Formula 1 2019 - General Discussion Thread

H3llR4iser

Sad way to start the season, Whiting has been part of F1 essentially since I started following it 30-something years ago.

On an operational note, Michael Masi (Supercar V8 director in Australia) will take over this week end.

Itssoeasy

Very sad news about Charlie Whiting. I've been watching F1 since the mid nineties when it was on RTE TV and he's been the one constant. Cars, Drivers, Teams, Regulations, Tyre manufacturers have come and gone but he's the one who has always been there.

Jordan 199

Frank Bullitt

Very sad news about Charlie, the tributes from everyone in the paddock that knew him are hard too read.

Imagine the book he could have written...

His instructions are for the hearse to go around the church a few more times than necessary. :pac:

Sad news, seemed well liked by just about everyone around. It'll be weird not hearing the drivers in the rain complain to him.

mickdw

I can't see anyone taking on such a broad role. They will probably get in 10 guys to cover what he handled.
Everything seemed to be Charlie's responsibility.

El_Duderino 09

Theres an hour long Interview with Kimi on Beyond the Grid - the f1.com podcast. It's not bad.

Seems a grand lad. Bit much emphasis on his drinking. Sounds a bit like teenagers bragging. Kimi doesn't make a big deal of it but the interviewer goes on a bit.

I never see the appeal to Kimi that some people seem to see. No room for terms like "legend" or "hilarious". But a grand lad all the same.

Harika

Another one of the big names in F1 left us, like Sid Watkins an architect for F1 today. His expertise will be missed.

HighLine

Gintonious wrote: »

Very sad news about Charlie, the tributes from everyone in the paddock that knew him are hard too read.

Imagine the book he could have written...

Now that would be a book I would like to read!

Such a shame.. I read that Vettel was out doing a track walk with him the day before so it was an extra shock to him I'm sure.

pjohnson

HighLine wrote: »

Now that would be a book I would like to read!

Such a shame.. I read that Vettel was out doing a track walk with him the day before so it was an extra shock to him I'm sure.

Yeah its in the press conference vid on the F1 Youtube. Kubica saw them together but decided not to interrupt them as he would be meeting Charlie Friday anyway.

dublinman1990

That's sad news hearing about Charlie Whiting's passing. RIP.

Also....about the F1 TV App. Their new pit lane channel has special alternative English commentary. Who provides it on the app?

I may be hedging my bets here but I might take a guess that it's provided by Ben Edwards & David Coulthard.

flazio

dublinman1990 wrote: »

That's sad news hearing about Charlie Whiting's passing. RIP.

Also....about the F1 TV App. Their new pit lane channel has special alternative English commentary. Who provides it on the app?

I may be hedging my bets here but I might take a guess that it's provided by Ben Edwards & David Coulthard.

More likely to be Jack Nicholls and Jolyen Palmer. The BBC radio commentary has been part of the F1 app for a few years now.

chicorytip

mickdw wrote:

I can't see anyone taking on such a broad role. They will probably get in 10 guys to cover what he handled. Everything seemed to be Charlie's responsibility.

All he really had responsibility for was inspecting safety features and waving the starting flag. Bernie ran the show.

Cool_CM

chicorytip wrote: »

All he really had responsibility for was inspecting safety features and waving the starting flag. Bernie ran the show.

That's pretty inaccurate, to be fair. He was responsible for a lot more than that:

https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/charlie-whiting-impossible-to-replace-video/4352537/

skipper_G

Cool_CM wrote: »

That's pretty inaccurate, to be fair. He was responsible for a lot more than that:

https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/charlie-whiting-impossible-to-replace-video/4352537/

Not just inaccurate, I would say spectacularly wrong.

Very sad news, RIP Charlie

mickdw

chicorytip wrote: »

mickdw wrote:

I can't see anyone taking on such a broad role. They will probably get in 10 guys to cover what he handled. Everything seemed to be Charlie's responsibility.

All he really had responsibility for was inspecting safety features and waving the starting flag. Bernie ran the show.

Leaving aside that Bernie is long gone, your opinion on what Charlie did is completely and utterly wrong.

chicorytip

mickdw wrote:

Leaving aside that Bernie is long gone, your opinion on what Charlie did is completely and utterly wrong.

I don't envisage the great F1 roadshow grinding to a halt on account of his demise. May he R.I.P.

mickdw

Well of course not but I have a feeling that we might see it taking a while to settle down with many people settling into roles to cover what he did. He grew with it from a different age and just knew the job inside out. A don't believe any single person now could walk in there and take on everything.

Jordan 199

Sterling Archer

For anyone in the Superbru fantasy leagues Don't forget to do your picks (I'll create a new thread for it later)

the_pen_turner

what does everyone think of the 1 point for fastest lap. did it make a diference today

am i bovvered

the_pen_turner wrote: »

what does everyone think of the 1 point for fastest lap. did it make a diference today

I wasn’t a fan when I heard it was being introduced but I have to say it was quite fun today and I think it will result in some interesting scenarios.

Killinator

the_pen_turner wrote: »

what does everyone think of the 1 point for fastest lap. did it make a diference today

I thought it was enjoyable to hear the top 3 all saying how much they wanted it. It's a point, so it's a point the drivers want.
I provided a bit of extra entertainment seeing them pop in fastest laps and when drivers push it to the max they can make mistakes why adds even more drama!

murphyebass

the_pen_turner wrote: »

what does everyone think of the 1 point for fastest lap. did it make a diference today

Was interesting to hear all the teams talking about it.

Was very disappointed that lecler didn’t go for it when Ferrari obviously told him to peel back from their golden boy vettel.

Speaking of golden boys was delighted to see Hamilton shown up by bottas. Delighted for bottas in general. Well deserved.

Verstapen was a good watch as always. The mid field was interesting but overall it was an average race of we’re honest about it.

Maybe I’ve just got too used to he multiple overtakes in Formula E and I nownits not known for being a great track for overtakes but it was all a little slow today.

Biggest drama was Haas not knowing how to put on a tyre. Lol.

pjohnson

If that situation repeats again I dunno how much longer Ferrari would persist with protecting Seb. That was hugely dissapointing him suddenly dropping off.

murphyebass

pjohnson wrote: »

If that situation repeats again I dunno how much longer Ferrari would persist with protecting Seb. That was hugely dissapointing him suddenly dropping off.

He was rubbish last season too to be fair.

Top Dog

murphyebass wrote: »

Was very disappointed that lecler didn’t go for it when Ferrari obviously told him to peel back from their golden boy vettel.

First race in a new team - did you really think he was going to disobey team orders so early? Talk about biting the hand thats feeding you! :eek:



That said though, thought it was very poor form of Ferrari to not let them race. Its the first race of the season, does Seb really need a special bubble from the get-go? I just hope it doesn't damage LeClerc's mindset too much. Can't be a nice feeling to go to a new team full of ambition, and be blocked at the very first opportunity.

Killinator

Top Dog wrote: »

I just hope it doesn't damage LeClerc's mindset too much. Can't be a nice feeling to go to a new team full of ambition, and be blocked at the very first opportunity.

You can be 100% sure that Leclerc knew exactly what situation he was getting into signing for Ferrari with Vettel in the team.
Ferrari have a number 1 and a number 2 and it has been this way for a long long time now.
Leclerc's time will come after Vettel is no longer top dog, which may be sooner rather than later of performances like Sunday continue.

vectra

Killinator wrote: »

Leclerc's time will come after Vettel is no longer top dog, which may be sooner rather than later of performances like Sunday continue.

Do you honestly believe Vettel was under performing rather than having an issue with the car?

Dont be at yourself

If Leclerc wants to race, he needs to start out-qualifying Vettel.

Inviere

Dont be at yourself wrote: »

If Leclerc wants to race, he needs to start out-qualifying Vettel.

Yep, only way to get the job done is to be ahead on the grid.

Dont be at yourself

Dont be at yourself wrote: »

If Leclerc wants to race, he needs to start out-qualifying Vettel.

Ferrari could easily still order him to slow down and let Vettel past, they’ve done it before.

Inviere

Deleted User wrote: »

Ferrari could easily still order him to slow down and let Vettel past, they’ve done it before.

It's one thing doing it while Le Clerc is behind, but to do it while he's ahead would be a bitter pill for fans. Yeah they've done it before, it's a very negative display this early on in the season.

ayux4rj6zql2ph

Sergio Marchionne wanted Charles in the car before his unexpected death. They didn't quite get to it before that happened and Arrivabene honoured the man's wish. So whatever was inserted into the contract was put there by him and not Sergio i suspect. Marchionne made no secret of it he was a huge fan of LeClerc, were he still alive it would be interesting to see how that contract would have looked.

pjohnson

I also think that if Verstappen had only been say 5 seconds ahead of the slowing Vettel. (Alternately if Vettel was slowing so badly as to be pushing Leclerc back into Magnussen)

If it was likely Leclerc could have got on the podium (or end up fighting for 6th) I doubt he'd have been pulled back either.

Maybe it was just a case of it being a Ferrari 4 & 5 no matter what so didnt want to risk a coming together. Both cars were to far ahead/behind to really gain/loose anything.

Inviere

pjohnson wrote: »

Maybe it was just a case of it being a Ferrari 4 & 5 no matter what so didnt want to risk a coming together. Both cars were to far ahead/behind to really gain/loose anything.

It's just a team order when nobody has any points at all, sets a pretty negative tone. Undoubtedly Charles knew & agreed to this long ago so likely can't complain, it's just as fans, it's a bit disheartening. I don't mind team orders when one driver is fighting for a title, but in this case, it's not ideal.

antodeco

LeClerc did say in an interview he understood that the team setup was a no1 and no2 driver. He seems like an intelligent chap, and knows that he has a shot for no1 when vettel fails (maybe a season or 2), but he knows he can be golden boy.

mickdw

I've no issue with Ferrari not allowing leclerc race vettel.
Leclerc needs to get track position and if he can do that, circumstances will allow him to get results. I don't doubt that Ferrari will piss all over leclerc re strategy too but if he can get a car between himself a vettel towards race end, he can boss it.

Harika

Leclerc had nothing to win by overtaking Vettel, just all to lose, especially after team orders. Anyway his speed will cause a lot of issues for Ferrari itself and Vettel as how long will Ferrari stand behind him when he is constantly challenged by Leclerc, who is the future, contrary to Kimi who was at the end of the career.
If Vettel is not competing for the championship, what is the point of breaking his team mate constantly?

pjohnson

Another point I just thought if Gasly in the second RB hadnt messed up his Q1 stints and been on track at the end of qualy he would've been most likely near to one of the Ferrari's during the race.

Given Seb's broken car I highly doubt they'd have stopped Leclerc if he coulda either caught or been caught by Gasly.

I'm not gunna write off Ferrari/Binotto just yet. Their race had just petered out.

JPF82

Was Vettel's car damaged? I haven't heard of anything to that effect. Hamilton had damage from lap 4. Some photos of the missing part from his car here. https://twitter.com/NobleF1/status/1107580202752921602?s=19

Have seen speculation on Twitter that the Ferrari have had to turn down the engine. A few reasons a given, but none confirmed. https://twitter.com/SomersF1/status/1107229914682540032?s=19

pjohnson

I'm only after seeing that Stroll spent 5 years in the Ferrari Academy. I didnt know that before.

Killinator

vectra wrote: »

Do you honestly believe Vettel was under performing rather than having an issue with the car?

I don't know, he seemed to believe it was the car but the pit wall were unable to find a reason.
Something wasn't right.

I'm.not saying he was driving poorly himself but his new teammate was about to breeze past him for whatever reason and Ferrari as a team aren't always the most level headed group and may blame him for the results rather than admitting they've messed up the car

ayux4rj6zql2ph

pjohnson wrote: »

I'm only after seeing that Stroll spent 5 years in the Ferrari Academy. I didnt know that before.

Perez was there one time as well, had to leave it when he joined McLaren. There's a photo of Daddy Stroll somewhere pictured at Ferrari's test track in a race suit also i think.

pjohnson

Peyton Lively Tiller wrote: »

Perez was there one time as well, had to leave it when he joined McLaren. There's a photo of Daddy Stroll somewhere pictured at Ferrari's test track in a race suit also i think.

Yeah I knew about Perez alright. They were rumours they wanted to groom him a la Massa (00 - 05) to actually succeed Massa. Stroll only left when he was offered Williams Development Job.

El_Duderino 09

What's the reason Kubica was so far off the pace of his team mate this weekend?

pjohnson

El_Duderino 09 wrote: »

What's the reason Kubica was so far off the pace of his team mate this weekend?

His floor was damaged after he lost his front wing. Apparently one of his mirrors fell off aswell mid-race.

Jordan 199

pjohnson wrote: »

Apparently one of his mirrors fell off aswell mid-race.

It did on the third lap.

Joeface

I have this feeling Kubica will not last the season and thats even taking into account how crap the car is .
I think too much time has passed for him and his Injury will hamper his performace if the get the car working some bit . The Testing and FP laps are one thing . Qual and Race are something else . Pity really.

recyclebin

OSI wrote: »

His Quali lap was nearly 2 seconds down on Russel and his fastest race lap more than half a second slower. Not a promising start to his return season.

He clipped the wall and got a puncture in qualifying. Car was damaged in race. Both were self inflicted wounds but I wouldn't write him off yet. The car is terrible to drive.