F1

[CritchSmile]

Schumacher is deffo staying at Haas is he not? Would rather see somebody like Hulkenberg alongside Bottas instead of another rookie. He's far too good to go without a seat and those two could surely drag Alfa up the grid a bit

Stroll has been poor this season but he's also proven himself over the last 3/4 years so I don't mind him - and he's daddy's boy so he's going nowhere

It is nice to have another recognisable name, but there seems to be a golden age of rookies at the moment. We need another team in F1 so that the rookies can find spots and we can still see the likes of Hulkenberg get drives.

The rookie that I think deserves to be punted is Tsunoda. Doesn't have the maturity for F1 and Gasly regularly qualifies 8-10 places above him. he may mature but it was too early for him. Honda definitely pushed him into the seat for their final year as an engine supplier.

[Charlie Kelly]

They purposely have not developed their car from the beginning of the season. As a small team all their investment has gone into preparing for the '22 regs. No idea why you would want to shut down a team so there are only 18 cars on the grid, we need more teams not less.

Talks with Audi, Volksawagen and Porsche to bring them into F1 and tentative negotations for a Toyota return, but in reality we will be lucky to get one. The cost cap makes it slightly easier, but still so hard to set up a new team from scratch.

As Kash says, Stroll stays. Aston Martin have been shite this season. They got stung by copying Mercedes last year as the regs favoured a higher rake this year. I think Stroll has proven himself as decent driver on his day. Not a huge fan overall, but I've warmed to him. He has a bit of pace and race craft. Was unlucky at Baku with the tyre failure (ironically contributing to Vettel securing his best result of the year).

I'm all for more teams and independent teams but if they're consistently seconds off the pace from the pack then what's the point? If they're pumping money in for next season then I'll withhold judgement until then in that case. 

I don't really like Stroll with him buying his way in but I feel his form in the last few races in comparison to Seb have been quite telling. I know he's going nowhere but think under normal circumstances they'd move on from him.

[dokratrow]

I like Stroll, just a dumb well-meaning frat boy who is meh most of the time and pulls some decent races out occasionally in rain/interesting strategies. Don't think you can look at the results this season and say he's doing much worse than Vettel

[CritchSmile]

I'm all for more teams and independent teams but if they're consistently seconds off the pace from the pack then what's the point? If they're pumping money in for next season then I'll withhold judgement until then in that case. 

I don't really like Stroll with him buying his way in but I feel his form in the last few races in comparison to Seb have been quite telling. I know he's going nowhere but think under normal circumstances they'd move on from him.

They aren't "pumping" money into next season but this will be their least competitive year for sure as all their development resources are put into next years chassis. You know a team has to come last right? Some of my favourite teams have been last growing up - Tyrrel, Arrows, Minardi and recently Williams.

Imagine if a team just decided to disband everytime they came last? Engineering talent lost, drivers lost. Every team on the paddock is important to keep the sport going. BAR were bottom of the pack at one stage, that team became Honda, Brawn and now Mercedes.

Real failures are teams like Lola and HRT which were just completely mis-managed projects and we've had teams that didn't make the 107% ruling. Haas is a decently run independent team with a famous name in motorsport who are trying to run a it on a smaller budget against the frustratingly big manufacturer giants with endless resources. their times aren't even that bad this year if you look at F1 teams that finish last historically. Unfortunately they have had to give up their business model and sold their souls to Russia, but it is what it is. We've seen Mclaren and Williams dwarfed by the big manufacturers and it isn't necessarily a good thing imo.

Can this thread ban the Drive 2 Survive noobs pls.

[Charlie Kelly]

They aren't "pumping" money into next season but this will be their least competitive year for sure as all their development resources are put into next years chassis. You know a team has to come last right? Some of my favourite teams have been last growing up - Tyrrel, Arrows, Minardi and recently Williams.

Imagine if a team just decided to disband everytime they came last? Engineering talent lost, drivers lost. Every team on the paddock is important to keep the sport going. BAR were bottom of the pack at one stage, that team became Honda, Brawn and now Mercedes.

Real failures are teams like Lola and HRT which were just completely mis-managed projects and we've had teams that didn't make the 107% ruling. Haas is a decently run independent team with a famous name in motorsport who are trying to run a it on a smaller budget against the annoying big manufacturer giants. their times aren't even that bad this year if you look at F1 teams that finish last historically. Unfortunately they have had to give up their business model and sold their souls to Russia, but it is what it is. We've seen Mclaren and Williams dwarfed by the big manufacturers and it isn't necessarily a good thing imo.

Can this thread ban the Drive 2 Survive noobs pls.

I get that there's always going to be a team that comes last but this will be there second season where they have been comfortably last, I just think for another season to be similar to this wouldn't be good for the sport, doesn't do anyone any good to have two back markers so off it. With other teams you know the funding is there to get them out of it but I just don't see it with them. 

I'm all for Haas being there and being competitive, enjoyed them being in amongst it a couple years ago. 

I don't like the insinuation that I'm a newb either, I've got my stripes from watching Schumacher winning in the days of Benneton :

[Kashinda]

Haas can't be that far off the pack if you look back over other teams that have been in F1 like Super Aguri - is there not something called the 107% rule that prevents really shite teams keeping their space.

Just seen SJ mention the 107 rule

[CritchSmile]

Yeah as Kash says, Williams last year and Haas this year are actually some of the most competitive backmarkers F1 has ever had. Historically there used to be much higher margins than what we see now.  This year there has been zero improvement over the year from Haas due to the '22 regs coming in, so unfortunately this one has been a bit of a write off which is a shame but understandable.

I think the 107% rule has been scrapped, but frequently there would be backmarkers that wouldn't qualify for the Sunday race because they were so far behind. It's not even an issue anymore.

Charlie, Williams finished last in the 2020 season. Haas finished 9th place, 5 points behind the Alfa's.

[Hank Scorpio]

I think all the current teams have the competence to race in F1 these days. It's hardly a bunch of chancers in the Andrea Moda mould.

[Charlie Kelly]

Yeah as Kash says, Williams last year and Haas this year are actually some of the most competitive backmarkers F1 has ever had. Historically there used to be much higher margins than what we see now.  This year there has been zero improvement over the year from Haas due to the '22 regs coming in, so unfortunately this one has been a bit of a write off which is a shame but understandable.

I think the 107% rule has been scrapped, but frequently there would be backmarkers that wouldn't qualify for the Sunday race because they were so far behind. It's not even an issue anymore.

Charlie, Williams finished last in the 2020 season. Haas finished 9th place, 5 points behind the Alfa's.

Aye I do remember that rule and knew it had been binned. 

Apologies, did actually know that they'd beat Williams last year. Think it's more a frustration that they've fallen behind so much this season tbh considering where they were. Aware funding is the major issue and obviously will be harder for an independent team like them. Just would like to have seen them not occupying the last two places every week.

[Currahee!]

It is nice to have another recognisable name, but there seems to be a golden age of rookies at the moment. We need another team in F1 so that the rookies can find spots and we can still see the likes of Hulkenberg get drives.

The rookie that I think deserves to be punted is Tsunoda. Doesn't have the maturity for F1 and Gasly regularly qualifies 8-10 places above him. he may mature but it was too early for him. Honda definitely pushed him into the seat for their final year as an engine supplier.

Do you think the Hulk deserves a drive now? He's in his mid 30's now. Having the Hulk back in could keep the likes of De Vries out.

[CritchSmile]

Do you think the Hulk deserves a drive now? He's in his mid 30's now. Having the Hulk back in could keep the likes of De Vries out.

I think De Vries may stay in Formula E. He is fast but was a little bit fortunate to win the championship if we are honest. I agree with kash saying there is a little bit too many rookies now. If he gets the Williams drive it will be because Toto has forced it through and Williams buckling because they are worried about losing the Mercedes engines with Albon as an ex RB driver and no Merc driver alongside him.

Hulkenberg I'm not bothered about returning but the fans would love it. If it wasn't about pay drivers etc...though, Hulkenberg would be a great bet to pull Williams up into the mid-pack properly. The experience he'd bring in setting up the car etc...with his base speed would be invaluable. He's just turned 34 so he's young/in his relative prime. He still has a good 4-5 years of competitive racing in him. Problem is he demands a high salary but doesn't bring in much wonga.

[Del-icious]

Have you ever watched that formula e?

I quite liked it but then realised the fans could give speed boosts to their favourite drivers and that

[CritchSmile]

Have you ever watched that formula e?

I quite liked it but then realised the fans could give speed boosts to their favourite drivers and that

I don't enjoy the constant street circuits and the sound of the cars really gives me the cringe. It's a bit too close to a spec series too.

I'm not a fan, but I've not really given it a chance. I'll dip into Indycar or WRC and very very rarely DTM/BTCC but struggle with formula E.

[Currahee!]

I think De Vries may stay in Formula E. He is fast but was a little bit fortunate to win the championship if we are honest. I agree with kash saying there is a little bit too many rookies now. If he gets the Williams drive it will be because Toto has forced it through and Williams buckling because they are worried about losing the Mercedes engines with Albon as an ex RB driver and no Merc driver alongside him.

Hulkenberg I'm not bothered about returning but the fans would love it. If it wasn't about pay drivers etc...though, Hulkenberg would be a great bet to pull Williams up into the mid-pack properly. The experience he'd bring in setting up the car etc...with his base speed would be invaluable. He's just turned 34 so he's young/in his relative prime. He still has a good 4-5 years of competitive racing in him. Problem is he demands a high salary but doesn't bring in much wonga.

You're right about what the Hulk can bring but i genuinely think his age is against him now. 10-15 years ago that wouldn't have been an issue but F1 is getting younger as it were.

[Currahee!]

The best part of Formula E is when a driver goes for a boost and misses the boost section.

Its a daft gimmick.

[CritchSmile]

You're right about what the Hulk can bring but i genuinely think his age is against him now. 10-15 years ago that wouldn't have been an issue but F1 is getting younger as it were.

F1 is getting younger but Hamilton (36) and Alonso (40) keep ripping the piss out of the young upstarts.    I'd like to put Ricciardo down as another example (and of course Kimi staying competitive well into his 40s) but Ricciardo has been murder this season. Really refuse to believe it's age with Danny though. I think he'll come back strong under the new regs.

Vettel has also had a wee renaissance after I thought he was finished. Comfortably putting away Stroll (although not that hard, granted).

The Hulk was seriously considered for the RB Drive this year instead of Perez.

[Roger H. Sterling]

I don't enjoy the constant street circuits and the sound of the cars really gives me the cringe. It's a bit too close to a spec series too.

I'm not a fan, but I've not really given it a chance. I'll dip into Indycar or WRC and very very rarely DTM/BTCC but struggle with formula E.

Hadn't seen any footage and just watched some highlights. That screeching no thanks. They should just make every race car artificially sound like the V10.

[Del-icious]

The best part of Formula E is when a driver goes for a boost and misses the boost section.

Its a daft gimmick.

It would be good if they just had similar rules to F1 or at least as close as possible but the gimmicky side of it puts me off a bit.

I think I ended up on it looking for anything to watch last year, voting for your favourite driver to get their car sped up

[Currahee!]

F1 is getting younger but Hamilton (36) and Alonso (40) keep ripping the piss out of the young upstarts.    I'd like to put Ricciardo down as another example (and of course Kimi staying competitive well into his 40s) but Ricciardo has been murder this season. Really refuse to believe it's age with Danny though. I think he'll come back strong under the new regs.

Vettel has also had a wee renaissance after I thought he was finished. Comfortably putting away Stroll (although not that hard, granted).

The Hulk was seriously considered for the RB Drive this year instead of Perez.

Hamilton and Alonso? 2 outstanding drivers never mind their age.

See Ricciardo though, I reckon that McLaren is a handfull, especially compared to last years Renault. I still think he'll come good. Or is Lando getting results out the car that it doesn't deserve?

[Currahee!]

Decent enough.