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F1 2021

Calling Lewis in that late made no sense at all. Even if the new tyres were faster (they weren’t), they only had 8 laps to make up a whole pitstop of lost time, plus two positions.

Do they use a magic 8 ball to make these calls? An 8 year old watching their first GP could do better.
 
Lewis must read the Guardian.

FBaUVCvXEAUeA4w


www.theguardian.com

Hamilton furious over pit stop as Verstappen takes F1 championship lead

Valtteri Bottas has won the Turkish Grand Prix while Max Verstappen finished second to take a six-point championship lead over Lewis Hamilton
www.theguardian.com www.theguardian.com
 
I think it's true that Hammy was angry with his team when he found he'd donated a couple of places to the rest of the field and more points to Max. He didn't exactly leap from the car exuding the warm embrace of contentment.

But then wiser counsel prevailed. Someone told him what the strategist's Magic 8-Ball had said. He seemed mollified. He changed his tune somewhat.

I don't think he needed to. I think he was perfectly entitled to be pissed off that Bono didn't tell him he was going to lose places when he boxed. Hammy clearly thought he had a free run, with time behind him. "Okay, "he sang as he acknowledged the box instruction.

The Mercedes team has fucked up enough this season to have formed a protective carapace around the Magic 8-Ball crew. No doubt Toto and co have a procedure for calming down angry drivers, which is fair enough. But equally, they need a driver that entirely believes in his own judgement and experience of actual events in the car.

Hammy has no reason to apologise. He should say he was pissed off until he learned what the Magic-8 Ball had told the druids. It's okay to get cross. It's human, and humans have not yet evolved into politically-correct PR machines, thank fuck.

Hammy should tell the team to dry their fucking tears, and tell him all the info he needs when he needs it.

:p
 

‘Hardly anyone’ watching F1 on TV – report​

F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali’s claims that the category is “more alive than ever” is not borne out by television statistics. With ‘ghost races’ still fresh in the memory, and multiple races cancelled in 2021 due to covid, Domenicali said last week that interest in Formula 1 is actually “growing dramatically”. “In Turkey we have 80,000 spectators, there will be 120,000 in Austin and Mexico is sold out. Formula 1 is more alive than ever,” said the Italian.

However, Germany’s Bild newspaper has done an analysis of the television audience numbers this year, comparing it to the average of 6.29 million viewers who watched RTL’s coverage in 2010. “That is almost eight times as much as in 2021,” concluded the newspaper report’s authors, with the heading reading: “The world championship thriller that hardly anyone sees”. When asked what impact those low numbers have on the teams and their sponsors, a Mercedes spokesman answered: “Of course the audience numbers are lower this year. But we have seen the same trend in other European countries in recent years and yet the sport is now growing rapidly there.”
 
1%er said:

‘Hardly anyone’ watching F1 on TV – report​

F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali’s claims that the category is “more alive than ever” is not borne out by television statistics. With ‘ghost races’ still fresh in the memory, and multiple races cancelled in 2021 due to covid, Domenicali said last week that interest in Formula 1 is actually “growing dramatically”. “In Turkey we have 80,000 spectators, there will be 120,000 in Austin and Mexico is sold out. Formula 1 is more alive than ever,” said the Italian.

However, Germany’s Bild newspaper has done an analysis of the television audience numbers this year, comparing it to the average of 6.29 million viewers who watched RTL’s coverage in 2010. “That is almost eight times as much as in 2021,” concluded the newspaper report’s authors, with the heading reading: “The world championship thriller that hardly anyone sees”. When asked what impact those low numbers have on the teams and their sponsors, a Mercedes spokesman answered: “Of course the audience numbers are lower this year. But we have seen the same trend in other European countries in recent years and yet the sport is now growing rapidly there.”
Click to expand...
Hardly anyone watching F1 on TV in Germany - report
 

‘Unusual noises’ coming from Mercedes engines​

Toto Wolff admitted “unusual noises” have been coming from Mercedes power units when their mileage increases significantly. Lewis Hamilton took a 10-place grid penalty in Turkey for having his internal combustion engine (ICE) changed which Wolff revealed is the source of the “noises”, when wear becomes a factor on the power units. While Hamilton now has a new ICE available to him for the rest of this season, the Mercedes team principal said the issues in that component are still yet to be understood. With an engine freeze coming in 2022, that adds pressure on the team to rectify the issue they face before then, but he said they’re working on a solution in good time but not before the end of this season.

“Our power units have been the most reliable since the introduction of the hybrid engines in 2014,” Wolff said, quoted by Autosport. “Because these boundaries are being pushed, we have seen examples of, let’s say, unusual noises, within the combustion engine that aren’t completely understood at that stage yet, and therefore caused some trouble in the past. We had engines that basically failed, and now it’s about containing the problem, because in that phase, redesigning parts is not something you would tackle. Balancing performance and reliability has always been the key metric in the past couple of years, and it will be also going forward,” Wolff said. “We will not be carrying any deficits into next year, because the deficits are being understood. And now it’s about finding solutions that contain these.”

Red Bull have been scratching their heads about the performance of Mercedes’ power units in recent races, with Christian Horner suspecting that “something is strange” with the way they are able to gain so much straight line speed compared to their rivals which Horner estimates is around 15-20kph on the straights. In their current state, however, Wolff has not ruled out taking another grid penalty for Hamilton in the remaining rounds if he feels another power unit component goes beyond its usable life. Wolff added that the team opted to take a 10-place penalty for the ICE rather than dropping to the back of the grid for a full power unit change, based on the good condition of the other components.

On top of that, there is still a lightly-used engine available to the team, which he feels could be an advantage for Hamilton heading into the final races. “The other parts like the turbo or the other auxiliary elements are in wonderful shape and really happy, easily within the mileage limits,” Wolff said. “Therefore we didn’t need to take new components, the question is how and when do we want to deploy [engine] number three, which is still in the pool. That’s something we need to assess in the next couple of races. Because you could decide whether to run it only on Fridays, or also run it on Saturday or Sunday. We still have the third engine to help with that but we are not quite sure how far we want to push this engine. It is not necessarily only mileage, it is more about understanding a different reliability topic.”
 
1%er said:

‘Hardly anyone’ watching F1 on TV – report​

F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali’s claims that the category is “more alive than ever” is not borne out by television statistics. With ‘ghost races’ still fresh in the memory, and multiple races cancelled in 2021 due to covid, Domenicali said last week that interest in Formula 1 is actually “growing dramatically”. “In Turkey we have 80,000 spectators, there will be 120,000 in Austin and Mexico is sold out. Formula 1 is more alive than ever,” said the Italian.

However, Germany’s Bild newspaper has done an analysis of the television audience numbers this year, comparing it to the average of 6.29 million viewers who watched RTL’s coverage in 2010. “That is almost eight times as much as in 2021,” concluded the newspaper report’s authors, with the heading reading: “The world championship thriller that hardly anyone sees”. When asked what impact those low numbers have on the teams and their sponsors, a Mercedes spokesman answered: “Of course the audience numbers are lower this year. But we have seen the same trend in other European countries in recent years and yet the sport is now growing rapidly there.”
Click to expand...


hmm sticking it behind a pay wall has hurt viewership who'd of thunk it
 

FIA reveal 'dramatic' track changes ahead of Qatar GP​


The pit lane entry of the Losail International Circuit will be changed "dramatically" for Formula 1's inaugural Qatar Grand Prix next month. MotoGP have visited the Losail venue since 2004 whilst very little single-seater racing has taken place at the track. Currently, the pit lane entry is on the right-hand side of the track, almost immediately after the exit of the final corner.
F1 Race Director Michael Masi was not able to specify any details but revealed that significant changes will happen when F1 visits Qatar on 19-21 November.

"They are changing the pit lane entry completely," Masi told reporters "What was the pit lane entry for bikes will change dramatically. That work is nearly completed. I'll head there again, prior to Austin, to have a look, but nearly all the works have been completed. There's a number of double kerbs that have been installed. The circuit is ostensibly a bike circuit, so apex sausages, so people don't cut corners on the inside, and double kerbs on exits [have been added]. There's a significant number of barrier upgrades with regards to Tecpro tyres around the entire venue. [The] pit lane entry's probably the biggest actual track change."

This year’s Qatar GP was added to the 2021 F1 calendar in place of the cancelled Australian GP. The event will not take place next year due to the 2022 FIFA World Cup, but a 10-year deal has been agreed starting from 2023. It's the first F1 track which has predominantly been used for bikes, which is why there have been close inspections by the FIA to ensure it's safe for F1. "There are big run-offs and that there, but obviously the big parts have been safety requirements for bikes," said Masi. "When it comes to Tecpro barriers, things like that [are] of a very different ilk in the MotoGP or the FIM world. It's been [about] trying to adapt in a relatively short period, which is the other part that we need to consider, that we're not talking about a huge period of time. The main one has probably been the pit entry from that side, but garages, paddock space and things like that were all fine. From a circuit end, I think it'll be a good little venue for this year."
 

A closer look at the remaining six battlegrounds​

Red Bull and Mercedes have just six tracks left to travel to this year, and it’s time to look at which team is the favourite at each of them. Throughout the 2021 campaign, the pendulum has swung back and forth in each team’s favour, with Max Verstappen and co stronger at some race weekends and Lewis Hamilton’s team at others. That will most likely continue to be the case in the last six rounds, and while nothing is certain, looking at the circuit layouts and past results, we can make an educated guess as to who’s most likely to have the upper hand at each of them…

USA
For a few reasons, in the hands of Hamilton, the Mercedes will probably be the car to beat at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin. There are few tracks where the seven-time World Champion has dominated more. He has won five of the eight races and has only failed to finish on the podium once, also taking three pole positions. He’ll probably have the best car on the grid this year too. In recent times, the straight-line speed of the Mercedes has improved hugely and, at a circuit where that is so crucial, could well make them too quick for Red Bull to beat or even challenge. Verstappen isn’t exactly poor in Austin himself, with the Dutchman finishing on the podium the last two times he has raced there and also crossing the line in the top three in 2017 before being handed a time penalty for his last-lap pass on Kimi Raikkonen. However, unless Honda have something up their sleeve, it’s hard to see him going one better and winning this time around barring some chaos.
Favourite: Mercedes

Mexico
When the F1 circus heads south and across the border into Mexico though, it’ll be the Dutchman and his team who will fancy their chances of victory. Red Bull have excelled at higher altitudes in the last few years, with the Honda engine thriving in thinner air that also favours the high-downforce nature of their car. That’s very much evident in the results, with the team taking two wins and two pole positions in the last three race weekends at the track. Both of those wins have come courtesy of Verstappen too, and he could well have beaten Hamilton in 2019 if not for a puncture. Both of the title contenders have tasted victory twice at Mexico City, but Verstappen is the more likely of the two to do so for a third time.
Favourite: Red Bull

Brazil
Much of what was said above also applies to the race at Sao Paulo, with it also taking place at higher altitudes, although there’ll probably be less to choose between the two cars here. Last time F1 raced there, in 2019, Red Bull dominated with Verstappen taking pole position and the win despite racing his fair share of bad luck on the Sunday. If Alex Albon wasn’t hit by Hamilton, they could well have taken a 1-2. It’s worth noting that was the first time in the hybrid era they had prevailed in Brazil though, with Mercedes dominating before that, winning each race except the 2017 edition., thanks in large part to their straight-line speed. Red Bull have a far more competitive car than they did before though, while it also happens to be one of Verstappen’s best tracks with two of his most stunning performances coming there in 2016 and 2019. Hamilton on the other hand has often struggled, only taking two wins and five podiums in 13 attempts. The power of the Mercedes engine could make things interesting, but we’re still giving the edge to the Red Bulls.
Favourite: Red Bull

Qatar
Things get much harder to predict when we leave the Americas for the Middle East, given that F1 has never raced in Qatar before. With no past results to look at, the only thing we can do is guess which car the circuit layout will suit more, and while that’s not exactly obvious, we’re just about leaning towards Mercedes. They’ll gain a lot of time on the Red Bulls the 1km main straight, and at a track where that’s the only real overtaking spot, that could well be crucial. If they get track position, it’ll be very difficult to pass them. Verstappen and Sergio Perez may well be stronger than their rivals in some slower sections later on in the lap, but looking at the straight-line speed difference and how things panned out at relatively similar tracks like Mugello at Istanbul Park, the German team will fancy their chances. That being said, it’s by no means a foregone conclusion, and could well come down to which teams find better setups and are easier on their tyres.
Favourite: Mercedes

Saudi Arabia
The Jeddah Street Circuit is an equally as unknown quantity in the world of Formula 1, but again, going by the nature of the track alone, Mercedes will be the team to beat. With it being a street circuit, you may think that Red Bull would have the advantage, but it’s a different beast altogether to the likes of Singapore and Monaco, featuring some long straights and plenty of high-speed sweeping corners. Here, that Mercedes engine will be formidable. Then there’s also the fact that Hamilton has often thrived on street circuits while Verstappen’s aggressive style has often cost him, although he was perfect in Monaco this season. Anything other than a Mercedes win here would be a bit of a shock.
Favourite: Mercedes

Abu Dhabi
The Abu Dhabi venue is, of course, nothing new to the world of Formula 1, but even with the knowledge of all the past results, it’s difficult to pick a favourite here. Mercedes used to be hugely dominant there, winning every race in the hybrid era, but that changed last year when Max Verstappen cruised to victory. That being said, Mercedes struggled with their car setups all weekend and also had engine issues. Furthermore, they had stopped developing their 2020 challenger long before Red Bull. Assuming they don’t have such problems again this year, Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas will most likely have the better car, although the margin may well not be a big one at all, and one that Verstappen could close.
Favourite: Mercedes
 
Provisional 2022 Formula 1 calendar
Formula 1 has revealed the calendar for the 2022 season, with a record-breaking 23 Grand Prix schedule being approved by the FIA’s World Motor Sport Council. The season will begin in Bahrain on 20 March and finish in Abu Dhabi on 20 November, one month before Christmas – with Miami hosting the first of two races in the United States. Due to ongoing pandemic conditions, China will not be included on the 2022 calendar. China will be restored to the calendar as soon as conditions allow. “The 2022 season follows an unprecedented two years for Formula 1 in which the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in revised calendar of 17 races in 2020 and 22 races in 2021 – a huge achievement given the international nature of the sport,” said F1 in a statement. “It has been fantastic to welcome fans back to events this year, and we will continue to ensure this is done safely and in line with national guidelines. The pandemic has continued to present challenges to the 2021 season, but the entire sport has shown its ability to react and adapt to the challenges as they have arisen. While we hope the virus recedes further in the coming months for everyone around the world, we will continue to closely monitor the situation and work closely with the promoters and national authorities.”

President and CEO of Formula 1 Stefano Domenicali (above) said: “We are excited to announce the 2022 calendar as we prepare to enter a new era for the sport with brand new regulations and cars for next year that are designed to create closer racing. “This season has been incredible so far with great battles on the track, large audiences tuning in and fans returning to the races after the impact of the pandemic. We look forward to welcoming more fans back next season and hope 2022 feels more normal than the life we have all experienced in the past two years. We are very pleased with the interest in Formula 1 from places that want to host races and the growth of the sport and believe we have a fantastic calendar for 2022 with destinations like Miami joining famous and historic venues. The pandemic is still with us, and we will therefore continue to be vigilant and safe to protect all our personnel and the communities we visit.”

Jean Todt, FIA President, added: “The impressive 2022 FIA Formula One Championship calendar is the result of the great work made by Formula 1, led by Stefano Domenicali and his team, in strong synergy with the FIA. Over the past two years, F1 has shown remarkable resilience. This is clearly demonstrated by the continued growth of the sport despite the important challenges of the pandemic. The 23 Grands Prix in 2022 will be an exciting showcase for the all-new cars and I am looking forward to it."

Date Grand Prix Venue
20 MarchBahrainSakhir
27 MarchSaudi ArabiaJeddah
10 AprilAustraliaMelbourne
24 AprilEmilia RomagnaImola*
8 MayMiamiMiami**
22 MaySpainBarcelona*
29 MayMonacoMonaco
12 JuneAzerbaijanBaku
19 JuneCanadaMontreal
3 JulyUnited KingdomSilverstone
10 JulyAustriaSpielberg
24 JulyFranceLe Castellet
31 JulyHungaryBudapest
28 AugustBelgiumSpa
4 SeptemberNetherlandsZandvoort
11 SeptemberItalyMonza
25 SeptemberRussiaSochi
2 OctoberSingaporeSingapore*
9 OctoberJapanSuzuka
23 OctoberUSAAustin*
30 OctoberMexicoMexico City
13 NovemberBrazilSao Paulo
20 NovemberAbu DhabiAbu Dhabi

*subject to contract
**subject to FIA circuit homologation
 
Well, howdy, y'all!

Time for some rootin'-tootin', high- falutin', ear-tube hootin', rear-end bootin', Isaac Newtin' formula one. Yi ha, etc., etc.

It's the US Grand Prix, conveniently timed in the UK for dinner and tinctures. The UK times** are:

Fri 22 Oct
FP1 - 17:30
FP2 - 21:00

Sat 23 Oct
FP3 - 19:00
Qual - 22:00

Sun 24 Oct
Race - 20:00

** Still British Summer Time - UTC+1, but not for long... :cool:
 
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