2018 F1 Thread

[kelvedon]

Kiwi Brendon Hartley has just been confirmed as Pierre Gaslys' partner in Torro Rosso for 2018.

 

[Buzzard]

OK, I'm stealing thunder from @kelvedon but I think we need a new thread. Kiwi Brendon Hartley will driving for Torro Rosso next year.

 

[moa999]

Starting early.

And the calendar which adds France, Germany and deletes Malaysia

25 March -- Melbourne, Australia
8 April -- Shanghai, China
15 April -- Sakhir, Bahrain
29 April -- Baku, Azerbaijan
13 May -- Barcelona, Spain
27 May -- Monte Carlo, Monaco
10 June -- Montreal, Canada
24 June -- Le Castellet, France
1 July -- Spielberg, Austria
8 July -- Silverstone, Great Britain
22 July -- Hockenheim, Germany
29 July -- Budapest, Hungary
26 August -- Spa-Francorchamps, Belgium
2 September -- Monza, Italy
16 September -- Marina Bay, Singapore
30 September -- Sochi, Russia
7 October -- Suzuka, Japan
21 October -- Austin, USA
28 October -- Mexico City, Mexico
11 November -- Sao Paulo, Brazil
25 November -- Yas Marina, Abu Dhabi

 

[Buzzard]

I'm quite surprised that the last race is in Abu Dhabi

 

[moa999]

Has been since 2014 replacing Brazil as the last race

 

[Buzzard]

I thought with all these changes the venue would have been shifted where (and I could be wrong) the popularity of the sport is greater, like Brazil.

 

[Must...Fly!]

I thought with all these changes the venue would have been shifted where (and I could be wrong) the popularity of the sport is greater, like Brazil.

The Brazilian GP is on its last legs

 

[Flashback]

Let the qualifying begin!

 

[kelvedon]

Well Bottas won’t be on pole !

 

[Buzzard]

I was doing 140 from Wilcania to Broken Hill to make sure I got there in time for qually. I think I set pole position on that road today (lol)

 

[Flashback]

Looks like it'll be much of the same again this year..... early days, but no difference yet!

 

[Limewood]

Must say I liked Alan Jones comments. if a car is badly damaged they should be allowed a spare car, patrons go to see them all race not a depleted field, and driver penalties should not include a lower grid position what a stupid rule.

 

[Flashback]

Ricardo certainly wasn't happy with his grid place penalty!

 

[kelvedon]

Ricardo certainly wasn't happy with his grid place penalty!

You can understand his frustration, but speeding under red flags is never going to go unpunished.

 

[rogerkambah]

Loved the post pole interview yesterday with Lewis, Seb and the ever charismatic Kimi. Seb has a bit humour, Kimi not so much.

 

[kelvedon]

Vettel passing Hamilton will make the race more interesting

 

[docjames]

Interesting race. Tension but not much “action”.

Landed in Vettel’s lap although Ferrari enabled that by splitting the strategy. Mercedes really should have covered Vettel not Kimi as Vettel would be the (presumed) championship threat, and finishing second to Kimi with Vettel in third is a better championship result for Hamilton than second to Vettel.

Haas will be spewing - huge points haul thrown away.

Ricciardo had 4th handed to him, although he probably would have got the Haas cars eventually anyway. Shame he couldn’t squeeze by Kimi but Albert Park is like that. Perhaps if the high speed chicane at the back was a bit tighter (more options/braking zone for overtakes there) and also if final corner was a bit tighter it’s be easier to follow and attempt overtake at end of main straight. It cant be that hard to tighten up those two corners? The drivers no doubt love the high speed corners though - when they’re ahead......

Alonso also had 5th handed to him but he and the car were good enough to keep Vestappen behind him. Interesting to see Ves make a mistake - feeling the pressure perhaps?

Other interesting tidbits for the weekend - Force India must be super tight on $$ to not run at all in P3 (although were correct in that race was dry) - they seem way behind last year’s performance and I think the money troubles are starting to bite. There was also news they were supposed to confirm new team name and colours pre-Melbourne so perhaps the deal is snagged or fallen over?

Also Renault looking way better than in previous seasons, first dual-points finish for them since 2011!

Williams are nowhere and it’ll be a long season for them. Still cant help but think they should have picked Kubica but no doubt money talks. Hopefully for Williams’ sake that sentiment is proved incorrect by Sirotkin.

Bring on Bahrain!

 

[moa999]

Shame he couldn’t squeeze by Kimi but Albert Park is like that

And RB will always have trouble passing due to their massive power and speed deficit on the straights.

That said I don't see much chance of RB moving to Honda after TR first up performance, and the odds of RIC ending up in a Merc seat in 2019 must have increased

 

[kelvedon]

and the odds of RIC ending up in a Merc seat in 2019 must have increased

I don’t think Bottas will be at Merc next year, but I’m not sure it’ll be RIC who replaces him. HAM will want a team driver who would doesn’t threaten his championship, and with negotiations on his retention unfinished, I wouldn’t be surprised he gets a veto.

 

[Buzzard]

Knowing RIC's luck, he'll move to Merc and they will lose their dominance.