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  What now for the drivers market?

Posted by: NeilP
05-08-2018, 10:04 AM
Forum: F1 General Discussion Board
- Replies (31)

I boldly and rather stupidly posted my predictions for the 2019 line up on 12th July.  Scrap that it about as close to reality as the Star Wars movies!

Daniel Ricciardo and his move to Renault has shocked the F1 world, nobody and I mean nobody saw this coming.  The move has many implications. First I wonder if at some stage this season now Red Bull will drop him from team and maybe bring in Gasly who many think will be his replacement. It would be harsh and in my eyes classless but this is Red Bull we are talking about. The most ruthless team in F1.

What does that mean for Carlos Sainz?  Clearly he has no drive for 2019 now and although Red Bull hold his contract I do not think there is anyway he will be driving for the number one team. Toro Rosso sure could use his experience but I doubt he would accept that demotion. This probably leaves McLaren who most say is the obvious move but what about a move to Hass?

Clearly Ocon will not be moving to Renault now so what does that mean for Force India?  Does that affect the alleged Stroll family and their proposed buyout of the team?

If Sainz does move to McLaren who will he replace?  The thought is Vandoorne but are we sure Alonso is going to be there next season? Lots of people are saying with the personnel moves they are making that Alonso will probably remain for another season. So does that mean goodbye Stoffel?

Vandoorne to Sauber is another major rumour to replace one of their drivers. Talk from there is Leclerc may go to Ferrari but the rumour mill is churning out more Kimi for another year rumour. Talk of even moving Leclerc to Hass.  Ericcson to survive another year OMG please no.

Williams Stroll to Force India has been a long standing thought but will it now happen?  Russell to Williams is also thought to be a possibility for next year so where would that leave Sirotkin?

Toro Rosso could have two seats available but if Gasly does go to Red Bull does that mean Hartley will stay as an experienced driver?  Surely two young rookie talents in the team at the same time is not a smart move moreso when still trying to develop the Honda engine.

So what now I ask you knowledgeable bunch of F1 fans?

Come on I want to see your bold predictions, dont be shy now I will not hold it against you in the future Smile

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  Barton's Banter Midterm Report

Posted by: Jody Barton
02-08-2018, 08:43 AM
Forum: F1 General Discussion Board
- Replies (15)

The driver's

Lewis Hamilton 9 out of 10

It all started so well for Lewis in Australia, robbed of an easy win by a VSC he really didn't put a foot wrong. A gearbox change for Bahrain hampered him, but China was a proper blip in form, probably his only one. He wasn't quite back to his best in Baku, However, despite this he kept himself in touch and was there to pick up the pieces when other had bad luck, or threw it all away with stupid moves on cold breaks and cold tyres. Was superb in Spain, minimised the damage in both Monaco and Canada and was untouchable again in France. Austria brought his first DNF in a stupidly long time after a fuel pump issue first caused him to slow while comfortably leading and ultimately retire. That it was such a shock is a testament to the reliability he has enjoyed. Rapid back in Silverstone while being tagged into turn 3 should've ruined his chances of racing for the win, he managed to fight all the way back to second place. More mechanical issues in Germany on Saturday, but come Sunday he drove out of his skin, and in changeable conditions was lapping at times 2 to 3 seconds quicker than anyone else. In Hungary he should have been nowhere, but in the rain he was a cut above, I was there, I saw it, he is the rain master, and on Sunday he finished the job off in some style and with ease. He still has not reached his post 2017 summer break levels, but not far off.

Vettel 7.5 out of 10

He started sluggish in Australia, at the start of the season it looked like Kimi was going to be the title contender. Still he lucked into a win and it seemed to wake him up. He was fantastic in Bahrain and robbed in China. Baku everything was going well and like Lewis in Australia an unfortunate Safety Car sort of ruined things for him. However, it was his silly lunge on Bottas that did more damage. Nowhere in Spain, partly due to the car, but also due to being out of sorts, Kimi once again looked the quicker Ferrari driver. Frustrated in Monaco, but wisely playing percentages, brilliant in Canada, but silly again in France. Better in Austria and Silverstone and there to gobble up the points others let get away... then came Germany. Up until Hockenheim you could argue it had ebbed and flowed between Lewis and Seb, but a stupid error pushing too hard in the wet gifted Lewis a 25 point swing. Painful. In Hungary he looked bad in the wet, and even on fresh tyres when the rain was easing up he couldn't match Lewis' times... plural... goes into the summer break still in touch but with questions to answer. He definitely has the car, the reason he doesn't have the title lead is all him 

Räikkönen 6.5 out of 10 

Not the Kimi of old. There have been flashes of that Kimi in Australia, China, Austria and France. But it has been a frustrating time for Kimi. While Seb's car seems bulletproof, his has been beset by gremlins. At times he's seemed disinterested (Canada) at others openly frustrated at clearly being a number 2 (Germany). Rumours of a contract extension seem cruel, I think his time in F1 should come to an end, it's sad seeing Kimi reduced to Seb's wingman. Just put him out of his misery Ferrari 

Bottas 8 out of 10

The unluckiest man in the paddock. He let himself down in Australia pushing too hard in Qualifying, but since then has acquitted himself relatively well. He bottled a last lap move on Seb in Bahrain, was robbed cruelly in Baku and has seen many a golden opportunities to challenge for wins buggered or evaporate through no fault of his own... Hungary seemed to sum his season up. So much effort, skill and graft for little reward and still not quite good enough to match his team mate. With a tight title fight, and despite some hastey post race "clarification"... he's surely Hamilton's wingman now.

Ricciardo 7.5 out of 10

Supposedly still in with a shot of the title, but he's fifth in the Championship behind Mercedes and Ferrari's number 2 drivers and really with no hope on hell of winning the WDC. He's had lucky drives (China being a great example) and great gutsy performances worthy of a title contender (Monaco), but he's still being out qualified by his team mate, and despite all the overtakes he's had some lackluster weekends. However, it must be difficult to stay motivated when your car breaks down if you so much as look at it. 

Verstappen 7 out of 10

We might all have forgotten Verstappen's calamitous start to the season, given his performances from France onwards have generally been really good. But, going off track multiple times in Australia, spinning during the race was followed up by a clumsy move on Hamilton in Bahrain, an even clumsier move on Seb in China and multiple illegal and dangerous moves on his team mate in Baku that eventuay put both of them out of the race, although not fully to blame, he still should shoulder the lion's share. Then there was Monaco, a race Red Bull should have had one-two at. He stuck it in the wall. Still he's learned from it and is seemingly more composed now... however, like his team mate his car is a wreck.

Hulkenberg 8 out of 10

Best of the rest, he's had mechanical problems and one scruffy race in Baku, but Nico always seems ready to pick up the dropped points from others. There haven't been any stand out drives, but that's the way he is. He just does what he does with quiet efficiency. Never getting a drive for a Championship winning team though, but doing a solid job for Renault.

Magnussen 8 out of 10

Making Moanjean look obsolete, showing a great turn of pace, and apart from nearly sticking Gasly into the wall in Baku he's been much neater and tidier in his second season with Haas. Finally starting to look like he deserves to be in F1. Hope it continues in this way for him, mostly because if it does it might convince Haas to drop Moanjean.

Alonso 8.5 out of 10

He won Le Mans, and has managed to get his plank of a McLaren to 9th in the Championship, a car that is realistically only quicker currently than the God awful Williams. Given McLaren have seemingly given up on their 2018 car, it isn't a surprise to see at races like Germany Alonso literally going through the motions, and in Hungary seemingly uniterested. It's sad to see him in this state, and I personally think for his own sanity he needs to do something other than F1 next year. Still a great driver though.

Peréz 6 out of 10

It's slightly odd to see Peréz ahead of his team mate Ocon, even if it is only by 1 point. He is being comprehensively out qualified by his team mate this year, now he's got his feet under the table, and of the 9 races so far this year when both Force India's have finished, Ocon has beaten Peréz 7 times. Peréz did pick up a podium in Baku though, but has two fewer DNF's than his team mate. If the trend continues into the second half of the season he'll be in trouble. 

Sainz 6 out of 10

Being a bit left behind in Hulkenberg's shadow. Had a great qualifying in the wet at Hungary, but beyond that I don't remember him doing anything of note... and that's alarming. He is a talented young driver... who no longer gets mentioned in discussions about talented young drivers. He's at serious risk of sliding out of F1 and being consigned to the F1 scrap heap marked "not quite good enough".

Ocon 7.5 out of 10

He's out qualifying a well regarded Peréz comfortably, and out racing him too. Apart from a silly move in Baku (which ironically his team mate really benefitted from) he has driven very well again, but sadly has had way too many mechanical issues with his car, and was punted out of his home GP. Still, he's starting to look like the real deal.

Gasly 8 out of 10

The plucky little Frenchmen has impressed me. I didn't really rate him in the junior formula and failed to see what all the fuss was about. Obviously I had no idea what to look for! Was having a great weekend in Australia and sadly retired. A cracking drive in Bahrain netted him a well deserved fourth place. Another accomplished drive in Monaco got him a well deserved sixth, as did his drive in Hungary. His wet qualifying lap was something else. When his car hasn't exploded or Grosjean isn't taking him out he's either in the top 10 or knocking on the door. Impressive. Ricciardo should watch out.

Moanjean 5 out of 10

I've tried not being biased, I really really have, and I don't think I am being biased. He's currently driving the fourth best car on the grid. No question. So what is he doing down in 14th in the Championship? Well when he's not crashing into other drivers (11 collisions with other drivers this season) he invariably finds himself slipping backwards on race day, while his team mate excels. 4 DNFs 3 of which are his fault... he also has a knack for finding fellow Frenchmen on track. Not good enough, and he isn't half as good as he thinks he is.

Leclerc 8 out of 10

Schooling the awful, but seasoned Ericsson in the unfancied Sauber. He had a shakey start to his F1 career, but as the season has gone on he has just grown and grown as a driver. He deserves a move further up the grid. But to Haas or Ferrari? Or maybe stick at Sauber? Personally I say put him in at the deep end and see what he can do.

Vandorne 3 out of 10

Had his best race of the season in Hungary when he retired from 10th place. Sums up his season. Sure the McLaren is an utter dog... but he's not out qualified Alonso once, and he's rarely in the same ballpark. Looking lost and out of his depth sadly, and with the likes of De Vries and of course the very taly Norris waiting in the wings at McLaren, his days there seem numbered. Maybe Sauber will save him, but I'm not sure he's worth saving.

Ericsson 2 out of 10

How he is still in F1 is beyond me. He's only once beaten a team mate over a season in his 5 years in F1, that in 2014 while at Caterham when he beat Kobyashi, by virtue of a better reliability record. He was out qualified even then! Nasr beat him hands down in '15 and '16 out racing him and qualifying him, and Wehrlein beat him with two less races, hand me down parts and 4 more mechanical problems than him. He's utter shyte and needs to be gone. His stench fouls up the place.

Stroll 2 out of 10

Was out of his depth in his first season, but glimpses like Baku and qualifying in Monza fooled me into thinking there was promise. There isn't, and you can't polish a turd. Yeah sure, the Williams is an awful car, but truth is Lance is an awful driver in an awful car. None of us like pay drivers, we understand many are needed, but surely there are pay drivers out there with talent and cash!

Hartley 4 out of 10

I likely the lanky sod off the track, but on it he doesn't look like he belongs. Was great in WEC, but F1 seems a bit beyond him sadly. Too many crashes, too many silly mistakes, which would be fine if he was showing pace... but he isn't. Being shown up by Gasly. Won't be in F1 next season unless there's a miracle.

Sirotkin 5 out of 10

I think propping up the standings isn't quite a fair reflection of Sirotkin's efforts, or talent. He seems to be getting more out of the Williams than Stroll, and it's his first season in F1, and he has been dropped right in the deep end with an utterly pants car. I wouldn't begrudge him another season in F1... even though I have a sneaky suspicion he'll prove to not be good enough.

The Team's

Mercedes 8 out 10

Yeah, they're leading the constructors championship right now, and yeah, that'd equate to 5 years at the top of the sport if it ends that way, which would be impressive. However, the 2018 car has the hallmarks of stagnation, and strangely transition about it as they finally realise that perhaps their philosophy isn't the right one and have developed it throughout the season. There have also been poor pitwall decisions and oddly some unreliability issues, worst being the double DNF in Austria, a race they should have dominated. Still, if you can be a bit pants and still be on top you're doing something right, and they've still got a rapid car that gives their drivers the tools to fight. Some poor pitwall decisions this season though... very un-Mercedes like.

Ferrari 9 out of 10

I think they have the fastest car overall. Metrics say they've had the fastest car at 6 possibly 7 out of the 12 races this season and been second quickest in the other 5. While Mercedes have been quickest at 4 and Red Bull 1. Their reliability this year is much improved, true Kimi has had issues, but far fewer than Mercedes, and their pitwall calls have generally been much better this year than in 2017 where they made some howlers. Despite trailing in both championships I think they'll go into the summer break pretty pleased.

Red Bull 7.5 out of 10

That score generally speaking isn't the teams fault. Sure, Verstappen's antics early doors didn't exactly help with putting points on the board, but the biggest issue is that their engine is shyte and seemingly held together by string and sellotape. Fairly decent chassis though, although in Hungary it didn't look right. I think the rest of the season is going to be painful for them as Renault couldn't give a flying fuck about them. In limbo until they get those Honda power units... I just hope it works out for them.

Renault 7 out of 10

Best of the rest for now, and probably fifth or sixth quickest car overall. There are signs of steady improvement, but news Bob Bell is moving away from the day to day stuff and taking on an advisory role is a tad concerning. Still, there are clear signs of very steady improvement, and when they add new bits to their car they tend to work. It is though their drivers that deserve most of the credit for where they are, mainly Hulkenberg. If Moanjean wasn't a steaming pile of manure though Haas would probably be comfortably ahead of them by now.

Haas 8 out of 10

I thought their early form was a flash in the pan, and that as the development war went on they'd fall by the wayside. Like they have in their previous two seasons. They haven't. They're still the fourth quickest, and they are improving their car arguably at a quicker rate than the chasing pack. Yeah sure, there's a lot of Ferrari DNA in the car, but they still have to put it all together... Plus, if they had two F1 drivers instead of one they might actually be in with a shot of securing fourth.

Force India 6 out of 10

For a few seasons they've been comfortably fourth. They were always punching well above their weight,, and with budgets that place them right at the bottom of the sport. They've been run on a shoestring budget (the lowest in F1) for too long, and they've done well. This year it has been clear all is not well and their car has gone backwards. It's still essentially the 2017 car with a ho on top. Rumours are there was a 2018 car on the drawing board, but that they didn't have the  money to make it. Their saving grace has been Williams, McLaren and Toro Rosso have bigger problems right now with their cars. Hopefully somebody will save them, but it's a bit grim right now.

McLaren 3 out of 10

It was the engine what done it... right? No, it was the Boullier, Brown and utterly bobbins chassis and aero. For years they claimed it was Honda, and that their cars were awesome, last year it was the best Chassis on the grid according to Zak "I don't get F1" Brown. They were going to be dicing it out with Red Bull, getting podiums... they'd be getting the wooden spoon if it wasn't for a certain Spaniard. One of the biggest names in the sport are right now the second slowest team on the grid, and seemingly without direction. They need help. Such a great team brought low by a lack of leadership and hubris.

Toro Rosso 6 out of 10

The car isn't bad, and at some tracks like Bahrain and Hungary it has looked good... well... in Gasly's hands it's looked very good at times... not so much in Hartley's. Incorporating the Honda engine at short notice for such a small team was clearly a struggle for them, and the power and reliability of the Honda unit isn't great still, but they're slowly and quietly working on improving that together, and we are seeing improvement. This season has turned into one long R&D session for their parent team... losing James Key is a severe blow to them though.

Sauber 7 out of 10

It's amazing what a bit of Fiat cash and Ferrari technology (and staff) can do for a team. Much improved from the last few years, and seemingly keeping pace with the development wars. They might get even better in the second half of the season. Sauber moving in the right direction is good for the sport. If they didn't have to carry Ericsson they might be further up the table by now.

Williams 1 out of 10

Awful. Dire. Embarrassing. At least their car has four wheels... although if they're not careful those might come off soon too. Losing their title sponsors, and possibly more the finances look seriously grim. But... not as grim as the car! Who knows whether decent and talented drivers could have developed it, because their biggest mistake was hiring two talentless drivers with buckets of cash. Claire Williams must bear much of the responsibility for this omnishambles.

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  James Allison answers my question

Posted by: Jody Barton
01-08-2018, 10:55 AM
Forum: F1 General Discussion Board
- Replies (13)

Wait until the end of the video, To hear my question:

https://youtu.be/r9NbkUnAZkM

Interesting answer.

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  2018 Belgian GP

Posted by: Jody Barton
31-07-2018, 09:23 PM
Forum: 2018 Race Threads
- Replies (192)

I know it is a fair few weeks away, but well I guess we should have a place holder for the race. I will be going to the Belgian GP also, hoping to re-start my yearly Spa pilgrimage.

So Spa, has been a bit of a Mercedes track down the years, but last year it was really nip and tuck between Ferrari and Mercedes and we had a real game of cat and mouse between Lewis and Seb, probably my favourite race from last year as they really pushed each other. If you remember after the second Safety car restart they were pulling away from the rest of the field at over 1.5 second's a lap, and Lewis drove an amazing defensive race and Seb pushed him every inch of the way.

Going into the summer break I think the roles might be reversed between the two teams. Ferrari look rapid, true, so do Mercedes, but I think we can all see Ferrari have the edge. Mercedes said they're bringing a large update package to Spa, and also Monza afterwards, but it'll need to be one hell of an update package, because Ferrari will not be standing still either.

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  Mercedes bottom of the lap count

Posted by: morini
31-07-2018, 06:17 PM
Forum: F1 General Discussion Board
- Replies (11)

First day testing.

I'm surprised. Did they have reliability issues? Kudos Giovinazzi, impressive.

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  Renault

Posted by: PapaofGags
31-07-2018, 04:37 PM
Forum: Team Gossip
- Replies (57)

https://www.planetf1.com/news/renault-st...r-in-2015/

[b]The very public spat between Renault and Red Bull has continued with Cyril Abiteboul saying they stopped listening to Christian Horner years ago.[/b]
Renault’s rocky relationship with Red Bull is coming to an end at the 2018 season as Red Bull enter a new partnership with Japanese engine manufacturers Honda.
The two teams are going through a messy break-up period, which was exasperated in Hungary by Max Verstappen’s latest Renault engine-related DNF.
Verstappen unleashed a volley of expletives over team radio about the power unit, while Horner himself said that Renault are charging millions of pounds for a below-par product.
Renault, though, continue to be unperturbed by Red Bull’s latest outburst, especially with the end of the partnership in sight.
“Our bosses have stopped reading what Christian Horner is saying about us since 2015,” Abiteboul told Autosport.

“It’s very clear that we don’t want to have any dealings with them any more. It’s very clear it’s done.
“They will have their engine partner that will be paying a helluva money to get their product on board, and I wish them good luck. I have nothing else to say.”

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  Williams

Posted by: PapaofGags
29-07-2018, 11:20 AM
Forum: Team Gossip
- Replies (160)

https://www.planetf1.com/news/claire-wil...king-away/

[Claire Williams admits Williams’ wretched season has her questioning whether she is the right person for the job, but until someone at Williams tells her otherwise, she won’t give up.

The FW41 has been criticised from all quarters.
She, however, says until such a time as someone at Williams tells her that she the problem, she’ll keep pushing on and try fix the situation.
She told The Sun: “Of course I think about walking away.
“Anyone with a team in this position would but it’s not because I can’t be bothered any more.
“I question whether I’m the right person to be doing this job. But I haven’t got to the point where I look in the mirror and think I’m the problem.
“If people are criticising me in the paddock or on social media, they can do that all they like.
“But if anyone in Williams says to my face that I was damaging the team, then I would go.
“Until then, I have much more I can do and I won’t give up. We are 10th and I hold my hands up. It is up to us to fix it.”

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  Graphics (again)

Posted by: Foghorn Leghorn
28-07-2018, 08:19 PM
Forum: F1 General Discussion Board
- Replies (11)

Missed some of the fun, the last couple of days, but did see Ian, wanted to drag me down to his level again, he has no shame  Smile


But, just wanted to ask, the old farts, and the gamers, I've been unsure of the new graphics from the start, and didn't want to comment on it too much.  But I've recently, watched quite a few "historic" races, as they call them, and the graphics, seemed to be, next to none.  I know it's a bit of an old one, but are you's guys complaining sure, that, you don't like the new graphics?  Or do you just not like change?

I actually liked what they did with the Halo graphic - it means we get the info, and don't have to look at the halo.

And too much info, on screen, distracts me from watching the actual racing sometimes.  My point is, is it crap? Or is it just different from what you are used to?

Not saying it's great, by any means, just can't think of when it was - so much better or worse Smile

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  James Key to McLaren

Posted by: Jody Barton
26-07-2018, 09:45 AM
Forum: Team Gossip
- Replies (19)

This is a really interesting move:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/amp/formula1/44961301

James Key is considered quite a young talent in the technical side of the sport. Red Bull think highly of him, and Needy has had nothing but kind words for the bloke. So I just assumed he wasn't going to be available because he'd be on the track to the senior team. Still, quite a good appointment.

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  To cheat, or not to cheat?

Posted by: forzaferrari
25-07-2018, 04:55 PM
Forum: F1 General Discussion Board
- Replies (121)

Every few weeks there has been something or other brought up (mostly) about Ferrari and the legalities of the SF71H, as we are only half way through the season I thought there should be a thread for any ongoing or further discussions and debates regarding any of the teams and drivers possible "indiscretions"

Formula 1 race director Charlie Whiting insists that the FIA is still happy with the operation of Ferrari’s hybrid system, despite ongoing discussions with rival teams.
The FIA announced in Monaco that its investigations have suggested that the Italian team was doing nothing wrong.
However, rivals have continued to question the recent strong performance of both the works cars and customer teams Haas and Sauber.
"Something is going on there, it's not normal," said Renault's Nico Hulkenberg.
"Since a couple of weekends, since France I think, all Ferrari-powered cars have a lot of power all at once.
"It's difficult for us against Haas, because in the corners we are at eye level or better but on the straights we lose a lot."
Whiting and other key FIA players had a meeting with Mercedes representatives at the team's motorhome in Hockenheim.

"We are entirely satisfied with everything on that front, as we said in Monaco," said Whiting.

"Some teams have been asking further question and we were just there to try and help them have some peace, if you like."

Asked if Mercedes had questions about legality, or just wanted to know where the limits were for its own development, Whiting said: "Again, those discussions are private.

"I don't think I should be telling you. If you want to talk to Mercedes, they'll tell you but I think what goes on behind closed doors should remain behind closed doors."

Mercedes boss Toto Wolff would not be drawn on the discussions, implying that it was a routine gathering.

"The exchange you're having with the FIA and some of the other teams, or engine manufacturers, is on a regular basis," he said.

"It's more visible if you do it on a weekend, on track, in the motorhome, but it's completely regular business to discuss various technical topics."
Renault Sport F1 boss Cyril Abiteboul admitted that the data suggests that Ferrari is doing something "strange" - but he stressed that doesn't necessarily mean that it is illegal.
"First we know we have a power deficit, which up until now was against Mercedes," he told Motorsport.com.

"They are still here but we see indeed that Ferrari has taken the upper hand, so congratulations to Ferrariin that battle, which is more a technical battle, but less visible. The step that they have done is amazing.

"It's a step that they have done to a certain degree that does not go with a hardware introduction, it's also a step that we see across all three teams, not just Ferrari

[/url] [url=http://twitter.com/ScuderiaFerrari]

"It's a step that they have done to a certain degree that does not go with a hardware introduction, it's also a step that we see across all three teams, not just Ferrari which is not necessarily a battle for us, but also Haas and Sauber, which are more of a battle for us.



"Clearly we are scratching our heads, because we look in particular at the GPS profile, and we we see indeed that it's really strange what they are doing.
"But doing something strange doesn't mean that it's illegal. I think we must give credit to what they have done, and that should be an extra commitment to work harder, and try and do the same step on our side."

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