2014 F1 thread.

[Clivem]

It has come as a great shock to me to find out that I have to visit a core supplier's plant in Selangor next week (apparently the trip simply can not be deferred any further ). Unbelievably, but luckily, that very same supplier also has a major facility in Madera California that I had to go to in the same week the MotoGP was in Laguna Seca early this year .......... I wish I could explain that, but alas ......

 

[kelvedon]

MotoGP is very exciting. I have just never got into it. You are safe here.

I agree, the great close racing with plenty of overtakes ought to make it more popular than F1, but (for me), it just doesn't have the same panache.

 

[Buzzard]

Starting to get OT I know but whilst I enjoy MotoGP, Moto2 is where the real excitement is with much closer racing. Today was a perfect example.

 

[Flashback]

The beginning of the end of Caterham in F1?

BBC News - Caterham F1 staff locked out of Oxfordshire site

 

[NFF]

I will be sleeping before the start of this weekend's race. Other drivers must be backing off to let the Mercedes drivers fight it out.

 

[Buzzard]

I will be sleeping before the start of this weekend's race. Other drivers must be backing off to let the Mercedes drivers fight it out.

Me too, being from the US the coverage does not start until something like 4:00am

 

[Cynicor]

2 teams down is a bit of a concern. Wonder what the rest of the season will bring, or if more $ will end up flowing.

 

[hummel]

Up at 5 for quali this morning...should have stayed in bed.

 

[eastwest101]

2 teams down is a bit of a concern. Wonder what the rest of the season will bring, or if more $ will end up flowing.

Not sure how many rule/engine/technology changes coming next year but the loss of two teams (and teams like Sauber and Force India struggling, and even teams having race success such as Williams also under financial pressure) would be worrying, and might even prompt F1 management to attempt to 'level the playing field' in the future. Will be interesting to see.

 

[JessicaTam]

Me too, being from the US the coverage does not start until something like 4:00am

I am actually on the same time zone as this weekend's race. Trouble is, the place I am staying does not have cable. Hopefully I will be able to find a website that will be streaming it. Or better yet, a bar that has it on.

 

[kelvedon]

Me too, being from the US the coverage does not start until something like 4:00am

The telecast is published to start on One at 6.30 for a 7am race start (Sydney time). Does this make it live?

 

[markis10]

The telecast is published to start on One at 6.30 for a 7am race start (Sydney time). Does this make it live?

Its 2PM local so that's 6AM EST or 7AM Sydney time

 

[moa999]

Not sure how many rule/engine/technology changes coming next year but the loss of two teams (and teams like Sauber and Force India struggling, and even teams having race success such as Williams also under financial pressure) would be worrying, and might even prompt F1 management to attempt to 'level the playing field' in the future. Will be interesting to see.

F1 though is a bit like English soccer.
Throw a heap of money at a team in the how you get the right, staff, drivers and start winning which is when other sponsorship, merchandise sales and prize money comes your way - works occasionally (aka RedBull), others lose big time (Caterham, Minardi etc)

Our idea of an even comp with salary cap/ spending restrictions just doesn't seem to work.

Personally I would be happy with each team having three cars but third car must be a driver under 25 and can only be in seat for 2 years. Still creates the path, unlikely to result in three car team lockouts where one team (like Merc this year) have a car advantage and means you have lots teams that no-one really cars about

 

[kelvedon]

F1 though is a bit like English soccer.
Throw a heap of money at a team in the how you get the right, staff, drivers and start winning which is when other sponsorship, merchandise sales and prize money comes your way - works occasionally (aka RedBull), others lose big time (Caterham, Minardi etc)

Our idea of an even comp with salary cap/ spending restrictions just doesn't seem to work.

I agree with your English soccer analogy, simply throwing money at a team ($500 million a year in the case of Ferrari) is certainly no guarantee for race success. Just look at Ferraris cost per point ratio this year to see.

Even back in the early 60's when Enzo Ferrari disparagingly described the smaller F1 teams as "Garagistes" formula one has always had these David verses Goliath team matches. It's a branch of Motorsport that rewards inervation that doesn't always need a massive design team to realise, but simply one mans brilliance. Witness Adian Newey, Colin Chapman or even our home grown Ron Tauernac.

Yes it's sad to loose two teams for the U S GP, and probably the rest of the year, but they'll be replaced but some new hopefuls, as indeed were the scores of teams before them. That's always been the case with F1. As Ron Dennis said a decade ago when the disparity between the teams was again raised, (And I paraphrase) " it's not for the teams at the front of the grid to slow down, but for those at the back to speed up"

Having said that, I do think there should be a more even distribution of the $1.8 billon kitty currently distributed by Mr Ecclestone each year among the entrants.

 

[eastwest101]

Well that track produced some good wheel to wheel racing! Pretty obvious to see quite a few drivers racing for a seat in F1 next year, brilliant stuff from Dan Ricciardo again - and some nice mid field scraps and excellent driving from Vettel, Alonso, Massa, Maldonado, Vergne and Button.

Dan just gets better and better. Anyone else think that Hamilton's passing move on Rosberg was pretty brave? Thunderstorms predicted for Brazil - should make it a bit more fun.

 

[JessicaTam]

Well that track produced some good wheel to wheel racing! Pretty obvious to see quite a few drivers racing for a seat in F1 next year, brilliant stuff from Dan Ricciardo again - and some nice mid field scraps and excellent driving from Vettel, Alonso, Massa, Maldonado, Vergne and Button.

Dan just gets better and better. Anyone else think that Hamilton's passing move on Rosberg was pretty brave? Thunderstorms predicted for Brazil - should make it a bit more fun.

I spent the day wining and dining so didn't see the race. The reviews sound like it was a good one.

 

[eastwest101]

I spent the day wining and dining so didn't see the race. The reviews sound like it was a good one.

Yes as long as you forgot about P1 and P2 (and lets face it - nearly everyone did) the rest of the race was surprisingly and highly entertaining!

 

[NFF]

It looks like Hamilton will win the championship but you never know.

 

[kelvedon]

Though ROS pipped HAM to pole, HAM made a mistake on his flying lap and would have been quicker. That'll make the first LH corner interesting to watch, and with the Williams showing great speed, and MAS with the home ground incentive you never know...nah, that is being fanciful. My trifecta HAM, ROS, MAS.

 

[hummel]

Alarm set for 4 hrs from now....anyone else? Hoping for a good race! Only one more after this one.