F1 2023 season

[TinFoilHat]

Given Hamilton's dismissal of Russell finishing ahead of him and how it was "nothing to do with him" we could see another Rosberg/Hamilton situation between Russell/Hamilton as well.

Yes.

I can see a change in Mercedes. Russell is better in that car. Hamilton is complaining every race about it. Woolf's comment about him finding another team to win another title maybe his way of publicly saying we're going to back George as he's our future.

Russell is a good driver but he doesn't have a bastard streak like Lewis or Max.

 

[lee_wsm]

Only way the sport gets more competitive is standardise more of the cars then it’s driver skill at play

 

[Metal Biker]

Yes.

I can see a change in Mercedes. Russell is better in that car. Hamilton is complaining every race about it. Woolf's comment about him finding another team to win another title maybe his way of publicly saying we're going to back George as he's our future.

Russell is a good driver but he doesn't have a bastard streak like Lewis or Max.

Russell is still young, he might develop that necessary killer instinct to turn podiums into wins, but criticising the team, the engineers for not being where they want to be isn't the best way of going about things (take note Lewis). Like how Red Bull aren't showing much appreciation for Perez. Personally, i'd allow Perez to go to Mercedes in a straight swap, then those who care can see Hamilton and Verstappen duke it out in the exact same car and stop boring the rest of us who want to enjoy quality racing.

I loved Alonso's comments in Bahrain; support for his teammate, praising his 'bravery' for getting in the car despite injury and the quote about "this is a lovely car to drive". It was a tonic. I don't like this 'nasty' era of F1.

 

[Metal Biker]

Only way the sport gets more competitive is standardise more of the cars then it’s driver skill at play

Well it is also meant to be about engineering skill, designer skill, what car can the teams create under the rules and regulations they permit.

 

[meltonblue]

Google some more mate.

I have, and I can’t find anything with him moaning. I’ve found him agreeing with the sentiment that dominance isn’t good for the show but the reasons he gave for it are completely different to what Horner used to say.

 

[TinFoilHat]

Russell is still young, he might develop that necessary killer instinct to turn podiums into wins, but criticising the team, the engineers for not being where they want to be isn't the best way of going about things (take note Lewis). Like how Red Bull aren't showing much appreciation for Perez. Personally, i'd allow Perez to go to Mercedes in a straight swap, then those who care can see Hamilton and Verstappen duke it out in the exact same car and stop boring the rest of us who want to enjoy quality racing.

I loved Alonso's comments in Bahrain; support for his teammate, praising his 'bravery' for getting in the car despite injury and the quote about "this is a lovely car to drive". It was a tonic. I don't like this 'nasty' era of F1.

Russell has a reputation of being a social media poser and being too nice with his fellow drivers.

I also enjoy Alonso stepping up to fill the shoes of Seb with his wit.

If the racing isn't going to be there the sideshow will be much needed.

 

[Metal Biker]

Russell has a reputation of being a social media poser and being too nice with his fellow drivers.

I also enjoy Alonso stepping up to fill the shoes of Seb with his wit.

If the racing isn't going to be there the sideshow will be much needed.

Looking forward to the Aston/Mercedes battle, but so, so disappointed in Ferrari's pace.

Not fussed about who's champion, in the same way I doubt most premier league clubs supporters care who's champion over their own clubs' progression.

 

[TinFoilHat]

Looking forward to the Aston/Mercedes battle, but so, so disappointed in Ferrari's pace.

Not fussed about who's champion, in the same way I doubt most premier league clubs supporters care who's champion over their own clubs' progression.

Ferrari haven't been the same since 2019 (I think. When they had 6 consecutive poles?) when they looked like they might be back until their engines were considered illegal.

I'm not a fan of the team. I feel as though even as mid table team they have too much influence politically in the sport. However they've got a potential new world champion driver and wasting him thanks to internal issues and unreliability. Their new head has come in with a hard approach to portray unity but it doesn't look like it's there yet.

 

[Johnny Mars Bar]

Russell is still young, he might develop that necessary killer instinct to turn podiums into wins, but criticising the team, the engineers for not being where they want to be isn't the best way of going about things (take note Lewis). Like how Red Bull aren't showing much appreciation for Perez. Personally, i'd allow Perez to go to Mercedes in a straight swap, then those who care can see Hamilton and Verstappen duke it out in the exact same car and stop boring the rest of us who want to enjoy quality racing.

I loved Alonso's comments in Bahrain; support for his teammate, praising his 'bravery' for getting in the car despite injury and the quote about "this is a lovely car to drive". It was a tonic. I don't like this 'nasty' era of F1.

His teammate is the boss's kid.

 

[Metal Biker]

His teammate is the boss's kid.

Yeah, I know.

It was still a nice sentiment to hear him praise the guy, the team and the car.

 

[crooky]

What's this nonsense about needing to be an arsehole to win a championship?

Sure a lot of drivers go up their own arses when they know their special but it's not a requirement. Think of Button or Hakkinen. Perfectly decent gentlemen who've won world titles.

If Merc give Russell a championship contending car I'm sure he'll do a good job.

 

[Metal Biker]

What's this nonsense about needing to be an arsehole to win a championship?

Sure a lot of drivers go up their own arses when they know their special but it's not a requirement. Think of Button or Hakkinen. Perfectly decent gentlemen who've won world titles.

If Merc give Russell a championship contending car I'm sure he'll do a good job.

Exactly. But again, it's this twitterverse, American-owned era of F1 that takes a lot to digest.

Leclerc, Perez, Russell, Sainz, Norris, though he's a Rag, would all be likable champions, who rely on their talent and not their shitty personality to win races, like Alonso and Vettel (towards the end anyway). I'm sure it draws in a lot of JCL's to the sport which is why the media promotes and favours it. But as you said, previous champions have been gracious, honourable, decent and being an arsehole isn't a prerequisite to becoming champion.

 

[Johnny Mars Bar]

Exactly. But again, it's this twitterverse, American-owned era of F1 that takes a lot to digest.

Leclerc, Perez, Russell, Sainz, Norris, though he's a Rag, would all be likable champions, who rely on their talent and not their shitty personality to win races, like Alonso and Vettel (towards the end anyway). I'm sure it draws in a lot of JCL's to the sport which is why the media promotes and favours it. But as you said, previous champions have been gracious, honourable, decent and being an arsehole isn't a prerequisite to becoming champion.

Netflix have got a lot to answer for.

I know I sound like a FOC “legacy fan” but these Netflix F1 fans do my head in.

 

[Slipper One]

Only way the sport gets more competitive is standardize more of the cars then it’s driver skill at play

I can understand where you're coming from Lee, but that might also bring its share of mediocrity. Part of the interest is seeing what teams have done and what improvements work......or not.

All teams design their cars within a framework of rules, it's just some do it better than others.

Even as an RB supporter, I don't particularly want to see a competitive qualifying from teams and then a Red Bull 1-2 every race.

 

[eversince 76]

I have, and I can’t find anything with him moaning. I’ve found him agreeing with the sentiment that dominance isn’t good for the show but the reasons he gave for it are completely different to what Horner used to say.

Mercedes chief Toto Wolff bemoans Red Bull's early season dominance

Toto Wolff has questioned whether Red Bull's dominance of the early season is good for the entertainment of Formula One after labelling his rivals winning start as 'not good for the show'.

www.dailymail.co.uk

Not that hard. And he said it after just two races. With one title very close between Verstappen and Hamilton ( you will no doubt remember that ) and one more easier if it wasn’t for the mess Ferarri made.

Wolff like Horner are two cry babies btw. Anyway like I said. It’s up to the other teams to be competitive with RB. Like it’s up to other PL teams to be competitive with City. City have been dominant for over 10 years. No one came close to their consistency. Like no other F1 team came close to the Mercedes dominance. And it’s way too early to state RB dominance isn’t good for the show. Work on your car and zip it would be my reaction. The drivers are good enough.

 

[Johnny Mars Bar]

Only way the sport gets more competitive is standardise more of the cars then it’s driver skill at play

Then it is no longer F1. It’s a spec series like IndyCar.

A massive part of what interests me about F1 is the technical innovation and learning about how each team interprets the rules differently, about all the different aerodynamic ideas etc. The two hours of the actual race is only a part of the whole thing.

But everyone’s different.

Personally I have no interest in a Wacky Races wheel to wheel battle every week. Every now and again it’s fun but F1 has never been like that. We’ve always had periods of domination where one team has cracked the code of the current regulations.

 

[Keeper!]

What's this nonsense about needing to be an arsehole to win a championship?

Sure a lot of drivers go up their own arses when they know their special but it's not a requirement. Think of Button or Hakkinen. Perfectly decent gentlemen who've won world titles.

If Merc give Russell a championship contending car I'm sure he'll do a good job.

The younger Button was an absolute top hat and still often is.

World champions are ruthless, multiple World Champions are absolute utter cunts, they have to be.

 

[TinFoilHat]

The younger Button was an absolute top hat and still often is.

World champions are ruthless, multiple World Champions are absolute utter cunts, they have to be.

Senna, Prost, Schumacher, Vettel, Alonso, Hamilton and Verstappen have that **** streak. All of them have done some shady moves in their time to win titles. I can see Max winning a few more as well with it.

 

[meltonblue]

Mercedes chief Toto Wolff bemoans Red Bull's early season dominance

Toto Wolff has questioned whether Red Bull's dominance of the early season is good for the entertainment of Formula One after labelling his rivals winning start as 'not good for the show'.

www.dailymail.co.uk

Not that hard. And he said it after just two races. With one title very close between Verstappen and Hamilton ( you will no doubt remember that ) and one more easier if it wasn’t for the mess Ferarri made.

Wolff like Horner are two cry babies btw. Anyway like I said. It’s up to the other teams to be competitive with RB. Like it’s up to other PL teams to be competitive with City. City have been dominant for over 10 years. No one came close to their consistency. Like no other F1 team came close to the Mercedes dominance. And it’s way too early to state RB dominance isn’t good for the show. Work on your car and zip it would be my reaction. The drivers are good enough.

That’s exactly the article I was referring to though! Have you actually read it rather than just the headline? As Wolffs actual opinion on it is exactly the same as yours!

Here’s another article based on the exact same press conference and quotes, this time with a more accurate headline…

Wolff: Mercedes can't complain about Red Bull dominating F1 'meritocracy'

Read more...

www.gpfans.com

Or this one too -

Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has no problem with Red Bull bossing new F1 season: 'It's a meritocracy'

Mercedes team principal and CEO Toto Wolff says he has no problem with Red Bull bossing the Formula 1 season, calling success in the sport a meritocracy; Red Bull have won 12 of the last 13 F1 races, with Lewis Hamilton describing them as the fastest I have ever seen

www.skysports.com

If he’d said what Horner said when Mercedes were dominating, then I’d completely agree with you. He hasn’t though, in fact the opposite.

 

[Metal Biker]

The Red Bull is the new standard. Before it was the Mercedes. Before that it was McLaren, Ferrari, Williams etc. Dominant teams inspire others to make rule changes, find innovations.

Once a car becomes so dominant as a result nobody can catch them, rulings about car designs are removed/introduced, the teams have to adapt to those new rules, some do better than others and it becomes a level playing field again. This is how the sport has been since its inception, why its now suddenly a talking point as being 'bad' is baffling.