souljacker
innit
I will laugh my tits off if max has a technical issue and Lewis and George both end up on the podium.
F1 2022
- Thread starter 1%er
- Start date
Buddy Bradley
Pantheistic solipsist
Rare to see the top five so spread out, especially after two safety cars.
Buddy Bradley
Pantheistic solipsist
Never been to watch a race in person, but I imagine you go for the overall experience rather than to watch the actual race - don't expect you get much feeling for what's going on with stuff whipping past you at 200mph every minute or so.
spitfire
Walty McWaltface
The noise is brilliant (although I have not been since they went all hybrid). The whole spectacle is great, if you don't really follow F1 already it would be a confusing mess with cars seemingly driving past at random.
If you do follow F1 already it is still a confusing mess with cars seemingly driving past at random.
But it's great fun. Having said that I think I managed to blag most of the races I've been to so maybe wouldn't have been as keen if I'd forked out £300+.
Looking at those packed grandstands - is it the kind of thing where you can get a bit sozzled, head to the bar quite regularly or are people pretty snooty about letting you through?
spitfire
Walty McWaltface
Loads of room, everyone is on the beer.
Buddy Bradley
Pantheistic solipsist
This race is a thousand times more interesting than last week. 
Buddy Bradley
Pantheistic solipsist
Aw, Sainz took the fastest lap off Hamilton on the final lap. 
Sasaferrato
Super Refuser!
Well done Max! 
Ax^
Silly Rabbit
depends where you go in the fan zone it all mad fans so it all good just maybe a bit of a queue "i prefer that "
will see more of the race on the screens that the car zooming past
and the F1 car are less nosey that the f2 cars. in the past formula's like v10, v12s you had to wear ear defenders or it would hurt
these days not a problem
had a chance for hospitality tickets once, smart casual no one was that snooty and depend on how much you pay for the tickets like paddiock club tickets
3 course meal, plus free bars, chance to have the best seats, like watching the race from the wing of silverstone and a pit walk
but i was out their watching the races whilst 80 percent of the people in attendence were treating it as a networking event
depends on how you like your race weekend
edit to add this is very much viewed on my perception of silverstone
the high point of the hospitality tickets was seeing a few drivers , jack stewarts and frank williams
aside from that was not with F1 fans as it a invite from a company we work with
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MrCurry
right after this urgent rest
I’ve been to a few. About five events in total over the years. I’ve always had a great time when I’ve attended F1 races, but it’s a very different thing to watching on tv. I never felt I understood when present at a GP what what happening in the race anywhere close to how I can follow a race via TV commentary - you simply see so much less of what’s happening.
Even if you’ve got a posh grandstand seat with an unobstructed view, at best you’re seeing one corner / straight plus a likely distant view of the giant LED screen and hard to hear public address. And yet, it can be great. I remember standing at the entry to Copse at Silverstone, seeing the dark clouds approaching then feeling the first spots of rain on my neck. Lewis Hamilton was chasing down the car in front, closing the gap each time he passed, but then next lap he was missing and I realised he’d pitted at what seemed to me just the right time, just as I felt the rain starting. And sure enough a few laps later when the others pitted for their wet tyres, Lewis had taken the lead in the race by timing it just right. And if I’d been at home watching on tv I would have had nothing like the same level of understanding of what just happened and why it worked out so well for Hamilton.
So it’s a very different experience- is it worth the massive ticket price? Only if you’ve got the money! I wouldn’t pay to go and watch F1 these days, but good that so many people do.
beesonthewhatnow
going deaf for a living
I used to go Silverstone in the early to mid 90’s, Mansell mania and all that. It was brilliant. Way less corporate than now, was never in a grandstand just the big spectator banks on the corners. Camped all weekend then you had to be up at 5am on race day to bag your best spot (for me, always club corner - got to see Senna hitch a lift and the track invasion that brought Nige to a halt etc). Complete party atmosphere from start to finish. I will never ever forget the first time I heard (and felt) a V12 car scream by. Still makes the hairs on my neck stand up thinking about it.
dessiato
🇪🇸 my spirit is crying for leaving
That sound is lost these days, it detracts from the excitement of the sport. Loud, aggressive, engines that make your soul weep with excitement and anticipation… I miss it. Even before Mrs D started to become interested in F1 she could identify the deep rumble of a V8, the howl of a flat 6, and yowl of a V10 or V12. Happy days.
Great description.
I assume a lot of people are just glued to their iPads, phones etc watching the TV coverage on those these days?
I remember once watching the FA Cup final at Wembley in the hospitality bar with tickets my mate blagged a couple of years back, on the TV, while I could hear 90,000 people screaming just a few metres way. Shameful. I fear at the F1 I'd do the same. But the noise thing does sound cool.
beesonthewhatnow
going deaf for a living
If you want noise, go watch Top Fuel dragsters at Santa Pod. It is an experience like nothing else on earth.
a_chap
When the world came apart, where were you?
5am? You left it late.
We used to start queueing when they locked the gates at about midnight.
In earlier years you could stay in all night long. In fact they used to have a giant screen (at both Silverstone and Brands hatch) on which they'd inevitably show the Steve McQueen film: Le Mans. Every bloody year.
Indeliblelink
\......👁&👁......./
Makes a change from hitting tyre barriers.
Indeliblelink
\......👁&👁......./
Red Bull have suspended junior driver Juri Vips. Footage of him using a racist term in an online live gaming session.
spitfire
Walty McWaltface
RIP Gary.
Bang to rights, straight to jail, do not pass go, do not collect a contract.
Bang to rights, straight to jail, do not pass go, do not collect a contract.
1%er
Well-Known Member
Madrid bids to host F1 race
Madrid has become the latest city to express interest in hosting a Formula 1 race. The sport has raced in Spain for many years, but a Grand Prix has not been held in Madrid since 1981. This event took place at the Circuito Permanente del Jarama. Following this, the Spanish Grand Prix was hosted at Jerez before moving to the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, which continues to hold the race in the present day. Now, though, an official letter has been sent by Madrid local government cabinit minister Enrique Lopez to F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali, expressing Madrid's interest in playing host to a Grand Prix.In the letter, Lopez says that Madrid has an "efficient transport network, a pleasant climate, first class cultural, gastronomic and natural tourist attractions, a wide and excellent hotel infrastructure, and a diverse commercial offer with a unique freedom of opening hours". Lopez goes on to argue that the event would be "a success for all the professionals, institutions and companies involved in the development of Formula 1". "We are ready to work with you and your team to bring Formula 1 to Madrid," the letter concludes.
No official plans have been made to host an F1 race in Madrid, but if a Grand Prix were to take place, the most likely venue would perhaps be the Circuito Permanente del Jarama. However, the track does not yet hold a Grade 1 certificate from the FIA, which is required for F1 to be able to race there. The Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya has a contract to host Formula 1 until 2026, though it is not unheard of for two Grands Prix to be held in the same country.
The list of places that want to host a GP keeps growing since Liberty Media took over: Tunisia, USA (Miami, New York, Milwaukee, New Jersey, Las Vegas, Daytona, California, Laguna Seca, Sonoma Raceway), Portugal, Macau, Norway, Denmark, UK central London, Stratford and Cadrdiff (Silverstone), Korea, Turkey, Soth Africa, Argentina, Netherlands (Zandvoort, Assen) Saudi Arabia, Rio, Moroco, Angola, St Petersburg, Jerez, Panama, Colombia, Madrid. I'm sure I have left one or two places off that list
1%er
Well-Known Member
Silverstone to go to court over £8m botched track resurfacing job
Organisers of the Silverstone F1 circuit are set to go to court after a botched track resurfacing job left it unsafe and needed redoing just one year later. The famous British grand prix circuit has prepared an £8 million lawsuit against Aggregate Industries, who were responsible for Silverstone’s new track surface in 2018. The new surface didn’t appease drivers with seven-time F1 champion Lewis Hamilton very critical."The people they hired did the worst job ever," Hamilton said during the British GP weekend. "It's the bumpiest track I've ever experienced. It's bumpier than the Nordschleife, which is 100 years old. It's rattling your freaking eyeballs out of your brain. Apart from that it's fantastic but jeez, they need to hire someone better. I don't know how you could do such a bad job in layering the track."
Aggregate Industries were paid £2 million to relay the iconic British circuit in 2018. While F1’s weekend went relatively smoothly, the same can’t be said for MotoGP in August. The weekend didn’t go to plan as it was eventually cancelled due to heavy rain. Five riders crashed, including Tito Rabat, who broke his leg during qualifying. With the event cancelled, organisers were forced to compensate fans, adding to further losses for Silverstone. After losing its license to host MotoGP in the aftermath of the cancelled 2018 weekend, they reportedly lost £3.5 million.
However, there have been no such issues since 2019 after Silverstone got Tarmac Trading Ltd to relay the surface. Silverstone is suing for the cost of the lost MotoGP round, the second resurfacing and additional lost profits, bringing the total close to £8 million.
Ax^
Silly Rabbit
Madrid bids to host F1 race
Madrid has become the latest city to express interest in hosting a Formula 1 race. The sport has raced in Spain for many years, but a Grand Prix has not been held in Madrid since 1981. This event took place at the Circuito Permanente del Jarama. Following this, the Spanish Grand Prix was hosted at Jerez before moving to the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, which continues to hold the race in the present day. Now, though, an official letter has been sent by Madrid local government cabinit minister Enrique Lopez to F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali, expressing Madrid's interest in playing host to a Grand Prix.
In the letter, Lopez says that Madrid has an "efficient transport network, a pleasant climate, first class cultural, gastronomic and natural tourist attractions, a wide and excellent hotel infrastructure, and a diverse commercial offer with a unique freedom of opening hours". Lopez goes on to argue that the event would be "a success for all the professionals, institutions and companies involved in the development of Formula 1". "We are ready to work with you and your team to bring Formula 1 to Madrid," the letter concludes.
No official plans have been made to host an F1 race in Madrid, but if a Grand Prix were to take place, the most likely venue would perhaps be the Circuito Permanente del Jarama. However, the track does not yet hold a Grade 1 certificate from the FIA, which is required for F1 to be able to race there. The Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya has a contract to host Formula 1 until 2026, though it is not unheard of for two Grands Prix to be held in the same country.
The list of places that want to host a GP keeps growing since Liberty Media took over: Tunisia, USA (Miami, New York, Milwaukee, New Jersey, Las Vegas, Daytona, California, Laguna Seca, Sonoma Raceway), Portugal, Macau, Norway, Denmark, UK central London, Stratford and Cadrdiff (Silverstone), Korea, Turkey, Soth Africa, Argentina, Netherlands (Zandvoort, Assen) Saudi Arabia, Rio, Moroco, Angola, St Petersburg, Jerez, Panama, Colombia, Madrid. I'm sure I have left one or two places off that list
don't fancy st Petersburg chances
1%er
Well-Known Member
Herbert: Maybe time for Lawrence Stroll to do 'the right thing'
Ex-F1 driver Johnny Herbert says the time may be fast approaching for Aston Martin team owner Lawrence Stroll to make a difficult but necessary call in the interests of the British team. Herbert believes that Lance Stroll's lacklustre performances call into question his future in F1. While the 23-year-old has shown glimpses of brilliance in the past, Stroll's results overall with his father's team have been little to write home about. The young Canadian finished behind his Aston teammate Sebastian Vettel in last year's Drivers' standings and so far this season he has only scored 3 points - and never finished higher than P10 – while Vettel's current tally sits at 13.In Canada, Stroll said a lack of confidence in Aston's new generation car is weighing on his performances. "We’re always learning but I think on my side, I want to get into a better, more comfortable place with the car," he said. "I still feel like I’m not really that confident in the car and not feeling very precise and predictable in the car. I’ve got to keep working to get back to the place I was in last year and the year before, where it was more predictable and more comfortable. Now it’s just a little bit difficult for me, I got to keep working with my engineers to try and sort that out."
But Herbert questions whether there is still margin of improvement for Stroll, whose results aren't bringing many points to his team. "Lance has had a bit of a difficult time lately," the Sky F1 pundit told the F1 Nation podcast. "I sometimes think there is a certain time that, if it doesn’t happen for him [in F1], Lawrence has got to say to his son: 'I’ve given you a chance, it isn’t quite working out, now I have to do the right thing for the team'. There will be a point that’s going to happen. I don’t exactly know when that will be, but it is down to Lance to do the job that he needs to do and consistently do that job. At the moment, it’s a little bit scrappy."
Extending on his thoughts, Herbert reckons that one Pierre Gasly would make a good fit for Aston Martin. "He has to do what Daniel [Ricciardo] did: break away [from Red Bull]," said the three-time Grand Prix winner. I think he should be straight there already making inquiries for exactly what they want to do and say: Yeah, I’m ready and willing to come onboard."
1%er
Well-Known Member
The craziest idea that might just save the Monaco Grand Prix
As Formula 1 cars have become bigger and bigger, the spectacle on a Sunday in Monaco has become worse and worse, and there are now real doubts about the grand prix’s future. A combination of new venues in the Middle East being able to offer more money and F1’s determination to break further into the American market means that some of the historic venues are currently struggling to justify their spot on the calendar. The respective futures of the Monaco and Belgian Grands Prix in particular appear to be uncertain. And the former – for all its glitz and glamour – is not helped by the fact that it pays a reduced rate and insists on special treatment such as using its own TV director.Whilst a fair few fans remain firmly in favour of F1’s ‘Jewel in the Crown’ – and one-third of motorsport’s Triple Crown – remaining on the calendar, support appears to be dwindling. The reason for that is, of course, nothing to do with money or contracts. It is about the racing. Saturday in Monaco is generally one of the highlights of the season, but Sundays are more often than not a literal procession. Over the past decade, there have been just 113 overtakes at the Monaco Grand Prix, with the relatively eventful race this year still only producing 12. For the sake of comparison, the 2016 Chinese Grand Prix featured 161 overtakes during its 56 laps. Daniel Ricciardo and Lewis Hamilton were even able to hang onto victories in 2018 and 2019 whilst lapping multiple seconds slower than usual with a mechanical issue and dead tyres respectively. And Fernando Alonso’s casual Sunday drive this year will be fresh in all our memories. The cars are unlikely to get considerably smaller any time soon. Whilst this year’s regulation changes have made them slightly shorter, they are still two metres wide and are now even heavier.
The plans for the next regulation change in 2026 are also to decrease the size and weight where possible, but options are limited. This is an inescapable consequence of increased safety requirements and cost-cutting – lightweight but strong materials are very expensive. So, despite the attempts to make the next generation of cars more nimble, they will almost certainly remain boat-like around the tight streets of the Principality.
And the route through those streets is pretty much set in stone, with very few possibilities when it comes to altering the layout.
A potential solution
What can be done then? This year’s event already dispensed with one piece of Monaco tradition. The ‘weekend’ has always been held over a four-day period, with the first practice sessions on Thursday and then a day off on Friday, when the drivers can get dolled up and head to a fashion show and/or charity event. In a bid to condense the calendar, however, Monaco will be a three-day event from this year onwards. So, with those in charge having shown a willingness to change for the greater good, how about a big change? The thrill of seeing F1’s best men and machines at 100% attack, missing barriers by mere millimetres – or even occasionally less than that as they scrub off some paint – during qualifying is clearly the best part of the Monaco Grand Prix. So why not carry that through to Sunday?How would it work?
Qualifying on Saturday would take place as normal, but instead of setting the grid, it would set the order in which drivers came out for their time trial on Sunday afternoon. Let’s say a five-lap time trial. The lowest cumulative time takes the 25 points, with the fastest 10 drivers claiming the usual sliding scale of points and the bonus point for the fastest lap still up for grabs for the fastest single lap. 20 drivers doing five laps is obviously 100 laps – so slightly more than a race length – but with them being at qualifying speeds, it would probably end up taking no longer than a total race time. Drivers could go out back to back – coinciding in laps and out laps for almost non-stop action – in reverse order from the qualifying results, giving the pole-sitter the benefit of a fully rubbered-in track. There would be a tough decision on how hard to push, though. Do you go all out and risk making a mistake – big or small – and potentially lose yourself a couple of positions, or even crash? Or do you hedge your bets, go around at 95% and hope for errors from others. And if you had to put your faith in any group of people on the planet to find some strategic opportunities, it would be F1 engineers, so that aspect of race day would surely not be totally lost. Of course, there would be the potential of changing conditions to mix things up, be it changes in track temperature or rain. Hey, if there’s a sudden deluge after five minutes then we all just accept Nicholas Latifi as the rightful master of Monaco.Make it about the drivers again
On a usual race weekend, outright speed is rewarded on Saturday, consistent speed is rewarded on Sunday. In Monaco, however, you simply have to exist and rely on your team not to mess up the strategy. This idea would make it about the drivers again – it would be down to them to show their consistency over a few laps. Most importantly, the best part of the Monaco Grand Prix weekend would be extended through to the most crucial part of the weekend. F1 have shown they are willing to experiment with Sprint Races and the Monegasque organisers showed they can put aside tradition this year. It is beginning to look like there might have to be a huge change to save the future of F1’s most famous grand prix. Maybe this could be that huge change?
Limejuice
Well-Known Member
Pip pip, vroomsters! Blighty calling!
Get your Christmas sprouts on. Start steeping the tea. Coat me in treacle and call me Rupert. It's The Grand Prix. The Proper One.
These, verily, are the telly times in the UK:
Fri 1 July
FP1 - 13:00
FP2 - 16:00
Sat 2 July
FP3 - 12:00
Qual - 15:00
Sun 3 July
Race - 15:00
And the race blessing in the parlance of our ancestors:
"May ye Redde Oxen carts breke mitely and shedden their partes acros divers countys of thiss faire kingedome, and may ye Spyss man knowne as ye winjer gnash his tethe, yea until ye cows comme hom and beyond."
Get your Christmas sprouts on. Start steeping the tea. Coat me in treacle and call me Rupert. It's The Grand Prix. The Proper One.
These, verily, are the telly times in the UK:
Fri 1 July
FP1 - 13:00
FP2 - 16:00
Sat 2 July
FP3 - 12:00
Qual - 15:00
Sun 3 July
Race - 15:00
And the race blessing in the parlance of our ancestors:
"May ye Redde Oxen carts breke mitely and shedden their partes acros divers countys of thiss faire kingedome, and may ye Spyss man knowne as ye winjer gnash his tethe, yea until ye cows comme hom and beyond."
