Russia’s Deputy Prime Minister, Dmitry Chernyshenko, has confirmed unanimous approval for the country’s grand prix to change venues in 2023.

 

Formula 1 recently announced the Russian Grand Prix would switch from Sochi, where it has been held since 2014, to Igora Drive just outside St Petersburg.

Helmut Marko has stated that for the Austrian GP Max Verstappen ran with the engine on reduced power. If that is true (and it's Marko so I'm sceptical) then Lewis might as well go home now.

@1412852717400252419

 

RIP Carlos Reutemann.

Aww I knew it was coming but that's still sad. One of my favourites back in the day and a true gentleman. Would've been champion in 1981 but for a dodgy gearbox, although some say he simply didn't want it.

Helmut Marko has stated that for the Austrian GP Max Verstappen ran with the engine on reduced power. If that is true (and it's Marko so I'm sceptical) then Lewis might as well go home now.

 

Mind games. Though he probably meant he turned the wick down when it became clear no one could catch him.

Yeah I agree. I don’t really believe much about what Red Bull say when it comes to their engines

Some of these drivers being rumoured for the Williams seat :cheeseblock:

 

https://www.planetf1.com/news/williams-hulk...yat-short-list/

This weekend is the first sprint format!! Who is looking forward to it?

 

Im in two minds about it. If the tyres can hang on it could be great but this ain’t the race them hard until the metal shows Michelin tyres of days gone by so I’m not sure if the tyres will actually hold on long enough to make this what they want it to be.

 

Quali on Friday is a pain with work

I'm intrigued about the sprint format, should create great battles in the midfield, again depends if the tyres can hold on as Silverstone does have a history of tyre failures in recent years.

I'm excited, glad they're trying something out even if it turns out to be not very successful. Put it this way, I'm far more optimistic of this than that awful elimination quali format they trialled for the first 2 races in 2016.

 

Although I think ultimately it's just gonna be another 6 points for the Ham/Bot/Ver trinity.

This weekend is the first sprint format!! Who is looking forward to it?

 

Im in two minds about it. If the tyres can hang on it could be great but this ain’t the race them hard until the metal shows Michelin tyres of days gone by so I’m not sure if the tyres will actually hold on long enough to make this what they want it to be.

 

Quali on Friday is a pain with work

Quali is on in the evening though, not sure if you knew that.

 

 

Personally, I'm open minded about this format but my gut says it won't be as exciting as they hope. Too much to lose for the front runners if they have a collision or an off so I doubt there'll be that much fighting there and anyone who is poor at race starts (hello George) could end up losing all their good work in qualifying, potentially twice. Those who qualify badly will have an extra run to get back to where they feel they belong for the race and it may only end up being one big race with a 24hour red flag period.

 

That said those who struggle with set up or reliability could get seriously screwed over so it might throw up an odd result or two.

 

Ultimately I think the whole exercise is more about cash than 'the sport'.

I did not! Thanks for confirming that.

 

 

I do agree that it’s about money rather than sport. I don’t mind the Concept but I would like to see a genuine sprint with everyone given a set fuel load and everyone given the same rubber that we know can survive the sprint at full pelt and then let them lose with lighter enforcement on racing incidents and muscular overtakes but stronger enforcement on track limits (ie 1 strike and it’s a Black flag). I don’t think it would truly work until overtaking is made easier under the 2022 rules

@1415676827071180807

 

Mock up of the new era cars

This weekend is the first sprint format!! Who is looking forward to it?

 

Im in two minds about it. If the tyres can hang on it could be great but this ain’t the race them hard until the metal shows Michelin tyres of days gone by so I’m not sure if the tyres will actually hold on long enough to make this what they want it to be.

 

Quali on Friday is a pain with work

so weird watching sprint on C4 live rn!

 

I think it's a really good idea. gives us a lot more action at least

Still fancy Max for pole position and the race win on Sunday.

Still fancy Max for pole position and the race win on Sunday.

Yeah the cooler temp really hurt Red Bull. Lewis may be robbed of what should be a great and well earned pole position stat. Seb is right that tomorrow’s winner’ should not be classed as pole position. There should be a new classification for this.

 

So far it’s a negative on this format from me. I like the idea of less practice laps but they can apply that without sprint qualification.

But this Friday qual is kinda pointless within this format

I also think the sprint would be more interesting if it were shorter, just 5 laps or something rather than 30 minutes

But this Friday qual is kinda pointless within this format

I also think the sprint would be more interesting if it were shorter, just 5 laps or something rather than 30 minutes

 

ia with this tho, 30 mins doesn't really feel like a sprint tbh

Am willing to see how it goes but it does just feel like an extra 30 minutes to correct quali over/underperformance tbh

30 mins is a bit long but that was some epic Fernando magic. A clear gamble by Alpine to use the Softs and see what magic they could do on lap one and then just fight like shit to not go too far backwards. I respect that and hopefully it looks like it’ll pay off for them