2025 F1 Thread

[Brissy1]

Of course I'm an Oscar fan but, Max drove well knowing and protecting his vulnerable track sections.

 

[kelvedon]

On race day, with tyre wear becoming a factor, I think VER is vulnerable to the McLarens dispute his straight line speed advantage.
However there’s a 64% chance of rain, so will VER’s low downforce set up negate his wet weather skills ?

 

[serfty]

On race day, with tyre wear becoming a factor, I think VER is vulnerable to the McLarens dispute his straight line speed advantage.
However there’s a 64% chance of rain, so will VER’s low downforce set up negate his wet weather skills ?

I believe VER changed the setup for qualifying based on the forecast rain.

 

[sydks]

It's going to be a wet race, hopefully adds some spice!

What happened to the F1 theme song for the opening titles?

 

[MARTINE]

It's going to be a wet race, hopefully adds some spice!

What happened to the F1 theme song for the opening titles?

Yes - I prefer that - was impressed by the opera singer though

 

[DejaBrew]

What happened to the F1 theme song for the opening titles?

If I'm not mistaken, that music was from the F1 film. No idea why it was being used for the opening title sequence here?

Edit: I was correct. It's Hans Zimmer's soundtrack from the film and this was apparently a planned "twist" from F1 for the Belgian GP.

 

[DejaBrew]

I'm currently reminded of Malaysia 2009...

 

[DejaBrew]

For anyone who is unfamiliar with Martin's legendary grid walk interview with Ozzy Osbourne (that both Martin and Crofty have been referencing whilst we wait for the race start), here it is for your viewing pleasure -:

 

[Brissy1]

For anyone who is unfamiliar with Martin's legendary grid walk interview with Ozzy Osbourne (that both Martin and Crofty have been referencing whilst we wait for the race start), here it is for your viewing pleasure -:

"I'll try and think of a question for that answer" love it.
I'm getting tired, past my bedtime, rain looks heavy.

 

[Scarlett]

️

Good for
Not for

 

[DejaBrew]

Cracking race in the end and awesome work from PIA. Great to see variable pit strategies actually playing a part in the outcome.

Can't help but think NOR's confidence will have taken (yet) another little hit as he was comprehensively outdriven and outsmarted by his team mate. PIA managed that race brilliantly - keeping those mediums alive for as long as he did and essentially forcing NOR to overdrive in an effort to catch up was beautiful to watch.

 

[Brissy1]

Cracking race in the end and awesome work from PIA. Great to see variable pit strategies actually playing a part in the outcome.

Can't help but think NOR's confidence will have taken (yet) another little hit as he was comprehensively outdriven and outsmarted by his team mate. PIA managed that race brilliantly - keeping those mediums alive for as long as he did and essentially forcing NOR to overdrive in an effort to catch up was beautiful to watch.

Agree, exciting even with the same leader for the last 43 of 44 laps . Glad I stayed up but now big sleep in.

 

[MARTINE]

Oscarrrrrrrr

 

[cjd600]

Awesome, Oscar!

Brundle/Croft: If Lando hadn't made 38 mistakes he'd be nearly on Oscar's bumper by now

Oscar meantime just managing mediums for 800 laps and chilled

 

[moa999]

Crofty just trying to keep ratings up in what was otherwise a boring race at the front.

Genuinely think Lando actually did a massive job staying that quick on Super hard tyres (C1 v C3 compound) occasionally going a bit too hard.

Oscar meanwhile was just having a brisk walk managing his mediums.

 

[DejaBrew]

Crofty just trying to keep ratings up in what was otherwise a boring race at the front.

Genuinely think Lando actually did a massive job staying that quick on Super hard tyres (C1 v C3 compound) occasionally going a bit too hard.

Oscar meanwhile was just having a brisk walk managing his mediums.

See I thought it was a very interesting battle at the pointy end. To be fair though, I was glued in part to the live timing app and the trading of sector times between the two team mates. I'd love to know how much PIA was keeping up his sleeve vs whether he was genuinely on the limit of making that strategy work?

 

[jastel]

Why do Pirelli even make WET tyres and ship them around the world if we have to wait for the track to be 90% dry before starting a race?
Nobody crashed or spun.
Think it would be more interesting if they just started it, even under the Pace car for a few laps, there would have been more overtaking from the ones who like the wet.
.

 

[elanshin]

So again P2 is the real P1 this weekend.

See I thought it was a very interesting battle at the pointy end. To be fair though, I was glued in part to the live timing app and the trading of sector times between the two team mates. I'd love to know how much PIA was keeping up his sleeve vs whether he was genuinely on the limit of making that strategy work?

I suspect PIA had a bit up his sleeve still to at least hold NOR for a few laps if it came to it. Didn't he put his fastest lap in on lap 43?

Also NOR would be in dirty air if he got much closer which would've seen him not have as quick of a sector 2 if hes stuck behind. It's kinda like how VER was stuck behind LEC all race after the first stint and once they moved into tire management mode.

Why do Pirelli even make WET tyres and ship them around the world if we have to wait for the track to be 90% dry before starting a race?
Nobody crashed or spun.
Think it would be more interesting if they just started it, even under the Pace car for a few laps, there would have been more overtaking from the ones who like the wet.
.

I agree here. Although apparently the reason wasn't the rain but the visibility during the formation lap, still you have to wonder as any wet track is going to be kicking up spray with how fast these guys are going.

 

[DejaBrew]

I suspect PIA had a bit up his sleeve still to at least hold NOR for a few laps if it came to it. Didn't he put his fastest lap in on lap 43?

Yes, if I recall correctly, laps 42 and 43 were his two fastest of the race. I also suspect he had a bit up his sleeve, but I would have loved to know just how much he had left. I'm sure NOR would love to know that as well

I agree here. Although apparently the reason wasn't the rain but the visibility during the formation lap, still you have to wonder as any wet track is going to be kicking up spray with how fast these guys are going.

I think the other thing playing on the minds of the race director (and other officials) was the recent history of Spa (i.e. fatal accidents for Anthoine Hubert and Dilano van't Hoff). As Ant Davidson suggested during the broadcast, it wouldn't be an insignificant call to green flag the race start in those conditions.

In the F2 sprint race there was an off at the top of Eau Rouge / Raidillon in dry conditions and I must admit that I was just bracing for another nasty collision. I'm not at all surprised that the officials exercise an abundance of caution these days.

 

[MARTINE]

Yes, if I recall correctly, laps 42 and 43 were his two fastest of the race. I also suspect he had a bit up his sleeve, but I would have loved to know just how much he had left. I'm sure NOR would love to know that as well


I think the other thing playing on the minds of the race director (and other officials) was the recent history of Spa (i.e. fatal accidents for Anthoine Hubert and Dilano van't Hoff). As Ant Davidson suggested during the broadcast, it wouldn't be an insignificant call to green flag the race start in those conditions.

In the F2 sprint race there was an off at the top of Eau Rouge / Raidillon in dry conditions and I must admit that I was just bracing for another nasty collision. I'm not at all surprised that the officials exercise an abundance of caution these days.

And Crofty and Martin are still saying Lando can catch up if they run a few more laps. Soooo tiresome those two and whats with Zak looking a picture of abject unrelieved misery