year just before Hamilton clinched the title, 2 consecutive pole positions have translated into being 3rd and 4th at the end of the first lap. His weaker racecraft cost him a chance of finishing higher when he shoved Verstappen off (he said on the radio he was on full steering lock while replays clearly show otherwise).

The main race is for 3rd in the championship between Ricciardo, Verstappen and Vettel. Red Bull seem to have a performance edge for now and this race saw Ricciardo put in a very strong performance so I'd tip him for best of the rest.

 

[Supafly]

Supa, I meant to ask you this before, but are you at all close to Hockenheim? Have you ever been to the German GP at either location?

I thought this was one of the best races of the year. I loved the layout of the old track much more. But the action yesterday was good throughout the field - and I'm not just saying that for obvious reasons.

Hi, I live a coupe hundred kilometres away from that area. I always wanted to go, maybe one day I will.

 

[The Identifier]

This whole track limits thing bugs me. Either put sensors on the track on the white lines (it's possible in this day and age) and make it a hard and fast rule - if you go over it, you get penalised - not just on some corners and not others. Or, even better - make tracks so that going off/over the kerb actually naturally does punish the driver. (ie. grass/gravel - instead of miles of run-off)

The radio rule was utterly ridiculous so at least they've seen sense in that respect. However, they seem to have forgotten why they brought it in in the first place - so that the driver's couldn't be told how to drive. Well, whatever - no radio restrictions is better than being penalised for having your team instruct you on how not to have your car fail on you. They went way over the top on this. It hasn't been a vintage year for F1 in terms of decision making (ie. qualifying format)

 

[Rey C.]

OK, time for a game. Who is going to ***** more ******* during the summer break, Lewis Hamilton or Nico Rosberg?

 

[Rey C.]

Here's a short overview of what the 2017 regulations encompass. So far, I like what I see. How it might affect the racing (turbulence and tire deg while following), I don't know. But at least it gets us back to the wider cars from years past that I preferred.

 

[Supafly]

Celebrate! The emptyweeks are over, and Spa is around the corner. And, as if to spice up our life, the champ males some intersting changes.

Lewis Hamilton to be demoted 15 grid slots at the Belgian GP

But more penalties are expected to follow through the rest of the weekend at Spa

Lewis Hamilton will suffer a 15-place grid drop at the Belgian GP - but more penalties are still expected to be incurred by the world champion this weekend at Spa.

Hamilton's Mercedes W07 car was fitted with a brand-new engine for Friday morning practice at Spa with the introduction of his sixth turbo and MGU-H of the season automatically triggering a 15-place demotion.

However, with Mercedes expected to fit Hamilton's car with at least one other fresh engine before qualifying, more penalties are set to follow, condemning the world champion to the last row for Sunday's race.

Confirmation of a further demotion may arrive as early as this afternoon with the Mercedes team spotted apparently fitting a new unit to his Hamilton's car after the conclusion of Practice One.

...

http://www.skysports.com/f1/news/12526/10547621/hamilton-back-of-the-grid-prep

 

[larss]

Celebrate! The emptyweeks are over, and Spa is around the corner. And, as if to spice up our life, the champ males some intersting changes.



http://www.skysports.com/f1/news/12526/10547621/hamilton-back-of-the-grid-prep

We knew it was coming so he may as well take the hit for all engine parts at once. It will hardly made a difference if he gets 15 or 20 place drop. I bet he enjoys fighting his way up the field (as long as he makes it through the first corner).

 

[Supafly]

We knew it was coming so he may as well take the hit for all engine parts at once. It will hardly made a difference if he gets 15 or 20 place drop. I bet he enjoys fighting his way up the field (as long as he makes it through the first corner).

Spa will male for a great weekend of racing, that much is safe to say

 

[Rey C.]

We knew it was coming so he may as well take the hit for all engine parts at once. It will hardly made a difference if he gets 15 or 20 place drop. I bet he enjoys fighting his way up the field (as long as he makes it through the first corner).

A prophetic post!

From 21st to 3rd was pretty amazing (and lucky). Hopefully Lewis sent a bouquet of flowers and some candy to Verstappen and Vettel for helping him so much.

Now, with a bank of power units, (still) the points lead, a good attitude and momentum on his side, Hamilton seems to be where he wants to be. Personally, I'd love to see Daniel Ricciardo take a win or two (with Lewis coming 2nd ) before the end of the season.

 

[Supafly]

Monza GP is coming up this weekend! One of my favorite races, and - once more - the stage is set for a real thriller!

I think Rsberg will get trouble keeping Hamilton at bay, probably losing the start and spending th race second place. Ferrari, they have their home GP and this may make them try just the little bit harder to make it to the podium. Would like to see that happen.

Verstappen - he is racong like Schumacher did, stretching the limits of acceptable or even allowed racing, and he may cross the line this weekend, as after the GP in Spa, the stewards will surely keep an extra eye on him.