Posted on 08/05/2009 7:57:45 PM PDT by Chode
This will be a general purpose thread for F1 news and pings that really don't require a thread of their own.
Hambone claims the F1 press’s reporting on his crappy driving is the reason his support team is stressed out.
https://www.gpblog.com/en/news/hamilton-makes-daunting-admission-last-night-i-was-up-until-6-am
In Hamboneland, everything is always everybody else’s fault.
Lawrence Stroll says emphatically he will not be hiring Christian Horner for Aston Martin.
Nov.30 - Drivers say Sunday's Qatar GP is likely to be a processional affair after a sprint that reinforced the circuit's chronic inability to produce exciting racing.
Fernando Alonso was blunt, telling DAZN the sprint was not even a race.
"It was a procession of cars," he said.
"In today's F1 we have tyre pressures dictated by Pirelli, pitstops dictated by the FIA, weight distribution dictated by the FIA. [i.e., "the tail wagging the dog." -- PG]
"We have excesses of everything except the things that give a spectacle," the 44-year-old veteran added.
Lando Norris - who will clinch the title on Sunday if he wins from P3 - is expecting much the same.
"The run to Turn 1 is the only opportunity," he said. "Apart from that, it's going to be a pretty boring and straightforward race."
Max Verstappen agreed the sprint was "pretty boring", blaming the inability to follow.
"You just can't follow - the tyres overheat. With all the high-speed corners and the grip, it's super tough to get close."
Even DRS isn't helping, Norris added, because "as soon as you're within three seconds, you start to struggle."
There have been whispers about lengthening the DRS zone for Sunday, but some teams pushed back over setup concerns.
George Russell - who never even reached DRS range in the sprint - said the layout simply doesn't allow overtaking. "It wouldn't matter if DRS was three times longer," he said.
"With all the flat-out corners before the straight, it's impossible to stay close. It's one of the best tracks to drive, but overtaking? One of the toughest. Something has to be done."
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https://www.f1-fansite.com/f1-news/how-pirelli-and-fia-restrictions-are-making-f1-races-boring/
Behind the noise over Adrian Newey’s new job title lies the real story: Aston Martin has quietly built a structure designed to unleash his genius
...So what does Newey’s job title change really mean? What will his Aston Martin look like, in spirit if not yet in carbon fibre? Here we approach the heart of the matter. Whatever his job title, Newey will be the de facto head honcho, second only to Stroll, who – for all his sartorial swagger and rag-trade polish, and notwithstanding his track record of micro-managing previous Aston Martin seniors – surely has the good sense to keep a feather-light touch when a great virtuoso is at work. Stroll will sign the cheques, yes; he will approve the hires, yes; but he will also know when to step back and let genius unfurl....
https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/articles/single-seaters/f1/matt-bishop-why-neweys-new-f1-team-principal-title-isnt-the-real-story/
Red Bull is moving Tsunoda to a reserve/test driver for 2026. Hadjar will be Verstappen’s new teammate.
Jalopnik is running the headline that Hadjar is being “Sentenced” to be Verstappen’s teammate.
Defector.com is going with, “Either Red Bull Has Finally Made A Good Second-Seat Choice, Or Poor Isack Hadjar Is Doomed”
I always thought he was the team principal...he sure as hell wasn’t going to take orders from anyone....i still wonder if he’s going to keep little lance...
Don’t forget Indy and sports cars. All his designs have been winners.
If this is the final position, I think Newey was given the title as a means of respect and authority which some may not of responded before. This allows Newey’s brilliant mind and incredible experience to benefit the team. Stroll will handle the business and discipline side of the team. This gets the best from each.
“What will his Aston Martin look like...”
Doesn’t the FIA dictate that, except for livery colors and logos?
“Stroll will sign the cheques, yes; he will approve the hires, yes; but he will also...”
Lance Stroll runs the team?
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