F1 2025

[matthewb0051]

Originally Posted by Rtrorkt

Caution. I attended the race and now understand why F1 may eliminate the track. Racing is fabulous. My seat was at Eau Rouge. No better place to watch the skill of the drivers. Facilities were great, good racing all weekend.

However the local infrastructure is not up to the task. Entry and exit is via small country roads. I’m familiar with VIR and it’s somewhat the same. The local authorities/ police don’t care about logistics. On race day we left the Spa hotel and 745 and missed the start of F3 race. Long line in the one two lane to get in.

Getting out was just a s@&t show. I got on our bus, supposed to be the first leaving, at just before 6pm and finally got back to the hotel just after 10. I booked through a reputable company with experience. Didn’t matter. Police held all the buses for 2 hours apparently indifferent to the situation. When we did leave they did not allow the buses to take the shortest route to Spa, about 15km, but sent us on a 60km route that was nothing but 1.5 lane country roads stacked with traffic. We sat still for the majority of the 2+hour bus ride. While I loved the racing the whole logistics issues would say stay away. Which is unfortunate. Great traditions at that track. Been racing there for 100 years and the roads around it reflect that.


Until there is some cooperation between the local police and organizers I’m afraid the overall experience is lacking m

I went to Nurburgring for the GP of Europe or Germany in 2004. It is pretty off the beaten track as well. The Germans turn 2 lane roads into one way roads away from the track after the event. Gets people out to the Autobahn easier but you feel like you are getting lost.

[Deschodt]

They managed to make SPA suck, SPA !@?!?!@?!

The problem is we do not let them run in the rain anymore. Safety car, safety car start, the rain tire is NEVER used, if it's > intermediate they red flag the thing - when have we seen full wets in use lately ? The "make the cars aero so they can get closer for passing" rules make for more water in the air... and less vis..

Plus the bigger problem is parc fermé rules: some teams were smart and planned for extra downforce for rain... Some teams, turned out were smarter, and planned for normal downforce because they knew the weenies in charge would delay or red flag the race if it was anythign over intermediates. Totally skullF 1/2 the grid's race IMO.

The drivers asking "why aren't we running" were all on high downforce, the others "ooh it's too wet" on low. Easy fix? Wet race -> let everyone re-set their car !

[matthewb0051]

Originally Posted by Deschodt

They managed to make SPA suck, SPA !@?!?!@?!

The problem is we do not let them run in the rain anymore. Safety car, safety car start, the rain tire is NEVER used, if it's > intermediate they red flag the thing - when have we seen full wets in use lately ? The "make the cars aero so they can get closer for passing" rules make for more water in the air... and less vis..

Plus the bigger problem is parc fermé rules: some teams were smart and planned for extra downforce for rain... Some teams, turned out were smarter, and planned for normal downforce because they knew the weenies in charge would delay or red flag the race if it was anythign over intermediates. Totally skullF 1/2 the grid's race IMO.

The drivers asking "why aren't we running" were all on high downforce, the others "ooh it's too wet" on low. Easy fix? Wet race -> let everyone re-set their car !

On one hand I agree but then again, I think you 'run what you brung' as they say in the South. It is Spa, it rains and they should plan for it. I've been in the general area once. It is beautiful but it does get weather and plenty of it. IIRC, it is the first real elevation off of the Atlantic or whatever body of water from the coast.

For me, it is sort of like during a red flag and teams/drivers get a free pit stop and then somehow are able to win. Why? Because they never had to pit.

I did get a nice nap during the one hour delay so that was nice.

[Deschodt]

Originally Posted by matthewb0051

On one hand I agree but then again, I think you 'run what you brung' as they say in the South. It is Spa, it rains and they should plan for it. I've been in the general area once.

But that is exactly my point. The ones that planned for rain go screwed because the stewards delayed the start way way too long. Hamilton would have likely won this had they started right away instead of doing all those safety car laps (and then start under the safety protocol). I say pick one... Either let them adjust for the conditions, OR run in the wet as soon as it's not a monsoon ;-)

[matthewb0051]

I think they are so safety conscious now that they will never assume risk again outside of the normal risk of going 200+ mph.

Wet races usually cause a stir in the field and you get some interesting results. Conspiracy???

[astrochex]

Lollipopman Belgium

[Deschodt]

You tube has a RB film feature for Ford, essentially Chris harris meets Max verstappen, they drive an old RS200 rally car, then the new mustang GTD in the south of France.. It's kinda great, everyone is relaxed and away from F1, made Max more relatable to me...

https://youtu.be/eY8pQMt8eB4?si=0mZwL5vTWJpPuACF


Here I go again with my curse, I dislike some folks for years, then start liking them when they start losing a bit (McEnroe and Djokovic come to mind, now Max)..

[David]

The wife and I watched the Max and Chris video last night and really enjoyed it. Definitely makes Max seem a little more human and Chris is just giddy the whole time.

Kind of surprised Max didn't throw in some big drifts for Chris' sake.

[GH85Carrera]

Yea, that is a great video. Even if it is pretty much a Ford commercial. It is cool, Ford in F1. Cadillac, HAAS are all going to be competing with the best of the best. It will be interesting.

[matthewb0051]

Hamilton has said that during the upcoming summer break that there "will be tears".

Is he butt hurt? Or is he retiring? I seriously doubt the team will be shedding tears after a stern lecture from him.

https://www.skysports.com/f1/news/32461/13404462/lewis-hamilton-ferrari-driver-says-there-will-be-tears-as-he-prepares-for-emotional-release-during-f1-summer-break

[Deschodt]

So Vasseur was re-signed for several years, good (though it's ferrari, contracts means little).
Towel gate at Hungaroring: Max found a towel in his cockpit and tossed it out on the track in FP2, odd behavior for sure, what penalty will they come up with ? (kinda looked like it had a RB logo too in slomo ;-)


[edit] no punishment because it's a "soft object", LOL

[stealthn]

Rumours of Aston F1 for sale, Porsche?

https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Articles/2025/07/30/aston-martin-f1-valued-at-32b-in-latest-sale-amid-surging-investor-interest/

[rfuerst911sc]

I highly doubt Porsche is in a financial position to purchase AM . Porsche has to get their act together on auto sales .

[red 928]

I'm sure Lance has nothing to worry about

[Eric Hahl]

Could this be true?....probably not but would be cool.

[URY914]

Originally Posted by red 928

I'm sure Lance has nothing to worry about

I read today that Fernado has hurt is back from carrying the team for the last 3 years.

[Captain Ahab Jr]

Originally Posted by Eric Hahl

Could this be true?....probably not but would be cool.

False news!

Mercedes won't let Porsche code their hybrid system or any system on their PU, or let Porsche fit their MGU or battery to their ICE, never in a million years

Even if Mercedes gave Williams permission, Porsche are too late for 2026 and 2027 and I'm sure Williams won't have signed only a 2yr deal with Mercedes

Maybe if Porsche do collaborate it won't be on anything related to the PU, maybe wind tunnel time, driver simulator or vehicle dynamics or race stratergy or data analysis

[Eric Hahl]

↑
Kind of figured as much. So much false info out there.

[Reg]

Originally Posted by Eric Hahl

↑
Kind of figured as much. So much false info out there.

The guy in pic looks like Alfred E Newman!

[Reg]

[img]http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploads26/IMG_38081754102151.jpg[/