F1 - 2018 season discussion

[thestaggy]

F1 2019: Toto Wolff attacks 'lies and agendas' hurting Esteban Ocon

Mercedes boss Toto Wolff has attacked the "hidden agendas and lies" denying Esteban Ocon a place on the 2019 grid.

Ocon, a graduate of Mercedes' young driver programme, is expected to lose his Force India seat after the team were bought out by a consortium led by Lawrence Stroll, father of Williams driver Lance.

And with Renault signing Daniel Ricciardo to partner Nico Hulkenberg next year, McLaren promoting Lando Norris as Carlos Sainz's 2019 team-mate, and Red Bull upgrading Pierre Gasly alongside Max Verstappen, it means that Ocon is in danger of being squeezed out of the sport despite his clear talent and prodigious speed.

"What has been going on this year in July and August was just unbelievable. There was so much politics in the background, hidden agendas and lies," an angry Wolff told Sky F1.

"Not all of the good kids are going to be in cars next year and Esteban will probably be one of them."

Prior to Ricciardo's bombshell decision to move to Renault, Ocon was expected to join the team, and Wolff added: "In July he had two offers on the table and it was just a case of choosing which one was the right one. Then he ended up without anything because people simply don't have the balls to stick to what they say."

And as I mentioned in an earlier post, perhaps Ocon should think about breaking away from Mercedes. As long as Hamilton is winning and Bottas is bringing in points while not threatening him, there is no room.

...Wolff has ruled out Mercedes ending their association with Ocon in order to assist his hunt for a race seat in 2019.

"Not in a million years," insisted the Silver Arrows chief. "One day he will win races and championships in a Mercedes."

But according to Christian Horner, Mercedes can still help him;

Told of Wolff's remarks, Red Bull counterpart Christian Horner responded: "We have invested in a team [Toro Rosso] and I'm sure if Toto wrote a cheque he could get a seat at Williams."

 

[Agent_Smith]

Antonio Giovinazzi to partner Kimi Raikkonen in 2019 (although the article on formula1.com doesn't seem to specify how long the contract is to run for). Marcus Ericsson will stay on as Sauber's third driver and brand ambassador.

 

[Agent_Smith]

Earlier start on Sunday guys. Take note...

 

[Wall]

Earlier start on Sunday guys. Take note...

View attachment 559411

the published time is 1hr ahead? so Race in SA will be at 12:10?

 

[caroper]

the published time is 1hr ahead? so Race in SA will be at 12:10?

No, F1.com lets you see the times as Track Time or Local Time. The image Agent_Smith posted was Local (South African Time) notice the text button "Convert to Track Time" you use that to see the Russian times.

 

[Agent_Smith]

the published time is 1hr ahead? so Race in SA will be at 12:10?

13:10 according to the SS schedule.

 

[Wall]

13:10 according to the SS schedule.

View attachment 559619

No, F1.com lets you see the times as Track Time or Local Time. The image Agent_Smith posted was Local (South African Time) notice the text button "Convert to Track Time" you use that to see the Russian times.

Thanks guys

 

[caroper]

Official: Haas retains Grosjean and Magnussen for 2019

Haas will retain its driver line-up of Romain Grosjean and Kevin Magnussen for the 2019 season.

Grosjean has been with Haas since its 2016 inception and Magnussen joined the American outfit in 2017. The 2019 season will mark Grosjean's ninth year in Formula One and Magnussen's fifth.

 

[caroper]

Good to see the Ferrari Pit Wall are practicing their bad Strategy Calls, Sending Vettel out just as the Pit Lane is closed in FP3
They need a new Timepiece sponsor.

 

[Dave]

Good to see the Ferrari Pit Wall are practicing their bad Strategy Calls, Sending Vettel out just as the Pit Lane is closed in FP3
They need a new Timepiece sponsor.

Any sign of rain yet?

 

[caroper]

Any sign of rain yet?

No but Vettel did practice spinning yesterday, just in case.

 

[Dave]

Red Bulls got penalties again?

 

[caroper]

Top 10 2x2 in Q1



2 min to go so may change, but interesting line up.

 

[Dave]

Top 10 2x2 in Q1

Ferrari not looking happy.

 

[Dave]

Mercs are stomping all over the Ferraris...

I wonder where the big difference is suddenly coming from? Has Merc brought a big upgrade to this race?

Surely Ferrari wouldn’t be sandbagging in Q3?

 

[caroper]

Mercs are stomping all over the Ferraris...

I wonder where the big difference is suddenly coming from? Has Merc brought a big upgrade to this race?
...

Merc have worked out where Ferrari were getting the extra power and made the same modification.
I don't know the full details but it is to do with using the MGU-H as a large Turbo as well as its primary function.

 

[Dave]

Half a second.

@Icemanbrfc what’s going on? It wasn’t even raining...

 

[Icemanbrfc]

Half a second.

@Icemanbrfc what’s going on? It wasn’t even raining...

I give up. Rather going to watch lawn bowls tomorrow

 

[Dave]

Merc have worked out where Ferrari were getting the extra power and made the same modification.
I don't know the full details but it is to do with using the MGU-H as a large Turbo as well as its primary function.

Amazing how it wasn’t even really all that close though.

 

[thestaggy]

Sauber have improved in the second half of the season. Kimi should hopefully be able to mix it up in the upper midfield next season. Giovinazzi is a promising talent as well. Team looks good.