F1 2024: Italian GP - Monza (Sep 1)

[dfox]

Originally Posted by AmuroRay

Sir, to Americans, UK is European.

UK is European. There really is no disputing that. Sure it's "different" politically, but it's part of the geographical area of Europe.

There hasn't been a non-European who won the WDC since 1997, Jacques Villeneuve. Interesting to see his path, mostly through IndyCar, but no doubt he only got the chance because of his father's track record in F1 for Ferrari.

[dfox]

Also, had an interesting conversation with some friends yesterday. We're wondering if Checo's ho-hum performance as of late is because the team told him if he crashes again he's out. They can't afford to build another car for him, whether it's his fault or K-Mag slamming him into the wall. That's why RB told Williams that if they wanted Lawson, they'd have to be willing to give him up at a moment's notice. Similar to Logan, you crash, you're gone.

I feel like he's capable of more, but he's been backing down in every wheel to wheel situation, and really isn't pushing the car like he has in the past. His wins have mostly been because of strategy, not wheel to wheel racing that he's been known for in the past.

He was very content to just stay at 6th place last weekend. Watching the pace map, it looked like he had the pace to catch Sainz, but just hung back. When Russel started catching him, he just sped up, but I'm sure Merc thought they'd have no problem catching him on fresh tires.

[TheBingoBalls]

Originally Posted by dfox

Also, had an interesting conversation with some friends yesterday. We're wondering if Checo's ho-hum performance as of late is because the team told him if he crashes again he's out. They can't afford to build another car for him, whether it's his fault or K-Mag slamming him into the wall. That's why RB told Williams that if they wanted Lawson, they'd have to be willing to give him up at a moment's notice. Similar to Logan, you crash, you're gone.

I feel like he's capable of more, but he's been backing down in every wheel to wheel situation, and really isn't pushing the car like he has in the past. His wins have mostly been because of strategy, not wheel to wheel racing that he's been known for in the past.

He was very content to just stay at 6th place last weekend. Watching the pace map, it looked like he had the pace to catch Sainz, but just hung back. When Russel started catching him, he just sped up, but I'm sure Merc thought they'd have no problem catching him on fresh tires.

I mean that’s not a bad strategy if you’re Red Bull. At this point in the season, your only objective is to play wingman and not to f—k anything up, limit any losses to McLaren for WCC and you’re good - no need to play hero for anything.

[Killed by Death]

Doesn't Ferrari have bigger things to worry about than new race suits

[CMW33]

Originally Posted by dfox

Also, had an interesting conversation with some friends yesterday. We're wondering if Checo's ho-hum performance as of late is because the team told him if he crashes again he's out. They can't afford to build another car for him, whether it's his fault or K-Mag slamming him into the wall. That's why RB told Williams that if they wanted Lawson, they'd have to be willing to give him up at a moment's notice. Similar to Logan, you crash, you're gone.

I feel like he's capable of more, but he's been backing down in every wheel to wheel situation, and really isn't pushing the car like he has in the past. His wins have mostly been because of strategy, not wheel to wheel racing that he's been known for in the past.

He was very content to just stay at 6th place last weekend. Watching the pace map, it looked like he had the pace to catch Sainz, but just hung back. When Russel started catching him, he just sped up, but I'm sure Merc thought they'd have no problem catching him on fresh tires.

Interesting theory. I kind of think the opposite: he was fine as a number 2 when the RB18 and RB19 were so dominant that driving at 9/10s was mostly sufficient for a good result. Now that something more is required since the RB20 is not all-conquering like its predecessors, he's become quite a bit more erratic and mistake-prone. Didn't he ding up the car as recently as Q1 in Hungary? And also at Silverstone before that, when his job was already very much on the line? A cautious playing-not-to-lose Perez doesn't do that, I think.

[Killed by Death]

Originally Posted by CMW33

Interesting theory. I kind of think the opposite: he was fine as a number 2 when the RB18 and RB19 were so dominant that driving at 9/10s was mostly sufficient for a good result. Now that something more is required since the RB20 is not all-conquering like its predecessors, he's become quite a bit more erratic and mistake-prone. Didn't he ding up the car as recently as Q1 in Hungary? And also at Silverstone before that, when his job was already very much on the line? A cautious playing-not-to-lose Perez doesn't do that, I think.

IF Perez is playing it safe it to keep his job he isn't a racer anymore is he.

[dfox]

Originally Posted by CMW33

Interesting theory. I kind of think the opposite: he was fine as a number 2 when the RB18 and RB19 were so dominant that driving at 9/10s was mostly sufficient for a good result. Now that something more is required since the RB20 is not all-conquering like its predecessors, he's become quite a bit more erratic and mistake-prone. Didn't he ding up the car as recently as Q1 in Hungary? And also at Silverstone before that, when his job was already very much on the line? A cautious playing-not-to-lose Perez doesn't do that, I think.

I don't think his place was on the line until Hungary. I think that's where the ultimatum was set. The media wants his head, but I don't think Horner does. I believe about 0.1% of what the media posts about F1. The rest of it is fake news click bait that's justified as "rumors".

His previous racing form was taking big risks. Sometimes they played out like in Sakhir in 2020. Other times he ended up in the wall. Sometimes he played super defense like 2021 Abu Dhabi where he held up Hamilton and let Max catch up. He was driving like that earlier in the season, but it resulted in a bunch of crashes and now he's stopped. My theory is he was given an ultimatum, don't crash again or you're out. So he's running conservatively. Holding positions and taking the points he can keep, rather than fighting to get higher up while risking another crash.

Just a theory.

[///M Power-Belgium]

Originally Posted by Killed by Death

Doesn't Ferrari have bigger things to worry about than new race suits

Honestly my friend , they look like Belgian horse jockeys...

Made by the Italian idiots (!)

[Killed by Death]

Originally Posted by ///M Power-Belgium

Honestly my friend , they look like Belgian horse jockeys...

Made by the Italian idiots (!)

Wait till next year and hammy gets hold of the fashion department

[///M Power-Belgium]

Originally Posted by Killed by Death

Wait till next year and hammy gets hold of the fashion department

Then we'll see them in a dress my friend .

[Killed by Death]

The FIA has extended the DRS zone on the main straight by 103 meters.
The goal is to increase the number of overtakes.

[G30M]

Originally Posted by Killed by Death

IF Perez is playing it safe it to keep his job he isn't a racer anymore is he.

He's (& D Ric are) there for Horner to show the Austrians who's in charge.

No other reason for these guys to be there.

[G30M]

Originally Posted by Killed by Death

The FIA has extended the DRS zone on the main straight by 103 meters.
The goal is to increase the number of overtakes.

I'd love to see a sprint race with no DRS limits and mandatory full tank of fuel.

[AmuroRay]

Originally Posted by Killed by Death

The FIA has extended the DRS zone on the main straight by 103 meters.
The goal is to increase the number of overtakes.

Cars should be overtaking in braking and corners. Less DRS, more smaller cars.

[dfox]

Originally Posted by G30M

He's (& D Ric are) there for Horner to show the Austrans who's in charge.

No other reason for these guys to be there.

I still like Checo and hope to see him return to form... he's not so far removed from decent form that I think it's impossible. Ric on the other hand, he's so far removed from his strong driving days that yes, he just needs to move on.

[M5Rick]

Originally Posted by Killed by Death

The FIA has extended the DRS zone on the main straight by 103 meters.
The goal is to increase the number of overtakes.

That basically gives McLaren the race on a plate.

[M5Rick]

Originally Posted by Killed by Death

Doesn't Ferrari have bigger things to worry about than new race suits

Big mistake when Vasseur came in, been saying all along. Ferrari F1 team has turned into a clown show.

[M5Rick]

Originally Posted by Killed by Death

IF Perez is playing it safe it to keep his job he isn't a racer anymore is he.

RBR can't afford anymore $1.5M or so repair bills anymore every time Serge crashes, in fact gone way over the budget give line.
That said how Wiliams got away with not having a new tub with Sergeants crash is beyond me.

[M5Rick]

Originally Posted by G30M

I'd love to see a sprint race with no DRS limits and mandatory full tank of fuel.

Bringing back just normal GP races and fewer of them (24 is just crazy now) all the time with no engine wearing sprints and reintroducing refuelling would fix it for me. After all road cars need refuelling and F1 is loosely based on road cars.
The cars are huge now and need to be made smaller more nimble to make tyres last longer, naturally the half EV side coming would need scrapping also and while I'm at it the whole f ia shebang in Paris need to be ousted and taken over by a fan based organisation.

[///M Power-Belgium]

Originally Posted by Killed by Death

The FIA has extended the DRS zone on the main straight by 103 meters.
The goal is to increase the number of overtakes.

Your boy Charlie is a 'King in Italy ...

[fs1977]

Colapinto has already been replaced

[M5Rick]

Originally Posted by fs1977

Colapinto has already been replaced

If experienced Albon is having trouble even keeping that 4 wheel b@tch on the track then Cola' will be having a baptism of fire for the rest of the season.