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

[jostorres]

I do not get all the people who wanted people to still race, even with this much rain. I understand that people like to watch races and that's fine but having this much rain with so little visibility is a %100 guaranteed way that someone will crash, just like how Lando did and he was all alone in that one, we are talking about a proper race where people will try to pass each other and that is going to cause a lot of trouble for the racers.

When you have very little visibility that means in the end we should not be wanting them to race, we should want them to be safe and healthy, which can't happen during this period, so they should definitely try to postpone it to some other time. Maybe tomorrow, maybe on any open week, I do not know when but I believe it should not be today and all the people who act like this is normal and they should race must realize that it is their lives they are risking, not easy.

[Koal-84]

The only good thing today, Verstappen was able to reduce his gap to Hamilton, everything else a joke, 2 laps behind the safety car? They were only good so they could give out points and not have to give the fans their race day ticket money back, there was a race.

If you can't race because of security, then they should just cancel it or hold it on Monday?

[Jackl87]

This was the "most beautiful" race to watch.I waited like an idiot for 3 or more hours and they came just now to the conclusion that the race will not resume.What a shame for FIA for not racing in the most beautiful circuit of all the calendar,while the conditions were not the best surely they were race conditions.I guess I am not watching the upcoming races at all,as who knows they may suspend them all for just some rain happening.

That definitely was weird to watch today and also not not really a highlight of the FIA and it's communication and handling of the situation today. I understand that they tried as much as possible to make the race happen today because there is a huge effort in terms of costs and logistics involved to not race today but maybe in the next few days. I also think that the race would have started today if lando norris would have not crashed yesterday, because of that everyone was looking at the FIA today. Just imagine the race would have started during the heavy rain and then a crash happens that would have lead to an injury or worse. The 2 lap race behind the safety car just to let the race count was a total joke though.

[Cnut237]

The only good thing today, Verstappen was able to reduce his gap to Hamilton, everything else a joke, 2 laps behind the safety car? They were only good so they could give out points and not have to give the fans their race day ticket money back, there was a race.

If you can't race because of security, then they should just cancel it or hold it on Monday?

I actually think awarding points in the way they did was a joke, too. If you can't hold the race, and you can't postpone it or reschedule it, then just give half points based on qualifying order, and forget about sending the cars out. The idea of having a "race" which is a two lap procession behind the safety car, then everyone back into the pits again, is absolutely ridiculous. By all means give Max first place, Russell second, Hamilton third etc, because that's where they qualified and that's what they deserve... but don't send them out for two laps and call it a race! I think the sport made itself a laughing stock today.

[LTU_btc]

This ''race'' didn't left good impression. Waiting more than 3 hours just to see few laps behind safety car- was it really neccessary? If forecast showed rain all time, did they really had to wait so long to make decision?
After restart of race (I don't know how I should call it, so I say restart) for me it looked like there is significantly less water on track and it would be possible to race, but FIA knows better probably.
Looser of race -Perez. Crash when race didn't even started and you're just goingto start is something...
I only feel sorry for spectators in track who spent big money for tickets and spent whole day in cold, rain and mud and didn't saw race after all.

[coinlocket$]

This was the "most beautiful" race to watch.I waited like an idiot for 3 or more hours and they came just now to the conclusion that the race will not resume.What a shame for FIA for not racing in the most beautiful circuit of all the calendar,while the conditions were not the best surely they were race conditions.I guess I am not watching the upcoming races at all,as who knows they may suspend them all for just some rain happening.

Sometimes it happens in motorsport and I like these things, I seem to remember a grand Prix in Korea about 10 years ago in which something similar happened.
However, the decision to make only two laps behind the safety car I find it wrong, if they wanted to give the points to the drivers in my opinion they would have made a better impression by having at least ten laps giving the impression of "we tried but it was no possible".

[DireWolfM14]

~

There is no rival for Quartararo to win.
~

He's definitely running away with the points; 65 points ahead of the field, and what a dominant performance today. 

Tragic finish DNF for Marquez, and a disappointing finish for Rossi.  Rossi had been up to 6th spot, and a podium looked possible for a few seconds there. 

Marques looked like he lost traction with the front, but was it due to Jorge Martin nudging him?  When I watched it again it looked like Martin was pretty close, and Marques didn't look like he was leaning that hard.  The announcers said went wide, but it looked to me that was the line he was riding.  They were just so close to each other.  I'm glad no one was hurt, but it was funny to see Marques hold onto the bike.  It looked like he wanted to buck back on.

[blue Snow]

There is no rival for Quartararo to win. He drove himself ahead. Marquez fell, he tried to overtake Martin but they bumped and slipped together. Unfortunately Rossi had to finish in 18th position, the podium seemed impossible at the end of his retirement.

Interesting race, Marquez is very ambitious to get a podium but crashes on 1st lap. I don't know what Martin feeling, that was very brutal, he did twice!.

I don't surprise, Quartararo has deserved at the beginning, he fast from 4st lap and step by step to 1st lap, he fast in turning and can't be prevented until the finish.

And, a new history was created by the Aprilia team, this is the first time Aprilia got the podium on MotoGP. But, almost lost on the last lap when Mir passing him. Fortunately, Espargaro was able to go through it again until the finish. congrats!.

[Cnut237]

After restart of race (I don't know how I should call it, so I say restart) for me it looked like there is significantly less water on track and it would be possible to race, but FIA knows better probably.

I think it was okay for the lead car, and not too bad for the others trailing behind in the spray... but they were driving cautiously and at low speeds behind the safety car. A race at full speed is completely different, particularly the idea of getting close enough to overtake someone. I think they made the right call in abandoning the race. However the two lap procession to award points was stupid.

I only feel sorry for spectators in track who spent big money for tickets and spent whole day in cold, rain and mud and didn't saw race after all.

I think a lot of that two lap farce was to ensure they fulfilled contractual obligations by technically holding a race, with points awarded and a podium finish. Clearly absurd. I really hope the spectators get their money back, and aren't shortchanged on a technicality.

[Koal-84]

There is no rival for Quartararo to win. He drove himself ahead. Marquez fell, he tried to overtake Martin but they bumped and slipped together. Unfortunately Rossi had to finish in 18th position, the podium seemed impossible at the end of his retirement.

Interesting race, Marquez is very ambitious to get a podium but crashes on 1st lap. I don't know what Martin feeling, that was very brutal, he did twice!.

I don't surprise, Quartararo has deserved at the beginning, he fast from 4st lap and step by step to 1st lap, he fast in turning and can't be prevented until the finish.

And, a new history was created by the Aprilia team, this is the first time Aprilia got the podium on MotoGP. But, almost lost on the last lap when Mir passing him. Fortunately, Espargaro was able to go through it again until the finish. congrats!.

Quartararo has done very cleanly and has also learned from last year I think, if he does not have the speed he goes on the safe side and gets the points and no longer necessarily fights for the victory in a world championship is consistency (like Mir last year) and not to win the races at all costs, yesterday he was clearly faster and has used the momentum and extended the world championship lead. It will be hard to beat him, but there are still a few races where a lot can happen.

Marquez is currently not on the height (and I'm not sure if he will again, the 9th title moves into the distant future) and has been after Spielberg again at fault, maybe he should get a penalty once when you clear the other drivers.

Rossi had yesterday unfortunately a very bad tire management and has the medium rear tire really burned.

The posium place for Aprilia and Aleix was long overdue and deserved. Congratulations.

[Bitinity]

Marques looked like he lost traction with the front, but was it due to Jorge Martin nudging him?  When I watched it again it looked like Martin was pretty close, and Marques didn't look like he was leaning that hard.  The announcers said went wide, but it looked to me that was the line he was riding.  They were just so close to each other.  I'm glad no one was hurt, but it was funny to see Marques hold onto the bike.  It looked like he wanted to buck back on.

It is typical Marquez because he is the most aggressive rider in MotoGP, sometime mistake happens and it is a common thing to have such accident in the race. Good thing is Marquez admits that it was completely his fault and he apologized to Martin and Pramac Ducati for the accident. Glad that they both got no significant injuries as well as not affecting other riders.

[acquafredda]

Just a quick comment on the Spa Grand Prix from me who I considered myself a Formula 1 lover, until yesterday (I think I'll do something else during the races now).
The actual winner of the Grand Prix? The rain, which should be given the credit for having unmasked for the umpteenth time one of the most corrupt and reprehensible sports federations in the entire world.
Why awarding the victory after two laps with the safety car?
Dear F1, I will switch to go-karts.

[tokeweed]

This was the "most beautiful" race to watch.I waited like an idiot for 3 or more hours and they came just now to the conclusion that the race will not resume.What a shame for FIA for not racing in the most beautiful circuit of all the calendar,while the conditions were not the best surely they were race conditions.I guess I am not watching the upcoming races at all,as who knows they may suspend them all for just some rain happening.

I feel for those people we were actually there at the track waiting under the rain for the race to start.  I’m pretty sure many of them traveled all the way across Europe to there...  Some with their families.  Sucks cos it would’ve been near to see a possible Russell podium, a real one, in that kind of race condition.

[sana54210]

This was the "most beautiful" race to watch.I waited like an idiot for 3 or more hours and they came just now to the conclusion that the race will not resume.What a shame for FIA for not racing in the most beautiful circuit of all the calendar,while the conditions were not the best surely they were race conditions.I guess I am not watching the upcoming races at all,as who knows they may suspend them all for just some rain happening.

Sometimes it happens in motorsport and I like these things, I seem to remember a grand Prix in Korea about 10 years ago in which something similar happened.
However, the decision to make only two laps behind the safety car I find it wrong, if they wanted to give the points to the drivers in my opinion they would have made a better impression by having at least ten laps giving the impression of "we tried but it was no possible".

Honestly there is nothing wrong with cancelling the race, if the track is not good enough to race then you do not race, there is no point on risking lives of all the racers, even at small pace we have seen people lose control and we have seen what happened to Lando during qualifiers as well, hence there was definitely no need to race and cancelling would have been 100% fine.

Just refund people, then postpone it to another weekend, find a way to do it and I understand even logistics of it is insanely difficult to handle, this is not like some 20+ people going to another nation with a few balls and having a football game there, it is all those cars and people and parts, basically you carry a whole garage to each nation and that's hard, I can understand that, BUT this was not the way neither. Was this a race? How is this a race? How could they let this be counted as a legit race?

[finist4x]

Just a quick comment on the Spa Grand Prix from me who I considered myself a Formula 1 lover, until yesterday (I think I'll do something else during the races now).
The actual winner of the Grand Prix? The rain, which should be given the credit for having unmasked for the umpteenth time one of the most corrupt and reprehensible sports federations in the entire world.
Why awarding the victory after two laps with the safety car?
Dear F1, I will switch to go-karts.

Spa Grand Prix Director Vanessa Maes has reached out to fans and said she will be discussing ticket reimbursement options with the FOM in the coming days.

Vanessa Maes: “We at Spa GP regret what happened during the Belgian Grand Prix, for which my team was preparing for a whole year, overcoming all the difficulties. Unfortunately, we cannot influence the weather.

[Koal-84]

This was the "most beautiful" race to watch.I waited like an idiot for 3 or more hours and they came just now to the conclusion that the race will not resume.What a shame for FIA for not racing in the most beautiful circuit of all the calendar,while the conditions were not the best surely they were race conditions.I guess I am not watching the upcoming races at all,as who knows they may suspend them all for just some rain happening.

Sometimes it happens in motorsport and I like these things, I seem to remember a grand Prix in Korea about 10 years ago in which something similar happened.
However, the decision to make only two laps behind the safety car I find it wrong, if they wanted to give the points to the drivers in my opinion they would have made a better impression by having at least ten laps giving the impression of "we tried but it was no possible".

Honestly there is nothing wrong with cancelling the race, if the track is not good enough to race then you do not race, there is no point on risking lives of all the racers, even at small pace we have seen people lose control and we have seen what happened to Lando during qualifiers as well, hence there was definitely no need to race and cancelling would have been 100% fine.

Just refund people, then postpone it to another weekend, find a way to do it and I understand even logistics of it is insanely difficult to handle, this is not like some 20+ people going to another nation with a few balls and having a football game there, it is all those cars and people and parts, basically you carry a whole garage to each nation and that's hard, I can understand that, BUT this was not the way neither. Was this a race? How is this a race? How could they let this be counted as a legit race?

The next race is only a jump away in the Netherlands, that would have been to trade in any case but whether it is not more about the money? TV money and tickets, on Monday the race will just follow only a few but would definitely have been the better solution. And it is only about 4 hours to the next GP.

[DIA7]

So in the drivers transfers.
It's all going to depend on the Finnish Kimi Raikonen announcing his retirement for the 2nd time in F1 at Monza.
This going to trigger domino effect where we are going to see Bottas fill in for Raikonen seet at AlphaRomeo and Russel will get the 2nd Mercedes seat next to Hamilton.
And there will be an open spot in Williams.
We know that RedBull are looking for a seat for their young driver Albon but since both teams RedBull and Alphatauri will not see drivers changed for next year they could try to offer him for Williams or Williams could go for Mercedes Formula E champion Nyck de Vries or 34yo German F1 driver Nico Hulkenburg who is currently the reserve driver for Aston Martin.

[acquafredda]

Just a quick comment on the Spa Grand Prix from me who I considered myself a Formula 1 lover, until yesterday (I think I'll do something else during the races now).
The actual winner of the Grand Prix? The rain, which should be given the credit for having unmasked for the umpteenth time one of the most corrupt and reprehensible sports federations in the entire world.
Why awarding the victory after two laps with the safety car?
Dear F1, I will switch to go-karts.

Spa Grand Prix Director Vanessa Maes has reached out to fans and said she will be discussing ticket reimbursement options with the FOM in the coming days.

Vanessa Maes: “We at Spa GP regret what happened during the Belgian Grand Prix, for which my team was preparing for a whole year, overcoming all the difficulties. Unfortunately, we cannot influence the weather.

I mean good for them but I do not care and I am not going to change my mind. What we have all witnessed on that day is outrageous and F1 must be prepared for those kind of issues as there can always be some unexpected thing down the road. They could have cancelled the ending celebration, donated the cups to charities etc.
That is not the way you deal with it and no refund can change that.

[Cnut237]

The actual winner of the Grand Prix? The rain, which should be given the credit for having unmasked for the umpteenth time one of the most corrupt and reprehensible sports federations in the entire world.
Why awarding the victory after two laps with the safety car?
Dear F1, I will switch to go-karts.

This is a good point. The rain actually completed the full race distance; no-one else came close to matching that.

If they'd awarded 25 points to the rain and 18 points to the safety car for a valiant second place (it was leading Verstappen every lap), then the result would have been only slightly more ridiculous than what actually happened.

[justdimin]

^You know what is the worst part of all this? Usually whoever wants to defend the situation they are defending it by saying "we couldn't keep the racers on the track, they would have crashed and get hurt!!!" to defend the decision. We all know that it wasn't a problem if they cancelled it, let them cancel the whole thing and be done with it, I am not against that, cancel the whole spa and not even do it, just take them out of the schedule and not do it whole year, have the year one track shorter because of it, everything is fine and we would all welcome it.

However, having 4 hours of waiting plus 2 laps behind safety car is not the solution, that is precisely what we are saying and defending by saying "we protected the drivers" is not the answer, nobody said go out and race, everyone actually said the complete opposite, if you are going to race like this, then don't race at all!