Formula 1 Discussion - And favourite driver?

[RomanesEuntDomus]

Idk why anyone is excited about the new rule changes because the real reason for the difference in pace between mercedes and the rest is engine power and there is an engine freeze now. The real way to level the playing field is make the engines naturally-aspirated and not hybrid to decrease the amount that the big team will pour infinite money to beat the rest.

In theory, the new rules should allow closer racing, ie: Cars can now follow other cars more tightly and thus gain an advantage even going into or coming out of corners. As of now, the last place you want to be when going towards a fast corner with current aero is anywhere near another car, cause the loss of downforce right behind another car makes it impossible to make the corner. Unless you have absurdly long straights like in Baku, the distance between two cars going through a corner is so big, the second car can not catch up with the other car even when it's using slipstream, unless it closes the gap via DRS, which feels artificial and is only a work-around to deal with dirty air and shitty aero. Mercedes can now freely drive away and no one can even take advantage of using their slipstream. The playing field has become more level this season, if the new rules help with that, it would be very welcome. As of now, Mercedes found the sweet spot to be most effective and as long as nothing large changes, this will remain the status quo. With a drastic new rulechange after FIA established a maximum for car developement, it has at least some potential to shake things up in theory.

Whether this will work out in practice remains to be seen, but at least it changes something about aero and if it leads to DRS being removed from the sport, the better. DRS is F1's version of those stupid videogamey boost strips in FE and should never have been introduced. The moment they realized that this shit is necessary, they should have started looking for a different answer. The worst that can happen: Mercedes will continue to rule the field. And I am doubtful that going back to naturally aspirated engines would not favor Mercs as well.
But I agree, cars should become smaller, too. When you can hardly fit 2 cars next to each other on the track, no wonder there is not going to be much action.

And in terms of Hamilton: If it bothers him so much, he can feel free and start a vegan bike team to participate in the Tour the France instead of driving for F1.

 

[The Grognard]

Greenwashing bullshit only appeals to rubes and suits. As far as the cars go, the rules for development should be far more open for multiple kinds of specs and concepts. Gimmicks should be reduced as much as possible.

 

[WhiskeyZuluLima]

DRS is F1's version of those stupid videogamey boost strips in FE and should never have been introduced. The moment they realized that this shit is necessary, they should have started looking for a different answer.

I have to say, Attack Mode in Formula E and DRS are completely different entities in how they function, and how they impact the racing. Attack mode increases the allowed power output, but doesn't increase charge at all, so you've still got to manage it - it's mostly middle of straights where it becomes effective, okay like DRS somewhat in that regard - however given the nature of the tracks that FE runs at they are so narrow that you still have to get alongside to take advantage.
Which makes it a strategy play of when to take the Attack Modes because you have to go off-line and it does consistently lead to two or three positions lost, but you are forced by the rules to do it. But with the strategy of it, you can take it when the car you're seeing as the target has maybe 30 seconds left on their current attack mode, or if you're the leader and have a gap maybe use it to try and extend.
They function entirely differently, and although I don't much like Attack Mode existing in FE because it is a patchwork to conceal a greater issue like DRS is in F1, the Attack Mode is honestly a far superior and better way of doing it because it isn't the fixed locations where it may be effective; DRS is always and only active within the pre-defined straights.

As far as the cars go, the rules for development should be far more open for multiple kinds of specs and concepts. Gimmicks should be reduced as much as possible.

Welcome to Le Mans Hypercar, then. Where there's the Toyota TS010 which is all technology hybrid Japanese magic, the grandfathered LMP1 chassis and engine from Alpine, and the old-fashioned angry, normally aspirated, SCG 007. Although LMDh/DPi2.0 is looking to be stronger which is a bit more of a spec category but I will conveniently ignore that.

 

[Pee Cola]

I hope Mick moves on to a better team and the Affirmative Action Quota Negro will be paired with Mazepin. Comedy genius.

I can see Mick moving to Alfa Romeo if Kimi decides to retire at the end of the season. AR doesn't have the greatest cars (still considerably less bad than Haas tho), but they'd give Mick a chance to shine in the midfield.

It also makes sense as a stepping stone to Ferrari, assuming Mick wants to follow as closely in his father's footsteps as possible.

 

[Balr0g]

Well next season is currently wide open for seats. It would be great if he could jump into one and do well there. I would say do the same as Seinz and jump to Alpine (Renault in Seinz case, but same team) but Ocon is doing a good job so will probably sign again for next season.

View attachment 2255032

Tsunoda has only a 1 year contract with Alpha Tauri? That doesn't seem right. Or is that a Red Bull thing where they givbe their drivers only 1 year contracts to put more pressure on them?

I wonder if Mercedes will kep Hamilton. Next year will be the beginning of the limited budget and from what I understand is that driver wages are not part of the budget UNLESS they cap a certain point (I think it was 30 Million $) And from what I heard / read is that Hamilton demands more then that. Now that would cut into the budget Merceds would have to keep the team going if they had to divert the excess of this from the racing budget.

I think what F1 is missing today is unpredictability. Usually the race starts and the guy with the best management wins. Unless you have some chaos like in Baku. I grew up with F1 from 1990 onwards and there F1 was less predictable beacuse cars could fail in one race and then rise the next one. Or the car would fail at the wrong moment. We don't have much of that any more because all teams have more or less perfected their reliability.

 

[RomanesEuntDomus]

I have to say, Attack Mode in Formula E and DRS are completely different entities in how they function, and how they impact the racing. Attack mode increases the allowed power output, but doesn't increase charge at all, so you've still got to manage it - it's mostly middle of straights where it becomes effective, okay like DRS somewhat in that regard - however given the nature of the tracks that FE runs at they are so narrow that you still have to get alongside to take advantage.
Which makes it a strategy play of when to take the Attack Modes because you have to go off-line and it does consistently lead to two or three positions lost, but you are forced by the rules to do it. But with the strategy of it, you can take it when the car you're seeing as the target has maybe 30 seconds left on their current attack mode, or if you're the leader and have a gap maybe use it to try and extend.
They function entirely differently, and although I don't much like Attack Mode existing in FE because it is a patchwork to conceal a greater issue like DRS is in F1, the Attack Mode is honestly a far superior and better way of doing it because it isn't the fixed locations where it may be effective; DRS is always and only active within the pre-defined straights.

Sure, they work entirely differently, but both feel equally artificial to me.
DRS is "push button receive overtake" and Attack Mode is like the worst implementation of some video game bullshit and the only thing worse than DRS and Attack Mode is the Fan Boost.

 

[gettingthatgrooveback]

If you don't like mechanical parts failing go watch people.playing the F1 game rather than the sport. These things have always been an integral part of the sport. This kind of "stupid shit" is and always has been part of the championship.

This is a very late reply but I owe it because you're actually retarded. TYRES ARE NOT MECHANICAL PARTS. You made me type that a second time.

Of course you wouldn't because you aren't interested in understanding a major part of the sport. You just want some magical world where unreliability doesn't harm a championship as if that's never happened.

Well, guess what. Pirelli just announced their conclusion regarding the tyre failures. They hid behind words to basically say that they have no clue what happened. So there's nothing to understand on my part. I was fucking right to doubt Pirelli. They ruined the race in Baku. Pirelli's tyres are a liability. End of a story.

 

[RomanesEuntDomus]

For whatever reason, Red Bull felt it necessary to point out that they have no interest to take Bottas under contract in case he should become available.

 

[Full Race Replay]

the difference between pirelli tyres blowing up and a mechanical failure like the redbull engine breaking or something is the tires aren't designed by the teams. They don't have any input into the design, and they don't even get to choose which brand to go for, like in the Bridgestone/Michelin days, where you could make the point that the team chose to go along with them. They are forced to go along with these tires because pirelli pays money to do so, and are stuck with these tires that lasted for fewer laps than the representatives said they would, and that's why these failures feel cheap and unearned.

You guys talk about DRS being gimmicky but the biggest gimmick is these different strength tires that are intentionally engineered to perform poorly and try to capture those alternate refueling strategies, except with more unreliability. Of course refueling is not without its problems, not only safety, but I read that today's cars use less fuel for the whole race than the cars before the turbo hybrid era did with refueling. But all those components, the fuel tank, the engine, are designed by the team (anti-TC monitoring components used by the stewards aside) so they don't have anyone to blame but themselves for it failing.

 

[Coccxys]

Formula 1’s tyre supplier Pirelli say an investigation into the left-rear tyre failures suffered by both Lance Stroll and Max Verstappen in the Azerbaijan Grand Prix demonstrated there was “no production or quality defect” on any of the tyres “nor was their any sign of fatigue or delamination”.

Aston Martin’s Stroll suffered a blowout near the pit entry and spun hard into the wall, bringing out a Safety Car. Red Bull’s Verstappen then suffered a similar blowout going down the main straight, when he was leading the race, and speared into the wall. Both drivers emerged unscathed.

Initially, Pirelli believed debris was to blame for the two incidents, but on Tuesday evening, the Italian manufacturer released the results of their analysis which showed that this was not the case.

On the eve of the French Grand Prix, Pirelli said in a statement: “This analysis also took in the tyres used by other cars in the race, which had the same or a higher number of laps on them compared to the ones that were damaged. The process established that there was no production or quality defect on any of the tyres; nor was there any sign of fatigue or delamination.

“The causes of the two left-rear tyre failures on the Aston Martin and Red Bull cars have been clearly identified. In each case, this was down to a circumferential break on the inner sidewall, which can be related to the running conditions of the tyre, in spite of the prescribed starting parameters (minimum pressure and maximum blanket temperature) having been followed.”

Following the investigation, Pirelli submitted their report to all 10 teams as well as governing body the FIA and issued a new set of protocols which will come into force at this weekend’s race in France.

“The FIA and Pirelli have agreed a new set of the protocols, including an upgraded technical directive already distributed, for monitoring operating conditions during a race weekend and they will consider any other appropriate actions,” added Pirelli.

Shortly after the tyre supplier revealed the results, Red Bull issued a statement: “We have worked closely with Pirelli and the FIA during their investigation into Max’s tyre failure on lap 47 of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix and can confirm that no car fault was found.

“We adhered to Pirelli’s tyre parameters at all times and will continue to follow their guidance.

“We are grateful that following the weekend’s high speed impacts no drivers were injured.”

Looks like either a miscalculation of the minimum safe tyre pressure or the amount of loading the side wall would experience were at fault.

Will probably lead to increased minimum pressures for tracks like Silverstone that are hard on tyres to better support the sidewalls.

The tyre structure was firmed up (adding weight) and downforce decreased from 2020 (with rear floor cur outs etc) because the tyre sidewalls were on the limit of their loading at many tracks.

Hopefully next season's increased car weight, decreased sidewall height and probably similar aero loads once the engineers have done some development won't mean more failures.

 

[LiveFromNS]

Lots of racing this weekend, F1, F3, FREC, EuroFormula Open, DTM, Indy, FE

Looks like either a miscalculation of the minimum safe tyre pressure or the amount of loading the side wall would experience were at fault.

Will probably lead to increased minimum pressures for tracks like Silverstone that are hard on tyres to better support the sidewalls.

The tyre structure was firmed up (adding weight) and downforce decreased from 2020 (with rear floor cur outs etc) because the tyre sidewalls were on the limit of their loading at many tracks.

Hopefully next season's increased car weight, decreased sidewall height and probably similar aero loads once the engineers have done some development won't mean more failures.

Apparently a massive technical directive has gone out to the teams concerning tires for this weekend's race. I went digging on the FIA site, but I don't see it yet. They post a lot of official documents pertaining to each race but not sure if TDs are included. Here is a link to the section: https://www.fia.com/documents/seaso...onships/fia-formula-one-world-championship-14
And the article I am referring to:

Extensive new tyre rules from French GP also forbid Red Bull tactic Hamilton spotted​

Posted on 15th June 2021, 21:13 | Written by Dieter Rencken and Keith Collantine

F1 teams will face extensive new restrictions and checks of tyre pressures and temperatures from the next race following the failures which led to two crashes during the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.

New guidance issued by the FIA today also warns teams against using one tactic Lewis Hamilton accused Red Bull of practising at the Spanish Grand Prix.

The sport’s official tyre supplier Pirelli stated today the failures which Red Bull driver Max Verstappen and Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll suffered in Baku did not arise due to defects in the tyres or misuse by their teams.

However it stated an updated technical directive would be issued to lay down new guidelines on how teams must treat their tyres.

RaceFans understands the revised and expanded directive TD003, which will come into force for this weekend’s French Grand Prix, runs to more than a dozen pages following the latest additions. It forbids various practices by teams and defines a series of new tests of tyre pressure and temperature.

Violation of these restrictions may lead to a team being reported to the stewards. Teams have been told that, as tyre pressures cannot currently be measured reliably during races, it is their responsibility to ensure they remain within the limits set by Pirelli at all times – including during races – and failure to do so will lead to them being reported to the stewards.

The revised directive is intended partly to prevent teams reducing their tyre pressures to gain a performance advantage. The existing checks on pressures have been reinforced, as have guidelines forbidding teams from cooling their tyres after their minimum starting pressures have been checked.

Among the additions, teams have been told delaying the departure of their cars from the pits after their tyre blankets have been removed will be considered a means of cooling their tyres. Any frequent occurrences of this, or delays lasting more than half a minute, will need to be justified by the team involved.

Hamilton accused Red Bull of this practice during the Monaco Grand Prix weekend. “If you look at the last race, for example, we were supposed to all keep our blankets on in qualifying,” he said. “Red Bull were allowed to take theirs off. And no one else is allowed to.”

The tyre blankets were removed from Verstappen’s car before his final run in Q3 at the Circuit de Catalunya over 30 seconds before he was lowered to the ground to leave the pits.

In response to Pirelli’s explanation for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix failures issued today, Red Bull stated it had “adhered to Pirelli’s tyre parameters at all times”.

This is not the only practice forbidden under the sweeping new technical directive. Any team whose tyres are found to be under-inflated may be required to increase the pressures and, in serious cases, reported to the stewards. Prior to the start of the race, any car which fails the checks after the three-minute signal is given will have to start from the pits.

Cold pressure checks will be conducted on the tyres each driver uses to set their quickest lap time in the last segment of qualifying they reach, plus all tyres used in races and Sprint Qualifying sessions, and selected other sets. Tyres will be judged against a ‘cold cooling curve’ specified by Pirelli which will detail what their pressure should be at different temperatures.

For the purpose of cold pressure checks, teams will have to supply their own seal-able valve covers by July 12th. Prior to then FIA-supplied seals will be used. Until that date, any team found to have a tyre pressure significantly below the level specified by the cooling curve will be reported to the stewards. After July 12th any teams which are 0.1psi under the level will be reported.

Teams have also been told they may not alter the composition of the gas within the tyres, including its moisture content, to achieve different pressure levels when its cars are running on track. This will also be policed using the cooling curve.

The FIA will also measure tyre temperatures in garages during qualifying and the race. This will be done as soon as possible prior to them being fitted to the car, with the caveat that the inspectors will not delay teams if they need to perform a pit stop at short notice due to a Safety Car period.

Any tyres which are found to be too hot must either have their settings adjusted in the blankets to meet the correct temperature or be replaced. Teams will also be reported to the stewards if they repeatedly heat tyres during sessions but do not run them on their cars.

The tyre pressure checks will be carried out using a gauge which is sealed by the FIA and calibrated by Pirelli. Temperature measurements will be taken using an infra-red gun.

 

[WhiskeyZuluLima]

Sure, they work entirely differently, but both feel equally artificial to me.
DRS is "push button receive overtake" and Attack Mode is like the worst implementation of some video game bullshit and the only thing worse than DRS and Attack Mode is the Fan Boost.

I fully get that Attack Mode seems video game-y, even the FE guys were likening it to Mario Kart - I will put my hands up and acknowledge I did the same. But I do seriously find Attack Mode to be not that artificial in that it's not to the same level of DRS. In IndyCar when they're on proper circuits they have 'push-to-pass' buttons, which is similar to the old KERS system however it's a limited duration of boost throughout the whole race (If memory serves it's 110 seconds, don't quote me on that I'm too lazy to look it up), and I would draw closer similarity between that and FE's Attack Mode.

I will also state, so that there's no ambiguity here: I entirely agree on Fan Boost, with DRS, Attack Mode, push-to-pass whatever the fuck it might be, everyone gets a fair shot at using it so even if it is artificial or gimmicky it's at least equally artificial to all the competitors, Fan Boost until this season worked through Twitter interactions - which is great except for drivers like Sam Bird who, like Sebastian Vettel, prefers not having a massive online presence.
Only this year have they made it go through FE's website akin to Driver of the Day in F1 voting, which levels the playing field a small amount but even then it's only a select few drivers who get the boost every race, very rarely does a driver who isn't in the regular group gets that last spot of voting. It's extremely unequal, even if it is only 30 seconds of extra power output, it's simply not a fair chance for every competitor.

Lots of racing this weekend, F1, F3, FREC, EuroFormula Open, DTM, Indy, FE

NASCAR at Nashville Superspeedway too, which could be interesting.

Last weekend there was WEC at Portimao which saw the first outing of the SCG007, which went rather poorly for them I must say based on finishing result. They qualified about 1.7 seconds behind the Toyotas, who were 2nd and 3rd in class (four cars in class). The Alpine won in Hypercar, with Toyota 2 and 3. In LMP2, interestingly enough, one of the JOTA Sport cars won the race there, and was driven by Antonio Felix Da Costa, and for all I can find that is his first international series win in Portugal, and I believe possibly even his first international series race in his home country - which is a nice thing to achieve.

The timing for that race was lovely, started at 11am same times as the Le Mans 24 Motos race finished. The Le Mans race was rather uneventful, after about three and a half hours in but as with most races that distance it's entertaining listening to commentators fill the air and reminisce, whilst the field was largely strung out to an order of laps akin to the older era of endurance racing properly being enduring, rather than sprinting.

There was also the first race of SRX last weekend, at Stafford Motor Speedway, which has done wonders for that series and what it could do for racing in America. SRX have a model of having the regular 'superstars' (Tony Stewart, Tony Kanaan, Helio Castroneves, Michael Waltrip, Marco Andretti, list goes on) and a 'local champion': someone who has won at that track so many times that they're the experienced head when it comes to racing there, and first race out was won by Doug Coby - the local guy who races in the Whelen Modified Tour whilst still working full time through the week, and my word it makes for a good storyline and I hope it continues through the year.
Full SRX race below, I would highly recommend watching it.

 

[Coccxys]

I don't think the full TDs are usually publicly released. It will be an update to TD003 rather than a new TD since 003 is the directive that gives their ability to set minimum pressures, how it will be tested etc. It was the directive Red Bull challenged DAS on.

 

[Yuuichirou Kumada]

For whatever reason, Red Bull felt it necessary to point out that they have no interest to take Bottas under contract in case he should become available.

Have I already told you how much I'd hate to be Bottas these days?

Sure, you may be earning humongous bucks, but everyone that follows the sport sees you as a spineless bitch whose attempts to be assertive end up in figurative pratfalls ("To whom it may concern, FUCK YOU" anyone?). You also got messily divorced, your teammates don't respect you, your days in the top team are all but counted with a younger, more competitive driver set to take over after you leave, and other teams say "No way josé" to the possibility of hiring you for upcoming seasons.

 

[Coccxys]

Yeah, Bottas got dealt a card that appeared amazing when called up to replace Rossberg but it's all turned to shit because Toto and co didn't want another Rossberg, they wanted a patsy for Boolew because he can't handle a competitive team mate (also someone to do set up and development work because Lewis is too busy pretending to be a gangsta in da hood to put in the work on the simulator). Worse still it's not like he can tell his manager he's fed up with this shit and wants to go to another team since Toto is his manager.

Still he has fuck you money and once done with F1 can go put his feet up by some private lake in Finland so I'm sure he isn't too upset.

 

[RomanesEuntDomus]

Bottas is to F1 racing what dry, cold toast is to fine cuisine.
He just kinda exists, he's super bland, almost like an AI controlled car, cause there is literally no personality to him and the few comments he makes, that anyone bothers to write about, have the generic feel of canned NPC banter.

Barely anyone really talks about him, I don't even feel like anyone really cares about him tbh... he's just there. And I don't think the other drivers and teams think very favorably about his abilities either. He's not terrible or anything, but he seems really unremarkable in every fashion.

But damn, I would switch with him in a heartbeat if I could. Great car, strong team and dosh to sweeten up everything.

Edit:
The Pirelli thing sounds a lot like a cop-out to me. They don't want to blame the teams, they don't want to blame themselves, they can't blame debris, so they come up with some really vague "The teams did everything right, but there still kinda sorta was something not really the way it should be and that somewhat contributed to the tyre blowing up".
I wonder if there's something bigger in the background, like with the supposed Ferrari Fuel Fuckery.

 

[LiveFromNS]

MAGNUSSEN TO MAKE INDYCAR DEBUT WITH ARROW McLAREN SP
By Scott Mitchell

Ex-Formula 1 driver Kevin Magnussen will make his IndyCar debut at Road America this weekend, standing in for Felix Rosenqvist at the Arrow McLaren SP team.

Roseqnvist suffered a heavy crash in the first race of last weekend’s Detroit double-header after the throttle opened on his car and sent him into the tyre barrier.

He had an overnight stay in hospital as a result and though he suffered “no loss of sensation anywhere” and “no loss of function”, and was in good spirits after being released, he is not sufficiently recovered to race again this weekend.

Arrow McLaren SP has drafted in IMSA SportsCar Championship driver Magnussen, scored his first IMSA win in Detroit last weekend, for Road America.

He has been released by Chip Ganassi Racing “on a temporary basis” to drive for Arrow McLaren SP.

Magnussen has expressed an interest in racing full-time in IndyCar and named it as one of his options when he lost his Haas F1 seat for 2021.

The opportunity to replace Rosenqvist reunites Magnussen with McLaren, who he made his F1 debut with in 2014 after years as a protege in junior categories.

Magnussen was dropped by McLaren after just one season and though he remained as a reserve driver for 2015 he then cut ties with the team completely.

Rosenqvist “will continue to be supported by the team” during his recovery, says Arrow McLaren SP, and further updates about his conditions “will be shared in due course”.

Magnussen will be the second different driver to deputise for Rosenqvist in as many races.

Ex-Arrow McLaren SP IndyCar driver Oliver Askew, who is substituting for Rinus VeeKay at Ed Carpenter Racing at Road America this weekend, stood in for the Swede in the second Detroit race.

Magnussen’s F1 career ended last season with a difficult fourth and final year at the struggling Haas team – his IndyCar move will reunite him with his long-time Haas team-mate Romain Grosjean, who races in the US with Dale Coyne’s team.

He secured the Ganassi/Cadillac drive for the 2021 IMSA series and has also been named one of the drivers for Peugeot’s Le Mans 24 Hours return when its new World Endurance Championship campaign begins next year.

Magnussen will also race at Le Mans this season alongside his father Jan in the LMP2 category.

Magnussen’s stand-in call-up has parallels with his father Jan’s CART Indycar World Series cameo in 1996.

As part of the Mercedes family at that point through his DTM/ITC touring car drive and McLaren Formula 1 test/reserve role, Magnussen was invited to America when both Paul Tracy and Emerson Fittipaldi were injured at Michigan, Fittipaldi’s crash ending his career.

Magnussen drove for Penske in the Mid-Ohio round before moving across to the affiliated Hogan team to take Fittipaldi’s place for the remaining races at Road America, Vancouver and Laguna Seca.

With Penske and its self-designed chassis, Mercedes engine and Goodyear tyres package sliding off the pace in the latter part of that season, Magnussen had little chance to impress.

But at Road America, he qualified a superb 10th on his first appearance at the daunting track and was fastest in the race day warm-up. Sadly, he was then taken out on lap one.

Eighth at Laguna, eight places ahead of Penske’s title contender Al Unser Jr, ended up being his best result.

He reappeared in the series in the second half of 1999 at Patrick Racing when it first dropped PJ Jones and then lead driver Adrian Fernandez was injured, but struggled to make an impact and ended up committing fully to sportscars for his post-F1 career.
-------------------

Ocon and Alpine agree contract extension until 2024​

Posted on 16th June 2021, 16:13 | Written by Hazel Southwell

Alpine have announced Esteban Ocon has signed to the team through 2024, ahead of his home race at the French Grand Prix.

Ocon joined the team in 2020, returning after a year away from F1. He was out-scored by team mate Daniel Ricciardo but recorded the then-Renault-badged team’s best result of the year with a second-place finish at the Sakhir Grand Prix, Ocon’s first F1 podium.

This season, retirements have cost him points at the Bahrain and Azerbaijan Grand Prix but Ocon has otherwise finished ahead of team mate

 

[RomanesEuntDomus]

Rumours around Russell joining Mercedes seem to increase.

Just rumors, but still an interesting thing to keep an eye on. My hunch: Russell joins Mercedes as waterboy for Lewlew until Lewlew has had his fill and then gets replaced with a waterboy for Russell with Russell becoming the big cheese starting in 2023/24.

 

[Coccxys]

Bottas is to F1 racing what dry, cold toast is to fine cuisine.
He just kinda exists, he's super bland, almost like an AI controlled car, cause there is literally no personality to him and the few comments he makes, that anyone bothers to write about, have the generic feel of canned NPC banter.

He's kinda generic Finnish. Kimi and Hakkinen never get all that animated either. They have something to them though that Bottas is missing.

The Pirelli thing sounds a lot like a cop-out to me. They don't want to blame the teams, they don't want to blame themselves, they can't blame debris, so they come up with some really vague "The teams did everything right, but there still kinda sorta was something not really the way it should be and that somewhat contributed to the tyre blowing up".
I wonder if there's something bigger in the background, like with the supposed Ferrari Fuel Fuckery.

It's a failure from overloaded sidewalls. That can be from too much "weight", too little pressure or both. Pirelli and the FIA set minimum pressures but they're at the blanket temperature and pressure changes proportionally with temperature.

That gives several possibilities (or all of them combined).

- They could have specified too low a minimum pressure.

- the teams could have been running more downforce than expected giving a huge "weight" on the side wall down that long straight (higher speed means more downforce from the same wing too). This means DRS was helping the tyre by removing downforce, something Max didn't get much use if.

- The temperature could have been lower than predicted lowering the pressure. It is a track they struggle to buod temperature, especially down that long straight. Plus older tyres lose temperature quicker setting it into a death cycle.

In reality it was probably some hugely complicated interplay between these.

They are firming up the rules on tyre pressure and temperature when taking to the track (no taking blankets off early). I expect the minimum pressures to get a greater safety margin in future races too.

As I said earlier the downforce removal after last season and the heavier construction of the tyre were both specified because last season's tyres were right on the edge due to the level of downforce the cars could generate.

 

[RomanesEuntDomus]

Kimi and Hakkinen never get all that animated either. They have something to them though that Bottas is missing.

Kimi is just Kimi. You gotta love the guy who ran out of fucks years before even making it into F1. And Hakkinen was a very determined driver, who delivered great performance after great performance like clockwork. Dude had bite.

Bottas is a wet blanket and I almost forget that he exists during a race.

It's a failure from overloaded sidewalls. That can be from too much "weight", too little pressure or both. Pirelli and the FIA set minimum pressures but they're at the blanket temperature and pressure changes proportionally with temperature.

That gives several possibilities (or all of them combined).

- They could have specified too low a minimum pressure.

- the teams could have been running more downforce than expected giving a huge "weight" on the side wall down that long straight (higher speed means more downforce from the same wing too). This means DRS was helping the tyre by removing downforce, something Max didn't get much use if.

- The temperature could have been lower than predicted lowering the pressure. It is a track they struggle to buod temperature, especially down that long straight. Plus older tyres lose temperature quicker setting it into a death cycle.

In reality it was probably some hugely complicated interplay between these.

They are firming up the rules on tyre pressure and temperature when taking to the track (no taking blankets off early). I expect the minimum pressures to get a greater safety margin in future races too.

As I said earlier the downforce removal after last season and the heavier construction of the tyre were both specified because last season's tyres were right on the edge due to the level of downforce the cars could generate.

This whole tyres being too cold is pretty mystifiying to me anyway. Usually it's all about getting tyres warm, now there's a problem of cars trying to keep the tyres cold at some point, so the pressure is lower.

Maybe I just blanked out, but what is the big advantage of keeping the pressure low? Better traction due to slightly larger surface area of the tyre touching the ground or the car benefitting from running just a tiny bit lower than the others?