2024 Formula 1 Season thread

[JustinePaula]

I am perplexed by the whole DQ of Russell, 1.5KG is such a tiny percent of the whole car at minimum legal weight, is 1.5KG light that drastic an effect on the car and the result? Maybe a couple of seconds of time penalty.. But then legal is legal, over the limit is over the limit, so I guess race result deleted.. It is a bit perplexing, and a DQ seems draconian, kind of like getting 2 to 5 in the house of horrors for farting too loud in court..

 

[Apple fanboy]

So, it appears Mercedes was caught off guard by George keeping the one stop with their weight calculations. While there is quite a bit of speculation, are they saying that a new set of tires would have added the 1.5kg?

They apparently didn’t drain all the fuel to try a last gasp effort to find some weight.

Can a set of 4 Hards with 32 laps on them weigh that much less?

Not sure, but they used to go offline on the cool down lap deliberately picking up marbles. But I don’t see that going on much these days.

 

[CWallace]

I am perplexed by the whole DQ of Russell, 1.5KG is such a tiny percent of the whole car at minimum legal weight, is 1.5KG light that drastic an effect on the car and the result?

Over the course of the race, that 1.5kg was worth eight seconds. If you add that to George's time at the checkered flag, he would have finished 3rd or 4th.

 

[CWallace]

So, it appears Mercedes was caught off guard by George keeping the one stop with their weight calculations. While there is quite a bit of speculation, are they saying that a new set of tires would have added the 1.5kg?

Considering current F1 tires are meant to degrade a fair bit over a stint, losing ~400 grams a tire over that many laps does not sound outlandish to me.

They apparently didn’t drain all the fuel to try a last gasp effort to find some weight.

Which seems counter-productive since the FIA drains the car for the weight test (and requires at least 1 liter of fuel for the fuel test).



Someone said they weigh the car with fresh tires, but that doesn't seem to make sense as drivers normally go out of their way to pick up all the "clag" on the track to add weight and it has been said that George failed to do this.

 

[laptech]

I think it’s worth a shout out to all the drivers who have to endure the incessant trolling of interviewers like Sky F1’s Craig Slater. I don’t watch Sky but often see clips and he is absolutely dreadful. The desperation of trying to get drivers to say something controversial and to stoke up feuds is unbelievable. You can see the likes of Lewis, Lando and Max are thoroughly fed up by it but have to speak due to media commitments. He’s by far the only one and it must be exhausting.

The thing is with that style of interview, broadcasters will have instructed their employee to behave like that because they want something juicy that will help sell the news.

A classic example of this is British Journalist Martin Bashir and that 1995 infamous interview he did with Princess Diana where it turns out he had faked documents that were damning enough to get him access to the Princess because she was not one for giving interviews but he wanted to find 'dirt' on her so he could get an interview. He manufactured the 'dirt' so he could get the interview. He was investigated due to a documentary by British broadcaster ITV in 2020 called 'The Diana Interview: Revenge Of A Princess' in which is was disclosed a graphic designer had mocked up documents for Mr. Bashir. Such a revelation caused a massive outcry in the UK and his then employer the BBC investigated and found he had faked documents that when given to the Earl Spencer, the princesses brother, it would get him access to the Princess.

The above is an example of what journalists will do to get an interview just so they can find something juicy that they can use later on. I have no doubt Sky's Craig Slater was told to do exactly the same, go in hard to find something juicy that could be used later to sell to other media outlets.

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

As expected in recent days.

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

The thing is with that style of interview, broadcasters will have instructed their employee to behave like that because they want something juicy that will help sell the news.

A classic example of this is British Journalist Martin Bashir and that 1995 infamous interview he did with Princess Diana where it turns out he had faked documents that were damning enough to get him access to the Princess because she was not one for giving interviews but he wanted to find 'dirt' on her so he could get an interview. He manufactured the 'dirt' so he could get the interview. He was investigated due to a documentary by British broadcaster ITV in 2020 called 'The Diana Interview: Revenge Of A Princess' in which is was disclosed a graphic designer had mocked up documents for Mr. Bashir. Such a revelation caused a massive outcry in the UK and his then employer the BBC investigated and found he had faked documents that when given to the Earl Spencer, the princesses brother, it would get him access to the Princess.

The above is an example of what journalists will do to get an interview just so they can find something juicy that they can use later on. I have no doubt Sky's Craig Slater was told to do exactly the same, go in hard to find something juicy that could be used later to sell to other media outlets.

No doubt there’s pressure and especially with Sky as that’s their MO throughout their news publications. I find Slater to be a football style pundit that’s been thrown in the F1 paddock and he’s never really fully understood it. I can’t watch full interviews with him when the clips show up on social media because he’s bullishly asking questions that we all know they’ll never answer and he persists regardless. Lewis is good at handling him usually.

 

[CWallace]

It sounded like Williams was looking elsewhere due to Sainz's waffling. With Perez possibly coming on the market, he finally had to make a decision.

Interesting to note that per PlanetF1, the contract allows Sainz to walk away if Mercedes or Red Bull offer him a seat for 2025.

Personally, I think Williams is a good fit. They're investing heavily to improve - unlike Alpine and Stake - and he and Albon should be able to help continue to develop the car.

 

[pachyderm]

As expected in recent days.

This makes me sad...

very sad.

No chance he could have gotten a ride at RB?

 

[pachyderm]

It sounded like Williams was looking elsewhere due to Sainz's waffling. With Perez possibly coming on the market, he finally had to make a decision.

Interesting to note that per PlanetF1, the contract allows Sainz to walk away if Mercedes or Red Bull offer him a seat for 2025.

Personally, I think Williams is a good fit. They're investing heavily to improve - unlike Alpine and Stake - and he and Albon should be able to help continue to develop the car.

Come on RB.... or Mercedes....

 

[pachyderm]

I hate the sky commentary, they have nothing to contribute, nothing, it is painful and cringe every week.. They even managed to make it 10x cringe when they went "studio" mode, everyone stood around like they were at the grade 6 school dance, boys there, girls here, very cringe.. The 90 minute build up, should be scrapped, it adds nothing to the broadcast... What they should do, is rebroadcast events from 1970 onwards, every race then at 2pm, cut to the live event.. The grid walk is getting terrible, Martin Brundle every week has to apologize...

100% agreed.

And especially on this!

 

[CWallace]

I cannot see Red Bull hiring Sainz. Horner already has one assassin in the garage with Jos and I don't see him wanting to add another with Carl Sr.

As for Mercedes, it sounds on the surface as a logical move to sign Sainz for two years and put Antonelli into a Williams for that time, but Toto may want to promote Antonelli sooner and Sainz seems to not be interested in a one-year deal.

 

[Apple fanboy]

Sainz seems like a decent bloke and I hope this move works out for him.
I don’t think RBR want a driver of his calibre in their second car.
Not sure what Mercedes are planning. I wonder if there is pressure to put a German in there (Schumacher?).
Or do they still think there is a deal to be done with Max?

 

[CWallace]

Sainz seems like a decent bloke and I hope this move works out for him. I don’t think RBR want a driver of his calibre in their second car.

Considering all the chatter about tossing Perez for lack of performance, I think they could want Sainz Jr. if he did not also come with Sainz Sr. (and perhaps his cousin manager). 😉

Not sure what Mercedes are planning. I wonder if there is pressure to put a German in there (Schumacher?).
Or do they still think there is a deal to be done with Max?

I am sure Toto is still holding out hope that Max leaves Red Bull, but even with the RB20 not being as dominant as the RB18 and RB19, it's still pretty dominant and the technical team behind him is still quite strong.

My guess is Toto would prefer Antonelli in the car, but that was predicated on Mercedes still being generally in the weeds this season and next. Considering how much they have improved (and should improve even more in the second half when they go back to the new aero package they tested in Spa), Toto may now feel that having a raw rookie in that second seat could end up costing Mercedes finishing positions and points next season and possibly beyond.

If true that Sainz has a "walk away" clause with Williams for 2025 if Mercedes extends him an offer, this likely means that Mercedes and Williams have come to a private agreement that if Sainz goes to Mercedes, Antonelli will replace him at Williams. And if Antonelli lands at Mercedes, then Williams has Sainz and is not left trying to find a replacement for Sargeant towards the end of the season when everyone else has made their driver decisions for 2025.

 

[Glideslope]

Sainz seems like a decent bloke and I hope this move works out for him.
I don’t think RBR want a driver of his calibre in their second car.
Not sure what Mercedes are planning. I wonder if there is pressure to put a German in there (Schumacher?).
Or do they still think there is a deal to be done with Max?

I believe Carlos is a good guy. I’ve always been a Williams Fan. I believe he can only help the team.

I never saw Red Bull as an option for the same reason. There was also alleged tension between Jos and Carlos.

I don’t see Max going to Mercedes, but who knows? These drivers have so many Contract Clauses. I’d imagine almost anything is possible. I don’t see Mick in a W16.

 

[CWallace]

Red Bull is sticking with Perez.

Perez to remain with Red Bull after crunch talks

In a Monday meeting Red Bull has decided against replacing Sergio Perez during the summer break

www.autosport.com

 

[Glideslope]

Red Bull is sticking with Perez.

Perez to remain with Red Bull after crunch talks

In a Monday meeting Red Bull has decided against replacing Sergio Perez during the summer break

www.autosport.com

Well, this confirms it then. They clearly value his sponsorship money over the WCC. They seem to be pursuing a lower finish in the WCC in order to gain more Wind Tunnel Time.

Max will be gone if they bungle his WDC attempt this year. I have a feeling Mercedes is once again on the table.....

 

[JustinePaula]

Over the course of the race, that 1.5kg was worth eight seconds. If you add that to George's time at the checkered flag, he would have finished 3rd or 4th.

Slap the team with a pitlane start for Zandvoort, or a 10 sec stop n go, but a full DQ, for a fraction under, that to me seems a bit harsh.. Add time to his finish, fair play, but a DQ, really that is 30 days for farting too loud in traffic court...

 

[cyb3rdud3]

Slap the team with a pitlane start for Zandvoort, or a 10 sec stop n go, but a full DQ, for a fraction under, that to me seems a bit harsh.. Add time to his finish, fair play, but a DQ, really that is 30 days for farting too loud in traffic court...

I disagree, rules are rules. He drove a great race, but the events following also explained a few things. If he, his team, didn't cheat, he would have been in 6/7 place'ish. Still good, gets points. They got this wrong, broke the rules, and that is unfair to the others. A DQ is the right thing to do, and, of course, as per the rule book.

Red Bull is sticking with Perez.

Perez to remain with Red Bull after crunch talks

In a Monday meeting Red Bull has decided against replacing Sergio Perez during the summer break

www.autosport.com

Sigh 🙁 Logically I can see it, when you add up the sums, it likely is a wise decision. But it isn't great to watch, it is frustrating, the guy is buying a seat and really doesn't deserve it based on merit. In my opinion the bad press that continues from this costs them more than the sponsorship money or results he brings. Bad decision.

 

[pachyderm]

Considering all the chatter about tossing Perez for lack of performance, I think they could want Sainz Jr. if he did not also come with Sainz Sr. (and perhaps his cousin manager). 😉



I am sure Toto is still holding out hope that Max leaves Red Bull, but even with the RB20 not being as dominant as the RB18 and RB19, it's still pretty dominant and the technical team behind him is still quite strong.

My guess is Toto would prefer Antonelli in the car, but that was predicated on Mercedes still being generally in the weeds this season and next. Considering how much they have improved (and should improve even more in the second half when they go back to the new aero package they tested in Spa), Toto may now feel that having a raw rookie in that second seat could end up costing Mercedes finishing positions and points next season and possibly beyond.

If true that Sainz has a "walk away" clause with Williams for 2025 if Mercedes extends him an offer, this likely means that Mercedes and Williams have come to a private agreement that if Sainz goes to Mercedes, Antonelli will replace him at Williams. And if Antonelli lands at Mercedes, then Williams has Sainz and is not left trying to find a replacement for Sargeant towards the end of the season when everyone else has made their driver decisions for 2025.

Wait... Sainz has family baggage?

First I've heard of it!

 

[CWallace]

Slap the team with a pitlane start for Zandvoort, or a 10 sec stop n go, but a full DQ, for a fraction under, that to me seems a bit harsh.. Add time to his finish, fair play, but a DQ, really that is 30 days for farting too loud in traffic court...

As cyb3rdud3 noted, the rules are there for a reason. LeClerc and Hamilton were both disqualified from the 2023 USGP for a minor infraction of the skid plate rule and that had less, if any, performance advantage comparing to being 1.5kg underweight.

Sigh 🙁 Logically I can see it, when you add up the sums, it likely is a wise decision. But it isn't great to watch, it is frustrating, the guy is buying a seat and really doesn't deserve it based on merit. In my opinion the bad press that continues from this costs them more than the sponsorship money or results he brings. Bad decision.

The Race might be trying a bit too hard to parse Horner's statements on the matter, but they believe that Perez may still be under scrutiny for his seat over the next four races. Sainz traditionally does well at Baku and Singapore and after Singapore there is another long break until the USGP which would allow them to perform another review. Singapore is on 22 September so that gives them one week to make a decision before Liam Lawson's exit clause comes into effect.

Wait... Sainz has family baggage?

First I've heard of it!

Yes, it is relatively well known that when Verstappen and Sainz were together at Toro Rosso, their fathers clashed with team management on a regular basis to seek advantage for their respective sons. We know Jos is doing the same at Red Bull, so I see no reason why Carl Sr. would not also do so. Sainz's manager is also his cousin.

 

[CWallace]

Hearing chatter on reddit and X that Zandvoort and Spa may move to an every-other season schedule. So one year we will have a Dutch Grand Prix only and the next year the Belgium Grand Prix will be held.

 

[cyb3rdud3]

Hearing chatter on reddit and X that Zandvoort and Spa may move to an every-other season schedule. So one year we will have a Dutch Grand Prix only and the next year the Belgium Grand Prix will be held.

I’ve heard the same. Such a shame, two of the best atmosphere circuits 🤷‍♂️ And affordable compared to other place. Really fun crowds.

 

[Apple fanboy]

Hearing chatter on reddit and X that Zandvoort and Spa may move to an every-other season schedule. So one year we will have a Dutch Grand Prix only and the next year the Belgium Grand Prix will be held.

I’d not want to lose Spa.

 

[JustinePaula]

OK, so if it is Either, then that means 1 less on the season list, so what is coming to replace the lost Spa/Zandvoort every season..