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

[Luzin]

Hopefully it doesn't change for the 2022 MotoGP calendar. I'll have to wait almost four months for next season. The next calendar schedule in Series 2 is in my country, I hope this is not just as a backup. Here's the schedule for next season:

1. 06-03 Losail International Circuit
2. 20-03 Mandalika International Street Circuit
3. 03-04 Termas de Río Hondo
4. 10-04 Circuit Of The Americas
5. 24-04 Autódromo Internacional do Algarve
6. 01-05 Circuito de Jerez - Angel Nieto
7. 15-05 Le Mans
8. 29-05 Autodromo Internazionale del Mugello
9. 05-06 Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya
10. 19-06 Sachsenring
11. 26-06 TT Circuit Assen
12. 10-07 KymiRing
13. 07-08 Silverstone Circuit
14. 21-08 Red Bull Ring - Spielberg
15. 04-09 Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli
16. 18-09 MotorLand Aragón
17. 25-09 Twin Ring Motegi
18. 02-10 Chang International Circuit
19. 16-10 Phillip Island
20. 23-10 Sepang International Circuit
21. 06-11 Circuit Ricardo Tormo
Source: https://www.motogp.com/

[perfect999]

Just a week or two ago I was believing that there was a chance that Max could win the drivers title whereas Mercedes could win the constructors title which is a rare thing to have a driver win different from the team win at the end of the season. Usually whoever the drivers champion is, their team is also the constructors winner as well. However, now after just few weeks later I start to see that maybe Hamilton could win while Red Bull wins, which is once again a different situation and a rare thing to see. But by the looks of it unless Bottas does something unexpected then there is a good chance it could be Hamilton/Mercedes again, they have the upper hand now.

[Cnut237]

unless Bottas does something unexpected then there is a good chance it could be Hamilton/Mercedes again, they have the upper hand now.

I would say Hamilton's chance of winning the drivers title can be influenced a lot by Bottas in the next race. It's expected that Mercedes will dominate in Saudi Arabia. If Bottas can somehow finish second behind Hamilton, it would put Hamilton ahead going into the final race. Whereas if Max finishes second, Hamilton is still behind.

This could prove crucial in the event of an "accidental" collision in the final race.

[tokeweed]

^  Never mind the final race.  Just take a look at the first turn of the next race.  Steep!   If Verstappen gets P2 and Hamilton gets P1, we’re in for a treat.  One of them should get a quick start to get the racing line at the right side of the track before turning left.  If they go wheel to wheel, oooh baby!  It’s gonna be like a game of chicken.  



...  Hamilton now at 1.51 to win the race, Verstappen at 3.05.  We have to take Verstappen here at this line.  What do you guys think?  Just wasting money?

[dezoel]

Everyone talks about how Mercedes became better and yes in Mexico they were better with fresh engines and they literally flew around everyone and got the first place, and even with 10 seconds as well so they were really really good. However this last race wasn't that weird if you ask me, even though Hamilton started at the front and got a good leeway, it was clear that Max had to overtake few more people and still got within 6 seconds of him or so.

These cars are not really "that" different so it was very hard to close 6 second gap and that's normal, if Max was ahead that much and the cars were near equals then I would have expected Max to keep that as well. The weird one is the new engine which they didn't bring here, I get that it is a new engine but I do not remember any time when a new engine turned a car from "best car" to suddenly "GOD MODE" level, that dude ran past everyone like he was racing 100 km faster.

[tokeweed]

^  A tenth of a second advantage every lap and accumulated for the whole race is a huge advantage.  Now...  I have no idea how exactly fast that Hamilton’s Mercedes is vs Red Bull but I think it’s fair to say that Hamilton has the better car as of late.  And if Red Bull doesn’t react and make tweaks of their own, Hamilton will def win the driver’s championship.

And the books prolly don’t think Horner and Newey can do anything anymore, hence laying 3.05 for Verstappen.

[Cnut237]

^  Never mind the final race.  Just take a look at the first turn of the next race.  Steep!    If Verstappen gets P2 and Hamilton gets P1, we’re in for a treat.  One of them should get a quick start to get the racing line at the right side of the track before turning left.  If they go wheel to wheel, oooh baby!  It’s gonna be like a game of chicken.  

I actually don't think they'll go wheel-to-wheel, Hamilton will back out.

The reason I think this is a crash where they both DNF would be disastrous for Hamilton... he'd be 8 points behind with one race left, and Max would then just need to finish second in the final race to win the championship.
We know this is a track that should favour Mercedes, and Hamilton has his super-speed Brazil engine back. I would imagine if they get close, he'll let Max take the position, confident in the knowledge that he can overtake later in a safer, less crowded spot. We're too late in the season now for them to take chances. As for Max, I don't know... a crash and a double DNF would benefit him, but not if he's seen as the instigator and gets a points deduction.

[fullhdpixel]

^  Never mind the final race.  Just take a look at the first turn of the next race.  Steep!   If Verstappen gets P2 and Hamilton gets P1, we’re in for a treat.  One of them should get a quick start to get the racing line at the right side of the track before turning left.  If they go wheel to wheel, oooh baby!  It’s gonna be like a game of chicken.  



...  Hamilton now at 1.51 to win the race, Verstappen at 3.05.  We have to take Verstappen here at this line.  What do you guys think?  Just wasting money?

I would say it definitely looks to be a bit more possible for Verstappen to be closer to 2.5 line instead of 3+ but it does look like Mercedes have the upper hand for now. They have 2 tracks that they are famous for with great straights which Mercedes is known for and they will be better than everyone else.

On top of that we have Lewis with a new engine that was used only for one race and they are going to get that back for the last 2 races. They will probably work it until it explodes or barely finishes this race, then they are going to see the situation and either they are ahead enough that they do not care about next race if Max crashes or something, or they are going to actually work the engine and pray to god that it doesn't explode on the last race. Which tells me unless there is a crash or something then we are not going to see Lewis losing, hence why the odds are so odds are favoring him.

[Koal-84]

With one week to go until the penultimate race, RedBull and Marko are pinning their hopes on Verstappen's strength on street circuits this year. And Mercedes have never won 3 times in a row this year. I'm curious to see if Verstappen can win in Saudi Arabia or if Hamilton will be superior again like in the last two races?

[Cnut237]

it does look like Mercedes have the upper hand for now. They have 2 tracks that they are famous for with great straights which Mercedes is known for and they will be better than everyone else.

On top of that we have Lewis with a new engine that was used only for one race and they are going to get that back for the last 2 races. They will probably work it until it explodes or barely finishes this race, then they are going to see the situation and either they are ahead enough that they do not care about next race if Max crashes or something, or they are going to actually work the engine and pray to god that it doesn't explode on the last race. Which tells me unless there is a crash or something then we are not going to see Lewis losing, hence why the odds are so odds are favoring him.

Yes, barring anything unpredictable, it's a Hamilton win. Even if Max beats him off the line, Hamilton should have the raw pace to overtake him whenever it is safest/most convenient.

But the thing is, F1 certainly has unpredictable events quite frequently, crashes, grid penalties, bad pit stops, punctures, a safety car at the wrong moment... I think it is more the chance of something unpredictable happening that narrows the odds between the two drivers, because on the face of it (without accounting for anything unpredictable) Hamilton should be a massive favourite, much more than the odds suggest.

[Velvet78]

It is down to only two races for the end of the season. I'm just looking forward to watching these two races in Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates. And it is wonderful to have these two races in two weeks consecutively. I wish that this marathon started this weekend but I'll learn to be patient.    The current point gap between the leader Verstappen and the second Hamilton is only 8. There is even a probability for these two drivers entering the last race by the same points. Even though I really want to see a new champion, I hope that Verstappen doesn't guarantee his title in the Saudi Arabia GP and we can enjoy the last race with a big rate of excitement. 

[coinlocket$]

I saw a video game on the next F1 track, I think it was the official Formula 1 game, and man the track seems horrible.

Very fast track but it is not large and overtaking from what I saw it will almost impossible if the DRS will not so powerful.


He reminds me a faster Montercarlo.

[Koal-84]

I saw a video game on the next F1 track, I think it was the official Formula 1 game, and man the track seems horrible.

Very fast track but it is not large and overtaking from what I saw it will almost impossible if the DRS will not so powerful.

He reminds me a faster Montercarlo.

Thanks for the assessment, it's very difficult to say in advance (there are many variables and the setup is also difficult on a new track) but that would basically speak for Verstappen if the new engine and DRS of Mercedes is not so decisive there. We'll know more in a week's time, but it's still a long time. The new track is ready in the meantime?

[Juggy777]

It is down to only two races for the end of the season. I'm just looking forward to watching these two races in Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates. And it is wonderful to have these two races in two weeks consecutively. I wish that this marathon started this weekend but I'll learn to be patient.    The current point gap between the leader Verstappen and the second Hamilton is only 8. There is even a probability for these two drivers entering the last race by the same points. Even though I really want to see a new champion, I hope that Verstappen doesn't guarantee his title in the Saudi Arabia GP and we can enjoy the last race with a big rate of excitement. 

@Velvet78 indeed it’s exciting days for F1 fans, and especially for Verstappen fans who’re eagerly waiting for him to win the title and finally dethrone Hamilton. Lastly I’m too wishing for Verstappen victory and it’s best if he gets to win it asap, because in the final race Hamilton’s experience might come into play and once again we see him crowned, so I’m not keen for it to be stretched till the final race now.

[Cnut237]

The current point gap between the leader Verstappen and the second Hamilton is only 8. There is even a probability for these two drivers entering the last race by the same points.

It seems unlikely. If Hamilton wins with Verstappen second, I'd imagine Red Bull would do everything they could to ensure Perez takes the fastest lap point from Hamilton. They wouldn't even mind if Bottas took it, anyone, so long as Max had that crucial 1 point advantage going into the final race, to make him champion should it end in a double DNF.

in the final race Hamilton’s experience might come into play

With most other drivers, I'd agree, but I think Max has handled the pressure and the novelty of the situation extremely well. I might question the legality and motivation for some of his driving at times, but it's undeniable that in his first title challenge he has behaved as if there is no pressure at all, where other drivers might have buckled (as Vettel did when Ferrari last had a competitive car).



I'm hoping it goes to the final race, and doesn't end in an "accidental" double DNF.

[Koal-84]

It is down to only two races for the end of the season. I'm just looking forward to watching these two races in Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates. And it is wonderful to have these two races in two weeks consecutively. I wish that this marathon started this weekend but I'll learn to be patient.    The current point gap between the leader Verstappen and the second Hamilton is only 8. There is even a probability for these two drivers entering the last race by the same points. Even though I really want to see a new champion, I hope that Verstappen doesn't guarantee his title in the Saudi Arabia GP and we can enjoy the last race with a big rate of excitement. 

@Velvet78 indeed it’s exciting days for F1 fans, and especially for Verstappen fans who’re eagerly waiting for him to win the title and finally dethrone Hamilton. Lastly I’m too wishing for Verstappen victory and it’s best if he gets to win it asap, because in the final race Hamilton’s experience might come into play and once again we see him crowned, so I’m not keen for it to be stretched till the final race now.

According to this article, RedBull and Marko are more confident again.

https://amp.sport1.de/article/5931206

I don't know about the "bendy" rear wing accusation, but the powerful engine doesn't seem to make that much difference without the rear wing. And Verstappen should benefit from the street circuit.

[coinlocket$]

Thanks for the assessment, it's very difficult to say in advance (there are many variables and the setup is also difficult on a new track) but that would basically speak for Verstappen if the new engine and DRS of Mercedes is not so decisive there. We'll know more in a week's time, but it's still a long time. The new track is ready in the meantime?

Feel free to puke...

you can see the track here, an easy bet.

IT WILL BE BORING

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iYeehKlekao


and if it will have the same layout it has on the videogame it will be very dangerous in the pit box entrance

[tokeweed]

I saw a video game on the next F1 track, I think it was the official Formula 1 game, and man the track seems horrible.

Very fast track but it is not large and overtaking from what I saw it will almost impossible if the DRS will not so powerful.


He reminds me a faster Montercarlo.

I guess it would all then depend on the start and who gets the racing line before that steep left in turn 1.  Will it be the guy first on the grid or the second guy?  I would assume it’s a Hamilton and Verstappen first and second again.

And with how both drivers have been going at it against each other this season, and what’s at stake, I wouldn’t discount a collision with those two in that turn, in the very first lap.  It’s gonna be a fun one.

[judas]

There is exactly one week left for the next race in Saudi Arabia. And I assume that everyone is looking forward to watching this race. It is still possible mathematically for Verstappen to guarantee his championship for the first time. There are some conditions for this to happen and they are like this:



https://twitter.com/F1/status/1462863955211259914

This is not impossible of course. But for any of these conditions to happen, Hamilton will have to experience a big problem in the race. Otherwise, he has been flying for like two weeks. He also seems very determined about winning his 8th title and capturing the championship record only by himself. He is equal to Michael Schumacher now. I think that Hamilton will win this race and Verstappen will be the second. And we are going to watch an incredible rivalry in the last race in Abu Dhabi for the championship. 

[coinlocket$]

We also have 2 possibilities to get Max and Lewis tie before the last GP and one it is not so hard.

If Hamilton will win and does the fastest lap with Max second

and the second one is very improbable almost impossible and I forgot it.



It will be epic if they both have the same amount of points before the last race.