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

[aesma]

In the case of Alonso or MSC (father) yes they get big sponsorships, but that's because of their talent. Ferrari doesn't really need the money, they will never take a driver for the money he brings, they will take the driver that fits their needs best. Usually they want the best driver they can get, and a good second driver. Doesn't always work out that way.

Same for teams like Mercedes, RBR, Alpine, that have big, rich companies behind them.

[AndySt]

In the case of Alonso or MSC (father) yes they get big sponsorships, but that's because of their talent. Ferrari doesn't really need the money, they will never take a driver for the money he brings, they will take the driver that fits their needs best. Usually they want the best driver they can get, and a good second driver. Doesn't always work out that way.
Same for teams like Mercedes, RBR, Alpine, that have big, rich companies behind them.

It's just that in the big and rich teams it's not so obvious and they really look more at the talent of the driver, but I don't think that any big Formula 1 team will refuse additional sponsors that will come with or for the sake of the driver, and all other things being equal, this will be an extra plus for the driver. For example, Albon appeared in Red Bull thanks to Thai sponsors, and now a similar story happened with Tsunoda in Alpha Tauri. Also, let's not forget that the British Ineos came to Mercedes, including because of Hamilton.

[Cnut237]

Hamilton [...] not certain that he will continue to compete in F1 next season though. He has a 1 + 1 year contract.

He's a racer, though, and next season could be hard to resist. In the seasons when Mercedes has been far ahead, Hamilton has always said he wished other teams were at their level so he could have genuine racing against opponents every time. And he seems really excited this season to have Red Bull as the #1 team and Mercedes the underdog. Next season, with the regulation reset, is where it gets really interesting... if the rule changes for 2022 work as planned the whole field will bunch up, overtaking will be easier, and we'll see much closer racing. I think for Hamilton that will be hard to resist. The money side surely is less relevant... it's not like he needs it to support himself. So long as he is top earner, I'm not sure he'll be arguing over a few million here or there.

[coinlocket$]

IMOLA this week in F1. I hate this track anyway, refreshing the memories of 2020.

Code:

1 	Lewis Hamilton Mercedes 	63 	1h28'32"430 	2 	26
2 	Bottas Mercedes 	63 	+5"783 	1 	18
3 	Ricciardo Renault 	63 	+14"320 	5 	15
4 	Daniil Kvjat AlphaTauri-Honda 	63 	+15"141 	8 	12
5 	Charles Leclerc Ferrari 	63 	+19"111 	7 	10
6 	Sergio Pérez Racing Point-BWT Mercedes 	63 	+19"652 	11 	8
7 	Carlos Sainz Jr. McLaren-Renault 	63 	+20"230 	10 	6
8 	Lando Norris McLaren-Renault 	63 	+21"131 	9 	4
9 	Kimi Räikkönen Alfa Romeo Racing-Ferrari 	63 	+22"224 	18 	2
10 	Antonio Giovinazzi Alfa Romeo Racing-Ferrari 	63 	+26"398 	20 	1

Source: https://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gran_Premio_dell%27Emilia-Romagna_2020

While pole positions were



Source: https://sport.sky.it/formula-1/2020/10/31/f1-diretta-qualifiche-pole-gp-emilia-romagna-imola


TDLR in this track Merdeces was dominating in the practices now if Redbull manage to be close or beat Mercedes in a "Mercedes' favorite" tracks we will have the proof that this year MAX can win the title.

[coinlocket$]

The Gp of Imola changed the starting time.

It was supposed to start at 3 PM CEST local time but since we will have the funeral of the Prince of England at the same time, they chosen to change the start of the race.

The race will start 1 hour earlier at 14 CEST.

[AakZaki]

~snip~

The good news is, the official MotoGP Twitter account has announced that Marquez will return to racing.~snip~

Finally Marquez can appear, Honda fans will hope he can win in Portugal. The return of Marquez made Stefan Bradl's status back as a test racer and reserve for the HRC team. Regarding Marquez maybe he will continue to appear aggressive as before, for the podium. But maybe it will be difficult, even though he has practiced he needs to adjust again. I think the doctor also gave warnings to stay safe and take care of yourself patiently. The next series has a different character, there is an up and down track on the bends and takes a lot of pressure on hands.

[Luzin]

After my country participated in this event I was a little interested in Moto2. This team is called Pertamina Mandalika SAG Team, There are two names that defend the team from my country, namely:
1. Thomas Luthi from Switzerland
2. Bo Bendsneyder from the Netherlands

Here's a list of Moto2 riders for 2021

Source: http://www.idezia.com/2020/10/Moto2.2021.Teams.and.riders.html

[coinlocket$]

Ferrari will bring some small new things this week in Imola and they already said they will keep bringing upgrades to the car till this summer.
(maybe even for the full eyer if they will be in the position to fight for the title but we all know it seems impossible)

One of the most interesting things comes from Shell, they found a new way to use their oil and they will test it this week does it will be a big boost?  

Article in Italian here: https://www.formulapassion.it/motorsport/formula-1/f1-team/ferrari-sviluppo-sf21-avanti-fino-all-estate-fondo-nuovo-carico-aerodinamico-power-unit-aggiornamenti-imola-motore-ali-mantello-fondo-diffusore-olio-shell-559947.html

[Koal-84]

@coinlocket$

why you hate the track of Imola, i love it! A Oldschool track with gravel beds and a driving error will be punished immediately.

My guess was wrong, I championed Ducati, but it turned out that Yamaha was number 1 today and Quartararo won

Yamaha managed somehow to be more gentle on the tires.
When they were at 5 laps at the end they improved their time while Ducati could not keep their lap time.

They won by managing better the tires.

Jorge MARTIN is doing very good, 1st year with Ducati and already close to the driver with more expirience.

This is the same at Formula 1, the most teams have tire problems and can't push more laps.

Kimi Räikkönen say the same it's hard to drive with this Alfa in the points, the car are more competive than the last year but the car isn't so good with the tires to push more.

https://www.speedweek.com/formel1/news/174004/Kimi-Raeikkoenen-(Alfa-Romeo)-Auch-das-reicht-nicht.html

[coinlocket$]

@coinlocket$

why you hate the track of Imola, i love it! A Oldschool track with gravel beds and a driving error will be punished immediately.

I don't hate it but I like it the least from the new "old tracks" we got last year.
It's hard to overtake that is.

It will be better from 2022 probably with the new cars but for now, with these cars they can overtake only in 1 spot.

[tokeweed]

So I heard Verstappen and Leclerc crashed at FP2.  And that drivers seem to have an issue with turn 5 and 6...  And isn’t this the track where Ayrton Senna died?  It’s gonna be an interesting race knowing that.

Edit:  FP2 Time Sheet.

1 Valtteri Bottas Mercedes 1:15.551 M
2 Lewis Hamilton Mercedes 0.010s S
3 Pierre Gasly AlphaTauri 0.078s S
4 Carlos Sainz Ferrari 0.283s S
5 Charles Leclerc Ferrari 0.820s S
6 Sergio Perez Red Bull 0.860s S
7 Yuki Tsunoda AlphaTauri 0.868s S
8 Lando Norris McLaren 0.934s S
9 Antonio Giovinazzi Alfa Romeo Racing 2.040s S
10 Lance Stroll Aston Martin 1.186s S
11 Esteban Ocon Alpine 1.266s S
12 Nicholas Latifi Williams 1.272s S
13 Fernando Alonso Alpine 1.284s S
14 Max Verstappen Red Bull 1.448s M
15 Sebastian Vettel Aston Martin 1.541s S
16 George Russell Williams 1.628s S
17 Kimi Raikkonen Alfa Romeo Racing 1.722s S
18 Daniel Ricciardo McLaren 1.730s M
19 Mick Schumacher Haas 1.799s S
20 Nikita Mazepin Haas 2.306s S

[Juggy777]

So I heard Verstappen and Leclerc crashed at P2.  And that drivers seem to have an issue with turn 5 and 6...  And isn’t this the track where Ayrton Senna died?  It’s gonna be an interesting race knowing that.

@tokeweed where did you read or see this because when I googled ‘Verstappen and Leclerc crashed at P2’, I could not find any news about their recent crash. Also it’s worth mentioning that as per google links their last crash was in dec 2020, leaving the link below in case someone has made a rumour based on this, and you’ll could verify the truth behind this new rumour.

Source:

https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article.watch-huge-drama-as-verstappen-and-leclerc-crash-out-of-the-sakhir-gp-on-lap.28tGSsHX6EXxKNNeLPrxAA.html

[dre1982]

Leclerc had a crash at FP2 which caused a red flag and Verstappen didn't crash. Verstappen just had some technical difficulties.

[tokeweed]

So I heard Verstappen and Leclerc crashed at P2.  And that drivers seem to have an issue with turn 5 and 6...  And isn’t this the track where Ayrton Senna died?  It’s gonna be an interesting race knowing that.

@tokeweed where did you read or see this because when I googled ‘Verstappen and Leclerc crashed at P2’, I could not find any news about their recent crash. Also it’s worth mentioning that as per google links their last crash was in dec 2020, leaving the link below in case someone has made a rumour based on this, and you’ll could verify the truth behind this new rumour.

Source:

https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article.watch-huge-drama-as-verstappen-and-leclerc-crash-out-of-the-sakhir-gp-on-lap.28tGSsHX6EXxKNNeLPrxAA.html

^  I didn’t mean they crashed at each other.  Lol.  But here’s the latest:  https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article.fp2-bottas-quickest-as-verstappen-stops-on-track-and-late-leclerc-shunt.7JLxEvWK6xhcHWUNsu0l1A.html

Verstappen early retirement and Leclerc crashed at the final corner.  Mazepin crashed at FP1 too.  So it looks like that HAAS isn’t just hard to drive, the track makes it even harder to drive.  

Edit:  Gasly and Tsunoda could be the drivers to watch.  They could outpace the Ferraris and the McLarens.

[dre1982]

So I heard Verstappen and Leclerc crashed at P2.  And that drivers seem to have an issue with turn 5 and 6...  And isn’t this the track where Ayrton Senna died?  It’s gonna be an interesting race knowing that.

@tokeweed where did you read or see this because when I googled ‘Verstappen and Leclerc crashed at P2’, I could not find any news about their recent crash. Also it’s worth mentioning that as per google links their last crash was in dec 2020, leaving the link below in case someone has made a rumour based on this, and you’ll could verify the truth behind this new rumour.

Source:

https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article.watch-huge-drama-as-verstappen-and-leclerc-crash-out-of-the-sakhir-gp-on-lap.28tGSsHX6EXxKNNeLPrxAA.html

^  I didn’t mean they crashed at each other.  Lol.  But here’s the latest:  https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article.fp2-bottas-quickest-as-verstappen-stops-on-track-and-late-leclerc-shunt.7JLxEvWK6xhcHWUNsu0l1A.html

Verstappen early retirement and Leclerc crashed at the final corner.  Mazepin crashed at FP1 too.  So it looks like that HAAS isn’t just hard to drive, the track makes it even harder to drive.  

Gunter Steiner said Mazapin have to decrease the number of spins as soon as possible. Of course he is driver a new car but the number of spins is getting out of control.

https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/steiner-spinning-mazepin-trying-too-hard/6292508/

[Luzin]

It seems that there is no need for adaptation for Marquez. FP2 session he shot to position 6. Following are the results of the FP2 in Portugal

MOTOGP PORTUGAL - FREE PRACTICE (2) RESULTS

POS   RIDER   NAT   TEAM
1   Francesco Bagnaia   ITA   Ducati Team (GP21)
2   Fabio Quartararo   FRA   Monster Yamaha (YZR-M1)
3   Joan Mir   SPA   Suzuki Ecstar (GSX-RR)
4   Alex Rins   SPA   Suzuki Ecstar (GSX-RR)
5   Jack Miller   AUS   Ducati Team (GP21)
6   Marc Marquez   SPA   Repsol Honda (RC213V)
7   Maverick Viñales   SPA   Monster Yamaha (YZR-M1)
8   Johann Zarco   FRA   Pramac Ducati (GP21)
9   Miguel Oliveira   POR   Red Bull KTM (RC16)
10   Takaaki Nakagami   JPN   LCR Honda (RC213V)
11   Alex Marquez   SPA   LCR Honda (RC213V)
12   Pol Espargaro   SPA   Repsol Honda (RC213V)
13   Luca Marini   ITA   VR46 Avintia Ducati (GP19)
14   Aleix Espargaro   ITA   Aprilia Gresini (RS-GP)
15   Valentino Rossi   ITA   Petronas Yamaha (YZR-M1)
16   Lorenzo Savadori   ITA   Aprilia Gresini (RS-GP)
17   Brad Binder   RSA   Red Bull KTM (RC16)
18   Danilo Petrucci   ITA   KTM Tech3 (RC16)
19   Franco Morbidelli   ITA   Petronas Yamaha (YZR-M1)
20   Enea Bastianini   ITA   Avintia Ducati (GP19)
21   Iker Lecuona   SPA   KTM Tech3 (RC16)
22   Jorge Martin   SPA   Pramac Ducati (GP21)

Source: https://www.crash.net/motogp/results/975284/1/portimao-motogp-portugal-free-practice-2-results

[coinlocket$]

So I heard Verstappen and Leclerc crashed at FP2.  And that drivers seem to have an issue with turn 5 and 6...  And isn’t this the track where Ayrton Senna died?  It’s gonna be an interesting race knowing that.

It is the same track but they changed that turn over years.
About Ferrari.

Leclerc got the fastest time too but it has been deleted for passing the limits by centimeters.
Leclerc also got the fastest rhythm for the race  .

He also found the limit smashing in the wall.

Could be an interesting weekend for the red ones.

[swogerino]

So I heard Verstappen and Leclerc crashed at FP2.  And that drivers seem to have an issue with turn 5 and 6...  And isn’t this the track where Ayrton Senna died?  It’s gonna be an interesting race knowing that.

It is the same track but they changed that turn over years.
About Ferrari.

Leclerc got the fastest time too but it has been deleted for passing the limits by centimeters.
Leclerc also got the fastest rhythm for the race  .

He also found the limit smashing in the wall.

Could be an interesting weekend for the red ones.

Yes that turn is changed after the death of the legend of F1 Ayrton Senna.Regarding the crashes both drivers said they were pushing quite a bit and when you push more than the track limits usually it does not end well.

One thing is sure based on the practice sessions so far and that is tomorrow is going to be a very beautiful race to watch.

[coinlocket$]

Source: https://sport.sky.it/formula-1/2021/04/17/f1-diretta-qualifiche-pole-gp-imola-emilia-romagna-2021

Verstappen and Redbulls seem on another planet.

A lot of laps have been deleted for track limits it will be an interesting and alarming Qualifying session for sure.

[boltz]

I just placed a bet with Sergio Perez to be in top 3 after the end of qualify because Lando Norris simply had massive luck to be in 2nd after the last practice session and Bottas simply doesn't have the same joy and passion to drive in F1 so that 7th spot is a reality for him. Why did I pick Perez ? Simply because this man is working harder than anyone to adjust to the car and it seems he also likes the car.