F1 2016

[Gromit]

What did he say?

Only my Mercedes engines are blowing up, isn't it a bit suss?!!

To paraphrase.

Oh and they were like can you still win?

And he was like "not if I keep getting crap engines" so he's really dissed the reliability of his engine provider publically.

 

[weltweit]

Apparently he will be on C4 in a moment, wonder if he will repeat that ....

 

[Lord Camomile]

My question is to Mercedes. We have so many engines made for drivers, but mine are the only ones failing this year. Someone need to give me some answers because this is not acceptable. We are fighting for the championship and only my engines are failing. It does not sit right with me. I will try and recollect myself and try to get myself together for the race next week. There are many decisive races but this is one of those. Someone doesn't want me to win this year but I won't give up. I will keep pushing.

 

[1%er]

My news feed has about 80 stories already about the race result and 90% are about his comments, it is really unprofessional, I understand he is frustrated but it is bad for not only the team but also the factory and of cause himself.

 

[1%er]

If I worked for Mercedes I think I respond now saying, "well it is only him he is correct, maybe he needs to look at his driving style rather than conspiracy theory's"

 

[1%er]

That was a great example of why Mercedes employs Niki, he was spot on

 

[1%er]

I think when Lewis clams down a little and looks at the big picture he will see that he power-unit problems have been in a number of different areas and that the unit is so closely monitored by computers it would be extremely difficult if not impossible for someone to be sabotaging him.

 

[weltweit]

I think Lewis was more reflecting on his bad luck than making allegations of a conspiracy against him.
Why does this only happen to me .. etc ..

 

[1%er]

I think Lewis was more reflecting on his bad luck than making allegations of a conspiracy against him.
Why does this only happen to me .. etc ..

That's how they will spin it, but his words were very clear.

 

[weltweit]

That's how they will spin it, but his words were very clear.

I didn't hear that particular utterance..

 

[1%er]

So off to Japan and another stupid race time for me next weekend (its a Conspiracy that these races are at stupid o'clock ), I'm off with the dog for a walk, then bed and a very long liquid lunch after 3 or 4 hours sleep

See you next weekend when "Lewisgate" or "Mercedesgargaedoor" will be closed with a bit of luck

 

[Bungle73]

That's how they will spin it, but his words were very clear.

Not in the way you mean.

 

[beesonthewhatnow]

I think people are taking what Lewis said somewhat over the top.

One, he was still clearly emotional, as you would be when you've both been driving an F1 car and just seen your title hopes go up in smoke. Two, when he said "someone dosent want me to win" it's pretty obvious he's talking about God. He's never hidden his faith.

 

[Bungle73]

I think people are taking what Lewis said somewhat over the top.

One, he was still clearly emotional, as you would be when you've both been driving an F1 car and just seen your title hopes go up in smoke. Two, when he said "someone dosent want me to win" it's pretty obvious he's talking about God. He's never hidden his faith.

I don't think it's got anything to do with faith. It's just a figure of speech.

 

[weltweit]

I don't think it's got anything to do with faith. It's just a figure of speech.

That is what I think also ..

 

[1%er]

Lewis had his press conference with the written press cancelled after the Malaysian Grand Prix, apparently by "mutual decision". Shortly after it was held and Lewis addressed the views he expressed after the power-unit blow-up.

His initial comments were "my question is to Mercedes [not to god or anyone else]. We have so many engines made for drivers, but mine are the only ones failing this year. Someone needs to give me some answers because this is not acceptable. We are fighting for the championship and only my engines are failing. It does not sit right with me" [he also said other things].

After spending two hours locked away with the team he told the press "On one side, we have had the most incredible success for these two years of which I am so grateful. These guys work so hard and we are all feeling the pain right now. But when you get out the car, the feeling you have after leading the race and the car fails, it is pretty hard to say positive things all the time. Mercedes have built 43 engines with the extra three that I have had and I have happened to have most, if not all, of the failures. That is definitely a tough thing but I have 100 per cent confidence in these guys. I have been with them for four years, and I have 100 per cent faith. I love it here, and without them I would not have won these extra two championships. I saw tears in the eyes of my mechanics. We all bear the pain”.

Lewis is the formula one world champion and should not criticize his team and the thousands of people who work to get him where he is [that is my problem with his comments]. Some posters seem to feel that I have taken his words "out of context", but I would say my "context" is the same as the race commentators and all the media and news reports at the time.

Let me make it very clear, I do not believe that Mercedes want to sabotage Lewis in any way, why would they? All this talk of Mercedes wanting Nico to win as they are a German company and he is a German driver is bullshit, his dad is from Finland and while his mum is German he grew-up in Monaco which isn't Germany as far as I know. Also Mercedes Formula one team is in Northamptonshire England not Germany.

Lewis winning his 4th world championship is far better for Mercedes and Formula 1 that Nico winning his first, he is also a far better ambassador for both as well.

 

[Limejuice]

Much as I like the Suzuka circuit, the GP timings are a bit demanding for Europeans who need their kip. I doubt Brazilian viewers will be thrilled by these god-forsaken hours.

Get this, sleepy-heads. UK times:

Fri 7 Oct
FP1 02.00
FP2 06.00

Sat 8 Oct
FP3 04.00
Q 07.00

Sun 9 Oct
Race 06.00

In other news, Vettel has a 3-place grid penalty in Japan for clouting Rosberg.

 

[1%er]

The times of races in that part of the world are a pain in the arse but I love to watch F1 live, I could stay in bed and watch a rerun on the TV but then I'd miss chatting with you

Also it means I get to have a nap during the mornings and therefore wide awake for a long liquid lunch on the beach that can sometimes go on until bedtime

 

[Limejuice]

I'll manage those 6am and 7am sessions without a problem.

But the middle of the night stuff, no. I'll have to catch up with a replay.

I can't function during the day if I'm up half the night.

It gives me flash-backs to when the kids were babies. (And where the hell did all those years go?)

 

[1%er]

No divine intervention in Lewis's blow-up
As it turns out it was something as mundane as a big-end failure. A Mercedes spokesperson said “Our analysis has shown that Lewis’ engine suffered a big-end bearing failure. This happened without warning after 618 km and was preceded by a loss of oil pressure in Turn 15”. Oh God! was it really as simple as that or did god do it

The long running Perez saga comes to an end
He has now signed the contract, Force India have officially announced he will drive for them in 2017. So it would seem that Telmex and Telcel have come to a decision, for it is they who control his contract not Perez himself. Both his major sponsors had "concerns" about the team owners (one is in jail and the other is on the run, while other parties are claiming they now own the team and have it listed as an asset on their balance-sheet), so I wonder if there will be an announcement about the ownership of the team in the next couple of months.

Weather reports for Japan GP
Formula One’s official weather forecaster warn of a significant risk for rain on both Saturday and Sunday, Japan’s meteorological agency puts the chance of rain on race day at 60% and the prospect of rain on Saturday is higher still at 80%. some reports on Japanese TV are claiming that thunderstorms are possible around the race start time of 2pm. After the Jules Bianchi accident back in 2014 the drainage system was extensively upgraded inline with the recommendations of the report after his crash, maybe they will be tested this race.

 

[weltweit]

No divine intervention in Lewis's blow-up
As it turns out it was something as mundane as a big-end failure. A Mercedes spokesperson said “Our analysis has shown that Lewis’ engine suffered a big-end bearing failure. This happened without warning after 618 km and was preceded by a loss of oil pressure in Turn 15”. Oh God! was it really as simple as that or did god do it ..

I don't know, the fact that Mercedes failed to produce an oil pump and big end bearing that can last more than 618km is pretty damning in itself.

 

[Limejuice]

You could see what a catastrophic engine failure meant to Mercedes in that shot of Toto with his head in his hands.

In the past, when Mercs have had some drive failure it's been nice and contained. Perhaps a gentle zephyr of moody exhaust and the car coasting to a peaceful rest near a wine bar.

Lewis's car fell to its knees belching flames like a cartoon dragon. And if Mercedes cleared its corporate throat and moved swiftly on, you can bet its rivals had photos of Puff the Magic Motor on every front page they could buy.

I bet Christian Horner's got that picture in his scrap book.

 

[1%er]

Allison, Perez and Renault
Some interesting chatter about Allison, Perez and Renault F1. Before walking away from Ferrari he had signed a new 3 year deal with the team, reports are now claiming that he was also in discussion with Renault to join their F1 venture, which he has just announced he is not going to do. the same reports are also claiming that the reason Perez and his backers were so reluctant to resign with Force India is because had Allison joined Renault, Perez would have jumped ship and also moved to Renault for 2017. It is believed that the reason Allison didn't sign the Renault contract is that he was offered a job lower on the totem-pole than the position he was originally offered by the team when talks were held back in June.

Wearable tech being tested by McLaren
The McLaren pit crew will be testing wearable sensor clothing at this weekend's Japanese Grand Prix. The move is to aid the pit crew and help them complete stops quicker, by allowing them to get a clear picture of their physical condition. Hitoe as it is known, is a textile that can sense specific biological information, yet it can be worn and washed like any other normal clothing. While this weekend is just a trial, McLaren aims to have the technology implemented into his team "when the system is perfected", which could be as early as next season.

 

[Limejuice]

Sky reported that Renault had tried to poach Sainz from Toro Rosso, offering to supply engines for free if they released him from his contract. Horner said TR and RB was a better bet than Renault, and they'd invested too much time and money bringing the lad through the ranks to surrender him.

If true, that's a strong offer. Those engines can't come cheap.

They could have my lad if they fixed the starter motor motor on my daughter's Punto.

 

[1%er]

I heard they were looking at Sainz but didn't hear about the offer of free power-units, but that isn't really big money in F1 nowadays. From next season the cost of supply has been agreed at a maximum of 12 million for 2017 dropping by 3 million in 2018, currently they are costing around 20 million Euros.
I'm not sure that would be seen by TR or RB as enough compensation for the loss of a good driver.

Get your daughter a pair of overalls and a big hammer that will sort out her starter motor issues

 

[Limejuice]

I think the "not enough compensation for loss of a good driver" was the gist of Christian's comments.

He also said: "We have immediate access to him should we need it" which sounds like a round about way of saying that he's the next into a RB seat when a space becomes available.

(The daughter, alas, is in Spain working, so muggins here is officer-in-charge of paying for / carrying out running repairs. The problem may or may not have become worse when I did in fact take a big hammer to sort out her starter motor issues. Ross Brawn I ain't. )

 

[Limejuice]

3.55 am. Can't sleep.

Oh well, I get to watch FP3 live.

Dammit!

 

[Limejuice]

Delightful:

Kimi is hurtling round on a flying lap, but has to scoot off the racing line and flirt with the kerb and green stuff. Bit of a wobble.

On the radio: "There was a fucking Renault in the middle of the road."

 

[1%er]

Good morning, not pissing down as expected yet

 

[Limejuice]

Good morning. Getting bleary-eyed now.

I was hoping for some British weather in Suzuka. It would make qualifying more random than a Mercedes parade.