The F1 news machine starts up for another year. 

 

https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/140893/ferrari-to-replace-arrivabene-with-binotto

 

The team that was so close to ultimate success in the last 2 seasons has chosen to sacrifice the boss and put the technical chief in charge.

 

To be honest this was rumoured last summer, but when uber-boss Marchione died his future plans fell into some disarray.

 

Is this good for Ferrari, or for their rivals?

 

 

Edited 7 January, 20197 yr by camelspyyder

...and identical to Hyundai's behaviour this week. 

 

WRC team boss MIchel Nandan has been dumped in very similar circumstances - Hyundai finished second in the makes title 3 years on the trot, but lost this years drivers and manufacturers crowns from wining positions.

 

Again, I expect rivals Toyota, Ford and Citroen are well pleased at such a major disruption to Hyundai's preparation for the season.

 

 

Edited 8 January, 20197 yr by camelspyyder

Thought I would share my memories of when I was very lucky to meet the incredible Michael Schumacher in the week he turned 50. It was October 1992 and Schuey had been racing for Benetton Ford with some success. When he arrived at Silverstone on a cool rainy day there was an air of excitement amongst the 125 invited guests chosen by Jackie Stewart (3 times F1 Champion himself). We waited patiently in the pit garages and other drivers attending the charity event included Damon Hill, Johnny Herbert and Mika Hakkinen, Indeed Johnny and Mika were driving Dakar Yellow BMW M3 Coupes with 286bhp. Schuey had the use of 2 Turbo Technics prepared Escort Cosworths (330bhp). Derek Warwick had arrived in a 270bhp Honda NSX which was quite a rare car at the time. Poor Damon Hill and Alain Menu (BTCC) were saddled with driving Renault 19 16V hatchbacks with not much power. Martin Brundle was driving an XJ Jaguar and Tiff Needell was going sideways everywhere in a 150bhp Nissan Primera. Michael managed to blow the head gasket on the first Cosworth with smoke pouring out of the vented bonnet as he pulled into the pits. I had got everything crossed as I waited for my passenger ride (3 people in the car at a time). Finally my time came and the great man got out of the car and greeted his 3 new companions with a warm handshake and excellent English considering he was just 23 at the time. I sat directly behind him as we left the pits and the rain came down. He demonstrated in those 3 laps what sublime skill he had in tricky condition catching the 2 M3's and passing them at 140mph down Hangar straight, chucking it into Copse at 120mph and taking Bridge corner at a scary 110mph (2 years later I would take my BMW325i Coupe through Bridge at 70mph and I thought I was being brave) with just one hand on the wheel and calmly chatting to all of us telling us that an F1 car could take Bridge at an unbelievable 160MPH. This memory is so clear even now and his determination to beat everyone on that day showed what a competitive animal he was behind a steering wheel. So I really hope for all his family that he can make a reasonable recovery if possible from that horrible ski accident, all the best Schuey on your toughest battle.

https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/141084/gasly-wont-be-econd-driver-at-red-bull

 

Gasly insists he wont be #2 driver at RBR.

 

Hmmm...?

 

Against Max?

 

Will he last the season more like?

 

 

 

1 hour ago, camelspyyder said:

https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/141084/gasly-wont-be-econd-driver-at-red-bull

 

Gasly insists he wont be #2 driver at RBR.

 

Hmmm...?

 

Against Max?

 

Will he last the season more like?

 

 

 

Perhaps he hasn't read Max's contract. Wonder who will be the most successful McLaren driver this season youth oe experience?Now Kimi moved sideways will Bottas in the best car finally be able to finish 4th behind, the best 3 drivers, Lewis, Max and Seb.

Not really convinced by Bottas over a whole season. Mind you, the Merc wasn't the best car for much of last year either. Ferrari chucked both titles away IMO.

 

I expect Sainz to beat Norris overall, but I really think Gasly will get absolutely pasted.

 

 

Edited 19 January, 20197 yr by camelspyyder

11 minutes ago, camelspyyder said:

Not really convinced by Bottas over a whole season. Mind you, the Merc wasn't the best car for much of last year either. Ferrari chucked both titles away IMO.

 

I expect Sainz to beat Norris overall, but I really think Gasly will get absolutely pasted.

 

 

Agree with most of your points but followed Lando's progress since he was 14 and I really think he could be a future world champion if he ever gets into a competitive car. Only time and a bit of luck will give us the answer. Has Ocon left FI since rich kid's Dad bought Force India. Looking forward to see if Kubica can get anything out of last season's hopeless Williams.

Norris is a good prospect sure, but surprisingly rated only 3rd in F2 by Autosport after Morris and Albon. On the other hand Sainz was really close to Verstappen so I think Carlos wil have to much for Lando in year 1 at least. 

 

Unless Bottas wins the title, Ocon is surely in the seat for 2020.

 

Edited 19 January, 20197 yr by camelspyyder

See Schumacher jnr signed up by Ferrari on their Young Driver Academy got a lot to live up to to match his old man, huge pressure as Ralph found out.

Ralf's son David is racing too. Doing the Asian F3 winter series, racing against Red Bull's Dan Ticktum, recently burned off by cousin Mick Schumacher in Euro F3.

 

 

Edited 15 February, 20197 yr by vrskeith

3 minutes ago, vrskeith said:

 

 

Cool video thanks for posting. Go Lewis your the man!

 

I kept looking for either the CitiGoGo or the Yeti vRS passing the Stevenage Gangsta!

4 minutes ago, KenONeill said:

I kept looking for either the CitiGoGo or the Yeti vRS passing the Stevenage Gangsta!

Not sure about Lewis's new hair style. I have one choice a number one cut having gone bald when I was 24. Genetics, love our parents, not so keen on what they pass on to us, unless it's lots of money.

After 8 days of Ferrari being clearly faster than Mercedes in testing, last week by a couple of seconds and this week at least half a second, Hamilton has the gap down to 0.003 seconds on the final afternoon.

 

I cant believe I spent so much time in the last two weeks reading all of the doom and gloom reports in the media

 

Cant wait for the first race - assuming I find a free stream of it somewhere

 

34 minutes ago, camelspyyder said:

After 8 days of Ferrari being clearly faster than Mercedes in testing, last week by a couple of seconds and this week at least half a second, Hamilton has the gap down to 0.003 seconds on the final afternoon.

 

I cant believe I spent so much time in the last two weeks reading all of the doom and gloom reports in the media

 

Cant wait for the first race - assuming I find a free stream of it somewhere

 

Yeah only GB race being shown on normal TV. Mercedes usually sand bagging in testing, keeping the powder dry for Oz.

I thought C4 are showing highlights of the races and the British GP live. 

58 minutes ago, moley said:

I thought C4 are showing highlights of the races and the British GP live. 

 

Correct!  Not ideal but better than nothing.

 

https://www.channel4.com/4viewers/blog/formula-1-coverage-update

 

Analysis of the tests by such as Gary Anderson (former Tech chief at Jordan amongst others) has Ferrari some 0.3 seconds ahead of Mercedes with RedBull's ultimate pace unknown - since Gasly wrecked it twice leaving Max no chance to do a qually simulation. Have to expect a Ferrari 1-2 on the grid in 2 weeks time, with Max and Lewis on row 2?

 

 

Edited 2 March, 20197 yr by camelspyyder

30 minutes ago, camelspyyder said:

Analysis of the tests by such as Gary Anderson (former Tech chief at Jordan amongst others) has Ferrari some 0.3 seconds ahead of Mercedes with RedBull's ultimate pace unknown - since Gasly wrecked it twice leaving Max no chance to do a qually simulation. Have to expect a Ferrari 1-2 on the grid in 2 weeks time, with Max and Lewis on row 2?

 

 

Ferrari been starting the strongest last couple seasons but lets see if they can keep up the momentum.

Paddy Lowe falls on sword. 

 

After designing last year's crap Williams and this year's late Williams, tech chief Paddy Lowe is leaving the team. It makes you wonder how he was so successful at Mercedes, apart from inheriting the whole technical team that Ross Brawn had spent 6 years creating that is...

1 hour ago, camelspyyder said:

Paddy Lowe falls on sword. 

 

After designing last year's crap Williams and this year's late Williams, tech chief Paddy Lowe is leaving the team. It makes you wonder how he was so successful at Mercedes, apart from inheriting the whole technical team that Ross Brawn had spent 6 years creating that is...

Always wondered whether he had any actual talent or enjoyed surfing on the coat tails of more gifted individuals. The answer has finally been delivered.

History... Started at Williams, then did 20 years at Mclaren when they were occasionally very good but left after the '13 car was a technically risky failure (and replaced a '12 car that was clearly the fastest thing out there). Took over Brawn's Mercedes team which was a success, moved to Williams in early '17 - unmitigated disaster since.  

 

Can't see him being headhunted by any other teams TBH.

2 minutes ago, camelspyyder said:

History... Started at Williams, then did 20 years at Mclaren when they were occasionally very good but left after the '13 car was a technically risky failure (and replaced a '12 car that was clearly the fastest thing out there). Took over Brawn's Mercedes team which was a success, moved to Williams in early '17 - unmitigated disaster since.  

 

Can't see him being headhunted by any other teams TBH.

Agree. Getting mildly excited for Melbourne in 10 days time. Might have to invite myself over to my parents that day as they have Sky Sports.