RMweb Premium newbryford Posted August 13, 2020 RMweb Premium Share Posted August 13, 2020 1 hour ago, Andrew P said: And maybe, because they wont sign up to the Concorde agreement? Moves like this are more likely to make them less likely to sign. It's akin to the FIA taking their ball back from Merc and then the FIA themselves puncturing it before handing it back. But also giving a new ball to the other teams. 3 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Dunsignalling Posted August 14, 2020 RMweb Gold Share Posted August 14, 2020 (edited) There will be a big credibility problem for F1 should the rumoured possibility of Mercedes withdrawing from the Formula come to pass. Even worse, should that include their engine programme supplying other teams. F1 touts itself as the pinnacle of motorsport, but, minus Mercedes, it would be clear to all that the top had been lopped off that pinnacle. Rather like switching on Top-Of-The Pops and discovering the chart starts at No.2.... The only real answer to long domination by one constructor is for others to get better. Whilst the owners of F1 devise ways to bring the Merc down to Ferrari's level, several others are gradually improving. Even if it often seems to need Mercedes power units to do it.... Unfortunately, consecutive owners/promoters have considered Ferrari pivotal to F1's fortunes. However, "No Show Without Punch" only holds good when they are No.1 or No.2 in the hierarchy, not No.4 (on a good day) as at present. With Ferrari having confessed there is little prospect of anything better until the season after next, maybe it's time for Liberty to fix their eyes on other balls that do have a bit of bounce in them. John Edited August 14, 2020 by Dunsignalling 3 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium njee20 Posted August 14, 2020 RMweb Premium Share Posted August 14, 2020 I've never understood why Ferrari are said to have so much relevance to F1, and why some believe that their presence is necessary for F1 to continue. They've been absent from the front as often as they've been present, they have little relevance for the man on the street (particularly versus Mercedes/Renault). 10 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold 57xx Posted August 14, 2020 RMweb Gold Share Posted August 14, 2020 34 minutes ago, njee20 said: I've never understood why Ferrari are said to have so much relevance to F1, and why some believe that their presence is necessary for F1 to continue. They've been absent from the front as often as they've been present, they have little relevance for the man on the street (particularly versus Mercedes/Renault). Nor me, many great teams have come and gone and yet F1 still continues. It would be none the worse for having Ferarri disappear. 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Vecchio Posted August 14, 2020 RMweb Premium Share Posted August 14, 2020 Would be boring without Ferrari. What should we all moan about 1 9 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steadfast Posted August 14, 2020 Share Posted August 14, 2020 The issue with trying to catch up to Mercedes is how long it takes to filter in new parts (besides the standard season long updates) and the restrictions on how many and what you can update. George Donaldson, former team boss at Toyota, Mitsubishi, Subaru world rally teams said as much on a recent podcast from Dirtfish. His opinion was that to attract manufacturers, improve development and catch a dominant team you need a 6 month cycle on changes, not 3 years. The podcast is is called Spin The Rally Pod, and is an entertaining and informed listen from those close to the sport Jo 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Oldddudders Posted August 14, 2020 RMweb Gold Share Posted August 14, 2020 I think Ferrari is seen as a brand, of the very sort that Liberty perceives 'fits' with its F1 image, thus attracting other premium brands as sponsors, and quality retailers in the F1 shopping circus. F1's aura needs to ooze opulence and a general atmosphere of high-living. I believe the demographic of the fans is a million miles from this, but of course the hospitality units are filled with guests who are happy to be wined and dined in such surroundings. Deb's experience as a corporate guest at Silverstone 30 years ago suggests such people might watch the start but will have no interest in the progress of the race. She watched every lap of course, as you would expect of someone who'd watched Clark and Hill in her early youth. 2 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold PaulRhB Posted August 14, 2020 RMweb Gold Share Posted August 14, 2020 I know a couple of people who are ardent Ferrari fans, drivers etc don’t matter just Ferrari. Neither of them is likely ever to own one of their cars but they have a lot of models of them. Like Ian says it’s a hugely powerful brand that brings a lot of money in by the rich, corporate association and bums on seats from the ardent fans. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium skipepsi Posted August 14, 2020 RMweb Premium Share Posted August 14, 2020 If Ferrari were not there a lot of rich people own and drive Mercedes anyway. I think it is not the names on the cars it will be the quality of the races that decides what survives. After all sail for example is an outmoded method of propulsion commercially but there are millions of yachts in the world both racing and cruising. 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete the Elaner Posted August 14, 2020 Share Posted August 14, 2020 21 hours ago, Jol Wilkinson said: FIA to restrict down force for safety reasons and engine "quali" mode to be banned, starting at the Begian GP (from the Autosport website). The latter is more complicated than the headline, as teams will have to run the same mode in qualification and the race, which apparently means the engines can't be turned down for reliability. "A single mode will not only restrict performance in qualifying, but will also limit adjustments drivers make during races, including those when they "turn down" the engine for reliability purposes." Don't they change the rules each year to restrict downforce anyway? Narrower wings, no ground effects.... Teams usually claw this back with changes in other areas. We regularly her that radical changes will be introduced to do this & allow cars to follow each other more closely, but it doesn't seem to happen. No engine mode changes? Everyone uses variable engine modes so they will all need to be turned down all the time or up all the time & fail more frequently. I agree that this seems like an anti-Mercedes reaction. History has proven that each team has their period on the top perch before someone knocks them off. There always have been moans when any team dominates. When Vettel won his 4 titles with RB, it was up to somebody else to beat them..which Mercedes did by working hard on the next generation of cars. I remember success ballast being used in touring cars & felt it was rather cruel to handicap teams who did a better job then others. 2 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold PaulRhB Posted August 14, 2020 RMweb Gold Share Posted August 14, 2020 6 minutes ago, Pete the Elaner said: remember success ballast being used in touring cars & felt it was rather cruel to handicap teams who did a better job then others. That’s why there was the disagreement over reverse grids etc. The drivers and teams want pure racing but the media and probably the majority of viewers want spectacle. We remember the dramatic stuff and it’s good for advertising. F1 will always walk the line between publicity and sport. Lewis and Toto have said much of their success is down to a compromise that lets Lewis do his own thing that many would consider a distraction from the sport, doesn’t seem to have hurt giving him the leeway and we are seeing the new group of younger drivers getting more freedom in their media image too. Lando is being held up as the example but it was Lewis who proved it can work 4 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew P Posted August 14, 2020 Author Share Posted August 14, 2020 This is getting so silly, it needs cutting in the bud NOW. https://www.espn.co.uk/f1/story/_/id/29660624/renault-calls-racing-point-disqualified-races 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew P Posted August 14, 2020 Author Share Posted August 14, 2020 The Wolf to flea the burrow? https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/53778066 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Darius43 Posted August 14, 2020 RMweb Gold Share Posted August 14, 2020 6 minutes ago, Andrew P said: This is getting so silly, it needs cutting in the bud NOW. https://www.espn.co.uk/f1/story/_/id/29660624/renault-calls-racing-point-disqualified-races Agreed - if Renault can’t beat people in the race... Great for their image - car doesn’t go fast but whines and moans a treat. Cheers Darius 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew P Posted August 14, 2020 Author Share Posted August 14, 2020 4 minutes ago, Darius43 said: Agreed - if Renault can’t beat people in the race... Great for their image - car doesn’t go fast but whines and moans a treat. Cheers Darius Renault must be getting ready for the Great Moaner, Alonso's return. 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium PhilJ W Posted August 14, 2020 RMweb Premium Share Posted August 14, 2020 2 hours ago, Andrew P said: Renault must be getting ready for the Great Moaner, Alonso's return. And perhaps they'll take on SV as well. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Darius43 Posted August 14, 2020 RMweb Gold Share Posted August 14, 2020 2 hours ago, Andrew P said: Renault must be getting ready for the Great Moaner, Alonso's return. Fernando - everyone is faster than you... Cheers Darius 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew P Posted August 15, 2020 Author Share Posted August 15, 2020 New Chassis, same problems, have they checked the KNOB on the steering wheel? https://www.gpfans.com/en/articles/55626/vettel-still-searching-for-answers-after-a-quot-mixed-day-quot-in-spain/?fbclid=IwAR2NkFi74irGTvWqFMLCLhUs_jSUQ3sdfS2F_W4Pko1O9O6lkP0DB36bJ00 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RJS1977 Posted August 15, 2020 Share Posted August 15, 2020 Mecedes now ready to sign Concorde agreement: https://www.gpfans.com/en/articles/55611/wolff-confirms-mercedes-now-ready-to-sign-f1-concorde-agreement/ 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew P Posted August 15, 2020 Author Share Posted August 15, 2020 Half way through FP3, and Vettel is putting pressure on the leaders, NOT 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hobby Posted August 15, 2020 Share Posted August 15, 2020 Give him chance, that's a new car, he's got to get used to it! 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew P Posted August 15, 2020 Author Share Posted August 15, 2020 So Hamilton fastest in FP3 with the Vet finishing 12th, and Leclerc 6th, Gazley again quicker than Albon who seems to struggle until Race Day. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/live/formula1/52892030 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hroth Posted August 15, 2020 Share Posted August 15, 2020 Not that I'd want to dance on anyone, but Vettel qualified in P11, despite getting a new chassis. Looks like he should be "considering his position", perhaps thinking about "spending more time with his family"? Perhaps Ferrari might resurrect an old Roman tradition. Have they a gladius at the back of the garage? 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hobby Posted August 15, 2020 Share Posted August 15, 2020 Wonder what the excuse will be... 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hroth Posted August 15, 2020 Share Posted August 15, 2020 7 minutes ago, Hobby said: Wonder what the excuse will be... Leclerc has already pinched "My engine sounds funny"! 5 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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