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

[Reosta_]

See , this is the problem with some F1 drivers ...they are adrenaline junkies so if they're not a their F1 car they will try to get a piece from that adrenaline by doing other sports. We all remember what Heyden got by riding a bicycle right ? I wonder what was in Alonso's head to take that bicycle for a ride as they're very dangerous if the traffic is not controller, especially when you have racing bicycle.

I'm glad he's okay and he will be back in his F1 seat before the start of season.

I was really sad when I first heard that Alonso had a bicycle accident. It was being said also that he could miss some races in the season. I am pleased to hear that he will be in a good shape before the season. I hope we never see an accident like M. Schumacher had. It made me really upset.

[1714246958]

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[1714246958]

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[boltz]

The fact that Lewis clearly got just 1 year contract tell us that this is his last year in F1. Even if he wins the title this year ( which I doubt can happen ) he won't get a new contract as even him knows he wants to retire in a way or another to enjoy the other sports he likes to do. What I don't understand is , why keep Bottas tho ? For what ? He can fight for the title and he also makes big mistake under pressure...all of this because of Lewis as Bottas was really cold driver before joining Mercedes.

[coinlocket$]

Are we really going in the direction of sprint races?

Marko said Today he is supporting the idea.

If they says yes they will START FROM THIS YEAR! 2021.

https://www.formulapassion.it/motorsport/formula-1/f1-team/f1-marko-sprint-race-ok-ci-sono-troppe-gare-noiose-helmut-red-bull-monza-montreal-interlagos-549032.html

[AakZaki]

There's something new from KTM. The new motorbike used by Oliveira and Brad Binder changed color to orange after Red Bull officially left. Tech3 agreed to a new five year contract extension to remain an independent partner with KTM. They extended the five-year contract until 2026. For that, their name was changed to 'Tech3 KTM Factory Racing'.

Source: https://www.motorsport.com/motogp/news/satellite-teams-win-title-tech3/5393142/

[Cnut237]

Are we really going in the direction of sprint races?

I think the teams are broadly supportive now of trying it, yes. AFAIK the plan was to try it in maybe three races in 2021 (or at least there were three where they thought it might be an option). I think the sticking point when it was last raised as a possibility was Mercedes not liking the 'reverse grid' element of it... but now that's been removed and Mercedes are on board.

Could be interesting, and would create more spectator interest than the normal free practice sessions that it would replace. I think there are financial issues still to resolve, e.g. teams more likely to incur expensive damage during a race format than during a practice format, with the increased money on offer not sufficient to cover any but very minor damage.

But the plan I think is just to test it out this year, not have it at all the races.

[coinlocket$]

I think the teams are broadly supportive now of trying it, yes. AFAIK the plan was to try it in maybe three races in 2021 (or at least there were three where they thought it might be an option). I think the sticking point when it was last raised as a possibility was Mercedes not liking the 'reverse grid' element of it... but now that's been removed and Mercedes are on board.

The reverse grid will never happen in F1 since in some tracks like Monaco is impossible to overtake even if a car is 5 sec slower for a lap.

[aesma]

It is difficult to overtake in Monaco but not impossible, after the tunnel for example.

The problem is that most cars aren't 5s apart but much closer than that.

Alonso isn't a risk junkie, at least you can't say that from this accident. Millions of people use bicycles everyday, it's becoming more popular in the West, encouraged for the environment and health, now companies might help pay for your bike, governments too ! What's a shame is stupid drivers not looking in their mirrors before turning !

[coinlocket$]

It is difficult to overtake in Monaco but not impossible, after the tunnel for example.

Yep, but imagine if Hamilton stats as the last one, if he does a miracle he can reach the 10th position in Monaco.

It is hard to pass fast cars in the tunnel and half of the f1 cars now have the same Mercedes engine...



I read an article this evening about a rumor on Domenicali.
As you may know, he is now the CEO (I think) of the circus and he seems not happy with the sprint races.

[dre1982]

I think the teams are broadly supportive now of trying it, yes. AFAIK the plan was to try it in maybe three races in 2021 (or at least there were three where they thought it might be an option). I think the sticking point when it was last raised as a possibility was Mercedes not liking the 'reverse grid' element of it... but now that's been removed and Mercedes are on board.

The reverse grid will never happen in F1 since in some tracks like Monaco is impossible to overtake even if a car is 5 sec slower for a lap.

If there every will be a reverse grid they have to skip some tracks or do even more dramatic changes like DRS on the whole track but even that wouldnt help to more overtakes in Monaco.

[swogerino]

It is difficult to overtake in Monaco but not impossible, after the tunnel for example.

Yep, but imagine if Hamilton stats as the last one, if he does a miracle he can reach the 10th position in Monaco.

It is hard to pass fast cars in the tunnel and half of the f1 cars now have the same Mercedes engine...



I read an article this evening about a rumor on Domenicali.
As you may know, he is now the CEO (I think) of the circus and he seems not happy with the sprint races.

We have seen in the past drivers of his calibre has made overtakes in Monaco.However almost if not all of them were against much weaker teams.We rarely and almost never have seen a good overtake for example from Mercedes against Redbull or Mclaren against Ferrari.I doubt this will change this season.

[dre1982]

Good news for Red Bull.

The keep using the Honda engines and are now forming a new operations called Red Bull Powertrains Limited.

https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article.breaking-red-bull-agree-deal-to-run-honda-engine-technology-until-2025.3wmTSMrtsv6miuwqApz8IT.html

[tokeweed]

I think the teams are broadly supportive now of trying it, yes. AFAIK the plan was to try it in maybe three races in 2021 (or at least there were three where they thought it might be an option). I think the sticking point when it was last raised as a possibility was Mercedes not liking the 'reverse grid' element of it... but now that's been removed and Mercedes are on board.

The reverse grid will never happen in F1 since in some tracks like Monaco is impossible to overtake even if a car is 5 sec slower for a lap.

Have there ever been a season in F1 that had the reverse grid?  Seems dumb tbh.  Lol.  And it could prolly make races more prone to accidents imo. 

What the FIA could do is allow refueling during pit stops.  That should make the cars lighter and faster in race and would give the teams another angle to strategize.

[dre1982]

I think the teams are broadly supportive now of trying it, yes. AFAIK the plan was to try it in maybe three races in 2021 (or at least there were three where they thought it might be an option). I think the sticking point when it was last raised as a possibility was Mercedes not liking the 'reverse grid' element of it... but now that's been removed and Mercedes are on board.

The reverse grid will never happen in F1 since in some tracks like Monaco is impossible to overtake even if a car is 5 sec slower for a lap.

Have there ever been a season in F1 that had the reverse grid?  Seems dumb tbh.  Lol.  And it could prolly make races more prone to accidents imo. 

What the FIA could do is allow refueling during pit stops.  That should make the cars lighter and faster in race and would give the teams another angle to strategize.

I don't expect they will introduce refueling anymore. They are trying to make is safer every year and refueling doesn't make is safer.

If they want to make strategies even more important, they must change the rule that every car needs to make at least 1 pitstop to 2 pitstops. This will make every race must more interesting to watch. Now they are saving their tyres the whole race.

[aesma]

Good news for Red Bull.

The keep using the Honda engines and are now forming a new operations called Red Bull Powertrains Limited.

https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article.breaking-red-bull-agree-deal-to-run-honda-engine-technology-until-2025.3wmTSMrtsv6miuwqApz8IT.html

I'm not so sure it's a good thing, how good will be their engines, as a company selling drinks in cans ?

[Cnut237]

I think the teams are broadly supportive now of trying it, yes. AFAIK the plan was to try it in maybe three races in 2021 (or at least there were three where they thought it might be an option). I think the sticking point when it was last raised as a possibility was Mercedes not liking the 'reverse grid' element of it... but now that's been removed and Mercedes are on board.

The reverse grid will never happen in F1 since in some tracks like Monaco is impossible to overtake even if a car is 5 sec slower for a lap.

If there every will be a reverse grid they have to skip some tracks or do even more dramatic changes like DRS on the whole track but even that wouldnt help to more overtakes in Monaco.

No, there is no longer any talk of reversed grid (my bold above). The main reason that Mercedes objected to the sprint races when they were raised last season was the reverse grid element... but now F1 are saying there will be no reverse grid, and this has meant that Mercedes have now dropped their opposition to sprint races. Just to be clear: reverse grid is not being considered.

[LTU_btc]

Mclaren presented MCL35M:

https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article.first-look-mclaren-unveil-mercedes-engined-mcl35m-to-be-piloted-by-ricciardo.3lI31KRSSgi8caOdeWbq35.html
Find 10 differences with their 2020 car . But why fix things which aren't broken?

I'm not so sure it's a good thing, how good will be their engines, as a company selling drinks in cans ?

Why not? Basically, they just bought franchise from Honda, they will not make engines themselves. Though, they won't be able to blame engine supplier if something will go wrong, as they did with Renault

Have there ever been a season in F1 that had the reverse grid?  Seems dumb tbh.  Lol.  And it could prolly make races more prone to accidents imo. 

What the FIA could do is allow refueling during pit stops.  That should make the cars lighter and faster in race and would give the teams another angle to strategize.

They never did such thing. They have reverse grid races in F2, where all cars are same, but in F1, I think it's bad idea.
I think there is no chance that they will return refueling. And I'm not sure that it would make races more interesting. It was long time ago, but as I remember, most teams had prety much similar strategy when to make refueling, and there was only few drivers in the race who went against the majority. Now probably it would be same, especially in 1 pit stop races.

[coinlocket$]

We have seen in the past drivers of his calibre has made overtakes in Monaco.However almost if not all of them were against much weaker teams.We rarely and almost never have seen a good overtake for example from Mercedes against Redbull or Mclaren against Ferrari.I doubt this will change this season.

Yes but realistically how many drivers you can pass in Monaco even if you are 3 sec faster?
Staring as last 1 I think you can reach position 16 before the 1st tyre change.

Now if you are in the back behind other cars you tyres will be destroyed by the hot temperature and you can be too long and you will need to pit soon.
After the 1st pit stop you can be like 12 th.

Now if you are doing a god race you can reach max the 6-8th position even if you are the fastest drive alive.

[aesma]

Mclaren presented MCL35M:

https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article.first-look-mclaren-unveil-mercedes-engined-mcl35m-to-be-piloted-by-ricciardo.3lI31KRSSgi8caOdeWbq35.html
Find 10 differences with their 2020 car . But why fix things which aren't broken?

I'm not so sure it's a good thing, how good will be their engines, as a company selling drinks in cans ?

Why not? Basically, they just bought franchise from Honda, they will not make engines themselves. Though, they won't be able to blame engine supplier if something will go wrong, as they did with Renault

Have there ever been a season in F1 that had the reverse grid?  Seems dumb tbh.  Lol.  And it could prolly make races more prone to accidents imo. 

What the FIA could do is allow refueling during pit stops.  That should make the cars lighter and faster in race and would give the teams another angle to strategize.

They never did such thing. They have reverse grid races in F2, where all cars are same, but in F1, I think it's bad idea.
I think there is no chance that they will return refueling. And I'm not sure that it would make races more interesting. It was long time ago, but as I remember, most teams had prety much similar strategy when to make refueling, and there was only few drivers in the race who went against the majority. Now probably it would be same, especially in 1 pit stop races.

In the past there were engine suppliers like that, they only were used by back of the pack teams...

[kayiboyu]

Mclaren presented MCL35M:

https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article.first-look-mclaren-unveil-mercedes-engined-mcl35m-to-be-piloted-by-ricciardo.3lI31KRSSgi8caOdeWbq35.html
Find 10 differences with their 2020 car . But why fix things which aren't broken?

I don't see much difference between the old car and this.    The changed thing is their power unit which they will start using Mercedes' again after a long time. I wonder whether it will make a big difference in the close competition. I can't wait to see Ricciardo's performance at McLaren too.    I hope he will have a better season than he had at Renault.

[Koal-84]

Good news for Red Bull.

The keep using the Honda engines and are now forming a new operations called Red Bull Powertrains Limited.

https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article.breaking-red-bull-agree-deal-to-run-honda-engine-technology-until-2025.3wmTSMrtsv6miuwqApz8IT.html

I'm not so sure it's a good thing, how good will be their engines, as a company selling drinks in cans ?

I'm curious even if I assume that Honda will continue to support the development. But keeping an entire power train with all components up to date becomes a difficult and above a expensive matter.