F1 2019 season

First topic message reminder :

Felt like a new season deserves a new thread...

It's reported in Italy that Maurizio Arrivabene has been fired. His strained relationship with Ferrari's prized asset Sebastian Vettel and cost him his job. Arrivabene got one last dig at Vettel though by replacing Raikkonen with LeClerc.

Mattia Binotto will be confirmed as new team boss

I'd also add a large part of Williams troubles have been largely uninspiring driver lineups in recent years. Bottas is good, but next to an elite driver like Hamilton as opposed to a semi retired Massa he's been firmly put in his place. Post accident Massa, Stroll, Sirotkin, Maldonado and late career Barichello aren't the strongest group. Last year's car was terrible but also compounded by probably the worst 2 drivers on the grid and an inexperienced pair.

No name Bertie wrote:Hi dyrewolfe - both views can be true.  Although F1 should make it easier for smaller teams to compete and to break into the sport - in reality it hasn't happened and hard headed leaders in charge of small niche businesses and specialised industry need to accept the realities.

One of the selling points of F1 is having big manufacturers of sports cars competiting against each other and pushing the technology accordingly.  For example despite the criticism directed at Ferrari, without Ferrari in F1, F1 would lose a lot of its shine and uniqueness.

Oh I agree F1 does benefit from having big names involved. The prestige of being associated with them definitely helps attract sponsorship. However, these big names shouldn't be allowed to dictate terms to the FIA and the rest of the teams, to keep the status quo and ensure their continuing dominance...which is what has happened.

They need to learn to compete on a level playing field, for the long term good of the sport...and if they don't like it, Liberty shouldn't be afraid to show them the door.

The big teams have also benefitted enormously from what amount to bribes, negotiated by Bernie Ecclestone, giving them huge bonuses, just for turning up. This also needs to stop and teams need to start being rewarded on merit.

GSC wrote:
Team performance rises and falls, Williams had the 2nd best car on the grid in 2014. By all accounts their issues stem from following a massively flawed concept last year when designing the car. Not sure you can really blame a lack of funding for that when McLaren have done similar in recent years.

F1s biggest issues remain the racing being mostly a procession and locking the sport behind pay to view walls.

Eh, you are joking, right? Sure Williams may have made some bad personnel choices over recent years, but they also operate on roughly a third of the budget of the likes of Mercedes & Ferrari. As I pointed out before, McLaren are fortunate enough to have mega-rich backers, so they can cover their mistakes a lot more easily.

Agree with your final points though...hence the need for both major changes to the regs and financial situation. Races would be far less processional if they adopted ground effect aero design and the smaller teams would have less of a financial / resource gap to the big teams, if they ended the ridiculous practice of giving the top teams huge, undeserved bonus payments.

GSC wrote:
I'd also add a large part of Williams troubles have been largely uninspiring driver lineups in recent years. Bottas is good, but next to an elite driver like Hamilton as opposed to a semi retired Massa he's been firmly put in his place. Post accident Massa, Stroll, Sirotkin, Maldonado and late career Barichello aren't the strongest group. Last year's car was terrible but also compounded by probably the worst 2 drivers on the grid and an inexperienced pair.

Nah - don't buy that. F1 is 90% about the car and 10% about the driver. Just look at how Alonso struggled most of the time at McLaren. Sure he made a few decent points finishes, but most of the time he was trundling round the midfield / back of the pack...when his car didn't conk out. Bottas achieved some good results when he drove for them (although they also had a better car back then).

Kind of a shame as they now have a potentially very decent driver pairing...only to have probably the worst car on the grid by a fair margin...

Have McLaren covered their mistakes? Could've fooled me

It looks like Honda have more or less bridged the performance gap in terms of power and reliability of their engine which will make both Red Bull and Torro Rosso competitive from the start of the season.   I think last year's Ferrari had the best energy recovery + power battery system.  Some are saying that this weeks tests indicate that Ferrari have the fastest car with maybe an advantage better than last season, with Mercedes and Red Bull not too far behind. So it could be a year of Ferrari domination or a close battle between Ferrari, Mercedes and Red Bull.

Have Honda bridged the gap in PU performance? Absolutely no evidence to suggest that from a meaningless four day test, whereby nobody has their engines at 100%.

This weeks test is purely about checking the reliability of their packages, and not about chasing times, hence why Mercedes have been sandbagging. The clear picture emerges at the end of the second test.

While you can't make any firm conclusions, Ferrari undeniably look quick without any issues yet

Yet to get the full picture but a strong start.

Only clear picture to emerge, is Williams bringing up the rear. Doubt Kubica finishes the season either, or his backers continue to remain supportive.

Shame for RP too. Andrew Green admitting that the 2019 car is effectively the 2018 chassis, as many design decisions had to be made during administration. Won’t see the true influence of RP’s new ownership, until 2020.

Whenever Mercedes proclaim 'they are behind' it's always best to take it with a pinch of salt. The viewing numbers for F1 since are hybrid era are amongst the lowest in the modern era of the sport. Mercedes would want to drum up Internet to keep F1 relevant.

We know that since 2018 Ferrari has the best engine but Mercedes have had the advantage in the bodywork department. With the amendment to the aero rules perhaps Ferrari and Mercedes are level. But I'm not sure as Mercedes are good at pretending their supposed issues.

Honda looking decent but There's no chance They've found 50-100bhp to dine at Ferrari or Mercedes' table.

Don't be surprised to see Mercedes rock up in Melbourne and be a second clear of everyone else

Most people are saying it is as clear as day that Ferrari have the fastest package so far - the only ones being cautious are those from the Ferrari camp.

It seems to me testing on a cold circuit in Barcelona is going to be different to performance on a hot circuit in Australia.  The last two years have revealed the importance of "windows of operation" and "getting the tyres to work" - issues associated with grip and being gentle on the tyres to reduce degradation.

McLaren and red bull finally reach an agreement over James Key. Key will start working for McLaren from March

Jeez, can’t believe Sky sacked Ted Kravitz. What an abysmal decision.

I’ll miss his cargo bermudas, sandals, quirky attitude and frankly unrivaled 'notebook' in the F1 paddock. Only pundit who actually did anything remotely interesting behind the scenes, asking the questions people didn’t want to answer, and providing all the gossip & political manoeuvrings of the paddock. Was looking forward to his ‘development corner’ next week too.

Unless hes actually done something wrong its a terrible decision

Fernando wrote:Unless hes actually done something wrong its a terrible decision

Reports say he's had a 'difference of opinion' with Sky F1's executive producer.

Sky F1 has a rather mediocre commentary/pundit line up. Simon Lazenby is frankly dreadful as the anchor. David Croft is one of the worst commentator’s I’ve ever listened to, continually making errors and false facts. 

Martin Brundle and Ted Kravitz where the only saving grace and now they’ve removed of them. 

Ridiculous

When you have an exclusive license to air it, you can stop trying apparently.

Nathaniel Jacobs wrote:Sky F1 has a rather mediocre commentary/pundit line up. Simon Lazenby is frankly dreadful as the anchor. David Croft is one of the worst commentator’s I’ve ever listened to, continually making errors and false facts. 

Martin Brundle and Ted Kravitz where the only saving grace and now they’ve removed of them. 

Ridiculous

No. Martin Brundle is still there as I understand it. It is just Ted Kravitz that has gone.

CaledonianCraig wrote:

Nathaniel Jacobs wrote:Sky F1 has a rather mediocre commentary/pundit line up. Simon Lazenby is frankly dreadful as the anchor. David Croft is one of the worst commentator’s I’ve ever listened to, continually making errors and false facts. 

Martin Brundle and Ted Kravitz where the only saving grace and now they’ve removed of them. 

Ridiculous

No. Martin Brundle is still there as I understand it. It is just Ted Kravitz that has gone.

Yeah sorry my original post has a typo. Was supposed to say they've sacked one of the two best pundits.

https://www.google.co.uk/amp/s/www.motorsport.com/f1/news/sky-confirms-ted-kravitz-speculation/4343741/amp/

Brilliant news!

Impressive long run by Bottas today on the C2’s. LeClerc had a similar long run, which Wolff believed was only marginally faster, to that of the Mercedes. Ferrari edging it as it stands, but Mercedes still haven’t showcased any one lap pace, but looks to have bulletproof reliability, something Ferrari can’t boast. Cooling issue, mechanical failure with Vettel yesterday, and now exhaust issues, have curtailed Ferrari’s testing this week. Haas also enduring the same exhaust issue.

As for RB, still a relatively unknown quantity. Gasly has crashed heavily twice, and looks out of his depth.

Mercedes had an fuel pressure problem which resulted in a complete power unit change, so hardly bullet proof.

Mechanical failure on vettel's car was hardly big news either. Vettel hit a foreign object with broke his foot wheel. A fluke occurrence.

Would probably also point out that running the car at a very low intensity is not a great gauge of reliability.

Seen the video of Vettels crash, the tyre immediately deflates around the fastest corner on the track and he goes straight on. Not sure that can reasonably be interpreted as poor reliability on Ferraris part.

Merc starting to show one lap pace now. 1:16:5 so far. Bottas then set a green sector one, a purple sector two, but then eases off in the final sector. More to come. I imagine Hamilton will want to lay down a marker this afternoon

Vettel does a 1:16:221 (fastest time set this winter). Electrical issue ends Ferrari's test early

Hamilton does a 1:16:224

The overall conclusion is that it is the Ferrari to beat, with the Ferrari being the easiest to drive under all tested conditions, being gentler on the tyres and so forth.

It seems everyone is going to have to work full out throughout the season to catch up or to remain ahead. Having a car that gets its tyres to work without over graining for the various circuits seems to be an ever present issue.

For those that like racing Indycar is back on Sky F1 from this weekend (7pm Saturday & Sunday)

No name Bertie wrote:The overall conclusion is that it is the Ferrari to beat, with the Ferrari being the easiest to drive under all tested conditions, being gentler on the tyres and so forth.

It seems everyone is going to have to work full out throughout the season to catch up or to remain ahead. Having a car that gets its tyres to work without over graining for the various circuits seems to be an ever present issue.

Yeah. I'm somewhat relieved Hamilton showed the Mercedes at least has equivalent 1-lap pace to the Ferrari, but we have yet to see how it holds up over a full race distance. If they do have handling issues, it will likely degrade the tyres quicker.

Looks like a fairly tight midfield battle with pretty much all the rest of the teams posting lap times within about half a second of each other. Racing Point appear to be slightly off the pace and (sadly) Williams looked significantly slower.

So looking at the moment like a 2-horse race for the silverware, but hopefully there will be some entertaining racing below the podium places.

Ferrari have decided to shelve their ‘Mission Winnow’ advertising for the Australian GP as their sponsor Philip Morris is currently in an ongoing court case with the Australian government

Paddy Lowe has taken a ‘leave of absence’ from Williams

Fastest lap now gets you a point

GSC wrote:Fastest lap now gets you a point

Only if you finish in the top 10

This reminds me of a stupid Bernie idea. Bottas would have finished 3rd in the championship last year, instead of fifth, if this had applied last year. Bottas got the fastest lap on 7 occasions, 6 of which were in the points.

So you can see difference, and significant effect this change can have upon the drivers standings.

Imagine you'll see drivers in safe positions pit for the softest tyre and run a few quali laps now.

It's another gimmick.  This should favour Ferrari given it is recognised they have the fastest car at the start of this season.  It is likely the winner will now be motivated to get the fastest lap depending on tyre degradation.  Similarly the second driver of a team expecting to be finishing in the 7 - 12 spot might be ordered to go for it (using some form of team tactics involving long run + short run pit stops with fastest tyres) - given how important points are to the lower order teams.

I don’t think Mercedes or Ferrari will really care about this extra point nonsense tbh. Unless they have a car out of position they’ll seldom need to kill their engines for an extra point

Situationally it might make sense.

But would guess some mid tier teams might target it

Good news for my boy Lance I’d say

GSC wrote:Situationally it might make sense.

But would guess some mid tier teams might target it

And it might increase the likelihood of more Esteban Ocon versus Max Verstappen type collisions, where suddenly mid-tier teams are overtaking (un-overlapping) front runners nursing their tyres and engines.

Just John wrote:This reminds me of a stupid Bernie idea. Bottas would have finished 3rd in the championship last year, instead of fifth, if this had applied last year. Bottas got the fastest lap on 7 occasions, 6 of which were in the points.

So you can see difference, and significant effect this change can have upon the drivers standings.

Probably not. If the rule had been in force then, all the teams would have adjusted their strategies to account for it. No guarantee then that Bottas would have got those fastest laps.

As Bertie said, I can see this having more of an impact for the mid-grid teams fighting for the lower points places. If you're pretty secure in a podium spot, you're not going to ruin your race strategy for the sake of an extra point.

rules for c4 by sky

only 50% of the total running time of C4's programme can now be taken up by the on-track coverage - down from between 60-70% last year. They are not allowed to do interviews in what is known as the 'pen' - where all the drivers are taken to do a round-robin of broadcasters after qualifying and race - or in the pit lane. Any 'pen' interviews they use will have to come from Sky. The amount of interviews C4 can do in the paddock is restricted. And they have been forbidden from doing a 'grid walk'.

None of these restrictions apply to the live British Grand Prix.

There's only one sport that really thrives behind a pay wall.

And it ain't F1.

The sooner Sky goes bust the better. Making these ridiculous stipulations as they need the subscriptions to pay the ludicrous salaries to their 'panel of experts'

Charlie Whiting has sadly passed away in Melbourne, aged 66.

it's going to be very strange without Charlie

Michael Masi has taken over his role for this weekend.

Hamilton fastest in both sessions. Ferrari were sandbagging, but Mercedes have now decided to show up. Interesting Q ahead. Williams

With regard to sandbagging I guess that would be just a question of turning the engine power down rather than anything else? This would make sense in terms of "saving the engine". Everything else would have to be optimum in order to get the right set up for the race and for qualifying.

Vettels long run pace on the softs was pretty much equal to LeClercs on the hards. Which was only about 8 tenths of the Mercs

1) HAM Mercedes 00:01:20.486
2) BOT Mercedes 00:01:20.598
3) VET Ferrari ... 00:01:21.190
4) VPN Red Bull . 00:01:21.320
5) LEC Ferrari ... 00:01:21.442
6) GRO Haas .... 00:01:21.826
7) MAG Haas .... 00:01:22.099
8) NOR McLaren 00:01:22.304
9) RAI Alfa Romeo 00:01:22.314
10) PER Racing Point 00:01:22.781
11) HUL Renault 00:01:22.562
12) RIC Renault 00:01:22.570
13) ALB Toro Rosso 00:01:22.636
14) GIO Alfa Romeo 00:01:22.714
15) KVY Toro Rosso 00:01:22.774
16) STR Racing Point 00:01:23.017
17) GAS Red Bull . 00:01:23.020
18) SAI McLaren .. 00:01:23.084
19) RUS Williams . 00:01:24.360
20) KUB Williams . 00:01:26.067

Cars are quicker than last year.   Advantage to Mercedes.  Not sure what happened to Gasly.  Leclerc good and in the mix but Vettel outqualified him.  Lando Norris surprisingly good performance.  Williams way behind and playing catch-up in terms of car development.  Kubica several minor collisions with the wall.  Bottas seems to have upped his game.  Haas good performance, Renault down the field.

Looks like another procession to the title for nicole’s husband - notch up another manufacturing championship win with a crap teammate to add to the collection

People looking rather foolish with those Ferrari predictions. Testing is testing, whereas Mercedes focus on delivering when it matters.

Tbh, nothing seems to have changed. Having said that, Melbourne isn’t a great barometer, and this is the same gap that Hamilton had over Ferrari last year in Q.

As for the rest, Gasly already looks out of his depth, although the strategy hampered him. You knew Renault were in trouble when Cyril complained about the strength of the B teams, even before the weekend started. Renault might start rolling back on their commitment to pursue this challenge, if there is no sign of progression. Be amazed if Stroll is at RP either in 2020. Williams are an embarrassment, and Kubica should be nowhere near F1. It’s painful & I feel embarrassed watching the once great Pole, attempt to turn back time.

Good Golly I'm Olly wrote:Looks like another procession to the title for nicole’s husband - notch up another manufacturing championship win with a crap teammate to add to the collection

Erm...Lewis has never married and split up with Nicole a few years ago. Not dating anyone currently AFAIK.


Anyway, back on topic, a rather depressingly familiar outcome. Only chink of hope really is that while Mercedes clearly have a short-run / quali pace advantage, we still don't know how the car will behave over a full race distance. Good to see Bottas kept within a tenth or so. He really needs to step up and provide Lewis with some serious competition, or he could be looking for a drive elsewhere, or maybe even go back to rallying next year.

Ferrari looking worryingly off the pace, but again, they may be closer to Mercedes in race trim. Very good showing from Leclerc - just 2-3 tenths off Vettel's time.

Red Bull seem to be pretty much treading water. Awful start to the season for Gasly - but hopefully he can have some fun getting back near the front during the race.

Haas looking in decent shape - but then they are Ferrari's 2nd team.

Outstanding debut by Norris to get the McLaren into 8th. If he can stay there, or even make up a place or two, that would be amazing.

Raikkonen showing the Alfa isn't absolutely terrible.

Renault look as far away as ever from being title contenders.

Fernando wrote:rules for c4 by sky

only 50% of the total running time of C4's programme can now be taken up by the on-track coverage - down from between 60-70% last year. They are not allowed to do interviews in what is known as the 'pen' - where all the drivers are taken to do a round-robin of broadcasters after qualifying and race - or in the pit lane. Any 'pen' interviews they use will have to come from Sky. The amount of interviews C4 can do in the paddock is restricted. And they have been forbidden from doing a 'grid walk'.

None of these restrictions apply to the live British Grand Prix.

What a load of crap.  I can see Sky continuing to squeeze C4 like this until they decide its not even worth having a highlights programme.

Just makes me hate them even more. Monopolies are never healthy in any situation.