2016 Formula 1

[SpottedKitty]

Well, here we go again.

Anyone really surprised by the decision to revert to the old qualifying system? The shiny new one just struck me as over-complicated. Same with the new radio rules; what exactly are they trying for here?

I missed the Alonso crash (out of the room for the middle of the race), did anyone see how it happened? Looked pretty spectacular.

[Captain Seafort]

I missed the Alonso crash (out of the room for the middle of the race), did anyone see how it happened? Looked pretty spectacular.

Alonso seemed to misjudge where Gutierrez's braking point was, clipped his left-rear tire and got punted into the barrier. 95% of the time he would have just slid along the barrier and into the gravel, but he bounced off, hit the gravel boundary sideways and got launched - one bounce (upside down) and he into the barrier at the far end of the gravel. It was the same corner Martin Brundle demolished his car in 96, fortunately with the same result - car unrecognisable as such, driver hopping out and looking pensive.

[SpottedKitty]

OK, finally managed to find a clip on the C4 website (a bit annoying not being on BBC any more). Yes, it looks like it was hitting the gravel that flipped the car; it would have slowed down a lot more, like Guitarrez's car, if it hadn't been airborne. Not supposed to happen like that, surely?

Speaking of "airborne", I was thoroughly becroggled at the new opening credits sequence...

[Alferd Packer]

That was a great way to start the season. Seb and Kimi swamping the Mercs (again!), and some genuinely talented drivers debuting/returning to the sport. Red Bull seems to have some decent pace now, and the Toro Rosso cars are frightening--their only real detriment is that two gigantic babies are driving them.

And Haas scored good points on debut. Yes, they got lucky with red flag and some retirements, but they were still able to capitalize on those opportunities and hold off Force India and Williams. Seems like they have a solid midfield car, and Romain looks like he's settled into his role as the team's senior driver. I am so glad I bought my tickets for the Canadian Grand Prix this year.

[lordroel]

[quote="Alferd Packer"]That was a great way to start the season. Seb and Kimi swamping the Mercs (again!), and some genuinely talented drivers debuting/returning to the sport. Red Bull seems to have some decent pace now, and the Toro Rosso cars are frightening--their only real detriment is that two gigantic babies are driving them. /quote]

What do you mean two gigantic babies are driving them, i do not see you drive a F1 car around a track.

[Alferd Packer]

What do you mean two gigantic babies are driving them, i do not see you drive a F1 car around a track.

I mean that Max Verstappen and Carlos Sainz both acted like immature little children during the GP. From Carlos whining about the Renault holding him up, to Max bitching about not being able to pit when he wanted or overtake Carlos when he wanted, to both of them making unforced errors, there is ample evidence that they both need to grow the fuck up--especially since they probably have the best midfield car. They almost certainly have the best chassis, and the 2015-spec Ferrari PU is certainly strong enough to keep up with Renault, FI, and McHonda. You can no longer blame the car for Toro Rosso's poor performance, nor can you blame the drivers for having their seats for reasons other than merit. Sainz and Verstappen have enough raw talent to warrant being in F1, but they need to start acting like grownups on the track.

[lordroel]

What do you mean two gigantic babies are driving them, i do not see you drive a F1 car around a track.

I mean that Max Verstappen and Carlos Sainz both acted like immature little children during the GP. From Carlos whining about the Renault holding him up, to Max bitching about not being able to pit when he wanted or overtake Carlos when he wanted, to both of them making unforced errors, there is ample evidence that they both need to grow the fuck up--especially since they probably have the best midfield car. They almost certainly have the best chassis, and the 2015-spec Ferrari PU is certainly strong enough to keep up with Renault, FI, and McHonda. You can no longer blame the car for Toro Rosso's poor performance, nor can you blame the drivers for having their seats for reasons other than merit. Sainz and Verstappen have enough raw talent to warrant being in F1, but they need to start acting like grownups on the track.

Well that is true lets hoop they begin to act like adults and focus on racing instead as they have a good future ahead for them if they focus solely on the races.

[darth_timon]

If anyone's interested, I've written up an F1 2016 page - gonna be previewing and reviewing races. http://wp.me/P4V4lR-AU

[Alferd Packer]

So Daniil Kvyat has become Maldozer 2.0. Actually, it's not that bad yet, but he probably is going to get a couple of points on his Super License for his antics at Russia.

Also, that was a great fight between Grosjean and Perez. Romain's definitely getting the most out of his car, and he's probably making it look better than it really is.

[Alferd Packer]

Kvyat's out, Verstappen's in.

Holy shit. I can only imagine that Red Bull has been itching to do this and merely found a convenient excuse to pull the trigger with what happened in China.

[SpottedKitty]

Argleblargle.



Deary deary me... what were Rosberg and Hamilton up to there?

[Captain Seafort]

Racing. Hamilton went for the gap, got the door slammed in his face and was forced onto the grass. From that point on they were both passengers.

On the plus side, well done Max Verstappen.

[SpottedKitty]

On the plus side, well done Max Verstappen.

No kidding — first race for Red Bull, youngest ever winner, didn't make a mistake the whole afternoon. Kimi was stuck behind him for at least the last ten laps.

Did you notice the message Hulkenberg got on the radio; "stop beside a fire marshal". Interesting way of saying "you're on fire"...

[Alferd Packer]

That was a great GP. Lots of top notch racing for the lead positions, which gave us one of the greatest champagne faces since Rosberg:

[Captain Seafort]

Did you notice the message Hulkenberg got on the radio; "stop beside a fire marshal". Interesting way of saying "you're on fire"...

Albeit "fire marshal" seemed to be very loosely defined, given that he ended up having to do the job himself, as the only individual present who seemed to know how to operate an extinguisher correctly.

That was a great GP. Lots of top notch racing for the lead positions, which gave us one of the greatest champagne faces since Rosberg:

"Image"

[Captain Seafort]

Well. That was interesting. Vettel again demonstrates why you shouldn't try to push the limits of what a tire's capable of, and Hamilton and Rosberg give a demonstration of the difference between a very good driver and one of the all-time greats.

[SpottedKitty]

Another good performance from Verstappen as well, his second career podium.

And poor Kvyat is just having no luck at all...

[Alferd Packer]

That was a fun race. More points for Haas, Button having a good time, Manor gets its first point since Jules Bianchi. Though one wonders what's been going on with Williams these last couple weeks.

Also, I was surprised at how empty the stands were. I went to the Canadian GP last month, and the entire circuit was packed.

[atg]

What a turn around in fortunes the past month or so has seen. From 43 points behind Hamilton now leads by 19. The only hope Rosberg has is the upcoming engine penalties for Hamilton. Even then I'd put my money on Hamilton to take the title now.

[Alferd Packer]

And Massa has scored exactly 1 point in the last six races.

Though I really feel bad for Kvyat. Compared to MAXIMUM VERSTAPPEN, he seems like a veteran of the sport, but he's only 22, and odds are his F1 career is already over. I really hope he can get a seat somewhere next year.

[darth_timon]

What a turn around in fortunes the past month or so has seen. From 43 points behind Hamilton now leads by 19. The only hope Rosberg has is the upcoming engine penalties for Hamilton. Even then I'd put my money on Hamilton to take the title now.

Hamilton has the edge on Rosberg. They've been teammates for the past three and a half years and Hamilton has beaten Rosberg in each of the full seasons they've been partnered in that time. Right now Rosberg's got to be wondering how he can get his momentum back.

[atg]

I think there are only two ways - a) the engine penalties for Hamilton or b) further unreliability like in the first few races.

For the engine penalties the rumor is that he'll take the new components he needs in two hits at Spa, which would give a total of 20 grid spots penalty, but would allow him to fight up the field in a track with good overtaking opportunities.

[Alferd Packer]

So Max parked his car at the podium. Seb accepted the trophy. Daniel got the points.

Well, you can't say it wasn't an entertaining race, I guess.

[SpottedKitty]

Hmm. Well, I suppose it's still possible for Hamilton to come out on top, but with only two races left I think it'll have to depend on Rosberg having at least one Really Bad Day.

As for the musical chairs on the podium...

[Captain Seafort]

Hmm. Well, I suppose it's still possible for Hamilton to come out on top, but with only two races left I think it'll have to depend on Rosberg having at least one Really Bad Day.

He's due one. Or rather, it's about time Hamilton had something go his way this year.