Topic: Motosport General discussion tread --- Formula1, MotoGP, WTCC, ETCC, DTM..... - page 303. (Read 141812 times)

I don't see Verstappen in this list. Would have expected that in all test rounds. Can't wait for them to start again. It all seems a lot closer together now because of the sanctions and limits that have been imposed.
Actually, last season was quite exciting between Verstappen and Hamilton. But it would be so nice if the title fight went between a ma or 4-5.

I don't think teams can copy each other at least for this year, the cars are too much different from each other.

They can easily copy the mirror thing they used, but for the sides of the car, they can before the end of the year.

If a team wants to copy them they need to change all the mechanical inside, they can't just copy the outside.

And we know it is a surprising thing but we don't know if it will be the best solution, for example, they are already talking about possible overheating problems.

I think it makes perfect sense. I mean, you have a new idea that will gain you a big advantage, but you don't want the other teams to know about it, but you also don't know if it will get banned.

So you start the tests off with your "safe" version of the car, which doesn't have the radical new design. This way you get some testing in with the safe version, and you don't allow the opposition to see your new design, so they can't start copying it.

Then, second test, you test the new design, it's far too late now for other teams to start copying, and you've fooled them all into thinking your car from the first test is your main model.

End result: You've done tests on both versions in case the new design gets banned, and you've also stopped the opposition copying you on the new design. Perfectly logical. In retrospect, if I was a car designer, that exactly the strategy I'd have used.

It is reported that Mercedes "found" it. I do not what "it" means, I do not know what finding it means, I just hear that they found it. Which means that for the time being their car is clear 1 second faster than anyone around the track. Welcome back to 2014 era and another domination from Mercedes. If that happens again, if it is like Hamilton is clear champion with 100+ points to next competition from another team, then it is going to be super boring again.

I feel like that is not what F1 needs and the years like last year would be better. Have Max and Hamilton close, and even if Hamilton wins, at least there was a competition. Mercedes beating everyone with like 30+ seconds difference on most races will not get viewership.

Times of the day

1   Pierre Gasly   FRA   Scuderia AlphaTauri   1m33.902s   103
2   Carlos Sainz   ESP   Scuderia Ferrari   1m34.359s   52
3   Charles Leclerc   MON   Scuderia Ferrari   1m34.531s   64
4   Lance Stroll   CAN   Aston Martin Aramco Cognizant Formula One Team   1m34.736s   50
5   Alexander Albon   THA   Williams Racing   1m35.070s   104
6   Lando Norris   GBR   McLaren F1 Team   1m35.356s   50
7   Valtteri Bottas   FIN   Alfa Romeo F1 Team Orlen   1m35.495s   66
8   Sebastian Vettel   GER   Aston Martin Aramco Cognizant Formula One Team   1m35.706s   39
9   George Russell   GBR   Mercedes AMG Petronas Formula One Team   1m35.941s   60
10   Sergio Perez   MEX   Oracle Bull Racing   1m35.977s   138
11   Lewis Hamilton   GBR   Mercedes AMG Petronas Formula One Team   1m36.365s   62
12   Fernando Alonso   ESP   BWT Alpine F1 Team   1m36.745s   24
13   Esteban Ocon   FRA   BWT Alpine F1 Team   1m36.768s   42
14   Guanyu Zhou   CHN   Alfa Romeo F1 Team Orlen   1m37.164s   54
15   Pietro Fittipaldi   BRA   Haas F1 Team   1m37.422s   47


Source: https://www.crash.net/f1/results/998038/1/2022-bahrain-f1-test-day-1-thursday-lap-times-final


I get it, this was the strategy of the Mercedes, to get the secret car on the second week, it is the second time they did it also in 2020.

But isn't to risky? I mean they already lost 1 week of tests in this car.

Yep, I'd definitely agree with that. The only thing you can reliably tell from testing is that if a car is only doing a few laps and then spending most of the time in the garage, then they have problems. For the others, they have various different tyres, various different fuel loads, various set-ups, etc... it's impossible to tell who is fastest. And those who think they might be fastest will always be sand-bagging anyway. I mean, Mercedes were even hiding their true car, the one they had at the first test is nothing like this new one!


F1 is supposed to be all about making the fastest cars. It's disappointing that whenever someone comes up with some crazy innovative new design, all the other teams are shouting "Hey! We didn't think of doing that, so it's not fair and against the rules!". I mean, FFS, we don't even know if the new Merc design is faster or not, the mere fact that it's different and maybe faster is enough to have others crying about it. And this isn't me having a go at Horner, if it was a Red Bull with that design I'm sure Wolff would be complaining just as much. We should be celebrating these creative interpretations, not trying to get anything new banned... particularly as this new Merc design was apparently made after they consulted with the FIA to make sure it would be permitted.

Anyway, the new Merc car has caused a bit of discussion about previous crazy cars, and today I've seen images of this absolutely insane 1977 Tyrell F1 car. A bit before my time, but that really is some creative thinking!

^  Lap times as of 6pm Bahrain time show Albon still at second place but a tad under double the number of laps at 104 and with Lance Stroll at third with just 33 laps.

https://www.crash.net/f1/results/998022/1/2022-bahrain-f1-test-day-1-thursday-lap-times-6pm

Just by looking at it, I'm pretty sure it isn't indicative of what the grid would be during a real race.  I think Cnut237 agree with me in that number of laps is more important during testing as it shows consistency and that the car doesn't much quirks in them.

And just read that there were talks going around that Horner said Merc's side pods are in violation of the rules.  Lolol.  These are just mind games imho.

The new Mercedes is unique for sure but it will fast/faster than the other cars? Who knows. Bigger cars can use more air to its advantage.

1   Charles Leclerc   MON   Scuderia Ferrari   1m34.531s   64
2   Alexander Albon   THA   Williams Racing   1m35.070s   53
3   Sebastian Vettel   GER   Aston Martin Aramco Cognizant Formula One Team   1m35.706s   38
4   Sergio Perez   MEX   Oracle Bull Racing   1m35.977s   69
5   Lewis Hamilton   GBR   Mercedes AMG Petronas Formula One Team   1m36.365s   62
6   Esteban Ocon   FRA   BWT Alpine F1 Team   1m36.768s   42
7   Guanyu Zhou   CHN   Alfa Romeo F1 Team Orlen   1m37.164s   54
8   Lando Norris   GBR   McLaren F1 Team   1m37.580s   21
9   Pierre Gasly   FRA   Scuderia AlphaTauri   1m37.888s   44

Morning times, Haas got a problem with their transfer logistics and they lost the morning, they asked if they can do a test Sunday to recover their loss.

Source: https://www.crash.net/f1/results/997965/1/2022-bahrain-f1-test-day-1-thursday-lap-times-2pm

Yep. Lots of noise about the crazy new Mercedes side-pods. The BBC are calling it a "remarkable piece of engineering".

Also a rumour doing the rounds (same link as above) that Horner has compained that the Merc innovation is "a step too far. That does not correspond to the spirit of the regulations. For us, these wings are illegal." ... but Red Bull are now saying they never said any such thing... glad to see the new season starts with the usual controversy!

But apparently the FIA has looked at the new Merc design and said it's okay and within the rules.

Many teams will be pleased to hear that the Formula 1 minimum weight has been raised by 3 kg (Total 798kg). It has not been officially announced yet, but the minimum weight is to be raised because of the following points:

- 1 kg for the new and now somewhat heavier tyres/rims
- 1 kg for the wheel covers
- 1 kg for the additional modifications to prevent porpoising.

Most teams are a bit too heavy, especially the RedBull is supposed to be very heavy this year.

https://it.motorsport.com/f1/news/f1-il-peso-minimo-cresce-solo-di-3-kg-scelta-di-compromesso/8784054/
https://www.motorsport-total.com/formel-1/news/kurzfristig-vor-saisonstart-formel-1-hebt-mindestgewicht-leicht-an-22030906

20 racers are ready to parade in Jakarta on March 16, bro.

The event will start and end at the Merdeka Palace. President Jokowi will welcome them at the Palace, then will join the ride with the racers
^{Source: https://www.instagram.com/p/Ca2ICHGvpVo/}

But I don't know what the purpose of the parade is so there are twenty racers who want to do it on March 16, 2022 and I also see that the asphalting of the Mandalika circuit has also been completely completed.

Unexpected indeed I thought they were going for Giovinazzi, even 1-year break in F1, the duration Magnussen got, is a lot of time.
Anyway, good luck to him.

Final test from tomorrow, Mercedes is rumored to have a lot of new things coming up.

Kevin Magnussen returns to Haas for 2022 season:
https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article.breaking-kevin-magnussen-to-make-sensational-f1-return-with-haas-in-2022.7m4IFYh7gmD3ZGppbs5f88.html
It's very unexpected for me, I haven't considered him as possible option to replace Mazepin. I think it's safe pick for Haas. Maybe not something special, but he have experience with team and they know what to expect from him.

Yeah, I understand that F1 manager can't be such deep as football manager. I haven't played any proper motorsports manager so far, but I know pretty much what to expect from other similar type of games.

It is not expected to be like football manager because there are less things involved. However, if you ever played motorsports manager and played in F1 part of it, you basically know what you should be expecting.

It is like a football manager "type" of game, where you do make some changes during the race and outside of the race your best try is to get your car better and make upgrades to your car constantly and try to keep getting better and every so often the system changes completely (like real life this season) then everyone basically starts from scratch and the one with the most upgrade chances end up being better. So, the game is already out there, but this one will be a different and hopefully a better version of it instead.

Sounds interesting. Here's the description from the Steam page:


Could be fun if it's open to modding, yes. I imagine one of the first would be a 'Michael Masi has gone crazy!' mod, where he returns as race director and gets up to all sorts of wacky antics and ad hoc rule-making. All drivers must have a compulsory toilet break on lap 23! Only red cars can unlap themselves! DRS only enabled on even-numbered laps! Drivers must high-five the entire pit crew during each tyre change!

It looks cheap for those whose homes are close to Mandalika, but for those who are far away from Mandalika it will always be expensive, especially to enter there, you also have to go through the PCR Test route which creates additional costs for everyone.

As for the circuit layout and the model of the Mandalika circuit, it seems that it can be suitable for all manufacturers and it has been seen in the Pre-season Test last month although complaints about the dirt of the circuit are a problem for all drivers, but looking at the top speed data and the straight track which is not so long although there are many, makes all manufacturers look very strong here.
That's my personal analysis.

Fabio: "I had a very good start. At the start of the second lap, the air pressure in the front tire was too high, which meant the tire performance was very bad from the start. I was hoping for a better pace, but I couldn't get more than that and that's what our problem"

"When I was behind the other riders the tire pressure increased, that's normal. But this time it was a disaster even without the slipstream, the tire pressure was too high throughout the whole race. We need to understand why this keeps happening"

"Other manufacturers like KTM, Honda and Ducati did a great job during the winter and this is the result of their hard work. When you consider that we won both races in Qatar last year and are now so far behind, it makes me think a lot"

"My number one goal is to win races. The most important thing for me is to have the best bike that I can also win. I will definitely take that into account. Of course I don't have full confidence at the moment, but my job is to prepare myself as best as I can for each and every one of us." race and give my all, regardless of whether I'm fighting for victory or 15th place"

^{Source : Speedweek & https://www.instagram.com/p/CayDUkihxTO/}

Sad for Fabio Quartararo this season

Jorge Martin was knocked out of the track by a bagnaia crash through the deep lane near the first corner and it's really sad because Jorge Martin and Bagnaia's bikes were not working optimally during the Race and I'm sure they both will improve their position when the Race in Mandalika later, to be exact on March 20, 2022.
Look out for new surprises from all the racers at the Mandalika circuit.

I agree that Imola probably isn't most exciting track for current track. But I happy about these news. I always would pick old school tracks like Imola against these boring artificial city tracks like Jeddah, Miami, Abu Dhabi and so on.

Interesting stuff, definitely going to try. Maybe it's not worth to expect such level game like Football Manager, but still, it should be interesting.

Yeah, there will be live broadcast of tests and proper live timing. Finally we will see cars in action. From tests in Barcelona we got very limited data.

I wrote it wrongly yesterday.

The GP of Imola will be in the calendar UNTIL 2025 from this year and not FROM 2025.