Formula 1

[Jack]

Formula 1 is to make Covid-19 vaccines mandatory for all personnel this year.

The move will mean no-one will be able to work within the paddock - F1's inner sanctum where the teams operate - without being fully vaccinated.

The policy will apply to all personnel working within F1, including drivers, teams, media, hospitality workers and any guests who attend the races.

It is not expected to have an impact on any of the drivers' ability to compete as all are understood to be vaccinated.

[SteveHFC]

Masi been removed from his role as race director.

[Northernhibee]

New Ferrari is absolutely gorgeous.

[patch1875]

New Ferrari is absolutely gorgeous.

They all look pretty nice. I’m liking the Aston and the Alpha Tauri.

If that’s what the front wing end plates look like in race trim they won’t last long!

[Jack]

The cars look very different.

I'm not sure about your comment Northernhibee. The driver is going to look as though he's sitting in a very, very expensive hot tub 😆 Time will tell if its a fast hot tub 😉

[The_Exile]

Love the look of the Ferrari too, very old skool in their 75th anniversary year. They have gone in a compeltely different direction with the new regs than the other teams though by the looks of it, so in a couple of months time they will either be absolute geniuses or utter mugs. Fair play to them, they've really just gone for it more radically than the rest.

I've liked the look of most of the cars this year so far. Haas is basically a driving russian flag and the Williams seems a bit plain but the others all look good.

[Sergio sledge]

I'm pleasantly surprised how different all the cars look, some really interesting differences between the sidepods and packaging particularly.

I think that the Williams and the Aston Martin look really nice.

It will be interesting to see if the new regulations do what we all hope they do and allow better racing and other teams to be closer to the top 2.

Ferrari seem to have taken a really different approach, so they could be geniuses, or we could see a whole lot of changes there again in 9 months time.

[PeeJay]

Looks like Haas has now dropped Mazapin from the team with a new replacement to be announced soon ... and no more Russian GP

[lord bunberry]

Looks like Haas has now dropped Mazapin from the team with a new replacement to be announced soon ... and no more Russian GP
They must have secured a new sponsor then, his dad was pumping money into them in return for his son to drive.

[patch1875]

Fittipaldi is there back up driver bit wonder if they will be looking for someone with a mega bucks sponsor.

[Northernhibee]

Magnussen back at Haas, Mazepin Father and son sanctioned.

[RyeSloan]

That new Merc unveiled today is something else!

IF it works they could have stolen a march on everyone. Some reports suggesting it gave them a near second improvement in their wind tunnel modelling.

[Northernhibee]

That new Merc unveiled today is something else!

IF it works they could have stolen a march on everyone. Some reports suggesting it gave them a near second improvement in their wind tunnel modelling.

Horner not happy. Which is a big surprise.

[lord bunberry]

Those cars are so low at the back, if they hit the kerbs or go onto the gravel they’re going have bits falling off.

[Northernhibee]

Rumours that the new Mercedes sidepods alone are worth the best part of a second a lap.

That’s your double diffuser moment right there if true.

[The_Exile]

If they've found a loophole then fair play, that is a total Brawn GP moment. Although I enjoy watching Verstappen's driving style, it would be absolutely hilarious if Hamilton and Russel were a dot in the distance to him this season :greengrin

[Northernhibee]

If they've found a loophole then fair play, that is a total Brawn GP moment. Although I enjoy watching Verstappen's driving style, it would be absolutely hilarious if Hamilton and Russel were a dot in the distance to him this season :greengrin

He'll still have a chance to take him off every race, it'll just be when he's being lapped :greengrin

[lord bunberry]

If they've found a loophole then fair play, that is a total Brawn GP moment. Although I enjoy watching Verstappen's driving style, it would be absolutely hilarious if Hamilton and Russel were a dot in the distance to him this season :greengrin
They didn’t look like they’d found any time this morning in Bahrain, Hamilton wasn’t very quick at all. In fairness most cars seemed to be taking it quite easy.

[Northernhibee]

They didn’t look like they’d found any time this morning in Bahrain, Hamilton wasn’t very quick at all. In fairness most cars seemed to be taking it quite easy.

I have a feeling they’ll have been sandbagging and leaving the other teams guessing if it’s worth exploring that avenue.

[lord bunberry]

I have a feeling they’ll have been sandbagging and leaving the other teams guessing if it’s worth exploring that avenue.
I think lots of teams are doing that in testing, it won’t be until the last day we see what they’ve all got.

[Northernhibee]

I think lots of teams are doing that in testing, it won’t be until the last day we see what they’ve all got.

Quite honestly I don’t expect it until Q2 of the first race. Even if they hold back half a second until they have to, with the cars being so different I think they’ll all keep something up their sleeve.

[JeMeSouviens]

They didn’t look like they’d found any time this morning in Bahrain, Hamilton wasn’t very quick at all. In fairness most cars seemed to be taking it quite easy.

Once they persuade Lewis he doesn't need a built in CD rack, it'll go much faster. :wink:

https://storage.googleapis.com/the-race-com.appspot.com/1/2022/03/XPB_1129126_HiRes-1024x682.jpg

[lord bunberry]

Once they persuade Lewis he doesn't need a built in CD rack, it'll go much faster. :wink:

https://storage.googleapis.com/the-race-com.appspot.com/1/2022/03/XPB_1129126_HiRes-1024x682.jpg
It looks like he’s trying to tune into radio Luxembourg :greengrin

[Sergio sledge]

I have a feeling they’ll have been sandbagging and leaving the other teams guessing if it’s worth exploring that avenue.

Yeah, if it is worth a second a lap then there's no chance they'll show that now as it would give the other teams plenty of time to either copy it or, more likely, try to get it banned.

Looks pretty cool, and I love stuff like this, hate it when all the cars look the same. Love teams taking a risk.

[PeeJay]

Drive to Survive (Season 4) has just gone live on Netflix - thought the previous seasons were all very well produced ...

[AugustaHibs]

I can’t wait to see these cars hitting sausage kerbs at monza etc. going to be absolutely carnage with how low the cars sit, especially the Ferrari

[PeeJay]

Horner not happy. Which is a big surprise.

Seems he has now changed his made - which is an even bigger surprise ... :greengrin

[The_Exile]

After the qualifying simulation runs this afternoon it looks like it'll be a Red Bull v Ferrari shoot out for pole. Mercedes look absoultely woeful and I was surprised at how well the Haas and Alfas were going (Bottas in front of Hamilton was quite funny). Williams look like they could sadly be stone dead last again. However, I just cannot rule out Mercedes and would it surprise me if they were in with a shot of the front row tomorrow? Well, yes.....but no.......

[Northernhibee]

After the qualifying simulation runs this afternoon it looks like it'll be a Red Bull v Ferrari shoot out for pole. Mercedes look absoultely woeful and I was surprised at how well the Haas and Alfas were going (Bottas in front of Hamilton was quite funny). Williams look like they could sadly be stone dead last again. However, I just cannot rule out Mercedes and would it surprise me if they were in with a shot of the front row tomorrow? Well, yes.....but no.......

Very sad to see. If Masi and the FIA have blocked Hamilton’s last chance at record eighth title because they wanted to keep Netflix happy it’d be a ****ing travesty.

[patch1875]

All looking very tasty for tomorrow

[Paul1642]

Early days but great to see Mercedes not being the fastest car for the first time in what feels like forever.

[LunasBoots]

Both red bulls out at the end, Ferrari one two, Hamilton 3rd

[hibby19]

Bad day for Redbull. Potentially three out of four power unit failures in the first race

[patch1875]

Hopefully RB not back to reliability issues.

[Northernhibee]

After the complete lack of humility from Horner and Verstappen over the winter that was an absolute Carlsberg Sunday. Can’t wait to see his face on DTS.

[McD]

After the complete lack of humility from Horner and Verstappen over the winter that was an absolute Carlsberg Sunday. Can’t wait to see his face on DTS.


funnily enough that was my thoughts as well, the 2 of them have preened themselves all winter, after both acting like spoiled petulant children for most of last season

[The_Exile]

I think the championships (both drivers, and constructors) will depend on how far Ferrari can stretch out the lead before Mercedes get their s**t together and stop that car bouncing more than a jambo's cheque book. I said it earlier on in the thread that the Ferrari looked so outlandish compared to the rest of the cars theat they would be geniuses or muppets and it looks like they've nailed it. The power unit is clearly well ahead of the Red Bulls (3 retirements in the first grand prix will have alarm bells ringing big time), Mercs and Renault engines and you only need to look at how well the Alfa's and Haas cars ran on Sunday to confirm that. Ferrari don't seem to be suffering in any area and looks like the only car stable enough to be winning races consistently until the circus hits the traditional European stage of the season when the big updates usually arrive.

Having said all that, it's only one race and no doubt the teams would've learnt a lot on Sunday, likely much more than testing. If I was a betting man I'd be between Ferrari and Red Bull, as long as Red Bull sort their reliability problems out pronto as the actual car itself seems to be really quick. Losing 30 points in 2 laps won't win them much of anything this year.

What the hell has happened to those McLarens though? They look absolutely awful out there trudging round towards the back.

[Northernhibee]

Missile strike not far from the circuit. Drivers meeting going to about 2am local time. What a ****ed up situation.

[AugustaHibs]

Lewis Hamilton for being such an advocate against war and in favour of peace had a real chance tonight to make a statement, if anyone could send a shockwave through the world it’s him by boycotting the race it’s him.

Unfortunately he’s fallen into line. Obviously the potential championship points are more important than anything else.

[McD]

Lewis Hamilton for being such an advocate against war and in favour of peace had a real chance tonight to make a statement, if anyone could send a shockwave through the world it’s him by boycotting the race it’s him.

Unfortunately he’s fallen into line. Obviously the potential championship points are more important than anything else.


not sure if it’s as simple as that, the drivers were told there were other factors like whether they’d be allowed to easily leave the country of the race didn’t go ahead

[AugustaHibs]

not sure if it’s as simple as that, the drivers were told there were other factors like whether they’d be allowed to easily leave the country of the race didn’t go ahead

Fair enough.


Saudi Arabia are a ****ing disgusting regime and I’m sure they did the same with WWE a few years ago, had their plane sit on the tarmac for 7 hours.

Hopefully this is the final time we see the guys racing at Jeddah, regardless of how exciting a track it is.

[McD]

Fair enough.


Saudi Arabia are a ****ing disgusting regime and I’m sure they did the same with WWE a few years ago, had their plane sit on the tarmac for 7 hours.

Hopefully this is the final time we see the guys racing at Jeddah, regardless of how exciting a track it is.


don’t disagree mate, although I think we’ll both be disappointed about how long they continue to race there

[patch1875]

Big crash for Schumacher apparently ok but off to hospital for a check.

[McD]

Big crash for Schumacher apparently ok but off to hospital for a check.


really bad one, glad to see he appears to be doing ok

[Northernhibee]

It’s not a safe track. Cars battering into concrete at that speed should have ended thirty years ago.

In so many different ways racing this weekend shamed the sport.

[Northernhibee]

Red Bull gives you whinge.

As long as the Ferrari remains reliable, the fat lady is warming up her voice already I reckon.

[Northernhibee]

They have to find ways to manage qualifying sessions better than that. That was unwatchable.

[Gatecrasher]

What's with sky's coverage these days, a lot of changes in presentation and presenters. Definite downgrade on last season imo.

[RyeSloan]

What's with sky's coverage these days, a lot of changes in presentation and presenters. Definite downgrade on last season imo.

Naomi Schiff is pretty awful…at least it means less time for Johnny Herbert tho!

I see Monaco is finally on a shoogly peg. Always a total bore fest that should have been dropped long ago.

Sure it’s a favourite of the paddock but from a fans perspective it’s brutal.

[Gatecrasher]

Naomi Schiff is pretty awful…at least it means less time for Johnny Herbert tho!

I see Monaco is finally on a shoogly peg. Always a total bore fest that should have been dropped long ago.

Sure it’s a favourite of the paddock but from a fans perspective it’s brutal.

She actually is awful. Agree about JH as well.

It looks like they have an A and B sqaud for this season, we're getting the A squad this week.

[Northernhibee]

That was *****. The track, the racing, the escort to the podium, the ludicrous OTT show.

F1 needs to decide if it’s the best racing series at the best tracks or WWE.

[McD]

That was *****. The track, the racing, the escort to the podium, the ludicrous OTT show.

F1 needs to decide if it’s the best racing series at the best tracks or WWE.


:agree:

i think the track is boring and soulless, the race was boring, very deflating

[GRA]

Interesting how at the start of the season everyone was going on about Red Bull's reliability issues. Now Leclerc had the engine issue in Spain and Verstappen now takes the lead of the championship! Hoping for similar levels of unpredictability throughout the year to keep this season exciting.

[Jack]

Interesting how at the start of the season everyone was going on about Red Bull's reliability issues. Now Leclerc had the engine issue in Spain and Verstappen now takes the lead of the championship! Hoping for similar levels of unpredictability throughout the year to keep this season exciting.

It's not just breakdowns that's keeping it exciting this season.

Some of the driving yesterday, on what used to be described as a boring no overtaking track, was excellent. The new rules have had a very positive impact.

It was interesting that a Red Bull and Ferrari where blown off the track by a puff of wind. Shows how close the drivers are driving to the absolute limit (and beyond) and adds a Russian roulette element to the whole thing.

[Northernhibee]

Verstappen needs to be careful with his temper tantrums, eventually his team will have enough of him. Didn’t think Horner sounded best pleased with him at the worst of it.

[RyeSloan]

Verstappen needs to be careful with his temper tantrums, eventually his team will have enough of him. Didn’t think Horner sounded best pleased with him at the worst of it.

It’s just his style…I’m sure Red Bull will be more than happy to have him around for as long as they can.

[RyeSloan]

Random decision not to penalise the red bulls for crossing the white (well yellow) line coming out of the pits today…I thought that was an automatic penalty?

[Jack]

Random decision not to penalise the red bulls for crossing the white (well yellow) line coming out of the pits today…I thought that was an automatic penalty?

I don't think anything is automatic these days.

[McD]

Random decision not to penalise the red bulls for crossing the white (well yellow) line coming out of the pits today…I thought that was an automatic penalty?


especially when verstappen was shrieking about it over and over a few races back when leclerc did it

[RyeSloan]

I see that there has been some ‘clarification’ on the pit lane exit rule.

Despite the race notes supporting the concept that you can’t even touch the line the ISC rules were rewritten before the start of the season to suggest you can now touch the line and indeed will only be deemed to have crossed it if the whole tyre has gone over the line.

So ISC rules trump the race notes and what everyone thought (including the race director it seems!) was the rule wasn’t the rule anymore!

[Northernhibee]

It’s just his style…I’m sure Red Bull will be more than happy to have him around for as long as they can.

https://www.skysports.com/amp/f1/news/12433/12625148/max-verstappens-dad-jos-criticises-red-bull-for-throwing-away-points-favouring-sergio-perez-in-monaco-gp

His dad throwing his weight around because Sergio dared to try to win the race.

[Jack]

https://www.skysports.com/amp/f1/news/12433/12625148/max-verstappens-dad-jos-criticises-red-bull-for-throwing-away-points-favouring-sergio-perez-in-monaco-gp

His dad throwing his weight around because Sergio dared to try to win the race.

I thought he was a prick when he was a driver. He's done nothing since to change my mind.

[Northernhibee]

I thought he was a prick when he was a driver. He's done nothing since to change my mind.

His private life makes him worse than a prick.

[Sergio sledge]

https://twitter.com/TheBishF1/status/1532624815793766403?s=20&t=p6RUSdeS-su0rLVQ4mkI6g

This is pretty cool footage, what a difference in safety between then and now. They are literally driving along the edge of the water with no barriers or anything.

[RyeSloan]

https://twitter.com/TheBishF1/status/1532624815793766403?s=20&t=p6RUSdeS-su0rLVQ4mkI6g

This is pretty cool footage, what a difference in safety between then and now. They are literally driving along the edge of the water with no barriers or anything.

Astonishing really when you see it like that.

The size of the cars then compared to now is just ridiculous. You can see why it’s suggested F1 has outgrown the track!

[Paul1642]

Really disappointed that Ferrari’s reliability seems to have killed of what could have been a great season. Whilst individual races are still more interesting this year than they have been for a while (IMO), the title fight is looking as good as over. I don’t feel for a minute that Verstappen has been the best driver this year.

[Stairway 2 7]

200mph motors, good luck to them if they are running on

NorthantsPolice
*Please RT*

Thread....

We have received credible intelligence that a group of protestors are planning to disrupt the 2022 Formula 1 British Grand Prix and possibly invade the track on race day.

We want to appeal directly to this group of people

[RyeSloan]

Quality qualifying today but gawd knows what the TV director was doing at the end…totally missed Hamilton and Perez finishing when they were still in with a shout. Instead we got random pics of the Ferrari garage and gawd knows what else.

Rain in F1 is always fun though!

[AugustaHibs]

The safety of these cars is incredible. Wow.

[Northernhibee]

The safety of these cars is incredible. Wow.

Footage on twitter from the stand at the other end of that gravel trap - that's a scary, scary crash for all involved.

[Willis1875]

Some race 👏🏻

[RyeSloan]

Brilliant race…thought Lewis was gonna win at one point!

[Northernhibee]

Brilliant race. Max back to his worst, even on the likes of Mick Schumacher.

[Wilson]

Brilliant race. Max back to his worst, even on the likes of Mick Schumacher.

Nothing in the Mick Schumacher incident it seems.

Good 7th place for the champ given the issues he faced today.

[cabbageandribs1875]

the man who would take a bullet for Putin has been charged with fraud

Bernie Ecclestone to be charged over alleged fraud - BBC Sport (https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/62119689)

The CPS said the charge of fraud is "in respect of his failure to declare to HMRC the existence of assets held overseas believed to be worth in excess of £400m".

[Northernhibee]

Vettel announces his retirement. Noticed that he said in the video that he's retiring "by the end of the season", not "at the end of the season". Not been picked up on but I could see him going earlier than the end of the year. Clearly not enjoying it and has other priorities.

A great character and the sport will be worse off without him.

[patch1875]

Another disappointing Ferrari performance

They are miles behind when it comes to strategy.

[patch1875]

Alonso to Aston Martin.

[Jack]

Not much going on here now that Hamilton is off the boil 😉

So I give you, ladies and gentlemen ...

Max Verstappen. A worthy champion, for the second time, after a season that included performances that were just awesome and then some. Well done Max!

4 races to clinch the constructors championship and get second place for Checo for a Red Bull clean sweep.

And also a special mention for the F1 genius that is Adrian Newey.

[patch1875]

Pity it was all a bit rubbish that no one knew what was going on.

[Gatecrasher]

I wish ferrari gave them a bit more competition, but no doubt Max was a cut above the rest. He's a great driver. Red Bull could dominate this new era if ferrari and merc don't get their act together.

[Gatecrasher]

Business as usual for Red Bull, it looks like they are going o dominate the year. It's great to see Alonso on the podium again. In the right conditions I can see him getting a race win this season.

[McD]

Thought it was a pretty mundane race all told, the most interesting part was watching to see if there were any more penalties that Ocon could manage to accrue

[Paul1642]

Another dull F1 season of one team dominating is already inevitable by the looks of things.

[patch1875]

Another dull F1 season of one team dominating is already inevitable by the looks of things.

Yeah I love F1 but this season is looking poor. Didn’t even watch all of yesterdays race.

[Jack]

I think if you follow a single team and they're not doing well, particularly if they have in the past, then Red Bull disappearing into the distance will be a bit of a bummer.

I've been watching F1 since probably the 1960s. Teams come and go, some get found out for things you think are really bad so you hate them for a while but teams evolve, they ebb and flow.

Red Bull this season look to have a car that will go down in history as one of the best ever in F1 history and Adrian Newey can put it on his mantlepiece with all the other best F1 cars in history he's designed and been involved with.

There's interesting competition up and down the grid. Alonso and Aston Martin look to be getting in the mix as Merc and Ferrari chase down RB.

Don't invest too much in 1 team or 1 driver. Perm any 3 from 4 but remember any great advance from Ferrari or a win for them at Monza and they'll be cheating 😉

[Paul1642]

I think if you follow a single team and they're not doing well, particularly if they have in the past, then Red Bull disappearing into the distance will be a bit of a bummer.

I've been watching F1 since probably the 1960s. Teams come and go, some get found out for things you think are really bad so you hate them for a while but teams evolve, they ebb and flow.

Red Bull this season look to have a car that will go down in history as one of the best ever in F1 history and Adrian Newey can put it on his mantlepiece with all the other best F1 cars in history he's designed and been involved with.

There's interesting competition up and down the grid. Alonso and Aston Martin look to be getting in the mix as Merc and Ferrari chase down RB.

Don't invest too much in 1 team or 1 driver. Perm any 3 from 4 but remember any great advance from Ferrari or a win for them at Monza and they'll be cheating 😉

I don’t follow any particular driver or team but I’m just not interested in watching the qualifying or races when it’s fairly certain red bull will win, especially when one of their drivers is much better than the other so there’s general not even an interesting battle for the championship between the two.

I get what you’re saying about the rest of the field but it just doesn’t do it for me.

It’s like asking asking a neutral to get excited about the battle for 3rd in the SPl.

[Jack]

That's some fine!

Three-time Formula 1 world champion Nelson Piquet has been ordered to pay five million Brazilian Reals (£780,000) for making racist and homophobic comments about Lewis Hamilton.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/65074698

[Northernhibee]

What an awful season so far. Red Bill dominant, very little racing and overtaking, and even a mile ahead of anyone else Max is throwing his toys out of the pram at every opportunity.

[patch1875]

What an awful season so far. Red Bill dominant, very little racing and overtaking, and even a mile ahead of anyone else Max is throwing his toys out of the pram at every opportunity.

Agreed pretty much zero interest in it just now. Can’t see anything changing much this season.

[JamesHFC]

Wind and heat made qualifying interesting today.

[LunasBoots]

What an awful season so far. Red Bill dominant, very little racing and overtaking, and even a mile ahead of anyone else Max is throwing his toys out of the pram at every opportunity.

Crappie eh, the new hybrids where meant to mean closer races, hasn't worked that way, the rest look like they are driving F2 cars

[LunasBoots]

Boring, you can see who the favourite driver is

[Jack]

Italian GP cancelled due to severe flooding in the area.

[LunasBoots]

Quite funny all week I've been hearing this will be a difficult race for Red Bull 😄, still miles ahead

[Jack]

A lot of drivers riding their luck when the rain started.

I'm not sure the info a few of them were giving their drivers 🤔 The website I use for radar had it spot on to the minute! Works well at home too

https://weather.com/en-GB/weather/radar/interactive/l/60bcd8ee7e288436ab3bce22647ed090e34191685568f0aa5c abc14b64664007

[McD]

It’s an iconic race but only when it’s wet does Monaco actually make for a decent spectacle

[Northernhibee]

Indycar and BTCC going forward for me. This is unwatchable.

[marinello59]

Indycar and BTCC going forward for me. This is unwatchable.

I’ve always preferred BTCC, real blood and guts racing.

[Northernhibee]

I’ve always preferred BTCC, real blood and guts racing.
Have you ever been to the SMRC events at Knockhill? Had a few friends compete in the MINI cup and the C1 Trophy. Great racing by enthusiasts, wheel to wheel and no politics. Great value day out.

[marinello59]

Have you ever been to the SMRC events at Knockhill? Had a few friends compete in the MINI cup and the C1 Trophy. Great racing by enthusiasts, wheel to wheel and no politics. Great value day out.

I haven’t ,no. I need to put that right.

[Hibby70]

In the last 6 years I've gone from watching qualifying and all of the build up to just watching highlights, and even then not bothering with that much.

I just find it all so boring and repetitive now. Maybe it's because I don't really care who wins more than anything as I find the same with the Premier League.

[Jack]

It's weird watching the Mediterranean grand prix when there's blazing sun outside and it's raining there in Barcelona, Monaco and the Italian GP was cancelled because of severe flooding.

[Northernhibee]

In the last 6 years I've gone from watching qualifying and all of the build up to just watching highlights, and even then not bothering with that much.

I just find it all so boring and repetitive now. Maybe it's because I don't really care who wins more than anything as I find the same with the Premier League.
I was an absolute F1 obsessive back in the late 90s, and the last four or five years am pretty much switched off to it.

Reason one is it moving to Sky - I’m sure I’d have paid up for Sky Sports if the racing was still excellent.

However:

The sport now feels like WWE. The silly Drive to Survive where they’ve clearly cleverly selected their clips and quotes and radio snippets to sell a narrative. It’s also turned sections of the fan base absolutely toxic.

The cars are massive which makes for terrible racing, and the tracks are either no longer fit for purpose or downright dull.

Since they banned the high rake cars to try and stop the dominance of Mercedes, it’s swung a mile in the other direction. The Red Bull dominance is beyond tedious, combined with DTS portraying them as wonderful.

The instructions from the race directors are now absurd and skewed towards entertainment rather than what is right for the race, Australia this year being a perfect example.

The races are also more than ever about tyre management rather than actual racing.

A lack of interesting privateer teams on the grid.

First and foremost, Abu Dhabi 21 scunnered me. In trying to manufacture a last race shootout, Verstappen was allowed to almost completely get away with some completely unacceptable driving (Brazil, Saudi, etc.). In trying to get a final lap sprint, they tore up the rulebook and inadvertently handed a driver the title. From that point on, the drivers title becomes meaningless.

The only thing they could have done to save face on that would have been to award both drivers the title - embarrassing for the sport, but seeing as how the sport ****ed up and theoretically both drivers could have won the title, in terms of sporting integrity it was the only thing they could have done that would be fair.

As it is, it’s now just sports entertainment rather than motorsport.

[Scouse Hibee]

I have one word to describe F1 these days……Boring.

[GRA]

Verstappen on another pole... in other news water is wet... hate F1 when it's becoming a procession like it is this year 🥱

[BroxburnHibee]

Verstappen on another pole... in other news water is wet... hate F1 when it's becoming a procession like it is this year 🥱

Know what you mean but I'm still enjoying the race to be best of the rest and the resurgence of Alonso. Good chance Perez is driving himself towards being replaced especially after Horners interview.

Part of the problem is the cars are so bloody reliable nowadays. In the Schumacher/Hakkinen days there was always that edge that something could go wrong.

It rarely happens now

[Jack]

Verstappen on another pole... in other news water is wet... hate F1 when it's becoming a procession like it is this year 🥱

I'm not picking on you GRA with this.

I can't remember there being such a reaction to one team, one driver being so dominant when Mercedes and Hamilton ruled the road. Here's some stats around the first 166 races for each driver. There's not much difference.

"After the first three races of the 2023 season, the Dutch driver has cemented himself as the top driver in F1 and the one to beat this year. Interestingly, Hamilton was ahead of Max Verstappen's pole position count after making his first 166 appearances in his F1 career despite the Dutch driver's spree of records since the start of his career.

Let's compare some stats of both drivers after the 166 races in their careers:

Age: Hamilton 30-25 Verstappen

Titles: Hamilton 2-2 Verstappen

Wins: Hamilton 33-37 Verstappen

Poles: Hamilton 38-22 Verstappen

Fastest laps: Hamilton 20-22 Verstappen

Podiums: Hamilton 71-80 Verstappen"

https://www.sportskeeda.com/f1/news-max-verstappen-vs-lewis-hamilton-statistics-compared-166-starts

[BroxburnHibee]

https://youtu.be/cn8z4tWdDvE

[lord bunberry]

I'm not picking on you GRA with this.

I can't remember there being such a reaction to one team, one driver being so dominant when Mercedes and Hamilton ruled the road. Here's some stats around the first 166 races for each driver. There's not much difference.

"After the first three races of the 2023 season, the Dutch driver has cemented himself as the top driver in F1 and the one to beat this year. Interestingly, Hamilton was ahead of Max Verstappen's pole position count after making his first 166 appearances in his F1 career despite the Dutch driver's spree of records since the start of his career.

Let's compare some stats of both drivers after the 166 races in their careers:

Age: Hamilton 30-25 Verstappen

Titles: Hamilton 2-2 Verstappen

Wins: Hamilton 33-37 Verstappen

Poles: Hamilton 38-22 Verstappen

Fastest laps: Hamilton 20-22 Verstappen

Podiums: Hamilton 71-80 Verstappen"

https://www.sportskeeda.com/f1/news-max-verstappen-vs-lewis-hamilton-statistics-compared-166-starts
I don’t get the negativity either. It’s pretty rare to have a prolonged period where lots of cars are scrapping for race wins. It’s currently Verstappen but in previous times we’ve had Hamilton, Vettel, Schumacher the list goes on. I still love watching it.

[LunasBoots]

I have one word to describe F1 these days……Boring.

Very much so, one car that has a unfair advantage through overspending until 2025 or something, I stopped watching now until there's at least a bit more competitiveness, the rest just look like F2 cars

[Gatecrasher]

McLaren!

[patch1875]

Danny Ric to Alpha Tauri!

[Jack]

Danny Ric to Alpha Tauri!

I'm a wee bit surprised as I thought the idea for that team was to bring through young/new drivers. Nyck de Vries has been very disappointing though and the team is clearly struggling so maybe not the best place to introduce a rookie.

Good to see Dafty back 😆

[patch1875]

I'm a wee bit surprised as I thought the idea for that team was to bring through young/new drivers. Nyck de Vries has been very disappointing though and the team is clearly struggling so maybe not the best place to introduce a rookie.

Good to see Dafty back 😆

Apparently Horner didn’t rate De Vries and said it wasn’t his decision to give him a seat.

[Northernhibee]

Utterly unwatchable.

[GRA]

Utterly unwatchable.

Didn't watch it and don't know the result but I'm going to take a complete shot in the dark here and say Verstappen won?...

[lord bunberry]

Didn't watch it and don't know the result but I'm going to take a complete shot in the dark here and say Verstappen won?...
He did, it was an exciting race throughout though.

[Northernhibee]

Didn't watch it and don't know the result but I'm going to take a complete shot in the dark here and say Verstappen won?...

Race all over within the first ten seconds.

[patch1875]

I’ve got from looking forward to every race to not caring much anymore.

Only watched some of Sundays race due the the golf being dull also.

Think Netflix is going to struggle with this season!

[McD]

I’ve got from looking forward to every race to not caring much anymore.

Only watched some of Sundays race due the the golf being dull also.

Think Netflix is going to struggle with this season!


I’ve went from a fairly avid viewer to hardly watching. I’m not sure I’ve even watched a whole race this season, and bar maybe 3 or 4 that I’ve watched little bits of, I’ve not even put them on.

[DaveF]

Channel flicking while the cricket is off.

What's the point of F1 with Verstappen miles in front again. Surely the dullest 'sport' ever.

[Jack]

Channel flicking while the cricket is off.

What's the point of F1 with Verstappen miles in front again. Surely the dullest 'sport' ever.

Not at all, still plenty going on during the race. Is football boring (in Scotland) because it's only celtc that will win anything?

Anyway back to Verstappen. At the moment we are witnessing an exceptional driver in an exceptional car in a very good team backed up by very good factory.

[Lancs Harp]

Not at all, still plenty going on during the race. Is football boring (in Scotland) because it's only celtc that will win anything?

Anyway back to Verstappen. At the moment we are witnessing an exceptional driver in an exceptional car in a very good team backed up by very good factory.

Agree with that Jack. Its been a funny season. Max is totally pizzing it but some of the racing behind him has been exceptional.

[lord bunberry]

Cracking qualifying session. Albon is such a good driver, I wish he hadn’t stepped up to red bull so early.

[BroxburnHibee]

At last a race to re-ignite the love for F1. All it took was for Red Bull to have a poor weekend. :greengrin

Fantastic race and a superb drive from Sainz :not worth

[Jack]

Seems the top teams, other than Red Bull, designed their cars with the Singapore Grand Prix in mind. Red Bull (Adrian Newey) had all the other tracks in mind 😆

[Gatecrasher]

Top notch drive from Sainz, he's showing Le Clerc how it's done.

[Lancs Harp]

At last a race to re-ignite the love for F1. All it took was for Red Bull to have a poor weekend. :greengrin

Fantastic race and a superb drive from Sainz :not worth

Agree was a cracking race and what a fab last couple of laps.

[Jack]

Bernie Ecclestone, the former boss of Formula One, has been given a suspended sentence after pleading guilty to fraud.

The 92-year-old did not declare more than £400m held in a trust in Singapore when asked by tax authorities in 2015.

Ecclestone has agreed in a civil settlement to repay almost £653m to HM Revenues and Customs, a court heard.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-67088503

[Northernhibee]

Bernie Ecclestone, the former boss of Formula One, has been given a suspended sentence after pleading guilty to fraud.

The 92-year-old did not declare more than £400m held in a trust in Singapore when asked by tax authorities in 2015.

Ecclestone has agreed in a civil settlement to repay almost £653m to HM Revenues and Customs, a court heard.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-67088503

That’s how you get away with fraud then, just keep it within the £400m mark.

[McD]

That’s how you get away with fraud then, just keep it within the £400m mark.



Don’t be too harsh, easy to forget the odd 400 million that you’ve stashed away, especially when being specifically asked about it :rolleyes:


Seen a few lawyers on Twitter this morning saying they’ve represented people who failed to declare a few hundred quid from a temporary christmas job and been handed 18 month sentences for it. Total joke, and once again showing that the system is bent when you’ve got the dosh and/or connections

[CropleyWasGod]

Don’t be too harsh, easy to forget the odd 400 million that you’ve stashed away, especially when being specifically asked about it :rolleyes:


Seen a few lawyers on Twitter this morning saying they’ve represented people who failed to declare a few hundred quid from a temporary christmas job and been handed 18 month sentences for it. Total joke, and once again showing that the system is bent when you’ve got the dosh and/or connections

Hae ma doots :greengrin

[Northernhibee]

What a ****ing ****show in Las Vegas. Two cars damaged from manhole covers coming loose and FP1 stopped after seven minutes, FP2 looking in doubt. Tomorrow May see quali on a brand new track, not rubbered in, cold track. Locals unhappy about the disruption. Ticket prices slashed.

The new owners of F1 have absolutely devastated the sport.

[Trinity Hibee]

Looks some spectacle in Vegas. My manager was there last week though and it’s obviously caused a lot of disruption.

[Northernhibee]

Hamilton to Ferrari in 2025.

[patch1875]

There a few rumours that it may be sooner.

[Lancs Harp]

In shock news Max V won again today 😃

[Jack]

In shock news Max V won again today 😃

And yesterday. He really is quite good 😆

Sainz to Red Bull if a deal can be done. I think he's the better of the 2 Ferrari drivers and Max could have his work cut out.

[Jack]

Red Bull have confirmed their design chief Adrian Newey will leave the team in early 2025.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/articles/cv2rd53gnr6o

Rumours are Ferrari will get him but Aston Martin very interested.

Wherever he goes, with the new rules coming in, they will be champions elect!

The two owners of Red Bull are still having a tiff.

The Horner dispute still continues to drag on.

Joss Verstappen apparently stirring up all sorts behind the scenes.

The Red Bull era is drawing to a close.

[heidtheba]

One for the F1 oldies here, but does anyone get more than a little maudlin on May 1 each year?

[The_Exile]

One for the F1 oldies here, but does anyone get more than a little maudlin on May 1 each year?

I only really had two sporting heroes growing up, Mike Tyson and Ayrton Senna. I would sit with my dad and watch the F1, touring cars, super bikes and boxing as it was all on council telly back in the day. I was only 11 when he died but I remember being devastated for months and months afterwards.

[heidtheba]

I only really had two sporting heroes growing up, Mike Tyson and Ayrton Senna. I would sit with my dad and watch the F1, touring cars, super bikes and boxing as it was all on council telly back in the day. I was only 11 when he died but I remember being devastated for months and months afterwards.


Weirdly glad it's not just me. Hibs played Motherwell at ER the day before, the one where Roland was killed. I remember watching the highlights on the Sunday in the late afternoon still in a daze from what I'd seen on TV from Imola. I was a Mansell fan when I was 12, so Senna was a sort of Darth Vader character - amazing, powerful but 'the bad guy'. And then in 93 I was a firm fan. He was flawed at times, as we all are, but a superb driver.

But what he did out of the cockpit dwarves what he did in it. 3 x F1 World Champion....but (for anyone who doesn't know about this stuff, I hope it's ok to share);

Senna set up the Instituto Ayrton Senna, and the Senna Foundation, to help Brazilian street kids. Apparently he donated $400 million in his own lifetime to improving their lot. And his sister made it his legacy. And what a legacy. Here's a quote from a website about it. It blows my mind:

Twenty six years later, the institute can claim to have helped 15 million children. It is present in 17 states and over 660 districts, improving the training of over 70,000 teaching professionals each year and effectively supporting the education of over 1.9 million students a year.

So yeah, every May 1 I just get down. My grandmother died a few months before. I knew her and loved her, but watching a young guy I'd never met die live on TV? I worked at race tracks and I never thought I'd see anything like that. And to have lost someone who I think was so committed to doing good things? Tragic.

Anyway, apologies, this helped get it out a bit!

[Lancs Harp]

Weirdly glad it's not just me. Hibs played Motherwell at ER the day before, the one where Roland was killed. I remember watching the highlights on the Sunday in the late afternoon still in a daze from what I'd seen on TV from Imola. I was a Mansell fan when I was 12, so Senna was a sort of Darth Vader character - amazing, powerful but 'the bad guy'. And then in 93 I was a firm fan. He was flawed at times, as we all are, but a superb driver.

But what he did out of the cockpit dwarves what he did in it. 3 x F1 World Champion....but (for anyone who doesn't know about this stuff, I hope it's ok to share);

Senna set up the Instituto Ayrton Senna, and the Senna Foundation, to help Brazilian street kids. Apparently he donated $400 million in his own lifetime to improving their lot. And his sister made it his legacy. And what a legacy. Here's a quote from a website about it. It blows my mind:

Twenty six years later, the institute can claim to have helped 15 million children. It is present in 17 states and over 660 districts, improving the training of over 70,000 teaching professionals each year and effectively supporting the education of over 1.9 million students a year.

So yeah, every May 1 I just get down. My grandmother died a few months before. I knew her and loved her, but watching a young guy I'd never met die live on TV? I worked at race tracks and I never thought I'd see anything like that. And to have lost someone who I think was so committed to doing good things? Tragic.

Anyway, apologies, this helped get it out a bit!

Great post fella. No need to apologise at all.

We are Hibs.

[Gatecrasher]

Really happy for Lando getting his first win. He really deserved it.

[Jack]

Really happy for Lando getting his first win. He really deserved it.

Was that a number 1 he had on his nose in anticipation of the win 😆

[patch1875]

Great result. Good to see a pretty entertaining race for a change.

[Jack]

Great result. Good to see a pretty entertaining race for a change.

Even when Verstappen has been out in front there's always been plenty going on behind. Mercedes, Ferrari, McLaren and sometimes Aston Martin having a good battle.

It's no different than many football leagues despite the spending cap!

[heidtheba]

Great post fella. No need to apologise at all.

We are Hibs.

Thank you, much appreciated.

[Sloop67]

Turned over to see the start of the Monaco Gp , didn't even get a lap before a major incident.
Turned over to see the start of attention Indy 500 , after a lengthy delay the same thing happened on the first lap , then 3 yellow flag incidents in the first 30 laps , not sure if I'm some kind of a jinx

[Northernhibee]

Went to see the BTCC at Knockhill yesterday and what a breath of fresh air it was compared to the F1 (and even going to the football, tbh).

£40 for the full day access for three BTCC races (all of which were top drawer, race three in particular a banger), Porsche Carrera Cup, Mini Challenge JCW series, F4, and legends. Parade lap at lunch of cars owned by Jim Clark, lots of stalls, and sunshine.


A bigger grid would be nicer but lots of great door handle to door handle racing.

[marinello59]

Went to see the BTCC at Knockhill yesterday and what a breath of fresh air it was compared to the F1 (and even going to the football, tbh).

£40 for the full day access for three BTCC races (all of which were top drawer, race three in particular a banger), Porsche Carrera Cup, Mini Challenge JCW series, F4, and legends. Parade lap at lunch of cars owned by Jim Clark, lots of stalls, and sunshine.


A bigger grid would be nicer but lots of great door handle to door handle racing.

Missed it yesterday because of the game but it really is one of the best day outs of the year, the racing is always incredible. We camped and did the whole weekend last year, seeing how hard the teams work at night getting the cars ready to practice and race was a real eyeopener.

[Northernhibee]

BTCC finale was absolutely superb. A very deserving champion too, the drive in the last round was epic.

[GreenNWhiteArmy]

Just about to watch the season opener in Australia

Never watched the sport before. But my eldest daughter (13) decided a few weeks ago she wants to follow and watch it so we've caught up on thr press conference, practice and qualifying

Just need to get up to speed on the rules and regs

[GreenNWhiteArmy]

That was fun. Looking forward to next week

[patch1875]

Decent race helped by the weather its usually a fairly dull one.