I think Mercedes are also doing some of the testing. Not sure when but I saw somewhere a schedule of 2017 tyre and aero tests. Doesn't help that the current tyres just evaporate when the car behind gets within a second. Of course all the hype that it will be closer, we will get to next year and find Mercedes are even further ahead

Maybe. Like I said earlier if they left stuff alone for at least 4-5 seasons after a set of regs changes by the end of that time I'm sure there would be 2 or 3 teams challenging for either championship.

The designers know how to make the cars able to race closer together as its relatively simple - remove aero grip (so smaller wings, ban diffusers and those fancy add on aero parts) and increase mechanical grip (wider tyres). Bernie doesn't like it, though, because there is less space for sponsors logos!

The designers know how to make the cars able to race closer together as its relatively simple - remove aero grip (so smaller wings, ban diffusers and those fancy add on aero parts) and increase mechanical grip (wider tyres). Bernie doesn't like it, though, because there is less space for sponsors logos!

Is this a good time to observe that unless you're Mercedes, Vermilion Male Bovine or Farce India there seem to be fewer sponsor logos to need space for?

The designers know how to make the cars able to race closer together as its relatively simple - remove aero grip (so smaller wings, ban diffusers and those fancy add on aero parts) and increase mechanical grip (wider tyres). Bernie doesn't like it, though, because there is less space for sponsors logos!

There's an echo in here

F1 back this weekend in Spa. Hamilton will probably be at the back of the grid due to penalties.

F1 back this weekend in Spa. Hamilton will probably be at the back of the grid due to penalties.

 

I going and my first time at Spa but all the reports are it is one of the best GPs to attend.

 

Sounds like it is going to be cooking temperatures through slightly cooler ie 26C for Sunday, I was hoping for cooler weather to give the Red Bulls a bit more of a chance, we will see if Renault have continued to add HP since Goshn decided to invest and with Lewis having to take a grid penalty should be some great overtaking to watch.

 

Decided to fly to Brussels as concern about the trains.  Gullivers Sport Travel have been very helpful, hope the ladies are happy back in the hotel in Brussel doing some shopping and some spa treatment of a different kind.

Edited 25 August, 20169 yr by lol-lol

Have a great time !

 

 

no, not jealous at all

 

 

Honestly

 

 

 

welllllll

 

 

maybe a little

It is the same every time that track, it's a great circuit but the nature of it doesn't lend itself to racing at all. Unless it rains.

 

Hungaroring?

 

Unless you're called Nigel Mansell, can't find qualifying pace in the car, do all your set up for the race and thrash it from 12th on the grid to the win, including a monster pass on the greatest - Ayrton Senna.

 

1989 Hungarian GP if you don't remember - a bl00dy awesome race.

Edited 26 August, 20169 yr by camelspyyder

Hungaroring?

 

Unless you're called Nigel Mansell, can't find qualifying pace in the car, do all your set up for the race and thrash it from 12th on the grid to the win, including a monster pass on the greatest - Ayrton Senna.

 

1989 Hungarian GP if you don't remember - a bl00dy awesome race.

A few great races a classic track does not make, last 20 years as dull as dishwater. It's a good track but doesn't lend itself to good racing with recent evolutions of F1 cars.

Mate these Pirellis even make Suzuka boring! and I can't think of a more "classic" track that has been messed about with less.

Mate these Pirellis even make Suzuka boring! and I can't think of a more "classic" track that has been messed about with less.

True that, and 130R is no challenge at all, Brundle reckons that corner was 'terrifying' in the turbo era. I remain hopeful that the wider tyres may help in the future in giving that wee bit more mechanical grip may allow for closer following round Hungary or through sections like the 'Senna S'. We shall see.

So how exactly does a 30 place grid penalty work?

So how exactly does a 30 place grid penalty work?

Good question, but Lewis is on a 15 place penalty.

Good question, but Lewis is on a 15 place penalty.

Radio earlier said 30?

Unless it's 15 this race, and 15 next race?

EDIT http://www.ldnmuscle.com/drug-testing/

Radio earlier said 30?

Unless it's 15 this race, and 15 next race?

Oh crumbs I dunno then, heard it was 15 quite early on today (engine and turbo parts). Assumed with the changes there wouldn't be any more problems, maybe I missed something as I didn't see practice 2.

Edited above with link.

It was 15 places twice which put him at the back - and since the penalties don't carry over to the next race Mercedes have given  him a 3rd new motor for FP3 as well.

 

A similar tactic to Honda last year where they kept throwing new engines in, knowing they'd be at the back anyway but Lewis now has a stock of engines for the last nine races.

 

He currently running around in 20th place in FP3 doing very long runs on the soft whilst everybody else is chasing qualifying speed.

Edited 27 August, 20169 yr by camelspyyder

So providing Hamilton avoids contact on the first lap it should be pretty good with him fighting through

You'd think a 55 place grid penalty would have him starting that far back he'd somewhere over the border near Cologne.

 

Actually there were 65 entries for the Spa 24 Hours last month so maybe the grid does go back that far...(although I think the non F1 races start on the straight after la Source hairpin, not before)

You'd think a 55 place grid penalty would have him starting that far back he'd somewhere over the border near Cologne.

Actually there were 65 entries for the Spa 24 Hours last month so maybe the grid does go back that far...(although I think the non F1 races start on the straight after la Source hairpin, not before)

Have seen them use both grids. And both pit lanes. One for lmp and one for gt. Pretty good idea tbh.

It was 15 places twice which put him at the back - and since the penalties don't carry over to the next race Mercedes have given  him a 3rd new motor for FP3 as well.

 

A similar tactic to Honda last year where they kept throwing new engines in, knowing they'd be at the back anyway but Lewis now has a stock of engines for the last nine races.

 

He currently running around in 20th place in FP3 doing very long runs on the soft whilst everybody else is chasing qualifying speed.

Ahhhh cheers for that, not sure the commentary in FP1 on c4 fully explained that although I may have nodded off...

First few laps will be interesting with Verstappen on supersofts and all the others on softs

 

Will Nico crash into him to prevent the pass?  like he does with Lewis every time...

 

Lewis could even make a points profit out of this race.

 

And as for Ricciardo  "Lewis wont catch the top 5" - What if there's a well-timed safety car?

 

An accident for Nico & Max could even precipitate the SC that Hamilton could take advantage of.

 

 

I believe no-one has ever won from the back row - although Wattie won from 17th on the grid in Detroit and from 22nd in Long Beach.

Edited 27 August, 20169 yr by camelspyyder

Also, the view across the grid is that the Pirellis (and the mandated pressures this week) are utterly shi7e.  Many are going to run into tyre trouble, so just maybe all those long slow race pace runs in practice will do Hamilton a power of good.

Edited 27 August, 20169 yr by camelspyyder

Cant wait to watch it - however with Cadwell Park FP and qually for BSB on only 7 miles away - I will probably watch a recording of the F1 later

Edited 27 August, 20169 yr by camelspyyder