2021 F1 News and Prediction Tournament

[PeteC]

One week off now, then the British GP at Silverstone. Good luck to all!

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[Lost]

I don't follow F1. Honestly, I'd rather slit my wrists than cheer on a piece of metal for however many hours it goes on for. But I've noticed some headlines in the sports sections recently.

Why isn't Hamilton winning anymore? Does he not have the fastest car now? Is it just the person with the fastest car who wins? Is it nothing to do with human talent but simply engineering achievement?

Don't shoot me down. Like I said, I don't follow it, so it's just my observations as an outsider looking in. Just seems you may as well take the human element out of it altogether. Race the cars like remote control ones.

[Dannie Boy]

I don’t follow it either, at least I don’t watch the race on TV. These days I think it’s 90% car and 10% driver, so clearly Mercedes have fallen back this year!!

I did have the “pleasure” of watching the first Grand Prix race held at Bahrain when I was working in the Middle East - two things struck me - first how noisy it was and second, the majority of cars pass you within a few seconds of each other, so I found it quite boring.


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[pharvey]

Far from an expert (as my position in the league indicates ), but I do follow the sport.

Red Bull and Mercedes have really been the dominant teams for the past 11 years or so - Ferarri being the dominant team beforehand, the latter NOT happy with the way things have gone over the past decade or so.

Red Bull were champions 2010-2013, Mercedes ever since. In Max Verstappen, Red Bull have a great driver and the epitome of a complete and utter w@nker. He will no doubt go onto win multiple GP's and World Championships.

Whilst Lewis Hamilton of Mercedes is not the "complete w@nker", he has upset a few (including me) with the whole political tirade and BLM support. Leaving that aside (as it should be), Hamilton is THE class act on the track - 100+ Pole Postions, 98 F1 victories - both records. Joint top with Michael Schumacher on 7 World Championships, most "Podium Finishes" - his record speaks for itself and I find it hard to believe anyone will beat it (aside from Hamilton himself!).

Aside from the drivers, there are many things involved - tactics for one, tyre selection, number of "Pit Stops" and not to mention the duration of those stops - Red Bull are without doubt number 1 for this - see below for example.....
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Red Bull no doubt have the advantage with the car this season, but do not write off Mercedes or Hamilton..... It's not the 90% vs 10% that DB suggests - the Engineering (yes car), the Technical Team (tactics etc.), Support Team etc., etc..... There are extremely close margins for all.

Admittedly a "Marmite Sport", but one I've loved for many years....

[EDIT] Give "F1; Drive to Survive" (Netflix) a go - you'll get an insight into the sport and it's politics....

[Lost]

[EDIT] Give "F1; Drive to Survive" (Netflix) a go - you'll get an insight into the sport and it's politics....

I'll do that. Honestly, I'm never going to watch an F1 race. Just can't stand it. Seems so boring. I'd sooner have a nibble on Susan Boyle's nipples. To be honest, I'm just not a fan of cars in general. Never wanted to own one. Never needed to. Probably never going to.

That said, I do like a good 'sports' documentary. And I thought the movie 'Rush' about Hunt and Lauda was fantastic. So I'll pop that doc on the telly.

Edit: 'Kin hell it's 3 bloomin seasons! Thought it was just a one off doc. Not sure I can get through that but I'll stick the first episode on.

[pharvey]

Edit: 'Kin hell it's 3 bloomin seasons! Thought it was just a one off doc. Not sure I can get through that but I'll stick the first episode on.

Yep, it follows season by season through the F1 Series, covering 2018 - 2020. Mercedes refused to take part in the 2018 show, but well worth watching. As a "non-fan", you're not going to watch the series, but these show's are not watching a race - each is +/- 40 mis long and covers 2 or 3 race weekends, racing/engineering, interviews with the drivers, families and "team supremos".... Politics & bitching galore - you may well enjoy it!! Hey, come on, I've gotten more into "Wendyball" recently

[pharvey]

I did have the “pleasure” of watching the first Grand Prix race held at Bahrain when I was working in the Middle East - two things struck me - first how noisy it was and second, the majority of cars pass you within a few seconds of each other, so I found it quite boring.


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Seriously jealous of that - back in 2004, F1 cars ran with a 3.0 litre V10! Believe it or not, these days F1 cars run with a 1.6 litre V6! Both engines capable of producing 1,000 BHP!! Goes some way to explaining the "noise"

Personally, I'd go to "Track Day" for the experience and watch the race on TV [EDIT] Just to see tactics, Pit Stops etc!! Still trying for Silverstone.... Anyone got a campervan and tickets for the weekend?

[PeteC]

Australian Grand Prix: Formula 1 race and Moto GP round called off

https://www.bbc.com/sport/formula1/57731866

The Australian Grand Prix has been called off for the second year in a row because of the coronavirus pandemic.

The Australian round of the MotoGP world championship, scheduled for 24 October, has also been cancelled.

The Formula 1 event was due to take place from 19-21 November but has been abandoned because of tight border controls in Australia.

Australian Grand Prix Corporation chairman Paul Little said he was "deeply disappointed" in a statement.

"We appreciate the challenge Australia faces with current international travel restrictions and the importance of vaccinations," he added.

The Australian Grand Prix was called off in 2020 and put in place to open the current season on 14 March, only for the date to be moved to November because of border controls.

Its November date race was only to be followed by two more in the F1 season - Saudi Arabia and the season-ending Grand Prix in Abu Dhabi.

But Australian border rules require visitors to quarantine for 14 days, a condition of entry expected to be in place until at least the end of the year.

Organisers of the event ultimately cited "restrictions and logistical challenges relating to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic," for the cancellation.

Formula 1 chief Stefano Domenicali said a 23-race season would still be possible despite the cancellation.

"While it is disappointing we won't be racing in Australia this season, we are confident we can deliver a 23-race season in 2021 and we have a number of options to take forward," he said.

McLaren's Australian driver Daniel Ricciardo said the news a a "huge disappointment" for drivers but add they "understand the reasons".

"For me personally, I can't wait to have the chance to race at home again, and it'll be even sweeter when we do because it's been so long," Ricciardo added. "Fingers crossed things can change for 2022 and we get to see the awesome fans at Albert Park again and put on a good show for them."

The Australian round of the MotoGP world championship, scheduled to take place at Phillip Island, has also now been wiped out for a second successive year.

The event organisers said: "The ongoing pandemic and resulting travel complications and logistical restrictions mean it has not been possible to confirm the viability of the event at this time, and it will therefore not feature on the 2021 calendar."

The Malaysia MotoGP has been brought forward to take place on from 22-24 October, the original dates of the Australia event.

[Lost]

Edit: 'Kin hell it's 3 bloomin seasons! Thought it was just a one off doc. Not sure I can get through that but I'll stick the first episode on.

Yep, it follows season by season through the F1 Series, covering 2018 - 2020. Mercedes refused to take part in the 2018 show, but well worth watching. As a "non-fan", you're not going to watch the series, but these show's are not watching a race - each is +/- 40 mis long and covers 2 or 3 race weekends, racing/engineering, interviews with the drivers, families and "team supremos".... Politics & bitching galore - you may well enjoy it!! Hey, come on, I've gotten more into "Wendyball" recently

Quite enjoyed this so far. I'm never in a million lifetimes going to suffer an F1 race but this is good stuff. The bitchiness. The backstabbing. The balls ups. All my cup of tea.

Thought the Force India focus was brilliant. The two drivers kept taking each other out, Haha. Proper hated each other! Felt a bit bad for that Ocon fella when he didn't get a seat for the next year's F1 after all that went on.

Not much of Hamilton so far which is good. You said Mercedes didn't take part in the first one, probably why. If he gets more mug time it may put me off. Can't stand the bloke. The hypocritic of all hypocritics. Uber-Tosser I. King of the Kunts. He has this 'Vegan World Saviour' complex yet his carbon footprint will eclipse anything of 99% of the population. Not to mention his 'I'm all oppressed BLM innit' while continuing to drive for Mercedes who have a somewhat colourful history. Absolute knobdongle of the highest order. Didn't he wear a padlock and chain or something to protest slavery while wearing Hugo Boss - an actual Nazi? He's just a sorry sack of shit with not much between the ears. A very rich sorry sack of shit, mind. Doesn't even bother with taxes in the UK, no?

Yeah, I don't much like the bloke.

[pharvey]

Edit: 'Kin hell it's 3 bloomin seasons! Thought it was just a one off doc. Not sure I can get through that but I'll stick the first episode on.

Yep, it follows season by season through the F1 Series, covering 2018 - 2020. Mercedes refused to take part in the 2018 show, but well worth watching. As a "non-fan", you're not going to watch the series, but these show's are not watching a race - each is +/- 40 mis long and covers 2 or 3 race weekends, racing/engineering, interviews with the drivers, families and "team supremos".... Politics & bitching galore - you may well enjoy it!! Hey, come on, I've gotten more into "Wendyball" recently

Quite enjoyed this so far. I'm never in a million lifetimes going to suffer an F1 race but this is good stuff. The bitchiness. The backstabbing. The balls ups. All my cup of tea.

Thought the Force India focus was brilliant. The two drivers kept taking each other out, Haha. Proper hated each other! Felt a bit bad for that Ocon fella when he didn't get a seat for the next year's F1 after all that went on.

Not much of Hamilton so far which is good. You said Mercedes didn't take part in the first one, probably why.

Glad you're enjoying it - the sport isn't for everyone, but this series gives an insight and it's a bit of a real life soap opera with the politics, play-making and 2-Faced BS that goes on...... You can tell there's a few quid involved!! You gave a perfect example with Ocon, though the Verstappen/Red Bull/Ricardo "Triangle" .....

As for Mercedes, they refused Netflix access for the 1st season, but come into it from Season 2 - A lot more Hamilton, but in all fairness Netflix focus equally on the majority of teams and drivers.

Yeah, I don't much like the bloke.

Glad you made that clear, wouldn't have guessed otherwise!

I don't think he's a bad bloke, but needs to keep his politics away from the sport - elsewhere he's entitled to his opinion as we all are, but don't use F1 as a platform to shove it down our throats. He truly is an incredible driver and competitor - stick to racing.

[PeteC]

Important information about this weekend's race at Silverstone, and applicable to all future races which include a "Sprint Race."

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Full explanation and other details: https://www.bbc.com/sport/formula1/57839254

[PeteC]

Here is this week's time schedule as a bit unusual.

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[pharvey]

Well, slightly bizarre with the new "Qualifying" setup, but thoroughly interesting Friday afternoon/evening at Silverstone

Baffling to me though is that the "Sprint Grid" has been decided - yet there is a further "Practice" tomorrow, prior to the "Sprint Race"... Will leave it to PeteC to post the "Sprint Grid" and times

Superb from Hamilton and Russell, Norris again with a big performance - looking forward to what the "Sprint" brings tomorrow and the "Main Event" Sunday...

[PeteC]

Silverstone Sprint Grid Qualifying

https://www.bbc.com/sport/formula1/57869578

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[PeteC]

Alert:

Superbru's server has been down for quite a while today. No idea the problem but the "Is It Down" site has confirmed it is the Superbru server.

Hopefully they'll be back up in time for F1 picks for those of us who haven't made them yet.