sunsalem

I've been thinking of starting an F1 Chat Thread for quite awhile, so here goes...

Anything and everything about or related to F1 is within bounds.
I'll be posting links to F1 sites about specific topics for further depth of information regarding our conversations or to start more chat (feel free to do so as well).

FWIW, I have been an F1 Fanatic for 20 years and love to discuss it.

At the end of each year, I will start a fresh thread.

BTW, I'm open to any and all suggestions on where YOU want this thread go.

OK, first up...this morning's F1 news.

Ocon will be at FI next season:
http://www.planetf1.com/news/ocon-wi...ndia-for-2018/

Aston Martin considering getting involved in F1:
http://www.planetf1.com/news/aston-m...o-key-factors/

Lewis thinks Max was in Vettel's blind spot:
http://www.planetf1.com/news/hamilto...els-blindspot/

Singapore strategy analysis:
https://www.jamesallenonf1.com/2017/...-reward-in-f1/

F1 experimenting with new broadcast technologies:
https://www.jamesallenonf1.com/2017/...etails-in-360/

Michael coming to the U.S. for treatment?:
http://gptoday.com/full_story/view/6...pe_in_America/

RB isn't happy with the regs:
http://gptoday.com/full_story/view/6...e_regulations/

Horner thinks F1 engine and aero tech doesn't crossover to the street:
http://gptoday.com/full_story/view/6...oad_relevance/

BaconWrappedSushi

Woo! First.

I love chatting F1. Subbing. Just got my 4 Haas Experience tickets for COTA this year. I had GA bought months ago and upgraded when they rolled out the Haas event.

Aston would be great for F1. A premier automaker that has a great racing history should be in F1, and Aston is it. Partnering with RB over FI was smart. Ocon's new deal is a no brainer. Dude is a legit F1 driver. If FI can just implement team orders and move on they would have way more points to their name...

Any new camera tech is awesome. I am dreaming of a day where I can pay for the F1 feed commercial free from NBCSN. BTW, where was Leigh Diffey? Loved hearing Bob Varsha again, but no mention of Leigh. I'm not his biggest fan, but if he has an illness I hope he recovers soon.

sunsalem

I went to COTA during the last year of the V8s.
Vettel won that one.
Fantastic experience.
The facilities are 1st class in every way.
EVERY F1 fan should must go at least once.

With the new engine formula coming in 3 years, I expect there will be quite a few new suppliers (such as Porsche, etc.).

Perez could be on the move...perhaps to Williams?

I don't mind the commercials...I just DVR the race and skip 'em.

I think Diffey had an Indy commitment last weekend.

Nowanker

Nothing against Leigh Diffey, but I'd prefer Bob Varsha back.
I like Steve Matchett, but replace David Hobbs with someone current, and hope maybe they wouldn't trade banalities all race long.
But hey, the coverage and commentary are light years ahead of where they were on broadcast. Even with the asinine shots of some clown tapping his foot...
Look forward to the thread and info.
Thanks sunsalem for hosting!
Still miss Zoxxo....

sunsalem

I felt that the same way.
There was something about Varsha's smooth baritone delivery that made the broadcasts feel like a comfortable old bathrobe.

BUT Diffey has grown on me...
IMO, he does a pretty good job these days.

Hobbs is the comic relief guy.

I'm not really "hosting," I'm just the thread starter.
Everyone has an equal voice and an equal share of where the thread goes.
Don't know what happened to him.

ShahulX

We have been having an ongoing F1 chat for quite some time... but awesome to find more people!!

https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...hread-163.html

sunsalem

WHOA!
I was completely unaware of this!
Thanx for bringing this to my attention ShahulX.

I guess this thread really isn't needed afterall.
There is no reason for two F1 threads.

Everyone please note the above link.

I'll move over there to join the conversation.
I encourage everyone else to do so too.

VetteDrmr

Sunsalem,

I gotta be honest: that thread reads like some kind of college intramural soccer game. The threads we've had over here get into a lot more, shall I venture "mature", subject matter?

We disagree, debate, acknowledge better arguments, etc. Didn't really see that over in OT.

If everyone goes over there I'll follow, but I like your original plan better.

Have a good one,
Mike

ShahulX

^ normally it isnt that bad.. just a couple people latley, normally we talk F1, but remember its been there forever...

BrianCunningham

threads here tend to stay more focused

sunsalem

I went over to the thread and started reading pages from about a week ago and see the kind of thing you're talking about.
Seems to be just a few young guys talking teenage smack to each other.
I admit it isn't fun to wade thru that stuff.

Anyway, it's up to you guys...I'm game either way.
Although I would like to have others join our chat, I will stay here and try to keep this thread active as long as it is worth the effort.

VetteDrmr

I'm here! It'd be great if we could get the mods to make it a sticky, that way it doesn't get lost between races. Although I'll dig it out if that's what we need to do.

Also, isn't Hammy the BEST???? Bet he'd give Fangio a run for his money!

Have a good one,
Mike

sunsalem

This is interesting...not sure if I have ever seen this done before: RB loaning Sainz to Renault, instead of cutting him loose.
I think it's pretty smart on RB's part.
http://gptoday.com/full_story/view/6...ll_in_2019_F1/

ShahulX

I can make the switch lol... I spend most of my time in this section and looking for parts anyways

VetteDrmr

Interesting. Almost like last year in NASCAR. 2 years ago Clint Boyer signed on with Stewart Haas Racing to drive starting in '17. So for '16 he was in a 1 year contract with a different team.

Although if RB decides to keep Riccardio and Verstappen, I fear Sainz may have no home to come back to, the way the article reads.

Have a good one,
Mike

sunsalem

I think RB wants to have Sainz available in case they have no say in the matter where DR or Max goes...sort of like an insurance policy.

The last line in the article says this: “Red Bull can only exercise this option by the end of 2018. Otherwise, Sainz will lose his link with the energy drink company for the future."
I take it to mean RB has to sign him to run in the RB team for 2019 or he is free to go anywhere.

I'm not sure but isn't the contracts for DR and Max scheduled to run out at the end of next season?
We know Kimi and Bottas only have a 1 year contract next year.
Potentially, there would be 2 empty seats for 2019 at the top 2 teams.
I'm sure both MB and Ferrari would love to have either of the RB drivers....

mattastick

I think Merc is finding out this year that the driver pairs need to be more of a personality match than anything else. Rosberg + Hami was a nightmare to manage. Bottas + Hami seems much easier to manage, but it could also be that Bottas isn't as fast as Rosberg was (this seems to be the case, but even still Hami is playing nicer with him).

The way I read that article, is if RB doesn't pull Sainz from Renault by the end of '18, he's free to do whatever he wants. Which also means they don't have to save a car for him if they find a better option. As you said, this seems to insure that if needed, they have a fast #2 driver (or mid-pack team's #1).

As a Hulk fan, I'm really excited to see where Renault can get to with those 2 guys in the cars. Palmer has been terrible. I saw a rumor that Sainz was going to replace Palmer as early as Singapore, but it makes sense why STR wouldn't give him up to go get points for a team that could then steal their price money.

sunsalem

I believe, while very good, Bottas doesn't quite have Nico's pace.
Because of that, LH doesn't feel as threatened from his teammate (unlike last year), and that makes for a more pleasant Ham.
We know how nasty he can be...

How I read it too.

Same here.
There is plenty of reasons to believe Renault will have a faster car next year.
They are my pick for #4 (behind MB, Ferrari, RB), or possibly McLaren will sneak in?

BrianCunningham

FIA tightens rules on F1 jump starts for 2018

https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/f...r-2018-956352/

sunsalem

Exhaust "megaphone" for the fans?
http://gptoday.com/full_story/view/6...st_microphone/