2025 Formula One Season Thread

[CWallace]

Like Singapore, I like Vegas for the "spectacle" it offers as a night race in a vibrant cityscape. But I do agree neither is a very compelling race circuit (though I would give Vegas the edge over Singapore in that regard).

Still, at least they have spectacle, which puts them above other street circuits on the calendar like Monaco or Baku, to say nothing (please!) of that joke of a circuit the Miami International Autodrome. 🤢

 

[Glideslope]

Like Singapore, I like Vegas for the "spectacle" it offers as a night race in a vibrant cityscape. But I do agree neither is a very compelling race circuit (though I would give Vegas the edge over Singapore in that regard).

Still, at least they have spectacle, which puts them above other street circuits on the calendar like Monaco or Baku, to say nothing (please!) of that joke of a circuit the Miami International Autodrome. 🤢

I’m interested to see the crowd during the race and final attendance figures. Tourism is down close to 30% this year in Vegas. I’m interested to see if my northern friends will migrate down for a F1 event this year.

 

[avro707]

On the one hand, you have to ask "how hard can it be?", but on the other, the amount of "suction" the cars must be generating down the straights has to be crazy.

Maybe put them on narrow tyres and small wheels, smaller brakes (no carbon), have the cars go back to cigar shapes and maximum engine power 400hp, the weight would be 450kg. They have just a 5 speed manual.

It wouldn't be the first time GP cars have gone much slower, I mean we went from 600hp supercharged 8 cylinder beasts like the Mercedes W125 (with M125 engine) to much, much slower machines.

 

[CWallace]

FP3 starting on Intermediates as the track is damp in sports. 12C air temp and 14C track temp is making it very difficult to warm the tires so everyone is skating.

 

[CWallace]

With an hour before Qualifying, the rain is falling so we'll likely be starting with a wet track.

FP3

POS.	NO.	DRIVER	TEAM	TIME / GAP	LAPS
1	63	George Russell	Mercedes	1:34.054	21
2	1	Max Verstappen	Red Bull Racing	+0.227s	28
3	23	Alexander Albon	Williams	+0.821s	21
4	6	Isack Hadjar	Racing Bulls	+1.115s	26
5	44	Lewis Hamilton	Ferrari	+1.215s	29
6	12	Kimi Antonelli	Mercedes	+1.331s	23
7	30	Liam Lawson	Racing Bulls	+1.385s	25
8	18	Lance Stroll	Aston Martin	+1.479s	11
9	14	Fernando Alonso	Aston Martin	+1.486s	12
10	10	Pierre Gasly	Alpine	+1.508s	13
11	87	Oliver Bearman	Haas F1 Team	+1.532s	18
12	55	Carlos Sainz	Williams	+1.608s	22
13	5	Gabriel Bortoleto	Kick Sauber	+1.684s	16
14	31	Esteban Ocon	Haas F1 Team	+1.763s	24
15	16	Charles Leclerc	Ferrari	+1.854s	27
16	43	Franco Colapinto	Alpine	+2.251s	17
17	27	Nico Hulkenberg	Kick Sauber	+2.596s	11
18	22	Yuki Tsunoda	Red Bull Racing	+2.613s	24
19	81	Oscar Piastri	McLaren	+2.969s	20
20	4	Lando Norris	McLaren	+3.058s	18

McLaren were the first to switch to Softs while the track was still quite damp and after doing a handful of laps called it good and parked for the rest of the session so they dropped to the bottom as everyone else followed on Softs and continued to circulate as the track dried and the tires found more grip.

 

[CWallace]

Definitely going to be starting on Intermediates for Q1.

 

[JustinePaula]

I think they need anchors, bow thrusters, a skippers ticket, a driving licence is not required... This is real boat stuff...

 

[JustinePaula]

"2025 WDC champion: Mr Norris..." might as well engrave the trophy, update the wiki...

 

[CWallace]

Yeah I think Lando has the WDC wrapped up. The only battle now is between Oscar and Max for second.