2025 F1 Thread

[DejaBrew]

Interesting viewing…

 

[DejaBrew]

McLaren’s dirty laundry continues to be aired…

https://www.news.com.au/sport/motorsport/formula-one/mclaren-boss-never-wanted-piastri-court-case-bomb-drops/news-story/639b5f7bbff894d115a4b43c8b9ca704

 

[MARTINE]

McLaren’s dirty laundry continues to be aired…

https://www.news.com.au/sport/motorsport/formula-one/mclaren-boss-never-wanted-piastri-court-case-bomb-drops/news-story/639b5f7bbff894d115a4b43c8b9ca704

Don’t think Zac ever expected Oscar to be this good so quick. He could be dispensed with the way of other rookies (Doohan/Liam) if it all fell apart….certainly did not expect him to (potentially) beat Norris to WDC. No doubt lots of promises to this driver - like Alpine and Oscar. Ultimately as the proverb says ‘the faintest line is stronger than the loudest voice’
Do think McLaren need a new head of PR though.

 

[moa999]

Zac is ultimately a businessman.

A successful US driver is worth more than a successful British driver, who is worth more than a successful Australian driver, who is worth more than Liam Lawson and Brendon Hartley * 10

But the quotes from the US trial definitely aren't helping McLaren at the moment after Singapore

 

[mel-world]

This article from 'The Age' (or the SMH), more or less reflects my views, especially the paragraph about the commentary.

"Even more pertinently, it is fuelled by the TV coverage fans receive in Australia from a British broadcaster that routinely tiptoes to the precipice of cheerleading for all four British drivers, not just Norris."

F1 Piastri Norris battle

Might be behind the paywall.

 

[kookaburra75]

This article from 'The Age' (or the SMH), more or less reflects my views, especially the paragraph about the commentary.

"Even more pertinently, it is fuelled by the TV coverage fans receive in Australia from a British broadcaster that routinely tiptoes to the precipice of cheerleading for all four British drivers, not just Norris."

F1 Piastri Norris battle

Might be behind the paywall.

The next two paragraphs in that story are interesting observations I think.
"McLaren – a company founded by a New Zealander with a Bahraini majority owner and run by an American CEO with an Italian team principal – is as international as any other F1 team.
That McLaren has invested in Norris through its junior programs from as far back as 2017 and only inherited Piastri after a 2022 contract dispute with Alpine, logically suggests that a Norris world title would be the ultimate reward for that commitment of time and money, but not a factor in overtly prioritising one driver over another for a team that hasn’t won F1’s biggest prize in 17 long years."

Given McLaren's last big investment in a junior racer, since his go-kart days Lewis Hamilton, paid off for them, are they trying to cash in on that investment. As said up thread, Zac is ultimately a businessman. But, the way Oscar is being treated sucks... Bring on Texas

 

[eastwest101]

This article from 'The Age' (or the SMH), more or less reflects my views, especially the paragraph about the commentary.

"Even more pertinently, it is fuelled by the TV coverage fans receive in Australia from a British broadcaster that routinely tiptoes to the precipice of cheerleading for all four British drivers, not just Norris."

F1 Piastri Norris battle

Might be behind the paywall.

This has been discussed everywhere, but in my opinion, its not so much the pro-British driver bias of the Sky coverage that is bad, as the decision making in the visual direction, with the latest race being a good example. Sainz went from the back of the grid to score points, and there was actually a good Alonso vs Hamilton battle going on and I totally missed that Antionelle got past LeClerc - not that you would have known any of that watching the race live.....

 

[mel-world]

This has been discussed everywhere, but in my opinion, its not so much the pro-British driver bias of the Sky coverage that is bad, as the decision making in the visual direction, with the latest race being a good example. Sainz went from the back of the grid to score points, and there was actually a good Alonso vs Hamilton battle going on and I totally missed that Antionelle got past LeClerc - not that you would have known any of that watching the race live.....

I agree, but you cannot blame any Media Rights Holder for that, be it SKY UK or KAYO as all race and in car vision, audio and data is from F1 as a world feed. MRHs only add presentation, commentary and interviews. Mind you, the F1 world feed is switched by Brits out a facility near Biggin Hill in the UK.
F1 Media Facility

 

[kelvedon]

It looks like we’ll be getting another 4 years of Ben Sulayem as FIA President, as he’s poised to be the only candidate in December’s election

FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem to stand unopposed in election

Incumbent Mohammed Ben Sulayem is poised to stand unopposed in December's election for the presidency of motorsport's governing body.

www.bbc.com