2016 Formula 1

[Methanolic]

Of course yours and the fuzz man's points make sense, I was just pointing out that (from what I have read to date) the DRS factor had not been mentioned and wondered if it was for sure going to remain? I haven't heard anything definitive.

[Cecil Terwilliger]

Couple of updates from the strategy group meeting:

- Halo delayed to 2018 (good. I know it is safer but holy jesus it is ugly)

- Standing starts in wet conditions - they will still do the warm up behind safety car like they did at Silverstone and Monaco but now they will do a standing start from the grid when the track is determined dry enough

- Radio rules loosened

With the exception of the period between the start of the formation lap and the start of the race, there will be no limitations on messages teams send to their drivers either by radio or pit board.

"This approach is aimed at providing improved content for fans and spectators, as teams will now be required to provide the Commercial Rights Holder with unrestricted access to their radio messages at all times that their cars are out of the garage."

- Track limits may no longer be enforced as it seemed to be quite arbitrary. (this still hasn't been decided it looks like)

- Button is yet another driver to come out condemning Max's double move.


Taken from about 6 different motorsport.com articles.

http://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/

[Methanolic]

Halo: I Agree that safety is the reason this keeps coming up but IMHO, this is like the mesh at hockey games. I have a hard time with the halo (and the mesh) because you can't ever eliminate all danger and this seems a bit silly, especially the current design. Downhill skiing should be banned as well

Track Limits: Somewhat disagree, Limits are limits, don't exceed.

Radio Comm: Good!

[Fuzz]

Well, there goes the baby....
Track limits just need to be enforced evenly.

The radio ban is a good idea for coaching, no one liked when they told the the driver when to brake. Jeez this isn't that hard is it?

[Cecil Terwilliger]

Couple of updates on those updates from the strategy group.

Track limits will continue to be enforced selectively. It'll be turn 1 this weekend.

Standing starts in wet appear to be delayed to 2017.

Sessions will be red flagged to avoid Rosberg speeding double yellow controversy.


I learned something kinda, umm, funny(?) today. Bernie's mother in law was allegedly kidnapped in Brazil. That is obviously not funny. But reading the article I learned that his wife is so young that her mother is young enough to be Bernie's daughter.

[Fuzz]

Now that I finally got to watch it...(thanks TSN!) Not a fan of Rosberg at all but I don't think he deserved that penalty at all. It seams like every time Rosberg runs into some issues of any sort he just kinda gives up for the rest of the race. Remember Monaco?

Was nice to have radio messages again! Good stuff.

Nice to see Mclaren getting consistent, in the top 12 or so. To bad Williams seams to have lost pace this year. Really bad tire strategy today though.

[Cecil Terwilliger]

Pretty much a by the numbers race.

Fuzz you talking about taping the race got me thinking and for not the first time this season I want to lament the loss of coverage from Ben Edwards and David Coulthard. Crofty and Brundle just aren't as good. Especially Brundle imo. I do like Di Resta and the other guy they use for practice sessions and the video review thing they do after races. Anthony Davidson I think is the guy.

[Fuzz]

Yup, agree. So many times Crofty and Brundle will just miss stuff on the track, whereas Coulthard would see things that I would never notice. And Ted Kravitz? Ugh. Plus Coulthard was way better at the grid interviews, and I think had more driver respect. He got more of their time, anyway.

I thought it was funny how they made a point a few times about how good the turnout was, when the entire right section of the starting stands by turn one was covered in ROLEX ads because they didn't have enough people. Either they are clueless, or they were told to say that by F1.

[Methanolic]

I agree as well. Really miss Coulthard especially, he's got a keen eye and like Fuzz said, he often points out things I would have overlooked or not payed attention too.

Good race, the start was exciting and I also think the Rosberg penalty was "iffy" at best.

-Some good battles at the back of the field
-Max was hilarious bitching about tires
-Vettel, again..."Blue flag! blue flag!"
-Happy to see Button with a fair result
-VERY happy for Riciardo and loved the "shoey"
-Super bummed about the summer break, pretty much a month off?!!!
-Very curious to see when Lewis takes his power plant grid penalty

[polak]

Lewis Hamilton screwing around with an adolescent tiger on Instagram. That must make Maclaren Mercedes feel super.

[Cecil Terwilliger]

McLaren probably thinks it is hilarious since Lewis drives for Mercedes...

It is also quite old. Unless he's done it again. It certainly wouldn't be the first time he's made his team and sponsors nervous.

[polak]

Originally Posted by Cecil Terwilliger

McLaren probably thinks it is hilarious since Lewis drives for Mercedes...

It is also quite old. Unless he's done it again. It certainly wouldn't be the first time he's made his team and sponsors nervous.

Haha whoops. Shows how much I've been paying attention

It is new though. He's posting it on his Instagram story thing.

[Fuzz]

Just about go time! Looks like Lewis will be taking some big penalties for new motor parts, so will be near the back of the grid. Kind of hope something happens to Rosberg in qualifying and he gets locked out of Q1, so we can have some good excitement at the front. Would be nice to have a podium of Red Bull/ Ferrari and maybe someone else. Plus we will get the excitement of seeing the Mecs work their way through the field.

Whatever happens, Spa is an awesome course to watch, love the elevation changes and I seam to remember it having good passing opportunities. Plus rain can be a factor. Should be good, lets do this!

[Cecil Terwilliger]

Originally Posted by polak

Haha whoops. Shows how much I've been paying attention

It is new though. He's posting it on his Instagram story thing.

Wow never saw this.

I later found out it was new. He went to some tiger retreat. So yeah, you were right.


And yes, we are back from break. phew. That was a long 3 weeks.

[Methanolic]

I'll be up to watch 5:55 AM Qualy, I also read that perhaps #44 may make a complete change to a new power plant? will be interesting viewing tomorrow morning and looking forward to up to date info from the bell ends at sky-sports..

[Methanolic]

By far the most boring qualifying of the season thus far.

The start is going to be something else! I would be very anxious if I were Rosberg. Not sure how MV is going to strategically manage by starting on those boots?

Looking forward to keeping an eye on 44 starting at the back and very optimistic for Ricciardo and hope to see him on the podium with Kimi and Lewis.....

[Cecil Terwilliger]

Some days Max's driving is daring and exciting and his passing livens the sport.

Then there are days like today where he's a danger to himself and his fellow drivers and I think he needs to be kept off the track before he kills someone.

[Fuzz]

What an exciting race! Good job Hamilton, 21st to 3rd??? Crazy. Nice to see Riciardo having a good result, he's had a lot of bad luck this season.

Agree about Max, he is damn lucky he had someone with Kimi's experience behind him, and not some new guy when he pulled that manoeuvre. He would have gotten plastered by the average F1 driver. The start I won't hold against him. On replay Vettel turns in to Kimi about 25 frames before any contact with Max. Kimi's car got bumped right. Max may have been a bit brave going down the inside like that, and maybe their would have been contact later without Vettel's action but it is racing...

I know we have talked about this before, but man, these guys must barely be watching the race. Things they missed:
-The previously mentioned Vettel hitting Kimi
-Button slowing for a Renault in front when Weirlien hit from behind
-Mixing up the Ferrari drivers, I believe more than once
-Calling Nico Rosberg coming in 4th across the line...except that it was Hulkanberg

/I need an F1 dictionary installed on Firefox to get these guy's names spelled correctly

[Cecil Terwilliger]

Even thought there was no battle for first it was nice to see some competition for virtually every other spot in the field.

I found myself excited for Alonso's performance. Too bad for Button.

Magnussen's crash was spectacular. I was actually a bit relieved when he walked away from it.

[Cecil Terwilliger]

Remarkable.

How Lewis Hamilton went from 21st to 3rd while only passing four cars:

So how did he do it? Rosberg had started on the medium tyres to give himself the maximum range for the first stint, and thus a better chance of taking advantage of safety cars and so on.

He gained one place through Marcus Ericsson starting from the pitlane, but then he had a very cautious first lap Alonso got ahead and he was last as he arrived on the scene of the first corner incident.

Having passed the spun Vettel (for 20th) and the slowing Raikkonen (19th), Hamilton then took advantage of the Wehrlein/Button incident (moving up to 17th).

Meanwhile, Verstappen and Nasr were also heading for the pits, so despite not actually overtaking a healthy car, Hamilton was already up to 15th at the end of lap one.

He had a fortunate escape when Sainz's tyre exploded just in front of him on the second lap (14th), during which he also passed Kvyat (13th), before gaining another spot when Massa pitted (12th).

He overtook Ocon on lap four (11th), and was in the process of passing Alonso when the safety car came out.

He'd just overtaken Fernando when the safety car was called, says Lowe. He was doing one car at a time, and in fact he had technically overtaken him, but it was right on the point of the safety car, so he gave the place back.

Magnussen's crash had gifted him another spot, so at this point Hamilton was 10th. Then under the safety car Perez, Grosjean and Palmer pitted on lap six (seventh), followed by Bottas and Gutierrez on lap seven.

Thus when the red flag came and the cars filed into the pits he was fifth - and the only drivers he had actually passed on track were Kvyat and Ocon. He could probably not believe his fortune as he prepared for the restart.

Hamilton had a bit more work to do. He passed Alonso for fourth on the second flying lap after the restart, and it then took him some seven laps to get by Hulkenberg for third.

http://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/an...es-811254/?s=1