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MB has certainly figured out tire window management in qual and race, no threat at all today.
Pretty amazing for a street circuit that all 20 cars were running ~1/2 into the race
Pretty bizarre accident of Ricciardo reversing into Kvyat in the escape road, IIRC it's against the rules to use reverse in a race.
I thought I'd heard that engaging R on track results in a DQ, but can't recall for sure. Then again, on a track like Baku, there are a few runoffs where it's R or retire, without sufficient room to spin the car around.
Still Come on Ric, surely it's tough to miss a car broadside in your mirror.
Bottas has been the biggest surprise in 2019, I thought he was washed up after 2018 but his offseason rejuvenation and perhaps more importantly a new race engineer has made a big difference.
His and Hamilton's starts and through the first two corners were impressive, the pair were side by side through both turns one and two. Bottas didn't yield nothing, Hamilton finally backed off slightly in three.
I wrote Bottas off last year but the first four races of 2019 shows he's more like Rosberg this season. That rivalry should develop as the season progresses.
Glad to see Wolff and MB letting them race.
Daniel Ricciardo has been given a three-place grid penalty for the next race in Spain after reversing in to Daniil Kvyat in the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
Late in the race Ricciardo had attempted to pass Kvyat for 10th place under braking for Turn 3, but misjudged the move and slid down the escape road.
In doing so, that forced Kvyat wide and the Toro Rosso driver also ended up in the run-off area, sitting right behind the Renault.
In Ricciardo's haste to get going, and unaware his rival was behind him, he instantly reversed and then hit Kvyat's car, damaging the Russian's floor.
The FIA ruled that Ricciardo was guilty of causing a collision and handed him a three-place grid penalty for the Spanish Grand Prix, as well as having two penalty points added to his licence.
Ricciardo apologised to Kvyat after the race for what happened, as he explained that he had reversed without looking in a 'panic' to get back on track.
"I obviously don't feel good about what happened," Ricciardo told Sky. "At the time it was looking quite good for us. We were starting to pick up the pace and obviously closing in on Daniil.
"I saw a gap and thought I would have a go. It is always tight into Turn 3, and initially I thought I had the commitment and would pull it off. Then I felt it was starting to lock and I missed the corner.
"At that point as soon as I went down the escape road, it was just I guess a sense of urgency and a bit of panic if you will – and try to minimise damage and lose as little time as possible.
"I found reverse and started going and to be honest I had no idea he was there. I guess the urgency stopped me from looking."
I thought I'd heard that engaging R on track results in a DQ, but can't recall for sure. Then again, on a track like Baku, there are a few runoffs where it's R or retire, without sufficient room to spin the car around.
Still Come on Ric, surely it's tough to miss a car broadside in your mirror.
Ricciardo is having a poor start with Renault, he's not happy with the braking performance/feel in the Renault compared with what he had in the Red Bull.
Although not a fan, Max is performing very well. Getting consistent points, racing when he can, and staying out of trouble,
I've also been impressed with Norris, he's been driving well at McLaren.
Also like Kvyat the Torpedo, started 6th Sunday but faded back.
Max has improved maturity-wise, and is driving well. The RBR/Honda is pretty impressive.
The rookies are impressing as well, poor Russell though, I imagine he'd be getting better results in a more developed car; Albon & Norris are doing well. Gasly should keep an eye on his mirror, that seat could come up for grabs should he not perform at the level expected of the RBR; I think Albon might get the seat over Kvyat based on the last few performances..
Max has improved maturity-wise, and is driving well. The RBR/Honda is pretty impressive.
The rookies are impressing as well, poor Russell though, I imagine he'd be getting better results in a more developed car; Albon & Norris are doing well. Gasly should keep an eye on his mirror, that seat could come up for grabs should he not perform at the level expected of the RBR; I think Albon might get the seat over Kvyat based on the last few performances..
+1, a fan of Albon who is looking very impressive for a rookie. Fast, low-key modest driver. I can picture him at RB or another team picking him up.
Okay, Williams has enough problems but one of the main problems is apparently the love affair with Kubica-time to go. Did you see his shunt at Baku in Q1?
+1, Kubica is a nice guy and well liked in the paddock but it appears his time has come and gone. Curious to see what happens when he gets a new chassis, that's been his complaint that the car doesn't feel right.
1) The 4PM start time means some pretty low sun angles which is hard on the drivers with all the fast changing light with bright sun and building shadows
2) Ricciardo's car had a reverse looking camera on the fin, couldn't the engineers put a rear view camera so when reverse is engaged the driver LCD display shows what's behind?
In his crash into Kvyat, the camera shows his Renault backing into Torro Roso.
The FIA has initiated tenders for standard brake systems and wheel rims for Formula 1 from 2021, when the sport ushers in its new regulation platform.
In a bid to reduce costs and simplify to a certain extent F1 technology, commercial rights owner Liberty Media and the FIA, along with the teams, have opted to introduce standardized parts into Grand Prix racing.
A tender was opened earlier this year to invite potential suppliers of gearboxes to participate in the procurement process.
And now F1's governing body is offering contracts for two additional components that will cover the 2021 to 2024 period.
Regarding a standardized brake system, the tender is divided into two elements - brake pads and frictions disc on one side and a brake hydraulic system on the other.
"The aim of single source supply is to retain current levels of braking performance at a much-reduced cost, while also removing the requirement for competitors to design or source their own brake hydraulics," said the FIA
"The components can be carried over between seasons, thus removing the need for costly continual performance development."
The FIA emphasized that the brake hydraulic system would "consist of front and rear brake calipers, a master cylinder and a brake-by-wire system."
Teams however would be allowed to design their own specific brake lines, hoses and reservoirs for the system.
The second tender involves 18-inch wheel rims, with the FIA specifying that there will be scope for the wheel width to change slightly for 2021, with potential suppliers expected to deliver 60 sets of wheel rims over the course of the season.
The submission date for both tenders is May 22, with the FIA awarding its contracts on June 14.
"As a street track, there are more than 300 of these covers, and we checked all of them several days before the weekend," race promoter Rahimov was quoted by Ria Novosti news agency.
Rahimov said the manhole that came loose was rusted from underneath and therefore was "impossible to notice visually."
"These things happen, as they did also in Monaco and China and Malaysia, so it even happens on normal circuits," he said. "We have apologized several times to the Williams team. The damage will be reimbursed by insurance. We don't yet know what amount we are talking about, but it will definitely be covered."
Interesting, not as headline making as powertrains and simple in function, but F1 braking has ALOT of little technical secrets and proprietary details.
Go to 9:00 which describes Ferrari's issues with getting the tires into the tire temp window.
Ed feels some of the problems is mechanical and not aero, perhaps suspension and geometry?
Ferrari the past couple seasons had better management of tire but now they've slipped and appears MB understands them better.
Anyone wanna play the "pre-season predictions" game?
I'll start:
1. Ferrari [hoping beyond all hope and pulling for Leclerc]
2. Mercedes [aero concept being reworked]
3. Red Bull [need another year of development on the Honda PU? will be interesting to watch team dynamics btwn Max and Pierre]
4. Alfa Romeo (Sauber) [really pulling for Kimi, car looks good]
5. Renault [rooting for the Hulk and Dani Ricc]
6. Haas
7. Racing . [that is the dumbest marketing decision, imho]
8. Toro Rosso
9. McLaren
10. Williams
Originally Posted by CCColtsicehockey
I will bite. Here is my predictions for the beginning.
1. Ferrari
2. Mercedes
3. Red Bull
4. Alfa Romeo
5. Haas
6. Renault
7. Racing Point
8. Toro Rosso
9. McLaren
10. Williams
Originally Posted by F-C
Might as well add my list:
1. Ferrari
2. Mercedes
3. Red Bull
4. Renault
5. Alfa Romeo
6. Toro Rosso
7. McLaren
8. Haas
9. Racing Point
10. Williams
Originally Posted by 00TL-P3.2
Mercedes
Ferrari
Renault
Red Bull
Alfa Romeo
Haas
Racing .
Toro Rosso
McLaren
Williams
OK, guys. We're at the start of the European season this weekend with the Spanish GP. Time to revisit our earlier predictions (see above).
Here are the current constructors' standings:
1. Mercedes 173 pts
2. Ferrari 99 pts
3. Red Bull 64 pts
4. McLaren 18 pts
5. Racing Point 17 pts
6. Alfa Romeo 13 pts
7. Renault 12 pts
8. Haas 8 pts
9. Toro Rosso 4 pts
10. Williams 0 pts
I guess the big surprises so far are McLaren (P4) and Racing Point (P5), while the big disappointments are Renault (P7) and Haas (P8).
Still the points gap btwn P4 and P8 is only 10 pts., so .....
To me Haas is the biggest surprise/disappointment to me and McLaren is the biggest surprise/for the better this year. I hoped Ferrari would be ahead of Merc but if I am being honest I didn't really believe it would happen. I think McLaren, Racing Point, and Alfa Romeo will fight it out for 4th place the rest of the season. Unless Haas turns a big stone in the next 2-3 races I don't see them getting into that fight at all. I don't understand why Renault can't succeed with their larger budget and being a works team but obviously the engine isn't as terrible as it has been in their car with what McLaren is doing with it.
Despite a long drawn out negotiation process with Liberty Media, the future of the Italian Grand Prix at Monza has virtually been secured says ACI president Angelo Sticchi Damiani.
An agreement in principle covering the next five years was recently reached between the Automobile Club of Italia and F1's commercial rights holder, although the contract itself will only be signed in the coming months.
Sticchi Damiani admitted that talks with Liberty almost broke down several times as each party held its ground and protected its financial interests.
"We started with a very demanding contract, signed in 2016 when we were in a position of weakness, with Bernie Ecclestone expecting to leave F1 and wanting to increase the value of his business," explained Sticchi Damiani, quoted by La Gazzetta dello Sport.
"The sport's new owners then tried to defend a deal born in another time and place but no longer sustainable, even for other European organizers."
In his talks with Liberty, Sticchi Damiani underlined Monza's historical significance for F1, a value matched only by Silverstone and Monaco.
"It was difficult, they were determined and they mentioned a long list of venues waiting to join F1, talks almost broke down two or three times," added the Italian.
"The financial agreement is confidential but compared to their initial demands, we saved a lot of money.
"They wanted more than €24 million but we closed the deal for a lower figure for five years. It's a very good contract and I thank them because they realized the importance of Monza."
With a few fine points still to be worked out between the two parties, the final agreement should be signed and sealed over the summer.
"The contract will take about a month to close, it's complicated, with additions and many aspects to work out," said the ACI president.
"But I hope it will all be done by the summer holidays and by the end of July."
Williams' George Russell believes the updates implemented on the team's FW42 in Spain will offer the beleaguered outfit a clear indication of its prospects for the remainder of the year.
Undermined by production delays, a late rollout and design issues, Williams' 2019 contender has forced Russell and team mate Robert Kubica to helplessly make up the rear since the start of the season.
Formula 1's return to Europe typically marks the beginning of the upgrade cycle for most teams, but Williams' updates will prove particularly important according to Russell.
"From the moment we put this car down in Barcelona [for pre-season testing] we knew we’d be having this car for the next four races or so," explained the Williams rookie.
"We’ve got a few little updates coming for Barcelona and I think that will give us a good indication of how the rest of the season will pan out.
"[There will be] a number of different things, varying from aerodynamics to brakes and so on.
"Like I said it’s not a full update but it will give us a clear direction of where we need to focus. And based on those results it will help us understand if we’ve got any hope for the remainder of the season or not."
While hope isn't a strategy, Russell has faith in his team's ability to pull itself out of its depressed slump.
"I have confidence that we are going to make progress," the young Brit toldAutosport.
"The team is working extremely hard and we have some quite exciting things in the pipeline.
"How close that will bring us to the rest of the pack I don’t know but these [difficult] weekends are making us stronger.
"I do believe at some point we’ll be able to turn it around."
True, but I doubt Head would have taken this role on unless he felt he couldn't improve the performance.
He's as serious as there is in the paddock, below at Chinese Grand Prix.
However, neither of its customer teams will use the upgraded engine.
In the past, Ferrari's customers have tended to run an engine upgrade first but the works team's decision to fast-track the introduction has been made independently.
Haas and Alfa will switch to the upgraded engine at the next race in Monaco or the following race in Canada.
"Last year we put it in before them, it was the opposite way around," Haas team principal Gunther Steiner said. "Everyone said, 'Why do you that?' and now we are the other way around. So how should we do it?
"Doing it at the same time is always logistically very difficult for them so one reason or another, depending on the upgrade, they ask us if we are OK and we are fine with it.
"In the end, they need to manage the engine and the mileage and all that stuff. We are pretty happy with what they have suggested. It hasn't been decided if we do it in Monte Carlo or Canada."
One of the advantages to running the upgraded engine in Monaco is it will give Haas and Alfa the chance to assess any potential issues before Canada, which is more power sensitive.
Haas does not have the same specification of fuel as Ferrari either, but Steiner does not believe it is a disadvantage.
"It is just a decision we took," he said. "That is it, there is nothing behind it. It is a bit of a different spec and it is fine."
Asked if it costs performance, Steiner said: "I don't think so because I don't know what they have got. I have nothing to compare with."
So it looks like 2019 is the final race at Interlagos. The GP will move to a new Tilke circuit in Rio.
To be honest, I was never a fan of Interlagos. Driving it on a simulator wasn't a lot of fun. I think it looks much better on tv than as an actual race track, with its iconic front straight that goes into that insane first corner. However, replacing it with another Tilke snoozer makes me go sad.
Aston Martin Red Bull Racing and Scuderia Toro Rosso have unveiled their brand new Energy Station, a home away from home set to act as a joint base at the upcoming Spanish GP, as well as eight other European races this season.
According to Red Bull, it takes a full 32 hours to erect the structure, with a contingent of 25 workers, who can then dismantle it even quicker when it’s time to pack up and leave.
Built using sustainably sourced Austrian timber, the structure covers 1,221 m2, is 32 meters (104.9 ft) long, 14 meters (45.9 ft) wide and stands 11 meters (36 ft) tall. It’s also energy efficient, with its natural convection design intended to eliminate the need for air conditioning.
Inside, there are no fewer than 59 TV screens, 32 km (19.8 miles) of cables and 211 m2 of artificial grass carpeting, while the kitchen will produce 100 kg (220 lbs) of pasta, 120 kg (264.5 lbs) of fish and 180 kg (396 lbs) of meat per race weekend.
“We’re changing the game again with the unveiling of the new Energy Station, better known in Austria as the Holzhaus. It’s a sustainable structure that brings a touch of the Styrian Alps to the F1 paddock, having been designed to meet the current and future needs of ourselves and Toro Rosso. If it sees half as much drama as the old Energy Station, it will be doing well!” – said Red Bull team principal Christian Horner.
Following the Spanish Grand Prix, the new Energy Station will be deconstructed and transported to Monaco, where it will be rebuilt on a floating barge.