F1 2019 Formula 1 Season thread

[Deleted member 1071]

Mercedes have invested in George Russel which I would like to believe that they will give Botta...

I'd suspect that Lewis would defect to Ferrari ONLY under the condition of taking a number of key M-B AMG Petronas F1 personnel with him-and in tandem with Toto Wolff. A 1996/97 deja vu, so to speak...

 

[WAND]

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Nice gesture from Lewis

 

[Deleted member 1071]

Silly season 2021 murmurings :

Carlos Sainz Jr. to Ferrari in 2021 ? He obviously very much impressed the paddock "big dogs" in 2019-the Scuderia Ferrari included. Sainz himself remains relaxed, 2021 "being quite a way off" and not unhappy at McLaren. A Leclerc/Sainz pairing at Ferrari would be very exciting indeed.

Sebastian Vettel to McLaren in 2021 ? He and McLaren team boss Andreas Seidl go back some 16 years, the relationship beginning at Formula BMW and later BMW-Sauber F1. The relationship has reportedly remained close and Vettel remains very highly rated by McLaren powers-that-be. Should Sebastian not throw in the towel altogether following the 2020 season, this scenario appears quite plausible.

 

[WAND]

 

[WAND]

 

[SKY]

Just a couple of days after I read in the Spanish press MB is quite happy with where the W11 is right now, Autobild is reporting Ferrari is trying a massive rake approach with the 2020 car and, apparently, they are failing at it miserably.

Which will make @LaArtist quite happy hahaha. What a mess of a team.

Edit: Here is the report by Autobild:

According to insider reports, Sebastian Vettel's new Ferrari could have a problem. All details.

Sebastian Vettel's problems seem to continue. AUTO BILD MOTORSPORT learned from reliable sources within Ferrari: The new car with the code name 671, which will be presented on February 11, has allegedly caused head shaking among the engineers in the wind tunnel.

Already a week ago an Italian journalist reported about corresponding problems. As ABMS has now confirmed, the data is actually supposed to be worse than expected. According to the report, the car could even have a serious aerodynamic problem for this Formula 1 season, which neither the simulation specialists nor the wind tunnel engineers have been able to detect so far.

It is quite possible that Ferrari wants to design the car's angle of attack according to the Red Bull model. "Using a steep angle of attack on current cars helps you in several areas," explains ex-Jordan designer Gary Anderson. "But if there's just one little thing wrong, there's a chain reaction from the front spoiler, which may be flowing in the wrong direction. Then you have a serious problem that's not easy to solve." A brand-new Ferrari simulator could help, but it won't be fully operational until spring.

But: Ferrari also has to worry in the drive sector. The reason: At the urging of Red Bull and Mercedes, the FIA automobile authority has already painted gray areas in the area of gasoline flow rate and oil injection black by the end of 2019. It was precisely in these areas that Ferrari was accused by the competition of having interpreted the regulations in a correspondingly bold manner.

"We are very pleased with the clarifications that have come. Everyone can benefit from this", Red Bull team boss Christian Horner therefore expresses his satisfaction.

One thing is certain: It won't be easy for Sebastian Vettel to finally realise his dream and win the title with Ferrari. The pre-season test drives in February in Barcelona (from 19 February) will provide the first information as to whether Ferrari was able to react in time to the problems in the wind tunnel.

This time the new Ferrari will not be unveiled at the Maranello factory, but at the historic Romolo Valli Theatre in Reggio Emilia. This is where the Italian Tricolore was born 223 years ago. At 18.30 the new red goddess will be presented. Fans can watch on Ferrari's social media channels.

Formel 1: Sorgen bei Ferrari. Vettels neues Auto mit Fehlern? - autobild.de

 

[WAND]

Wolff, Mercedes set to extend Formula 1 stay

Both Mercedes and Toto Wolff will reportedly remain in Formula 1 for the long-term with the latter set to commit his future to the Brackley squad along with Lewis Hamilton.

Last year, reports emerged claiming that Mercedes could be on the verge of walking away from Formula 1.

The German manufacturer, winner of the last six F1 championship doubles, was believed to be wanting to instead focus on Formula E having entered the sport as a works team for the 2019/20 season.

Some reports even went as far as to say that Wolff was in cahoots with Racing Point owner Lawrence Stroll with the aim of buying the Mercedes team and rebranding it Aston Martin.

This, at least according to the Italian edition of Motorsport.com, is wrong.

The publication reports that Mercedes are determined to ‘stay in Formula 1 for a long time’ and will be confirming that in the ‘coming months.’

Added to that is Wolff will ‘renew his contract’.

That comes in the wake of reports in Gazzetta dello Sport that Hamilton, who is chasing a record-equalling seventh Drivers’ title in 2020, will soon put pen to paper on a new two-year Mercedes deal.

The team’s second driver for 2021 won’t be announced until late this year with current driver Valtteri Bottas said to be mainly fighting George Russell for that position.

Motorsport.com adds that Mercedes are enjoying a charmed life in Formula 1 at present.

Mercedes ‘presence in the World Championship costs very little as prizes, sponsors and [the upcoming] budget caps reduces the economic participation required from Daimler.’

‘In addition the combination of hybrid series production and the current technical base of Formula 1 is perfect for marketing.’

But while Mercedes wait to confirm any of the three announcements, F1’s rumour mill will continue to speculate.

 

[Deleted member 1071]

Just a couple of days after I read in the Spanish press MB is quite happy with where the W11 is ri...

The Scuderia Ferrari may, of course, be sandbagging. We'll see.

Regardless, the Leclerc/Vettel team rivalry will surely be one of the most exciting aspects of the coming season. As for the WDC, I reckon that it will all be about Louis versus Max. And a bit on the sidelines: Mick Schumacher will have to make a massive impression in his second F2 season-or otherwise fade into oblivion.

 

[Centurion]

The Scuderia Ferrari may, of course, be sandbagging. We'll see.

Regardless, the Leclerc/Vettel t...

Mick will pay his way into F1 regardless of whether he deserves a seat or not.

 

[Grosser]

So many mixed rumors these days, I believe 90% of them are not true

 

[fortuner]

I think Ferrari just blowing smoke....they probably trying to play the Mercedes game under promise and over achieve.

 

[LaArtist]

I for one hope the Mercedes remaining in f1 with wolf and Lauis ( le clerc voice ) is true, i don’t care about the rest

 

[Deleted member 1071]

Mick will pay his way into F1 regardless of whether he deserves a seat or not.

Mick has often elaborated that his entry into the Formula 1 arena must be based on merit alone. Certainly, one may argue: "Well, what else should he say ?". But somehow, I have the feeling that he is being quite sincere and that his own conviction regarding his suitability and talent are of utmost significance. Otherwise, he will accept the realization that he is simply not good enough and move on to other pastures-perhaps beyond motorsports.

I really hope that Mick can do very, very well in this years' 2020 F2 championship. His arguably tepid performance in 2019 leaves me highly skeptical. But still, I'd love to see Michaels' son in F1. Based on merit alone. In a competitive team and car.

 

[bmwz4coupe]

I want the best drivers in the world to be in F1. If Mick is getting in just because of his name this will be sad for the sport but not surprising. I also hope that daddy boy Lance sooner than later gets kicked out to give room for a talented driver.

 

[Matski]

I want the best drivers in the world to be in F1. If Mick is getting in just because of his name this will be sad for the sport but not surprising. I also hope that daddy boy Lance sooner than later gets kicked out to give room for a talented driver.

Nico Rosberg, Jacques Villeneuve, Damon Hill... world champions. Would they even have been in the sport without their fathers having been there before? I'd also suggest all three were champions in cars that would have made half of the grid world champions.

... and that's just the champions ... The Verstappens, the Magnussens, the Piquets, the Brabhams, the Winckelhocks, the Sennas, the Andrettis ... and probably many more where you'd have to question if the younger generations would be there without the surname.

I'm sure it's a matter of pride for many drivers, not to trade on family names (Nic Hamilton chooses the struggle to string together a full BTCC in an uncompetitive car despite big bro's fortunes), but I'm sure it plays a part in these guys getting the opportunity in the first place.

 

[Centurion]

Mick has often elaborated that his entry into the Formula 1 arena must be based on merit alone. C...

It's humble of him to say so. The reality is that the only few ways of getting into F1 on merit is if you are so good that top teams are already putting big money behind you. AFAIK Mick isn't part of Ferrari, McLaren, Mercedes or Red Bull's driver development program.

Joining a mid-field team will require bringing bringing financial support of 10-20million euros per year if he wants to help the team be competitive.

 

[Deleted member 1071]

It's humble of him to say so. The reality is that the only few ways of getting into F1 on merit...

Mick was admitted to the Ferrari Driver Academy early last year following his stellar F3 season in 2018.

 

[LaArtist]

I really hope they get this shit sorted somehow, kids with talent need to get through even if they are dirt poor.
From carting level all the way up there needs to be financed programs for kids with talent.
I know Lewis has an ambition post retirement to work with these matters.
Things need to change, it’s pathetic that you get in cause you are rich or your daddy used to drive.
One of the major f#cked up things in F1

 

[Betty Swollocks]

I really hope they get this shit sorted somehow, kids with talent need to get through even if they are dirt poor.
From carting level all the way up there needs to be financed programs for kids with talent.
I know Lewis has an ambition post retirement to work with these matters.
Things need to change, it’s pathetic that you get in cause you are rich or your daddy used to drive.
One of the major f#cked up things in F1

Which makes Lewis's achievements even more incredible when you consider he's from a poor estate and his dad was a postman.

 

[Matski]

and his dad was a postman.

I thought Anthony had an IT business?

I really hope they get this shit sorted somehow, kids with talent need to get through even if they are dirt poor.

Esports are going to open the door to more people at a lower cost, but the fact is, there's only so many seats available... and teams with no money still need drivers who can bring their own money to even get a car on the grid... never mind investing millions in getting a handful of young drivers even halfway to F1.