The F1 thread

stickyfiddle

It's happening!! Porsche buying 50% of RB Tech, which is the chassis side. I assume they will then buy >50% of the powertrains division, rather than starting from scratch. 

It's difficult because on one hand I would love to see Porsche give Merc a spanking in yet another racing series, but not he other hand RB are the bad guys and I can't see myself cheering for them ever.

https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/porsche-red-bull-buy-in-details/10344242/ ;

As for @Cols circuit list:


Estoril (Portugal) Don't remember
Magny Cours (France) Only really remember from late-90s N64 games but I think it would be better than PR
Kyalami (South Africa) Don't know it but it's probably back next year?
Buenos Aires (Argentina) Meh
Sepang (Malaysia) Great
Istanbul (Turkey) Fantastic largely for Turn 8 
Indianapolis (USA) Meh
Fuji (Japan) I recall this was meh compared to Suzuka but it was on the calendar when I had a lull in F1 watching so not sure
Valencia (Spain) Oh please god no not again
Jerez (Spain) I always thought this was in Portugal? I only remember it as the scene of the Schu/Ville crash in 97
Yeongam (South Korea) Barely remember it
Buddh (India) Barely remember it but I think it was ok
Adelaide (Australia) Don't remember it

Nitefly

sinbaadi said:

Monza is absolutely one of the top tier circuits in every sense.

If you have a list of "historic/iconic" circuits and another of "actually just a great layout for modern F1" then you have a very short list of tracks that top both of those.

For me:

Silverstone

Spa

Monza

Suzuka

Monaco is a jewel in the crown for F1, and if they stop racing there it would be a shame as they will never go to another street circuit that is anywhere remotely as exciting.  

I once walked the Monaco circuit with Our Maud - I was really surprised by how much elevation change there was, just going up from Ste. Devote to the Casino Square.  You don't  really get the sense of the climb when watching on tv.

HAL9000

Nitefly said:

I once walked the Monaco circuit with Our Maud - I was really surprised by how much elevation change there was, just going up from Ste. Devote to the Casino Square.  You don't  really get the sense of the climb when watching on tv.

Yes. TV flattens everything. I remember a few years back going to Spa and being amazed how steep some of it was - especially the dip down to Eau Rouge which looked absolutely terrifying for driving on at the best part of 200mph.

stickyfiddle

Seb's retiring!!

I'll miss him and look forward to seeing what he does next. I wonder who AM will get in to partner Stroll.

https://www.racefans.net/2022/07/28/vettel-announces-he-will-retire-from-formula-1-at-the-end-of-2022/

Dontgiveupyourdayjob

Have to say I struggled to warm to Seb in his younger days, but the older and more mature he got, the more likeable he became. Unfortunately for him it kinda coincided with his career going backwards, but now I really like the guy! He'll be missed in F1 that's for sure.

Simonh

agree with all that

roundthebend

Monaco is such an important symbol for F1 that I can't imagine it going away. How about it becoming the final race and being a parade like the Paris finish of Tour de France? I guess the weather at that point of the season is the issue there, not such a glamourous place to sit on yachts when it's grey and chilly.

stickyfiddle

Dontgiveupyourdayjob said:

Have to say I struggled to warm to Seb in his younger days, but the older and more mature he got, the more likeable he became. Unfortunately for him it kinda coincided with his career going backwards, but now I really like the guy! He'll be missed in F1 that's for sure.

Totally agree. He was never at the Hamilton/Alonso level but a bloody good driver who demolished the entire field (including his talented teammate) 4 years on the bounce. And the only guy who ever came close to beating Merc during their real dominant period. 

And seems like a really lovely chap to boot. I'd love to meet him and have a chat one day. 

This is the closest I ever got. Goodwood in 2012?

Cols

Sad to see Vettel's career fizzle out, but at least he's leaving on his own terms.

For his replacement - Stroll Sr's terribly keen on getting Alonso, but I doubt the feeling is reciprocated.  They might have a pop at Ricciardo - his stock's low at the minute, but he's a proven race winner, good with the press and might see Aston Martin as an opportunity to rebuild his reputation.  Mick Schumacher could be a possibility if he can progress a bit and deliver consistent performances - doesn't seem to be standing out as an exceptional talent, but the name would keep the sponsors happy.  Then there's the junior drivers waiting hungrily in the wings - Piastri, De Vries, Sargeant, Pourchaire.

stickyfiddle

Yeah, Alonso wouldn't move to a slower team for all the money in the world, and Alpine look to have got their shit together better than the rest of the midfield at this point. But I'm not sure I see AM as being a team keen on rookies

Boromedic

I love Porsche and Porsche cars in general, I'm glad they're finally rejoining F1 but annoyed they're backing RB as I really don't like them as a team and can't get behind them. Perhaps if Karen leaves and there's a bit of a change in the air maybe things might alter. We'll see, Porsche taking a big share should lead to some interesting things happening. 

Sad to see Vettel leaving, but it's been on the cards for a time. I wish him well in whatever he does next.

sinbaadi

stickyfiddle said:

Yeah, Alonso wouldn't move to a slower team for all the money in the world, and Alpine look to have got their shit together better than the rest of the midfield at this point. But I'm not sure I see AM as being a team keen on rookies

Stroll can't ever be considered a number 1 either.  That seat would have Danny Ric or Perez written all over it if either was out of contract.
It still might, but I wouldn't be surprised to see Nico Hulkenburg's name in the mix, or the likes of Gasly/Albon.

stickyfiddle

@Boromedic What will be interesting with the RB/Porsche thing is the apparent difference in cultures. RB seem to be very laissez fare with Horner and Marko being very happy to talk whatever bollocks they think helps them at any given time. Porsche are historically much more conservative, like Merc or Andreas Seidl (himself an ex-Porsche WEC guy). 

I can't see how that won't cause friction tbh, but we'll see! 

stickyfiddle

Well worth watching Vettel’s video if you haven’t already. He’s a good dude. 

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=r3BgDLfRTjk

stickyfiddle

I know this is a joke but it would be actually amazing  

https://twitter.com/SpannersReady/status/1552597160327274498

fretmeister

stickyfiddle said:

Yeah, Alonso wouldn't move to a slower team for all the money in the world, and Alpine look to have got their shit together better than the rest of the midfield at this point. But I'm not sure I see AM as being a team keen on rookies

It's finally time.

Hakkinen to come back from his sabbatical!  

Boromedic

stickyfiddle said:

@Boromedic What will be interesting with the RB/Porsche thing is the apparent difference in cultures. RB seem to be very laissez fare with Horner and Marko being very happy to talk whatever bollocks they think helps them at any given time. Porsche are historically much more conservative, like Merc or Andreas Seidl (himself an ex-Porsche WEC guy). 

I can't see how that won't cause friction tbh, but we'll see! 

Yep, I did think that Porsche are very much like Mercedes and thats a big clash with RB. It will probably start well and then deteriorate as Porsche decide they're not happy with some things. It will be interesting to watch, I hope Karen ends up out on his ear!!

Cols

I think Horner will be fine; he's chameleonic enough to adapt to the requirements and expectations of new owners. 

For the other half of F1's answer to Beavis and Butthead - by the time Porsche really comes in, Marko will be past 80 and will be quietly and diplomatically nudged off in the direction of the nursing home.

markr76

I can’t see Porsche keeping Horner there myself. From what I’m told by my friends at Redbull. He’s only the mouthpiece and face over there. There’s others over there that are really running it. 

I think they’ll want their own team/faces there. I might be wrong though. But that’s only my thoughts. 

chillidoggy

Leclerc topping the time sheet in FP2. Max admitting the Ferraris will be hard to beat.

The Chilli Race Result Prediction - unchanged from last time - a Ferrari 1 - 2. (Let’s face it, I have to be right at some point.)