F1: 2019 thread

[WPOZZZ]

Originally Posted by Noah930

Maybe one of those whoever-makes-it-to-T1-first-gets-to-keep-it deals. While Vettel is the team's lead driver, the last thing the Scuderia wants is for both cars to DNF on that first corner. The second to last thing is for one of the Silver Arrows to come in P1. Better to have Leclerc lead Vettel for the first lap (and then maybe figure out team orders later on), than it is for either of the above scenarios.

Seb and his red mist worries me. As you have said you don't want the two Ferraris taking each other out racing to T1.

[Noah930]

Well, the Scuderia is well-known for screwing the pooch on any type of race strategy, so it'll be interesting to guess what Binotto told his drivers (or Seb in private afterwards).

[herr_oberst]

Originally Posted by 450knotOffice

....stumbled onto an awesome article about the 1934 Alfa Romeo Tipo B that Nuvolari drove at the 'Ring in 1935, beating the mighty Silver Arrows.

Thanks for that.

Yeah, I think Smith wrote that article. He's a good reason to keep the R&T subscription going.

Originally Posted by strupgolf

Always had this question. Why, in the driver interviews after not qualifying, do they always have a "handler" with them recording every word they say. Are the teams scared of drivers saying something bad about them. Why not just let the driver be himself. Every time you see them sticking a recorder in their face. Oh well.

Probably multiple reasons, one might be that the handler can help keep the interview short but also make sure everyone that matters gets to get a question or two to the driver. Keep the press happy!

[Noah930]

I didn't watch any of the first race of the season, but do the cars seem to be running a lot of rake this weekend? Is that due to some sort of regulation, or a balance issue for this particular track/conditions?

[yellowperil]

Vettel could drop that mustache, doesn't suit him imo

[URY914]

Originally Posted by yellowperil

Vettel could drop that mustache, doesn't suit him imo

Agree.

[rfuerst911sc]

It is a long season and a lot can happen and probably will . Each team goes through highs and lows . But I think today's race and the next 2-3 will make or break Vettel . I think the hype about his team mate has already crept into his head and being out qualified isn't going to help . If that happens a few more times and the race results are similar Vettel will be in panic mode . I have no ill will towards Vettel but he is not and never will be as strong willed as his idol Schumacher .

And maybe ....... just maybe he is hearing the foot steps of the younger Schumacher in the background . Ferrari has stated Mick has a ride when he wants one . Well if you were Ferrari and you had to make the decision on who to replace who do you think it would be ? Vettel has the pressure to beat Mercedes , his team mate , his idols history and now his idols son is in the rear view mirror . Only time will tell what happens .

[Jims5543]

Originally Posted by rfuerst911sc

It is a long season and a lot can happen and probably will . Each team goes through highs and lows . But I think today's race and the next 2-3 will make or break Vettel . I think the hype about his team mate has already crept into his head and being out qualified isn't going to help . If that happens a few more times and the race results are similar Vettel will be in panic mode . I have no ill will towards Vettel but he is not and never will be as strong willed as his idol Schumacher .

And maybe ....... just maybe he is hearing the foot steps of the younger Schumacher in the background . Ferrari has stated Mick has a ride when he wants one . Well if you were Ferrari and you had to make the decision on who to replace who do you think it would be ? Vettel has the pressure to beat Mercedes , his team mate , his idols history and now his idols son is in the rear view mirror . Only time will tell what happens .

I think Bottas is going to crumble too. Hamilton has already started messing with his head.

[yellowperil]

A great race to watch, had something for everyone, but was brutal to watch Leclerc
lose like that. His time will come very soon, I hope!

[Jims5543]

Oh look! Another Mercedes 1-2.

Lewis will be 6x WDC by race 17.

Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk

[cairns]

Time to get rid of Vettel. But a fantastic race- LeClerc was amazing and Louis was very gracious.

[astrochex]

A genuinely entertaining F1 race with real, non-DRS passing. Gutted for LeClerc though.

This race bodes well for more intense competition between Ferrari and Mercedes.

[CurtEgerer]

Originally Posted by CurtEgerer

2/21/19: Going with Renault as a legitimate contender and race winner this year

OK, I'm going to go ahead and take my Mulligan 2 races in, and withdraw my prediction ....

[yellowperil]

[QUOTE But a fantastic race- LeClerc was amazing and Louis was very gracious.[/QUOTE]

Lewis was indeed gracious, I think everyone, drivers included were rooting for Leclerc.

[legion]

My thoughts:

Hamilton didn't win the race by being the best driver or having the best car. He won by capitalizing on Ferrari's mistakes. Hamilton has won many a race by just not screwing up as bad as those around him.

Speaking of Ferrari, it looks like Vettel has already cracked under the pressure and LeClerc was screwed by some design flaw. They will win some races this season, but will it be enough?

What's up with Renault. Seems fishy that both cars stopped at the same point on the track. Can they just not handle the heat?

McLaren are looking strong again. They seem to have their engine better sorted than the works team...

[Mericet]

Originally Posted by Noah930

I didn't watch any of the first race of the season, but do the cars seem to be running a lot of rake this weekend? ?

I think Mercedes is the only team not to run a lot of rake. From technical explanations over the off season, the theory is that a lot of rake helps the front wings work a little better.

[Deschodt]

Other than the obvious (gutted for Charles, also for Elfyn Evans in WRC) - it was the weekend of motorsport fairy tales gone awry..

- Hey McLaren is back !!! Seriously how cool is that ? All it takes is dumping Fernando and the luck changes. If it weren't for Max "Gandalf" Verscrashen ("thou shalt not pass") , Sainz might have scored a top 5 or 6. Unless he blew up. How amazing is that ?

- Renault's reliability was not very good on their cars but looked pretty good in customer cars ! Go figure...Still looking better - and REdBull is not looking great - almost being shown off by toro rosso !

- It's not great news for Robert K getting lapped by his teammate.

- Sainz and Grosjean need a bit of luck. GRO got screwed over by Vettel in qualifying (even Norris said the penalty was unfair and should have gone to Mustache Vettel who overtook him on the last turn before the lap). Then he was taken out by Stroll, and last race they didn't attach his wheel...Also I'd love to see young Carlos Sainz take out Max HARD next time this sort of confrontation happens, and I mean hard. Teach Max a lesson.

- Porn star 'stacheVettel losing it again under pressure. When have we seen this before ? Oh right, half of last season ! If I was Binotto I'd start putting my efforts behind Leclerc

- Alfa is kinda Meh - Sad for Kimi and for the brand, was hoping for more, at least Hass qually levels with the engineering effort Ferrari put into them. Giovanazzi is *not* looking like the next world champ either. You could have retained Ericsson honestly.

[yellowperil]

He oft times has bad luck. It will change., he too might rise again.

[Clint Lando]

Originally Posted by yellowperil

Vettel could drop that mustache, doesn't suit him imo

cornrows better?

[Clint Lando]

Charlie Leclerc yesterday