F1 - GP (General Purpose)

Chode ^ | 8/5/2009 | Chode

[Chode]

This will be a general purpose thread for F1 news and pings that really don't require a thread of their own.

[Paal Gulli]

I missed this when it ran a couple of weeks ago, but I'm a YUGE fan so I had to post it here.

Published on 14 April (I can't find when the actual event was), The Mod Scot drove his last lap in an F1 car. 3x WDC Jackie Stewart drove the same Tyrrell he won the 1973 WDC in around the Bahrain F1 circuit.

The trim on his racing helmet featured a halo of Royal Stewart tartan but I have never seen any reference to him being related to Scotland's last royal family. Then again, Royal Stewart is one of those "free-for-all" tartans, like Rob Roy and Black Watch, so anyone may wear it without accusations of "putting on airs." So he might well have been wearing it just to honor his Scottish heritage.

The primarily blue tartan you often see him wearing (both on his flat cap and sometimes his slacks, too) is one of his own creation called "Racing Stewart." Some years ago the Scottish tartan registry liberalized its rules and now (for a fee) anyone can register any new, original tartan design they wish.

Sir Jackie is 85 years of age. He's still driving F1 cars and I'm hoping I still can find my car keys when I'm 85.

[dfwgator]

SCTV - Jackie Stewart’s Wide World of High Voices

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fjwvqzzKIYY

[Paal Gulli]

The reason Sir Jackie put on his nomex again at 85 was to promote his and wife Helen's charity, The Race Against Dementia, which they started because Helen has been diagnosed with the disorder.

The helmet Sir Jackie is wearing was signed by all 20 living World Driving Chapions and will be auctioned for the cause. He drove around the circuit "posing" for a camera car to give the helmet provenance.

The scrawl on the right cheekpiece is "MS," for Michael Schumacher. Except Elisabetta Gregoraci (Flavio Briatore's ex-wife) spilled the beans and told the world that his eyes are the only body part that Michael has even the least voluntary control over. Son Mick has also stated in plain language that he and Michael can't "talk." So obviously Corinna has put the pen in Michael's hand, clasped it in her own, and "drawn" his initials on the helmet.

Fine. Well and good. All for a worthy cause. Except former teammate Johnny Hebert reads this shoots his mouth off, 'Maybe this means Michael is on the mend.' 'Maybe we'll be seeing him back in the paddock soon.'

So now the F1 press is running with the rumor that Schumey is getting better. Which must be torture for poor Corinna, who knows better.

[Paal Gulli]

Several F1 news sites are running this story but none of them have complete lists, imagery of the rankings, or details of how the scoring was weighted.

And I've looked at the alleged source site, time2play.com, and I can't find the study there so I don't know where these news sites got this information unless they've been given a preview by time2play.

Data exposes Lewis Hamilton as most underwhelming driver on F1 2025 grid

Data exposes Lewis Hamilton as the most underwhelming driver on the F1 2025 grid as the seven-time world champion struggles to find form, thanks to a a recent study conducted by Time2play as the Brit aims to bounce back at the Miami International Autodrome...

...Time2play’s study is based on a combination of factors, including total points, podium finishes, race results, and the driver’s salary and together they ultimately create a ranking based on these values.

By compiling these data points over the 2023 and 2024 seasons, the findings show that the underperformance score of Hamilton at 4.2 points is the highest of all competitors; a stat that ultimately exposes him as the most underwhelming driver on the F1 2025 grid.

However, the study also suggests his woes are not limited to just him as Leclerc also ranks among the top five underperforming drivers, taking third place with a score of 2.0 points....

[Paal Gulli]

Peter Windsor thinks F1 might be in for a "rude awakening" because Jack Doohan had a moment after he forgot to close his DRS at Suzuka.

Windsor looks into his crystal ball and thinks this spells trouble for 2026's active aero.

On reading this, three thoughts came to mind.

#1, Maybe the Suzuka shunt had something to do with the fact that Doohan isn't F1 material. Alpine came to that conclusion after Miami and fired him.

#2, the Chaparral 2f.

SS,DD. The driver adjusted the wing angle by a foot switch. Eight races, one win, zero crashes. Almost 60 years ago.

I know I'm older than Windsor but I'd have thought his auto racing education was better than that.

#3, Airplanes. They use "active aero." In fact the standard configuration of the airplane has included active aero for going on 120 years.

Makes you wonder what evil F1 thinks could happen from using driver-adjustable aero. At least it gets over the "cheat to pass" silliness of DRS.

[Paal Gulli]

Jochen Mass died Sunday, aged 78, from complications from a stroke.

He drove for Surtees, McLaren, ATS, Arrows and March from 1973 to 1980 and in 1982. Had 114 starts, one win (Spain, 1975) and eight podium finishes.

Also drove LeMans 12 times, including a Group C1 win in 1989.

Jochen was universally liked in F1 and resented the saying, “Nice guys finish last.” Born in Bavaria in 1946 and died in Cannes, France.

[Paal Gulli]

The 2025 F1 McLaren is faster - so why does Verstappen keep beating it to poles?

The author's answer comes down to one part on the Red Bull: the nut holding the steering wheel.

Max has ice water in his veins and drives more mistake-free qualy laps than the guys in the papaya cars. It just takes more than one lap for "those other guys" to exploit their cars' superiority.

[Paal Gulli]

Remarkable George Russell stat shows he deserves new Mercedes F1 deal

Six races in to 2025 and Russell has come between second and fifth in every qualy and every sprint and every race.

[NFHale]

Sad news. RIP and Godspeed home, Jochen

[Paal Gulli]

La Gazzette Dello Sport labels Hambone's Miami qualifying performance "indigestible."

"... Then qualifying was once again indigestible, with Hamilton falling in 3 hours from third place [in the sprint] to elimination in Q2...."

I'm not sure it's possible for the Italian press to use an adjective any more critical than "indigestible."

The rest of the European press is one thing but when the guys who print their newspaper on pink paper get down on you, it's time to nut up or pack up.

[Chode]

thx, good stuff...

[God luvs America]

Flavio back in F1!!

Alpine team principal Oliver Oakes has resigned from his position with immediate effect, with Flavio Briatore taking over his responsibilities.

Oakes was only named team principal of Alpine last summer, beginning work in August and first attending a race in his role at Zandvoort after the mid-season shutdown. The Briton had been due to speak to the media on Sunday night after the Miami Grand Prix but that session was cancelled due to a change of travel plans, with the general belief being that it was to avoid facing multiple questions about potential driver line-up changes.

https://racer.com/2025/05/06/team-boss-oakes-makes-shock-exit-from-alpine/

[Lockbox]

As previously stated, "there is more action off track then on track".... especially when Flavio Briatore is involved...

The 15 girl friends of Flavio, how did he make it to 75 years old?

Personally I think Flavio goes racing to rest up.....

[God luvs America]

Link?? I need names to see if there are any nudes....

[Lockbox]

https://m.famousfix.com/topic/flavio-briatore/dating

[Paal Gulli]

"Link?? I need names to see if there are any nudes...."

OF FLAVIO ???!!!

DEWD, that's just sick.

/sarc

[Chode]

*

[BBB333]

“Flavio back in F1!!”

---

He’s a lying, deceitful crook.

Bad for F1.

Thanks for your post though.

[Paal Gulli]

"He’s a lying, deceitful crook...."

To be honest, he's only two-thirds of "a lying, deceitful crook...." because while he's been on his "F1 sabbatical" he's lost the weight the equivalent of one of his ex-wives. Hopefully even with his new weight class they won't show any more swimsuit photos of him because the last one caused me to gouge out one eye with a spoon, so now I'm a little short on spares.

Flavio Briatore: from fraudster to fashion executive to F1 boss

Flavio Briatore’s wild life – kid with Heidi Klum, Wonderbra model wife, football failure

[BBB333]

To be honest, he’s only two-thirds of “a lying, deceitful crook....”

---

You got me laughing on that one.

I DO recall all the photos in the water — I believe some of them were taken while causing on his (and a partner or two’s) LARGE motor yacht, I believe they ran afoul of the EU for trying to duck the 18% VAT tax (if it’s a rental it does not have to pay VAT) they were just ‘renting it out’ to each other. Pure fraud.