The F1 thread

stickyfiddle

Good news everyone!! The white lien is the edge of the track - no exceptions, no ambiguity. Thank fuck for that. 

https://www.racefans.net/2022/03/17/wittich-simplifies-bahrain-track-limits-rules-in-first-event-as-f1-race-director/

sinbaadi

White lines?  Kerbs aren't part of the track?

Prepare for all of the excitement of qualifying laptimes being cancelled left right and centre, and warnings issued for circuit limits.  

fretmeister

stickyfiddle said:

Good news everyone!! The white lien is the edge of the track - no exceptions, no ambiguity. Thank fuck for that. 

https://www.racefans.net/2022/03/17/wittich-simplifies-bahrain-track-limits-rules-in-first-event-as-f1-race-director/

The article further adds drivers “will be judged to have left the track if no part of the car remains in contact with it and, for the avoidance of doubt, any white lines defining the track edges are considered to be part of the track but the kerbs are not.”

So as long as 1 wheel is still on the track it’s ok.

Thats not really strict track limits!

stickyfiddle

sinbaadi said:

White lines?  Kerbs aren't part of the track?

Prepare for all of the excitement of qualifying laptimes being cancelled left right and centre, and warnings issued for circuit limits.  

Great!

If 15 guys break the rules there should be 15 guys getting penalties - remember one race last year where everyone fucked about so much in qualifying they basically threw their hands up and said "no penalties - everyone did it so who cares" except half the grid didn't do it, and Vettel got fucked over by it.

Just look at Monaco and Baku - they're all full capable of driving within the lines when they need to. Under Masi it was more like "you can go off at corners 4-8, 11 and 14 and I don't care, but 2 and 3 and 13 aren't allowed, except during the race - maybe - but only until I realise one car is doing it loads and people start copying them and I change my again mind mid-race". Just madness. 

fretmeister said:

stickyfiddle said:

Good news everyone!! The white lien is the edge of the track - no exceptions, no ambiguity. Thank fuck for that. 

https://www.racefans.net/2022/03/17/wittich-simplifies-bahrain-track-limits-rules-in-first-event-as-f1-race-director/

The article further adds drivers “will be judged to have left the track if no part of the car remains in contact with it and, for the avoidance of doubt, any white lines defining the track edges are considered to be part of the track but the kerbs are not.”

So as long as 1 wheel is still on the track it’s ok.

Thats not really strict track limits!

I'm fine with that - a hairy moment on the kerbs is still fine as long as the car isn't fully off the track. Same as all other sane racing series...

chillidoggy

As long as the rules are applied across the board, then that's fine.

Cig35

fretmeister said:

stickyfiddle said:

Good news everyone!! The white lien is the edge of the track - no exceptions, no ambiguity. Thank fuck for that. 

https://www.racefans.net/2022/03/17/wittich-simplifies-bahrain-track-limits-rules-in-first-event-as-f1-race-director/

The article further adds drivers “will be judged to have left the track if no part of the car remains in contact with it and, for the avoidance of doubt, any white lines defining the track edges are considered to be part of the track but the kerbs are not.”

So as long as 1 wheel is still on the track it’s ok.

Thats not really strict track limits!

Actually it is. That is how the track limits have been defined for a very long time in the regulations but the regulations have not been applied in practice. So there is a clear definition in the regulations and it will now be applied. Sounds fine to me.

Garold86

I think after last year's "let's make it up as we go along" fiascos, it's good to see some clarity from the outset and hopefully will mean a level playing field. Might actually be the start of some sporting integrity coming back, rather than pure entertainment...

stickyfiddle

Garold86 said:

I think after last year's "let's make it up as we go along" fiascos, it's good to see some clarity from the outset and hopefully will mean a level playing field. Might actually be the start of some sporting integrity coming back, rather than pure entertainment...

Exactly. It's not like in football you ever get a ref saying "The ball went out but only by a smidge and he was on a good run for goal, and his team is 2-0 down so keep going". 

FP1 is 15:00 local time (13:00 UK?) and I can't wait!! Though FP2 should be where we really start to get more of an idea of the pecking order, as that's at the same time as quali. 

Cig35

FP1 is at 12:00 UK time

stickyfiddle

Cig35 said:

FP1 is at 12:00 UK time

Ah, i thought you’d already changed the clocks for summer!

fretmeister

NowTV Special Offer is up.

£20 per month for all sky sports for 9 months. Cancel anytime.

https://www.nowtv.com/watch-f1-online


As Day passes are now £12 that is a much better option.

stickyfiddle

Hamilton back with a bright fucking yellow helmet this year. Pretty much the only one that'll be obvious behind the halo. Great move  

I know it doesn't mean much yet but Alpine look quick in FP1.. 

RiftAmps

Well, the Merc looks fucking dreadfull.

Cols

Yup.  Still looks like the world's fastest bouncy castle.

TimmyO

Not looking fantastic for Merc 

stickyfiddle

Russel was still pretty quick, so we'll see, but it's likely between Max & both Ferraris for the win. At least with Bottas and the Haases looking quick it's going to be an interest first few races while the teams all get the hang of the new cars and try and push upgrades out quickly. 

I'd still back Merc to get the car on track (no pun intended) within 5 races and mount a strong challenge in the remaining 80% of the season. 

TimmyO

The main news though is that I got through my first 2022 Horner interview without throwing anything at the TV, so there is that at least 

stickyfiddle

TimmyO said:

The main news though is that I got through my first 2022 Horner interview without throwing anything at the TV, so there is that at least 

I thought he was actually very measured in the face of some decent questions from Hill. He must've spent the winter practising!

stickyfiddle

Ham and Russell currently 3rd and 1st in FP3 with 15 mins to go. Who knows about fuel and engines but they seem to be hardly porpoising compared to yesterday. Could Merc actually be in the mix?

axisus

Hooray F1 is back! I wonder who they will let win the Championship this year ...