So 6 AM start in the UK for the qualifying tomorrow. Looking forward to a Hamilton Pole tomorrow. Just hope there are no breakdowns robbing us of the Nico vs Lewis battles on Sunday.
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
2014 Formula 1 Thread
- Thread starter RaceTripper
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
- Status
Well Nico was the man today, but qualifying was over shadowed by the news today.
So Vettel to Ferrari then. A move that's more about the money and status I think. I don't believe there is a driver that could get more out of that car than Alonso.
But maybe he has realised that there are no more championships left in RBR. Or he is just fed up of being shown up by his younger team mate.
So what next for Alonso? He's not going to RBR so McLaren then? And replacing Button?
The merry go round has began. With no available seats at Mercedes or Williams, there are going to be a few drivers left without a seat.
So Vettel to Ferrari then. A move that's more about the money and status I think. I don't believe there is a driver that could get more out of that car than Alonso.
But maybe he has realised that there are no more championships left in RBR. Or he is just fed up of being shown up by his younger team mate.
So what next for Alonso? He's not going to RBR so McLaren then? And replacing Button?
The merry go round has began. With no available seats at Mercedes or Williams, there are going to be a few drivers left without a seat.
Vettel probably wants to prove that it's not just the superior Red Bull that netted him four championships. I think he'll have a hard time at Ferrari. He doesn't have the personality of Schumacher. Red Bull coddled him. Ferrari can be crazy. Vettel is a lot like Rosberg and the old Massa: Great when leading from the front but not great at overtaking and not eager to mix it up. Most dubious four time champion ever.
Almost certainly Alonso is going to McLaren. Maybe they'll be competitive by 2016.
I can see Red Bull dropping Renault and going with Mercedes. Mercedes no longer has to supply McLaren. Interesting times.
I really can't see Mercedes supplying RBR. It would give erode their superiority IMO. And have you been watching this year? Superior Red Bull? Not in 2014.
I think Vettel will find it tougher at Ferrari. He'll still have a team mate who will out preform him, and the expectations are much higher.
I'm sure Mark Webber must be enjoying this season. I wonder if he has called up his old team mate!
I really can't see Mercedes supplying RBR. It would give erode their superiority IMO. And have you been watching this year? Superior Red Bull? Not in 2014.
I think Vettel will find it tougher at Ferrari. He'll still have a team mate who will out preform him, and the expectations are much higher.
I'm sure Mark Webber must be enjoying this season. I wonder if he has called up his old team mate!
I was thinking about Kimi and Vettel in the same team. With a year under his belt at Ferrari hopefully Kimi would be more competitive. Looking forward to that inter team battle next year.
I can see your point about Mercedes not wanting to supply a team that could be a threat to them. RBR might be on the decline with Newey backing down and it being unlikely Renault will be significantly better in relation to Mercedes next year.
Been a long time Ferrari fan. Vettel to Ferrari, I'm jumping ship. I'll be rooting for Alonso wherever he goes. Don't think that Vettel and Ferrari will be a good fit. Forgot about Kimi still being there. That might make it interesting. Have to keep an eye out for Honda too. Can't wait for the F1 Haas team to start up. Wonder who they are looking at for drivers? Cheers
Be great to have a US driver tho I have no idea who might fit the bill. Any guesses?
Well it seems a bit trivial to discuss the racing, whilst waiting for news of Bianchi. Hopefully he makes a full and speedy recovery.
Well it was an entertaining race and a good drive and win for Hamilton. I thought Ricciardo drove well too and Button.
Unfortunately this was over shadowed by the awful incident with Jules towards the end of the race. It didn't look serious at the time and the BBC team along with many broadcasters were late bringing news to the viewers. I knew it was serious by the F1 journo's on twitter knowing before the TV crews, but they can only go from information given to them at the time. The world feed did not capture the actual crash but I have since seen it and it was a nasty one indeed.
I think Jules is very lucky to be in the condition he is in because it could have easily have been an instant fatal accident IMO. When I say lucky I mean he has a fighting chance of a recovery. I just hope we see him back in a car again in the coming years. Get well soon Jules!!
Unfortunately this was over shadowed by the awful incident with Jules towards the end of the race. It didn't look serious at the time and the BBC team along with many broadcasters were late bringing news to the viewers. I knew it was serious by the F1 journo's on twitter knowing before the TV crews, but they can only go from information given to them at the time. The world feed did not capture the actual crash but I have since seen it and it was a nasty one indeed.
I think Jules is very lucky to be in the condition he is in because it could have easily have been an instant fatal accident IMO. When I say lucky I mean he has a fighting chance of a recovery. I just hope we see him back in a car again in the coming years. Get well soon Jules!!
I saw a horrible-looking YouTube clip of the crash.
Without being too graphic, he was lucky he wasn't instantly decapitated. As the crane was lifting Sutil's Sauber, Bianchi's car suddenly slides under the (angled) back end of the crane, lifting it up. I can only assume that the top of Bianchis helmet must have smashed into the bottom of the crane counterweight at what looks like very high speed.
It appears to be one of those horrible freak accidents. If the recovery crane hadn't been there, I don't think the crash would have been nearly so bad. But it makes you wonder why Bianchi was going so fast under a caution condition?
I think if Bianchi had not been seriously injured here, he would be facing a tough time in front of the stewards and possibly even a race ban. The conditions were very bad and he wasn't the only driver speeding, but he could also have killed several marshals in this incident.
One thing I have noticed in recent years is the lack, or reduced number of trackside cranes. In the 80's and 90's we had them virtually on every corner but I suppose with cost cutting measures they have chosen to use JCB style vehicles because they can drive to the incidents rather than collect stricken cars over the catch fencing. Personally I think the FIA need stricter rules from now on as this isn't the first time a car has struck a recovery vehicle.
We did see JCB's on the trackside in the 90's as I remember Martin Brundle hitting one in similar circumstances in 1994 at this very track. I would have thought lessons should have been learned long before now. Was it 2007/08 when Liuzzi hit one at the Nurburgring? It was only a touch if I remember, but still.
One thing I have noticed in recent years is the lack, or reduced number of trackside cranes. In the 80's and 90's we had them virtually on every corner but I suppose with cost cutting measures they have chosen to use JCB style vehicles because they can drive to the incidents rather than collect stricken cars over the catch fencing. Personally I think the FIA need stricter rules from now on as this isn't the first time a car has struck a recovery vehicle.
We did see JCB's on the trackside in the 90's as I remember Martin Brundle hitting one in similar circumstances in 1994 at this very track. I would have thought lessons should have been learned long before now. Was it 2007/08 when Liuzzi hit one at the Nurburgring? It was only a touch if I remember, but still.
Someone at work told me about the clip, but personally it's not something I want to watch. Just hope he doesn't end up like Michael Schumacher.
Going to put a dampener on the first Russian GP as well.
The clip itself is not graphic in the sense it shows an injury, its more graphic in that it shows a racing car slamming into the back of a JCB style vehicle and we know from experience of watching F1 that this isn't a good thing. I know from many years of watching motorsport that it is dangerous and every so often there is an incident that may be very nasty indeed. If I was affected by seeing a crash, I don't think there would be any point in watching because it could happen at any time during a race.
I remember getting up early to watch the Malaysian MotoGP race in 2011 and unfortunately seeing Simoncelli killed. It was shocking but sadly more common in motorcycle racing. I'm a massive fan of the Isle of Man TT and although riders being killed is immensely upsetting, in a strange way you have more respect for the riders because of what is at stake. Danger and motorsport will always go hand in hand and although I like seeing safety tackled for obvious reason's, I still think its an accepted possibility.
The video of Jule's is shocking because F1 cars are not designed to go under heavy objects. The cockpit is still exposed and we could have seen similar injuries at Spa 2012 when Romain went over the top of Alonso, or back in 2007 when Coulthard (I think) went over the cockpit of Wurz. I think F1 would be wise to find a solution to this. I don't particularly like the canopy idea, but if it saves drivers lives.......
I remember getting up early to watch the Malaysian MotoGP race in 2011 and unfortunately seeing Simoncelli killed. It was shocking but sadly more common in motorcycle racing. I'm a massive fan of the Isle of Man TT and although riders being killed is immensely upsetting, in a strange way you have more respect for the riders because of what is at stake. Danger and motorsport will always go hand in hand and although I like seeing safety tackled for obvious reason's, I still think its an accepted possibility.
The video of Jule's is shocking because F1 cars are not designed to go under heavy objects. The cockpit is still exposed and we could have seen similar injuries at Spa 2012 when Romain went over the top of Alonso, or back in 2007 when Coulthard (I think) went over the cockpit of Wurz. I think F1 would be wise to find a solution to this. I don't particularly like the canopy idea, but if it saves drivers lives.......
Bianchi's parents confirm that he has a 'diffuse axonal injury', which is one most common and devastating types of traumatic brain injury. 90% of patients that suffer a DAI never regain conciousness and those that do remain serverely impaired.
Such a shame.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diffuse_axonal_injury
http://www1.skysports.com/f1/report...t-stable-after-second-night-in-intensive-care
Such a shame.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diffuse_axonal_injury
http://www1.skysports.com/f1/report...t-stable-after-second-night-in-intensive-care
Last edited:
That's terrible. I recall seeing the Senna death. The crash didn't look as bad as some I had seen, yet we all know the outcome.
The current generation of drivers are very fortunate compared to the previous generations, but there is always going to be a risk.
But the skill required to drive a car fast is just as much about the mindset of being able to drive at a corner getting the max out of the car.
Many years ago I went on a track day. We were in a Lotus Elite on a little tight track with big run offs. It was very strange driving fast at the end of the straights. My brain was saying BRAKE but my instructor saying brake later, stay on the gas!
Lots of fun though.
A bit of a dull circuit on looks. Reminds me of Valencia and Abu Dhabi rolled into one. Nice to see Marussia have decided to only run one car this weekend. Bianchi's car just sat there as a tribute. Looking good so far for a Hamilton pole, although I've just jinxed it lol.
Hard to judge the track until we see some racing. Hoping to see plenty of overtaking. Talking about only one stop so at least the overtaking will be on the track not in the pits.
Talk about different fortunes at Williams. I'd like to see how far up the field Massa can get from the back. Meanwhile at the front can Bottas take it to Mercades? He looked mighty on his last lap until the last bend.
Button looked solid in 4th. If this is to be his last season, it would be nice to see him on the podium one more time.
And RBR looked way off. Vettel not even getting to Q3.
Talk about different fortunes at Williams. I'd like to see how far up the field Massa can get from the back. Meanwhile at the front can Bottas take it to Mercades? He looked mighty on his last lap until the last bend.
Button looked solid in 4th. If this is to be his last season, it would be nice to see him on the podium one more time.
And RBR looked way off. Vettel not even getting to Q3.
Well not exactly a classic. Tyres lasting for a complete race, does not make for a good spectacle. Well done to Mercedes for picking up the constructors. Not exactly been in doubt all season. Their engines were a top 5 lock out.
Not really sure what happened to Massa. Why couldn't he get any further up the field than 11th with those tyres?
Anyway the Hamilton machine roles on. unless he gets a DNF, its hard to see him not picking up top spot now. Hopefully he has had all his bad luck for the year.
Not really sure what happened to Massa. Why couldn't he get any further up the field than 11th with those tyres?
Anyway the Hamilton machine roles on. unless he gets a DNF, its hard to see him not picking up top spot now. Hopefully he has had all his bad luck for the year.
Bummer that the Rosberg Hamilton fight was determined after one move though..
Great Job by Mercedes for sure.. if engine units stay locked for 2015, only McLaren can catch up on them.
Next year's Russian GP will be much more interesting with Softs/Supersofts. I like the race layout, but this race was boring due to medium tires lasting so long.
Massa had softs in the end and with less downforce of the williams it's possible that the car is not as gentle as the mercedes. But he should have made it to the points anyway.
All I'm praying for is no DNF in Abu Double...
Tell me about it. It would be terrible for the championship to be decided by a blown engine. How many teams do you think will take the penalty in the penultimate race to cover the risk?
Legit move.. I think most will try to push the change to the 5th parts as far as possible.
For those that are at 5th and above:
Vettel already confirmed on German TV that he's going to change the whole engine for US GP and start from the pit. Therefore he said he misses Qualifying to save the kilometers. I don't know if that's even possible (107% rule?), but that's what he said. Might see a lot of drivers trying to not get into Q2 in Austin/Sao Paulo.. :roll eyes:
So there are Toro Rosso, Lotus and Sauber left.. and looking at their position in Championship I don't think they'll see the need for this.
- Status