2025 F1 News and Prediction League

[PeteC]

Yes, it was a confusing spectacle to watch. Best comment was "Are we watching racing or pit stop lessons....? I think for sure mandatory pit stops will be scrapped going forward and it will go back to what it was.

I agree that Monaco should go away with today's modern racing and machines, but probably will never happen with all the history and cargo planes full of money it generates.

[pharvey]

Well, after the narrow circuit of Monaco, it's over to Barcelona for Round 9 of the F1 Tournament. Long straights, some long fast corners and high tyre wear will hopefully provide a more exciting spectacle, but that said, despite this and the two DRS Zones, it has not been the easiest track to overtake on. Additionally, a pretty significant rule change effecting "Downforce" comes into play, so this may effect certain teams' performance.... We'll see

Schedule and Circuit for Barcelona GP (All times UK): -
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[PeteC]

Thailand Time

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[pharvey]

Well, everything seemed to be going to plan'ish up until Kimi Antonelli suffered a Power Unit failure on Lap 54 bringing out a Yellow Flag and Safety Car - many took advantage of a Free Pit Stop, however tyre availability ultimately caused a spot of chaos! Crashappen only had New Hards to go to, others went to Used Softs/Mediums.... The Safety Car then ate up a fair few laps before racing resumed on Lap 60 of 66. The Dire Dutchman was struggling almost immediately, but his actions were quite frankly disgraceful and how in God's name he only received a 10 second penalty for deliberately trying to take out Russell is beyond me - this shortly after accusing Leclerc of "ramming" him and then himself making contact with the Ferrari driver. At least he has a few added Penalty Points on his license which means he's 1 away from getting a single Race Ban (although a few of those points will be deleted in the near future).

There's no doubt he's an extremely talented driver, however he's petulant, arrogant and bloody dangerous in equal measure!

Anywho, a very exciting end to the Spanish GP - you can make your own minds up regarding Crashappen.



Spanish GP - Top 10 Finishers (Points): -
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HHF/Superbru Prediction League: -

Congrats to that man "parahandy" on the Yellow Cap this Round who I'm sure realises "Insider Information" is frowned upon ...
"Rucku Moke" takes the Wooden Spoon.
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[pharvey]

And yes, it truly was the vote!!
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[Parahandy]

How in the name of the Wee Man did that happen? I was convinced that I was doomed to be lent one of Old Sparkle's spoons by the end of the race...
Tell not a soul, but I, too, am getting a mite bothered by the Delightful Dutchman's tendency to emulate his father in these situations. My support is now heading in a more Som Tam direction.
'Insider information'?! How dare you, sir?! I was discussing it with some close friends recently, and they all agreed that it was a scurrilous suggestion, especially Flavio...
P.

[pharvey]

[PeteC]

Madrid makes debut as Imola dropped from 2026

https://www.bbc.com/sport/formula1/arti ... 0g7gd4x5xo

The new Madrid Grand Prix will be held as the final race of an uninterrupted European section of the Formula 1 season next year.

Madrid, to be held on 11-13 September, will be a second race in Spain and replaces the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix at Imola in Italy in a schedule that remains at 24 races.

Madrid's debut is one of a number of changes, most of which have been made in an attempt to streamline transport and reduce carbon emissions.

Canada, traditionally held in early June, has moved to 22-24 May, the date that would have been expected to be filled by Monaco, which will now be held on 5-7 June.

The switch ensures that Canada follows the Miami race on 1-3 May, creating what F1 describes as "significant freight efficiencies as some equipment can move directly from one to the other".

Every race from Monaco on the first weekend in June to Madrid is then in Europe, before the Azerbaijan event on 25-27 September kicks off the final intercontinental part of the season.

The moves are in line with F1's new rules, in which revised engines run on 100% sustainable fuels.

The season starts in Melbourne, Australia, on 6-8 March. The Bahrain Grand Prix, which has become the most common opening race, is again in April as a result of the timing of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

Bahrain and the Saudi Arabian race will be held a week apart, but unlike this year there is a two-week gap between the Chinese and Japanese Grands Prix in March after Australia, rather than the one of this season.

The British Grand Prix will be held on 3-5 July, and the season will mark the final appearance of the Dutch Grand Prix. It will be held at Zandvoort on 21-23 August.

The traditional Spanish race at Barcelona retains its place on 12-14 June as it fulfils the last year of its existing contract.

The season ends with two groups of three races on consecutive weekends - the US Grand Prix in Austin on 23-25 October followed by Mexico and Brazil, and then the Las Vegas Grand Prix on 19-21 November followed by Qatar and Abu Dhabi, which brings the season to a close on 4-6 December.

2026 F1 calendar

Australia - 6-8 March

China - 13-15 March

Japan - 27-29 March

Bahrain - 10-12 April

Saudi Arabia - 17-19 April

Miami - 1-3 May

Canada - 22-24 May

Monaco - 5-7 June

Spain (Barcelona) - 12-14 June

Austria - 26-28 June

Great Britain - 3-5 July

Belgium - 17-19 July

Hungary - 24-26 July

Netherlands - 21-23 August

Italy - 4-6 September

Spain (Madrid) - 11-13 September

Azerbaijan - 25-27 September

Singapore - 9-11 October

United States (Austin) - 23-25 October

Mexico - 30 October-1 November

Brazil - 6-8 November

Las Vegas - 19-21 November

Qatar - 27-29 November

Abu Dhabi - 4-6 December

[pharvey]

^ Will be interesting to see if the layout of the Madrid track is actually confirmed/approved in time! I'm a bit concerned it's going to be more of a "Procession Type Street Circuit" than the promised exciting "Hybrid Circuit" ....

Anywho... To Round 10 and the Canadian GP

This really could be an interesting one - a real mix of some low speed corners, heavy breaking chicanes and high speed straights. Tyre wear has been pretty low previously, so the softer tyres (C4,C5 and C6s) will be used.

Canadian GP Schedule and Circuit (All Times UK): -
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[PeteC]

Thailand Time

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[pharvey]

Well, that didn't go to plan for many!!

I truly wish I held more faith in Mercedes for this race - Russell looked good throughout the weekend, but I must admit I didn't expect Kimi to get a place on the Podium... Fair play to them both!! A 1 and 3 for Mercedes

Whilst celebrating a cracking weekend for Mercedes, I'm torn with another crappy weekend for Ferrari and LH - he truly is not having any luck at the moment.

The Dire Dutchman raced cleanly (and very well) avoiding maiming anyone or taking on further Penalty Points But if Norris and Piastri had been racing for different teams, the former would have undoubtedly been under investigation for his move on his teammate on lap 67 which resulted in Norris' retirement but could quite easily have taken both cars out.... Idiotic doesn't come close to that move. I truly am happy with McLaren's attitude in allowing the two drivers to truly race, but it also hands points to that rather dangerous individual that shan't be mentioned other than he's Dutch, dresses in orange and parahandy is a fan.... Oh, and his father is a crap driver.

Very disappointed with Williams, I honestly thought they would perform well in this race, but I'm sure they'll bounce back... Ferrari? Well, zero luck for LH at the moment and quite frankly some bizarre decisions/tactics from the team. The setup is wrong, communication is wrong and the engine....hmm?

As an add on.... How long will Tsunoda last under Red BS? Nil Points as they say....

We're not even halfway through yet though - 14 more races to come out of the 24... This could well get exciting!!

Top 10 (Points) Canadian GP: -
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Superbru/HHF Prediction League: -

A strange race this one and some lower scores. BUT, congrats to Rucku Moke on the Yellow Cap.... But I'm honestly afraid to mention "Vital Spark" takes the Wooden Spoon...
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Next up, we're back to Europe and the Austrian GP over the weekend of 27th to 29th of June.

[dtaai-maai]

LH - he truly is not having any luck at the moment.

And he doesn't deserve it. I swear I saw him swerve into that groundhog - heartless bastard!

[pharvey]

LH - he truly is not having any luck at the moment.

And he doesn't deserve it. I swear I saw him swerve into that groundhog - heartless bastard!

Oh, no need DM... No need at all, why bring a furry one into it?!

[Vital Spark]

.... But I'm honestly afraid to mention "Vital Spark" takes the Wooden Spoon...

Greetings from hotting up Spain -
Thank you PH for the 'sad' emoti face at another failed attempt on my part. I honestly thought I'd possibly even have a yellow-coloured cap this weekend. I might have had a bit too much wine on Saturday and missed the picks cut off. Never mind, I thought, I'll just jiggle the top ten around from qualifying and I'm sure to be on for that elusive cap.
Looking at the positives (as LH would say) it was great to see George and Kimi on the podium. I've got a couple of weeks to work out how to impede/disrupt Parahandy's picks.
xx

[pharvey]

And lovely to see you VS! And please do whatever is required to impede "Parahandy"

Wonderful indeed to see Mercedes on the Podium (x 2) and an incredible race from both... Pity the Dire Dutchman also gained a Podium and points (Ho Hum ).

Would be interesting to see/hear opinions from "parhandy" and yourself regarding the Madrid or "MADring" circuit... Oh, and best places to get a Self Catering place there next year!!