Topic: Motosport General discussion tread --- Formula1, MotoGP, WTCC, ETCC, DTM..... - page 309. (Read 141853 times)

It looks like the drivers are used to that sort of thing now that they've all been doing it for two years with the renewal of the rules related to covid19.
And talking about predictions it will not be easy to say now because everything is still very open to happen, but everyone can see how the potential of the riders in the past with each very powerful bike.

According to Alonso, Ferrari and Mercedes are the 2 fastest car of the tests

Source: https://www.formulapassion.it/motorsport/formula-1/f1-piloti/alonso-sorpreso-ferrari-sembra-la-piu-veloce-606321.html

Also the Redbull boss is "scared" about Ferrari and he is already talking about how low Ferrari was low on gas.


Can Ferrari really compete for the title?

I don't know, 3 seconds is not a lot when we are talking about testing speed. Plus Hamilton had 92 laps whereas Verstappen had 59, that big difference between them could be the lap difference as well. It is definitely going to be a new car that is slower than the last years car, but that will be for the time being because it is the first ever season with this type of car.

I guarantee you, by the team this season is over, they will be at least 1 to 2 seconds faster if not more on average in the league, and the best ones will get even faster. In a few seasons these numbers will look like a joke, they will see under 15's by the time this car gets to be changing (many seasons later).

^  Vettel looks pretty consistent in that new Aston Martin tho.  At least during testing.  He went 5th at day 1, 6th at day 2 and 5th again at day 3.  I’d say a huge improvement for his team from last year’s performance if they really get it going like that this coming season.  The Williams with Albon wasn’t doing bad too.  He was top 10 at day 2 and day 3.

My eye is on the Williams and on Aston Martin this season.  Let’s see how they do against the midtable teams of 2021.

Here are all the results from days 1 to 3.  

2022 F1 Preseason Testing Day 1

1   Lando Norris   GBR   McLaren F1 Team   1m19.568s
2   Charles Leclerc   MON   Scuderia Ferrari   1m20.165s   80
3   Carlos Sainz   ESP   Scuderia Ferrari   1m20.416s   73
4   George Russell   GBR   Mercedes AMG Petronas Formula One Team   1m20.784s   77
5   Lewis Hamilton   GBR   Mercedes AMG Petronas Formula One Team   1m20.929s   50
6   Sebastian Vettel   GER   Aston Martin Aramco Cognizant Formula One Team   1m21.276s   52
7   Yuki Tsunoda   JPN   Scuderia AlphaTauri   1m21.638s   121
8   Fernando Alonso   ESP   BWT Alpine F1 Team   1m21.746s   127
9   Max Verstappen   NED   Oracle Red Bull Racing   1m22.246s   147
10   Valtteri Bottas   FIN   Alfa Romeo F1 Team Orlen   1m22.572s   23
11   Alexander Albon   THA   Williams Racing   1m22.760s   66
12   Mick Schumacher   GER   Uralkali Haas F1 Team   1m22.962s   24
13   Lance Stroll   CAN   Aston Martin Aramco Cognizant Formula One Team   1m23.327s   67
14   Nicholas Latifi   CAN   Williams Racing   1m23.379s   66
15   Nikita Mazepin   RUS   Uralkali Haas F1 Team   1m24.505s   20
16   Robert Kubica   POL   Alfa Romeo F1 Team Orlen   1m25.909s   9

https://www.crash.net/f1/results/996819/1/2022-barcelona-f1-test-day-1-wednesday-lap-times-final

2022 F1 Preseason Testing Day 2

1   Charles Leclerc   MON   Scuderia Ferrari   1m19.689s   79
2   Pierre Gasly   FRA   Scuderia AlphaTauri   1m19.918s   147
3   Daniel Ricciardo   AUS   McLaren F1 Team   1m20.288s   126
4   George Russell   GBR   Mercedes AMG Petronas Formula One Team   1m20.537s   66
5   Carlos Sainz   ESP   Scuderia Ferrari   1m20.546s   71
6   Sebastian Vettel   GER   Aston Martin Aramco Cognizant Formula One Team   1m20.784s   74
7   Sergio Perez   MEX   Oracle Red Bull Racing   1m21.430s   78
8   Nikita Mazepin   RUS   Uralkali Haas F1 Team   1m21.512s   42
9   Alexander Albon   THA   Williams Racing   1m21.531s   47
10   Guanyu Zhou   CHN   Alfa Romeo F1 Team Orlen   1m21.885s   71
11   Nicholas Latifi   CAN   Williams Racing   1m21.894s   61
12   Lance Stroll   CAN   Aston Martin Aramco Cognizant Formula One Team   1m21.920s   55
13   Mick Schumacher   GER   Uralkali Haas F1 Team   1m21.949s   66
14   Esteban Ocon   FRA   BWT Alpine F1 Team   1m22.164s   125
15   Valtteri Bottas   FIN   Alfa Romeo F1 Team Orlen   1m22.288s   21
16   Lewis Hamilton   GBR   Mercedes AMG Petronas Formula One Team   1m22.562s   40

https://www.crash.net/f1/results/996875/1/2022-barcelona-f1-test-day-2-wednesday-lap-times-final

2022 F1 Preseason Testing Day 3

1   Lewis Hamilton   GBR   Mercedes AMG Petronas Formula One Team   1m19.138s   94
2   George Russell   GBR   Mercedes AMG Petronas Formula One Team   1m19.233s   66
3   Sergio Perez   MEX   Oracle Bull Racing   1m19.556s   74
4   Max Verstappen   NED   Oracle Red Bull Racing   1m19.756s   49
5   Sebastian Vettel   GER   Aston Martin Aramco Cognizant Formula One Team   1m19.824s   48
6   Charles Leclerc   MON   Scuderia Ferrari   1m19.831s   44
7   Carlos Sainz   ESP   Scuderia Ferrari   1m20.072s   92
8   Alexander Albon   THA   Williams Racing   1m20.318s   94
9   Nicholas Latifi   CAN   Williams Racing   1m20.699s   13
10   Daniel Ricciardo   AUS   McLaren F1 Team   1m20.790s   86
11   Lando Norris   GBR   McLaren F1 Team   1m20.827s   52
12   Fernando Alonso   ESP   BWT Alpine F1 Team   1m21.242s   12
13   Guanyu Zhou   CHN   Alfa Romeo F1 Team Orlen   1m21.939s   41
14   Pierre Gasly   FRA   Scuderia AlphaTauri   1m22.469s   40
15   Nikita Mazepin   RUS   Uralkali Haas F1 Team   1m26.229s   9
16   Valtteri Bottas   FIN   Alfa Romeo F1 Team Orlen   1m30.433s   10
17   Lance Stroll   CAN   Aston Martin Aramco Cognizant Formula One Team   No Time Set   0
18   Yuki Tsunoda   JPN   Scuderia AlphaTauri   No Time Set   0
19   Esteban Ocon   FRA   BWT Alpine F1 Team   No Time Set   0
20   Mick Schumacher   GER   Uralkali Haas F1 Team   No Time Set

https://www.crash.net/f1/results/996921/1/2022-barcelona-f1-test-day-3-friday-lap-times-final

Apologies, then. I inferred it because if you are talking about someone being a dirty driver last season, then it's weird that you don't pick the obvious dirty driver (Max) to talk about, rather someone who was often on the receiving end of his antics. I'm not saying Hamilton is perfect, of course he isn't, but he's certainly a lot cleaner than most multiple F1 champions, Schumacher being the obvious example. And he's certainly a lot cleaner than Max. I'd assume anyone who looks at Hamilton vs Verstappen last season, and comes away with "Hamilton is a dirty driver" is a long way from impartial, and probably a Max fan (or just Hamilton hater). So apologies if that's not the case.



You're right, you didn't mention it. But the fact remains he is the dirtiest current driver out there by some considerable distance.



Alonso is probably my favourite, and I think his talent deserves way more titles than he has, and certainly more than Vettel (who I think is over-rated). I also like Lando, and think he is under-rated - TBH I think he's better than Russell, and I don't understand all the fuss about Russell being the next big thing. And yes Ricciardo is fun. I will also miss Kimi this season. As for Max, I think he is one of the top three for talent, along with Alonso and Hamilton... just don't like the arrogance and the "win at all costs and f*ck the rules" dirtiness.

George Russell said that Ferrari and McLaren have been seeming better than Mercedes in testing. But Mercedes are doing this all the time. They always say that they can have some trouble but it is always the opposite. And according to the last results in tests, Mercedes were at the top. And I really liked to watch Russell being so eager to be at the top too. But this is only the testing phase now and we will see the real efforts by the drivers as of the start of the new season. I would really like to see Russell competing very hard with Hamilton unlike Bottas.

It will be interesting when the mask requirements, distance rules and restrictions in hotel areas will also be removed, as well as eliminating the quarantine.  Motorcyclists feel more comfortable with concerns about covid19, this can affect the mentality of riders in competing, this can change the championship scheme that you predict, they may not get it ranked 1-3.

My text had nothing to do with Max. This is the problem with Hamilton fans, as soon as you call Hamilton a dirty racer, they go ahead and attack Max on a whataboutism. I never said I support Max nor said that Max is not a dirty racer.

My favorite racer is Lando and he can be a dickhead sometimes but certainly a lot less dirty than both of them. Sainz is also a great racer to watch for me as well, and ricciardo is also awesome personality as well, may not love him on his racing, but so much fun to watch that dude. And yet I never ever said Max was not dirty.

I could show you a million clips where Hamilton both raced dirty, but also places where he should have been given penalty and didn't, most notably the corner cutting on the very last race that ended up "he lost the time anyway" and caused Max to lose the first place until the last lap. However just even the fact that he almost killed Max (given penalty for that move, so F1 accepts Hamilton was wrong there officially) should be enough.

Marquez is known as one of the drivers who has a high mentality and confidence and that is of course the most important factor for a racer, but for the title race this season I think Marquez has to work harder while on the track even though his condition is not fully fit, because this season different from the previous season where he had to compete with young riders whose performances had developed well such as Quartararo, Bagnaia and Jorge Martin.

I also see it that way so that Bagnaia's potential on a Ducati is still very big this year and places him as a candidate for world champion for this season even though there are many races that all riders have to go through this season.

In general, Yamaha has won more races at the Qatar circuit even when Marquez was still very fit 100% in the past.
However, for this season I also see three riders who have the potential to win the opening race in Qatar later, including Bagnaia, Marquez and Fabio Quartararo although it is difficult to predict who will be in first position, but I am sure these three riders will fill the podium in Qatar.

I think it's natural, Marquez feels he has come back so he dares to say that. I'm sure every rider will also give a motive to himself. Although I'm sure it won't be easy because they have great competitors Ducati and KTM. Honda last season was bad enough, losing Marquez and other riders were unable to compete. With marquez's return of course it makes them confident although not easy.
What makes me a little doubtful is yamaha. They don't think much about the power of their motors. Whereas I think last season they looked already depressed because on the straight with ducati power they lost.

Marc Marquez says that he doesn't need perfect physical condition to win the world title this season.
Being in better condition, The Baby Alien admits that he is ready to compete at the highest level as in the years before his injury.

"After two difficult seasons where I had to experience the best and worst moments of this sport, when the wounds you have are starting to heal, but another injury is coming your way," Marquez said as reported by Motosan.

"I see myself as a candidate for champion. I have said openly that my goal this year is to fight for the title.

"I see myself as the favourite, as well as my team-mates, who have had a great pre-season test.

"Like now, before heading to Qatar, we were ready to fight for the championship. This is a prototype that works well, with its weak points and strong points, very different from what I'm used to with Honda. But I had to adjust quickly."

"I don't know if I'm at 100 per cent, but I don't think it is necessary to be at 100 per cent to fight for the world title," he said.

^{Source : Motorsport.com & https://www.instagram.com/p/CaZwgUKJUUM/}

How did everyone react to what Marquez said ?

1   HAMILTON             1:19.138       92   
2   RUSSELL   1:19.233   66   
3   PEREZ   1:19.556   74   
4   VERSTAPPEN   1:19.756   59   
5   VETTEL   1:19.824   48   
6   LECLERC   1:19.831   44   
7   SAINZ   1:20.072   92   
8   ALBON   1:20.318   94   
9   LATIFI   1:20.699   13   
10   RICCIARDO   1:20.790   86   
11   NORRIS   1:20.827   52   
12   ALONSO   1:21.242   12   
13   ZHOU   1:21.939   41   
14   GASLY   1:22.469   40   
15   MAZEPIN   1:26.229   9   
16   BOTTAS   1:30.433   10   


Source: https://sport.sky.it/formula-1/2022/02/25/f1-test-barcellona-montmelo-2022-terza-giornata


We are still 3 second slower from 2021.

They were rumored to be only 1 second slower so they will improve a lot.

Well, the top four drivers today were two Mercs and two Red Bulls. I know we can't read too much into pre-season testing, but this is kind of disappointing as I'd really hoped we'd see some others up there. I've seen people saying that McLaren and Ferrari look strong as well, but we will see if they can challenge. And the big question that we still don't really know the answer to - will the teams be more closely matched, and will they be able to race closer together?

An interesting few days, but somewhat disappointing to see the usual names at the top.

This morning times

1   RUSSELL                 1:19.233
2   VERSTAPPEN   1:19.756
3   VETTEL   1:19.824
4   LECLERC   1:19.831
5   LATIFI   1:20.699
6   NORRIS   1:20.827
7   ALONSO   1:21.242
8   ZHOU   1:21.939
9   GASLY   1:22.469
10   ALBON   1:22.652
11   MAZEPIN   1:26.229


Source: https://sport.sky.it/formula-1/2022/02/25/f1-test-barcellona-montmelo-2022-terza-giornata

For the afternoon they will use water and wet the track to test the new wet tires.

Seems unlikely. I'm a bit perplexed here, last year Verstappen was clearly the dirty driver, which was reflected in his numerous penalties. I mean, I've never ever seen him back out of any situation, he just goes for it no matter what, whether there's room or not, whether the other driver stays on the track or not. Hamilton's driving is more responsible, based probably on the fact that he is just a lot older. He knows when to back out and settle for second and 18 points, in a way that Verstappen doesn't. With Verstappen it's always 25 points or nothing. The weird thing is, the way he became champion in the end was because of Masi breaking the rules, not Max. But certainly with a more sensible attitude Max could have become champion before the final race, just by accepting second a few times rather than driving into people and crashing out.

I mean, take the aftermath of that final race as an example. Lewis congratulated Max. That must have taken a hell of an effort, but it's what he did. Now imagine it the other way around, Hamilton leading for most of the season, Max closing in over the last few races... final race he has the championship in the bag, then the officials f*ck it up and give the title to Lewis. Can you really imagine Max congratulating him? More likely Max would drive straight out of the course still in his F1 car and go on a mad rampage of destruction across the city.

Dorna Sports, as the commercial rights holder for MotoGP and WorldSBK, apparently insists that these two championships should be held in Mandalika, Lombok, Indonesia during the rainy season. This was conveyed by the representative of the Mandalika Grand Prix Association (MGPA), M Wahab S, during the virtual media visit session of ITDC-MGPA and EMTEK on Tuesday (22/2/2022).

Wahab stated that it was the Managing Director of Dorna Sports, Carlos Ezpeleta, who believed that MotoGP and WorldSBK in Indonesia should indeed be held during the rainy season. This was said by Ezpeleta after visiting to review Mandalika's readiness for the past few years.

"The Mandalika circuit has its own character because it is beautiful and beautiful. Why is WorldSBK held in November and MotoGP is held in March? Previously, Carlos Ezpeleta was invited by our operational director to fly by helicopter," said Wahab.

"He also realized that in October, November, until April, which is the rainy season, the view of this circuit is greener. While in the dry season, the area around the circuit is brown and yellow," continued Wahab, who is also an observer of Formula 1.

Wahab said that Ezpeleta, who is also the son of the CEO of Dorna Sports, Carmelo Ezpeleta, said the rainy season made the natural scenery around the Mandalika Circuit look more beautiful. This of course also makes the track pleasing to the eye on television.

"Carlos Ezpeleta himself insisted that the race in Mandalika should be held in the rainy season because the circuit became very beautiful. They must also be proud to hold a race on a very beautiful circuit," concluded Wahab.

^{Bola.net
Source: https://www.instagram.com/p/CaUIV9spEwm/}

I would guess that it is not really that weird to expect it to be between them. In fact I would guess that because of what happened last year, I am expecting Hamilton to be even more angry and would be doing even more insane stuff and risky stuff (which he keeps doing all the time but people ignore and thinks he is a clean driver, he was just because he was clean ahead of everyone, as soon as someone got close to him dude became dirty) which will result with him either being champion again very easily, or we are going to see something that would be like a horrible season because he will get point deductions, seconds penalties, and other stuff.

Timers of the day for F1


LECLERC                 1:19.689           79
GASLY   1:19.918   147   
RICCIARDO   1:20.288   126   
RUSSELL   1:20.537   66   
SAINZ   1:20.546   71   
VETTEL   1:20.784   74   
PEREZ   1:21.430   78   
MAZEPIN   1:21.512   42   
ALBON   1:21.531   47   
ZHOU   1:21.885   71   
LATIFI   1:21.894   61   
STROLL   1:21.920   55   
SCHUMACHER          1:21.949   66   
OCON   1:22.164   125   
BOTTAS   1:22.288   21   
HAMILTON   1:22.562   40   

Source: https://sport.sky.it/formula-1/2022/02/24/f1-test-barcellona-montmelo-2022-seconda-giornata


 Ferrari again, today did the most laps done.

RBR got huge problems with Perez.

2-3 seconds slower than 2021 Pole, so far.

One weird thing that the teams seem to all be talking about, and which is a completely new thing for me, is "porpoising", where the cars bounce up and down on the track. Apparently it used to be a thing way back in the previous ground-force era, and it has caught the teams off-guard this time around, as it's not something that shows up in the testing, just on track. Might be interesting to see if it affects everyone to the same extent, and then how quickly those it does affect can rectify it.