Marc

I’ll admit, this hurts my brain a little https://the-race.com/formula-1/the-f1-engine-row-triggered-by-porsche-audi-plans/

Yeah exactly. But then what’s the expectation of salvaging or damage limitation for the season? If they can’t win, if they’re comfortable with 3rd or 4th, then why not test and get on top of this concept all the way to the end? I’m assuming that whatever the virtual world is showing them has made them abandon the “conventional” car and enthusiastically bring the sidepod-less design this far. Why stop now? Spend this year’s budget on next year? Are they only now realizing it’s too much of a hole to go down??

Russell is apparently answering questions regarding rumors about Mercedes reverting to the Barcelona test car. He’s saying they have to be careful they “don’t do anything crazy that will be a step backwards, not forwards”. Is it possible that they have real doubts they can actually get the physics right on this car? Maybe put it aside and redesign for next year?

It’s going to be really interesting to see if Merc can come up with a solution under the new regulations. Using my imagination, I’m having trouble picturing it. Sure, they can show up with a redesigned floor, but (with my painfully low knowledge of the matter) it appears to be a very complicated and multi-faceted problem. If they can find the right equation (which they haven’t found yet), yes it could be a game changer, but I just can’t see how that much design time can elapse, yet you can fix such a serious issue in n days and weeks. ?????

Very impressive by Charles and his Ferrari. I know it’s normal to split your strategies but confused as to why Ferrari put Carlos on hards starting from 10th. That made no sense. Very good race for Mercedes, and my optimism for McLaren continues despite Lando’s post-race comments.

A little more reason for optimism this morning. Will be an interesting race tomorrow, looking forward to it.

It’s really bummed me out. Lando’s post race interview was heartbreaking. So much expectation just gone up in smoke.

As a global location for a once yearly sporting event, Las Vegas seems completely obvious. More obvious than Miami in my opinion. The idea of 30 races a year comes with so many questions. There’s obvious logistical questions. But before floating ideas like a 30 race schedule, doesn’t Formula 1 have to get a real sense that this bump in popularity is going to be a lasting one? Forgive me if I’m not completely correct about this but I saw a headline yesterday that Domenicalli and DTS producers were going to be having a meeting regarding them overly using their poetic license and hyping rivalries. With the current champion saying that “F1 is not the Kardashians”. If you’re intending to promote 30 races a year, then fierce rivalries, real or hyped, are likely to be the only reliable force in getting people to subscribe and watch. Just one thought.

Beautiful drive from Charles. So composed. So many positives to talk about. Very strange what happened to the Red Bulls. Some interesting tire moves. Absolutely heartbreaking to see McLaren back there. Every year I have so much hope for them, more than ever for this year, so that was hard to watch.

I’m extremely happy for Charles, and absolutely heartbroken for McLaren. To early to lose all optimism for them I guess but they do make it difficult

I really enjoyed the first season. I zoned out on the second and third, I would put it on and found it a bit tedious and repetitive.

Alpine https://www.instagram.com/p/CaiCYiiPekg/?utm_medium=copy_link

The Kremlin have to be putting a huge amount of pressure on players of all sports to return to Russia. What a terrible position to be in.

I would imagine that with all the bans and cancellations of events that Russia is facing in the world of sports and entertainment, the majority of Russian players, especially the well known ones, in all sports, are under huge pressure from the Kremlin right now, to return to Russia.

I got used to the force India and begun to like it just as they changed. The pink and blue is terrific, looks modern to me for some reason. I’m sure I’ll like more of them on track, in the sunshine.

Actually that might be my favorite so far. By a big margin.

Okay, so that was a somewhat passive, aggressive post. A lot of it contingent on me changing things about my opinions, my expression of them, and my acceptance of yours, even if I don’t agree. I mean what does one say to someone who essentially says, don’t say what you think, listen to me, and then I’ll afford you some respect? I didn’t say or admit I was biased, I said I was a fan. So we’re questioning on a particular hockey teams fansite whether being a fan of a team is a good or a bad thing??? And me having a preference for British drivers, doesn’t make me less of a fan of any of the others. And I’m not “blindly disagreeing with anything said about Hamilton”, anymore than your blindly hating on anything said in praise of Hamilton. You just don’t know me well enough to make that conclusion. Sure, Hamilton was signed by Mercedes in September 2012, he won his first Championship with them at the end of 2014. As far as I’m aware, Lewis Hamilton does not have a crystal ball. If you can tell me who is on the “cusp of dominance” days before pre-testing begins this year, maybe we can make some money???? I’m not trying to sound like a smart ass, but you ask me to acknowledge “obvious facts”, then you throw something out there like this, which is entirely based on fantasy. Sure, we can look back and say he made the smartest and luckiest move he could have ever made, but it was a choice, a choice that was strongly questioned by some, and he made it. The Masi thing has been absurd from the beginning. I’m not acknowledging one event over the other at all. I think Masi was extremely inconsistent, and was a bad race director. I don’t blame him for any one incident, including Abu Dhabi. I think the FIA have been an absent landlord when it comes to refereeing the sport. It’s been severely lacking resources for way way too long. I’m not even going to divulge what I believe happened in Abu Dhabi. But my spectrum of thought is extremely wide on the subject. And it has nothing to do with Masi, and nothing to do with Red Bull. And if you go back a few posts, I stated this on hearing that Masi was out. I do believe however that there was no way that Hamilton was ever going to enter a race briefing chaired by Masi again. And that was his position. He had no faith in him, because no matter what was influencing his decision, he should have done the right thing, and he didn’t. And Lewis Hamilton has clout. So that’s that. I already said that Verstappen pushing Ocon around was no big deal. Not sure why you’re ignoring that. Who says “because I’m black?” Well it’s usually black people that say that. Sometimes they’re right, sometimes they’re wrong. He was (I’m sure) most definitely wrong. How long you gonna hold on to it? Your views on Hamilton’s personality don’t really concern me. If you don’t like him, that’s fine. You want to see all his quotes negatively, it doesn’t bother me. We could apply that thought process to all of them, and come to the same conclusions. I just don’t. I don’t dislike any single driver. I see Hamilton as a human being with obvious flaws. He doesn’t really have much of a personality, his sense of humor is pretty lame. What I like about him is my business. And what I said previously is that the only thing I object to, is him being held to a different standard for the things he says, and the way he acts. On the radio or elsewhere. And seeing as you keep bringing up social media, I’m sure you’re aware that those differing standards are rife on social media. It’s a very toxic situation. And to be honest, your criticisms have the same type of flavor. So if you’re going to lump me in with negative groups, give me a reason why I shouldn’t do the same? Because I haven’t. The fact is, I don’t know you, so I won’t cast you that way, and you don’t know Lewis Hamilton, so your perceptions of his behavior are exactly that. And only that. When some of the people in and around the paddock write their memoirs, maybe we’ll talk again about it . My Uncle and Aunt live in Milton Keynes and are neighbors with a Red Bull mechanic. My Uncle can’t stand Hamilton. But the mechanic told my Uncle that the thing with Hamilton is that nobody really knows him. He’s very quiet. His circle at the track is really small, so I guess that can be construed negatively. I really don’t know, or care really. Having a good idea of where he comes from, I admire that he has done so well, and I admire his father especially. And his mother for going along with it. I didn’t say I hate Red Bull. I said I dislike their marketing. Being as aware as you are of social media, and understanding that F1’s biggest growth in terms of fan activity is online, it is easy to conclude that the endless toxic negativity, (now admitted) lies regarding cheating, is working. And maybe that’s another debate, about the toxicity of online activity in general. Look at us FGS. But whatever the venue or context of the debate, it’s easy to see that negativity is driving a lot of that growing fan content. Growth is good. Negative growth is bad. I don’t want to see a football terrace mentality become the majority fanbase of Formula 1. Unlikely to happen in the United States or Asia. But Europe? What I will say about that in their defense is that it may be a case of “they know not what they do”. That could apply to all the teams. But especially Red Bull, Mercedes, and to a degree, Ferrari. I glanced at a Ferrari fan site today because I was interested in a story, and I couldn’t believe the amount of baseless negativity coming from it. That doesn’t have to come between us. That’s just my observation. If you want to see me in a negative light because I’m not enthusiastic about the negative fan content around the big teams, then that’s up to you. Im not going to change my opinion on that subject. And I only just landed on Twitter and purposefully have not subscribed to anything sports related. Anyway, I don’t really know how to end this post. As far as I see it we’re just passengers on the same bus having a conversation. We obviously have disagreements about some of this but that has no baring on whether the new Alpine is pretty or not. We can agree on that, can’t we . So if you wanna talk, talk.

No I don’t like the fanboy comment because its a cheap way of attempting to diminish someone’s point of view, and I assume you’re capable of adult conversation. The fact you’re doubling down on it, just makes me think less of you, and I don’t want to do that (see my last paragraph). I’m extremely proud to be a Lewis Hamilton fan. I was always a McLaren fan since my childhood, watching James Hunt with my Grandad is an earliest memory, and a driver like Hamilton coming to that team was a dream come true, and the results have been very satisfying. And I have equal enthusiasm for George and Lando. Saying you don’t resent Hamilton’s success and then describing your resentment and why, is kind of amusing to honest. “He walked into a team that was on the up”… he was recruited to join Mercedes, after they heard he was genuinely frustrated with McLaren, and took a chance that Mercedes were going to deliver on their promises. There were no guarantees that Mercedes had it right. None. And in return, he has delivered. Without compromise. But only resentment from detractors. Toto Wolff was in favor of, what would we call it, locked in engine homologation rules back then for exactly the same reasons as Red Bull are in favor of another engine freeze now. Mercedes had to follow the same rules. So hypocritical. But that’s the mentality of the average Mercedes hater. Toto Wolff has had 1 philosophy and goal in Formula 1. To make the team he manages profitable and still win. He has supported policies with a similar goal across the spectrum of Formula 1. And it gets into a much much deeper conversation that has to be taken back to why these large manufacturers even want to be a part of Formula 1. And if we carry on that conversation, it only leads to one end. Take out all the motivation for large manufacturers, and what do you end up with? Maybe something better? I really don’t know, but I don’t think we’re going to find out unless the whole thing collapses. I didn’t mention it because it’s beyond ridiculous, but Wheatley literally told Masi what he should do at the end of Abu Dhabi, and he did it. No matter how much it contravened the rules and regs. Blinkered much? And Wheatley didn’t have to argue with anyone in SA. He was given options, and with that politely disagreed, and said he’d get back to Masi. And then when he did come back to him, he came back with conditions, to which Masi capitulated. Options, to which he had conditions. Like I said, cheering for James Hunt got me interested in F1, but I was a child when he was assaulting marshall’s and I wasn’t aware of that behavior. Do I think Verstappen confronting Esteban and pushing him around was a big deal? No. (Although with his family issues he may want to get that under control). Once again, just pointing out the hypocrisy. I never denied that Hamilton complains about tires, or drivers, his position in a race, or even the damn weather, I never said Hamilton was a ray of sunshine after a loss, I’ve only ever wondered why there is a different standard of behavior that Hamilton must abide by in the eyes of some motor racing fans, that they don’t impose on other drivers. They all complain down the radio, they all have ego’s, they’re all unhappy when races don’t go their way. For some racers that is celebrated. For others, the “fans” see it as a reason to pour out their naked resentment, and one hesitates too, but has every reason and excuse to call it hatred. and that’s why I dislike Red Bull’s Formula 1 marketing strategy. From being the party team, scrappy underdogs of when they entered the sport, and no matter how enormous they’re resources, they’ve now cultivated an eternally oppressed mentality. It’s always someone else’s fault. It’s never on them to do better. It’s so ingrained in you, that even when the opposition has lost, and humbly says they will try to be better, you see those words with nothing but cynicism and anger. Red Bull have encouraged and propped up that increasing negativity. We have ratings, but we have a new element and a football terrace mentality is growing roots. A Formula 1 race was a place you could go and enjoy in a grandstand full of fans wearing different colours. It would be very sad to see that change. But it appears to only be a matter of time. We can talk and politely disagree. If you only like to be agreed with, and will only react to that disagreement with hostility, then there’s little point. It’s up to you.

oh stop it with the fan boy stuff… we’re adults aren’t we? I don’t see what Sky TV broadcasts, I can’t get Sky in Finland. You look at everything through the lens of someone who simply resents the success of MB, Wolfe, and Hamilton. Mercedes wins, and the easy excuse is that they run the sport. It’s all meddling and other silly claims. Yes, Mercedes meddled in removing 9 vital components from their own floor. Is that what you’re claiming? Their dominance ruins the sport… what a terrible attitude. How about you just make a better car, challenge them and leave it at that?? And when they fight back, when they elbow back, don’t complain. It’s why we’re here. Masi literally gave Jonathan Wheatley an option of what penalty they would prefer… and Mercedes are favored and running the show? Verstappen literally assaulted a fellow driver in the paddock… but Hamilton “whines”. Verstappen stamps his feet off of the podium but Hamilton is a diva… it never ends. And if age is an excuse for Verstappen’s unsocial behavior, then I submit that sheer volume of success being more than a reason for Hamilton’s. It doesn’t say “some” in the sporting regulations. It says any. The “any doesn’t mean all” line was bs made up by Red Bulls lawyers after the race in Abu Dhabi. The FIA stated in their ruling that evening that all rules may not have been fully followed. By all means ignore the truth… social media is rife with the same delusion.

Well, I’m not repeating any lines from Mercedes or Wolfe so I guess his hypnotic political brilliance is not working on me, as easily dupable as us rabble are… The most influential team in the sport as far rules, regulations, power and revenue allocation, is Ferrari, by miles. No one comes close. It may change now that we don’t have that poisonous narcissistic sociopath in charge, but his negative effects will be long lasting. Toto Wolfe is doing his job. The team he’s in charge of has dominated a sport that dominance is not good for. The team have risen to every challenge. Again, lobbying during the race is something all the teams are doing. I too hope that changes. But to only point at Wolfe when we can point at incidents where Red Bull gets to choose their preferred penalty option seems a little blinkered. Hamilton takes time off of social media, and it’s extreme toxicity at a low point in his life, and even that is a negative? That’s a bit spiteful. I’ve nothing against Max, I don’t mind his elbows out driving style, but I would have more respect for him if he didn’t complain so much when he gets elbowed back. But that’s probably more to do with Horner, Marko, and the RBR marketing strategy in general. They’ve dragged the sport to the lowest level of fan culture I’ve experienced. Would be a shame to see it become football. Masi had a simple racing event decision to make that night. It was a collision that required a safety car, and the required safety car protocol. It wasn’t complicated. The track staff and the clerk of the course are experienced so there is nothing to point at there. There really is no defense for it. And that’s where the real interesting questions begin.

the report has not been released. And is apparently not ready for release. What on Earth is so complicated, or so incriminating, that figuring it out, or covering it up, is taking this long? The last time an investigation took this long, they couldn’t think of any excuses, so they just sealed it. SMHID. I don’t think the incident warranted a red flag to be honest. It was an unspectacular, not unusual, safety car situation, that should have been afforded the regular safety car protocol. The whole Mafia talk within F1 is a bit silly really. If Masi had simply applied the rules correctly, the rules he stated at Eifel last year, then none of this would’ve happened. It’s very simple. It’s Toto Wolfe’s job to do what he does. Is he not meant to put his best foot forward? I don’t think Mercedes blame Masi at this point. And no one believes that simply firing Michael Masi will miraculously fix something that is rotten. There just isn’t a place for Masi near a Formula event anymore.

the Wheatley broadcast looks bad, only because of what Masi said after the race ended. And he only said that because didn’t really have any other explanation for his actions. What Wheatley said was never of any consequence. Although it might be used in the report which is why we’re being greased now. And we still have questions. Why does a man of Michael Masi’s experience simply abandon everything he knows backwards? We’ve been offered zero explanation. Why was a man of that much experience, with such a relatively quiet and uneventful race mostly behind him, so indecisive during what was essentially a routine safety car protocol? The time and place should be of zero consequence and Masi would have learned that on day one of his apprenticeship. Even if one wants to believe that his brain shorted out to such a huge degree, the man made one of the biggest errors in the history of the sport, yet retains a position in the FIA. The whole episode is ludicrously transparent in its audacity. The FIA are obviously having a lot of issues trying to figure out how to present what actually happened. Why is that? And if they lie, and it comes out, it could do irreparable damage to the sport. Masi wasn’t made the scapegoat because of Mercedes and their threat to appeal. Michael Masi agreed to be the scapegoat at Abu Dhabi and has known all along he’d be protected.

I still don’t think Michael Masi made that call. I think he was told to get them racing no matter the consequences, and he’d be protected. And he is being protected.

I’m sure curiosity will get the better of me, but Season 3 DTS had me falling asleep. It’ll be interesting to see how they handle the drama. I don’t want to watch a soap opera.