The 2017 Formula One Thread

[harrybarracuda]

That is just beyond ridiculous.

Trying telling that to Jules Bianchi's family, you moron. Or Henry Surtees'.

[bsnub]

Trying telling that to Jules Bianchi's family, you moron. Or Henry Surtees'.

It is part of the sport, drivers have always been aware of the risk. In many cases throughout the sports history it was part of the appeal.

[VocalNeal]

^^

Henry Surtees would be alive? If F2 cars had wheel tethers like F1 cars.

Jules Bianchi would be alive if he had slowed down a bit more under double waving yellow. He thought he was being clever and...

[harrybarracuda]

^^

Henry Surtees would be alive? If F2 cars had wheel tethers like F1 cars.

Jules Bianchi would be alive if he had slowed down a bit more under double waving yellow. He thought he was being clever and...

Of course you are right, but that doesn't detract from the fact that other bits of car could go flying through the air and thus it makes sense.

As for snubby's witless comments, well it isn't demolition derby you twerp, and if the attraction of motor racing for you is the risk of someone getting killed, you should go back to serving burgers at vintage car rallies.

[aging one]

Its being done by F1, the drivers are against it.

[chassamui]

It's designed to keep Vettel's front wheel out of your cockpit next time he 'accidentally' bumps into you.

[harrybarracuda]

Its being done by F1, the drivers are against it.

It's actually being done by the FIA, not F1.

As for the drivers, their concerns seem to be mostly about the current design rather than the concept.

JULY 20, 2017
FIA mandates Halo for 2018
The controversial frontal protection concept called 'Halo' will make its mandatory debut on all formula one cars next year.

After Silverstone practice, Sebastian Vettel said the transparent alternative called 'Shield' made him dizzy, while car designers complained that time had run out to iron out all of the problems for a 2018 debut.

"There's a lot of a lot to get through to ensure that this is a thoroughly developed and sorted package to put on next year's car," said Red Bull's Paul Monaghan.

The earlier, 'Halo' variant was however tested extensively last season, and so after Wednesday's strategy group meeting, the FIA announced that it will be compulsory to race next year.

"The FIA confirms the introduction of the Halo for 2018," read a statement.

"With the support of the teams, certain features of its design will be further enhanced.

"Having developed and evaluated a large number of devices over the past five years, it had become clear that the Halo presents the best overall safety performance," the FIA added.

Grand Prix Drivers' Association president Alex Wurz said on Twitter: "(It's) definitely not the most aesthetic thing.

"But on the positive, please consider that safer cars means we can race much faster and harder in the future."

FIA mandates Halo for 2018 > F1 News > Grandprix.com

[harrybarracuda]

16:25 – Mercedes boss Toto Wolff believes Formula 1's governing body, the FIA, had "no choice" but to introduce the 'halo' head protection device for the 2018 season.

Formula 1 has strived to increase head protection available for drivers, and last year extensively trialled the halo, a device which wraps around the cockpit in the form of three struts.

The introduction of the halo was planned for 2017 but this was delayed, in order for further evaluations to take place, while a canopy-like device, dubbed the 'shield', emerged as a potential alternative.

The shield was sampled by Sebastian Vettel during practice for the British Grand Prix but it was removed after just one lap, commenting that it made him feel dizzy.

On Wednesday, following a meeting of the Strategy Group, it was announced that the halo will be mandatory in Formula 1 next year, subject to the approval of the FIA's World Motor Sport Council.

Wolff feels that the FIA had to make a decision over head protection for 2018, having pledged to increase safety, and that the halo was the best option.

"I think that probably the FIA had no choice than to introduce the halo," Wolff said during a Mercedes Q&A on Thursday.

"It is the mandate of the FIA to increase the safety, we have looked at various systems and none of them really worked.

"The halo was the only one that was just about right.

"I don't like the looks of it and the aesthetics, but the decision was made yesterday, now we have to make the best out of it."

Wolff: FIA had 'no choice' over halo introduction - GPUpdate.net

[harrybarracuda]

There is an interesting thread here, started in 2015.

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/...&t=1537078&i=0

[harrybarracuda]

Back to business in Belgium, Lewis drove a near perfect lap and set a new track record at Spa.

1. Hamilton
2. Vettel
3. Bottas
4. Raikkonen

Lewis equals Schumachers record for Poles.

[harrybarracuda]

There are some real mind games going on at the moment, everyone was convinced that Ferrari's "long pace" gave them the edge in the race with the longest lap, but in fact the only times Vettel threatened Hamilton's lead was off the start and when they all pitted under a safety car late on, with Vettel on the Ultrasofts and Hamilton on the softs.

As it was, Vettel was rarely in touch with Hamilton, and we go into Monza next week end with a negligible 7 point gap and the momentum with Mercedes.

Nice moment when Shumacher's wife and family sent congratulations to Lewis on equalling Michael's pole record, and Vettel went over and offered his congratulations as well.

Hopefully we will we have a fiercely competitive, but sporting and friendly run in to the championship, it's a belter so far.

Lewis Hamilton wins Belgian Grand Prix to narrow gap in F1 title race

There has been an ebb and flow to this season’s Formula One world championship lending it a narrative that defies a prediction of its ultimate denouement with any confidence. The Belgian Grand Prix was yet another chapter that added fascinating depth to the rapidly approaching finale.

Lewis Hamilton won the race, continuing the sequence this season that has seen no single driver take back-to-back wins. Proof in itself how the advantage has swung between the lead protagonists Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel, who was second in Spa. But while the pair went wheel to wheel only twice over the 44 laps, their battle was absolutely intense, lasted the full distance and, crucially, was telling in how the remainder of the season might unfold after Hamilton narrowed the gap to his rival to just seven points.

The pair had not engaged in a duel that saw them repeatedly exchanging places but it had been very much a hard-fought battle that was appreciated by the crowd of 100,000 in the Ardennes. Hamilton, in his 200th grand prix, had led from pole to take his 58th career win and that pole – equalling Michael Schumacher’s record of 68 – turned out to be absolutely crucial given how closely matched the pair were. Vettel remained within a second and a half of Hamilton for almost the entire race, demonstrating a pace that puts the Ferrari much closer to Mercedes on a circuit that was expected to strongly favour the characteristics of Hamilton’s car.

On the opening lap Vettel almost made it tell, coming alongside Hamilton on the Kemmel Straight but the British driver held his nerve and a defensive line, keeping the lead into Les Combes. After a safety car restart Vettel tried again in the same place but once again was thwarted. He could stay with the British driver but not pass.

Hamilton acknowledged how tough a meeting it had been. “They have put in a fantastic fight,” he said. “The speed and pace they had was very strong. There was no point at which I was comfortable. Both of us were pushing for every single lap. It was like a sprint race, no room for error or the smallest mistake. There were strengths and weaknesses on both sides, we were constantly exchanging times.”

Vettel also enjoyed their tense tussle at the front. “It was a very good race, good fun,” he said. “The quality was very high but I never really had a chance. Maybe half a chance, quarter of a chance but the positive thing is that we had very good race pace. Overall the car was very good.”

The low-downforce, high-speed and sweeping fast corners of Spa had been expected to benefit Mercedes with their car designed to be optimal on such circuits, as they proved at Silverstone. But Ferrari have clearly moved forward since the British Grand Prix. Vettel stayed with Hamilton from the flag, ultimately leaving the Red Bull of Daniel Ricciardo, who was third, fourth-placed Kimi Raikkonen and fifth-placed Valtteri Bottas in their wake.

Vettel had his second chance after a safety car prompted by yet another clash between the two Force India drivers, Sergio Pérez squeezing Esteban Ocon into the wall on the run down to Eau Rouge, prompting Ocon to warn that the Mexican driver had risked their lives.

The free pit stops it afforded were opportune for both the leaders, with Vettel able to take the quicker ultrasoft tyres, having an unused set. Hamilton had criticised race control for the deployment, accusing them of trying to engineer a closer battle but he later admitted that this had been prompted by frustration because of the five laps spent behind the safety car.

But the stop was also beneficial for Mercedes who had been concerned about a blister on his right rear tyre, an issue solved with the stop. They were also confident that could he survive the restart in front of Vettel, the soft compound tyre would be stronger to the end and so it proved. Having seen off the attack at Les Combes once more, Hamilton took the flag by 2.3 seconds.

There was ultimately nothing to choose between them as Hamilton acknowledged and he expected the same for the remaining eight races. “It was fun to be racing against Sebastian at his best and the car at its best,” he said. “I think they had the better pace today but fortunately I was able to just stay ahead. From today it looks like it is going down to the wire, the difference could be in the pendulum swinging a millimetre either way.”

He will take heart that the gap in the championship is but a chink, while F1 heads to Monza next week, another track at which Mercedes could expect to be strong but where they can take nothing for granted, as Vettel noted. “We were nearly a second off in Silverstone. So it’s a big step. I’m very, very happy. I think we are on the right track and I don’t think we have a circuit we should fear from now.”

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/20...-prix-mercedes

[chassamui]

The two drivers are so close. From now on it comes down to 'Ferrari circuits' and 'Mercedes circuits' and who blinks first.

[harrybarracuda]

The two drivers are so close. From now on it comes down to 'Ferrari circuits' and 'Mercedes circuits' and who blinks first.

And their team mates, and safety cars, and weather.....

[VocalNeal]

Britain's interviewee version of John Force. 555

[chassamui]

^If ever a bloke was infectious about motorsports it's got to be Guy Martin. Nice find

[bobo746]

^^ Great bike rider.

[chassamui]

^ and all round decent bloke.

[bobo746]

Italy stats – Hamilton first back-to-back winner in 2017

What a week it’s been for Lewis Hamilton. Not content with rewriting the record books and taking victory in Belgium, the Mercedes driver took further statistical strides in Monza…

• After surpassing Michael Schumacher to become the all-time leader in pole positions on Saturday, Lewis Hamilton converted his 69th P1 start into his sixth victory of the season on Sunday, becoming the first driver this year to score back-to-back victories.
• The Briton has now won three of the last four races in Italy and four at Monza in total, putting him one behind Michael Schumacher for victories at the ‘Temple of Speed’.
• And speaking of Schumacher and speed, Hamilton’s winning average speed of 243.626 km/h (151.382 mph) is the fifth fastest of all-time, making the 2017 Italian Grand Prix the quickest race in F1 since the 2006 edition, which was won by Schumacher at an average of 245.814 km/h (152.742 mph).
• With victory number 59, Hamilton continues to edge closer to Schumacher on the all-time wins list too, though perhaps more importantly for the Briton he now leads the world championship for the first time this year. The last time he was atop the drivers’ standings was at exactly this point last season when he led Nico Rosberg by two points heading to Singapore.

https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/f...r-in-2017.html

[bobo746]

F1: Daniel Ricciardo’s charge to fourth earns him Italian GP Driver of the Day

DANIEL Ricciardo pulled off the overtake of the day in the Italian GP with a stunning move on Kimi Raikkonen on his way to fourth place.

The Red Bull driver had started 16th on the grid but charged through the field and his move on Raikkonen with 12 laps remaining was one of the best of the season so far.
Ricciardo left his braking to the very final moment to dive down the inside of the Ferrari into Turn One and had the Sky F1 commentators and team boss Christian Horner purring with appreciation.




https://www.foxsports.com.au/motorsp...c6511556afa0ce

[chassamui]

F1: Daniel Ricciardo’s charge to fourth earns him Italian GP Driver of the Day

Quite right too. Also a top bloke.

[harrybarracuda]

Singapore next. That's one's a bit of a lottery.

Since 2008, every race edition has featured at least one safety car, a total of 14 safety car deployments, as of 2016.

[harrybarracuda]

McLaren confirms Renault switch

by Web Editor on 15th September 2017

After months of speculation, McLaren has officially ended its agreement with Honda. It will switch to Renault power from 2018 onwards, as expected. Renault has officially concluded its agreement with Toro Rosso, too.


The story is certainly not done, as McLaren will hope the Renault power will be enough of an incentive to retain Fernando Alonso – with Williams thought to be circling. Red Bull could be affected as Renault looks to end its contract with the multiple world champions. Honda could be set to benefit, with rumours rife that Porsche is keen to take over the outfit.
A statement from McLaren said:

“The time has come to move ahead in different directions”
McLaren Technology Group and Honda Motor Co. Ltd announce they will discontinue their partnership for the FIA Formula One World Championship (F1) at the end of 2017 by mutual consent.
The McLaren Honda Formula 1 team will continue to compete for the remainder of the 2017 FIA Formula One Constructors’ and Drivers’ World Championships.
Shaikh Mohammed bin Essa Al Khalifa, McLaren Group Executive Chairman and Executive Committee principal, commented:
“Honda is a great company which, like McLaren, is in Formula 1 to win. Although our partnership has not produced the desired success, that does not diminish the great history our two companies have enjoyed together, nor our continued efforts to achieve success in Formula 1. At this point in time, it is in the best interests of both companies that we pursue our racing ambitions separately.”
Takahiro Hachigo, President & Representative Director of Honda Motor Co. Ltd, commented:
“It is unfortunate that we must part ways with McLaren before fulfilling our ambitions, however, we made the decision with a belief that this is the best course of action for each other's future. On behalf of Honda, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to fans who have been very supportive of the team as well as the drivers, team members and everyone involved who shared with us in the joys and disappointments since we began preparing for our return to F1 in 2015. Honda will continue the fight together with McLaren all the way to the end of the 2017 season, and then continue its F1 racing activities in 2018 and beyond.”
Zak Brown, Executive Director, McLaren Technology Group, said:
“There has never been any doubt over Honda’s commitment and energy to the mission of success in Formula 1. They are proven winners and innovators. For a combination of reasons our partnership has not flourished as any of us would have wished. It is certainly not for the want of effort on the part of either Honda or McLaren, but the time has come to move ahead in different directions. As fellow racers, we hope to see the great name of Honda get back to the top – our sport is better for their involvement. I know this view is shared by everyone in the sport.”
Confimation of the Renault deal followed:

Renault Sport Racing and McLaren Racing are pleased to announce they have agreed an engine supply partnership for the 2018, 2019 and 2020 seasons. The deal will see Renault Sport Racing supply McLaren with Formula 1 power units, while also establishing a close working relationship with McLaren’s engineers and technicians.

Despite a combined Formula 1 presence that stretches back to 1977 (McLaren Racing has contested 814 GPs; Renault 591 in its role as an engine manufacturer), this will mark the first time that the two brands have ever collaborated.

For McLaren Racing, the reason for the partnership is evident: Renault has demonstrated its ability to build championship-winning engines, for its own team as well as customer teams.

For Renault Sport Racing, it provides the manufacturer with a second top-level Formula 1 team able to provide it with top-class feedback in relation to the development of its engine.

McLaren Renault is a partnership that will challenge for victory.

Jérôme Stoll, President of Renault Sport Racing:
“This is a strategic decision for Renault Sport Racing. It is the first time that Renault will work with McLaren and we are proud to have reached an agreement with an organisation that has such a rich Formula 1 history. This alliance is not only technical and sporting, but also comes with marketing and communication benefits. We know that McLaren will push us hard on track and this competition will be to the benefit of all.”

Cyril Abiteboul, Managing Director, Renault Sport Racing:
“We are pleased to confirm a new partnership for Renault Sport Racing and McLaren Racing and excited to embark on this new relationship of these two historic brands in Formula 1 cooperating together for the first time. This agreement is perfectly in line with our mid-term strategy and with our objective to be in a winning position as a team in 2020. We are looking forward to seeing the Renault brand on next year’s McLaren and racing our new partners on track. McLaren is an inspirational team with two talented drivers which should not only support our engine development efforts but also act as a reference and an example in the ongoing construction of our chassis operations. This is an exciting new beginning with a championship-winning team that is hungry to return to glory.”

Shaikh Mohammed bin Essa Al Khalifa, Executive Chairman and Executive Committee principal McLaren Group:
“Renault is a manufacturer that, like McLaren, has Formula 1 deeply woven into its DNA. It introduced the concept of turbo-charging to modern F1 back in 1977, has won Grands Prix with and without turbo power, and has been a consistent pioneer and developer of new technologies in Formula 1.

“And while a Renault-powered McLaren is a new and exciting concept in Formula 1, what’s most important is that this partnership gives us the equal opportunity to compete alongside the other Renault-powered teams.

“At McLaren, we have the motivation, the desire and the resource to be a competitive force in 2018; now Renault power gives us the ability to take a significant step further up the grid.

“Today’s announcement starts a fresh chapter in the McLaren story – and we can’t wait to get started.”

Zak Brown, McLaren Technology Group Executive Director:
“Today’s announcement gives us the stability we need to move ahead with our chassis and technical programme for 2018 without any further hesitation.

“As an organisation, McLaren has always worked extremely hard to form lasting partnerships with its technical suppliers. We’re convinced that we can bring real value to Renault Sport Racing as we work alongside it to develop this current power unit into a regular race winner.”
Renault confirmed its split with Toro Rosso:

Renault Sport Racing conclude Scuderia Toro Rosso partnership
Renault Sport Racing can confirm that it has mutually agreed the termination of its partnership with Scuderia Toro Rosso at the end of the 2017 season.
Renault Sport Racing has partnered with Scuderia Toro Rosso for the 2014, 2015 and 2017 seasons, scoring 137 points in this period, with a best-finish of fourth twice achieved by Max Verstappen in 2015.
And soon followed confirmation of its Honda deal

Scuderia Toro Rosso is pleased to announce that it has reached a multi-year agreement with Honda Motor Co. Ltd. to run Honda power units starting from the 2018 Formula 1 season.
Franz Tost (Scuderia Toro Rosso, Team Principal): “Everyone in our team is very much looking forward to working with Honda. Ever since its founder Soichiro Honda entered his motorcycles in events, racing has always been a central part of the company’s ethos. It’s a very exciting challenge and I hope that both parties will gain a great deal from it as we develop together. Honda has a long history in Formula 1, dating back to 1964 when it first entered the sport with its own team and, as an engine supplier it has taken five Drivers’ World Championship titles and six Constructors. This heritage, together with the full confidence that we have in Honda’s capabilities to succeed, make me strongly believe that we will achieve a fruitful future together.’
James Key (Scuderia Toro Rosso, Technical Director):“We are very pleased with our new partnership with Honda and the opportunities this presents, and we start to work immediately. It will be a question of adaption of our plans rather than a wholesale change and we are in the process of re-planning our design and production activities in conjunction with Honda to ensure that we both hit all our important deadlines. There are some challenges to face given the time of year but Toro Rosso has faced many difficult tasks with timing in the past and has the flexibility to deal with it. We will be working hard not to only re-design the PU installation but also ensure that this has minimal or no effect on the ongoing development work for 2018 – that is our current target. The architecture of the car will change in line with the PU requirements and our chassis and gearbox designs are currently under review to be adapted accordingly, similarly we will be working closely with Honda on the performance aspects of the PU installation that the chassis will influence to ensure we maximise the potential of the package as a whole from the outset. We look forward to a strong, stable and proactive partnership with our colleagues at Honda.”
Takahiro Hachigo (President & Representative Director of Honda Motor Co., Ltd.): “Toro Rosso is an experienced team with a youthful energy and history of nurturing the stars of the future. Everyone at Honda is looking forward to working with Toro Rosso, and we are excited to start this new chapter in our Formula 1 journey with them. I would like to express our appreciation to Liberty Media and the FIA for their cooperation toward the realization of this partnership. Honda and Toro Rosso will work as one team to strive for progress and a successful future together. We appreciate the support of our fans as we begin this challenge.”
Confirmation that Sainz will join Renault

Twenty-three year-old Carlos has raced in 53 Formula 1 Grands Prix since making his debut at the start of the 2015 season in Australia. To date he has scored 100 points, with a best finishing position of sixth achieved four times. Prior to Formula 1, Carlos won the Formula Renault 3.5 Series in 2014 as well as the Formula Renault 2.0 NEC championship in 2011.
Cyril Abiteboul, Managing Director, Renault Sport Racing:
“Carlos Sainz is a very promising driver who has been on our radar for some time, especially after his successes in Renault junior formulae. It is positive news for us to be able to confirm Carlos for 2018. This choice is well aligned with our mid-term strategic plans. We feel that Nico and Carlos will complement each other on and off track and the combination should help us push forwards on the grid. I would like to thank Helmut Marko for loaning Carlos to us for this period. We must thank Jolyon for his ongoing hard work with the team and his efforts over the past two seasons. He is a dedicated driver and we wish him the best in the next steps of his career.”
Carlos Sainz:
“I’m very happy to be joining Renault Sport Formula One Team. To be a Formula 1 driver for a manufacturer team is an honour and I hope to reward Renault’s faith in me with my very best performances on track. The trajectory of Renault Sport Formula One Team is exciting and I’m proud to join at such an important time in their history. I am looking forward to working with everyone at Enstone and Viry, and driving alongside Nico Hülkenberg. I have worked closely with Renault in Formula 1 and previously in motorsport, so I know their motivation and capabilities. This is the start of a very exciting new chapter in my career. I would like to say thank you to Red Bull for all their confidence and support and for allowing me to take this opportunity. Last but not least, I specially want to thank all the people that work in Toro Rosso. They are a fantastic team of professionals and I wish them the best for the future.”
Dr Helmut Marko, Red Bull Motorsport Consultant:
“We are happy to have reached an agreement for Carlos to drive for Renault Sport Formula One Team in 2018. He is a tremendous talent and he will benefit from working with a manufacturer team alongside a highly experienced driver. This will give Carlos a different challenge and we will be keenly watching his progress there as he remains part of the Red Bull family. This is very good development for both Carlos and Renault Sport Formula One Team and will also allow us to bring a new talent into Formula One."

McLaren confirms Renault switch | Motor Sport Magazine

[harrybarracuda]

Despite having the pace, all the Red Bulls could do was split Vettel (pole) and Kimi (fourth), with the Mercedes half a second off the pace on the third row.

No doubt Mercedes will be hoping for a few safety cars to screw up the undercuts.

[harrybarracuda]

Well Mercedes must be the happiest as we have our first ever wet night race. Everyone starting on inters or wets.

If we don't get a safety car today, my name is Harry Van Der Barracuda.

[harrybarracuda]

Beautiful!

Carnage at the first corner, Vettel's out, Raikkonen is out, Verstappen is out!

Hamilton leads under a safety car.