F1 - General discussion and 2017

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Willie Trombone

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Lewis Hamilton's power mode error helped him win Belgian Grand Prix

https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/131482/hamilton-power-mode-error-helped-him-win

Lewis Hamilton says selecting the wrong power mode actually helped him stay ahead of 2017 Formula 1 world championship rival Sebastian Vettel at the Belgian Grand Prix safety car restart.

That mistake allowed Vettel to be right with him at the La Source hairpin, and that compromised the Ferrari's run to Eau Rouge as Vettel had got too close too soon.

Vettel's failure to pass Hamilton immediately after the restart proved crucial as it was his best chance to deprive the Mercedes of the lead while he had maximum advantage from being on ultra-soft tyres against Hamilton's softs.

"Initially I got a very good start when we were on the back straight, I got a real good pull away," said Hamilton.

"I was able to catch him out, as I did in Baku on the three or four starts with the safety car.

"I broke away, but didn't have the right power mode.

"I pulled away initially, and then he started catching me up.

"Initially it felt like that's a mistake, but in actual fact it was actually a really good thing, because if I came out of the last corner with that gap, he would have had the momentum, being three or four car lengths behind, to really propel and really get a good tow, and come and slip past me.

"It worked out perfectly."

Hamilton even opted not to use full throttle in an attempt to keep Vettel stuck behind his rear wing.

He was also convinced that Vettel would not try to pass too early on the Kemmel straight, because he would fear being repassed before the end of it.



"We got into Turn 1 [La Source], I had very cold tyres, so I had a small lock-up," said Hamilton.

"He was on the gas before me, I could hear him, and then as we were going down that straight I didn't keep it full lit the whole way, I was at 90% throttle, just to keep him as close as possible.

"I knew he wasn't going to come by, because he knows I would overtake him then at the top part with the tow.

"As we were going up Eau Rouge, that's where I really gave it maximum power.

"We got to the top and he had no space to really propel himself, so he just pulled out alongside.

"It was a cool battle, but it was really great to go into Turn 5 [Les Combes] having done just enough to stay ahead. I was really happy with that."

Hamilton said he had to work hard to keep his lead to the finish.

"After that it was like nine or 10 laps or whatever it was of qualifying, heavy, fast laps, to try and continue with that gap," he said.

"He was very quick, he had the better tyre, so I had to pull out some really good laps in order to stay ahead of him, because he was very, very quick in that second phase."
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Dave

Dave

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So the Ferrari at 100% full power is about a match for the Merc at 90%?
 
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sox63

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Dave said:
So the Ferrari at 100% full power is about a match for the Merc at 90%?
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It would seem so. On the podium Vettel thought he had to get out of the slipstream too early and it then became a straight drag race and then he just shrugged as though he had no chance after that
 
Wall

Wall

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This championship battle looks likes it will be decided at the last race :D

Awesome racing, awesome season
 
greg0205

greg0205

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[video=youtube;KvzTBeBMy5s]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KvzTBeBMy5s[/video]

You know, just in case you haven't done a million F1 2017/F1 2016/F1 2015/F1 2014/F1 2013... laps of Monza.
 
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sox63

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McLaren-Honda split moves closer as team eyes Renault for 2018

https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/131520/mclarenhonda-split-moves-closer

McLaren is edging closer to a divorce from Honda, ahead of a crunch weekend of talks that will shape the engine market as well as Fernando Alonso's Formula 1 future.

It is understood McLaren has finally lost patience with Honda's ability to progress in the short term, and detailed analysis of gains Honda made with help from consultant Ilmor has not eased the concerns.

With time running out to finalise 2018 engine plans and amid pressure to ensure Alonso commits to a fresh deal, McLaren's focus is now on doing what is necessary to switch from Honda to Renault power.

There remain several hurdles to overcome involving many parties before that switch can happen.

One source suggested it is not a case of whether McLaren splits with Honda, but of how messy the process gets.

The simplest way for McLaren to achieve its aim is to convince Honda to tie up with Toro Rosso for 2018 and beyond.

That would free up Toro Rosso's Renault engine supply for McLaren.

Toro Rosso would get a financial boost from Honda, which would be able to stay in F1.

Talks between Toro Rosso and Honda appeared to have collapsed recently but are back on and now at an advanced stage.

At Spa last weekend Toro Rosso and Honda's denial that there had been any "official talks" was intriguingly dispelled by McLaren, which revealed it had been asked to supply gearboxes for any potential deal.

But sources suggest Honda is not especially eager to make the jump to Toro Rosso and does not want to give up on McLaren.

That means there is a stand-off between McLaren and Honda, with neither party able to move forward at present.

With time pressure mounting, it is understood Toro Rosso has laid down a deadline of Monza this weekend for a 2018 engine decision.

With McLaren believed to be adamant it will not carry on with Honda in 2018, if it cannot transfer its engine supply to Toro Rosso smoothly there is a risk it will have break its current engine contract and face legal complications.

Losing McLaren without an alternative team in place would force Honda out of F1 too, something Liberty Media is not keen on.

Honda's departure would open up a scenario where FIA rules dictate that one of the current engine manufacturers must supply McLaren for 2018.

Renault remains the most likely option in this scenario, and though it is reluctant to expand to a fourth supply the rules could leave it with no choice.

Switching engine supplier is believed to be key to McLaren keeping Alonso.

It is understood he has indicated in private that if McLaren is able to secure Renaults then he will remain on board.

Progress made with the chassis and the new era at the team after Ron Dennis have left Alonso encouraged about McLaren's future.

The Honda engine is the only stumbling block, with Alonso's desire for a Renault switch adding further impetus to McLaren's current mission.
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Not sure dropping Honda for Renault is the way to go honestly. But its the only option sort of available, depending on what Honda can offer Torro Rosso. Renault is also struggling power wise, just not as bad as Honda and their reliability on Verstappen's car has been atrocious this season. A case of jumping from the frying pan into the fire perhaps?
 
Agent_Smith

Agent_Smith

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A hamster in a wheel would be a better option for McLaren right now than the current Honda powerplant. The Renault has been showing encouraging signs, particularly in the hands of the Hulk.
 
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sox63

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Agent_Smith said:
A hamster in a wheel would be a better option for McLaren right now than the current Honda powerplant. The Renault has been showing encouraging signs, particularly in the hands of the Hulk.
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Yeah, I am just worried about the reliability of it that's all
 
Dave

Dave

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sox63 said:
Renault is also struggling power wise, just not as bad as Honda and their reliability on Verstappen's car has been atrocious this season.
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I've seen a few suggestions that Verstappen's issues could be slightly his own making, supposedly he is using higher power levels than the ones he's been told to, it's why at times he seems so much faster than Danny Ric, unfortunately it's causing excessive wear and hence all the DNFs. Basically, arrogant young kid won't listen to the grown ups...
 
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