Is Adrian Newey going to Ferrari ?  He said he likes "holidays in Italy" and I'm guessing he wouldn't mind a company 612 Scagiletti or whatever it's called.

I'm sure he will. Just as every driver wants to race for Ferrari at some point in their career, I can see the attraction for Newey. Plus he'll be able to name his price, so along with his 612 Scaglietti he could probably get £61.2M a year as well.

 

As for the Mercedes dominance, it looked in Spain if Red Bull had narrowed the gap a bit and next race is Monaco where the power advantage won't make so much difference, so could be a bit closer.

And if it rains, well  . . . . who knows?

It prompted one of my friends in pub on the Sunday evening of the race in 1996 to point out that he could have got points for forth in his Mini Clubman due to there only being three finishers!! (http://www.grandprix.com/gpe/rr587.html)

In terms of the scale of the dominance the only other thing I can remember is the McLarens lapping the entire field in a race once, I think it was Hakkinnen/Coulthard in the opening race at Melbourne one year? I can't remember how long McLaren's dominance lasted that year though.

In the 1987 British GP Mansell and Piquet in the Williams Honda's lapped the entire field with Senna coming third in the Lotus.

In terms of the scale of the dominance the only other thing I can remember is the McLarens lapping the entire field in a race once, I think it was Hakkinnen/Coulthard in the opening race at Melbourne one year? I can't remember how long McLaren's dominance lasted that year though.

 

1998, 3rd was Frentzen in the Mecachrome Williams. Over the season though Schumacher only won 2 less races than Hakkinnen

What's concerning about the Merc dominance is it's not just the Merc engine, but the entire car seems vastly superior (McClaren have the same power unit, and are nowhere). I can't remember this kind of differential since Brawn GP / double diffuser, but that time it didn't take long for the others to catch up (partly because Brawn had no cash to keep developing the car), I'm not sure if the chasing pack will get so close so quickly this time.

 

I think they've found 'something' on the car. Not saying it's illegal or anything but they must have some trick up their sleave to be so dominant. The same team pretty much didn't produce a brilliant chassis the last few years.

I think they've found 'something' on the car. Not saying it's illegal or anything but they must have some trick up their sleave to be so dominant. The same team pretty much didn't produce a brilliant chassis the last few years.

I don't think Mercedes have the best chassis this season, but at present they have the best overall package. the last few seasons Red Bulls dominance came from the exhaust blown diffuser.

Speaking of exhausts:

 

Being tested as we speak:

 

 

How to make F1 the laughing stock of the motorsport world IMO - stupid idea.

Sounds...... terrible 

Like a cut off exhaust. Just loud isnt better! Those engines should scream again (revvvvvvvvs)

Sounds...... terrible 

Like a cut off exhaust. Just loud isnt better! Those engines should scream again (revvvvvvvvs)

 

 

Most of the F1 world seem to believe that the current sound is nice enough, just needing a bit of volume. I quite like it myself...

Having said that, if it looks that silly, then I don't know if I want it.

Speaking of exhausts:

 

Being tested as we speak:

 

 

How to make F1 the laughing stock of the motorsport world IMO - stupid idea.

 

 

Such a joke IMO.  

 

Having attended the 2014 race in Barcelona..... the GP2 cars walked all over the F1 guys in terms of sound, racing and overall entertainment!

 

Of the current F1 runners..... the Caterham cars are the "loudest" btw. 

The teams should have added this to their options list:

 

 

Speaking of exhausts:

 

Being tested as we speak:

 

 

How to make F1 the laughing stock of the motorsport world IMO - stupid idea.

is that a Vauxhall Corsa or a Citroen Saxo ??

Such a joke IMO.  

 

Having attended the 2014 race in Barcelona..... the GP2 cars walked all over the F1 guys in terms of sound, racing and overall entertainment!

 

Of the current F1 runners..... the Caterham cars are the "loudest" btw. 

 

Talking to my mate earlier who went - funnily he said exactly the same thing.

Seemed quite ironic really.... that the slowest cars were the loudest on the day! 

is that a Vauxhall Corsa or a Citroen Saxo ??

 

Exactly. And before anyone asks that is NOT photo-shopped either.

Such a joke IMO.  

 

Having attended the 2014 race in Barcelona..... the GP2 cars walked all over the F1 guys in terms of sound, racing and overall entertainment!

 

 

... and pace in some cases. I believe the Caterhams qualifying performance would only have been good enough for around 14th on the GP2 grid. This is mostly due to the tyres.

Speaking of exhausts:

 

Being tested as we speak:

 

 

How to make F1 the laughing stock of the motorsport world IMO - stupid idea.

 

The daily mash are prophets http://www.thedailymash.co.uk/sport/formula-1-switches-to-clown-cars-2013070174419

   

 

My friends* all drive Porsches, I must make amends,...

 

 

*For certain values of "friend" anyway

OK, so it's Monaco this weekend, where, in theory, power is less important.

 

So what chances of Hamilton making it 5 in a row, or will Rosberg take the top spot? Will this be Vettels first real chance of kick starting his season? Maybe Williams might catch everyone napping (though Massa has never finished higher than 3rd)? Which teams will have made development progress from Spain?

 

Thoughts required from all you F1 followers.

I see it as another shoot out between Lewis and Nico to get Pole, and whoever gets it will win. I predict an unexpected 3rd place, and controversy/incident involving a new driver

 

(and this weeks lottery numbers are......)

I see it as another shoot out between Lewis and Nico to get Pole, and whoever gets it will win. I predict an unexpected 3rd place, and controversy/incident involving a new driver

 

(and this weeks lottery numbers are......)

I'm thinking one or more of 11, 13 and 21 for cause of the turn 1 shunt!

Is anyone's race to be honest, given the unpredictability of Maldonado et al.

 

In the last 24 races, it's exactly 50/50 against whether the pole sitter has taken the win. If it's a Merc 1-2 on the grid then it could be an epic battle between them during the race and come down to strategy. Who has the edge round Monaco - Rosberg or Hamilton? They've both won it once - Rosberg last year and Hamilton in 2008.

Forgot to post earlier - here's the low down on Monaco:

 

Rain would be interesting

Rain would be interesting

Particularly if we get the situation where it "rains" under Lowe's (or whatever it's called now) hotel and no-where else!

I don't think Williams will be anywhere - they demonstrated in the wet qualifying that they lack downforce. 

 

Ferrari and Red Bull will be stronger than previously I think. But I don't think anything can stop Merc. It will be a big battle. It's set to rain tomorrow for practice but relatively clear for the weekend!