Administrator Stan Posted April 16, 2019 Administrator Share Posted April 16, 2019 30 minutes ago, Eco said: Why? Why double in any country? Just go somewhere new. A race in Egypt or a Scandinavian country would be great to see. it worked in Germany with Hockenheim and Nurburgring (with one classed as the European Grand Prix) but both of those are classic, traditional circuits and actually added something to the calendar. I know it's for money to have another one in China but I don't see what it'll add to the calendar apart from just clogging it up. I don't agree with it and find it fairly pointless to be honest. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Subscriber RandoEFC+ Posted April 16, 2019 Subscriber Share Posted April 16, 2019 They've often had a European Grand Prix to milk peak interest in F1 from a country, often that has a successful driver at the time. Most notably in Germany during Schumacher's peak years then in Valencia during Alonso's peak years. All about cash. Having a second one in China seems mad though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Subscriber nudge+ Posted April 16, 2019 Subscriber Share Posted April 16, 2019 1 minute ago, Cannabis said: The FIA's obsession with street races is annoying. Why have a street race in Miami and China when we could go back to Imola, Estoril or Zandvoort? Agree fully (even if I personally like street races). However, Zandvoort is most likely coming back too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Subscriber RandoEFC+ Posted April 16, 2019 Subscriber Share Posted April 16, 2019 15 minutes ago, Cannabis said: The FIA's obsession with street races is annoying. Why have a street race in Miami and China when we could go back to Imola, Estoril or Zandvoort? Dramatic street races in affluent countries (bonus points for night races) > traditional races on purpose built race tracks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eco Posted April 16, 2019 Share Posted April 16, 2019 2 hours ago, nudge said: Simple answer - money... No circuits in Scandinavia capable of hosting an F1 race and I don't think there's enough interest from the public/governments/private companies to fund such an event. It's all about rally/rallycross there! No circuit in Egypt either as much as I'm aware. That's surprising really. With Bottas, Kimi, Magnussen all being from that region, you'd think it'd have greater interest. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Subscriber nudge+ Posted April 16, 2019 Subscriber Share Posted April 16, 2019 27 minutes ago, Eco said: That's surprising really. With Bottas, Kimi, Magnussen all being from that region, you'd think it'd have greater interest. Well I didn't really consider Finland as it's technically not Scandinavia... And they might have quite a bit of interest but financially it's a tough task. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderator Tommy Posted April 16, 2019 Moderator Share Posted April 16, 2019 Saw this on reddit earlier on. The first Shanghai GP in 2004 and the latest one last week: The exact same spot, 15 years apart. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Subscriber nudge+ Posted April 16, 2019 Subscriber Share Posted April 16, 2019 4 minutes ago, Tommy said: Saw this on reddit earlier on. The first Shanghai GP in 2004 and the latest one last week: The exact same spot, 15 years apart. Lol the same (minus the racing track) happened to my adopted town within two years when the Chinese took over it. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eco Posted April 17, 2019 Share Posted April 17, 2019 yeah - I refuse to look up photos of the small city I lived in while in China. I'm afraid it's likely been overtaken by skyscrapers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eco Posted April 17, 2019 Share Posted April 17, 2019 So - kind of funny, so the company I work for, Dell Secureworks, had an F1 video on our website as I guess McLaren is one of our clients. https://www.secureworks.com/ I can't escape F1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Subscriber nudge+ Posted April 19, 2019 Subscriber Share Posted April 19, 2019 Formula 1 is coming to Vietnam! The Vietnamese capital Hanoi will host the premier class for the first time in April 2020. Motorsport-Magazin.com can exclusively reveal the first onboard video footage of the 5.56-km circuit which is a combination of street and classic circuit. Drivers and teams can expect to find a whole series of fresh challenges at Hanoi’s street circuit next year with 22 turns, the third-longest passage on the calendar taken at full-throttle (1.5 km), a top speed of around 335 km/h and an estimated lap time of 1:36.2 minutes. “The first section reminds me of the Mercedes Arena at the Nürburgring,” said Carsten Tilke, speaking to Motorsport-Magazin.com. The son of track architect Hermann Tilke has been CEO at Tilke GmbH & Co KG for several years now and was involved in planning the new track. “Also, the track has very varied passages with high-speed turns, modelled to some extent on the Esses at Suzuka, and long straights that provide good overtaking opportunities with hard braking points.” “Overall, it is a very challenging track, on which to race and will certainly produce plenty of racing action,” said Tilke, who has a lot of GT racing experience. “It will not be easy to post a perfect lap on this track.” Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Subscriber nudge+ Posted April 19, 2019 Subscriber Share Posted April 19, 2019 Yeah I think the circuit looks a bit boring to be fair. Happy it's in Vietnam though as it means I'm definitely going next year Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrator Stan Posted April 19, 2019 Administrator Share Posted April 19, 2019 11 hours ago, nudge said: Formula 1 is coming to Vietnam! The Vietnamese capital Hanoi will host the premier class for the first time in April 2020. Motorsport-Magazin.com can exclusively reveal the first onboard video footage of the 5.56-km circuit which is a combination of street and classic circuit. Drivers and teams can expect to find a whole series of fresh challenges at Hanoi’s street circuit next year with 22 turns, the third-longest passage on the calendar taken at full-throttle (1.5 km), a top speed of around 335 km/h and an estimated lap time of 1:36.2 minutes. “The first section reminds me of the Mercedes Arena at the Nürburgring,” said Carsten Tilke, speaking to Motorsport-Magazin.com. The son of track architect Hermann Tilke has been CEO at Tilke GmbH & Co KG for several years now and was involved in planning the new track. “Also, the track has very varied passages with high-speed turns, modelled to some extent on the Esses at Suzuka, and long straights that provide good overtaking opportunities with hard braking points.” “Overall, it is a very challenging track, on which to race and will certainly produce plenty of racing action,” said Tilke, who has a lot of GT racing experience. “It will not be easy to post a perfect lap on this track.” I'm happy for you more than anyone/anything else about this news 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MUFC Posted April 21, 2019 Share Posted April 21, 2019 https://www.planetf1.com/news/ferrari-at-key-development-point-says-vettel/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eco Posted April 24, 2019 Share Posted April 24, 2019 ESPN loves to do Power Rankings is all sports - Here is the updated one for F1. Quote ESPN's F1 Power Rankings -- Max Verstappen proves value at No.1, yo-yoing Sebastian Vettel back into top 10 Ahead of each race in 2019, ESPN is ranking every driver on the grid in our Formula One Power Rankings. In compiling these standings, we have taken out the car factor and focused solely on the drivers and how each has been performing. This is not a prediction for how the race will go this weekend. Nor is it a prediction for how things will look at the end of the season. Instead, read this as a gauge for who has the most influence over everything that lies ahead, who's hot and who's not ahead of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Previous rankings: Australian GP | Bahrain GP | Chinese GP Note: Teammate head-to-heads are compiled in qualifying sessions in which both drivers set a representative time and in races in which both drivers were classified as finishing. 1. Max Verstappen (Red Bull) PREV. RANK CHAMP POSITION QUALI VS. TEAMMATE RACE VS. TEAMMATE 2 3rd (39 points) 3-0 3-0 Please, please, please get this guy in a Mercedes or a Ferrari! If the knock on Verstappen in the early part of his career was his inconsistency, he has well and truly cleaned that up in recent times and heads to Baku with 12 straight top-five finishes. If you think about it, that's incredible, given that there's really four cars on the grid which are quicker than his Red Bull. So, he's basically got the maximum out of his car in 12 consecutive races. Oh, and did we mention he is absolutely destroying new teammate Pierre Gasly!? Max Verstappen of Red Bull looks on in the garage during the 2019 Chinese Grand Prix weekend. Mark Thompson/Getty Images 2. Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) PREV. RANK CHAMP POSITION QUALI VS. TEAMMATE RACE VS. TEAMMATE 3 1st (68 points) 3-0 2-1 Yes, yes, I know he has won the last two races, and I know he has the championship lead, but Hamilton still isn't operating at his best -- something which should terrify his rivals. The five-time world champion is having too many sessions where it just isn't clicking for him and to be quite honest there hasn't been much between him and teammate Valtteri Bottas through the first three rounds. Having said that, points-wise, 2019 is his equal-best start to a season in his career, so he's certainly getting the job done on Sundays. 3. Valtteri Bottas (Mercedes) PREV. RANK CHAMP POSITION QUALI VS. TEAMMATE RACE VS. TEAMMATE 4 2nd 62 points) 0-3 1-2 I bet Bottas is still thinking about that wheelspin at the race start in China, something which ultimately cost him the lead and a potential second win of the season. Still, he has been one of the most impressive drivers in 2019 and, as mentioned above, is proving he can match it with Hamilton -- most of the time, anyway. The Baku redemption factor shouldn't be discounted -- Bottas was leading the race last year before picking up a puncture on the penultimate lap -- and given the performance Mercedes showed in Shanghai, he'll be in the fight once again. 4. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) PREV. RANK CHAMP POSITION QUALI VS. TEAMMATE RACE VS. TEAMMATE 1 5th (35 points) 1-2 1-2 Alright, maybe putting Leclerc top in the last edition of Power Rankings was a tad premature, but I still believe he is the real deal. The 21-year-old was always on the back foot in China, but would likely have finished ahead of Sebastian Vettel if not for Ferrari handing down team orders...again. If the Scuderia would just let him race, this guy could be anything, but right now they are putting all of their eggs in the Vettel basket. I tell you what, though, another strong weekend from Leclerc could have Ferrari reconsidering their No. 1. Charles Leclerc of Ferrari prepares himself for the 2019 Chinese Grand Prix. Mark Thompson/Getty Images 5. Kimi Raikkonen (Alfa Romeo) PREV. RANK CHAMP POSITION QUALI VS. TEAMMATE RACE VS. TEAMMATE 6 7th (12 points) 3-0 3-0 "What the f--- is he doing? He almost hit me. On purpose!" The only criticism of Raikkonen's start to the season is he actually thought teammate Antonio Giovinazzi tried to hit him in China, during practice. Yes, really! Jokes aside, the Finn has been spectacular for Alfa Romeo and is the only driver outside of the top three teams to score points at each race in 2019. In Shanghai, Raikkonen said he's enjoying Formula One even more now that he's treating it as a hobby. Gee, if only we were all that good at our hobbies... 6. Alexander Albon (Toro Rosso) PREV. RANK CHAMP POSITION QUALI VS. TEAMMATE RACE VS. TEAMMATE 9 13th (3points) 2-0 2-1 Is this the best rookie class since...well...ever? Okay, maybe not quite, but the trio of Albon, Lando Norris and George Russell have been mighty impressive in 2019. Albon's drive from the pit-lane to 10th in China is arguably the best we've seen from anyone all year. Also, and it is still very early, but he's already outscored teammate Daniil Kvyat 3-1. If it weren't for his high-speed shunt in final practice, Albon might have even come in higher. 7. Lando Norris (McLaren) PREV. RANK CHAMP POSITION QUALI VS. TEAMMATE RACE VS. TEAMMATE 5 8th (8 points) 1-2 1-0 See above, really. Another rookie, another high ranking. While Norris had his most difficult weekend of his short career in China, he still holds the equal-best race result for a driver not in a Mercedes, Ferrari or Red Bull, with his P6 in Bahrain. The 19-year-old has been an impressive qualifier in 2019, twice making Q3 for McLaren. He can actually consider himself reasonably unlucky to have slipped a couple of spots, but that speaks more about Raikkonen and Albon's impressive starts to 2019. 8. Daniel Ricciardo (Renault) PREV. RANK CHAMP POSITION QUALI VS. TEAMMATE RACE VS. TEAMMATE 13 11th (6 points) 2-1 0-1 What's that? The Ricciardo critics seem to have gone quiet again. The Australian may have only finished P7 last time out in China, but it was the best possible result for Renault. For all the talk of his slow start to the season, Ricciardo has now scored the same amount of points as Hulkenberg and actually out-qualified him 2-1. Not too shabby for a guy who has just joined the team and was perceived to be under pressure. Now to work on fixing those dodgy engines... Daniel Ricciardo of Renault laughs with Christian Horner of Red Bull during the 2019 Chinese Grand Prix weekend. Dan Istitene/Getty Images 9. Sebastian Vettel (Ferrari) PREV. RANK CHAMP POSITION QUALI VS. TEAMMATE RACE VS. TEAMMATE 18 3rd (37 points) 2-1 2-1 Welcome to the top 10, Sebastian! Say what you want about Vettel's podium in China, but he is finally on the board in season 2019 and that has to make him feel a whole lot better. I'm still not convinced he has the measure of Leclerc just yet, though, and I'm not sure he has the temperament to win the world championship this year. But hey, I've been proven wrong more than once before. Go and prove me wrong again, Seb. 10. Sergio Perez (Racing Point) PREV. RANK CHAMP POSITION QUALI VS. TEAMMATE RACE VS. TEAMMATE 12 12th (5 points) 3-0 2-1 He often goes unnoticed during races, which isn't exactly a bad thing, but Perez has started making some serious gains for Racing Point. The Mexican heads to Azerbaijan -- a race where he has twice finished on the podium, something no other driver has done -- on the back of two consecutive points scoring finishes in Bahrain and China. Since the season-opener in Australia, he has simply had the edge on teammate Lance Stroll who is falling down these Power Rankings at a rapid rate. 11. George Russell (Williams) PREV. RANK CHAMP POSITION QUALI VS. TEAMMATE RACE VS. TEAMMATE 11 19th (0 points) 3-0 3-0 If Russell isn't jealous of fellow rookies Albon and Norris, I'll stop watching Formula One right now. Equally as talented, Russell has been consigned to the back of the grid as Williams continues to be unbelievably uncompetitive. Still, he has dominated teammate Robert Kubica in all three races this season and you get the feeling that will continue as he gets more and more comfortable with the car. It's just a real shame he's only able to race Kubica at the moment, we need him in the midfield battle. 12. Nico Hulkenberg (Renault) PREV. RANK CHAMP POSITION QUALI VS. TEAMMATE RACE VS. TEAMMATE 8 10th (6 points) 1-2 1-0 Poor Nico. From best of the rest in Australia to back-to-back retirements in Bahrain and China, 2019 has been a roller coaster ride for the German. Hulkenberg has shown glimpses of real dominance, but Renault's fragile engine is holding him back. He doesn't drop in these rankings because of that, though. Instead, because Ricciardo is starting to look like top dog at Renault. Life could be about to get worse as Ricciardo gets more and more comfortable with his new machinery. 13. Romain Grosjean (Haas) PREV. RANK CHAMP POSITION QUALI VS. TEAMMATE RACE VS. TEAMMATE 14 17th (0 points) 1-2 1-1 If you're anything like me, you're probably wondering what's happened to Haas' race pace -- it has to be the greatest mystery of the season to date. Grosjean still hasn't opened his points account in 2019, but he comes in higher than teammate Kevin Magnusssen after out-racing the Dane last time out in China. Don't forget, Grosjean should have scored a haul of points in Melbourne if not for a botched pit-stop, and he wasn't really at fault for his retirement in Bahrain, either. Romain Grosjean of Haas drives during free practice at the 2019 Chinese Grand Prix. Mark Thompson/Getty Images 14. Kevin Magnussen (Haas) PREV. RANK CHAMP POSITION QUALI VS. TEAMMATE RACE VS. TEAMMATE 7 9th (8 points) 2-1 1-1 Like Grosjean, Magnussen hasn't had a great few weeks, but a lot of that can be blamed on Haas seemingly taking a backwards step. He falls behind his teammate purely on their results last time out in China. However, the last time Magnussen finished consecutive races in 13th place, he went on to claim best of the rest 6th and then 5th in the following two races. Keep an eye on him in Baku... 15. Carlos Sainz (McLaren) PREV. RANK CHAMP POSITION QUALI VS. TEAMMATE RACE VS. TEAMMATE 10 18th (0 points) 2-1 1-1 I'm really not sure what to make of Sainz's season so far. He's been unlucky at times, simply outperformed on other occasions and after three races is yet to score a championship point. It's hard for him to feature much higher here given that rookie teammate Norris has been performing on par, if not better. Having said that, I'm backing him to crack the top 10 sooner rather than later. 16. Lance Stroll (Racing Point) PREV. RANK CHAMP POSITION QUALI VS. TEAMMATE RACE VS. TEAMMATE 15 14th (2 points) 0-3 1-2 I'm not sure if Stroll is just a really bad qualifier or if he thinks starting at the back gives him the ability to look like a star as he slices through the field. Either way, a streak of seven consecutive Q1 exits is a horror stat for the Canadian and he ain't going to be rising too high in these Power Rankings unless he cleans up his work on Saturday. Enough said. 17. Daniil Kvyat (Toro Rosso) PREV. RANK CHAMP POSITION QUALI VS. TEAMMATE RACE VS. TEAMMATE 16 15th (1 point) 0-2 1-2 I'm going to repeat myself: If Kvyat does not outperform Albon, he won't be in Formula One next year. The heat has been well and truly on the Russian to deliver and so far he has failed to do so. Meanwhile, teammate Albon is earning Driver of the Day honours and surging up these Power Rankings. Kvyat didn't make the most of Toro Rosso's strong package in Shanghai, missing Q3 in qualifying and having his race ruined when a drive-through penalty was handed down by the stewards. He's got to find something soon. 18. Pierre Gasly (Red Bull) PREV. RANK CHAMP POSITION QUALI VS. TEAMMATE RACE VS. TEAMMATE 19 6th (13 points) 0-3 0-3 Three races in and there's still no signs that Gasly can be a long term teammate to Verstappen, or reliable team leader should the Dutchman move elsewhere. Red Bull team boss Christian Horner said he hopes Gasly's fastest lap in China will give him some confidence going forward, that really sums up where he's at right now, doesn't it? In recent years Red Bull has had Vettel and Ricciardo walk, with Gasly so far off the pace it isn't funny, they cannot afford to lose Verstappen as well. Pierre Gasly of Red Bull looks on during the 2019 Chinese Grand Prix weekend. Mark Thompson/Getty Images 19. Antonio Giovinazzi (Alfa Romeo) PREV. RANK CHAMP POSITION QUALI VS. TEAMMATE RACE VS. TEAMMATE 17 16th (0 points) 0-3 0-3 Like Verstappen with Gasly, Raikkonen is really putting Giovinazzi to the sword in the early rounds of 2019. Raikkonen has been a points finisher in all three races this year, while Giovinazzi is one of only five drivers yet to score this season. In fact, if you take the Williams cars out, Giovinazzi finished last in both Australia and China. Ouch! 20. Robert Kubica (Williams) PREV. RANK CHAMP POSITION QUALI VS. TEAMMATE RACE VS. TEAMMATE 20 20th (0 points) 0-3 0-3 I genuinely feel bad for putting Kubica on the bottom yet again, but the sad reality is that's where he is right now. For every race he is outperformed by Russell, it's more and more likely Kubica won't remain on the grid for 2020. It's a shame, given his much-hyped return to the sport, but Formula One is no charity. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderator Tommy Posted April 24, 2019 Moderator Share Posted April 24, 2019 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MUFC Posted April 25, 2019 Share Posted April 25, 2019 https://www.skysports.com/f1/news/12433/11702471/lewis-hamilton-sympathises- Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Subscriber nudge+ Posted April 27, 2019 Subscriber Share Posted April 27, 2019 Haha so Rosberg apparently is temporarily suspended from the paddock because he lent his personal pass to an unauthorised cameraman in Shanghai 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderator Tommy Posted April 29, 2019 Moderator Share Posted April 29, 2019 #FreeNico Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderator Tommy Posted April 29, 2019 Moderator Share Posted April 29, 2019 Look at this interview, and seriously, that's why I love Seb. He's like the Anti-Hamilton Personality-wise. You can also tell that Martin Brundle has so much respect for him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Subscriber nudge+ Posted April 30, 2019 Subscriber Share Posted April 30, 2019 Get in! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eco Posted April 30, 2019 Share Posted April 30, 2019 10 minutes ago, nudge said: Get in! What's so special about Zandvoort? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Subscriber nudge+ Posted April 30, 2019 Subscriber Share Posted April 30, 2019 21 minutes ago, Eco said: What's so special about Zandvoort? It's a proper classic racing circuit and it's beautiful with all the turns and elevation changes, especially the Scheivlak corner Also all those dunes in the background... Just beautiful and legendary as well as a tough and challenging track to drive on. Granted it's quite a bit on the narrow side so overtaking with modern F1 cars is going to be tough but I'm sure they'll modernise and widen the track anyway - just hope not too much as not to ruin the character of the hictoric circuit... Also it will be a home race for Max 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MUFC Posted April 30, 2019 Share Posted April 30, 2019 https://www.planetf1.com/news/hamiltons-selfless-act-at-the-azerbaijan-gp/ 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderator Tommy Posted April 30, 2019 Moderator Share Posted April 30, 2019 2 hours ago, MUFC said: https://www.planetf1.com/news/hamiltons-selfless-act-at-the-azerbaijan-gp/ 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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