April start?! :drama: With 21 there feels like a bit of a squeeze, no doubt a few will drop out in the coming months.

 

At least they've got rid of that 4 week Summer break. Just hope Germany will actually happen next year, & annoyed that Brazil is the finale again.

Jules Bianchi's father has said that he is "less optimistic that his son will recover from head injuries that he sustained in that crash in last year's Japanese Grand Prix. He told France Info radio that his son had shown "no significant progress" since he crashed into a recovery vehicle. He also said "In general, progress nneds to be made in the first six months, It has been nine months now and Jules has still not woken up". #ForzaJules

It has been confirmed that Jules passed away overnight :cry:

So sad :cry:

RIP Jules Bianchi

 

The first F1 driver to die from injuries sustained at a weekend since Aryton Senna in Imola 1994.

 

Very sad news indeed. A very sad day in the news of sport.

 

He fought right to the very end he did.

 

He would definitely have been a Grand Prix winner or even a world champion. Sadly we won't see able to see that.

 

I feel shock and numb today.

 

My favourite F1 moment has to be when he finished 9th in the 2014 Monaco Grand Prix for Marussia. That was great to see.

Shocked to hear this tragic news :( such a freak accident & thoughts are with his family who have been suffering for many months.

 

Probably good in retrospect that the German Grand Prix was cancelled because no drivers' thoughts would have been on racing this weekend.

Very sad to hear this :( Jules had so much potential and was undoubtedly a future F1 race winner, so sad that he will never be able to fulfil his enormous potential.

In respect of Bianchi. F1 should retire the #17 number in honour of him.

 

Really hoping this weekend's Hungarian Grand Prix start doesn't have a big crash at the beginning.

 

 

In respect of Bianchi. F1 should retire the #17 number in honour of him.

 

Really hoping this weekend's Hungarian Grand Prix start doesn't have a big crash at the beginning.

The FIA have retired the #17 number in honour of him.

 

Ferrari's former president Luca Di Montenzemolo has said that Bianchi would have replaced Raikkonen in the near future once Raikkonen's contract had finished :(.

 

I'm sure he would have joined Sauber this year.

 

But sadly we wouldn't be able to see that :(.

Sauber have extended the contracts for next year for Marcus Ericsson and Felipe Nasr.

 

They've done solidly well this season with how the car has been.

 

 

The FIA have released data of Bianchi's crash: (From Planet F1)

 

The g-forces generated by the impact of Jules Bianchi's collision with a recovery vehicle at Suzuka was far higher than initially believed...

 

Bianchi lost control of his Marussia in extremely wet conditions before colliding with a crane tasked with the recovery of the stricken Sauber of Adrian Sutil.

 

The FIA, through their newly established World Accident Database, have released various data findings relating to the incident in which Bianchi sustained head injuries. He spent the next nine months in a coma from which he never recovered. He died in Nice on Friday evening.

 

These findings, published exclusively in Auto Motor Und Sport, shed much light on the incident.

 

When Bianchi lost control of the Marussia he was travelling at 213 km/h and although the car slowed down before impact, it still struck the crane at 126 km/h. This took place over the course of 2.61 seconds following the Frenchman first losing control.

 

The FIA's Safety Commission vice president, Andy Mellor explained that the Marussia then slipped under the crane's stem. This caused Bianchi's injuries as the car came to an abrupt halt with it's nose forced under the crane.

 

"It worked like a brake, with an abrupt deceleration – and in this process there was contact between the helmet and the crane. We have never seen anything like this before," said Mellor.

 

Although the car impact force was around 59G, sensors in Bianchi's ear plugs recorded a impact of 92G. The FIA believe however, that the ear plugs slipped and that the collision generated as much as 254G. This was as a result of the abrupt deceleration it endured.

 

Peter Wright, head of the FIA Safety Commission stressed the importance of his organisation thoroughly studying the Bianchi's crash and learning from it. This, he believes, will lead to better safety at Formula 1 events.

 

The FIA have already introduced some regulations as a result of the accident. These include a Virtual Safety Car and better cockpit head protection for drivers.

 

"It is still often the case that some accident must first occur in order to learn from them. It was a scenario we could not previously imagine," said Wright.

 

"That's why it was very important to really investigate this accident to the smallest detail. We have never invested so much time and effort in an analysis."

 

 

There should no recovery vehicles at all on the track when they are still racing at high speeds in my opinion. Only have them when there is a virtual safety car/ safety car or when the race is stopped.

 

 

 

Jenson Button has emerged as a possible driver for Williams in 2016 if they lose Bottas to Ferrari. Button could be coming back there 15 years after he raced for them in his debut season.

 

Dramatic crash today in first practice for Sergio Perez. Very glad that he escaped unhurt from this.

 

Defo a case of the Roll over hoop doing it's job there.

 

 

Really tough to watch an F1 car in action after Jules :cry: RBR and STR have had an alright day today so will be good to see if we can keep the challenge up all weekend. Apparently this weekend it's all go for Renault Sport as they get up close and personal with Lotus and their Merc engine deal (which has just worked out SO WELL for them this year :) *cackles* ). Rumour is over the summer break a full proposal of the 3 options for Renault F1 will be presented to Renault-Nissan CEO for a proper decision to be made by the end of the year. Options are 1) Tell Red Bull to go f*** themselves & pull out (Reasoning - constant whinging by the RBR PR Team about the engine is really not good for the brand); 2) Stay as is (So not happening. Renault have been frustrated that after 4 successive world titles they have reaped no benefit from that partnership and are being utterly panned currently); 3) Purchase a team and go full works team again. (Reasoning - Far larger presence for the Renault Brand in fully Yellow/Black colouring with a marketing message they have far more control over. Last works team racked up 2 WC's, more than the original works team did, but was brought to a swift end by Crash-gate where Renault attempted to cut and run from the negative publicity at the height of the recession. Likely they'd buy Lotus which happens to be the last works team. Yay for me as I can go back to supporting the Enstone crew (the car name needs to go back to the R* numbering system tho. None of this E* shite.)

What an incredible race! :cheer:

Such dramatic race, would be perfect if Lewis were on podium but still great race. His problem with warming the car has caused all of this, first on the start and later of SC on re-start. So happy that Nico has finished behind him. Nico was absolutely terrible today.

Probably the race of the season. Good win for Vettel proving why he is a world champion. Brilliant podium for Kyvat. If Ricciardo hadn't been touched by Rosberg or Hamilton, I think he could have possibly won. A nice change to see a non-Mercedes podium first time since the 2013 Brazilian Grand Prix and the beginning of the hybrid era.

 

Good to see McLaren back in the points with Alonso in fifth and Button in eighth.

 

Very lucky indeed Hamilton was considering the incidents he had he still finished sixth.

 

Once again Maldonado getting involved in an incident with Perez and some numerous penalties.

 

 

Yeah this race had absolutely everything. Don't think I've ever seen so many penalties handed out at one event either, the most of course courtesy of Crashtor Maldonado :rofl:

Edited July 26, 20159 yr by Dobbo

Missed the actual race because of my course but I'm so excited to see the highlights!!!! So beyond thrilled that there wasn't a Merc on the podium. It's about f***ing time!!!!!! Love the Hungarian grand prix it usually throws up a couple of curveballs.

How long can Lotus rely on Maldonado?

 

Without sponsorship money that he gets. Surely Lotus would axe him?

 

 

He's got one year MAX. No way he stays in a manufacturer owned team

Did anyone hear about the news of Jenson Button being burgled in France?

 

And the news that anaesthetic gas may have been used through the air conditioning at their holiday before Monday's break-in. Button and his wife were unharmed but obviously shaken.