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

[Distraction]

As it was already been announced by Wolff a couple of weeks ago, Alonso isn't interested in the second drive in Mercedes.  And it's looking like Antonelli isn't getting the second drive either as the team wants him to take his time and stay at F2 for a couple more years.  And there was Sainz, who looked like a done deal to get the second seat but then it looks like he's flaking out.  The reason is he doesn't want to be just another Bottas that they could give a one or two year contract then his future would be in limbo.

And with all that, I think I know who would be willing to take the second drive and who wouldn't care if he's given just two years at Mercedes since he's already retired...  I'm guessing Vettel will be back! 

Yeah, Alonso doesn't want the seat at Mercedes. I would be happy to see Antonelli there considering how talented the young driver is.    Mercedes is already going to have a wonderful main driver like Russell. When Antonelli also improves his driving skills, Mercedes' future could be really interesting to see.

When it comes to Sainz, there are still speculations about some teams but nothing certain yet. They said Audi first but now it is Alpine. I don't know how good Audi will enter Formula 1 but they have already determined their first driver: Hulkenberg.

I still don't feel like Vettel will be back but wouldn't say no to see him again. 

[coinlocket$]

Jeremy Clarkson drops something about Adrian Newey’s.
As you may know the tv start was a school mate of Newey and he still is his friend.

In a recent Interview he said the following.

"he is not searching a Home in Maranello but he searching it in Oxfordshire"


SO TLDR

Accord Jeremy who is a friend of Adrian Newey, Newey will go to Aston Martin and not to Ferrari.

[Republikcoin.com]

It seems that no one can break Toprak's dominance in WSBK with his BMW motorbike because yesterday at Race2 Doningtonpark England, Toprak was able to leave his opponent behind by up to 7.5 seconds. And this reflects that he still has more ability to compete in races on any circuit for the next few seasons as long as his motorbike suits him well enough. It seems that Toprak will be WSBK world champion with easier conditions this season which will make BMW feel quite happy because it has been a long time since BMW has won WSBK.

[Velvet78]

We are in another race week now, the next stop is Hungary.    What do you say about this GP? Do you expect Verstappen's two-race winning streak on this track to come to an end?

I think it is quite possible honestly. Like I said before, Red Bull has started to struggle way more than ever before. McLaren and Mercedes are attacking with all they have got. Norris is so unlucky recently by the way. He had potential more wins these days but wasted all the opportunities. I hope he can do some extra work in Hungary to get another win. I think Russell will also be extra ambitious after that disappointing race ending the last time.

[tokeweed]

As it was already been announced by Wolff a couple of weeks ago, Alonso isn't interested in the second drive in Mercedes.  And it's looking like Antonelli isn't getting the second drive either as the team wants him to take his time and stay at F2 for a couple more years.  And there was Sainz, who looked like a done deal to get the second seat but then it looks like he's flaking out.  The reason is he doesn't want to be just another Bottas that they could give a one or two year contract then his future would be in limbo.

And with all that, I think I know who would be willing to take the second drive and who wouldn't care if he's given just two years at Mercedes since he's already retired...  I'm guessing Vettel will be back! 

Even though the FIA ​​has changed the minimum age limit regulations to enter F1, it is quite unfortunate that Antonelli's team did not allow him to enter F1, perhaps because he is still not mature enough to enter there and if forced, his fate might be like the second Logan. And for other candidates like Max and Sainz, maybe they didn't choose Mercedes as their team, because as we already know, they already have their own chosen team. For Vettel himself, even though he has expressed his interest in entering F1, Mercedes may not be considering it. It may still be a mystery who will fill Mercedes' second seat next season.

I think it's not about his age...  It seems like the team doesn't think he's ready for F1.  Not sure if this is true but I heard that Antonelli isn't doing good at F2 lately.  But haven't confirmed it tho.  Too lazy.  Lol.  But if you guys could that would be great. 

Anyway here's the next schedule for the next race this weekend.

2024 F1 Hungarian GP Schedule
Track:  Hungaroring



Jul 19:  Practice 1  13:30 - 14:30
Jul 19:  Practice 2  17:00 - 18:00
Jul 20:  Practice 3  12:30 - 13:30
Jul 20:  Qualifying  16:00 - 17:00
Jul 21:  Race  15:00

[retreat]

We are in another race week now, the next stop is Hungary.    What do you say about this GP? Do you expect Verstappen's two-race winning streak on this track to come to an end?

I think it is quite possible honestly. Like I said before, Red Bull has started to struggle way more than ever before. McLaren and Mercedes are attacking with all they have got. Norris is so unlucky recently by the way. He had potential more wins these days but wasted all the opportunities. I hope he can do some extra work in Hungary to get another win. I think Russell will also be extra ambitious after that disappointing race ending the last time.

If we look at how RB has prepared to bring upgrades to the Hungarian race, it is very likely that Max will be able to win this race again, and they are quite optimistic about this - especially since Max is quite familiar with this track, it is a good opportunity for him to be able to win the race later. Even though there will be threats from Mercedes and McLaren, which have shown very good performance in recent races, this will not be a serious enough threat for Max and RB.
As for Ferrari itself, I don't expect too much from them, it's not that I don't hope that they can achieve good performance, but so far they don't seem serious about bringing good upgrades and how Charles has had a series of bad luck, it makes me pessimistic about they.

[Distraction]

I think it's not about his age...  It seems like the team doesn't think he's ready for F1.  Not sure if this is true but I heard that Antonelli isn't doing good at F2 lately.  But haven't confirmed it tho.  Too lazy.  Lol.  But if you guys could that would be great. 

You are right about Kimi Antonelli. His recent statistics are really horrible.    0 points in last 3 feature races and only 11 points in total on those weekends. He had better improve his statistics to increase his chance for an early participation into Formula 1.



https://www.fiaformula2.com/Standings/Driver

Another race week is here which feels really good.    We have watched many rivalries between Verstappen and Hamilton on Hungaroring. Who knows maybe another one is waiting for us while Mercedes is also this good.

I hope we see some reaction from Ferrari. They are too bad lately. I hope to see Leclerc fighting for podium at least. He doesn't deserve this kind of bad results.

[coinlocket$]

It is now official.
Team Haas will have Ferrari's engines until 2028 and maybe more.
Oliver Bearman, Ferrari' accademy driver will also be one of their driver.
It is a big thing, I remember to you that in 2026 we will have new generation of enigines.


In the past day we got some rumors for a potential deal between Haas and Toyota but at this point it dosent matters.

[Koal-84]

The Grand Prix of Kazakhstan is now the third race of the season to be postponed or cancelled, after Argentina and India.

Instead of the race in Kazakhstan, a second race will be held in Misano.

At the moment there really are some problems with the organisers of the rings, and for my own sake I hope that Brno will return to the race calendar next year or the year after.

[tokeweed]

I think it's not about his age...  It seems like the team doesn't think he's ready for F1.  Not sure if this is true but I heard that Antonelli isn't doing good at F2 lately.  But haven't confirmed it tho.  Too lazy.  Lol.  But if you guys could that would be great.  

You are right about Kimi Antonelli. His recent statistics are really horrible.    0 points in last 3 feature races and only 11 points in total on those weekends. He had better improve his statistics to increase his chance for an early participation into Formula 1.



https://www.fiaformula2.com/Standings/Driver

Another race week is here which feels really good.    We have watched many rivalries between Verstappen and Hamilton on Hungaroring. Who knows maybe another one is waiting for us while Mercedes is also this good.

I hope we see some reaction from Ferrari. They are too bad lately. I hope to see Leclerc fighting for podium at least. He doesn't deserve this kind of bad results.

Yeah no matter how they hype Antonelli, he isn't the next Verstappen imho.  Verstappen is a rare talent that only comes once in a decade or two.

And not really sure what upgrades Mercedes did at Silverstone but I think Hamilton's win was a fluke.  It's gonna be Red Bull vs McLaren again at Hungary, two of the best cars on the grid.  McLaren is slightly better imho but they seem to botch races.

Here's something fun to watch...

2006 F1 Hungarian GP Highlights
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fZi-_B-nkIE

[coinlocket$]

Mercedes is talking defensibly for this GP.

They are saying that this track is completely different in the layout from Sivlverstone so they are not sure if they will fight for the victory.
A big variable will be the climate, it will be a lot warmer this week so they are not sure that their car will be fast in such condition.

pre-tactic or true statement? that's the question.

[Republikcoin.com]

The Grand Prix of Kazakhstan is now the third race of the season to be postponed or cancelled, after Argentina and India.

Instead of the race in Kazakhstan, a second race will be held in Misano.

At the moment there really are some problems with the organisers of the rings, and for my own sake I hope that Brno will return to the race calendar next year or the year after.

Once again, the Kazakhstan Grand Prix had to be replaced with another one, but this change was also quite good because the circuit that would be used was the circuit in Misano even though the name of the Grand Prix itself was slightly modified to Emilia Romagna. However, this could also be a very good option because after the Misano race, the racers will also use the same circuit again the following week, thereby saving the team crew from having to bother moving all their needs to another circuit.

[coinlocket$]

So at the moment we have several drivers without a contract for the next year.
The list is

Sanz, Ocon, Sageant, Riccardo, Bottas, Guanyu and Magnussen.

From these we can probably assume to see easly again in 2025, Sainz, Ocon and Bottas. The others are in a high risk to don't have a seat for the next season.

Btw race in 4 days.

[tokeweed]

Mercedes is talking defensibly for this GP.

They are saying that this track is completely different in the layout from Sivlverstone so they are not sure if they will fight for the victory.
A big variable will be the climate, it will be a lot warmer this week so they are not sure that their car will be fast in such condition.

pre-tactic or true statement? that's the question.

Yeah...  It'd be wise to manage everybody's expectations as no way they've suddenly found the magic formula to compete for first place every race.  Still the best car could possibly be McLaren then Red Bull.  But it could be argued both ways tho.  McLaren's fault in a couple of races were mostly strategy, not technical. 

Anyway, McLaren could win one race in the next 5 races so let's be on the look out in the prices in the betting market.    And there's the possibility of a Merc dark house. 

[Volgastallion]

About f2 drivers. I always think is most a question of money and lights than real talent in someways, i see a lot of super talented drivers strugling in the division because they dont have money or because they are in a minor team, when some shit drivers were fighting for the championship because they were at top teams like Prema.

About Antonelli and other drivers, i dont follow that hype, why i ahve to be hyped around a guy who cant beat in his own league?

[Distraction]

Here is current qualifying odds for Hungaroring:



https://trustdice.win/sports/formula-1/formula-1/formula-1-2024/1945646

Verstappen isn't that high favourite for the qualifying anymore, right?    Norris is not that far from him for the pole position according to bookies. Mercedes drivers follow these 2 right behind which is no surprise.

Qualifying is a completely different thing than the race. Red Bull started to struggle much more during qualifying compared to the teams on the rise. I'm not betting on Verstappen pole anymore truthfully.    It is more thrilling to try my luck with Norris or some other in-form driver.

[swogerino]

Here is current qualifying odds for Hungaroring:



https://trustdice.win/sports/formula-1/formula-1/formula-1-2024/1945646

Verstappen isn't that high favourite for the qualifying anymore, right?    Norris is not that far from him for the pole position according to bookies. Mercedes drivers follow these 2 right behind which is no surprise.

Qualifying is a completely different thing than the race. Red Bull started to struggle much more during qualifying compared to the teams on the rise. I'm not betting on Verstappen pole anymore truthfully.    It is more thrilling to try my luck with Norris or some other in-form driver.

McLaren has shown in many tracks to have been a faster car than Redbull in different context but not all of them and since the better car has been in slow corners the McLaren in such cases is advantaged because of the low speed track that is Hungaroring and can surely win here the pole position that is why the odds are such in the site you have provided.

I know it is going to be a beautiful race this Sunday as despite not permitting many overtakes this track sure gives enough opportunity if you are a skilled driver and Norris has to prove that,it is in tracks like that where the driver truly makes a difference,of course with a capable car at his disposal.

[Velvet78]

If we look at how RB has prepared to bring upgrades to the Hungarian race, it is very likely that Max will be able to win this race again, and they are quite optimistic about this - especially since Max is quite familiar with this track, it is a good opportunity for him to be able to win the race later. Even though there will be threats from Mercedes and McLaren, which have shown very good performance in recent races, this will not be a serious enough threat for Max and RB.
As for Ferrari itself, I don't expect too much from them, it's not that I don't hope that they can achieve good performance, but so far they don't seem serious about bringing good upgrades and how Charles has had a series of bad luck, it makes me pessimistic about they.

I have read about the new upgrades Red Bull brought for the Hungarian GP. Then this means we are likely to watch a much stronger Verstappen but probably it won't be the same for Perez.  

Verstappen is getting more ambitious after the competition started to get really heated this season. He would like to push it to the limit at the weekend together with this big upgrade.

Lastly another thing is, Verstappen has already changed his 4th power unit during the 10th race weekend. This means he has no penalty-free change left. When he has no choice other than going for the 5th one, he is going to get a 10-place grid penalty.

https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/verstappen-set-for-f1-engine-grid-penalty-as-honda-inspection-nears-conclusion/10627269/

[coinlocket$]

Next week will also be very important for Ferrari. They will use a new bottom of the car necessary to fix the recent problems.

Ferrari has started to get worse in recent times because with the updates they have made in the hope of having a more competitive car they have also brought the old problem of purposing.

If the new bottom of the car fixes this new but old problem, Ferrari will immediately be competitive again, even for the victory.

Very improbable but it could happen, especially because up until now Ferrari has always done well in the heat, and this weekend it will be a very hot one.

[FanEagle]

So at the moment we have several drivers without a contract for the next year.
The list is

Sanz, Ocon, Sageant, Riccardo, Bottas, Guanyu and Magnussen.

From these we can probably assume to see easly again in 2025, Sainz, Ocon and Bottas. The others are in a high risk to don't have a seat for the next season.

Btw race in 4 days.

I believe that Bottas may still find a contract if he agrees on a smaller amount, if he asks for a lot then it would be an issue. Daniel Ricciardo had that issue, he asked for 10 million when his contract with Mclaren ended, and he didn't get any offers, he had to accept third place at Red Bull for a while, which wasn't 10 million as we all know.

In the end, if Bottas accepts a smaller deal, he will find a job. Sainz has proven to everyone that he is great, so he should be able to find a job, plus when Audi gets here, Sainz will be driving anyway, so just a small one season run with any team would do, bare minimum salary is fine.

Seargeant and Guanyu are the ones I am not sure about, because those two never showed any talent at all, nothing that could beat their teammates and they have been just fine, at lower level cars you do not compare them to what they do against bigger better cars, you compare them to other teammates. Like Logan lost to Albon at all times, never once beat him, so I assume that Williams will be looking for someone who will be better than Albon, and that will not be easy but they can probably find someone there. It is going to take a while, but could happen after this year.