Motorsports Thread

[Jody]

Is it just my impression that CH is turning into the ringmaster of the sport?

It's not just you.

I used to hate the way Bernie would lord over it but maybe he had it right. Too many people now calling the shots

 

[FishFright]

Think this has widely been rumoured along with Porsche who presumably will run a branded VAG engine, I can't see them developing 2 engines, but this does mean that whatever concessions they were waiting for have been agreed to, the reduction in electric & the increase in biofuel?

Is it just my impression that CH is turning into the ringmaster of the sport?

Rumour mill is saying Porsche are going to partner with Red Bull and their engine programme.

 

[Jody]

https://www.planetf1.com/news/audi-announces-f1-2026/

Audi apparently started work on their engine 6 months ago.

Wonder who is going to have a Mercedes esq dominance in the next formula?

 

[Deleted member 26715]

Wasn't there talk earlier this year, of them joining next year. Possibly taking over Alpine.

Not that I've heard, I was always under the impression they didn't want to join under these engine rules, that they wanted to wait until the new specification was announced, but they attended the meetings as an interested party & as long as the new engines were of a kind that would benefit their road projects they would come onboard. As far as I know the exact specification hasn't been finalised, but presumably the framework is such that they feel there is an advantage.

Rumour mill is saying Porsche are going to partner with Red Bull and their engine programme.

I thought the idea was that RB & TR would run Audi badged engines & Porsche would take a stake the in Sauber away from Alfa Romeo & run what I presume will be an Audi engine badged Porsche.

 

[FishFright]

Not that I've heard, I was always under the impression they didn't want to join under these engine rules, that they wanted to wait until the new specification was announced, but they attended the meetings as an interested party & as long as the new engines were of a kind that would benefit their road projects they would come onboard. As far as I know the exact specification hasn't been finalised, but presumably the framework is such that they feel there is an advantage.

I thought the idea was that RB & TR would run Audi badged engines & Porsche would take a stake the in Sauber away from Alfa Romeo & run what I presume will be an Audi engine badged Porsche.

The press conference sheds some light on that


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_MLzH-stpcc&t=836s&ab_channel=FORMULA1

 

[Jody]

McLaren have apparently had to pay Danny Ric just short of £15million to not race next year. The contract mechanism looks to have worked in Danny Ric's favour

Cold response from Lando though when asked if he had any sympathy 'I hate to say it, but I would say no,'.

 

[Deleted member 26715]

Cold response from Lando though when asked if he had any sympathy 'I hate to say it, but I would say no,'.

Covering all the bases, in another comment, he said it was a shame as he'd learnt a lot from Daniel. PR machine in full twirl

 

[Jody]

Covering all the bases, in another comment, he said it was a shame as he'd learnt a lot from Daniel. PR machine in full twirl

Selected quotes as always. I hadn't seen the actual interview but thought it was a harsh.

 

[Deleted member 26715]

Bit of a mixed up grid, but I still fancy Max to come through & win, he'll be on the podium IF they all get around the first corner.

How to stop them running wide & gaining an advantage, easy put a gravel trap there, WELL DONE Spa, pretty sure that'll ensure at least 1 safety car tomorrow.

 

[Deleted member 26715]

Hamilton made a big mistake, Alonso was furious as you would be, shouted out in anger, Hamilton watches the replay, admits it was his error & apologises, that logically is the end of the story, but no

Now the journalists Pah! the hacks are trying to stir up an non existent feud. They need to learn the words to Frozen, "let it go" It really is starting to erk me, the state of the journo's these days, instead of trying to find interesting stories which need researching, they try to make a story out of nothing, lazy barstools.

 

[icowden]

Now the journalists Pah! the hacks are trying to stir up an non existent feud. They need to learn the words to Frozen, "let it go" It really is starting to erk me, the state of the journo's these days, instead of trying to find interesting stories which need researching, they try to make a story out of nothing, lazy barstools.

The only real story is that the new rules around flexing appear to have had no effect other than to make the Red Bull go like a rocket. Hate to say it, but I think Verstappen's going to get his second world championship this year.

My guess is that Merc are going to put minimal money / development into this years car now, in favour of getting a good car for next year. It would make sense.

 

[Deleted member 26715]

The only real story is that the new rules around flexing appear to have had no effect other than to make the Red Bull go like a rocket.

Or they haven't changed a thing, my thought is that RB have taken the stance, we built a legal car as laid down by the rules, if you want to prove we haven't then our barrister is willing to talk to you about that in court. Ferrari have which has slowed them down, that & the lacking the ability to organise the proverbial in the brewery, why are they asking drivers who haven't seem any data which tyres they want to be on.

Hate to say it, but I think Verstappen's going to get his second world championship this year.

Hate it or not, he deserves it on this years performance.

 

[figbat]

Or pulling a driver for the fastest lap attempt and releasing them behind someone else?! They cost LEC a place because of the subsequent speeding penalty.

 

[Beebo]

Hate it or not, he deserves it on this years performance.

Agreed.
Which makes last year even more annoying.

 

[icowden]

Thought this article was a good read - nice to know that Hamilton and Alonso are on speaking terms again! Also interesting about Red Bulls advantage and Adrian Newey. Some good insight.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/62756612

In other news..
Interesting watching FP1 at Dutch GP. Verstappen with a gearbox problem and the Mercedes looking happier than usual. Seems it may have been the Ferraris affected by the tightening up of the ground aero rules.