*****OFFICIAL FORMULA ONE GRAND PRIX THREAD***** (5 Viewers)

[Sammy3469]

If I'm McLaren, the Constructor's title is worth much more to me than Norris getting the driver title.

It would be an interesting analysis - but I suspect the opposite is true. More sponsorship money and exposure for the team in having the World Champion, and no downside.


The Constructor's Championship is actually a bit of a Pyrrhic victory - yes you get a few more dollars, but it also comes with the cost of development time in the following season, and with the 2026 car coming around the corner, I don't think McLaren are going to be pleased to see that development time cut next season - as that can have knock-on effects for several seasons.

I suspect that Mercedes is secretly happy (now) that they are 4th in the Constructor's championship leading into next season.

We're talking millions of dollars, not a few bucks. The analysts I've heard talk about it seem to agree the team championship is more important for the team and the brand. Red Bull isn't trying to tank to get more wind tunnel time.

That's interesting. My thinking earlier in the thread assumed that the individual championship was worth more, but I've only been following F1 for a bit more than a year, so wouldn't be surprised to learn that that's a bad assumption.

I don't buy the argument that teams would downgrade the World Constructors' Championship in order to get a 5% increase in wind tunnel and CFD time the following season. In particular, McLaren hasn't won the constructors' title this century. It would be huge for them to win it this year after spending much of the last decade mired in the midfield.

The drivers' championship gets more popular and media attention but the prize money is paid out based on constructors' points.

Which is why they were trying to keep both happy for most of the year (I also don't think they thought they would catch up to Red Bull). I do think they totally flubbed Monzo trying to keep both happy. There's a time an a place for that, but at this point they know Lando (or Piastri) will slowly pull away given clean air, but their starts need work. They need to protect that advantage (especially since the drop in points from 1 to 2 is much greater than 2 to 3).

There's also the fact that now, if they can keep Piastri between Lando and Max, that Lando has a pretty darn good chance of beating Max especially if the Red Bull is the 3rd of 4th best car. That sort of requires Piastri to be on board with it and would also win the Constructors. The degragation in Red Bull since the summer break has forced them to change what they're doing.

 

[Eephus]

Since we're talking WCC, there's only one other real competition outside of the top three. RB leads Haas by six points which seems in jeopardy based on recent form. The bottom three teams are close enough in points that a lucky finish or two in a high attrition race could rearrange things but barring that, the status quo will probably hold up.

 

[Eephus]

The free F1 channel on Pluto.TV is showing mostly old Baku races this week. They've been under a safety car every time I've tuned in to check out what's on.

 

[TennesseeJed]

If I'm McLaren, the Constructor's title is worth much more to me than Norris getting the driver title.

It would be an interesting analysis - but I suspect the opposite is true. More sponsorship money and exposure for the team in having the World Champion, and no downside.


The Constructor's Championship is actually a bit of a Pyrrhic victory - yes you get a few more dollars, but it also comes with the cost of development time in the following season, and with the 2026 car coming around the corner, I don't think McLaren are going to be pleased to see that development time cut next season - as that can have knock-on effects for several seasons.

I suspect that Mercedes is secretly happy (now) that they are 4th in the Constructor's championship leading into next season.

We're talking millions of dollars, not a few bucks. The analysts I've heard talk about it seem to agree the team championship is more important for the team and the brand. Red Bull isn't trying to tank to get more wind tunnel time.

That's interesting. My thinking earlier in the thread assumed that the individual championship was worth more, but I've only been following F1 for a bit more than a year, so wouldn't be surprised to learn that that's a bad assumption.

I don't buy the argument that teams would downgrade the World Constructors' Championship in order to get a 5% increase in wind tunnel and CFD time the following season. In particular, McLaren hasn't won the constructors' title this century. It would be huge for them to win it this year after spending much of the last decade mired in the midfield.

The drivers' championship gets more popular and media attention but the prize money is paid out based on constructors' points.

I think this has been a bit of a distraction - because there is no evidence that McLaren favoring Norris would harm their quest for the constructor's championship - which seems more likely unless Tactics and drivers cost them points as they did in Monza.

 

[The Gator]

The free F1 channel on Pluto.TV is showing mostly old Baku races this week. They've been under a safety car every time I've tuned in to check out what's on.

 

[Sammy3469]

If I'm McLaren, the Constructor's title is worth much more to me than Norris getting the driver title.

It would be an interesting analysis - but I suspect the opposite is true. More sponsorship money and exposure for the team in having the World Champion, and no downside.


The Constructor's Championship is actually a bit of a Pyrrhic victory - yes you get a few more dollars, but it also comes with the cost of development time in the following season, and with the 2026 car coming around the corner, I don't think McLaren are going to be pleased to see that development time cut next season - as that can have knock-on effects for several seasons.

I suspect that Mercedes is secretly happy (now) that they are 4th in the Constructor's championship leading into next season.

We're talking millions of dollars, not a few bucks. The analysts I've heard talk about it seem to agree the team championship is more important for the team and the brand. Red Bull isn't trying to tank to get more wind tunnel time.

That's interesting. My thinking earlier in the thread assumed that the individual championship was worth more, but I've only been following F1 for a bit more than a year, so wouldn't be surprised to learn that that's a bad assumption.

I don't buy the argument that teams would downgrade the World Constructors' Championship in order to get a 5% increase in wind tunnel and CFD time the following season. In particular, McLaren hasn't won the constructors' title this century. It would be huge for them to win it this year after spending much of the last decade mired in the midfield.

The drivers' championship gets more popular and media attention but the prize money is paid out based on constructors' points.

I think this has been a bit of a distraction - because there is no evidence that McLaren favoring Norris would harm their quest for the constructor's championship - which seems more likely unless Tactics and drivers cost them points as they did in Monza.

I'm not so sure on that since Ferrari can overtake them pretty easily if they start to reel off a series of wins even if McLaren is doing enough to get Lando ahead of Max. To win both, McLaren has to keep outpointing Ferrari (and Red Bull) while keeping Piastri between Max and Lando. Ferrari's goodness helps with the Driver standing, but very much hurts for the Constructors.

 

[The Gator]

Putting on the 2021 Azerbaijan GP. I think this is the one Max runs over Lewis?

NM, that was monza 2021

 

[The Gator]

RB look fast again. All this McLaren talk might be moot

 

[QuizGuy66]

Dang only a one race ban and they erased Magnussen from the opening credits

-QG

 

[QuizGuy66]

Magnussen on 0 penalty points in the home stretch is going to be incredible.
-QG

 

[TennesseeJed]

McLaren - the new Ferrari

 

[TennesseeJed]

Maybe McLaren was right to back Piastri over Norris...

 

[TennesseeJed]

Someone wake @The Gator up - Ferrari are back, baby!

 

[The Gator]

McLaren - the new Ferrari

 

[The Gator]

Someone wake @The Gator up - Ferrari are back, baby!

Can’t wait to watch it. Figured they’d be fast when Charles was bitching about the car in FP2 but was still the quickest.

 

[The Gator]

RB look fast again. All this McLaren talk might be moot

Freaking Lando though, pitting on that lap?? wtf

 

[zoobird]

Now THAT'S a national anthem!

 

[TennesseeJed]

Great race for Piastri, Lando and McLaren.

And I still don't know how Russell popped up with a podium, not sure I saw much of him all race.

 

[TennesseeJed]

Never would have guessed at the start of the day that Norris would pass Verstappen on the track, and get the fastest lap as well.

 

[TennesseeJed]

Oh, and @QuizGuy66 - pour another one out for Sargeant as Colapinto with a points finish today...

 

[QuizGuy66]

Logan would have gotten 8 points today!


-QG

 

[The Gator]

Fun race and wild finish.

The angle the TV had going when the crash happened was awesome. Just looked like Sainz decided to turn into the wall

 

[QuizGuy66]

Ooh so I see the master plan for Logan now.
Go to IndyCar with Andretti and then when Andretti gets an F1 team back he will come and domination time will ensue!


-QG

 

[TennesseeJed]

Ooh so I see the master plan for Logan now.
Go to IndyCar with Andretti and then when Andretti gets an F1 team back he will come and domination time will ensue!


-QG

 

[The Gator]

Ooh so I see the master plan for Logan now.
Go to IndyCar with Andretti and then when Andretti gets an F1 team back he will come and domination time will ensue!


-QG

That would be WILD

 

[Eephus]

Ooh so I see the master plan for Logan now.
Go to IndyCar with Andretti and then when Andretti gets an F1 team back he will come and domination time will ensue!


-QG

With his second place finish in the IndyCar championship, Colton Herta is still one point short of a FIA superlicense. He'd need a F1 FP1 session to pick up another point to qualify.

 

[QuizGuy66]

Ooh so I see the master plan for Logan now.
Go to IndyCar with Andretti and then when Andretti gets an F1 team back he will come and domination time will ensue!


-QG

With his second place finish in the IndyCar championship, Colton Herta is still one point short of a FIA superlicense. He'd need a F1 FP1 session to pick up another point to qualify.

The number of super license points required = (Most super license points the IndyCar driver with the most has)+1

-QG

 

[Eephus]

The number of super license points required = (Most super license points the IndyCar driver with the most has)+1

-QG

Alex Palou now has three times the required number of points. C'mon Zak, let bygones be bygones and put him in a car.

 

[QuizGuy66]

The number of super license points required = (Most super license points the IndyCar driver with the most has)+1

-QG

Alex Palou now has three times the required number of points. C'mon Zak, let bygones be bygones and put him in a car.

Number of points required just went up by 3 times + 1
-QG

 

[The Gator]

Put on the 2019 Singapore GP...One lap in, Charles way ahead..let's see how this goes

 

[The Gator]

Ferrari undercutting Charles from P1, classic

 

[The Gator]

Lando
Max

 

[TennesseeJed]

Max will beat Lando at the start - the question will be whether Lando can pass him later in the race.

 

[PIK95]

Just when it seemed Checo turned a corner...

 

[TennesseeJed]

lol - Red Bull showing the advantage of having 4 cars on the grid - using Ricciardo to take the fastest lap...

 

[TennesseeJed]

Danny Ric - about to join Logan Sergeant on the sidelines?

x.com

x.com

 

[PIK95]

Boring azzy race. Yawn.

 

[PIK95]

lol - Red Bull showing the advantage of having 4 cars on the grid - using Ricciardo to take the fastest lap...

I think it had more to do with his last race, but yeah.

 

[TennesseeJed]

lol - Red Bull showing the advantage of having 4 cars on the grid - using Ricciardo to take the fastest lap...

I think it had more to do with his last race, but yeah.

No chance. This was about protecting the mothership.

Ricciardo's last race was just a bonus.

 

[PIK95]

lol - Red Bull showing the advantage of having 4 cars on the grid - using Ricciardo to take the fastest lap...

I think it had more to do with his last race, but yeah.

No chance. This was about protecting the mothership.

Ricciardo's last race was just a bonus.

They never even try it. Why today?

 

[TennesseeJed]

lol - Red Bull showing the advantage of having 4 cars on the grid - using Ricciardo to take the fastest lap...

I think it had more to do with his last race, but yeah.

No chance. This was about protecting the mothership.

Ricciardo's last race was just a bonus.

They never even try it. Why today?

Seriously?

Today, Lando had fastest lap, and is closing in on Verstappen. This was done solely to take the point away from Lando - since it goes to nobody if someone outside the top-10 wins it. Ricciardo does not pick up the extra point - and the fact that they pitted him to take the fastest lap when he was out of contention is pretty good proof of the intentions here.

 

[PIK95]

lol - Red Bull showing the advantage of having 4 cars on the grid - using Ricciardo to take the fastest lap...

I think it had more to do with his last race, but yeah.

No chance. This was about protecting the mothership.

Ricciardo's last race was just a bonus.

They never even try it. Why today?

Seriously?

Today, Lando had fastest lap, and is closing in on Verstappen. This was done solely to take the point away from Lando - since it goes to nobody if someone outside the top-10 wins it. Ricciardo does not pick up the extra point - and the fact that they pitted him to take the fastest lap when he was out of contention is pretty good proof of the intentions here.

Right, but these guys have been fighting for weeks/months. Why haven't they been having the RB2 guys trying it every race? That was my point. I think today was more about Daniel.

Lando had fastest lap the last three races. I don't remember seeing the JV RB's trying for it at the end. There were some retirements if I remember right though. But still. Max only has like 2 fastest laps all year, Checo has one?

 

[TennesseeJed]

In the last race - they pitted Verstappen to get the fastest lap - but it was scuppered by the virtual safety car on the last lap.

ETA - in Monza - Verstappen had the fastest lap until Norris took it on the final lap.

 

[Eephus]

It's unusual for a backmarker team to pit for fastest lap but the sentiment of sending Ricciardo off with something provides some cover for the sister team shenanigans conspiracy theories.

The sport would be better off without RB but there's nothing that can be done about that now.

 

[The Gator]

Not a great race, but a fun weekend imo. If ferrari don't **** up Charles' P3, he's likely in the hunt for the win. That car was fast.

Lewis starting on USED SOFTS from P3 was insane.

Now three week??

 

[Eephus]

As F1 winds down towards the end of the season, here's my semi-annual plug for MotoGP. I've watched every race this year and think they have a more entertaining package than the four-wheelers. Short 40 minute races with no safety cars, pit stops or team radio. The riders are incredibly skilled and are more on-the-edge than in F1; the onboard shots are incredible. The commercial free broadcasts are kind of buried on Max/TruTV but they're worth seeking out.

There are six rounds left in the season including four over the next five weekends. They're heading to Asia where they'll be happening during late Saturday night for me. Four riders have a mathematical chance for the title but the season has mostly been a head-to-head battle between two-time defending champ Pecco Bagnaia and Jorge Martin who finished second last season but currently leads. The both ride the dominant Ducati bikes but for different teams. Martin is moving to Aprilia next year and wants to take the #1 with him.

 

[TennesseeJed]

Ricciardo is officially out at the baby Bulls:

x.com

x.com

 

[Eephus]

Ricciardo is officially out at the baby Bulls:

x.com

x.com

Wow! That's a shocker. It came completely out of left field.

 

[Eephus]

Liam Lawson gets six more races to show what he's got.

If he does well, he could be teammate to Max at RBR next season. If Yuki beats him, Lawson could be out of a ride in 2025.

 

[nirad3]

Derek Daly was a guest speaker at my company's annual employee appreciation week meeting yesterday. Got to chat with him for a few minutes and got his book personally autographed. Pretty cool. I'm not a racing fan but his presentation was solid.