F1 2024

[Del Boy]

Plenty of rumours flying around that Verstappen could leave for Mercedes. That would be a massive coup for Mercedes.

[Dirty Epic]

Mar 5, 2024 8:23:53 GMT Del Boy said:

Plenty of rumours flying around that Verstappen could leave for Mercedes. That would be a massive coup for Mercedes.

Anything is possible Del but reckon there is too much bad blood between Toto Wolff and the Verstappen camp for that to happen. For me Mercedes might be better focusing on Russell rather than bringing in Verstappen who'd certainly want #1 status and be much much more devisive than Hamilton than say Sainz, Ocon, Gasly or a natural.#2 like Mick Schumacher or a rookie like Kimi Antonelli especially if the field gets closer to Red Bull over the course of this season.

A bigger issue is whether Adrian Newey goes off somewhere else or retires next season. Merc and Ferrari would love to have his services if the 'issues' around RB right now do intensify as they seem to be doing.

Again wounds/rivalries in F1 and motorsport generally can be put aside and this issue at Red Bull might (just) disappear but anything is possible! 

[Del Boy]

Breaking News
Carlos Sainz is out of the Saudi GP due to appendicitis. F2 driver Ollie Bearman is to step in to the seat for the race.

[Sam Tyler]

Plenty of rumours going around regarding drivers. One I heard was Sainz going to Audi who are about to take over Sauber:

>>> Audi set to take over Sauber <<<

The article doesn't mention Sainz but I have been hearing whispers...

Sam

[Del Boy]

Sainz is a quality driver so I assume he'll have options for next season.

[Dirty Epic]

Sainz is quality a big shame he's been ditched by Ferrari but maybe if the Audi rumours are true and with a new set of regs by the time they come in things could be interesting.

He's had to have surgery for appendicitis so hope all goes well and he's back on track soon.  Ferrari have drafted in British reserve driver Oliver Bearman for Saudi race a great opportunity for the British GP2 driver even if it just puts him in a shop window.

Here's the rundown of quali too.


www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/68516206

[Batgirl]

Mar 8, 2024 21:02:22 GMT Dirty Epic said:

Sainz is quality a big shame he's been ditched by Ferrari but maybe if the Audi rumours are true and with a new set of regs by the time they come in things could be interesting.

He's had to have surgery for appendicitis so hope all goes well and he's back on track soon.  Ferrari have drafted in British reserve driver Oliver Bearman for Saudi race a great opportunity for the British GP2 driver even if it just puts him in a shop window.

Here's the rundown of quali too.


www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/68516206

That is such bad luck for Sainz and I expect he will be out of action for 2 weeks after surgery. I don't know what effect g-forces have on surgery stitches but it couldn't be good!

Good opportunity and surprise for Oliver Bearman. With all the Red Bull drama it is nice to focus on a young driver getting an opportunity.

I'm only just watching the replay of Saudi Qualifying now. It does seem rather ironic that the pre show interviews and discussion have centered on International Womens Day asking Bernie Collins and Naomi Schiff about their careers. I suppose they couldn't arrange an interview with the Red Bull employee suspended from work! Of course very few really know what happened but it is a right mess.

If she is telling the truth or not telling the truth she won't be back working in the F1 industry and how sad is that for her. The latest sharing of text messages to 100 prominent race people has pushed the story to be believed. I don't see how Red Bull could really conduct an independent review of the matter so quickly. Christian Horner conducts himself in interviews and actions like a bully so most will believe she has a case. Jos Verstappen has too much to do with his son's career and shouldn't have any sway on who stays and who goes at the team.

Helmet Marko - no offence to age but he is 80 and his views expressed belong to a different era. It has that Trump Biden feel. Seriously why don't people want to retire.

I wasn't going to write much about this, but I couldn't help it once I started. For Red Bull maybe they need to retire all the old and bring in new management. 

 

[Dirty Epic]

As you were again in Suadi with another Red Bull 1/2 despite the sideshow behind the scenes...



Leclerc best of the rest with perhaps Ferrari being best of the rest but McLaren and Mercedes aren't too far behind with decent 4th and 5th going to Oscar Piastri and Aston's Alonso respectively. Brilliant result for rookie Oliver Bearman in 7th holding off experienced campaigners like Hamilton and Norris, yes he's in a good/quick car and has experience of it and Ferrari with his testing role but you still have to deliver the results and Oliver did so here.

Rest of the field as you were and expected, perhaps a standout (and not much of one) is Ocon dragging the Alpine to 13th and maybe Hulkenberg getting some deserved points in 10th. Both they and Gasly deserve better rides than they have right now.

Australia next on our own batgirl's manor in Melbourne lets hope we have something a bit more competitive and the Red Bull circus gets sorted out in the right way! 

[Del Boy]

I've just watched it and yes it was more of the same up the top  Even Leclerc said it was boring in his interview afterwards   
I hardly heard Verstappen and Perez's names mentioned throughout the race as they were never in doubt. The main action the coverage focused on seemed to be the lower points area, where a good scrap over a potential point ensued.  The stewards seemed to be quite harsh towards Magnusson with the penalties where he tussled with Tsunoda. And Tsunoda himself seems to be very whingey of late, doesn't he ? Albon drove well again pulling off some good moves and surely will be wanted by better teams soon. 
Well done to Ollie Bearman, quite a performance to keep Hamilton and Norris behind you in your first F1 race. 

[Gene Hunt]

Another bit of a snooze fest. The straight line speed of those Red Bull cars is ridiculous. Overtaking other cars as though they were parked. Hamilton commenting on it saying it was like they were in a different Formula. I think Bearman was spectacular. That Ferrari is fundamentally a very good car but I don't think Leclerc is getting the best from it. Let's see if Sainz beats him again in Oz. If he does, I think Vasseur will be thinking they are getting rid of the wrong driver at the end of the year.

Shame to see Lando / McLaren not getting any closer to RB either. RB (Newey) have hit the jackpot again with this years car and it's set for another year of total dominance. I think Verstappens pole lap was .8 seconds faster than last year which tells you how much RB themselves have improved with an already dominant car.

I detect, and perhaps naturally so a little frostiness creeping in between Lewis & Merc now too. That said, even Russell is slating the car himself.

I'd say roll on Australia but let's be honest. It's just going to be more of the same with all the best action from P3 backwards.

Gene.