2023 F1 News and Prediction League

[Lost]

No wooden spoon.

[pharvey]

No wooden spoon.

[pharvey]

Yep, I don't like Verstappen either! But to my mind, the real problem is that for some time F1 has not been about finding and rewarding the best driver, but the best car. Let's be fair, Mercedes were untouchable for years, but now they're back in the pack. And so is Hamilton. It was pretty boring, although I was happy to see a British-based team with a British driver doing well. And I have to confess I don't much like him either. The only fair way to find the best driver would be to put them all in the same car (no, not the one car, you know what I mean... ), but for obvious reasons that can't happen.

Well, there's always been the argument with regards to the same car for all drivers.... An attempt was made with the A1 GP which never really took off, so Bob and no hope of anything like it moving up to "higher grade" motorsport such as F1. F1 teams and power unit suppliers obviously want to push their own technology and success to sales of motor vehicles - which is where the "Constructor's Championship" comes in, so again - will never happen in F1.

Yes, Mercedes were pretty much untouchable for 6-7 years when the Hybrid Turbo's came in - though I don't think they had the out and out advantage that Red BS have now (some saying they actually have more in the tank that they are not showing!!).

Questions are being asked however over RB's recent (huge) improvements - breaking the budget cap/additional development. Something a tad fishy with the whole Honda power unit also IMHO - Honda "officially" leaving F1 in 2021 but continuing the relationship with RB. Zip wrong with that in itself, but I believe there's been far more development in the power unit than there should be under the current rules.....

So I'm supporting Perez this season!

I suspect he'll have more support from you than he does from Crashappen and Homer!! Would love to see him get one up on the petulant prick myself!!
Whilst I'm an obvious fan of Mercedes, I'm loving the success that Alonso and Aston are having at the moment

[pharvey]

Just in - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/65621373

Imola Race Called off Because of Major Flooding

"The Emilia Romagna Grand Prix has been called off this weekend because of major flooding in the region.

Discussions on Wednesday between local authorities and organisers of the race at Imola in Italy concluded that the event could not proceed safely.

In addition, there was a desire not to dilute the efforts of emergency services dealing with problems across the area.

F1 said calling off the race was "the right and responsible thing to do".

F1 president and chief executive officer Stefano Domenicali said: "It is such a tragedy to see what has happened to Imola and Emilia Romagna, the town and region that I grew up in, and my thoughts and prayers are with the victims of the flooding and the families and communities affected.

"The decision that has been taken is the right one for everyone in the local communities and the F1 family as we need to ensure safety and not create extra burden for the authorities while they deal with this very awful situation."The decision comes after a red weather warning was issued for the region on Tuesday and Wednesday."

[pharvey]

Early on in his career (and early on with Mercedes), LH made no secret of his desire to drive for the Scuderia one day but in recent years has said he would finish his career with the Silver (or now Black) Arrows.... I can't see it being about money with LH, he wants that 8th title and he wants a car that will compete with Crashappen - he's not getting that with his Merc this season or last's. As The Clash would say - "Should I stay or should I go....?"

Full Report @ https://www.planetf1.com/news/ferrari-l ... er-report/

NOTE: - An interesting point regarding the change of "livery" (silver to black)......

"The primary reason for ditching the synonymous silver scheme is for a saving on the scales. Even though the FIA has ditched a proposed 2kg cut to the minimum car weight limit for 2023, teams are still far from comfortably making the 798kg threshold. As a result, each squad’s commercial and marketing department has largely lost the argument to the engineers. Forget a scheme that stands out boldly on TV to appease sponsors, there can be zero excess fat.

As such, Mercedes has ditched its synonymous silver and now returned to the black palette that adorned its cars during the 2020 and 2021 seasons. Take a closer look and, although the surfaces above the halo and around the rollover hoop and intake are indeed painted or wrapped, around the sidepods there’s exposed carbon fibre.

Mercedes motorsport boss Toto Wolff said of the return to a largely black livery: “We were overweight last year. This year we have tried to figure out where we can squeeze out every single gram… You will see that the car has some raw carbon bits, along with some that are painted matte black.” "

Taken From: https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/the-m ... /10433273/

[pharvey]

Apologies - a tad late in posting. This weekend brings the Monaco GP - with the size of the cars these days and the difficulty in overtaking, the race itself is likely to be just a procession...
That said, being a "Street Circuit", we may see the advantage move away from Crashappen

Exclusive to Sky Sports, streaming on the "usual suspects" are the one's to try.
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Qualifying results to follow

[pharvey]

NOT the Front Row I wanted to see, but close. It's going to be down to the Race Start, Pit Stops and God forbid - accidents. Tyre strategies and overtaking unlikely to play a part on this track unfortunately....

As mentioned, the Race will be exclusive to Sky Broadcasting, so the Usual Suspects apply for live streaming. Qualifying results below: -
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Remember to make your picks if not already done so - and best of luck to all!!

RACE START 2:00 PM BST

[pharvey]

Sadly not the result I (amd I suspect several others) wanted - the Red BS car and the obnoxious Crashappen untouchable even on the Monaco "Street Circuit" - I'd certainly hoped to see Alonso and the Scuderia right up there! Whilst Alonso put in a massive performance to finish 2nd and could well have topped that had Intermediate tyres been selected a little sooner, it was a far more disappointing day for Leclerc and Sainz, finishing 6th and 8th respectively. Not the circuit to really see the effects of the Mercedes upgrades, but a 4th and 5th finish for Hamilton an Russell not to be sneezed at

Full Results: -
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HHF Prediction League: -

Congrats to BB on the Yellow Cap this round
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Next up the Spanish GP taking place over 02-04.06.23 - a "Home Win" for Alonso?

[pharvey]

Well, Crashappen again unstoppable from pole - the RB car is that superior this season our local number 349 Bus Driver could have delivered a win. There was certainly no "racing" involved or required.
Mercedes also had a good day with Hamilton and Russell taking P2 and P3 respectively - some great driving from both, notably Russell who certainly didn't have the best of qualifying. Mercedes looking stronger....
On the other side of things, the Scuderia had another disappointing race - based on this GP and the recent upgrades, they are firmly behind RB and Mercedes....

As for the HHF Prediction League, Parahandy still leading the pack, but BB & PeteC take top points this round I did about as well as Leclerc (though did score more points) !!
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Next up Canadian GP 16-18th June.

[Big Boy]

2 Yellow Caps in a row

For my system to be working that well this year i.e. only a point off the leader, the races must be pretty boring/predictable. It literally takes me under 30 seconds to make my entry each race.

[pharvey]

2 Yellow Caps in a row

For my system to be working that well this year i.e. only a point off the leader, the races must be pretty boring/predictable. It literally takes me under 30 seconds to make my entry each race.

Now, now BB - don't extract the urine, some of us need to watch the Qualifying in a pointless exercise to confuse ourselves.....

[Big Boy]

LOL, I used to go through that agony, but then coverage in Thailand became iffy (it is back nowadays), so I simply devised a system, and have used it ever since. I'm pretty crap at making GP Predictions anyway, but with the system, I simply blame the system when it all goes wrong. I'm sure I'll start the big slide soon. 3rd certainly flatters the effort I put into selection.

[pharvey]

And so to Round 8 - The Canadian GP. Mercedes improving, Aston Martin to bring in upgrades.... Ferrari looking a tad lost - unfortunately all chasing Crashappen. One can only hope for a better looking Podium!

Weekend Schedule - all times BST: -
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Don't forget to make your Superbru League picks - though it doesn't take BB long.......

[Big Boy]

Hmmmm....... No reminder this time - thanks pharvey.

[pharvey]

Hmmmm....... No reminder this time - thanks pharvey.

DAMN!!