2025 Formula One Season Thread

[Apple fanboy]

So when George cut the corner to overtake, there was a really good solution to 'fix' Monaco.

Instead of a drive through with a 25 second penalty, just give him a 5 second penalty.

Then if you are stuck behind a car (or train!), then just cut the corner and take the 5 second hit. So imagine now how many drivers would take the option to cut the corner believing they could make up the time. Could be a lot of fun!

 

[Apple fanboy]

Dictating # of stops is one thing, but mandating tire compounds is something I’ve never liked. Let the teams choose for themselves what compound they think is best from those available for each race. TOO many regs will eventually kill F1. Look what’s happened to INDY and NASCAR!

Tyrre compounds are always decided by Pirelli, as in which ones they bring to each event. Obviously the team get to choose how to use the 3 compounds. They just have to use 2 of them.

 

[jdclifford]

Is it just me or is Max a different guy in these post interviews since Lilly’s arrival? Sure seems allot less on edge.

He’s waiting for the 2026 car. He knows he’s getting most out of 2025 car but it’s not enough for McLaren.

Let him switch cars with Lando and see what happens.

 

[CWallace]

Peter Windsor says don't change the circuit, change the television coverage.

 

[JustinePaula]

He is not wrong about the meat in the seat, they are just 1% of the package, take Red Bull, 2 cars, same IP across both cars, and yet you have 2 drivers with 2 very different results.. The only way to fix F1 globally is to ban tech from the cars.. Cars are cars, not mobile server racks.. Teams bring 6 mechanics to a race, 2 to jack up the car, and 4 to change tyres 1 per wheel, and they do it relay style, so each team, of 2 does left or rights, fronts or backs.. Like Le Mans, you have to wait until the car is in the stall, then out from the garage..As the pitstop is going to take longer, you could pump gas through a standard fuel forecourt pump nozzle if you choose to fuel light..

Start heavy and have a light car for the last few laps, or start light, and get places and then know you will have to pit longer later for the fuel, you know the car needs total 120litres for the whole race, so do you start with 120 litres and run the tank to 2 litres for the FIA post race drain, or do you start with 60l and fuel up during the race, 30x2 or 1x60?

2 pit stops, not before 15% of the race completed and the 2nd not before 80% completed..

 

[jdclifford]

Tyrre compounds are always decided by Pirelli, as in which ones they bring to each event. Obviously the team get to choose how to use the 3 compounds. They just have to use 2 of them.

My point was the teams should have final decision as to what compounds they choose to use from the 3 available. If they want to run just 1 compound (i.e. soft) they should be able to run more than 1 set of that same compound during the race.

 

[Pezimak]

Monaco.. what a bore. And Pierre Gasley should be fined and given points for his total stupidity. Such a stupid idea to force 2 stops to try and break up the great F1 precession train.. ditch the track.

But Imola! WOW! What a move by Max at the start.. caught Piastri’s laziness or mistake and nailed it. RB way on race pace now.

 

[avkills]

Refueling race cars in pit lanes is super dangerous; so I am glad they do not do that anymore in F1. F1 would be more exciting if all the cars were the same spec, and the skill of the drivers was more important.

Max's RB car is so different as far as setup than Lando's McLaren, there is no guarantee that he would do any better driving Lando's setup.

 

[Apple fanboy]

Refueling race cars in pit lanes is super dangerous; so I am glad they do not do that anymore in F1. F1 would be more exciting if all the cars were the same spec, and the skill of the drivers was more important.

Max's RB car is so different as far as setup than Lando's McLaren, there is no guarantee that he would do any better driving Lando's setup.

It really wouldn’t you know. The are plenty of forms of motorsport where they race around in the same car.
Formula One is the panicle of motorsport and is as much a development race between the various teams as it is pitting driver against driver.
Always has been. Always should be in my opinion.

 

[Pezimak]

Refueling race cars in pit lanes is super dangerous; so I am glad they do not do that anymore in F1. F1 would be more exciting if all the cars were the same spec, and the skill of the drivers was more important.

Max's RB car is so different as far as setup than Lando's McLaren, there is no guarantee that he would do any better driving Lando's setup.

Actually they are thinking of bringing refuelling back to F1 to spice it up...... well watching people catch fire in the pit lane is usually spicy!

 

[CWallace]

Qualifying is the best part of Monaco, so maybe just have Sunday a succession of sprint races. All cars start for Sprint 1, with the bottom five dropping off after 20 laps. Then another five drop off after 20 laps of Sprint 2. Then Sprint 3 is the final 10 for 30 laps. That way all the cars will be on fresh softs and lower fuel loads all the time.

 

[JustinePaula]

Refuelling is a problem of design of the system, I suggested a technology that is older than the invention of the telephone, that has been around for about 100 yrs, a standard forecourt pump, under my suggestion, you have 2 options, not refuel, run the 120litre tank, but make 2 pit stops, not before 15% of the race, and not before 80% complete..Or you refuel during the pit stop..

Each pit stop is 7 crew, 1 to refuel, 2 to jack the car, and 2 to change tyres, 1 on, other hands him the tyre, you can elect to do left+right or Front/Rear.. This way you have time to refuel 30 litres at the standard pump rate through the standard forecourt system..

The car can only leave once the fuel handset is placed back in the holder.

 

[CWallace]

FP1

Pos	No	Driver	Car	Time	Gap	Laps
1	4	Norris	McLaren Mercedes	1:13.718		29
2	1	Verstappen	Red Bull Racing Honda RBPT	1:14.085	+0.367s	18
3	44	Hamilton	Ferrari	1:14.096	+0.378s	29
4	16	Leclerc	Ferrari	1:14.238	+0.520s	31
5	81	Piastri	McLaren Mercedes	1:14.294	+0.576s	28
6	30	Lawson	Racing Bulls Honda RBPT	1:14.339	+0.621s	28
7	87	Bearman	Haas Ferrari	1:14.597	+0.879s	26
8	6	Hadjar	Racing Bulls Honda RBPT	1:14.605	+0.887s	26
9	22	Tsunoda	Red Bull Racing Honda RBPT	1:14.643	+0.925s	27
10	10	Gasly	Alpine Renault	1:14.746	+1.028s	28
11	63	Russell	Mercedes	1:14.751	+1.033s	32
12	18	Stroll	Aston Martin Aramco Mercedes	1:14.786	+1.068s	24
13	14	Alonso	Aston Martin Aramco Mercedes	1:14.798	+1.080s	20
14	27	Hulkenberg	Kick Sauber Ferrari	1:14.865	+1.147s	21
15	55	Sainz	Williams Mercedes	1:14.935	+1.217s	26
16	5	Bortoleto	Kick Sauber Ferrari	1:15.155	+1.437s	23
17	50	Hirakawa	Haas Ferrari	1:15.298	+1.580s	23
18	12	Antonelli	Mercedes	1:15.369	+1.651s	31
19	45	Martins	Williams Mercedes	1:15.522	+1.804s	26
20	43	Colapinto	Alpine Renault	1:15.530	+1.812s	19

Barcelona favors the RB21 over the MCL39, so Norris doing well.

 

[CWallace]

FP2

Pos	No	Driver	Car	Time	Gap	Laps
1	81	Piastri	McLaren Mercedes	1:12.760		28
2	63	Russell	Mercedes	1:13.046	+0.286s	32
3	1	Verstappen	Red Bull Racing Honda RBPT	1:13.070	+0.310s	30
4	4	Norris	McLaren Mercedes	1:13.070	+0.310s	31
5	16	Leclerc	Ferrari	1:13.260	+0.500s	33
6	12	Antonelli	Mercedes	1:13.298	+0.538s	31
7	14	Alonso	Aston Martin Aramco Mercedes	1:13.301	+0.541s	28
8	10	Gasly	Alpine Renault	1:13.385	+0.625s	30
9	6	Hadjar	Racing Bulls Honda RBPT	1:13.400	+0.640s	29
10	30	Lawson	Racing Bulls Honda RBPT	1:13.494	+0.734s	29
11	44	Hamilton	Ferrari	1:13.533	+0.773s	29
12	27	Hulkenberg	Kick Sauber Ferrari	1:13.592	+0.832s	30
13	22	Tsunoda	Red Bull Racing Honda RBPT	1:13.683	+0.923s	31
14	55	Sainz	Williams Mercedes	1:13.721	+0.961s	34
15	23	Albon	Williams Mercedes	1:13.839	+1.079s	32
16	18	Stroll	Aston Martin Aramco Mercedes	1:13.839	+1.079s	17
17	5	Bortoleto	Kick Sauber Ferrari	1:13.959	+1.199s	27
18	31	Ocon	Haas Ferrari	1:14.005	+1.245s	30
19	87	Bearman	Haas Ferrari	1:14.126	+1.366s	20
20	43	Colapinto	Alpine Renault	1:14.303	+1.543s	31

 

[pachyderm]

I feel like Lando struggles here... I could be wrong but I'm Not interested enough to do the research.

Piastri will win. Max 2nd. Lando 3rd is he finishes...

Sainz will rue the day he signed with Williams... yet again.

 

[CWallace]

FP3

DRIVER	CAR	TIME	GAP	LAPS
1	81	Piastri	McLaren Mercedes	1:12.387		14
2	4	Norris	McLaren Mercedes	1:12.913	+0.526s	18
3	16	Leclerc	Ferrari	1:13.130	+0.743s	17
4	63	Russell	Mercedes	1:13.139	+0.752s	18
5	1	Verstappen	Red Bull Racing Honda RBPT	1:13.375	+0.988s	14
6	6	Hadjar	Racing Bulls Honda RBPT	1:13.382	+0.995s	17
7	12	Antonelli	Mercedes	1:13.405	+1.018s	12
8	14	Alonso	Aston Martin Aramco Mercedes	1:13.414	+1.027s	17
9	44	Hamilton	Ferrari	1:13.527	+1.140s	17
10	30	Lawson	Racing Bulls Honda RBPT	1:13.637	+1.250s	18
11	5	Bortoleto	Kick Sauber Ferrari	1:13.722	+1.335s	19
12	27	Hulkenberg	Kick Sauber Ferrari	1:13.733	+1.346s	18
13	55	Sainz	Williams Mercedes	1:13.758	+1.371s	16
14	22	Tsunoda	Red Bull Racing Honda RBPT	1:13.892	+1.505s	13
15	18	Stroll	Aston Martin Aramco Mercedes	1:13.904	+1.517s	20
16	10	Gasly	Alpine Renault	1:13.954	+1.567s	20
17	43	Colapinto	Alpine Renault	1:14.085	+1.698s	23
18	31	Ocon	Haas Ferrari	1:14.138	+1.751s	14
19	23	Albon	Williams Mercedes	1:14.289	+1.902s	5
20	87	Bearman	Haas Ferrari	1:14.460	+2.073s	12

 

[CWallace]

So as we prepare to go into qualifying, it looks like McLaren have addressed their high-speed corner weakness...

 

[Glideslope]

So as we prepare to go into qualifying, it looks like McLaren have addressed their high-speed corner weakness...

Looks that way. Blistering Pole Lap from Oscar. Lando over driving again……

Max behind both for the start. 😉

 

[pachyderm]

How long before Hadjar replaces Tsunoda?

 

[pachyderm]

I feel like Lando struggles here... I could be wrong but I'm Not interested enough to do the research.

Piastri will win. Max 2nd. Lando 3rd is he finishes...

Sainz will rue the day he signed with Williams... yet again.

1	81	Oscar Piastri	McLaren Mercedes	1:12.551	1:11.998	1:11.546	14
2	4	Lando Norris	McLaren Mercedes	1:12.799	1:12.056	1:11.755	15
3	1	Max Verstappen	Red Bull Racing Honda RBPT	1:12.798	1:12.358	1:11.848	12
4	63	George Russell	Mercedes	1:12.806	1:12.407	1:11.848	12
5	44	Lewis Hamilton	Ferrari	1:13.058	1:12.447	1:12.045	15
6	12	Kimi Antonelli	Mercedes	1:12.815	1:12.585	1:12.111	18
7	16	Charles Leclerc	Ferrari	1:13.014	1:12.495	1:12.131	12
8	10	Pierre Gasly	Alpine Renault	1:13.081	1:12.611	1:12.199	18
9	6	Isack Hadjar	Racing Bulls Honda RBPT	1:13.139	1:12.461	1:12.252	15
10	14	Fernando Alonso	Aston Martin Aramco Mercedes	1:13.102	1:12.523	1:12.284	14
11	23	Alexander Albon	Williams Mercedes	1:13.044	1:12.641		14
12	5	Gabriel Bortoleto	Kick Sauber Ferrari	1:13.045	1:12.756		12
13	30	Liam Lawson	Racing Bulls Honda RBPT	1:13.039	1:12.763		12
14	18	Lance Stroll	Aston Martin Aramco Mercedes	1:13.038	1:13.058		15
15	87	Oliver Bearman	Haas Ferrari	1:13.074	1:13.315		15
16	27	Nico Hulkenberg	Kick Sauber Ferrari	1:13.190			6
17	31	Esteban Ocon	Haas Ferrari	1:13.201			9
18	55	Carlos Sainz	Williams Mercedes	1:13.203			6
19	43	Franco Colapinto	Alpine Renault	1:13.334			7
20	22	Yuki Tsunoda	Red Bull Racing Honda RBPT	1:13.385			6

Ahem...

 

[avkills]

It really wouldn’t you know. The are plenty of forms of motorsport where they race around in the same car.
Formula One is the panicle of motorsport and is as much a development race between the various teams as it is pitting driver against driver.
Always has been. Always should be in my opinion.

If that is the case then the numerous "guidelines" should be removed and the only caveat should be vehicle weight and size.

 

[Glideslope]

How long before Hadjar replaces Tsunoda?

I don’t see it. I don’t by the speculation he is sandbagging to get back in the Racing Bull either.

It’s just the RB21 is a 99% car that needs the top 0.1% to put it on the podium. I’m not a big Rosberg fan, but his commentary during Q3 during Max’s laps tell the story……

Love Max or Hate Max, he’s the top 0.1%. The RB22 will need to be a very different car. The WCC brings in too much revenue. The 2nd car always outside the points is unsustainable. 😉

 

[avkills]

Refuelling is a problem of design of the system, I suggested a technology that is older than the invention of the telephone, that has been around for about 100 yrs, a standard forecourt pump, under my suggestion, you have 2 options, not refuel, run the 120litre tank, but make 2 pit stops, not before 15% of the race, and not before 80% complete..Or you refuel during the pit stop..

Each pit stop is 7 crew, 1 to refuel, 2 to jack the car, and 2 to change tyres, 1 on, other hands him the tyre, you can elect to do left+right or Front/Rear.. This way you have time to refuel 30 litres at the standard pump rate through the standard forecourt system..

The car can only leave once the fuel handset is placed back in the holder.

They fuel handset getting back into the holder isn't the major problem, it is the fact that there is so much heat generated around the car that it makes it very easy for the fuel fumes to ignite.

 

[avkills]

I don’t see it. I don’t by the speculation he is sandbagging to get back in the Racing Bull either.

It’s just the RB21 is a 99% car that needs the top 0.1% to put it on the podium. I’m not a big Rosberg fan, but his commentary during Q3 during Max’s laps tell the story……

Love Max or Hate Max, he’s the top 0.1%. 😉

This and the fact that the car design and upgrade path is always to help Max, not the other driver.

 

[Apple fanboy]

Fun qualifying. At least there will be passing this weekend.
So chances of a rerun of 2016 Lewis verses Nico on lap one? Max will be hoping so!