F1 2019 season discussion and chat.

[satanboy]

 

[sox63]

F1 Week finally!!!!

 

[Agent_Smith]

F1 Week finally!!!!

And its Spa! Double thumbs up...

 

[thestaggy]

Hulkenberg's record is actually quite impressive and is likely at a point where it can never be broken if he doesn't achieve a podium. He's managed to persistently hang around in F1 while being a bang-average driver. And now with the Ocon-Renault rumours, he may even leave F1 or slide further down the grid.

 

[Agent_Smith]

Interesting viewing...

 

[Willie Trombone]

From 50% to 5-10% is a huge change and will make overtaking etc a lot easier.

Not sure it'll have any effect on brake cooling and such, but it should improve tyre performance and thus reduce tyre temps through the bends.

Ok I misunderstood that then. Ta.

 

[thestaggy]

Alonso set for more testing in SA as 2020 Dakar Rally debut gains traction

Two-time Formula 1 champion Fernando Alonso will will join forces once again with Toyota Gazoo Racing South Africa in the upcoming months for a series of tests with the Toyota Hilux, the car that is expected to compete in the 2020 Dakar Rally in Saudi Arabia.

Over the next five months, Alonso, will undergo an intensive training programme in the Hilux across Europe, Africa and the Middle East to familiarise himself with the challenging rigours of rally raid.

Fernando, 38, will continue testing in the deserts of southern Africa on August 20-23, followed by a non-competitive first outing at the 2019 Harrismith 400 in South Africa, fifth round of the South African Cross Country Series, on September 13-14.

 

[thestaggy]

Italian media reporting that Mercedes will confirm Bottas for 2020; Ocon will be released by them and George Russell will be Mercedes' long-term option.

Makes sense to me. Bottas is doing exactly what Merc need. Zero threat to Lewis and he's good enough to help them win the Constructors' championship. With Hamilton close to beating Michael's win record (91 wins) and on course to equal/surpass his 7 World Championships, it makes no sense rocking the boat. Solid #2 is all they need for the next couple of seasons and they have the time as Russell has a three-year deal with Williams.

 

[chromedome]

Italian media reporting that Mercedes will confirm Bottas for 2020; Ocon will be released by them and George Russell will be Mercedes' long-term option.

Makes sense to me. Bottas is doing exactly what Merc need. Zero threat to Lewis and he's good enough to help them win the Constructors' championship. With Hamilton close to beating Michael's win record (91 wins) and on course to equal/surpass his 7 World Championships, it makes no sense rocking the boat. Solid #2 is all they need for the next couple of seasons and they have the time as Russell has a three-year deal with Williams.

I thought this would happen. I hope Ocon, gets a decent drive though as he has the talent and the gumption to battle with the top guys.

 

[Willie Trombone]

I thought this would happen. I hope Ocon, gets a decent drive though as he has the talent and the gumption to battle with the top guys.

I'd hold my breath a little - it is the Italian media after all. Someone trying to force Ocon's hand to move to Ferrari to replace Vettel? No doubt the Italian media would love that.

 

[thestaggy]

I'd hold my breath a little - it is the Italian media after all. Someone trying to force Ocon's hand to move to Ferrari to replace Vettel? No doubt the Italian media would love that.

If he moves it will likely be Renault. Closest he'll get to a Ferrari will be if he ends up at Haas instead of Renault. He was in talks with Renault last season about a move before they went with Ricciardo.

Even the French media are getting in on it now. Their leading autosport magazine has just run a story on it.

OCON TO REPLACE HULKENBERG AT RENAULT FOR 2020

Auto Hebdo are running the above cover story for their latest magazine edition with Esteban Ocon dressed in a Renault race suit with the title: Marriage of Reason – confirming the Frenchman’s return to the Formula 1 grid in 2020.

The report, in France’s leading motoring magazine, confirmed that the deal was done for the Mercedes reserve driver to suit up for the French team next year alongside Daniel Ricciardo, leaving Nico Hulkenberg without a seat.

The cover headline confirms: “The Frenchman makes a return to F1 in 2020 in place of Nico Hulkenberg.”

Jean-Michel Denous reports that “Ocon arrives at Enstone after Toto Wolff and Abtbeoul Cyril found common ground to strike a deal.”

Something that eluded them last year when a similar scenario played out but that time they were usurped by the Daniel Ricciardo scoop by the French team.

The report adds: “There will be no announcement until the Mercedes officially confirms their drivers for next season [Hamilton and Bottas] and as long as Nico Hulkenberg’s future hangs in the Balance, but we can already take for granted the arrival of Esteban Ocon at Renault in 2020 on a two-year deal.”

When approached for comment Renault only confirmed an interest in Ocon, but did not reveal if the French team would have a French driver for the first time since 2009.

Silly season indeed, but no doubt in my mind that Ocon will be on the grid next season. Career suicide if he isn't. Cannot risk sitting out another year while the likes of Sainz, Norris, Albon and Russell are making names for themselves.

 

[chromedome]

I'd hold my breath a little - it is the Italian media after all. Someone trying to force Ocon's hand to move to Ferrari to replace Vettel? No doubt the Italian media would love that.

Now that would be interesting, Le Clerc vs Ocon.

 

[thestaggy]

Tony Brooks: “If you made a mistake in my day, you were in the lap of the gods…”

An Audioboom post by F1: Beyond The Grid

audioboom.com

Fascinating listen going back to F1 racing at the highest levels in the late 50s.

Interesting opinion by Tony Brooks; rear-engined cars nullified driver ability to a large degree. He also says he is alive today because he never drove beyond his own or the car's ability. He contrasts this to a rival, who lacked the speed to take a corner flatout and got around this by staring at his instruments (speedometer, rev counter) through the corner and not the road in order to make sure he maintained speed.

He also isn't impressed by the utter dominance modern drivers have been capable of.

Overall this site looks like a goldmine.

F1: Beyond The Grid

<p><strong>Beyond The Grid</strong>, delivers great stories, fresh insight and amazing anecdotes from the world of F1. Each week Tom Clarkson brings you in-depth, personal conversations with the biggest names in the sport, from current superstar drivers and leading team bosses to legendary...

audioboom.com

 

[thestaggy]

The Formula One subreddit is pretty good for early inside information.

Marcus Ericsson has been called to Spa by Alfa. He is still contracted as their third driver. Racer is a reputable American motorsport publication.

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1166947048806969345

 

[Naks]

https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/...ndar-set-for-2020.7vdbREiAYJKP5Ey8whglC2.html

Formula 1 is delighted to release the draft calendar of the 2020 FIA Formula 1 World Championship, which features an unprecedented 22 Grands Prix. This will be submitted for approval during the FIA World Motor Sport Council meeting on October 4.

F1's 70th anniversary season gets underway with the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne on March 15 and, as usual, it will end with the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix at the Yas Marina Circuit on November 29.

Along the way there will be seven back-to-back race weekends and two exciting new additions.

Vietnam will become the 34th country to stage a round of the FIA Formula 1 World Championship, with a race in the dazzling capital Hanoi on April 5.

Meanwhile, a famous name from the past returns in the shape of the Zandvoort circuit, which will be the venue for the Dutch Grand Prix - and much Max Verstappen mania - on May 3.

This year, several historic events - Australia, Great Britain and Spain - have renewed their contracts, as has the more recent and spectacular Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Mexico City will continue to host a race for the next three years under the new title of Mexico City Grand Prix. And, currently being finalised is an extension to the contract with the Italian Grand Prix, which next weekend celebrates its 90th anniversary.

 

[MaximusZA]

The Formula One subreddit is pretty good for early inside information.

Marcus Ericsson has been called to Spa by Alfa. He is still contracted as their third driver. Racer is a reputable American motorsport publication.

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1166947048806969345

the article has and ammendment at the bottom saying Alfa has denied this

 

[satanboy]

The Vietnamese Grand Prix is a proposed Formula One motor race that is due to make its debut in 2020. The race will be held on a temporary street circuit on the streets of the Vietnamese capital of Hanoi.

Looks interesting.

 

[sox63]

And the media is always on hand to remind them about it.

Thejudge13 reports Vettel as having told the September issue of F1 Racing magazine: “Today, people are still asking about the problem of aggression after two weeks.

“When you think about it, it’s quite disrespectful.

“You’ve had two weeks to come up with something, and that comes to mind? That’s disrespectful.

“I don’t feel personally attacked, but are you serious? Sometimes I don’t understand.”

Sebastian Vettel unimpressed with 'disrespectful' media | PlanetF1

Sebastian Vettel feels the media has been "quite disrespectful" to him in the recent years, bringing up his old mistakes.

www.planetf1.com

Assuming Vettel did actually say this, he thinks he is above being questioned about his temperament when under pressure?

 

[FiestaST]

Formula 1 reveals record 22-race calendar for 2020

Races in Netherlands and Vietnam added to growing grand prix schedule

2020 Formula 1 World Championship calendar (subject to approval)

15 March Australia (Melbourne)

22 March Bahrain (Sakhir)

5 April Vietnam (Hanoi)

19 April China (Shanghai)

3 May Netherlands (Zandvoort)

10 May Spain (Barcelona)

24 May Monaco (Monaco)

7 June Azerbaijan (Baku)

14 June Canada (Montreal)

28 June France (Paul Ricard)

5 July Austria (Red Bull Ring)

19 July Britain (Silverstone)

2 August Hungary (Budapest)

30 August Belgium (Spa)

6 September Italy (Monza)*

20 September Singapore (Singapore)

27 September Russia (Sochi)

11 October Japan (Suzuka)

25 October USA (Austin)

1 November Mexico (Mexico City)

15 November Brazil (Sao Paulo)

29 November Abu Dhabi (Abu Dhabi)

*subject to contract

Formula 1 reveals record 22-race calendar for 2020 | Autocar

Races in Netherlands and Vietnam added to growing grand prix schedule

www.autocar.co.uk

 

[butters89]

https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/...ndar-set-for-2020.7vdbREiAYJKP5Ey8whglC2.html

Goodbye Hockenheim, it looks like.

What a shame when Barcelona continues to exist on the calendar