F1 2019

[MrCurry]

There are a lot of smart people working in F1, but then a team signs up Rich Energy as a sponsor and you just think - why can’t they see what a wrongun that beardy bloke is, which more or less everyone could as soon as he appeared on the scene?

In aeroplane design I believe they say “if it looks right, it will fly right”. In F1 maybe they need to coin the phrase “If he looks like a dodgy geezer, don’t take the money”... but of course so many team owners over the years would’ve been excluded on that basis....

 

[Limejuice]

I would feel sorry for Botty if he's defenestrated in favour of Ocon.

Nine races in, he's had eight podiums including two wins. He's second in the WC, 31 points behind Hammy and 40 points ahead of Max.

It's hard to see what more the guy could do, given that the only driver doing better is his own team-mate. Ocon, in all likelihood, couldn't improve on Botty's results. He would simply be a replacement number two driver.

So why would they give Botty the long drop? Is it something to do with his personal management, do we suppose?

 

[1%er]

I would feel sorry for Botty if he's defenestrated in favour of Ocon.

Nine races in, he's had eight podiums including two wins. He's second in the WC, 31 points behind Hammy and 40 points ahead of Max.

It's hard to see what more the guy could do, given that the only driver doing better is his own team-mate. Ocon, in all likelihood, couldn't improve on Botty's results. He would simply be a replacement number two driver.

So why would they give Botty the long drop? Is it something to do with his personal management, do we suppose?

I tend to agree but one thing that bothers me about Bottas at Mercedes is, what is the deal between Mercedes and Williams? Do Mercedes have to still pay Williams to have him in the team and if so how expensive is it for Mercedes. Is Ocon really as good a driver as Bottas? Why would Mercedes take the chance? There are loads of questions around this.

I thought that Ocon would go to Renault in 2020, but Renault haven't said much about their 2020 driver line-up. Hülkenberg signed a 3 year deal but next year (2020) is year 3 which is an option and not a 100% drive, Renault have to take up the option.

 

[Limejuice]

I'd forgotten about the Williams deal, and that Mercedes might be still "renting" him.

 

[Indeliblelink]

After being an F1 fan for two decades I finally purchased a ticket for race day at Silverstone this year.
I've only got a general admission ticket and a hotel on the M40 booked for Sunday evening.
Any tips?
My dad reckons the traffic getting in/out was dreadful when he used to go but thinks it's better these day. So what time should I aim to get there (driving).

 

[cybershot]

After being an F1 fan for two decades I finally purchased a ticket for race day at Silverstone this year.
I've only got a general admission ticket and a hotel on the M40 booked for Sunday evening.
Any tips?
My dad reckons the traffic getting in/out was dreadful when he used to go but thinks it's better these day. So what time should I aim to get there (driving).

Take a camping chair. Get there mega early. Don’t drink so you don’t need the loo, and don’t move!!! Not sure if they allow you to take your own food in anymore so if you take a packed lunch. Eat a huge breakfast also just in case.

Take sun screen/hat and anything else that needs to cover whatever the weather forecast has in store. A fully charged power bank that holds at least two full charges for your phone. (Maybe also a small one of you need to charge headphones too)

You may not need to be so drastic on the loo/not moving thing if you’re going with a buddy.


ETA: checked with someone who went last year general admission and they said you were ok taking in your own food and drink.

 

[a_chap]

After being an F1 fan for two decades I finally purchased a ticket for race day at Silverstone this year.
I've only got a general admission ticket and a hotel on the M40 booked for Sunday evening.
Any tips?
My dad reckons the traffic getting in/out was dreadful when he used to go but thinks it's better these day. So what time should I aim to get there (driving).

The very first British Grand Prix I went to was Brand Hatch in the '70s. Mate and I only decided on Saturday night that we'd go so we set off as soon as the pubs shut. We got there at around 1am and were surprised to see the queue had already started to form at the gates so we joined in. Tickets went on sale about 5am (I think it was £8) gates opened 6am and then there was a stampede to get places at the edge of the track.

In later years we were more organised and we'd get there Thurday night with the tent. Friday and Saturday you had free access to all the stands and even access to the pits when cars weren't on the circuit. We'd stay until Monday morning.

Happy days.

 

[weltweit]

I've never been to a GP, been to quite a lot of Le Mans 24hr races though.
I liked the whole weekend thing about it.

 

[a_chap]

ETA: checked with someone who went last year general admission and they said you were ok taking in your own food and drink.

Christ, talk about the past being a different world.

When we left the circuit on practice days we'd chain our camping chairs to the fencing so they were ready for us the next day.

On a few occasions we took a camping stove and, in the morning, were cooking bacon sandwiches at the side of the track - on race day - we gave a few away but we decided that one year we'd take more bacon & bread and charge people. We never did though.

One year, in the early days of practice/race information being available to teams on TV sets, we took a portable black and white TV, car battery and TV aerial on the end of a 10(ish) foot long pole. Using this we were able to see the same info that the teams were seeing

Unfortunately it was *SO* sunny that it was almost impossible to see out TV screen. However, we were very popular with other spectators

Nearly killed me carrying all that lot to and from the car though

 

[Ax^]

tis only going for the day tomorrow..

what the Friday like at silverstone is the traffic manic



still think it will be fun have paddock club hospitality

 

[cybershot]

Friday is normally pretty calm in the grand scheme of things.

 

[Ax^]

thank you..

not been to silverstone for an f1 event but having be passing the sounding roads, even during a track day, lower formula, or sponsor event and have spent almost a hour or more in traffic on a Saturday or Sunday

 

[Limejuice]

It could only be in the Telegraph:

Two migrant stowaways were found in Ferrari's truck when it opened up at Silverstone.

Migrant stowaways found inside truck of Ferrari F1 team after arriving at Silverstone for British Grand Prix

How was there any room for additional passengers? They pack those trucks pretty tightly. Maybe they were sitting inside the cockpits of the cars?



Also, from the article:

"This weekend's grand prix is a sellout, with a record crowd of more than 140,000 expected on Sunday..."

 

[Limejuice]

Wow. The place looks packed already.

 

[cybershot]

If it hasn't been mentioned, full live coverage on CH4 this weekend, easy enough to forget! P1 Live now.

 

[Badgers]

Grosjean has started well then

 

[Limejuice]

Kimi being pushed back by marshals, riding on the bonnet, performing a bit of steering.

Quality.

 

[Limejuice]

Rain.

It wouldn't be a proper British GP weekend without the traditional Mexican wave of umbrellas.

 

[MrCurry]

After being an F1 fan for two decades I finally purchased a ticket for race day at Silverstone this year.
I've only got a general admission ticket and a hotel on the M40 booked for Sunday evening.
Any tips?
My dad reckons the traffic getting in/out was dreadful when he used to go but thinks it's better these day. So what time should I aim to get there (driving).

It’s a few years since I went (maybe 6 or 7) but hopefully not too much has changed. My two tips for GA would be firstly on the outside of Copse, just about level with corner entry point. By this I mean you are on the left hand side of the drovers as they turn into the right hand corner. Not direct ahead of them as they turn. The change of direction and speed they carry through will astound you, and as you will have a view of the corner exit you will see any incidents which occur.

Second place is up against the fence at the first part of Maggots.

My preference would be the first of these positions, but you will have to be there early to stake a claim to such a good spot. Early means as soon as the gates open, then run for it!

If that doesn’t sound appealing and you’re turning up later then you might only be able to get somewhere like the open field bank on the last section of corners before the start finish straight. It has a natural elevation so even if you’re towards the back you’ll still see something.

They really pack people in so with GA they only way you’ll get a good view is to be up at the crack of dawn and then fight for it. Make friends with your neighbours and have them save your spot when you go to the loo / buy drinks etc. By far best to bring food and drink with you and have a bladder like one of those expanding urban gas holders....

Use the park and ride system, you won’t be able to drive right into the circuit on race day unless you set out three weeks early....

 

[Ax^]

so after getting lost driving around Silverstone and inside Silverstone have finally made it

 

[a_chap]

Use the park and ride system, you won’t be able to drive right into the circuit on race day unless you set out three weeks early....

Back in the days when you *could* drive into the circuit: one year after Saturday practice had finished (it was about 8pm I guess) I was driving 'round the access road on the outside of the track when I spotted a completely open and unmanned entry on to the circuit. The temptation was obviously too great so on I drove

I was able to drive virtually the whole lap except for the start/finish straight which sill had plenty of people on it so I slowly and nonchalantly drove past them until I got to Copse corner when I floored it and did the rest of the lap at speed. Speed being a relative term - I was driving an XR2 which I got up to about 110mph on Hanger straight before braking for Stowe. However Silverstone is so wide and smooth it felt like I was going at 30.

It was also in the days when Stowe was still a Proper Corner - it was simply an *enormous* corner which I felt stupid braking for. But what you don't realise from TV coverage is that Hanger straight really isn't (or wasn't) flat and there's quite a drop down to Stowe which means you really can't see the corner you're driving into. Each lap had me taking the corner more quickly.

Anyway, I managed to do five or six laps before someone eventually noticed this white Fiesta trundling along the start/finish straight every few minutes and I got turfed out.

Happy days indeed.

 

[Indeliblelink]

Cheers for the info all, I've got a park and ride ticket so hopefully traffic shouldn't be too bad but surprised to see the last bus leaves the P&R site at 11AM so going to have to leave pretty early.
Not expecting to have a great view but I'm sure I'll enjoy just being there rather than watching on TV for once. Going to use this visit as a learning experience then maybe spend a bit more for a stand seat in the future.
Next problem is how do I also watch the cricket final while the race is on.

 

[MrCurry]

a_chap nice story there and I’m surprised you got away with that at Silverstone, although I’ve heard of someone doing exactly the same thing on the media day (thurs) at Monza. The chap in question was the owner of one of the F1 camping franchises and had taken his land rover complete with “F1 Camping” decals (with chequered flag logo).

He had already found he could blag his way into the circuit with no pass or accreditation just by pointing at the decals on the car and saying “administration office” in the right tone of voice to the Italian policeman at the main gate. When he reached trackside access gates he tried the same thing with the marshalls manning them and was pleased to find that with the correct, confident bendy language, the gates were opened.

I think he got about 6 or 7 laps in before they wised up....!

 

[MrCurry]

Cheers for the info all, <snip>.
Next problem is how do I also watch the cricket final while the race is on.

Ask them if they’ll switch one of the trackside big screens over to the cricket. I’m sure that will go down well...

Good luck

 

[1%er]

The Rich Energy, Haas saga continues
William Storey the Rich Energy CEO (at the moment but maybe not for long) is now claiming that there was an attempted coup at the company by some shareholders. He even went as far as to say they are in cahoots with rival energy drink company, Red Bull. “The ludicrous statement by minority shareholders cosy with Red Bull and Whyte Bikes is risible, their attempted palace coup has failed. I control all of the assets of Rich Energy and have support of all key stakeholders” Storey said on Twitter.

Some Dutch news outlets are claiming that they believed the most likely reason for the split was that Rich Energy had defaulted on payments for their sponsorship deal with the F1 team “Sources close to RTL GP confirm that the partnership between Haas and Rich Energy has almost certainly ended. However, the fact that the British group would not be able to meet the payment obligations would be the real reason behind the end of the cooperation”. Rich Energy states that it is trying to save their sponsorship deal with Haas, noting that William Storey, their founder and (former?) CEO, wrote or authorised the tweet following a “difference of opinion” with other investors, and that he has no authority to terminate the sponsorship deal. “The deal is not terminated and William has no authority to do so. The investors are trying to clear up the PR mess, but it’s business as usual.” claim Rich Energy investors.

Also Danish media reports that William Storey had been fired from Rich Energy by investors, hijacking their Twitter account and posting the rogue tweet afterward. According to Racefans.net, Rich Energy confirm their belief in the Haas F1 Team and that they are in the process of legally removing the individual concerned (presumably William Storey) from all executive responsibilities, adding that “They may speak for themselves but their views are not those of the company”.

Reports are also claiming that Whyte Bikes have apparently not yet received the £35k owed to them by Rich Energy, as ordered by court, and that they are looking to begin the process of winding up the Rich Energy company if the payment is not received by the end of today. It transpires that Rich Energy have filed a trademark for a new logo. The new design still has gold, angular antlers. The company filed for the name “Rich Energy”, and its new logotype, which still feature some horns, and still look convincingly plagiarised.

Word in the Silverstone paddock is that the new Rich Energy CEO is to be present at Silverstone this weekend and to be formally announced “soon”.

 

[MrCurry]

The Rich Energy thing is extraordinary and to me has all the hallmarks of the beardy weirdy being in the process of making off with the investors’ money. It’s a company with no income (as noted by anyone who has seen their balance sheet or observed the lack of product on the supermarket shelves), so the money which must have been going to Haas in stage payments must be coming from the investors with guarantees being provided in return by the management that they will make the promised progress towards getting the product launched and money rolling in.

The sudden announcement that Rich Energy will terminate the F1 sponsorship likely coincides with a certain somebody making off with the money the investors put in for F1 sponsorship and other startup activities. No wonder the shareholders have made moves to unseat the bearded one!

I wouldn’t be surprised if the end of the story is also the end of Storey! He will go missing along with several tens of millions of quid nowhere to be found if you ask me.

If I’m wrong I’m wrong, but did anyone take a look at that guy and think anything other than “fraudster”?

 

[Limejuice]

It looks pretty full on tv.

 

[Limejuice]

Sky has Jenson Button doing the waffle this week.

More Jenson; less you-know-who!

 

[Ax^]

more Less you know who yay



sorta makes up for having to watch it on the telly today



also less chance of sunburn today

*reaches for bottle of aftersun*

 

[1%er]

Update on Rich Energy
A statement from Whyte Bikes read: “On June 27 2019 the High Court in London made various orders against the defendants, Rich Energy, William Storey and Staxoweb. One of the orders was that they should pay to Whyte (ATB Sales) costs totalling £35,416 by 11 July 2019. The defendants have failed to pay any of the costs award. Each of the defendants is jointly liable for the whole amount of costs awarded. ATB will now be forced to take appropriate action to recover the costs that they have been awarded. This may include applications to the Court to wind up both Rich Energy and Staxoweb and to petition for the bankruptcy of Mr Storey.”

Rich Energy also tweeted this today; Following a board meeting of Rich Energy Ltd chaired by CEO William Storey and in light of the treacherous conduct of minority stakeholders the exclusive rights to distribute @rich_energy have been transferred to another company. Mr Storey retains complete ownership #RichEnergy

Charlie Whiting's 12 year old son Justin to start British GP
This will come as part of Formula 1's tribute to Whiting, who in addition to his other roles was in charge of race starts for 23 years during the Silverstone weekend. After Whiting's sudden death in March, the start responsibilities passed to new permanent starter Christian Bryll.

On Sunday, Bryll will accompany Whiting's son [Justin] on the start gantry and let him know when to press the button. Whiting was remembered in a memorial event at Silverstone on Thursday evening, which was attended by hundreds of past and present drivers, team members, officials, journalists and others who knew or worked with him over the years.