Formula 1 Discussion - And favourite driver?

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I can not fucking believe the whole jewellery thing is still on going.

Big boss of the GDPA, Wurz has sided with the FIA.

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Not sure how I missed this, but here's some impressive footage of a livestreaming camera being taken out during the Friday practice session at the Bathurst 12 Hour.


TIL they use phone cameras. I'm guessing other livestreamed GT and/or enduro races are shot on cameraphones these days. Speaking of which, the 2022 Nurburgring 24 Hours is less than 2 weeks away. Looks like the mighty Dacia Logan is having another crack.

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Full entry list attached.
 

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I watched a fair amount of the Bathurst race, I don't think I ever watched it before, but had heard of it. I am not huge into endurance racing, but I did enjoy it. The fog was pretty crazy at points. Saw a few names I recognized, a couple DTM guys (Juncadella, Engel and SVL) and Joey Mawson I remember seeing in junior racing. It definitely is a spectacular track.

I also watched the Indy GP. If we could have a race or two like that in F1 it would be wonderful! Just a crazy race, one of the best I have seen in a quite awhile in any series. If anyone hasn't viewed it, you should. The weather was just right to cause a lot of action and tire strategy was off the charts. I don't want to mention anything more as it really should be watched without any further background. You can view it here:


Back to F1, there should be a shitload of upgrades this weekend. Alfa will be interesting to watch to see if they improve. That will put more screws to Merc. If they again look like shit this weekend, then I think they need to really weigh whether it would be better to just go back to the initial concept from the Barcelona test. Of course they will look like idiots and will have lost a lot in development efforts and budget, but if they don't get on top of their issues in Spain, then they will have to be written off and focus on holding on to at 3rd in the WCC. If Alfa can keep improving, they will be under pressure to hold onto 3rd. This weekend will be when they can truly compare the original design with the current car on the same track. If the race ends up being shit, at least there is the upgrades and who looks better to discus come next Monday.

Also, will Lewis have found the precious few minutes he would need to comply with the jewelry rule? I bet not and if it isn't gone, is he going to cry about it more and hope to get further dispensation, or will he remove it before Monaco? That will be a fun story line to follow too!

And Williams is letting Nick De Vries drive FP1. When I read an article about Nick, that also referenced the rumour of the driver swap mid season with Nick being the driver, NOT Piastri. Albon is sitting out FP1. So, let's see how bad NDV trashes Latifi. Assuming he will, then I think its only a matter of time that they do turf Latifi. With two good drivers, they have a chance of finishing much higher in the WCC. If Albon can score points, then good bet Nick will be in the mix too. NDV/OP certainly wouldn't be as bad as Latifi is. I really thought his money would save him, but it does appear it may not factor in. We will see I guess.
 
Merc is pulling out of Formula E. Guess they no longer feel like wasting money on the literal dumping ground for failed F1 drivers with shitty video-game-like mechanics, where winning is more the result of gambling rather than actual racecraft or at least engineering prowess. Formula E is first and foremost a "sport" with a primary goal in virtue signalling, not sportsmanship or good racing.

It's a damn shame, the cars look fucking cool (when you disregard the fact that they literally race on tyres that I could slap on my beater Ford Fiesta).

I bet Formula E could be really good: Allow them to race on actual racetracks and not their glorified gokart tracks, introduce a battery-swap mechanic (akin to refueling in the good old days of F1) and allow drivers to go pedal-to-the-metal throughout the race. Also replace the fan-boost-poll mechanic with an online voting tool that allows fans to zap the inventors of "Attack mode" and the "fan boost" in the nuts with a big fucking jolt of electricity on live TV.

Maybe they should do night races and use neon lights to make the racetrack look super futuristic or something I dunno.
But I insist on the option to electrocute the nuts of any dipshit that thought "attack mode" was a good idea.

Back to F1, there should be a shitload of upgrades this weekend. Alfa will be interesting to watch to see if they improve.
Still crossing fingers for AM to make their car work. I just would love to see that sexy, sexy green car keep up with the top 10.
That will put more screws to Merc. If they again look like shit this weekend, then I think they need to really weigh whether it would be better to just go back to the initial concept from the Barcelona test.
Merc is in a really bad place and what they need is a miracle to make their car work. Even if they go back to their Barcelona test design, that was pretty much just their monkey version to avoid giving away details about their actual design. I doubt it would do them any good, since that Barcelone design is a very crude basic design without much research put into it... I guess they hope to extract at least some more performance out of their no-pod design, cause the only alternative is going back to a blank slate without any budget to improve on.

If FIA actually bans no-pod designs next season, Merc is in a deadend with their design, so even if they somehow manage to make it not suck, they still start from scratch next season while every other team can work on making their proven designs better, based on extensive data from this season.

The no-pod design might have cost Mercedes two seasons and that's fucking hilarious.
 
I'm liking Mohammed Ben Sulayem's handling of everything so far.

Telling Hamilton to get fucked with the jewelry:
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Telling him he's setting a shit example
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And finally floating the idea of Massi's return
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Best of all Hambone and his dick riders can't cry racist against based Arab man who's already fed up of hambone thinking he's bigger than the sport.
 
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Also what the hell, I love Arabs now.

All joking and memes aside, it's a safety regulation. Imagine a driver was pounding down beers before starting the race. Imagine what example that would set.
But we're talking about a wannabe Basketball American here, so he's literally a rebel without a clue. All he knows is to pointlessly confront authorities in a mopey and pissy way.
Can't be a fighter against oppression without picking a fight with authority, I guess.
 
Shot:
And finally floating the idea of Massi's return
View attachment 3292508
Chaser:

Lewis Hamilton is 'astonished' by Mohammed ben Sulayem's suggestion that controversial race director Michael Masi could make a return but sources claim the F1 supremo 'simply aims to restore the FIA to its rightful position'​

(article)
  • Mohammed ben Sulayem refused to rule out a return to F1 for Michael Masi
  • Masi was axed as race director after a controversial finish to the 2021 season
  • His decision to allow five cars to un-lap themselves saw Lewis Hamilton lose
  • The Mercedes driver has reacted angrily to Ben Sulayem's comments
Lewis Hamilton has reacted angrily to FIA president Mohammed ben Sulayem's revelation in Sportsmail on Saturday that there may be a way back for sacked race director Michael Masi.

Masi was fired from his Formula One post in February after being held responsible for Hamilton missing out on an eighth world title in Abu Dhabi last year — a dismissal that represented a victory for Mercedes.

But in his first interview since taking up the leadership of world motor sport's governing body, Ben Sulayem said: 'Michael is there and we might use him. We are open to everything.'

Sportsmail understands from a team insider that Hamilton and his nearest advisers were 'astonished' to read the comments and spoke about the situation via urgent phone messages after the story broke.

Hamilton's Mercedes boss Toto Wolff was also furious and made his strong opposition to Masi's rehabilitation known internally.

However, somebody close to the scene told Sportsmail that Ben Sulayem 'does not want a fight' but 'is simply aiming to restore the FIA to its rightful position, nothing more or less.'

Traditionally, the FIA have been one-third of the troika that runs Formula One, alongside the 10 teams and Formula One Management. The FIA draw up the rules and run the races.

These three elements, fighting for their own interests as much as the good of the sport, have often been willing to take out each other's eyeballs with toothpicks in internecine wrangling.

A source said: 'Over the last few years the FIA has been marginalised and Ben Sulayem wants to return it to its old role. He doesn't want anything himself, financially or in any other way. He maybe feels that Toto has got a little ahead of himself. It's not up to Toto to run Formula One.'

Ben Sulayem, a 60-year-old former rally driver from Dubai, has kept in occasional dialogue with Masi — who remains on the FIA payroll and is keen to return to Formula One.

Mercedes declined to comment publicly on Ben Sulayem's comments, pretending that the interview had not registered on their psyche.

Another issue Ben Sulayem brought up was jewellery being worn in the cockpit. Hamilton is the most obvious exponent of the practice and Mercedes sources indicated the Briton would not back down in his desire to wear a nose stud despite the FIA edict.

He faces a fine and accumulating points on his racing licence if he drives with the stud in Monaco at the end of the month, when his exemption to have it removed will have run out.

Mercedes declined to comment publicly on Ben Sulayem's remarks, insisting that the interview had not registered on their or Hamilton's psyche.
 
Shot:

Chaser:

Lewis Hamilton is 'astonished' by Mohammed ben Sulayem's suggestion that controversial race director Michael Masi could make a return but sources claim the F1 supremo 'simply aims to restore the FIA to its rightful position'​

(article)
  • Mohammed ben Sulayem refused to rule out a return to F1 for Michael Masi
  • Masi was axed as race director after a controversial finish to the 2021 season
  • His decision to allow five cars to un-lap themselves saw Lewis Hamilton lose
  • The Mercedes driver has reacted angrily to Ben Sulayem's comments
Lewis Hamilton has reacted angrily to FIA president Mohammed ben Sulayem's revelation in Sportsmail on Saturday that there may be a way back for sacked race director Michael Masi.

Masi was fired from his Formula One post in February after being held responsible for Hamilton missing out on an eighth world title in Abu Dhabi last year — a dismissal that represented a victory for Mercedes.

But in his first interview since taking up the leadership of world motor sport's governing body, Ben Sulayem said: 'Michael is there and we might use him. We are open to everything.'

Sportsmail understands from a team insider that Hamilton and his nearest advisers were 'astonished' to read the comments and spoke about the situation via urgent phone messages after the story broke.

Hamilton's Mercedes boss Toto Wolff was also furious and made his strong opposition to Masi's rehabilitation known internally.

However, somebody close to the scene told Sportsmail that Ben Sulayem 'does not want a fight' but 'is simply aiming to restore the FIA to its rightful position, nothing more or less.'

Traditionally, the FIA have been one-third of the troika that runs Formula One, alongside the 10 teams and Formula One Management. The FIA draw up the rules and run the races.

These three elements, fighting for their own interests as much as the good of the sport, have often been willing to take out each other's eyeballs with toothpicks in internecine wrangling.

A source said: 'Over the last few years the FIA has been marginalised and Ben Sulayem wants to return it to its old role. He doesn't want anything himself, financially or in any other way. He maybe feels that Toto has got a little ahead of himself. It's not up to Toto to run Formula One.'

Ben Sulayem, a 60-year-old former rally driver from Dubai, has kept in occasional dialogue with Masi — who remains on the FIA payroll and is keen to return to Formula One.

Mercedes declined to comment publicly on Ben Sulayem's comments, pretending that the interview had not registered on their psyche.

Another issue Ben Sulayem brought up was jewellery being worn in the cockpit. Hamilton is the most obvious exponent of the practice and Mercedes sources indicated the Briton would not back down in his desire to wear a nose stud despite the FIA edict.

He faces a fine and accumulating points on his racing licence if he drives with the stud in Monaco at the end of the month, when his exemption to have it removed will have run out.

Mercedes declined to comment publicly on Ben Sulayem's remarks, insisting that the interview had not registered on their or Hamilton's psyche.
Hamilton's literally acting like a spoiled child, throwing a tantrum because things aren't going his way.
 
Masi was fired from his Formula One post in February after being held responsible for Hamilton missing out on an eighth world title in Abu Dhabi last year
These Hamilton shitmunchers jfc :story:

Masi was neither fired, nor was he made "responsible" for Hamilton losing to Verstappen. The entitlement of the pro-Louie defense force is palpable. They even admit it's bullshit to claim Masi was fired:
Masi — who remains on the FIA payroll and is keen to return to Formula One
Masi is still on FIA's payroll, so he can't be fired. Last I checked, when you're fired, you do no longer work for the company that fired you and thus you' won't get any salary. He was replaced from his post after 3 years for political reason, but he wasn't fired. If he makes a comeback, it just emphasizes that him being replaced was more of a measure to avoid shitflinging and a pacifier to Wolff and Hamilton. FIA just dodged the issue by giving Masi a vacation for a year or so before they put him back into action.

If FIA made Masi responsible for anything that interfered with the outcome of the title fight, they could quite literally just do a rollback on Abu Dhabi, declare the last lap void and WHAM, Hamilton is a happy unbroken buck. But they didn't.
Might be the guy just did this as a bit of a jab at Mercedes to remind them, that they do not call the shots. Merc bitches about the jewelry rule being enforced after lobbying to apply rules as written, Abdul Al Neckchop-McLoli-diddler now publically muses he might bring back Masi as a Fuck You to Mercedes and to remind them, who's in charge.
He faces a fine and accumulating points on his racing licence if he drives with the stud in Monaco at the end of the month, when his exemption to have it removed will have run out.
Hamilton already doubled down on not removing the piercings even if it meant he would be punished, so he set himself up to look like a fool if he doesn't.
If Hamilton does the Virgin Walk to a hardware store to get his ghetto-dogmarks clipped, he will look like an even bigger fool than ever before.
 
Someone needs to ask Hamilton if he can explain why Vettel's activism is well recieved even amongst those that booed him for multiple seasons while everyone is fed up of his. Everytime he even thinks the words race or black he should be kicked in the nuts.
 
Someone needs to ask Hamilton if he can explain why Vettel's activism is well recieved even amongst those that booed him for multiple seasons while everyone is fed up of his. Everytime he even thinks the words race or black he should be kicked in the nuts.
Why must you ask question to which the answers are already known.
Hamilton and his fans have a very simple solution to this conundrum and it has nothing to do with Hamilton being a virtue-signalling douchenozzle. Here's a hint: The reason he and his fans would give ryhmes with "Shmincolor."
 
Not sure how I missed this, but here's some impressive footage of a livestreaming camera being taken out during the Friday practice session at the Bathurst 12 Hour.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=H_6s_3pqhuc
TIL they use phone cameras. I'm guessing other livestreamed GT and/or enduro races are shot on cameraphones these days. Speaking of which, the 2022 Nurburgring 24 Hours is less than 2 weeks away. Looks like the mighty Dacia Logan is having another crack.

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Full entry list attached.
Also a rather sad note: every year there is a Opel Manta on the 24 hour race roster but this year it won't be because the car was heavily damaged in a fire. Which is a bummer.

To F1: I would have thought that the FIA might cave under Lewis increasing whining but it seems that the new boss is determined to stamp his authority over the sport. Let's see how long this will go on. I suspect that in Monacco Hamilton will pay a modest fine and with each race it increases until the patience runs out. And then we get a shit storm. Though this time it's not the "huite man" but a brown man that keeps the black man down. I am going to store popcorn for that moment
 
Also a rather sad note: every year there is a Opel Manta on the 24 hour race roster but this year it won't be because the car was heavily damaged in a fire. Which is a bummer.

To F1: I would have thought that the FIA might cave under Lewis increasing whining but it seems that the new boss is determined to stamp his authority over the sport. Let's see how long this will go on. I suspect that in Monacco Hamilton will pay a modest fine and with each race it increases until the patience runs out. And then we get a shit storm. Though this time it's not the "huite man" but a brown man that keeps the black man down. I am going to store popcorn for that moment
I might be mistaken, but I think additionally to the fine he also receives points that can lead to a race ban, if he accumulates too many. Doubt that's gonna happen, he'll bail on his mopey bullshit long before that.

At best, I expect him to take a fine, so he can say he stood up to the white man, bitch about racism and then cave in.
Maybe display how rich he is with all the subtlety of an oil sheik buying two dozen gilded Lambirghinis or something.
 
To F1: I would have thought that the FIA might cave under Lewis increasing whining but it seems that the new boss is determined to stamp his authority over the sport.
Yeah in an interview he said the FIA has lost too much influence in the 3 party agreement between FOM, FIA and the teams under Todt's leadership. He apparently thinks "some team principals" have gotten too comfy calling the shots and making demands in the sport.

Sounds like he's not here to fuck around and Toto is not going to like what's coming.
 
Yeah in an interview he said the FIA has lost too much influence in the 3 party agreement between FOM, FIA and the teams under Todt's leadership. He apparently thinks "some team principals" have gotten too comfy calling the shots and making demands in the sport.

Sounds like he's not here to fuck around and Toto is not going to like what's coming.
So we might go back to the days of Ecclestone dictating what's what. They often say that the most succesful racing series had a "dictator" at the top to make the decisions. Just like with NASCAR back in the days. And let's be honest guys like Wolff and Horner make it seem like they can do whatever they want. As long as F1 doesn't inflate the number of races as 23 is already the limit imho
 
Does that mean Leclerc has fulfilled his annual Monaco-crash quota and will be able to finish his home grand prix for a change?


I'm still hoping for a repeat of the 1996 race, whre 3 people finished.


Which is why 90's F1 will always be my favourite, yes the gap between top and bottom was vast, but the excitement came from who would blow up or drive into a wall next, with the race continuing as the officials tried to get the Opal Vectra safety car started. Not to mention the best looking cars, screaming V10s and Murray Walker on commentary. Plus you had some superb comedy teams such as Life, who didn't fit a tacho to their car and once had to borrow a tyre pressure gauge because they forgot to bring one. Or Andrea Moda, who straight up tried to murder their second driver by knowingly sending him out in a faulty car.

Edit - F1 doesn't like their videos shared. Oddly, it's also the only channel I've found that won't work with my VPN.
 
Yes, Lewis can get penalty points if he doesn't remove the jewelry, They should amend the rule to say you get 6 points to really drive home they aren't fucking around. As I said, will be interesting times if this situation becomes a big story come Monaco. I am assuming he is going to cave, but if he doesn't, that will be a big mistake.

Perhaps with Lewis nearing end of his career, the bigwigs are kind of glad he will be gone soon and they now are giving no fucks since we have all these clean cut and nice young drivers coming up and becoming the faces of F1 (Charles, Max, Lando, George, maybe 1 or 2 others) and they will be the future of the sport. None of them will become a huge ass and be overly pompous I think. And with the jewelry thing being a big deal, I am sure the FIA are happy to help push Lewis to cry so he leaves early. At least we all know that it will be sooner than later that we finally don't have to hear Lewis discussed during F1 races. Please let it be 2023 that we never hear of him again.

Sochi is not being replaced, so just 22 races this year. F2 however replaced Sochi and will race at Paul Ricard. We also have all 4 series racing this weekend in Spain. While W isn't so great, nice to have 5 races to watch.

Haas is not bringing any upgrades so let's see how they shake out. I am liking their strategy, hold your fire for a bit so when you do bring in an upgrade, it is a massive improvement.

Indy 500 qualifying is usually worth a watch, although when we had Bump Day it was much more exciting. Also double points at the 500 so the race will have big impact on standings.

DTM and SuperFormula also racing this weekend as is EuroFormula Open. We also have Nascar at Texas which I may watch too. So, lots of action on tap!
 
Grosjean is racing the 500 this year, he went back on his decision to not race ovals (he must feel pretty safe with that windscreen). Ever since he joined the Andretti team this year (which is one of the front runners) he has been doing very well, although he hasn't got any wins yet, he got a nice P2 fighting for the win at Long Beach this year. He did have a mechanical failure at Texas though, so his oval experience got cut short.

I don't remember the last year that F1 raced at paul ricard, but it had grown far too small even back then. Perhaps it's for the best that it didn't get the Tilke treatment back then.

Spain is not super promising, but we'll see how it goes. I heard ferrari is finally bringing some fucking upgrades to this weekend so it will be interesting to see how they stack up especially in the race. The team I'm most looking forward to seeing though is Alfa Romeo, if their upgrades are good they can solidify their place at the top of the midfield, 4th in the constructors for the next few GPs. For now, I'm sticking with all RB/Ferr/AR fantasy teams but might consider swapping out haas out after this week until they bring more upgrades.
 
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