The F1 comission has unanimously voted against extending the point scoring positions in a race down to 12th. It will remain that only the first 10 finishers will score points.

 

They have also agreed to increase the minimum weight limit from 798Kg to 800Kg for 2025. This will allow the driver weight allowance to be raise from 80Kg to 82Kg - the first time this has been raised in 5 years.

 

A further extension to the amount of testing allowed has been agreed - from 3 days this year to 9 days from 2026, mainly due to the new regulations.

 

The decisions will not be official until approved by the World Motor Sport Council.

 

Think of how many extra points that would have given Yuki last year and Nico this year!!!

 

Rumours continue to suggest that Adrian Newey is close to signing for Aston Martin. Apparently the offer is worth £84M over four years.

 

 

Also, fun trivia time - Following Sunday's victory, Oscar Piastri is the first driver born in the 21st century to win a Grand Prix.

An wildcard system was apparently in the discussions:

 

https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/f1-floate...ivers/10638163/

Rumours continue to suggest that Adrian Newey is close to signing for Aston Martin. Apparently the offer is worth £84M over four years.

Also, fun trivia time - Following Sunday's victory, Oscar Piastri is the first driver born in the 21st century to win a Grand Prix.

 

Jeez that makes me feel old!

 

I remember the day a younger driver (than me) won for the 1st time (was Sebastian Vettel who is exactly 2 years younger than me)

The first driver to be younger than me and win a race was Ralf Schumacher in 2001 but the first time I had a moment over a driver's age was when Rubens Barrichello entered the sport in '93. He and I were both 20 years old at the time

It was Daniil Kyvat I believe for me the first driver born after me but in terms of race winners it was Max by quite a margin and I expect that's the case for a whole generation of fans!

just read on a newspaper that ocon is confirmed for haas

 

As expected, Verstappen will a 10 place grid penalty at Spa for having a new ICE unit

Ocon to Haas to be expected. He can be a very good driver when his ego doesn't get in the way.......

 

Always look forward to Spa (still have a bucket list item to run round that track). Although I always get a similar feeling with the Grand National - I just hope all the drivers/horses make it round without a fatality

I think it's quite a coup for Haas, given they couldn't keep hold of Hulkenberg. Hard to imagine how could they poach any faster driver than Ocon with some experience.

It's also somehow turned into a great opportunity for Ocon who is moving to, what is right now, a faster team.

Yeah will be interesting to see how Bearman compares to Ocon. If Haas can keep improving the car and not fall backwards again, they could see regular points finishes again

Always look forward to Spa (still have a bucket list item to run round that track).

 

 

I've walked around it from the other side of the fencing. We did so in 1998 during free practice and there was a section out by Stavelot that had little more than a thin wire fence - literally posts and wire of the sort to deter sheep, not even barbed wire, and only a few metres from the fence to the actual track and this side of the fence was a small stream and a few shrubs between there and the pathway. It was so close to the track and so undefended that you could easily breach and be on the track in seconds. Thankfully, there was the deterrent of armed police with dogs but still....

When Hakkinen came by on a quick run it was quite a moment and you could really feel the power those cars had. I'll probably never be as close as that again to one driven in anger.

 

It's probably changed loads since then but I wholeheartedly recommend if there's only one track you go to make it that

really hope Sanz doesn't end up on Alpine, right now is the worst car around

I've walked around it from the other side of the fencing. We did so in 1998 during free practice and there was a section out by Stavelot that had little more than a thin wire fence - literally posts and wire of the sort to deter sheep, not even barbed wire, and only a few metres from the fence to the actual track and this side of the fence was a small stream and a few shrubs between there and the pathway. It was so close to the track and so undefended that you could easily breach and be on the track in seconds. Thankfully, there was the deterrent of armed police with dogs but still....

When Hakkinen came by on a quick run it was quite a moment and you could really feel the power those cars had. I'll probably never be as close as that again to one driven in anger.

 

It's probably changed loads since then but I wholeheartedly recommend if there's only one track you go to make it that

 

I was even googling running events there yesterday, but not sure I could muster a full marathon with those hills! Like I'd hate Eau Rouge by the end of it!

 

I have heard that that forests around the track are stunning and get a good camping crowd at points during the year.

Spa is also one of the tracks I have on my list of places I’d love to see a race. Canada is also there

 

Only race so far I’ve seen live is Australia 2009 as it coincided with my semester abroad

Spa is also one of the tracks I have on my list of places I’d love to see a race. Canada is also there

 

Only race so far I’ve seen live is Australia 2009 as it coincided with my semester abroad

 

I am jealous of you. Melbourne is top of my list of places I want to go to (that I haven't already visited)

I was even googling running events there yesterday, but not sure I could muster a full marathon with those hills! Like I'd hate Eau Rouge by the end of it!

 

I have heard that that forests around the track are stunning and get a good camping crowd at points during the year.

 

That whole area of the Ardennes is beautiful and the great thing is that much of the old circuit is still intact and can be driven on including the legendary Masta Kink - the one Jackie Stewart called 'the most dangerous corner in the world'.

 

Fancy the 15K run?

The circuits I'd like to see but haven't yet are -

 

Monza

Imola

Suzuka

Nurburgring

Gilles Villeneuve

Ostereichring

Interlagos

Circuit de la Sarthe

Elkhart Lake

IMS

Watkins Glen

Laguna Seca

 

I'm torn on attending Spa, of course it's a classic track but the cars only pass in front of you 44 times. Plus I'd be worried about a 2021 repeat.

 

I've been to races at Silverstone and Marina Bay. Interlagos would be top of my list followed by Monza then Baku.

Edited July 26, 2024Jul 26 by Dobbo