F1
 

I cannot believe the length of time between F1 races. Never saw this before.

Only one race in, I think, 7 weeks.

Spa coming up next, I hope.

I think they take the month of August off for holiday like most of Europe does.

They've always taken the 'summer break'. I'll bet it's not much of a break for the factories.

Yes. Very frustrating. I think the F1 teams could have their vacation during winter. :)

Happens every year in august.

I'm always pumped up for the Spa race. Probably my favorite F1 track.

A cool vid of Eau Rouge:

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/seget3zOj_8" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

By rule the teams must shut down their factories for two weeks so the workers can enjoy holiday with their families. I say well done. Even if F1 runs through the summer, kids are on summer holiday and their non-F1 friends vacation at this time. F1 is important, but it is not that important. The teams work crazy hard during the season, so the break is well deserved.

Yep, Spa is the best of the best, thanks for the video, sounds great.

But there was a 3 week interval before the last race - I don't recall that in recent history. Basically back-to-back 3 week breaks.

Luckily Louis Vuitton Cup is on today :D

[QUOTE=nostatic;7607233]But there was a 3 week interval before the last race - I don't recall that in recent history. Basically back-to-back 3 week breaks.

Yeah, that was my point.

Calendar here;

Formula 1® - The Official F1® Website

EU residents work less and less anyway. Being politically correct, the FIA makes sure that F1 teams can't make the rest of Europe look bad.

All kidding aside, the August break has been an institution for some time. I'm happy if the time off extends the season to my birthday in November. It's like a birthday present.

I used to watch F1 on the Speed (Nascar) channel, but haven't seen it listed lately. Which network is broadcasting this year? I've been to Spa and want to watch it for sure.....

The latest rumor mill has Daniel Ricciardo moving up to the Red Bull seat, which leaves Kimi putting on red again for next season.

Ian

SUN 8/25, 8:00am Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps NBC

Ian

Yep, summer break, they've been doing it for a long time, at least in part as an economy measure. The rules state that the factories and shops have to be completely closed up for two weeks of this period. You can bet that brains and home computers are working overtime, though.

The mandated 2 week break is the only break the engineers, mechanics, fabricators, etc. really get to truly unplug. It is there to keep them from being worked to death since if they aren't working on this year's car they are working on next years car- winter or summer it doesn't matter.

Or Kimi could stay with Lotus.

Spa
 

This is a great race to start back with., Usually separates the men from the boys.

Hoping for Ham or Kimi! Bring it on!

Uh oh... what happened to the doppler effect?

2 races in March,
2 in April,
2 in May
2 in June
2 in July
1 in August (summer break)
2 in september
3 in October
3 in November.

Team principal Eric Boullier ""If we can't afford him because of finances, then I don't want to have him because he will be a pain in the arse - and it will difficult to build something on this. But if we can have him, then I would like to keep him."

Ian

Kimi would be stupid not to move to Ferrari, given the troubles at Lotus. That, and the fact that Ferrari typically have better cars. And the fact that the cars will be completely new next season, etc etc

Thanks Ian - Appreciate it...

Does anyone smell the same sense of irony I do re Kimi heading back to Ferrari?

I seem to recall they got rid of him because he just wasn't motivated. Massa would start beating him, they'd give him a talking to, and he'd pick up the pace. Repeat. Are they hoping he'll stay interested this time?

Yeah, you're right. Although Kimi is a fan favorite, I'm guessing the old guys with the purse strings have their fingers crossed that Kimi doesn't need to take a dump
during a race, because without doubt that's what he'd do. He's got his priorities
and there're not always what the team wants.

still trying to figure out how lotus is having money troubles ... they have a pretty dang fast car, and one of the best drivers on the grid, and a second driver who isnt half bad either. there engines (lotus is basically the old Renault team) are winning in the redbulls every single week too.

they should have money coming out there ears, at least more then Williams, or sauber or any of the other mid pack teams.

major sponsor deal failed early this season for lotus

yes lotus was renault but with the name change the renault money stoped
and has not been replaced
actually tolman/bennington/renault/lotus

and williams has pay-to-drive , drivers
kimi has a payed for points deal and he keeps finishing in the points so extra is due regularly

bennington. Benetton. :D

my point is they have proven they can run with the best, sponsors should be lining up for next year.

1955 Belgium Grand Prix

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/rAiKovUL8FM" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Ian

Edit: I guess it is Belgian . . . but whatever, it is a must watch.

Spa Qual 12:30-2:00 pm Sat NBCSN
Spa Race 7:30-10:00 am Sun NBCSN

Very exciting quali!

;)

Indeed! Sad not to be able to see tomorrow's race...

Ian: I enjoyed that video very much! Thank you for posting!

23 seconds at full throttle at Spa. :(

Well, I have 250 channels of Dish Network, no NBCSN...Google shows that should be channel 151, but no 151, even searching under "All Channels"

So, get up after the race starts, go thru "All channels" (hundreds) and find the race in Spanish on channel 272:

dish network 272 unimw

Lap 14 when I join, better than nothing, even in Spanish. No Spoiler tales from me....

Eau Rouge at Spa must be my favorite part of any F1 track. Passing those bends at those speeds must take a really brave heart.

I have dish and NBCSN is chan 159.
Just read on planetf1 (I think) that Kimi is going to Ferrari and Alonso to Red Bull.