F1 2022: French GP - Le Castellet (July 24)

[NYG]

Originally Posted by G80M4

porpoising has nothing to do with smooth or bumpy track, it's an underbody aero ground effect

Of course it does - a bumpy track interrupts airflow by upsetting the suspension.

[GuidoK]

Originally Posted by EdM5

Interestingly, Max is at the moment almost driving like 'the professor' Alain Prost in his heyday. Fast, clean, no mistakes and a very cool head.

I think he has a way more spectacular and playful driving style than Prost had.

For instance look at the last corner he took; he put down a nice powerslide.
See at 5:47

10sec lead so no necessity, but I guess it's his way of celibrating.
I don't think Prost did this. My guess it would be more of a Senna thing

Max last year in monaco in the last corner: same thing, powersliding (4:13):

I think one time he got a fine because he did burnouts at the finish for his team? (I think in Austria last year?)
So it is his thing.

I love it when a F1 driver is still also a bit of a hoonigan

[G30M]

Originally Posted by ///M Power-Belgium

MIA = Missing in Action ?

Can be a RB strategy mistake as well ...

They can see it also behind the pitwall when the yellow is gone and scream over Checo's onboard radio :
GO !

But yeah , as I said Checo was sleep-walking today..

IMHO. Checo didn't looked motivated today !
Can be the heat . But it was was everyone too hot today..

the theory going around is that Checo is testing RB's new floor that is needed to replace their currently illegal magic carpet floor

[M5Rick]

^ It's not illegal and Rao has said that this 'proposal' on floors is at the moment just that and could be withdrawn as it should because it's suspected she herself gave info to a team or teams of how to stop the jumping by re-routing aero tubes and fitting struts to cars that were jumping.

[M5Rick]

Originally Posted by NickyC

I tell you what. In a world of constant lies and a lack of holding people in power accountable for anything, it was incredibly refreshing to hear Charles admitting his mistake and the humility in his voice. It’s so rare to get that type of honesty these days, especially when the stakes are so high. He’s a good guy and I hope he has a lot of success going forward.

The problem with being a good guy though is the killers are going to walk all over you. Max and Hamilton will never hold back where I think Charles might not have what it takes to win at this level.

Decent race, I just wish Ferrari would stop being Ferrari so we could have a close championship!

There are many ifs and buts but Leclerc could have let Max by and put the pressure on him following keeping in mind it is said he had the slightly quicker car.
As the saying goes it's easier to follow than struggle at the front which Lec was doing and there could be more to it than we all know with Chas uttering a throttle problem when he hit the barrier.

[yco]

7 seconds difference after first 7 laps shows the pace difference between Ferrari-Red Bull and Mercs.. its not a difference that you can tolerate with talent.. i hope Mercs will get faster before season ends..

i felt terrible for Leclerc but ironically the same incident made believe even more in Leclerc.. took the full responsibility like a top-notch racing driver.. he ll come out of this stronger..

and yeah.. Ferrari strategy calls.. gosh.. yeah maybe he d have a puncture but they wouldnt be the only one taking that risk.. it really cost Sainz a possible win.. if you consider there was a VSC towards the end he could even change his tires anyway.. Ferrari acts so so weird sometimes..

[MontyB1]

Leclerc has given lots of points away, 78 points so far this year in crashes and reliability retirements, F1 is too close at the top these days to win a title and throw away that many points or not take them from your rivals.

Ferrari are back to their fragile Italian ways, they have the raw speed just the pressure and reliability and tactical errors are letting them down again, has been the same for years now in a post and pre Ross Brawn eras.

As for Merc they are still a mile off but keep scoring points with a solid reliable performance they are second only to McLaren in doing the most laps this season with Ferrari completing the least and RB are slap bang in the middle.

Will be interesting to see what the revised floor regs do for the teams and who is affected. Some have said no impact, but I hear that isn't the case and that some have created so very fancy solutions to meet the current reg that they will have to engineer our at significant cost and potential performance expense but we shall see.

The revised McLaren also seems to be offering some great pace again which is good. Haas still doing well but a big update for the car due in Hungary I hope it goes well for them.

The dud for me is Aston, how the hell can they change the car so much and still perform so badly, they are a mess and I'm not a fan of Stroll (owner) so that's fine by me.

Although many teams go on an enforced 'break' over the summer I expect lots of tweaked and changed cars when racing returns, can't wait its been a great season so far with some genuinely close racing at times.

[M5Rick]

FIA have to shelve this floor alteration proposal as it has come about far too late in the season to design the '23 car around it.
The reduced budget for next years cars will make the smaller teams suffer even more with some which may even depart F1 altogether if they're too far into building their '23 car and it can be seen that on the whole the jumping on all the cars affected has been virtually eradicated so it's not a safety issue any more which the Fia is basing all this on.

[///M Power-Belgium]

Originally Posted by G80M4

the theory going around is that Checo is testing RB's new floor that is needed to replace their currently illegal magic carpet floor

According to Horner the RB18 floor is within the new FIA spec/regulations .
The most flexible floor of the field is the Mercedes floor , that's why they use floor stays.
The most flexible front wing is also the Mercedes front wing .

Mercedes got 2 new floors in the last 2 races . The Russell boy is now suddenly slower than HAM because he was the Mercedes test-mule as well ..

Even MAX was in 2 races the Red Bull test-mule . He ran 2 races with a new prototype rear wing , but his DRS wasn't working .

=> https://www.youtube.com/shorts/4T3WSjvtKOU

MAX ran 2 races without DRS (Spain and Baku) because the new rear wing was too light and his DRS failed completely ..

[EdM5]

Originally Posted by GuidoK

I think he has a way more spectacular and playful driving style than Prost had.

You're absolutely right about the driving style! Max resembles Senna or even Schumi.
But I was referring to the cool headedness. Prost hardly ever made mistakes. He was cool when other drivers qualified in front of him. But he was patient and waited for his chance. Took care of the tyres and the strategy. Stayed out of trouble as well. Mind you, he raced against and defeated Lauda, Senna, Mansell and Piquet.
That kind of behaviour is what I see in Max lately. And as I said, It will get him (lots of) championships.

[Pauldunlop13]

Originally Posted by NYG

My take on post-race;

1) French GP is still garbage - even with the new cars. This is the track that needs to go.
2) Charles screaming "Noooooooo" really hit me in the feels - that was dark. I don't think he was going to win that race but I feel his pain and I really sympathize with his accident;
3) CHARLES IS NOT WDC MATERIAL YET. There's no doubt he will be a WDC one day and that he is 100% capable of challenging Max, there is a huge difference between Max and Charles currently. I don't say that as an attack on Charles but Max was also at this point a few years ago. The most important thing is he can not let this stuff break him.
4) Merc is really not as good as their podium results seem. They're improving but they're only up there because Sainz started in last + penalty, Leclerc crashed and Checo had a mediocre weekend in general.
5) Ferrari's real fight in the constructors is Mercedes for 2nd, which they should, ultimately, win.
6) The most important thing right now is that Ferrari doesn't lose sight of Charles' ceiling in order to get some quick results out of Carlos only to lose him - this wouldn't really surprise any of us right?
7) Max Verstappen is now tied for 8th in all time GP wins. There's a chance that in the next 2 years he could potentially be THIRD in all time GP wins - if you're a non LH44 fan; you truly appreciate the fact that you're watching a legend pave his way through F1 history.

or I am an LH44 fan, and I can still appreciate all of Max's successes and progress

[Pauldunlop13]

Originally Posted by G80M4

serious question

Merc have magically stopped porpoising?

one race they were shaking like a vibrator the next race calm as a cucumber in the fridge

but how?

I can tell what is on your mind today.....HAHA

[NYG]

Originally Posted by Pauldunlop13

or I am an LH44 fan, and I can still appreciate all of Max's successes and progress

You are a diamond in a haystack my friend.

[///M Power-Belgium]

Originally Posted by NYG

You are a diamond in a haystack my friend.

LMFAO !

[Bubbles]

Russell reminds me of a primary school class delegate. Self-important paroliere/windbag/tekstdichter/ and should be removed as GPDA director. He is too inexperienced and appears to be using the position for personal gain.

It should go to someone who does NOT want the position (Bottas, Albon).

[M5Rick]

Can't remember if race highlights were posted so here it is

[///M Power-Belgium]

Originally Posted by M5Rick

Can't remember if race highlights were posted so here it is

This was Ferrari's second big mistake !
How can they release Carlito at that moment ?

"The 5 sec. penalty for Carlito"
This looks so damn wrong and dangerous !

[M5Rick]

Originally Posted by ///M Power-Belgium

This was Ferrari's second big mistake !
How can they release Carlito at that moment ?

"The 5 sec. penalty for Carlito"
This looks so damn wrong and dangerous !

No lollipop man, no green or red lights it just looked up to Carlito if he went lol

[Artemis]

Originally Posted by MontyB1

Leclerc has given lots of points away, 78 points so far this year in crashes and reliability retirements, F1 is too close at the top these days to win a title and throw away that many points or not take them from your rivals.

As the top drivers are so darn good, the smallest pilot error, car issue, pit crew mistake or questionable team order, can significantly compromise qualifying or race results. Verstappen, Leclerc, Perez and Sainz had their share of tough luck this season, to the benefit of Hamilton and Russell (who would have indisputably scored less points if the top 4 had managed to end all races in a decent way).

In my book, the best qualifying lap of 2021 was one that did not get to the finish line (and so without time): Verstappen taking his car to the very limit in Q3 at 2021 Jeddah in an incredibly bold fashion. Some may say that he was recklessly on a crash course. Others (including myself) may say that he deserves respect for having tried to perform a brilliant lap around that very dangerous circuit. True that he could have kept his car safe from harm by taking less risks, but he accepted the risk. Most drivers don't, out of fear to throw it all away.

YouTuber: "Just so you understand how insane this lap was by Verstappen, watch the brake/throttle telemetry data after turn 2. He never lifts on turns 5-6 and the rest of the lap, he is later on the brakes and earlier on the throttle than Lewis, who in relation to their laps is a tenth or two down. Downright insane shit from Max":

I hope that the gap between Verstappen and Leclerc narrows again so that these two main rivals can fight it out. The season ain't over yet. Still 10 races and a Sprint (Brazil) to go.

[///M Power-Belgium]

Originally Posted by artemis

as the top drivers are so darn good, the smallest pilot error, car issue, pit crew mistake or questionable team order, can significantly compromise qualifying or race results. Verstappen, leclerc, perez and sainz had their share of tough luck this season, to the benefit of hamilton and russell (who would have indisputably scored less points if the top 4 had managed to end all races in a decent way).

In my book, the best qualifying lap of 2021 was one that did not get to the finish line (and so without time): Verstappen taking his car to the very limit in q3 at 2021 jeddah in an incredibly bold fashion. Some may say that he was recklessly on a crash course. Others (including myself) may say that he deserves respect for having tried to perform a brilliant lap around that very dangerous circuit. True that he could have kept his car safe from harm by taking less risks, but he accepted the risk. Most drivers don't, out of fear to throw it all away.

*****

[Killed by Death]

[M5Rick]

Some relaxing moments for the pilots