F1 Thread

[CJ]

Every team is looking to improve. I have never said McLaren don't have money. I very simply doubt their technical structure. Its produced awful cars recently.

You seem to place a lot of hope on Honda. You are effectively hoping they have an engine that is what 1-2 seconds a lap better that the merc? Oh with no reliability problems.

I just don't see it. And you can keep checking money about but you need a winning car as well.

There is no lack of understanding chief. Not being obtuse either. As you can hope for a turnaround for McLaren I can presumably predict a Williams constructors sin next year? We will have the best engine. A better car the first full one produced under PS. The man who headed Alonso's title wins with small budgets and a further year together with all the new hires we made last year?

Nah sounds pie in the sky to me.

[Daniel 7]

I don't think you get my point whether it's lack of understand or being obtuse, the new engine is coming in I've said repeatedly we'll see how it works for them it's a complete unknown and they've been hiring people to work on the development of the car, another fact, will work who knows but they've the resources to make it work.

Much like Ferrari who without Alonso would be nowhere are still a big pull in the sport due to who they are and the resources that they have, if Alonso goes do you believe they won't replace with the likes of a Vettel? Drivers look for two things a lucrative contract and the ability to win, McLaren can offer half of that at the moment and could potentially cover the competitive car but as I've said time and again we'll have to see on that front but they are looking to improve the aero of the car and shouldn't be dismissed.
Simple enough to fathom ?

I remember the announcement of Alonso joining McLaren after he won the title in 2006 and thinking that it was a ridiculous decision because they were so far off the pace with Montoya / Raikkonen and de la Rosa. Sure enough, the next season they had produced the best car on the grid for 07 (threw it away admittedly) and kept the momentum for the 2008 drivers' title win.

Far too easy to write them off - Honda are coming back to win. They know they can't do it alone and have chosen the sport's most successful manufacturer to partner with.

[Daniel 7]

Hamilton was stunning today btw - those laps after the safety car were imperious. I don;t think there are many drivers around who could have done that. The overtake for the lead was fairly routine, but he kept his head, showed composure and drove away with it. He might have swiped a front wing in years gone by. Some driver - if there's any justice he'll go on to win the title now.

[CJ]

I remember the announcement of Alonso joining McLaren after he won the title in 2006 and thinking that it was a ridiculous decision because they were so far off the pace with Montoya / Raikkonen and de la Rosa. Sure enough, the next season they had produced the best car on the grid for 07 (threw it away admittedly) and kept the momentum for the 2008 drivers' title win.

Far too easy to write them off - Honda are coming back to win. They know they can't do it alone and have chosen the sport's most successful manufacturer to partner with.

Honda were in it to win last time. The engine was a dud. F1 history is littered with engine manufacturers not winning.

Snoozy seems to write Williams off who made the type of technical changes McLaren are doing but are now a year to 18 months ahead in that process. Also with a TD who has a track record of winning even without the biggest budget. Also Williams have the best engine. It's not a hope the merc engine is best.

[CJ]

Hamilton was stunning today btw - those laps after the safety car were imperious. I don;t think there are many drivers around who could have done that. The overtake for the lead was fairly routine, but he kept his head, showed composure and drove away with it. He might have swiped a front wing in years gone by. Some driver - if there's any justice he'll go on to win the title now.

Am glad he now has the championship lead.

[RichC]

Honda were in it to win last time. The engine was a dud. F1 history is littered with engine manufacturers not winning.

Snoozy seems to write Williams off who made the type of technical changes McLaren are doing but are now a year to 18 months ahead in that process. Also with a TD who has a track record of winning even without the biggest budget. Also Williams have the best engine. It's not a hope the merc engine is best.

I haven't written Williams off what I've said is if there is a big contract offer and the potential to also be competitive I think Bottas would move but it won't be until 2016 at the earliest

Am glad he now has the championship lead.

He's looked mighty in the past two races, felt a little sorry for Rosberg as since the Spa crash he's had everything go against him - the fans, his team to an extent and now the car but I guess that's F1.

[CJ]

I think merc have sort of hung rosberg out a little.

He is a better driver than I thought he was. Hamiltons to lose now but that is very possible.

[RichC]

Yeah they have a little bit, I don't think you'd have seen it dealt with as it was by Brawn or most other team management.

if Rosberg gets beaten to the title this season I'm not sure if he'll get over it.

[Daniel 7]

Honda were in it to win last time. The engine was a dud. F1 history is littered with engine manufacturers not winning.

Snoozy seems to write Williams off who made the type of technical changes McLaren are doing but are now a year to 18 months ahead in that process. Also with a TD who has a track record of winning even without the biggest budget. Also Williams have the best engine. It's not a hope the merc engine is best.

I read an interview with the Honda racing guy who acknowledged they had taken on too much with their works team and now they just want to focus on engine development. Also, don't forget that the last car they effectively created was the 2009 Brawn, which dominated the first half of the season and still managed to win the title. Granted, they had to switch to a Merc engine last minute, but they had to force that engine to fit the car. They probably would have been even better with the engine that was supposed to slot in to that chassis.

[CJ]

I read an interview with the Honda racing guy who acknowledged they had taken on too much with their works team and now they just want to focus on engine development. Also, don't forget that the last car they effectively created was the 2009 Brawn, which dominated the first half of the season and still managed to win the title. Granted, they had to switch to a Merc engine last minute, but they had to force that engine to fit the car. They probably would have been even better with the engine that was supposed to slot in to that chassis.

Yeah that brawn was also the most expensive f1 car ever built. Also it won with the merc engine which was significantly better than Hondas.

I really like Honda. They are not the engineering led company they were under the founder.

[CJ]

Yeah they have a little bit, I don't think you'd have seen it dealt with as it was by Brawn or most other team management.

if Rosberg gets beaten to the title this season I'm not sure if he'll get over it.

Brawn has an air that Wolff and paddy lack. Lauda is a clown. Ross would have stamped on this. However they may not have had the freedom under him.

I'm not Brittney's biggest fan but he has impressed this season. I do feel sorry for him. Hamilton has been a naughty boy this season to. I think Hamilton looks to have won the internal battle now.

[meffin]

Does she race and if so what class?

Yea she races in formula blue. You?

[RichC]

I don't think any other team would have done what the Mercs did, they'd have all done it behind closed doors and any punishment to be dealt out would have been done in private.

Rosberg has done well and shown himself to be a decent driver however every time he's got into one on one racing with Hamilton he's come out 2nd, they'll both be there next season but I doubt it will be the same line up for 2016.

[Vermilion]

I think merc have sort of hung rosberg out a little.

He is a better driver than I thought he was. Hamiltons to lose now but that is very possible.

Really, in what way ?

They have not hampered his title bid, anything he's done he's done himself, because of constant pressure and aggressive driving by Hamilton imo.

He's had far less mechanical problems that Hamilton too.

Also, as a side issue, it's obvious they are on much better terms now, body language from the pair of them showed that, and Rosbergs shouting of 'Damn It!' when being pipped to pole was obvioulsy said in a joke type way, the tone was obvious, but the fact he felt relaxed enough to shout that says to me they are now back on track as far as getting on together as team mates go's. imo anyway.

[CJ]

I don't think any other team would have done what the Mercs did, they'd have all done it behind closed doors and any punishment to be dealt out would have been done in private.

Rosberg has done well and shown himself to be a decent driver however every time he's got into one on one racing with Hamilton he's come out 2nd, they'll both be there next season but I doubt it will be the same line up for 2016.

Yeah merc do seem to be trying to engage with fans etc.

Hamilton is clearly the quicker driver. Brittney seems to be able to drive around problems a bit more than Hamilton this season.