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*****OFFICIAL FORMULA ONE GRAND PRIX THREAD***** (3 Viewers)
- Thread starter cosjobs
- Start date
Max gets a new engine today - with no grid penalty. 
Max Verstappen has had a new engine fitted for this race after Honda discovered a crack in it. Verstappen had been using the engine that was in the car in his Silverstone crash after Honda sent it back to Japan for investigation and it had been hoped it had survived. But a spokesman said: “In Sakura, we inspected Max’s Silverstone power-unit very carefully, checking the high-load areas and replacing parts that showed visual signs of damage from the crash. But, as per the regulations, we did not remove the FIA seals and we could not disassemble the PU and inspect every single part.
“The PU seemed OK during free practice, but after qualifying we found a crack. This crack is in an area close to the chassis, where we have never seen any type of failure before. We believe the crack has been caused by the very high impact loads sustained in the crash. We will carry out further checks to see if the PU from Silverstone can be used in future practice sessions.”
If it can’t, it will almost certainly mean engine-related grid penalties down the line, as Verstappen is now on his third and final permitted engine.
It seems odd that a crack they could discover after qualifying was not able to be spotted in any of the inspections since Silverstone...
Max Verstappen has had a new engine fitted for this race after Honda discovered a crack in it. Verstappen had been using the engine that was in the car in his Silverstone crash after Honda sent it back to Japan for investigation and it had been hoped it had survived. But a spokesman said: “In Sakura, we inspected Max’s Silverstone power-unit very carefully, checking the high-load areas and replacing parts that showed visual signs of damage from the crash. But, as per the regulations, we did not remove the FIA seals and we could not disassemble the PU and inspect every single part.
“The PU seemed OK during free practice, but after qualifying we found a crack. This crack is in an area close to the chassis, where we have never seen any type of failure before. We believe the crack has been caused by the very high impact loads sustained in the crash. We will carry out further checks to see if the PU from Silverstone can be used in future practice sessions.”
If it can’t, it will almost certainly mean engine-related grid penalties down the line, as Verstappen is now on his third and final permitted engine.
It seems odd that a crack they could discover after qualifying was not able to be spotted in any of the inspections since Silverstone...
HellToupee
Footballguy
What the hell is going on, everyone in pit at restart except Hamilton
boilerdave
Footballguy
F2 and Alpine Academy driver Christian Lundgaard just had quite a day in his first time in an Indycar on the road course at Indianapolis. He was fast in the practice session and just qualified P4 for the race tomorrow.
Romain Grosjean took the pole and finished 2nd at the same track in May. He’s been fast all season. It’s been fun to see him have some success in IndyCar after being saddled with that pathetic Haas F1 team.
Romain Grosjean took the pole and finished 2nd at the same track in May. He’s been fast all season. It’s been fun to see him have some success in IndyCar after being saddled with that pathetic Haas F1 team.
Eephus
Footballguy
Lundgaard has been outclassed this year by his F2 teammate Theo Pourchaire. It's great for Indycar to gain traction as an alternate path for drivers after the European open-wheel ladder series. Alex Albon is also hanging around the paddock at Indy looking for his next ride after Horner shuffled him down to touring cars.
Grosjean has always been quick but by the time he cut down on his unforced errors, he was stuck on a backmarker F1 team.
This season's Japanese Grand Prix, planned for 8-10 October, has been cancelled because of a rise in Covid cases in the country.
"The decision has been taken by the Japanese government to cancel the race this season due to ongoing complexities of the pandemic," said Formula 1.
"The decision has been taken by the Japanese government to cancel the race this season due to ongoing complexities of the pandemic," said Formula 1.
Its Race Week! Spa, Belgium.
I thought Mercedes might make an announcement over their second driver during the break, but I suppose we wait.
Toto Wolff has hinted the outcome of his decision to have George Russell or Valtteri Bottas at Mercedes next year has been delayed until September.
Mercedes had originally been planning to make their choice as to who will be Lewis Hamilton’s team-mate in 2022 during the summer break, but the team principal has said that announcement may take a little while longer.
Wolff made no secret of his opinion that Bottas offers “stability” with the team, while Russell would bring the “talent” which could match Hamilton – weighing up the dynamic between the duo.
But despite the delay in what the team decide, Wolff still wants to inform both drivers in good time so they are able to find another drive – with the Mercedes boss recently saying the pair both have “great options” for 2022regardless of the outcome.
“We have to choose between the stability of Valtteri and the talent of George, where the future lies,” Wolff told BILD.
I actually thought the smarter move for Mercedes would have been to go after Lando Norris, who would be able to step into Hamilton's shoes in a couple of seasons. I think he has a higher upside than Russell, and more marketability.
I thought Mercedes might make an announcement over their second driver during the break, but I suppose we wait.
Toto Wolff has hinted the outcome of his decision to have George Russell or Valtteri Bottas at Mercedes next year has been delayed until September.
Mercedes had originally been planning to make their choice as to who will be Lewis Hamilton’s team-mate in 2022 during the summer break, but the team principal has said that announcement may take a little while longer.
Wolff made no secret of his opinion that Bottas offers “stability” with the team, while Russell would bring the “talent” which could match Hamilton – weighing up the dynamic between the duo.
But despite the delay in what the team decide, Wolff still wants to inform both drivers in good time so they are able to find another drive – with the Mercedes boss recently saying the pair both have “great options” for 2022regardless of the outcome.
“We have to choose between the stability of Valtteri and the talent of George, where the future lies,” Wolff told BILD.
I actually thought the smarter move for Mercedes would have been to go after Lando Norris, who would be able to step into Hamilton's shoes in a couple of seasons. I think he has a higher upside than Russell, and more marketability.
Eephus
Footballguy
Norris has been in the McLaren system since his days in Formula 3. He's on a multi-year deal with them.
The only time Russell and Lando competed in equal equipment was in the 2018 Formula 2 championship. Russell beat him pretty comprehensively in points, poles and wins. it was a loaded field that year with Albon, Latifi and this year's Formula E champion Nyck de Vries.
It's shaping up to be a boring silly season this year with most teams looking like they're standing pat in 2022. Bottas and Russell are the big dominoes and there may be some seat shuffling at Haas and Sauber. There isn't a large pool of drivers with F1 seat time and the struggles this year of Tsunoda and the Haas boys illustrate how steep the learning curve can be for rookies.
BBC's take on silly season:
The driver market
Off-track, the biggest questions surround who drives where next season.
The key decision still unannounced is who will get the second Mercedes seat alongside Lewis Hamilton, who last month committed to a further two years with the team.
The decision, team boss Toto Wolff has made clear, is between incumbent Valtteri Bottas and Williams driver George Russell, and the Briton is widely expected to get the nod, having more than proved his potential as a future superstar over the last couple of seasons.
Some insiders believe a decision has already been made in Russell's favour, but Mercedes say nothing will be finalised until next month.
If Russell does get the seat, Bottas is looking at a move either to Alfa Romeo - probably in place of Kimi Raikkonen, whose illustrious F1 career looks as if it might be coming to an end after a lacklustre first half of the season and with his 42nd birthday looming in October - or back to Williams in a swap with Russell.
Outside Mercedes, will Perez keep the second Red Bull seat? The Mexican has impressed on occasion, and is slightly closer on average qualifying pace to Verstappen than either of his predecessors, Alex Albon and Pierre Gasly. But he is fifth in the championship, and has only rarely performed the role of spoiler to Mercedes that Red Bull require from their second driver.
Further down the grid, the line-ups at Ferrari, McLaren and Aston Martin will continue as they are, and Alpine is all but confirmed.
Hungary winner Esteban Ocon already has a new three-year deal and Alpine have strongly hinted they will take up their option on Fernando Alonso, whose performances have been extremely impressive since he became fully familiar with his new car in the early summer.
But all other teams have some degree of uncertainty over them.
Eephus
Footballguy
The most interesting outcome for me would be Bottas/Schumacher at Alfa. Bottas would be a much better measuring stick for Mick than Mazepin. The really most interesting scenario would be Gasly back to RBR but that's never gonna happen.
Sign me up for Lewis/Russell at Mercedes. Can't wait for that.
There doesn't seem to be much room for rookies next year with more shufflings than sackings. It's looking like only one to replace Kimi unless the money runs out for Latifi and Mazepin.
Sign me up for Lewis/Russell at Mercedes. Can't wait for that.
There doesn't seem to be much room for rookies next year with more shufflings than sackings. It's looking like only one to replace Kimi unless the money runs out for Latifi and Mazepin.
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Skipdog77
Footballguy
Daniel Ricciardo was recently a guest on the "SmartLess" podcast, which is hosted by Jason Bateman and Will Arnett (from Arrested Development) and Sean Hayes (from Will and Grace). Was an entertaining episode.
Format of the show is one of the three hosts books a guest and the other two don't know who it is until they are 'revealed' during the podcast. Had some really interesting guests on.
Format of the show is one of the three hosts books a guest and the other two don't know who it is until they are 'revealed' during the podcast. Had some really interesting guests on.
CletiusMaximus
Footballguy
charvik
Footballguy
Eephus
Footballguy
Ricciardo is familiarw ith the format of getting signed to a team before it's revealed that the car is utterly unsuited to his style.
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PIK95
Footballguy
PIK95
Footballguy
boilerdave
Footballguy
Going to start in 10 minutes.
PIK95
Footballguy
Some interesting comments from Toto:
What about the Mercedes seat?
Russell's performance was stunning, and the context behind it adds further interest.
It is well known that Russell is in contention with Hamilton's team-mate Valtteri Bottas for the second Mercedes seat next year, and this was just the latest example of the superstar qualities that have led most to believe that Mercedes surely must pick Russell.
Senior figures in F1 have told BBC Sport that the decision is already made, and that it has gone Russell's way, something Mercedes are refusing to confirm.
This writer asked Wolff on Saturday if he had indeed already decided and was simply not saying what it was yet. He replied with a smile: "Yes. I have always been genuine with you."
Asked after the race on Sunday why in that case he had not simply announced his decision, Wolff said: "There are stakeholders involved we need to respect and as long as contracts are not signed it makes no sense to announce."
He said that he wanted to ensure both drivers' futures were secured, adding: "It's not only our call - there are other parties involved and we have to respect."
I'd say, that strongly suggests that it is Russell - and that Mercedes are giving time for Bottas and Williams to find suitable solutions to next season.
What about the Mercedes seat?
Russell's performance was stunning, and the context behind it adds further interest.
It is well known that Russell is in contention with Hamilton's team-mate Valtteri Bottas for the second Mercedes seat next year, and this was just the latest example of the superstar qualities that have led most to believe that Mercedes surely must pick Russell.
Senior figures in F1 have told BBC Sport that the decision is already made, and that it has gone Russell's way, something Mercedes are refusing to confirm.
This writer asked Wolff on Saturday if he had indeed already decided and was simply not saying what it was yet. He replied with a smile: "Yes. I have always been genuine with you."
Asked after the race on Sunday why in that case he had not simply announced his decision, Wolff said: "There are stakeholders involved we need to respect and as long as contracts are not signed it makes no sense to announce."
He said that he wanted to ensure both drivers' futures were secured, adding: "It's not only our call - there are other parties involved and we have to respect."
I'd say, that strongly suggests that it is Russell - and that Mercedes are giving time for Bottas and Williams to find suitable solutions to next season.
SwampDawg
Footballguy
Going away gift, or contract renewal gift?
https://twitter.com/MercedesAMGF1/status/1432378137405534223
https://twitter.com/MercedesAMGF1/status/1432378137405534223
Looks like Dominos could be getting ready to fall - Kimi Raikkonen will retire at the end of the season.
Kimi Raikkonen confirmed on Wednesday he will retire from Formula One at the end of 2021, paving the way for Valtteri Bottas to replace him at Alfa Romeo and George Russell to move to Mercedes.
Raikkonen, 41, is the last driver to win a drivers' championship for Ferrari, having done so in 2007. The Finnish driver is in his 19th season of F1 and has started more races than any other driver in the history of the sport, with 341.
The decision has big ramifications in the F1 driver market. Alfa Romeo has lined up Bottas as Raikkonen's replacement, with Mercedes understood to have already chosen Russell to partner Lewis Hamiltonnext season.
Raikkonen, who announced the news on social media, said: "This is it. This will be my last season in Formula 1. This is a decission [sic] I did during last winter. It was not an easy decision but after this season it is time for new things.
Kimi Raikkonen confirmed on Wednesday he will retire from Formula One at the end of 2021, paving the way for Valtteri Bottas to replace him at Alfa Romeo and George Russell to move to Mercedes.
Raikkonen, 41, is the last driver to win a drivers' championship for Ferrari, having done so in 2007. The Finnish driver is in his 19th season of F1 and has started more races than any other driver in the history of the sport, with 341.
The decision has big ramifications in the F1 driver market. Alfa Romeo has lined up Bottas as Raikkonen's replacement, with Mercedes understood to have already chosen Russell to partner Lewis Hamiltonnext season.
Raikkonen, who announced the news on social media, said: "This is it. This will be my last season in Formula 1. This is a decission [sic] I did during last winter. It was not an easy decision but after this season it is time for new things.
Eephus
Footballguy
Rumor mill has Russell to Merc, Bottas to Alfa, Albon to Williams and somebody else to replace Giovinazzi.
Another question is whether Alfa/Sauber switches to Mercedes PUs next year. If that happens, Formula E champion Nyck de Vries has a shot at the seat since he was associated with the Mercedes Young Drivers program.
There are also rumors that Williams will jump from Mercedes to the new Red Bull PU which lines up with the Albon reports.
PIK95
Footballguy
Eephus
Footballguy
I'm really excited about the return to Zandvoort. The new circuit keeps some elements of the classic track especially in the first sector. There should be overtaking chances at the first hairpin and hopefully battling from there down to turn 3. Even if it's a parade, the elevation changes will be fun.
The weather is looking better than Spa. Wind can be a big factor at Zandvoort because it's right off the beach but the forecasts looks calm.
The Dutch fans will be nuts.
The weather is looking better than Spa. Wind can be a big factor at Zandvoort because it's right off the beach but the forecasts looks calm.
The Dutch fans will be nuts.
Eephus
Footballguy
Based on the F3 races today I don't expect much overtaking in F1 tomorrow. The DRS zone into Tarzan is too short for passes to be completed before the corner. Drivers attempting an overtake on the outside of turn 1 don't have a chance at turn 3 because the preferred line on the banked left-hander is on the outside. Nobody was able to get anything done in the second DRS zone into the chicane either.
Hope I'm wrong.
Hope I'm wrong.
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