The F1 thread

RiftAmps

https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/ricciardos-alphatauri-f1-seat-fitting-fuels-de-vries-rumours/10467935/

stickyfiddle

Crikey. I suspect just a bit of threatening behaviour rather than any real intent to replace him. But it's pretty nasty. 

Business as usual then from RB... 

fretmeister

RIC was getting a test run soon anyway, so he needs a seat fitted no matter what.

stickyfiddle

fretmeister said:

RIC was getting a test run soon anyway, so he needs a seat fitted no matter what.

Yes, but wasn’t that going to be in the RB, not the AT? 

chillidoggy

To be fair, De Vries hasn’t exactly shone since where was it? Monza last year?

Replacing him with Riccardo is like removing an old spark plug, and refitting it again.

Cols

It would be a bit harsh to replace a driver after only 4 races.  Surely kindly old Uncle Helmut wouldn’t do that…?

In reality, de Vries absolutely kicked the door to F1 down in Monza last year and elevated everyone’s expectations.  Despite being “one of the rookies”, he’s highly experienced and would have been expected to slot in and get on with it immediately.  So far, he’s been well off Tsunoda in both qualifying and the race, combined with a few expensive accidents.  Not a good start.

In any case, I suspect the hand of Ricciardo’s management in this.  It’s clear that he’s not going to get a seat in F1 next year by sitting on the pit wall, and driving for Alpha Tauri “as a favour” because he’s part of the Red Bull family and one of their drivers isn’t cutting it plays better for PR purposes than directly taking a big demotion directly from McLaren to AT.

chillidoggy

Harsh maybe, but I strongly suspect Helmet will do whatever it takes to win, or move up the field.

I think it's a risky move, 'cos if Riccardo performs like he did at McLaren, he could end up being no better than De Vries.

skullfunkerry

Plenty of rain forecast for this weekend, with new wet weather tyres as well... could be lots of red flags again:

https://www.planetf1.com/news/imola-emilia-romagna-grand-prix-weather-forecast/

goldtop

Circuit evacuated due to flooding! Saw a photo of a rather swollen river running alongside.

Cols

goldtop said:

Circuit evacuated due to flooding! Saw a photo of a rather swollen river running alongside.

Precautionary - the circuit’s not flooded yet - but it’s the river behind Tamburello, and looks like there’s not much room left before it spills onto the circuit.

skullfunkerry

Decision at 1400 today. Wouldn't be surprised if they cancelled it...

https://www.planetf1.com/news/update-emilia-romagna-gp-cancellation-threat/

stickyfiddle

I can imagine they might keep hopes of the race going ahead but make an early decision to close it to spectators. 

If they have a spare weekend with everyone in one place can we get them all in Golf GTIs on proper tyres and still have a race?  

goldtop

Cripes!

https://twitter.com/FastestPitStop/status/1658762472013152260

Cols

stickyfiddle said:

I can imagine they might keep hopes of the race going ahead but make an early decision to close it to spectators. 
 

That would be a proper dick move, leaving the circuit having to refund all the tickets while having to still run a face and pay a hosting fee.

Meanwhile, Liberty would still get their TV money - even if it’s a farce like the 2021 Belgian Grand Prix.

stickyfiddle

Cols said:

stickyfiddle said:

I can imagine they might keep hopes of the race going ahead but make an early decision to close it to spectators. 
 

That would be a proper dick move, leaving the circuit having to refund all the tickets while having to still run a face and pay a hosting fee.

Meanwhile, Liberty would still get their TV money - even if it’s a farce like the 2021 Belgian Grand Prix.

Yeah. So the most likely option then?  

chillidoggy

Use boats instead.

stickyfiddle

chillidoggy said:

Use boats instead.

Like this year's Mclaren?  

Cols

This is what the F2 paddock currently looks like:

goldtop

Also saw this wider shot of the same place:

stickyfiddle

A couple of laps behind the safety car should sort that out no problem!!