F1 2019 season discussion and chat.

[Dave]

It is but Tomorrows race is in Hungary not Austria.............

that is true, where did I get that strange idea from?

 

[thestaggy]

Historically, Red Bull have done well at high down force tracks that don't place emphasis on power. They've always built good chassis.

 

[thestaggy]

Williams are the closest they've been all year.

 

[Willie Trombone]

Former F1 boss provides rare update on Michael Schumacher

However, in an interview with Radio Monte Carlo, Todt, a close friend of Schumacher, revealed he regularly visits his friend and the two still watch Formula One together.

"I'm always careful with such statements, but it's true,” Todt told the station. “I saw the race (last weekend’s German Grand Prix) together with Michael Schumacher at his home in Switzerland."

Todt, who worked closely with the F1 great during their time together at Ferrari, also explained how their relationship has changed due to the accident but insisted Schumacher was still working hard on his recovery.

“Of course our friendship can not be the same as it once was,” he added. “Just because we can no longer communicate the same as before.

the article in full is at https://uk.sports.yahoo.com/news/fi...acher-still-watch-f-1-together-095814490.html

Good on him for sticking with the visits. Must be lonely otherwise. Must be super hard for the family to get on with "normal life" given his celebrity status. Hard enough dealing with disabilities as it is.

 

[Hamster]

Kubica is just embarrassing himself

 

[caroper]

How many times did the Track record get broken.
Great quali session.
Pity it will be a processional race, but then .....................

 

[Hamster]

VERSTAPPEN ON POLE!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Hamster]

How many times did the Track record get broken.
Great quali session.
Pity it will be a processional race, but then .....................

I think it's almost over a second faster

 

[Icemanbrfc]

VERSTAPPEN ON POLE!!!!!!!!!!!!

LeClerc going to win this race

 

[Hamster]

LeClerc going to win this race

I'm still waiting for the bus with cheerleaders to rock up. We all have dreams.

 

[ScottulusMaximus]

Well done Max! Ferrari setup all wrong, just not enough grip for the last sector, maybe the straight line speed will help in the race but not too hopeful.

 

[caroper]

Well done Max! Ferrari setup all wrong, just not enough grip for the last sector, maybe the straight line speed will help in the race but not too hopeful.

The only thing that will help in the race is pit stop Strategy and Duration.
Overtaking is virtually impossible.

 

[thestaggy]

What a performance from George Russell.

Sadly they'll be saddled with Kubica until the end of the year die to sponsorship reasons.

Looking ahead, real possibilities of bringing Bottas back or going for Ocon, if money isn't too much of an issue. Unless it's all youth and they promote Latifi.

 

[caroper]

....Looking ahead, real possibilities of bringing Bottas back or going for Ocon.....

Interesting concept.

Toto is torn over loyalty to Williams, Mercedes and His Managership of Ocon. But as the 'B' Team concept is already established with Toro Rosso and Alfa Romeo It could also be a good solution for Williams. That way, whilst Toto has no valid reason to drop Bottos in favor of Ocon he could "lone" Occon or Bottas to Williams and retain them both as Mercedes drivers.

 

[powermzii]

Interesting concept.

Toto is torn over loyalty to Williams, Mercedes and His Managership of Ocon. But as the 'B' Team concept is already established with Toro Rosso and Alfa Romeo It could also be a good solution for Williams. That way, whilst Toto has no valid reason to drop Bottos in favor of Ocon he could "lone" Occon or Bottas to Williams and retain them both as Mercedes drivers.

Could they afford Bottas though? Part of him leaving was the cost aspect... And compared to the Williams drivers he is in about 10x the salary

 

[caroper]

Could they afford Bottas though? Part of him leaving was the cost aspect... And compared to the Williams drivers he is in about 10x the salary

That is where the 'B' team concept comes in, the drivers remain in the Mercedes stable and are on lone to Williams, In return Mercedes take a share of Williams and can use them for testing, R&D, future driver development etc.

 

[Willie Trombone]

that is true, where did I get that strange idea from?

Europeans, they all look the same to me.

 

[thestaggy]

That is where the 'B' team concept comes in, the drivers remain in the Mercedes stable and are on lone to Williams, In return Mercedes take a share of Williams and can use them for testing, R&D, future driver development etc.

Don't think Bottas would fall in a B-Team loan driver arrangement. He was never part of the Merc set-up anyway.

Russell is already a Merc protege.

The more realistic scenario is Latifi. He's clearly talented, winning his 4th F2 race of the year yesterday, but he's also got a rich dad. Perhaps not Stroll rich, but he has backing.

Risk for William's though is going too young and inexperienced. I still think the Stroll-Sirotkin lineup of last year set William's back in terms of development. Kubica may be slow, but experience and knowledge has no price when it comes to developing. I still th

 

[caroper]

that is true, where did I get that strange idea from?

Probably because when Alfa Romeo last won there it was still part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire

> 1936 Italy Tazio Nuvolari Alfa Romeo

 

[caroper]

Don't think Bottas would fall in a B-Team loan driver arrangement. He was never part of the Merc set-up anyway.

To be honest I was thinking more along the lines of Keeping Bottas in the Mercedes but finding a seat for Occon.

That is Toto's major dilemma, especially as Bottas has more than proven that he deserves the Seat, whilst one more year without a drive could doom Occam's future career in F1.

Occon on Loan to Williams would be beneficial to all parties in the short term and may help Williams bounce back which would also be a boost to F1 in general.