Motosport General discussion tread --- Formula1, MotoGP, WTCC, ETCC, DTM.....

[Velvet78]

I've been hearing things that Fred Vasseur is gonna be given a contract extension because of the 'stability' that he brings to the team...  That prolly more like it means that Ferrari can't get Horner so they have no choice but to stay with Vasseur. 

So I guess the odds on Horner going to Alpine and buying 20% of the team is going up?  Chances are he's not taking a sabbatical.

What stability are they talking about? Haha. Ferrari started the season horrible and went on like that for many races. They are barely recovering thanks to the recent upgrades.

Then yeah the rumours are likely to turn out to be true... Horner to Alpine. It is a big downgrade in his career in my opinion.

Ferrari is expected to bring the second big upgrade of the car with a new rear suspension.

This is good news but still can't be enough to be convinced about Ferrari.    They messed up hard on Silverstone under rain. It is hard to trust them in similar conditions again...

[retreat]

I've been hearing things that Fred Vasseur is gonna be given a contract extension because of the 'stability' that he brings to the team...  That prolly more like it means that Ferrari can't get Horner so they have no choice but to stay with Vasseur. 

So I guess the odds on Horner going to Alpine and buying 20% of the team is going up?  Chances are he's not taking a sabbatical.

Even though Ferrari's performance hasn't improved significantly with him, we can't help but acknowledge his ability to manage both drivers is a skill. It's even been said that both Charles and Hamilton are behind Vasseur, which explains his strategic position within the team, and explains why Ferrari was more interested in extending his contract with him than hiring Horner, who is currently available. And I think their decision was quite right, as Vasseur has extensive experience managing F1 drivers, even if he's less aggressive as a team principal.

As for Horner himself, while he's likely to join Alpine, there are recent rumors suggesting Cadillac is interested in signing him, so it's still unclear which team he'll join.

[karabiber]

I've been hearing things that Fred Vasseur is gonna be given a contract extension because of the 'stability' that he brings to the team...  That prolly more like it means that Ferrari can't get Horner so they have no choice but to stay with Vasseur. 

So I guess the odds on Horner going to Alpine and buying 20% of the team is going up?  Chances are he's not taking a sabbatical.

In the past, Ferrari has often changed team bosses in the pursuit of short term results, but this approach does not bring sustainable success. Since Vasseur took over, Ferrari has been trying to pursue a more long-term and stable strategy. The secret to success lies in stability. This also contributes to team communication and engineering processes. I think Ferrari's performance has been steadily improving. Especially in qualifying and pit stop times. I think the impact of the technical and cultural reforms under Vasseur's stewardship will become evident over time.

[Volgastallion]

I've been hearing things that Fred Vasseur is gonna be given a contract extension because of the 'stability' that he brings to the team...  That prolly more like it means that Ferrari can't get Horner so they have no choice but to stay with Vasseur. 

So I guess the odds on Horner going to Alpine and buying 20% of the team is going up?  Chances are he's not taking a sabbatical.

In the past, Ferrari has often changed team bosses in the pursuit of short term results, but this approach does not bring sustainable success. Since Vasseur took over, Ferrari has been trying to pursue a more long-term and stable strategy. The secret to success lies in stability. This also contributes to team communication and engineering processes. I think Ferrari's performance has been steadily improving. Especially in qualifying and pit stop times. I think the impact of the technical and cultural reforms under Vasseur's stewardship will become evident over time.

One of the worst think that can happen to a pwoerfull team like Ferrari is start to fall into this kind of narrative, they are not longer seeking for being champion or seeking for a team boss who can bring you to the very top, not they are now only wanting to see "stability" what a shit for team this big and with all his history in their backs. Pure shame.

[coinlocket$]

I've see a tweet from Hamilton asking to Ai on grok something like.
Who had the most constructor wins in SPa.

Do you think is a hoax or do you really think that with upgrades he can really win?

The answer was Ferrari to be clear.
Also in interviews of today he spoken like he wants to win in Ferrari.

[Distraction]

FP1 has been left behind. Not much of a surprise there... Now there is less than an hour for sprint qualifying. We'll see if Verstappen will still be able to get a place in top 3.



Full results: https://www.motorsport.com/f1/results/2025/belgian-gp-653187/

I've see a tweet from Hamilton asking to Ai on grok something like.
Who had the most constructor wins in SPa.

Do you think is a hoax or do you really think that with upgrades he can really win?

The answer was Ferrari to be clear.
Also in interviews of today he spoken like he wants to win in Ferrari.

Hamilton is the last winner on Spa thanks to a DQ by Russell due to underweight car. But it was with Mercedes of course. I really can't look at it the same at Ferrari. 

I think the first 2 places will be owned by McLarens again. But a podium for a Ferrari driver is quite possible!

[tokeweed]

I've been hearing things that Fred Vasseur is gonna be given a contract extension because of the 'stability' that he brings to the team...  That prolly more like it means that Ferrari can't get Horner so they have no choice but to stay with Vasseur.  

So I guess the odds on Horner going to Alpine and buying 20% of the team is going up?  Chances are he's not taking a sabbatical.

What stability are they talking about? Haha. Ferrari started the season horrible and went on like that for many races. They are barely recovering thanks to the recent upgrades.

Then yeah the rumours are likely to turn out to be true... Horner to Alpine. It is a big downgrade in his career in my opinion.

'Stability' to be at the bottom among the top teams.  

As for Horner, I guess he's the kind of guy who likes to builds from the bottom up.  Remember, he took over Red Bull when it was nothing and built it to the great team it is now.  I'm not really sure if he could do it again with Alpine but if we do see it, then should we really be surprised?  

Another thing is Horner could end up working at the top brass with the FIA.  Bernie Ecclestone used to say it back in the say.

[coinlocket$]

fp1 done and the hope for others team is that Mclaren was without gas.
In the second sector alone the papayas were 1 second faster over all the others top cars.

Piastri has did no mistakes so far, he is the favorite for the pole position.
Curious to see how the ferrari is with the new rear.

[retreat]

McLaren remained strong in FP1, with Lando and Piastri securing P1 and P3, respectively.

And Max also performed exceptionally well on this circuit, securing P2. I'm pretty confident that Max has a good chance of winning this race.

And for Ferrari, Hamilton and Charles finished P5 and P7, respectively. It seems their upgrades weren't effective enough in this race.

Sprint qualifying is still underway, with SQ2 just completed. Let's see who will secure pole position in tomorrow's sprint.

[Velvet78]

...
Another thing is Horner could end up working at the top brass with the FIA.  Bernie Ecclestone used to say it back in the say.

Yeah it is another rumour about Horner. Toto Wolff made a joke about it also. He says he is really in the sh*t if it happens. 


Sprint qualifying was very interesting... Hamilton and Antonelli were out so early. Russell also said goodbye in Q2 and Piastri was near doing so. But from there Piastri got to the top. 

If it rains during sprint tomorrow then it will be like a trailer for the main race on Sunday. But let's see how the weather will be then.

[coinlocket$]

Pos   Driver   Nat.   Team   SQ1   SQ2   SQ3
1   Oscar Piastri   AUS   McLaren F1 Team   1m41.769s   1m42.128s   1m40.510s
2   Max Verstappen   NED   Oracle Red Bull Racing   1m42.043s   1m41.583s   1m40.987s
3   Lando Norris   GBR   McLaren F1 Team   1m42.068s   1m41.412s   1m41.128s
4   Charles Leclerc   MON   Scuderia Ferrari HP   1m42.736s   1m41.786s   1m41.278s
5   Esteban Ocon   FRA   MoneyGram Haas F1 Team   1m42.822s   1m41.801s   1m41.565s
6   Carlos Sainz   ESP   Atlassian Williams Racing   1m42.776s   1m42.051s   1m41.761s
7   Oliver Bearman   GBR   MoneyGram Haas F1 Team   1m43.024s   1m42.019s   1m41.857s
8   Pierre Gasly   FRA   BWT Alpine F1 Team   1m43.171s   1m41.949s   1m41.959s
9   Isack Hadjar   FRA   Visa Cash App Racing Bulls F1 Team   1m42.711s   1m42.088s   1m41.971s
10   Gabriel Bortoleto   BRA   Stake F1 Team Kick Sauber   1m42.806s   1m41.901s   1m42.176s

Sprint qualy source: https://www.crash.net/f1/results/1077858/1/2025-f1-belgian-grand-prix-sprint-qualifying-results

Verstappen risked it all, it has a dry setup for the car.
If it will rain he will be messed up with huge grip problems.

Shame for Lewis with his stupid mistake.

[Volgastallion]

Pos   Driver   Nat.   Team   SQ1   SQ2   SQ3
1   Oscar Piastri   AUS   McLaren F1 Team   1m41.769s   1m42.128s   1m40.510s
2   Max Verstappen   NED   Oracle Red Bull Racing   1m42.043s   1m41.583s   1m40.987s
3   Lando Norris   GBR   McLaren F1 Team   1m42.068s   1m41.412s   1m41.128s
4   Charles Leclerc   MON   Scuderia Ferrari HP   1m42.736s   1m41.786s   1m41.278s
5   Esteban Ocon   FRA   MoneyGram Haas F1 Team   1m42.822s   1m41.801s   1m41.565s
6   Carlos Sainz   ESP   Atlassian Williams Racing   1m42.776s   1m42.051s   1m41.761s
7   Oliver Bearman   GBR   MoneyGram Haas F1 Team   1m43.024s   1m42.019s   1m41.857s
8   Pierre Gasly   FRA   BWT Alpine F1 Team   1m43.171s   1m41.949s   1m41.959s
9   Isack Hadjar   FRA   Visa Cash App Racing Bulls F1 Team   1m42.711s   1m42.088s   1m41.971s
10   Gabriel Bortoleto   BRA   Stake F1 Team Kick Sauber   1m42.806s   1m41.901s   1m42.176s

Sprint qualy source: https://www.crash.net/f1/results/1077858/1/2025-f1-belgian-grand-prix-sprint-qualifying-results

Verstappen risked it all, it has a dry setup for the car.
If it will rain he will be messed up with huge grip problems.

Shame for Lewis with his stupid mistake.

Very good to see diferent names in the top 10 (despite the top 4º).

Ocon in fifth position and Bearman in 7º shows how hard and good HAAS is working,aside of that i believe they do a better set up of the car than the other teams.

Gasly still doing some magic with that Alpine, lets see if he can grab some points for the team.

[retreat]

Shame for Lewis with his stupid mistake.

It's a shame Lewis made such a mistake. Whether it was because he couldn't adapt to the upgrades or because of some other issue, he looked incredibly frustrated as he was disqualified in SQ1, finishing in P18, a position you wouldn't expect from a seven-time world champion.
Hopefully, he can get at least a top 10 finish in tomorrow's sprint race.

[coinlocket$]

Very good to see diferent names in the top 10 (despite the top 4º).

Ocon in fifth position and Bearman in 7º shows how hard and good HAAS is working,aside of that i believe they do a better set up of the car than the other teams.

Gasly still doing some magic with that Alpine, lets see if he can grab some points for the team.

Once in a life time.
Hamilton did a mistake and eliminated himself.
Antonelli he ruined his car in the first 5 mnutes.
Russell got a bad lap.

It will probablynever happen again, but yeah it will make the sprint race more itneresting.

[Distraction]

The most boring sprint race ever.    I wish it rained. Maybe that could have made it more exciting for us. We watched a couple of overtakes only at the start and that was it! Great job by Verstappen of course...

He kept McLarens behind for the whole 15 laps after hunting Piastri down very early. If Verstappen gets the pole position today also I'll be really wondering if he can do it again. But it feels like a McLaren driver will be victorious in such a long run.

[coinlocket$]

What a boring race it was.

Sprint races on long tracks makes no sense, soon or later they will understand it.
Impressive win for max the gabling for a dry setup payed.

all the others car were sleeping today.

[tokeweed]

^  It's the format itself that's boring.  And sprint races are useless on all tracks.  It's just dumb to have a minimrace before the race...  What for?

I hope that the F1 brass starts thinking about getting everything back to the old format.  If they really want interest in the sport to go back up, they can start by switching back to the screaming aspirated engines.  The sound they make is what made 'F1' = F1. 

Most races, I get excited the days before the practice sessions then when I start watching them, I get bored.  And the engine sound is one cause of this boredom.

[Republikcoin.com]

This weekend, there was a WSBK race at Balaton Park in Hungary, but the Race1 session was really boring because after Toprak was able to be the first on the grid, he was also able to win by a fairly large time gap so that the competition for first place was completely non-existent. However, for the other grids, such as second and third, there was still competition and it was also quite exciting even though those two positions were again filled by Bulega and Bautista from the Ducati factory. Hopefully, the SP Race and Race2 sessions tomorrow will be fierce for the fight for first place.

[FanEagle]

Not entirely sure, but looks like Red Bull is looking like the fastest car all over again. Not because Red Bull is getting so much better maybe but more like McLaren is losing their best place. Not only McLaren is getting past by Max, but we have seen even Ferrari end up getting past McLaren as well which shows that it is not just about other cars getting faster, but it's about McLaren is getting worse.

We have seen everyone bring in great upgrades to this new track, at Spa most of them had upgrades but that should have been just an important situation for the future. The reality is simple, McLaren needs to do something about this quickly, or they are going to have a ton of problems with the future of the league for them and the win.

[Volgastallion]

Fully agree with most of the comments about me about the today sprint race. Super boring, we are facing a big problem with sprint races, they come as a new fresh air and a way to show something diferent than the race, but they are now more boring than race and are always a marching pace one behind each other with nothing happening at all.

Good for Verstappen to take this win.