The Racing Thread

[AWP]

@AWP The Canadian GP was absolutely great.

Agree. It was a combination of what makes F1 great in my opinion. It isn't just pure racing, cars, and driver talent; It includes the strategy necessary to win. Sure, people are turned off by the somewhat lack of "fight" on the track to win, but there's so much more to that than meets the eye. The Russell-Hamilton-Piastri battle in the last 10 laps is a great example of car, man, and strategy needed to win in F1. Back marker drama with Alpine and Haas are worthy of a fan's attention. Undercut, overcut, etc.

And this is all before one delves into F1 politics and off-grid drama.

Yeah, yeah, yeah "Drive to Survive" and all that, but for a racing fan, F1 has a lot to offer. I spend less time on F1 than I did with fantasy football in the NFL and have the same reward. Pun somewhat intended: your mileage may vary.

 

[Archangel27]

The best part of being a US viewer is usually bring able to wake up and watch the race on Sunday mornings. I was so annoyed that Monaco was a bore fest especially because that was the race broadcast on ABC for free.

 

[Archangel27]

Yeah, yeah, yeah "Drive to Survive" and all that, but for a racing fan, F1 has a lot to offer. I spend less time on F1 than I did with fantasy football in the NFL and have the same reward. Pun somewhat intended: your mileage may vary.

Drive to Survive got SO MANY JOES interested in F1. Lot of us were watching from Poland or Germany last year. Plenty of Checo Perez fans. I was also super stoked the Vegas race wasn't a bust.

 

[AWP]

Drive to Survive got SO MANY JOES interested in F1. Lot of us were watching from Poland or Germany last year. Plenty of Checo Perez fans. I was also super stoked the Vegas race wasn't a bust.

I tried DTS and found it to be too...contrived. I know it brought in a ton of fans to the US, but I lost interest after 3 or 4 episodes.

I wish Sainz would make up his mind and sign with a team. I think he'd be a fool to pass up on Williams.

 

[Archangel27]

I tried DTS and found it to be too...contrived. I know it brought in a ton of fans to the US, but I lost interest after 3 or 4 episodes.

I wish Sainz would make up his mind and sign with a team. I think he'd be a fool to pass up on Williams.

My understanding there's a big money contract at Audi/Sauber or a 4 year contract with an exit clause after 2 at Williams. I can understand why it would be difficult.

 

[AWP]

My understanding there's a big money contract at Audi/Sauber or a 4 year contract with an exit clause after 2 at Williams. I can understand why it would be difficult.

I think Williams will be in a better spot with Vowles running the team for a few years. Mercedes typically does well with powerplant changes, and Audi is an unknown. Haas and Alpine are improving, but still a bit of an unknown, especially with Renault indicating it might leave F1. Andretti buying Alpine (unlikely) is still a problem because they are contracted with Renault for engines through 2028.

The Chinese market is the only reason for Zhou to have a seat. Bottas to Alpine wouldn't surprise me. Sainz taking Williams over Sauber is where the market gets ridiculous.

 

[Archangel27]

Andretti buying Alpine (unlikely) is still a problem because they are contracted with Renault for engines through 2028.

From what I know, the Renault/Andretti agreement expired when the FIA/FOM dragged their feet. My understanding is Renault at the time would be happy to renegotiate for similar terms, but you’re right now that any sale of Alpine would be not just the team entry but likely include both the team in the UK and the engine factory in France - probably contingent on them not losing their jobs because French law is very sticky about job firings.

Now the rumor I’ve heard is that the head honchos at Renault are considering dumping the engines entirely for 2026, forcing Honda to supply an engine to Alpine, so who knows right now.

 

[AWP]

From what I know, the Renault/Andretti agreement expired when the FIA/FOM dragged their feet. My understanding is Renault at the time would be happy to renegotiate for similar terms, but you’re right now that any sale of Alpine would be not just the team entry but likely include both the team in the UK and the engine factory in France - probably contingent on them not losing their jobs because French law is very sticky about job firings.

Now the rumor I’ve heard is that the head honchos at Renault are considering dumping the engines entirely for 2026, forcing Honda to supply an engine to Alpine, so who knows right now.

For weeks the gossip rags have said this is the weekend silly season will happen and some drivers are echoing that thought.

2026 will be interesting. The teams just don't like the new regs, particularly the engine requirements. Something I never thought about until I read Newey's book is how much the engine influences the aero. You have to distribute so many modules around the chassis AND make the aero work. The FIA's dithering on approving the 2026 rules has hurt the teams.

 

[AWP]

Austria was unreal, what a great ending.

 

[GOTWA]

Austria was unreal, what a great ending.

Good racing all around honestly.

 

[GOTWA]

Bearman signed with Haas. Is this the start of the dominoes?

 

[AWP]

Bearman signed with Haas. Is this the start of the dominoes?

Everyone expected Sainz to be the catalyst, but I think Carlos is overplaying his hand and the teams are tired of his shenanigans. Bearman to Haas is a no-brainer, but it takes up another seat. The dam is crumbling and Sainz could dither his way into driving in Formula E next year.

 

[GOTWA]

Everyone expected Sainz to be the catalyst, but I think Carlos is overplaying his hand and the teams are tired of his shenanigans. Bearman to Haas is a no-brainer, but it takes up another seat. The dam is crumbling and Sainz could dither his way into driving in Formula E next year.

I also wouldn't be surprised if he's already committed to merc, and toto being the one making the rest of the field sweat a little.

 

[AWP]

I also wouldn't be surprised if he's already committed to merc, and toto being the one making the rest of the field sweat a little.

That would be awesome just for the entertainment value, but I think they will go with Kimi. They see George as the future and can grow Kimi into the role.

Sainz is an idiot if he blows off Williams for Alpine, but I have to wonder if Alpine is all he has left.

 

[GOTWA]

Kimi to Williams, Sainz to Merc. Ocon left without a ride. Alpine...no idea. Either way, I can't imagine he can wait much longer.

 

[GOTWA]

@AWP have you seen the rumors of Ocon to Haas? Guess Ill have a new team to hate next year.

 

[AWP]

@AWP have you seen the rumors of Ocon to Haas? Guess Ill have a new team to hate next year.

I have. So many rumors are flying around...Look at the seats left and Ocon is forced into Haas. Period. If he wants to remain in F1 he can drive for Haas or learn how to change tires.

Also, despite being an American team, Haas can go fuck itself.

 

[GOTWA]

How dare you! You at least have to admit, that KMag has the best hair in motorsports.

 

[AWP]

How dare you! You at least have to admit, that KMag has the best hair in motorsports.

To be fair, Haas has the best hair in all of F1. KMag and Hulk look like a Waffen SS recruiting poster. If I had to rank the F1 teams by driver's hair:
1. Haas.
2. Kick Sauber Audi (This is all Bottas)
3. Alpine. They look like fuckbois but fuckbois have great hair.
4. RB VCarb CashApp EIEIO. Isn't Yuki adorable?
5. Aston Martin (would score higher if "bed head" were in fashion)
6. Williams. Sargeant carries this team for once
7. McLaren. Oscar's a living Hermie the Elf from Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer.
8. Red Bull. Finally, Checo brings something to the team.
9. Mercedes...FFS Lewis, pick something.
10. Fuck Ferrari because Ferrari

 

[AWP]

I just looked at qualifying for Silverstone. What the fuck just happened in England? We're in the End Times, aren't we?