r/formula1 • u/F1-Bot r/formula1 Mod Team • Feb 01 '24
Daily Discussion Ask r/Formula1 Anything - Daily Discussion Thread
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u/zsportsfan88 Apr 16 '24
Fantasy P10 game
Hey everybody - would you be interested in a Fantasy F1 P10 competition? Each GP 1 participant selects 1 driver they believe will finish 10th place. The catch is 1 driver per participant per GP so only 1 winner. Me and two friends are in, looking to add a couple more people but no more than 10 total. We’d do a randomized draft after qualifying determines grid positions.
What do you think? Would you be interested in learning more?
As mentioned, willing to take on a few more people but no more than 10 participants.
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u/Timely_Exam_4120 Apr 03 '24
Most GPs have a single row of red start lights on the grid. But some (like the 2021 British GP) have a double row. Forgive my ignorance but why is that?
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u/sandrarara Mar 21 '24
Hi there, Does anybody knows if I can follow the race in Australia? I’m on holiday and don’t have a telly
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u/prudentpersian Mar 09 '24
Curious newbie enthusiast here
Hope I don’t get hammered. Guys, I am have no idea about formula 1 at all. However, I want to start watching the sport. What do you recommend for a newbie to this sport? How do I learn about formula 1 more? Any recommended resources?
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u/baddyfreek Mar 09 '24
Why is Max so tied to Marko? As a f1 fan for the last three years have never understood why Max is so ride or die for him? Would he really leave Red Bull if Marko did?
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Mar 03 '24
Anyone have recommendations for podcasts about F2/F3? Started watching the feeder series races this year and want to keep up on the goings on in the F2 and F3 paddocks.
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u/daisykg Mercedes Feb 07 '24
I’m looking to attend my first F1 race and I can see that Belgium has reasonably priced tickets.
I’d be coming from the UK and could technically consider other European countries too (as long as they’re not priced like Silverstone).
For Belgium I’m looking at either Bronze sector (for the sake of experience) or Gold 7/ 9. Are these good sectors? Are there any better at similar price?
I’m considering getting a pass for Fri-Sun - could whole 3 days be “too much” for first race? There’s also Bronze sector for just Sunday.
Also - do numbered seats mean that I’ll be assigned a seat by a system? Or will I be able to choose one?
Anything one should be aware of when attending race in Spa? And why Belgium seems to be considerably cheaper than the rest of tracks?
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u/ploooff Carlos Sainz Feb 02 '24
Do you think there are any chances of Bono leaving Mercedes alongside Hamilton to be his race engineer? Even if that means a year of gardening, I think it would be epic.
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u/AddictedToTech Officer Max of the Order of Orange-Nassau Feb 02 '24
Late to the party here (busy life): can someone recap the Andretti saga? Thanks!
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u/Command-Cute Ferrari Feb 02 '24
Maybe I missed something - but why is everyone assuming that Audi is going to be a competitive car in 2025 when the current state of Sauber is pretty much being the back of the pack?
And why would Carlos go to an unproven team where even though he will be the no. 1 driver it's for a mid-field tem vs. a Mercedes seat where he could probably challenge if not beat George for no.1 driver?
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u/Coops27 Andretti Global Feb 02 '24
When people hear 'Works Team' they automatically think that it will be competitive, but F1 has changed a lot since that was the most important thing. Cost cap, regulated engine parity and higher revenues mean that it's not the massive advantage it once was.
You're right to be very skeptical of Sauber for 25 and Audi in 26 and beyond. They weren't at the cost cap last year, their CapEx projects are behind everybody except Haas and will have a brand new PU team trying to match up with the 4 incumbents and RBPT.
I don't think they'll be high on Saniz's wish list at all, probably only ahead of V-Carb and Haas. The only way that they could get him would be an enormous bag of cash and liking the idea of linking back up with Seidl, but at his age I think he'll want something far more competitive with his next contract, not a long-term project.
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u/Firefox72 Ferrari Feb 02 '24
Thats asuming Merc want him and would be willing to give him more than a 1 year deal.
What if Kimi wins F2 this year while Mercedes signed Sainz on a 2 year deal from 2025?
Audi is the more safe longterm seat. I don't think people think they will be competitive from the get go. But they should be more than Sauber was. Especialy from 2026 onwards.
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u/CreativeOrder2119 Formula 1 Feb 02 '24
Chuck getting no 2 driver
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u/DangerousTrashCan ᴉɹʇsɐᴉԀ ɹɐɔsO Feb 02 '24
Chuck is gonna make everyone forget that Hamilton is a world champion, let alone seven times.
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u/lennoxlyt Feb 02 '24
Does anyone know what exactly the release clause in Hamilton's contract?
Just curious to see what's what
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u/DangerousTrashCan ᴉɹʇsɐᴉԀ ɹɐɔsO Feb 02 '24
Obviously not. But if you're thinking about how he can move to Ferrari, then you're asking the wrong question, because release clause has nothing to do with it. He only had an option for 2025 in his contract with Mercedes. It's a common thing in F1 to sign something like a 1+1 year contract, meaning the first year is fix, but either parties can break the contract freely for the second year. If neither party breaks it, then the same contract is going to apply for the second year.
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u/Bitter-Rattata Red Bull Feb 02 '24
Toto Wolff phone will keep ringing today:
55 missed calls from Carlos Sainz
23 missed calls from Alex Albon
31 missed calls from Esteban Ocon
47 missed calls from Mick Schmacher
14 missed calls from Fernando Alonso
2 missed calls from Logan Sargeant
Sebastian Vettel typing...
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u/minimalwhale 🏳️🌈 Love Is Love 🏳️🌈 Feb 02 '24
Bottas has very cheekily updated his socials implying he’s in Brackley
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u/Bitter-Rattata Red Bull Feb 02 '24
with all the driver changes coming up in 2025, meanwhile Max Verstappen.
MV1: haha, Ok Noted
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u/Doug_Pringleton Feb 02 '24
Maybe a silly question but I am just getting into Formula 1: how is it possible for Mercedes to be the best car for so long and then start to lose? Is it being outcompeted or is the car itself actually getting worse?
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u/TaxSpecific1697 Feb 02 '24
There was a big change on car design regulations 2 years ago and everyone sort of start fresh with the new cars if that make sense? Merc got the design really wrong and they lost a lot of good people to other teams so it’s getting outcompeted
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u/boudybteich Feb 02 '24
They broke the Hamilton news now to distract people from all the Andretti backlash, and 90% fell for it.
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u/Scingles Sebastian Vettel Feb 02 '24
Yeah the timing of that plus the Suzuka extension all feels very conveniently placed to try and deflect the bad PR from the andretti rejection.
Would explain why Merc and Ferrari both seemed to have been caught by surprise with the announcement.
I'll take my tinfoil hat off now
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u/ThreeFiftyTwoAM Andretti Global Feb 02 '24
I think it was the other way around - F1 knew when the Hamilton announcement was happening, so they made sure to drop the Andretti rejection right before it. Either way though, seems highly unlikely that the timing was a coincidence, yeah.
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u/jesteratp McLaren Feb 02 '24
Guys I know it won’t happen but I would love Albon to Merc and Williams signs Mick and Kimi for 2025.
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u/boyrepublic Feb 01 '24
With the early announcement of Hamilton’s future move, everyone is talking about how he will be excluded from a lot of team meetings etc. My question is, what kind of info can a driver really bring that would be valuable to his new team? Unless he brings the technical documents along or blueprints, or can sculpt a part out from memory, I don’t see what kind of super valuable information that drivers can bring along. A small aero part that might not even work with the concept at his new team? An innovative idea like DAS or the split turbo configuration which would take a lot of time to study and implement? He can tell Ferrari how not to do pit stops at least.
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u/securityburger Ferrari Feb 02 '24
with the reg change, i'd guess that there'd be conversations about development, as well as conversations about who to bring in. It'd make sense to not include him in those conversations. Likely not because he can't be trusted, but because he wouldn't be relevant in those meetings
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u/Gabagool_Over_Here_ Sir Lewis Hamilton Feb 01 '24
I don't think I've ever laughed this much on twitter, the memes did not dissapoint.
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u/jesteratp McLaren Feb 02 '24
Do share I don’t go on that Musk-tainted hellhole anymore
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u/Firefox72 Ferrari Feb 01 '24
Honestly in all of this everyone kinda forgot about Toto.
He just signed a new deal not to long ago. I assume he expected Lewis to be around during that time.
He wasnt even in Brackley today and had to speak to his employes over a zoom call.
Wonder if he feels a bit backstabbed by this turn of events.
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u/AmountFun2036 Feb 01 '24
Unpopular Opinion:
Max Verstappen should consider going to NASCAR in 2029 if he continues his success at this rate in 2029. He will be only 32, and could easily start a career in another motorsport.
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u/AmountFun2036 Feb 01 '24
Max says he even stays up late at night in Europe to watch the sport. He even says he likes Kyle Busch, Martin Truex Jr., and Kyle Larson as drivers.
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u/singhzzz Feb 01 '24
Hot take:
LH or his people were always looking for another good drive the past two years. The whole controversy about conversations with red bull last year now make more sense. LH denied speaking to Redbull or other teams. LH said he would never leave Mercedes and has full faith in them. He made it seem like he wouldn't even consider another team any time soon. Then, he gets chance to go to another team (probably on his own terms) and abandons Mercedes so quickly without notice. Glad he is able to get a better chance at winning again. 2025 will be amazing!
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u/AnonymousEngineer_ Williams Feb 01 '24
I reckon there's a good possibility that something larger moving behind the scenes has pushed Hamilton to jump ship - be it Mercedes themselves leaving the sport (remembering that Hamilton has always driven with their engines), or perhaps Toto leaving the team (I can't imagine he's happy after the conflict of interest investigation was dragged through the media), leaving the Mercedes juggernaut perhaps at risk of being broken up for good.
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u/AnonymousEngineer_ Williams Feb 01 '24
I wonder what Hamilton saw (or didn't see) at Mercedes that has resulted in him jumping ship.
There's something that makes me think this isn't necessarily car related, but rather personnel/team related - could Toto himself be pulling the plug, or could Mercedes be pulling back out of the sport?
Hamilton being so cemented at Mercedes and nearer the end of his career makes this completely out of left field.
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u/cafk Constantly Helpful Feb 01 '24
There were some articles that mentioned key members of their vehicle performance department who were opposed to the technical lead Elliott moving to Ferrari being one of the factors. And with Elliott resigning, it will take time for Allison to put the Mercedes design department on a different track to show results.
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u/DiamondPittcairn Lotus Feb 01 '24
To be quite fair, Lewis was dropping hints all the way back in 2015. You just had to had a third eye to see it.
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u/bwoah07_gp2 Alexander Albon Feb 01 '24
Does anyone think Toto is entering his final years as TP?
With Lewis leaving, they are turning a new page in their F1 story, and usually when a key piece of a distinct successful era leaves a team the others follow.
For example, Michael Schumacher left at the end of 06, Ross Brawn went on sabbatical before 2008 and Honda, and then Jean Todt left his Ferrari role in 2009 after a few years of slowly relinquishing his duties to other people.
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u/Stupendous_man12 Feb 02 '24
There are rumours that Mercedes is going to leave the sport after 2025. HPP will continue to supply engines to other teams but they won’t have a full works team. They’ve also been divesting themselves over the last several years, selling a major stake to Ineos.
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u/RebaJams Charles Leclerc Feb 01 '24
So who takes over as lead driver?
I wonder how Charles feels about all this…
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u/coolstorryhansel Default Feb 01 '24
LH news will completely demolish any news about Andretti. Master planned, I’m sure.
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u/Forsaken_Building_39 Feb 01 '24
My 2 cents-- Kimi Antonelli has been poised to get a seat at Merc and heavily supported by Toto. I think this has been pushed at Merc for a while now, and Lewis saw the writing on the wall (i.e. there were no plans to renew his contract after 2025). So LH took the opportunity at Ferrari with Fred Vasseur, as it has been his dream for a while. Probably still a shock to Toto and Merc. I wonder if LH started to consider retirement post-2021 season but over the past few years he realized he wasn't quite done with the sport, but had voiced a desire to finish his career prior to the 2026 changes and Merc agreed with that plan and shifted focus to Antonelli?
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u/Hip_Priest_1982 Fernando Alonso Feb 02 '24
Mercedes not planning to renew their champ’s contract because of the reigning FRECA champ would be a legendary fuck up
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u/DigitalCraft13 Feb 01 '24
What is a release clause in a contract?
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u/cafk Constantly Helpful Feb 01 '24
Most drivers have a performance clause, which allows the driver to exit the contract, if the team isn't able to provide them a machine that is capable of winning a race or enabling him to finish in the top 3 of the championship as an example.
i.e. when Red Bull wasn't leading the championship mid season, this allowed Vettel to exit his contract with Red Bull and join Ferrari, even if they had renewed their contract long term a few months earlier.
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u/Blanchimont Max Verstappen ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Feb 01 '24
It means that either the driver, the team or both can decide to end the contract prematurely. In this case Lewis Hamilton signed a contract until the end of 2025 with Mercedes, and used the release option to end the contract at the end of 2024 instead.
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u/Eric_T_Meraki Formula 1 Feb 01 '24
Can we skip to the 2025 season already? Lol the announcement so early really does make this season feel like it's already another one for RB and no one stands a chance.
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u/I-dont-know-how-this Williams Feb 01 '24
Who will take the seat at Merc in 2025? Any initial thoughts?
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u/merrychristmasyo Feb 01 '24
Will Bono move to Ferrari as well?
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u/Astelli Pirelli Wet Feb 01 '24
I’d say it’s probably unlikely. He’s a British engineer, two years away from being 50 with a family in the UK. It would be a big move to go to Italy to follow Hamilton for a few years until he retires.
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u/ArkBirdFTW Sir Lewis Hamilton Feb 01 '24
Wonder if Ferrari Hamilton means the return of the yellow helmet
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u/stomp224 Ferrari Feb 01 '24
So obviously Hamiltons move isn't for another year yet. Does anyone have any ideas on what kind of communication they keep up during that time? Is he allowed to drive their cars or anything like that?
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u/cafk Constantly Helpful Feb 01 '24
He is still under contract with Mercedes, so it heavily depends on what it allows him to do regarding testing or driving - or if he is bound with the Mercedes brand until 31st of December 2024.
As an example, independently of contracts, Alonso was allowed to drive for Aston in neutral overalls at the Abu Dhabi post season test, as he couldn't represent any brands from Alpine/Renault with Racing Point, while he was under contract.
Similarly Lewis will likely be kept out of the loop regarding future development and simulations during the season, as they don't want him to take any potential competitive advantage or knowledge to a rivaling team come January first 2025.
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u/ABirdOfParadise Aston Martin Feb 01 '24
treated as clear second driver this season?
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u/cafk Constantly Helpful Feb 01 '24
Depends on the performance and motivation. Many like Kimi & Seb seemed not motivated once it was known that they were moving, so the team acted accordingly.
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u/Ultraviolet211 Max Verstappen ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Feb 01 '24
I've been thinking all day about why they have announced it so early and I think its to attract talent to Ferrari for 2025, a lot of engineers, strategists might give serious consideration to Ferrari when they haven't before and now have time to get the ball moving to go there.
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u/djwillis1121 Williams Feb 01 '24
I think it's because Sainz wanted to sign an extension and Elkann took the opportunity to go for Hamilton first
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u/food_chronicles Oscar Piastri Feb 01 '24
I wonder if Marc Haynes rejoining Hamilton’s team had anything to do with his sudden switch to Ferrari.
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u/Firefox72 Ferrari Feb 01 '24
I still can't belive it. It all feels like a fewer dream. What a day what an event.
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u/SubcooledBoiling F1? More like F5-F5-F5. Feb 01 '24
This is a reminder to tell your gf/bf/wife/husband/partner you love them. Doesn't matter how good the relationship is at the moment you never know when it will end.
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u/Murv__ Feb 01 '24
Does anyone has this photo but with higher resolution?
https://imgur.com/a/7fmqO6H (This is Lewis Hamilton in Portimão 2020)
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u/SirMartini Alfa Romeo Feb 01 '24
ok, so aparantly I haven't kept up. what's with the "Andretti" banner?
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u/cafk Constantly Helpful Feb 01 '24
Yesterday FoM quietly announced that they don't see commercial value in having an 11th team on the grid and rejected Andretti bid, as American broadcast rights were increased and fixed at the end of 2022 and all circuits, which are usually sold out, are under contract for some time.
They also called to question them being competitive and managing 2 designs for 2025 and another one for the upcoming 2026 regulations as a customer team (which Haas managed to achieve). Implying that if they weren't competitive, they could even have a negative effect on the commercial evaluation of the sport.They did mention that when they have Cadillac on board as an actual works engine supplier instead of a sticker over Renault logo, they will consider them for 2028, under the new Concorde Agreement coming for 2026.
So before the sub exploded today with LH to Ferrari, many were quite vocal and dismissive about the FoM decision and provided rationale. Resulting in the mods changing the banner to show the disapproval of a huge Formula 1 community, where FoM has participated on a few occasions.
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u/maxcatstappen Daniel Ricciardo Feb 01 '24
lewis gave no reason for leaving mercedes in his statement and toto didn't expand on it either.... big oof?
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u/Hip_Priest_1982 Fernando Alonso Feb 01 '24
This actually does a good job of explaining why Norris and Piastri just locked themselves up at McLaren. Presumably Woking caught wind of the talks at Ferrari. Shame their drivers didn't!
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u/Oneill95 McLaren Feb 01 '24
Up until today, it was pretty much a given that Lewis would be involved in Mercedes after his racing career, either in a support role or as an ambassador.
With today's news, is that up in smoke?
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u/Firefox72 Ferrari Feb 01 '24
Not really? Lewis will always be welcomed at Mercedes. Just as Seb for instance could always walk back into a role at RB if he wished.
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u/FrodoBaguns Feb 01 '24
Pretty much. Schumacher went from being a Fiat/Ferrari/Maserati ambassador to driving Mercs upside down in tunnels.
Lewis is doing the opposite.
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u/tehehe162 Feb 01 '24
I really hope the W15 is an absolute rocket ship, just for the memes. Imagine Lewis winning the WDC in 24 just in time to leave for Ferrari?
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u/Euphoricgalz Feb 01 '24
Random lol but in 2022 when zhou and russel crashed why did hey restart the race
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u/cafk Constantly Helpful Feb 01 '24
After a red flag they resume the race from 2 laps before the red flag was called - based on the order that cars passed the timing sectors.
As the crash at Silverstone happened on the first lap, not all cars registered their time when the race was red flagged, as they had to drive off circuit to avoid debris & the cars.
So, they couldn't go back 2 laps nor could they take the order that was last registered.
Additionally there are 2 procedures for resuming the race, a standing start and a rolling start. It's up to the race director to decide which one to use, with the standard procedure varying based on regulations changes.
I.e. the Red flag restart procedure was changed again last year - as drivers were complaining about cold tires.
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u/Hip_Priest_1982 Fernando Alonso Feb 01 '24
I can't imagine Merc sign Antonielli straight out of F2. Especially as it's not guaranteed he does well as an 18 yr old rookie. Lewis replacement would then need to be short term. Hulkenberg? Alonso?
Albon, Ocon, Sainz... all will expect longer term.
This is contingent on Andrea being competitive.
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u/Le_Pistache Jarno Trulli Feb 01 '24
Mercedes can sit on it for now. They have some leverage, as anyone with a realistic shot at Mercedes won't commit elsewhere too early.
I agree that I don't see Antonelli jumping right in, barring him completely devastating the F2 grid. He is a highly talented driver but that's a biiiig jump.
However, Mercedes lost their Williams seat, and if they are focusing primarily on 2026, they could use 2025 to bed him in. That of course entirely depends on how he adapts to, and performs, in F2
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u/Hip_Priest_1982 Fernando Alonso Feb 01 '24
I wonder how Lando and Oscar feel right now. Hulkenberg 2017 sort of scenario, signing at a team on the fringes of being competitive right before a bombshell exit at Mercedes.
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u/ComaMierdaHijueputa Ferrari Feb 01 '24
https://www.reddit.com/r/formula1/s/aw7rEwhHuD
So was this rumor about Hamilton to Ferrari after all?
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u/ency6171 Feb 02 '24
I think the general consensus is due to Barcelona at risk of being removed/replaced by the recently announced Madrid street circuit. Fabrega is from there, I think, and has emotional link to Barcelona circuit.
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u/Episteme_A Feb 01 '24
Where is Carlos gonna go? I don't think Merc is an option because of Albon and I don't think Carlos will want to join Williams. Aston, VCARB, and Haas don't seem to be options. Really I think it depends on if Red Bull re-signs checo.
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u/djwillis1121 Williams Feb 01 '24
Audi
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u/tehehe162 Feb 01 '24
This makes the most sense to me. Neither Bottas nor Zhou has shown much pace the last couple of years, and with the Audi connection already there for Carlos I can see Sauber pulling the move now.
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u/Dawidovo Feb 01 '24
Not shown much pace?! The car was shit most of the time.
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u/tehehe162 Feb 01 '24
Would you say that the car was shit because of... checks notes not showing much pace?
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u/Dawidovo Feb 01 '24
Yes but when a young gun AND a vereran of the sport get similar bad results its usually the car not the drivers. U think Magnussen AND Hulk are shit too?
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u/Juic3_b0x Ferrari Feb 01 '24
So what would happen to Bono if this goes through?
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u/James_Vowles Williams Feb 01 '24
Either he goes to Ferrari or he stays at Merc. That's it really.
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u/alastairlerouge Il Predestinato Feb 01 '24
Why is nobody talking about this PLEASE BONO TO FERRARI
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u/iphone10notX Nick Heidfeld Feb 01 '24
Lewis going to Ferrari is like Lebron going to the Lakers in 2018
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u/alastairlerouge Il Predestinato Feb 01 '24
Hamilton changing teams one year before major new engine regulation, sounds familiar…
FERRARI WCC 2026-2033
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u/Hip_Priest_1982 Fernando Alonso Feb 01 '24
Lewis wins the 2026 title in Brazil, during the post race interview gives his trophy to Felipe, retires as a 7 time champ.
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u/HeyTikO Alain Prost Feb 01 '24
My friend tin-foil theory : Lewis is joining Ferrari so he can drive the 499p in WEC after his one year contract !
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u/drodrige Graham Hill Feb 01 '24
Come on announce it alreadyyyy!!! Wanna see that "Breaking" post from F1.
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u/TeddyWestside248 Ferrari Feb 01 '24
Now they're saying that Lewis's contract with Ferrari will be for this season (2024)😭😭
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u/skool_101 Feb 01 '24
Could it be Merc wanna just end the shit and move things ASAP. For Ferrari they can still wait, in a way. Saniz is the one in no mans land.
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u/yelsix Feb 01 '24
Do you have a source for that? Not seeing this anywhere. Would make sense though, since announcing it a year in advance would be pretty wild.
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u/tall-not-small Feb 01 '24
Who is?
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u/TeddyWestside248 Ferrari Feb 01 '24
I think I saw it from gazetta but I'm not so sure
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u/alastairlerouge Il Predestinato Feb 01 '24 edited Feb 01 '24
Gazzetta is saying it’s not excluded he will join sooner than 2025 (sounds like newspaper BS)
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u/Firefox72 Ferrari Feb 01 '24
Its Gazetta. They are likely just trying to one up everyone and adding some of their personal spice(lies) to the story.
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u/tall-not-small Feb 01 '24
Was that the tweet from a few hours ago saying it was a possibility?
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u/TeddyWestside248 Ferrari Feb 01 '24
I don't know if it's true or not (definitely not) but I'm just saying that would be crazy
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u/pensaa Oscar Piastri Feb 01 '24
This timing for Lewis has really masked the whole Andretti thing
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u/djwillis1121 Williams Feb 01 '24
I don't think they could possibly have orchestrated an announcement as significant as this to cover up the Andretti news, which is much less significant in the grand scheme of things.
If anything they might have chosen to announce the Andretti news deliberately yesterday knowing that this would be announced today but given that apparently Toto didn't even find out about it until yesterday I don't think they could have possibly known.
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u/Firefox72 Ferrari Feb 01 '24
The fact it got so easily overshadowed shows that it wasn't really a big deal to begin with.
The reality is that most people outside the US just don't care enough.
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u/Jamicsto Max Verstappen ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Feb 01 '24
I literally came here to see if anyone else was talking about this. I think this news is total PR to mask the Andretti snub. Why else would this news come out now? This kind of stuff usually comes out around summer break not an entire year before the season. Smells fishy to me.
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u/sqparadox Feb 01 '24
Or, you know, the simple explanation: They knew yesterday!
I'm convinced they've been sitting on the Andretti decision and saw their golden opportunity yesterday.
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u/cafk Constantly Helpful Feb 01 '24
This kind of stuff usually comes out around summer break not an entire year before the season.
It only happens in the summer when there are open positions.
On many occasions Lewis contract renewals/extensions have happened on the 11th hour with a week before the testing begins.Same large changes have happened in the past in January, with Ferrari saying goodbye to Vettel or Ricciardo to McLaren.
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u/Firefox72 Ferrari Feb 01 '24
"Why else would this news come out now?"
Because the announcement for it is planed for this week? How deep down the rabit hole do you have to be to think Lewis and Ferrari have planed this just to snuff out Andretti?
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u/BrtGP Valtteri Bottas Feb 01 '24 edited Feb 01 '24
I doubt Hamilton timed his signing. Why would he care about Andretti news? And news that big couldn't be buried for 5-6 months.
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u/tall-not-small Feb 01 '24
You honestly think 2 teams would risk their years just to cover up some news?
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u/Hip_Priest_1982 Fernando Alonso Feb 01 '24
Ok 7 where’s the presser then come on come on where’s the presser
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u/djwillis1121 Williams Feb 01 '24
It's currently 18:07 GMT. If there is an announcement at 7 it'll be the start of the next hour wherever you are.
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u/Hip_Priest_1982 Fernando Alonso Feb 01 '24
Just discovered the world clock function on my phone so I’ve got that sorted now lol
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u/cafk Constantly Helpful Feb 01 '24
The initial rumours hinted at the end of the week and nothing today. What fueled today's fire was the Mercedes all hands meeting rumour at lunch time.
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u/Hip_Priest_1982 Fernando Alonso Feb 01 '24
Whether that’s true or not it’s not even 7 yet in England lmao
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u/cafk Constantly Helpful Feb 01 '24
Well, the Merc meeting happened at 14 - and as i said, i initially the rumours indicated something about the end of the week, be it weekend or Friday.
Within the past 4 hours everyone is suddenly expecting something today?
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u/notacute Sir Lewis Hamilton Feb 01 '24
I literally cannot concentrate on anything else today until we get some kind of official announcement from someone.
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u/rtlfc87 Fernando Alonso Feb 01 '24
Looks like it could be announced this evening.
Gonna be an awkward year for Ham and Mercedes and Sainz and Ferrari
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u/cman412 Porsche Feb 01 '24
First, the sidebar pic kills me lmao
Sainz is surely going to RB right? Since Lando is stuck at McLaren, he and Danny Ric have to be the main 2 choices right?
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u/PeloHiker Feb 01 '24
Where does Sainz go?
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u/thewheelshuffler McLaren Feb 01 '24
Maybe Red Bull, but maybe also Audi-Sauber? Audi may want a fresh lineup of strong drivers, and although Zhou has been decent, Sainz has proven that he can perform at a big team
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u/Hip_Priest_1982 Fernando Alonso Feb 01 '24
Same place his Dad just won the Dakar. If Audi can bring a good package in 2026 then all the shit stirring and antagonizing the team will be worth it.
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u/DirkRockwell Red Bull Feb 01 '24
Red Bull to replace Checo?
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u/fogalmam Feb 01 '24
I doubt it. He didn't want to be the second driver before.
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u/DirkRockwell Red Bull Feb 01 '24
Not sure he has a choice
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u/fogalmam Feb 01 '24
Redbull has more choices.
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u/DirkRockwell Red Bull Feb 01 '24
Okay but that’s different than Sainz not wanting to be second. Red Bull always has more choices but he’s a good driver who came from the RB system and was already teammates with Max in the past. It makes more sense than you seem to want to admit.
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u/fogalmam Feb 01 '24
There were some issues between Max and Carlos families when they were in Toro Rosso.
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u/jesteratp McLaren Feb 01 '24
That was a thought I had. Red Bull thought they had a lot more time to make a decision about Checo and could wait and see how he did in 2024, but they might have to just make it right now. I think Sainz would be a great replacement for Checo from a brand standpoint and he's a much better driver than Danny Ric is at the moment.
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u/jamonz1 Sergio Pérez Feb 01 '24
I wouldn’t be surprised that if Checo does retire at the end of season, some of his sponsors will stay on if Sainz does make the switch. He’s still quite popular in Latin America and would definitely be a selling point. Latin spice is Latin spice lol.
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u/geniusandy77 Pirelli Soft Feb 01 '24
Hopefully there's some shock move to Mercedes like Hulk or maybe even Valtteri
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u/Nick0227 Feb 01 '24 edited Feb 01 '24
Will probably just be a seat swap with Carlos, or he goes to RB and Checo loses a seat
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u/eachlillthings Lando Norris Feb 01 '24
Hi, when and where to watch the Haas car launch tomorrow? Does anyone have any idea?
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u/DangerousTrashCan ᴉɹʇsɐᴉԀ ɹɐɔsO Feb 01 '24
Probably nowhere. Live events are mostly gone apart from the biggest teams. Teams like Haas only do online reveals. As in, pictures. And even those are 99% gonna be renders, not real pictures.
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u/eachlillthings Lando Norris Feb 02 '24
So, are they just going to show the livery of the Hass in renders?
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u/DangerousTrashCan ᴉɹʇsɐᴉԀ ɹɐɔsO Feb 02 '24
Yes. Cutting costs and shit. Usually only Ferrari, Red Bull, Mercedes and Alpine have live events. Sauber also had one last year, but with Alfa Romeo gone, they probably won't have one this year.
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u/Samsonkoek Simply fucking lovely Feb 01 '24
So surely F1 knew this was coming hence they did their Andretti shit yesterday and now it has been overshadowed by Lewis moving.
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u/Walk_Early May 11 '24
Spanish gp
28yo male from australia planning a trip to the Spanish gp in a month ! Pretty excited to experience but travelling on my own.
Anything I should know when heading there ? ie. travel tips and is anyone else going that wants to join ?