2021 Formula 1 Thread

[Spooler]

I was wondering what all the huhbub was about. See for yourself.

[axmea?]

This is where the FIA messed up and exploited by RB, Alfa, Ferrari, and Alpine. Rules and testing didn't line up. If test specs don't completely test for the rule, then that's on the FIA.

[DLSTR]

Originally Posted by axmea?

This is where the FIA messed up and exploited by RB, Alfa, Ferrari, and Alpine. Rules and testing didn't line up. If test specs don't completely test for the rule, then that's on the FIA.

As you state it is on the FIA - then NONE of the teams should complain about the change now. If new tests are required then thats ok. The FIA regulate the series.

[God-Speed]

Originally Posted by DLSTR

As you state it is on the FIA - then NONE of the teams should complain about the change now. If new tests are required then thats ok. The FIA regulate the series.

However the one and main thing that the FIA lacks is CONSISTENCY!!!

[ZCanadian]

Originally Posted by DLSTR

One would think Toto would be exploring this deeply. How many points lost now??????????????

You'd think so, wouldn't you. But instead, Toto has come out blaming Bottas for "not stopping on his marks". Yeah, he's off by about 6", but that just meant that the techs had to move over a step. The guys on the other three corners managed it fine. Front right guy was just too lazy to move and hold the gun square to the nut.

[axmea?]

I thought that the high flying, high performing Silver Arrow team didn't get into the blame game.

[DLSTR]

Bottas' wheel/nut being removed at the factory!

https://twitter.com/autosport/status...32882124062730

[Spooler]

Originally Posted by DLSTR

Bottas' wheel/nut being removed at the factory!

https://twitter.com/autosport/status...32882124062730

That wasn't Bottas's fault.

[DLSTR]

Baku next weekend!



https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/fl...-baku/6518881/

Flexi-wings won't be "a game-changer at all" in Baku F1 race
By: Luke Smith
Co-author: Roberto Chinchero
May 31, 2021, 10:15 AM
Frederic Vasseur believes teams running Formula 1's disputed 'flexi-wings' will not enjoy a huge performance gain in Baku, saying it "won't be a game-changer at all".

Following comments from Lewis Hamilton about Red Bull's "bendy wing" over the Spanish Grand Prix weekend, a saga emerged surrounding the flexibility of the rear wings run by a number of teams.

The FIA wrote to teams announcing it would be clamping down on rear wing designs from the French Grand Prix onwards, sparking a variety of responses up and down the paddock.

Mercedes and McLaren both questioned why the more stringent tests were not being introduced sooner, with Toto Wolff warning there could be a "very messy" protest situation at next weekend's Azerbaijan Grand Prix if the FIA did not give clarity sooner.

Alfa Romeo team principal Vasseur was particularly unhappy about the ruling, calling it a "joke" after diverting resources to take advantage of the rules as they were initially written.

Suggestions were made that the flexi-wings could be particularly effective at the Baku City Circuit, which has both a slow-speed section and one of the longest straights on the F1 calendar.

But Vasseur denied this would be the case, believing there would not be a huge performance benefit in Baku.

"We have to be serious with the wings, that it won't be a game changer at all," Vasseur said.

"I think with Ferrari, we showed that on this kind of layout [in Monaco] we are performing. Perhaps that it will be the same in Azerbaijan.

"In Azerbaijan you have two different part of the track. You have the city, and the philosophy of this part of the track is quite close to Monaco. And then you have the 2.5 kilometres or something like this of straights.


"This will be probably a bit more difficult, but it is like it is."

Vasseur expanded on his position on the flexi-wing saga in an exclusive interview with Autosport's sister publication Motorsport.com Italy, saying it may change his approach moving forward after investing time and money in the design concept.

"I'm not writing the rules, the FIA did it, then we designed the car with the rules published," Vasseur said.

"We have to go to the limit on every single area. This is the philosophy of the F1. And this is the philosophy of every single team, and that [is like that] in terms of weight, for the design and on every single topic we have to go to the limit.

"And suddenly, I don't know the reason – perhaps just because that one team started to complain one week ago – we had a new technical directive.

"I think it's a shame to come so late with the clarification, because I think all the teams asked for clarification much earlier. And we have also to consider the fact, that we are all collectively doing big effort to reduce the cost.

"We had tons of discussion to know if we have to reduce the personnel on track by one or two people and so on and so on and so on. And then they come [up] with this kind of TD, and we'll have to redesign the wings, and to produce new wings.

"I'm not speaking about the performance penalty, because honestly, we did a back-to-back a couple of times and it's not a big drama, and it won't change the approach.

"But at the end, it will change my approach, because that I will have to spend a big part of my development budget on this. And this is unfair for me."

[DLSTR]

2 minutes ago

https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/sa...1-car/6525095/

Sainz: I'm pushing myself to adapt to Ferrari F1 car
By: Luke Smith
Jun 2, 2021, 4:58 AM
Carlos Sainz Jr says he is enjoying the challenge of adapting to Ferrari’s Formula 1 car in 2021, revealing he had to “change quite a lot” in his driving style.

Sainz linked up with Ferrari for the 2021 season as a replacement for four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel, joining the Italian team after spending two years with McLaren.

The Spaniard has already made an impact since joining Ferrari, scoring his first podium for the team at the last race in Monaco with a faultless drive to second place.

But while embedding himself in the team and getting up to speed, Sainz has found the Ferrari car to be “very, very different” to what he was used to at McLaren, forcing him to make adjustments to his approach and driving style.

“My driving style and the way I turn in, brake, carry speed through the corners in different places and different corner types is very different to last year,” Sainz explained.



“I’m having to push myself to open my mind and adapt as a driver. And I actually find it really good fun.”

Sainz would not be drawn on what exactly the differences between the Ferrari and the McLaren car are, with the two teams set to duke it out for third place in the constructors’ championship this year.

"It's something that I keep for myself and my team,” Sainz said.

“Obviously the McLaren might have changed a bit also with the Mercedes power unit. Especially this year, they look particularly good on the straights and and they are very, very strong in that area.

“But driving-wise and balance-wise, doesn't matter if it's low-speed, medium-speed and high-speed, they are completely different cars and I am having to change quite a lot and adapt.

“I know the difference, but I'm not willing to tell you now.”

Sainz has previously faced the challenge of adapting to different cars with limited running, having previously switched from Toro Rosso to Renault mid-season in 2017. He then spent just a single full campaign at Renault before moving across to McLaren.

Sainz raced at McLaren alongside Lando Norris, who felt his former team-mate had a knack for making adjustments and adapting to cars even when they were not running perfectly, noting the difference to new partner Daniel Ricciardo.

“Daniel, from what I’ve seen so far, he wants a car that really suits him maybe that little bit more,” said Norris.

“Carlos was good at driving a car that wasn’t always that nice to drive. He was very good at that.

“It’s just one of the things I guess I’ve learned at the moment. Daniel is very fast when he has the car around him and when everything is suited.

“But as soon as there is a couple of problems or, just as most drivers do, as soon as you lose that bit of confidence, then you just struggle a little bit more.

“I don’t think that’s just with him, that’s just something some drivers have more than others – it’s a confidence thing.”

[DLSTR]

https://www.skysports.com/f1/news/12...all-20-drivers

F1 team-mates: Who's winning the new key 2021 battles, and who's struggling? Assessing all 20 drivers
Who has shone in the first five races and who has struggled? The early state of play in this season's key team-mate match-ups, with some big surprises.

[DLSTR]

Max is silly. RedBull are the experts at complaints against others lol

Verstappen: Rivals trying to 'slow down' Red Bull

Max Verstappen has reiterated that Red Bull's 'flexi' rear wing is legal and believes teams are just trying to "slow down" F1's new championship leaders.

[DLSTR]

FIA has placed yellow stickers on the rear wing of each car to analyze the flex of the rear wings this weekend.

[ZCanadian]

Originally Posted by DLSTR

FIA has placed yellow stickers on the rear wing of each car to analyze the flex of the rear wings this weekend.

Horner to Verstappen: "oversteer into the wall as soon as you cross the line in provisional pole for Q3. Will lock you into P1 AND we will have to replace the wing. before the race."

[God-Speed]

Originally Posted by ZCanadian

Horner to Verstappen: "oversteer into the wall as soon as you cross the line in provisional pole for Q3. Will lock you into P1 AND we will have to replace the wing. before the race."