2021 Formula 1 Season Thread

[The-Real-Deal82]

To all the folks who dont want to watch F1 again because how the season ended , that's the feeling most of us had for 8 years now if you are not a Mercedes fan , you cant imagine the pain going to the first race of the season and see those god damn mercs locking out the first row and winning with seconds to spare.
Did the ending sucked as a genuine natural F1 fan , it did , and I was mad about Max winning the way he did , but having ANOTHER Mercedes win was so meh , that the feeling of "**** the FIA for deciding the race" vanished quickly when I realized that they almost won all the championship of this formula , 8 years straight of WDC + WCC is way too much for me to accept , so Max stole one , so be it.

Its time for the new Formula next year , lets see the pecking order !!! and I expect those Lewis and Mercedes fans to stick with us if they are a midfield team (one can only dream !!) as we did with them crushing our souls year after year.

I think it depends if people are fans of the engineering side of the sport or just the drivers and wishing variety. I like to see the best technology and driver combination winning and pushing the envelope of innovation. I’m not necessarily a fan solely of Lewis but British talent in general. It just so happens that Lewis has been part of a very successful outfit for the past 9 years and Mercedes hi babe done the best job producing a race and championship winning formula.

Fans who stick to one driver or team will face disappointment on a larger scale if there is a period of dominance. I like to enjoy the technology and appreciate the efforts behind the driver. I do after all work in an industry that directly benefits from F1 and worked briefly in it myself many years ago. I think a lot of fans want to see the field more equalised, but we are in danger of turning into an IndyCar style series with that suggestion and that puts off teams who are in the sport for the R&D potential.

If they come up with a way of stopping the best drivers getting into the best teams then we might have a more chaotic series lol. Time for Lewis and Max to move to Haas and give the others a chance maybe!!

 

[NotTooLate]

I think it depends if people are fans of the engineering side of the sport or just the drivers and wishing variety. I like to see the best technology and driver combination winning and pushing the envelope of innovation. I’m not necessarily a fan solely of Lewis but British talent in general. It just so happens that Lewis has been part of a very successful outfit for the past 9 years and Mercedes hi babe done the best job producing a race and championship winning formula.

Fans who stick to one driver or team will face disappointment on a larger scale if there is a period of dominance. I like to enjoy the technology and appreciate the efforts behind the driver. I do after all work in an industry that directly benefits from F1 and worked briefly in it myself many years ago. I think a lot of fans want to see the field more equalised, but we are in danger of turning into an IndyCar style series with that suggestion and that puts off teams who are in the sport for the R&D potential.

If they come up with a way of stopping the best drivers getting into the best teams then we might have a more chaotic series lol. Time for Lewis and Max to move to Haas and give the others a chance maybe!!

Well that what happens with new Formulas , the best drivers are all of the sudden NOT in the best teams , if next year Ferrari and Renault have the best cars , they wont be having Max nor Lewis who most consider the top drivers in todays landscape.

Regarding the engineering side , I love it , but lets be honest , Mercedes got this Formula basically handed to them , on the Engine side , they developed it YEARS before it was approved and were the driving force to go with V6 hybrid concept (no surprise) , this alone was enough to dominate the field as they had a leg up on everyone else.
The early start.

But yha , best drivers to the best teams is a given , and I dont mind that part , its time for the Ferrari boys to be the best team again , a LOT is riding on the new engine , the only one without a split turbo design , if it doesn't perform , its a wrap until 2026 as next year we are freezing the engines , also I think Renault has a better chance then Maclaren to do well next year , they have their new engine with split turbo coming up and it should be a good one according to rumors.

My bet for the top runners for next year : 1) Mercedes , 2) Ferrari , 3) Renault , 4) Red Bull , 5) McLaren.

So some obvious , some surprises , but Max is going back to the midfield next year , that's an easy bet I am willing to make.

 

[Pezimak]

Hamilton got 10 secs for Silverstone and was found guilty by the Stewards...but his title rival ended in the wall and he got the points. Hamilton acted different against Ver than Perez. Even when Perez was super clean in the last race, Hamilton was calling "dangerous driving". But he didn't risk against any other driver.

And again, in the race start incident, Hamilton with plenty of time to decide goes to bang the wheel against Ver and then raise his hand as telling are you crazy...

Look at the Ham car angle. He was fully aware of Ver:
View attachment 1927660

Wheel bang:
View attachment 1927662

I'm innocent:
View attachment 1927661

Malice is part of the sport, hard play too and it's fun sometimes. Sometimes, like Silverstone it's not. And I think that Ham under pressure this year played more dirty than on previous seasons.

That's Mercedes' MO they play the victim. But other teams also do the same thing. Hamiliton is no where near as innocent as he makes out though some of the time.
All year Masi has been changing the rules not just one race, Suadi being one of them.

 

[nebo1ss]

MASI is history. Will be fired for sure.

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

That's Mercedes' MO they play the victim. But other teams also do the same thing. Humiliation is no where near as innocent as he makes out though.
All year Masi has been changing the rules not just one race, Suadi being one of them.

You don’t think Red Bull and Verstappen got off lightly in Saudi Arabia? It was confirmed Max brake checked Lewis in the middle of the track and he got a 5 second penalty for causing a collision. I would say Masi and the stewards were lenient and perhaps because it would have had more of an impact on the final race. Max could have received a drive through for that and may have done if it had been at the start of a season. I don’t think you can really claim the FIA have favoured Mercedes much this season when that huge advantage was gifted to Red Bull on Sunday. They gave Max the championship and that is about as favourable as it gets.

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

Well that what happens with new Formulas , the best drivers are all of the sudden NOT in the best teams , if next year Ferrari and Renault have the best cars , they wont be having Max nor Lewis who most consider the top drivers in todays landscape.

Regarding the engineering side , I love it , but lets be honest , Mercedes got this Formula basically handed to them , on the Engine side , they developed it YEARS before it was approved and were the driving force to go with V6 hybrid concept (no surprise) , this alone was enough to dominate the field as they had a leg up on everyone else.
The early start.

But yha , best drivers to the best teams is a given , and I dont mind that part , its time for the Ferrari boys to be the best team again , a LOT is riding on the new engine , the only one without a split turbo design , if it doesn't perform , its a wrap until 2026 as next year we are freezing the engines , also I think Renault has a better chance then Maclaren to do well next year , they have their new engine with split turbo coming up and it should be a good one according to rumors.

My bet for the top runners for next year : 1) Mercedes , 2) Ferrari , 3) Renault , 4) Red Bull , 5) McLaren.

So some obvious , some surprises , but Max is going back to the midfield next year , that's an easy bet I am willing to make.

That is indeed how the sport works in a nutshell.

 

[Pezimak]

You don’t think Red Bull and Verstappen got off lightly in Saudi Arabia? It was confirmed Max brake checked Lewis in the middle of the track and he got a 5 second penalty for causing a collision. I would say Masi and the stewards were lenient and perhaps because it would have had more of an impact on the final race. Max could have received a drive through for that and may have done if it had been at the start of a season. I don’t think you can really claim the FIA have favoured Mercedes much this season when that huge advantage was gifted to Red Bull on Sunday. They gave Max the championship and that is about as favourable as it gets.

It was partly Lewis's fault for hitting Max as he had a door left open and Max was slowing down yet Lewis refused to overtake because he knew that DRS line was close, still doesn't explain why he didn't overtake to take the lead off the race as at that point he didn't know Max was slowing down to let him pass and their were no yellow flags So Mercedes' played the victim when Lewis shouldn't have been there.
Like when Perez was racing Lewis wheel to wheel and Lewis was on the radio calling it dangerous driving and Toto was straight on the radio to Masi complaining of dangerous driving which was utter rubbish and I'm glad Masi put him in his place over it. Mercedes' were again playing the victim IMO.
No Max shouldn't have braked like he did, but Lewis isn't innocent in the incident either, this isn't your average road user, but hardened Formula 1 drivers, 1 very seasoned.

And no Red Bull we're not handed the championship.

 

[Pezimak]

MASI is history. Will be fired for sure.

No he won't he has the full backing of the FIA.

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

It was partly Lewis's fault for hitting Max as he had a door left open and Max was slowing down yet Lewis refused to because he knew that DRS line was close, still doesn't explain why he didn't overtake to take the lead off the race as at that point he didn't know Max was slowing down to let him pass and their were no yellow flags So Mercedes' played the victim when Lewis shouldn't have been there.
Like when Perez was racing Lewis wheel to wheel and Lewis was on the radio falling it dangerous driving and Toto was straight on the radio to Masi complaining of dangerous driving which was utter rubbish and I'm glad Masi put him in his place over it. Mercedes' were again playing the victim.
And no they didn't find Max the championship.

You may find just about any conceivable excuse to criticise Hamilton but Masi most definitely handed Max the championship. Many ex drivers and current drivers also seem to be making this statement and it was clear as day on the coverage. The biggest question next season is; who is Masi going to hand it to next and who is good for the show?

Don’t try and make out Max fought for that title in Abu Dhabi because it was manipulated at the last minute in his favour. The unlapped cars did not complete their lap before the safety car was pulled in and Masi decided to start the race a lap early and outside of the regulations. It was all for tv ratings and Max was beaten in that race. The dust maybe settling but Max’s championship was completely undermined and devalued by that decision. If that’s the only championship he wins then it will always be doubted and suggested he was lucky.

 

[Phil77354]

It was partly Lewis's fault for hitting Max as he had a door left open and Max was slowing down . . .

Well, saying that Max 'was slowing down' doesn't quite capture that he decelerated at something like 2.5G for long enough for it to be recorded on the data stream - didn't you catch that detail in the post-race reports?

That doesn't sound like just slowing down. It does sound like brake-checking, as far as I'm concerned.

Reading various articles about the final race it looks like few have sympathy for Mercedes complaints and possible appeal, and most are either welcoming or at least settling into acceptance of Max as our new driver champion. That is how I feel as well, not particularly happy with how the final race was handled but not upset at the outcome. After all, it was so close throughout the season that either driver could have won in the end.

Season over. Max will display #1 on his car next season - I kind of like that. And I'm not a Max fan.

 

[Apple fanboy]

Well, saying that Max 'was slowing down' doesn't quite capture that he decelerated at something like 2.5G for long enough for it to be recorded on the data stream - didn't you catch that detail in the post-race reports?

That doesn't sound like just slowing down. It does sound like brake-checking, as far as I'm concerned.

Reading various articles about the final race it looks like few have sympathy for Mercedes complaints and possible appeal, and most are either welcoming or at least settling into acceptance of Max as our new driver champion. That is how I feel as well, not particularly happy with how the final race was handled but not upset at the outcome. After all, it was so close throughout the season that either driver could have won in the end.

Season over. Max will display #1 on his car next season - I kind of like that. And I'm not a Max fan.

Will he? I didn’t think they had number one displayed like that anymore. I thought they all raced under their own numbers.

 

[zagato27]

Congratulation Sir Lewis. We knew it already but the honor was finally bestowed. Good company with Stirling Moss, Jack Brabham, and Jackie Stewart.

Lewis Hamilton receives knighthood days after losing Formula One title

Lewis Hamilton, the seven-time Formula One champion, received a knighthood on Wednesday, days after losing one on the track.

www.usatoday.com

 

[CWallace]

Will he? I didn’t think they had number one displayed like that anymore. I thought they all raced under their own numbers.

The reigning WDC is allowed to run their Personal Number or the #1.

Lewis has chosen to keep #44 every year he has been WDC, though on occasion he has run the #1 during Friday practice (likely for marketing support).

 

[Apple fanboy]

The reigning WDC is allowed to run their Personal Number or the #1.

Lewis has chosen to keep #44 every year he has been WDC, though on occasion he has run the #1 during Friday practice (likely for marketing support).

I remember when Damian Hill ran 0!

 

[CWallace]

I remember when Damian Hill ran 0!

Yup - back in the day when car numbers were assigned by the team finishing order in the WCC and the team with the winning WDC getting 1 and 2. When the WDC retired during the off-season (as Mansell did in 1992 and Prost in 1993 with Williams) this made 1 unavailable and Williams had to run 0 (and 2).

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

I remember when Damian Hill ran 0!

1994 if I remember.
I liked it that season when Nigel came back and ran the number 2 but had it in red on the FW16 like the Canon Williams days whereas Damon’s and Ayrton’s were white numbers.

 

[Apple fanboy]

I’ll be honest I preferred when the numbers meant something. Now it’s all pretty pointless. But then I liked it when drivers had one helmet design for most of their career.

 

[pachyderm]

I’ll be honest I preferred when the numbers meant something. Now it’s all pretty pointless. But then I liked it when drivers had one helmet design for most of their career.

Agreed on both.

And for the record I think both sides of the WDC title argument make valid points.

But... blah blah blah

I will say, IMHO, they should have released the lapped back markers much sooner than they did, or not at all.

I am however glad they did let them go.

 

[Phil77354]

I believe that they let drivers pick their own numbers now, as long as not already spoken for. Since #1 is not being used, it is available for Max if he wants it. (But I assume he could not continue to use it for an additional year unless he is still World Champion - anyone know if that would be correct?)

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

I believe that they let drivers pick their own numbers now, as long as not already spoken for. Since #1 is not being used, it is available for Max if he wants it. (But I assume he could not continue to use it for an additional year unless he is still World Champion - anyone know if that would be correct?)

That is correct. It’s first time the number 1 has been used for quite a few years now. Since the drivers have picked their own numbers, Lewis has kept his 44. Rosberg never used it because he didn’t defend his title.

 

[Phil77354]

That is correct. It’s first time the number 1 has been used for quite a few years now. Since the drivers have picked their own numbers, Lewis has kept his 44. Rosberg never used it because he didn’t defend his title.

Thanks.

Seems as though the dispute regarding the Abu Dhabi race outcome is still in play. Reports are that FIA is launching what is being referred to as a "detailed analysis and clarification exercise" (wonderful way to describe it, that).

It does not sound like something that would change the result but it would rather provide more support for the decision made at the time, as well as lessons learned for next years racing.

And also that the F1 annual Prize Giving Ceremony is scheduled for tomorrow, but so far Mercedes is not committing to participate? That would be a pretty strong snub if the championship winning F1 team, and champion Formula E team as well, did not join in the ceremony.

 

[Apple fanboy]

Thanks.

Seems as though the dispute regarding the Abu Dhabi race outcome is still in play. Reports are that FIA is launching what is being referred to as a "detailed analysis and clarification exercise" (wonderful way to describe it, that).

It does not sound like something that would change the result but it would rather provide more support for the decision made at the time, as well as lessons learned for next years racing.

And also that the F1 annual Prize Giving Ceremony is scheduled for tomorrow, but so far Mercedes is not committing to participate? That would be a pretty strong snub if the championship winning F1 team, and champion Formula E team as well, did not join in the ceremony.

They could have decided to not have it due to Covid. Getting bad here again.
I’m still pretty sure Max would have one once the SC happened if they released the back markers or not. The only way it would have worked in Lewis favour if they had finished under the SC.
The alternative red flag scenario is too close to call. Lewis would have had track position, but Max would have had nothing to lose. However it would have been a great 5 laps!

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

Thanks.

Seems as though the dispute regarding the Abu Dhabi race outcome is still in play. Reports are that FIA is launching what is being referred to as a "detailed analysis and clarification exercise" (wonderful way to describe it, that).

It does not sound like something that would change the result but it would rather provide more support for the decision made at the time, as well as lessons learned for next years racing.

And also that the F1 annual Prize Giving Ceremony is scheduled for tomorrow, but so far Mercedes is not committing to participate? That would be a pretty strong snub if the championship winning F1 team, and champion Formula E team as well, did not join in the ceremony.

I think Mercedes’ need to pull out of the event even just for their own integrity. The FIA statement is an admission that ‘lessons need to be learned’ and they are committing to an analysis of the decisions in order to make sure ‘improvements are made’ for future events. They are more than aware the reaction has been somewhat negative across the entire motorsports community and are now in damage limitation mode. Mercedes not showing up at the awards ceremony is the least they can do and really hit home to the FIA that they can’t bend rules to suit entertainment demands. Sadly it’s tarnished the championship and the sport and this isn’t deserved after what had been one of the best seasons for many years.

 

[UBS28]

I think Mercedes’ need to pull out of the event even just for their own integrity. The FIA statement is an admission that ‘lessons need to be learned’ and they are committing to an analysis of the decisions in order to make sure ‘improvements are made’ for future events. They are more than aware the reaction has been somewhat negative across the entire motorsports community and are now in damage limitation mode. Mercedes not showing up at the awards ceremony is the least they can do and really hit home to the FIA that they can’t bend rules to suit entertainment demands. Sadly it’s tarnished the championship and the sport and this isn’t deserved after what had been one of the best seasons for many years.

Mercedes integrity is not at stake here standing up to match fixing. Alot of fans also are not blind to the match fixing that happened.

The FIA message doesn’t mean anything as the FIA is blaming the fans and teams for this fallout btw.

Mercedes was already thinking about quiting and selling it off to Ineos (who is now currently a large shareholder), and this might have potentially sealed the deal. So that is probably why Mercedes did not show up.

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

Mercedes integrity is not at stake here standing up to match fixing. Alot of fans also are not blind to the match fixing that happened.

The FIA message doesn’t mean anything as the FIA is blaming the fans and teams for this fallout btw.

Mercedes was already thinking about quiting and selling it off to Ineos (who is now currently a large shareholder), and this might have potentially sealed the deal. So that is probably why Mercedes did not show up.

Large manufacturers like Honda, Renault, Toyota and possibly Mercedes’ will always pull out when the sport no longer benefits them. There is no loyalty to the sport as it’s just an R&D tax dodge and great marketing for them. I don’t think they will pull out before next season but it could be a possibility beyond 2022.

The FIA are apparently working with the team affected to determine how the confusion took place. I’ve read the statement through a few times and it’s clear they are nervous of the negativity and have gone some way to admitting the situation was not executed well under the pressure. Nobody expects the results to be changed, but we could see a strong statement that some of the rules were not followed as has already been highlighted. I think it’s not just fans but people within motorsport and even drivers on the grid who have openly given their verdicts.