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Thread: Formula 1 2019

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  1. #1

    Formula 1 2019

    Life in Formula 1 never stands still, and even in the depths of winter there's plenty of intrigue, gossip and innuendo, so we might as well start the 2019 season right here!

    Other than the acknowledgement of Michael Schumacher's 50th birthday, which was marked by a statement from his family which didn't really say anything about his condition or prospects, the motorsport press has really woken up this week with the news of Maurizio Arrivabene's not entirely voluntary departure from Ferrari.

    Reading between the lines, it seems that this parting of ways was always on the cards, with the late Sergio Marchionne, who appointed the former Marlboro PR man in the first place, as the instigator of his departure. I wouldn't be surprised to learn that there was some friction between Arrivabene and technical chief Mattia Binotto, and the Ferrari board decided that they would rather lose Arrivabene than the man responsible for moving Ferrari to the forefront of technical innovation, and find themselves competing against him once any gardening leave period had expired. Binotto is a Ferrari man through and through, having been involved with the Formula 1 team in one capacity or other since 1995.

    Arrivabene, according to Mark Hughes, seemed to confuse leadership with being bombastic, and his attitude towards the press didn't exactly win friends and influence people, so expect knives to be sharpened over the next few weeks. At the end of the day somebody had to take the blame for what has been described as "the best car, run by the worst team" in 2018.

    Away from Ferrari, and to nobody's surprise Helmut Marko has been talking to the press about the new Red Bull/Honda partnership. If you want to, you can read about it here: https://www.pitpass.com/63758/Marko-...-to-tempt-fate

    New car launches begin in mid-February, in advance of the first pre-season Test which begins on February 18th. Hopefully, this year's first Test won't be curtailed by snow, and the teams can get some meaningful running in.

    One more snippet of not particularly good news is that Niki Lauda was readmitted to hospital in Vienna having spent Christmas with his family at home in Ibiza and contracted flu. Niki underwent a double lung transplant late last year, and was making a good recovery according to reports, but his weakened immune system left him vulnerable. He is expected to be released later this week.
    Although no trees were harmed during the creation of this post, a large number of electrons were greatly inconvenienced.

  2. #2
    Master MakeColdplayHistory's Avatar
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    In case you're reading this Niki - unlikely but you never know - best wishes for a speedy recovery.

  3. #3
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    Quote Originally Posted by Backward point View Post
    Away from Ferrari, and to nobody's surprise Helmut Marko has been talking to the press about the new Red Bull/Honda partnership. If you want to, you can read about it here: https://www.pitpass.com/63758/Marko-...-to-tempt-fate
    All are bound to be skeptical as with Torro Rosso Honda has proven basically nothing more than mediocre progress. Still, it seems that Marko would have at least sóme reason to create such high expectations as he has only to loose from that.
    The Barcelona tests are not likely to clarify matters as for one all will be sandbagging and developing and secondly RedBull will claim the latter big time for the new Honda engine expected.

    Sadly not at Jerez again. Would have enjoyed a visit now with Alonso gone.

  4. #4
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    The Barcelona tests may not necessarily show who’s top but they will definitely show who’s struggling. If RB are struggling with the new engine, we will know.

  5. #5
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  6. #6
    Quote Originally Posted by Backward point View Post
    Hopefully it will mean that Brown will stay away

  7. #7
    So this is what F1 call a punishment

    https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/14...public-service

    What a joke

  8. #8
    Grand Master PickleB's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by adrianw View Post
    So this is what F1 call a punishment

    https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/14...public-service

    What a joke
    "He will spend his time at the Marrakech event observing proceedings from the FIA stewards' room in race control."

    How it that a "public service"?

  9. #9
    Quote Originally Posted by adrianw View Post
    So this is what F1 call a punishment

    https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/14...public-service

    What a joke

    I've watched a Formula E race, and it does seem rather harsh.
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  10. #10
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    F1 is leagues faster than FE as it currently stands so i think there would be quite some way to go in FE before the FIA start slowing them down.
    The reason the FE circuits are so tight and windy is to give the impression that the cars are faster then they actually are.

  11. #11
    Grand Master hogthrob's Avatar
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    Also, they sound like milk floats.

  12. #12
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    I have started watching Formula E this season... I had seen previous events but as commented earlier could not engage with them. I thought I'd give it a go this year as they have the new designs and also now go the whole race in a single car (previous generation had to swap cars half way through). The manufacturers are lining up as are the stars to drive these cars and I can see this being the future but I am not invested in this the same way I'm into F1.

    One of the reasons for me is that Formula E seems to be aimed at the Playstation generation, there are two many boost and gimmicks, the cars are fundamentally the same but with various boost available during the race. This seems to me to be detrimental to what people want to see, which is cars that pit the driver skill against one another.

    Whilst Formula E does not suffer the same problem as F1 where the car can run easily behind each other, there is no differential in the teams and their strengths and weaknesses. For example we all know that in 2018 the Redbull had a dog of an engine but it strengths where in the aero. In places like Monaco then this played to the Redbull's strengths... This seems to be missing in Formula E. It is in current F1 but we do not see it properly as the aero is stoping the wheel the wheel action.

    The tracks do not help in Formula E either they seem two tight for proper wheel to wheel action and more aimed at presenting the cars rather than proper racing.

  13. #13
    Quote Originally Posted by L8_M8 View Post
    I have started watching Formula E this season... I had seen previous events but as commented earlier could not engage with them. I thought I'd give it a go this year as they have the new designs and also now go the whole race in a single car (previous generation had to swap cars half way through). The manufacturers are lining up as are the stars to drive these cars and I can see this being the future but I am not invested in this the same way I'm into F1.

    One of the reasons for me is that Formula E seems to be aimed at the Playstation generation, there are two many boost and gimmicks, the cars are fundamentally the same but with various boost available during the race. This seems to me to be detrimental to what people want to see, which is cars that pit the driver skill against one another.

    Whilst Formula E does not suffer the same problem as F1 where the car can run easily behind each other, there is no differential in the teams and their strengths and weaknesses. For example we all know that in 2018 the Redbull had a dog of an engine but it strengths where in the aero. In places like Monaco then this played to the Redbull's strengths... This seems to be missing in Formula E. It is in current F1 but we do not see it properly as the aero is stoping the wheel the wheel action.

    The tracks do not help in Formula E either they seem two tight for proper wheel to wheel action and more aimed at presenting the cars rather than proper racing.
    Remember next year is a free for all, within the rules, that is why the manufacturers are getting so interested.

  14. #14
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    Quote Originally Posted by adrianw View Post
    Remember next year is a free for all, within the rules, that is why the manufacturers are getting so interested.
    I didn't realize that, then that could make it a little bit more interesting just need to loose the gimmicks...

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    Quote Originally Posted by hogthrob View Post
    Also, they sound like milk floats.
    Speaking of which; per july 2020 new electric/hybrid vehicles are to emit sound because their silent mode is 40% more likely to hit a pedestrian than fossil fuel burners.



    Saw a surprising statistic concerning reliability of the new F1 tech.;
    In comparison with 2013 V8/V10s the 2018 hybrids did 10% more distance with half the number of engines.
    Also fuel efficiency went up from 35 to 50%.
    If only they would make the cars overtake easier.

  16. #16
    A very insightful article on motorsport.com today about one of the most hotly anticipated new partnerships this season, that of Vettel and Leclerc.

    https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/v...spond/4325186/

    You can be sure that the young Monegasque will be aware of his relative qualifying shortcomings, especially so compared to Vettel, and that in order to put up a challenge to the German he'll be working on his consistency. I'm also quite surprised to read that, according to the process used in the article, that Vettel was technically the best qualifier of 2018 relative to both his own and his team's performance. With Hamilton putting on the display that he did in both Melbourne and Singapore last year it would be easy to presume that it was the Brit that was getting the most from himself.
    Last edited by CardShark; 17th January 2019 at 21:47.

  17. #17
    Alonso wins at Daytona, well done, brilliant drive in the rain

    https://www.autosport.com/imsa/news/...nds-race-early

  18. #18
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    Yep, the Force car looks as bad as last year.

  19. #19
    Grand Master Saint-Just's Avatar
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    The problem is that unlike many sports there isn’t a second division to fall back to, or graduate from for teams, unlike pilots.

    So the back of the pack remains at the back, the middle battles well and the top teams can pass everyone else in a few laps on most tracks.
    Therefore attracting sponsors isn’t economically viable i most cases.
    'Against stupidity, the gods themselves struggle in vain' - Schiller.

  20. #20
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    Question

    Are they going to let formula E onto some proper race tracks one day? I assume someone from F1 has got things tied up for formula E so they can’t compete on a spectacle level.

    I’d probably watch FE if it wasn’t a parade around narrow streets, looks so frustrating.

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    Quote Originally Posted by jameswrx View Post
    Are they going to let formula E onto some proper race tracks one day? I assume someone from F1 has got things tied up for formula E so they can’t compete on a spectacle level.

    I’d probably watch FE if it wasn’t a parade around narrow streets, looks so frustrating.

    E-tech is a long way from being able to lap on proper tracks and even further from proper race distances.
    On a side note; e-cars will be required to emit sound so pedestrians can hear them. Would seem logical that FE cars will have a sound system playing motor sounds too :-)

    Back to the racing; the E farcing is already fully taken over by the main stream manufacturers and the fields have much the same brands.

    The rest is just about publicity. As soon as FE offers a spectacle it will rub shoulders with, perghaps even take over F1. The manufacturers don´t care which tech propels their billboards.

  22. #22
    Craftsman
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    Amazing initial reliability from most of the teams and great to see McLaren making progress. Would love to see Williams improve too but might have to wait a while longer for that!

  23. #23
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    Quote Originally Posted by Culminator View Post
    Amazing initial reliability from most of the teams and great to see McLaren making progress. Would love to see Williams improve too but might have to wait a while longer for that!
    Well at least until they get a car to the track!

  24. #24
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    I really hope McLaren have genuinely made improvements and can mix it with the mid field this year. lando Norris doing some good stints too by the looks of it.

  25. #25
    Grand Master hogthrob's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by jameswrx View Post
    Are they going to let formula E onto some proper race tracks one day? I assume someone from F1 has got things tied up for formula E so they can’t compete on a spectacle level.

    I’d probably watch FE if it wasn’t a parade around narrow streets, looks so frustrating.
    According to Wikipedia, the latest FE cars have a top speed of 174mph. They'd look pretty slow on an F1 track, and there would be virtually zero overtaking. I think that's why they use the tracks they do.

  26. #26
    Grand Master Saint-Just's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by hogthrob View Post
    According to Wikipedia, the latest FE cars have a top speed of 174mph. They'd look pretty slow on an F1 track, and there would be virtually zero overtaking. I think that's why they use the tracks they do.
    It is indeed chicken and egg: the cars were designed to run on street tracks across the world to publicise e powered cars. They could make different cars to run on proper circuits but that drastically limit the number of locations.
    'Against stupidity, the gods themselves struggle in vain' - Schiller.

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    Quote Originally Posted by Saint-Just View Post
    It is indeed chicken and egg: the cars were designed to run on street tracks across the world to publicise e powered cars. They could make different cars to run on proper circuits but that drastically limit the number of locations.
    The battery tech is simply not up to that quite yet. Faster = more drain = even shorter range and at an alarming rate too since the power drain is related to the square of the speed.
    Nevertheless, the way Liberty is going about the television rights, this year FE will be the race spectator sport by default ;-)

  28. #28
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    Well that would be a big improvement for sure! ;-)

  29. #29
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    The FE rules have changed for this season; the cars now run the complete race of 45 minutes plus one lap rather than changing cars half way through.

    Next season will allow teams to also design and build their own chassis rather than all use the same as now.

    Things are changing fast; I’m sure they’ll start using proper tracks soon enough. They already use a shortened version of the Monaco circuit although I can’t really see why they don’t use the full circuit.

  30. #30
    Fresh from not buying Force India, Rich Energy have become title sponsors of Haas:

    https://www.motorsport.com/f1/video/...launch/382025/

    Somebody really should have given Nicki Shields a script to work from. As a publicity event, this lacked a certain gravitas. However, Rich Energy (has anybody ever even seen their product for sale? Me neither. Not exactly Red Bull, are they?) is now a major sponsor in Formula 1, and if Haas maintain their current trajectory, should be snapping at the heels of the leading teams this year.

    The event was expected to be a reveal of the 2019 livery, but the car appears to be the full 2019 version, so this is the first of the new season's cars to be shown to the press. More images here: https://www.pitpass.com/gallery/2124...y-Reveal-Haas/

    Further car reveals are scheduled for next week, with pre-season testing starting on the 18th.
    Although no trees were harmed during the creation of this post, a large number of electrons were greatly inconvenienced.

  31. #31
    Quote Originally Posted by Backward point View Post
    Fresh from not buying Force India, Rich Energy have become title sponsors of Haas:

    https://www.motorsport.com/f1/video/...launch/382025/

    Somebody really should have given Nicki Shields a script to work from. As a publicity event, this lacked a certain gravitas. However, Rich Energy (has anybody ever even seen their product for sale? Me neither. Not exactly Red Bull, are they?) is now a major sponsor in Formula 1, and if Haas maintain their current trajectory, should be snapping at the heels of the leading teams this year.

    The event was expected to be a reveal of the 2019 livery, but the car appears to be the full 2019 version, so this is the first of the new season's cars to be shown to the press. More images here: https://www.pitpass.com/gallery/2124...y-Reveal-Haas/

    Further car reveals are scheduled for next week, with pre-season testing starting on the 18th.
    Sources indicate that the car revealed yesterday might actually be a 2018 car with 2019 front and rear wings, rather than the actual 2019 car.

    The black livery makes it very difficult to see the bodywork, especially the crucial and therefore highly sensitive area around the barge boards, cockpit sides and the front of the sidepods. Who knows? The 2019 car will be used in the tests, that's for sure.

    Meanwhile, has anybody found any Rich Energy drinks for sale, other than on the internet?
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  32. #32
    Master petethegeek's Avatar
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    A quick look on the Companies House website shows three officers listed for Rich Energy Ltd. William Storey himself - described as a Computer Consultant - along with a Keep Fit Instructor and a Public House Manager who resigned a year and a half ago.

    https://beta.companieshouse.gov.uk/c...91667/officers

    Rich Energy Racing Ltd appears even more shambolic.

  33. #33
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    The Haas car show to the press was last years car with his years wings, but the online reveal was the new 2019 car, from angles that don't reveal too much but...
    https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/14...errari-exhaust

    If you don't have subscription, in short, Haas is based on Ferrari parts, Ferrari did one test session last season of a double stacked exhaust for aero reasons and now the Haas has appeared with one, so it's thoguht the Ferrari next week will.

  34. #34
    Quote Originally Posted by petethegeek View Post
    A quick look on the Companies House website shows three officers listed for Rich Energy Ltd. William Storey himself - described as a Computer Consultant - along with a Keep Fit Instructor and a Public House Manager who resigned a year and a half ago.

    https://beta.companieshouse.gov.uk/c...91667/officers

    Rich Energy Racing Ltd appears even more shambolic.
    They are backed by Gold & Sullivan, apparently.

  35. #35
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    Williams new colour scheme.

  36. #36
    Looking at the pictures of the Merc W10, you have to wonder if the aerodynamicists have beaten the rule makers already, its a stunning looking thing. I wonder what the Red Bull will look like

  37. #37
    Grand Master Dave+63's Avatar
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    So no change really.

  38. #38
    Grand Master Saint-Just's Avatar
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    Liberty being from over the pond could also introduce a point for most laps in the lead...
    'Against stupidity, the gods themselves struggle in vain' - Schiller.

  39. #39
    Master petethegeek's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Saint-Just View Post
    ...could also introduce a point for most laps in the lead...
    I can see that proposal getting Bernd Maylander’s full support.

  40. #40
    I just saw the first episode of the Netflix documentary, it was ok, but obviously targeted at people who have never seen a Formula one car in their lives.

    The rest of the episodes are far more fly on the wall, and not siege coated.

    It seems that Willian’s let Lawrence Stroll has far to much influence at Williams last season, it’s a shame they didn’t have the confidence to tell him where to get off. It must affect this years car
    Last edited by adrianw; 9th March 2019 at 22:07.

  41. #41
    Anyone else taking part in the PFRL Fantasy League this season? Just tried to set up my teams and realised I don't know the TZ league name, or even if one has been set up.

    Doesn't Tokyo Tokei normally set things up as he has a hand in running the site?

    Edit to add that he doesn't appear to have posted for a good few months now.
    Last edited by CardShark; 9th March 2019 at 18:47.

  42. #42
    Extremely surprised to see Formula E on BBC 2 this morning considering their complete disinterest in motorsport, maybe it is politically correct now.

  43. #43
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    Don’t they have extra fuel this year? That would help negate the need to fuel save and so encourage all the drivers who are able to do so, push for the fastest lap toward the end.

  44. #44
    Grand Master hogthrob's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by jaytip View Post
    Don’t they have extra fuel this year? That would help negate the need to fuel save and so encourage all the drivers who are able to do so, push for the fastest lap toward the end.
    Is it also about saving engine wear and stress though?

  45. #45
    Tyre choices for the weekend:



    A heavy bias towards the C4 Soft, unsurprising given the nature of the circuit, with lots of relatively slow 90-degree corners, and the fact that the circuit is largely public road, and will be "green" until the race itself. The C4 is the "old" Ultrasoft, with C5 the Hypersoft, C3 used to be the Soft, and C2 the Medium.

    All clear? Good.
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  46. #46
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    RIP Charlie Whiting. Sad and unwelcome news to start the season with.

  47. #47
    Grand Master PickleB's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by petethegeek View Post
    RIP Charlie Whiting. Sad and unwelcome news to start the season with.
    Sad news indeed and possibly awkward for F1. RIP.

  48. #48
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    Quote Originally Posted by petethegeek View Post
    RIP Charlie Whiting. Sad and unwelcome news to start the season with.
    Sure is, says a lot about the man that he was so highly respected by all. I wonder if he was a victim of DVT. RIP Charlie.

  49. #49
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    ^^ wishful thinking :)
    I think they normally show a couple of races on Sky One year - just to tempt us

  50. #50
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    Live on Sky One now....
    My son woke me up 2 minutes before the start of the race (not planned), so watching now - great start by Bottas

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