@1367837346138324993

 

Reminds me of early 00s Sauber their livery.

Results are in from the investigation into Grosjean's crash. Interesting stuff but I must admit I expected a lot more than 67g

 

https://www.gpfans.com/en/articles/62450/fi...YoOd3M_SXhXI554

@1367763079916818434

 

Stoked to see this confirmed. It needs to be a permanent addition

Results are in from the investigation into Grosjean's crash. Interesting stuff but I must admit I expected a lot more than 67g

 

https://www.gpfans.com/en/articles/62450/fi...YoOd3M_SXhXI554

Thanks for posting this! Interesting read

@1369640126150807552

First day of testing ends with Verstappen fastest but more importantly Bottas had limited runs after a gearbox problem adn Hamilton was clearly struggling with the handling of the W12. Although it must be said that a sandstorm constitutes unusual track conditions.

Formula One commentator Murray Walker has passed away aged 97.

The simple fact of his age always meant it wasn't be unexpected but I'm genuinely sad. It doesn't matter who or how many try, it will be years before any replaces Murray as the 'voice of motor racing' in the UK.

 

A man who achieved so much in life. His career is well worth a proper look

RIP Murray Walker

Having now watched three full days of testing these are the initial thoughts on the state of each team for the season start

 

 

Mercedes - Not looking like the all conquering behemoth of last season. In fact the W12 looks to behave much like last years Red Bull initially did - all loose rear end and instability and some possible engine and gearbox issues thrown in. Both Hamilton and Bottas suffered from curtailed sessions but if anything Bottas looked more comfortable with the car. Hamilton looked to be very unhappy with the handling. I've no doubt the team will identify and cure their problems but they may well start on the back foot.

 

Red Bull - Comfortably looking the best car on the grid with Vertsappen posting fast times without even having a problem free run. Perez looks to be a solid back up and Red Bull should finally start a season strongly.

 

McLaren - Ricciardo looking very comfortable straight away and the car looks both fast and stable, meaning they could well spring a surprise or two this year.

 

Alpine - Renault look strong and Fernando looks to have lost none of his speed and skill. I expect them to fight it out with McLaren for 3rd place and maybe a win or two if luck falls right.

 

Aston Martin - Limited running for Seb given problems all weekend means it's hard to tell how fast they are. I expected them to be fighting for 3rd place this year but reliability may cost them dearly. Plus Lance is still mediocre at best unless it's wet.

 

Ferrari - The power unit may well have improved and it did look like they were keeping their true pace hidden but I still think their upper mid table this year. Sainz looks to be struggling with the car and appeared frustrated with it and a lack of laps run. Leclerc still looking strong.

 

Alpha Tauri - Looks like they've progressed a lot since last year. The car looks great and appears to handle very well. Both Gasly and Tsunoda impressed in the timings and the team had no problems all weekend. Might be the years big surprise.

 

Alfa Romeo - Quietly carried out their testing with no fuss and no problems. Unlikely to break from the midfield but may well be much faster than last year. It could be the drivers that hold them back this year.

 

Haas - Virtually anonymous all weekend and they look like running at the back much as last year. Could well be this years worst car again.

 

Williams - Look to be quicker and better funded than last season and may well have improved but still look like duelling with Haas for the wooden spoon.

A great piece of analysis there, Severin, :)

Was very sad to hear of Walker's passing on Saturday. I've kept thinking how you hear of all these amazing sports personalities passing over the recent years but Murray Walker just kept going and going. 97 is a fantastic innings! His voice sound tracked large parts of my childhood memories of the sport and no one will ever touch his ability to connect with the viewing public. One of the Sport's greatest icons and his legacy will never ever be forgotten.

Re testing, please don't get your hopes up about Merc not being this dominant behemoth once again. They do this every single season. Remember 2019 when they were sandbagging well behind Ferrari then turned up in Australia and put it on pole by about 1.5 seconds.

Re testing, please don't get your hopes up about Merc not being this dominant behemoth once again. They do this every single season. Remember 2019 when they were sandbagging well behind Ferrari then turned up in Australia and put it on pole by about 1.5 seconds.

 

Whilst I'd agree that they weren't looking to show their true pace, the difference between this year and those previous was clear. I don't know if you watched the sessions but clearly the rear of the car doesn't handle very well right now. Across the weekend the Mercedes pair had more off track moments, incidents of the rear stepping out and spins than any other team. The car spent a lot of time behind the screens in the garage under maintenance and they therefore lost a lot of track time and amassed less data. Even with their filming day coming up they're behind where they want to be and have less time than normal to fix it by the season opener/ Hamilton has never been good at disguising his mood and was clearly not enamoured with the weekend. Bottas less obviously.

 

The main thinking is that the new regs and lowering of downforce has affected high rake cars much less than others - hence why Red Bull and Alpha Tauri looked very smooth and low rake cars like the Merc struggled more. Not only that they had engine issues and Aston Martin's problems all stemmed from Mercedes supplied parts.

 

I've no doubt that they'll be strong come the first race and Hamilton remains favourite for the title but I think it'll take at least three races to sort some of their problems and that could give Verstappen enough time to finally mount a title challenge. If Perez can pull back some of the deficit to Max, Red Bull could challenge for constructors, especially if Mercedes switch focus to next years car early again.

I think it will be close between Daniel and Lando, with Lando out-qualifying Daniel 1st half season and Daniel turning it around 2nd half

anyone watch the new season of drive to survive? my god the Grosjean episode gave me full body chills seeing all that new footage..

The new season starts this weekend! I fully expect Lewis Hamilton to win the Drivers Championship for a record breaking 8th time with Max Vertsappen finishing in 2nd place. I think Mercedes will win the Constructors Championship again as well, Red Bull in 2nd place, Ferrari somewhere in the top 4 region.

Looking forward to the start of F1 season...Hope Hamilton can win his 8th Drivers Championship but also hope it will be a more competitive season!

 

 

anyone watch the new season of drive to survive? my god the Grosjean episode gave me full body chills seeing all that new footage..

 

Yes I have.. How he survived that is beyond me! One lucky guy :o

Hoping this is the year that Red Bull finally give Verstappen a car worthy of his talent and that he can actually put Hamilton under pressure as he's had it too easy for too long. I'd also like to see Ferrari and McLaren capable of winning a race or two on merit alone and not through good fortune.

seems like Verstappen is starting the strongest

 

Renault/Alpine seems to have regressed a lot sadly

Hope Hamilton can win his 8th Drivers Championship but also hope it will be a more competitive season!

These are mutually exclusive things