2024 F1 News and Prediction League

[pharvey]

Would have been interesting to see him at Mercedes, but not to be....

Sainz to Join Williams From 2025 After Ferrari Exit

"Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz is to join Williams next season on what the team calls a "multi-year" contract.

The 29-year-old Spaniard has lost his seat at Ferrari after the team decided to sign Lewis Hamilton, who arrives next year.

Sainz has picked Williams over other opportunities at Alpine and Sauber, which will become Audi's factory effort in 2026.

Sainz said: "I am fully confident that Williams is the right place for me to continue my F1 journey and I am extremely proud of joining such a historic and successful team, where many of my childhood heroes drove in the past and made their mark on our sport."

Sainz, whose hopes of joining another top team from Ferrari were stymied when Red Bull and Mercedes made clear they would be looking elsewhere, added: "The ultimate goal of bringing Williams back to where it belongs, at the front of the grid, is a challenge that I embrace with excitement and positivity.

"I am convinced that this team has all the right ingredients to make history again and starting on January 1 I will give my absolute best to drive Williams forward.""

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/articles/ck5gw7n0gplo

[pharvey]

Blaming Russell's disqualification on weight loss due to "tyre wear" after his unexpected "single stop strategy" is somewhat of a stretch for Mercedes, but it does go to show the extreme margins these teams and drivers are working to....

"Mercedes could not have hoped for a better end to the opening half of the season than a one-two for George Russell and Lewis Hamilton at Sunday’s Belgian Grand Prix, only for it to turn to bitter ashes when Russell was disqualified when his car was discovered to be under the weight limit. The team are conducting their inquest now, with the engineering director, Andrew Shovlin, citing one theory that Russell running a one-stop strategy left their tyres underweight at the flag.

The discrepancy was 1.5kg, 375g per wheel – for perspective that’s about two of your household hamsters – and Pirelli’s motorsport director noted that a tyre might lose as much as 1kg during a stint. This is of course factored into weight calculations pre-race but the switch to a one-stop race, which was unexpected, may not have been part of the equation. However it must also be considered that both Fernando Alonso and Yuki Tsunoda pulled off a single stop and were not underweight."

The above and more F1 News @ https://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/ ... ula-one-f1

[404cameljockey]

So he lost by four hamsters wheels.

[pharvey]

So he lost by four hamsters wheels.

Like I said - fine margins!!

[PeteC]

Dutch Grand Prix

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[Big Boy]

HaHa a Yellow Cap - nice to know my system still works sometimes. I must be a pre-historic version of AI, because I haven't got a clue what I'm doing

I haven't even heard the names of half of the drivers before.

[pharvey]

Thanks for posting Results PeteC - I'll catch up!!

HaHa a Yellow Cap - nice to know my system still works sometimes. I must be a pre-historic version of AI, because I haven't got a clue what I'm doing

I haven't even heard the names of half of the drivers before.

Well congrats BB - I might just be getting in touch regarding your "System" !!

Just a few days away from the next Round!!

[pharvey]

It's all getting quite exciting... to the "Naysayers"

Red BS and Crashappen falling back somewhat, but probably not to the extent that some believe after last week's result (unfortunately). McLaren obviously looking very good, but what happened to Mercedes? Great performance from Leclerc last weekend, but doubtful it will be repeated at Monza. The circuit is a pretty boring one for me, all straights, few corners fast or slow... Red BS have been very dominant in the past on straightline speed - I honestly think they still have an advantage with DRS and Aerodynamics, BUT McLaren were better in the Netherlands... Will Red BS come back?

Can't see it being an exciting race purely due to the circuit - but hope I'm wrong: -
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NOTE: - All Times UK

[pharvey]

Forgot to mention - Logan Sergeant kicked out... And realistically, it should have been done quite some time ago. No place for him in F1 on current form.

https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/arti ... g3Pj4fdnAK

[pharvey]

There's not a great deal we can take from "Free Practice" normally - especially FP1/FP2, but today was quite interesting.

Red BS never show their hand until FP3/Qualifying, but things have not looked great for them - Crashappen I'm sure is holding back but Perez truly looked well off the pace. LH topped FP2, and Mercedes are looking far better than last week, that's for sure! However, McLaren are in pole IMHO, Ferrari also worth a look at their home GP!!

Talking of "Home GP's", Russell gave up his car for FP1 allowing the "next best thing" Kimi Antonelli his first go in an F1 Car in front of his home crowd. Cracking first lap and topped the polls for a few minutes... Unfortunately after just 10 minutes, lost the car (back end), spun out ending his debut - also ending the car's FP1 and delaying Russell's entry to FP2. Quite frankly, my opinion is he was put under far too much pressure (cameras 3 deep outside the garage), home GP etc., etc... He lost the rear end of the car, but it was not a huge mistake (unlike Sargeant last weekend) - looks like being an incredibly quick driver, but his ambition is a smidgen ahead of his (or the car's) ability. Plenty of talk of the Dire Dutchman going to Mercedes next year or the year after - I truly hope not! Stick with the likes of Antonelli and Colapinto (Williams) - this is what F1 needs...

As for the Race/Qualifying.... Hell, extreme temperatures, tyre wear, straight line speed and LH bitching of a burning backside (skimming the track apparently!).... We'll know more tomorrow (Saturday)

[pharvey]

A truly bizzare FP session - I'm absolutely buggered on predictions.... Oh to have BB's "Secret"

This could be a bad race for me...

[pharvey]

Massive win for Ferrari and Leclerc! For once the Scuderia had a strategy that worked, upgrades to the car that worked and a driver on form!! Things are looking good for Ferrari.

That said, these upgrades were for Monza - will they work in the next race or later in the season? McLaren looking good, but Norris made far too many mistakes - others could perform better in the car right now IMHO. Russel was also poor IMHO, again too many mistakes. Crashappen and Red BS have fallen back - Crashappen's petulant comments throughout the race testament to this simple fact.

Mercedes need to improve, Leclerc looking good and I truly hope Ferrari continue (LH World Champion 2025 ). McLaren as a car - spot on, driver strategy indifferent and Norris not looking a World Champion. Red BS falling backwards and some realising Crashappen isn't the dog's gonads - he's extremely good, but far from the best/GOAT as some profess him to be.

Anywho. before I fall off my Soapbox.... The HHF Prediction League: -
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Looking forward to the next round which is a "Street Race" (hence above comments) - Azerbaijan Grand Prix Baku City Circuit, 13 - 15 September

[Parahandy]

If you're looking for a total, complete and utter plonker, look no further - I'm here! To have believed for a moment that that Hamster man (Love me? So do I!) could have remembered how to drive his Mercedes and get pole was almost forgivable, albeit totally wrong. I had two other major problems, however. Firstly, Piastri. Did I have him to win? No. Did I have him on the podium? No. Top five? No. Top ten even? No. In a moment of total brainfade I completely forgot that he even existed. Second problem. I have been on the wagon for about six weeks now, so I can't even blame the drink. What is an idiot supposed to do?
Here's hoping that that charming Dutchman and his wonderful Krateng Daeng can get their act back together again. It was so much simpler then...
Have a good one!
P.

[pharvey]

If you're looking for a total, complete and utter plonker, look no further - I'm here! To have believed for a moment that that Hamster man (Love me? So do I!) could have remembered how to drive his Mercedes and get pole was almost forgivable, albeit totally wrong. I had two other major problems, however. Firstly, Piastri. Did I have him to win? No. Did I have him on the podium? No. Top five? No. Top ten even? No. In a moment of total brainfade I completely forgot that he even existed. Second problem. I have been on the wagon for about six weeks now, so I can't even blame the drink. What is an idiot supposed to do?
Here's hoping that that charming Dutchman and his wonderful Krateng Daeng can get their act back together again. It was so much simpler then...
Have a good one!
P.

Oh, continue on the way you are Parahandy ... PLEASE!!

Things are certainly a bit more interesting in F1 and long may it continue! I don't agree with "Team Orders" particularly - let them race is my opinion, but McLaren need to look at things if there is any hope of Norris taking the title from the Dire Dutchman this season. The latter is 62 Points ahead in the Driver's Championship, but on current form that lead could disappear fairly quickly (quicker still without Piastri fighting too hard). The Red BS Car has lost it's edge that's for sure, recent upgrades not working or even taking things backwards as other teams catch up and McLaren overtaking them. What a coincidence considering the departure of Adrian Newey and his "non-involvement" in recent design changes/upgrades... Aston Martin's gain?

McLaren are only 8 points behind Red BS in the Constructor's Championship and IMHO it's now McLaren's title to lose.

LH was indeed disappointing last weekend, but there are still hopes for Baku - aside from the Caffeine Drinkers, Mercedes (who produce their own Power Unit) have been the only winners at the circuit.... Though not for a while I can't see this circuit favouring Ferrari or the upgrades they brought in at Monza (pure straight-line speed), but more favourable to Mercedes and McLaren - though of course it may just be wishful thinking on the former.... Free Practice and Qualifying sessions next week will tell!!

As For Baku: -

Former Winners
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Schedule and Circuit: NOTE - Times Are UK: -
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And just to continue the boredom of my F1 Report Some news.... Could make things interesting further down the field!

Bearman to Replace Magnussen at Haas in Azerbaijan

"Briton Oliver Bearman will replace the suspended Kevin Magnussen at Haas for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.

Magnussen has been banned from the race in Baku on 13-15 September after exceeding Formula 1’s penalty-point limit.

Bearman, who has already been signed as a Haas driver for 2025, will be taking part in his second grand prix.

The 19-year-old previously substituted for Carlos Sainz at Ferrari in Saudi Arabia earlier this season, after the Spaniard was taken to hospital with appendicitis.

He impressed by finishing seventh, after only driving the car for the first time in Saturday final practice, and the performance was key in securing him a seat on the grid next season.

Bearman has experience of the Haas car this season from free practice outings at the Emilia-Romagna, Spanish, British and Hungarian Grands Prix."

More @ https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/ar ... 0en9mj4pdo

[pharvey]

Managed to get a repeat of the race without knowing the result! Certainly enjoyable and it's great to see real competition between teams rather than the walkover by Red BS and the Dire Dutchman that we've seen in the past few seasons - his whining actually brings a smile to my face these days!!

OK, it's no secret that I'm not a huge fan of the (main) Red Bull Team, the "Dutchman" or Homer, but I do like Perez though he's certainly had his problems. His "tangle" late on with Sainz has not helped his cause, though of course he, Red BS and Homer leapt upon their collective soapboxes to place the blame firmly on Sainz. The Stewards ruled it as a "Racing Incident" with no penalties given to either driver - probably the sensible outcome, but I honestly feel Perez was at fault. Either way, it certainly had an impact on the Constructor's Championship, in which McLaren are now enjoying a fair lead.

Massive drive from Norris to finish P4 and shows the performance of the McLaren. Russell taking P3, but only due to the Sainz/Perez prang. LH had a forgettable race/weekend, cracking from Williams which is good to see and Alonso again taking the Aston Martin to the max - I can't wait to see what Newey will do design-wise over the next few years.

And heck, what about Bearman - a Top 10 Finish and in the points!! I believe he's the first in F1 history to score points in each of his first two F1 Races BUT for different teams... Yet another useless piece of information!

BAKU RESULTS: -
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HHF/SUPERBRU PREDICTION LEAGUE: -

A slice of luck no doubt on my part this weekend - it really was a lottery. Sainz and Perez did their very best to stuff things up, as did Lewis..

Anywho...
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Next up is Singapore next weekend (20th-22nd September)