2016 Pirelli Spanish Grand Prix

[prisonermonkeys]

I absolutely hate the last section too

I think that something had to be done because the cars were just getting too strung out through the final sector. The problem is Turn 12, which is just such a nothing corner. The cars were gradually accelerating through the last corners, spacing them out.

Unfortunately, there's not much that can be done because of the way that the circuit was designed - it tries to fit as much circuit into the smallest available space. The only real solution is to tear down the stadium section and reprofile the access roads to open the final sector up.

 

[Dennisch]

The new tyre rules will save this race!

I think.

I hope.

 

[mustafur]

I'll be interested to see how the hard tyre goes.

 

[_Springy_]

Kvyat and Verstappen will BOTH be present in the Thursday press conference! Handbags at dawn, anybody?

EDIT: And as if it wasn't looking spicey enough already, Carlos Sainz will also be present! Think I'll be breaking out the popcorn for this one...

 

[Northstar]

Kvyat and Verstappen will BOTH be present in the Thursday press conference! Handbags at dawn, anybody?

EDIT: And as if it wasn't looking spicey enough already, Carlos Sainz will also be present! Think I'll be breaking out the popcorn for this one...

Is Jerry Springer going to be there?

 

[twitcher]

Kvyat and Verstappen will BOTH be present in the Thursday press conference! Handbags at dawn, anybody?

EDIT: And as if it wasn't looking spicey enough already, Carlos Sainz will also be present! Think I'll be breaking out the popcorn for this one...

Hahaa! I was wondering if they would do this. Might as well get Ricci and Vettel up there as well at the same time. Should be awkward as hell

 

[_Springy_]

Is Jerry Springer going to be there?

I think they're going to need both him AND Jeremy Kyle (his British equivalent) to keep things in order!

 

[Samus]

I don't think Kvyat will have any problem with Max, any driver would take the same opportunity if presented to them. Sainz may be feeling somewhat jealous of Max though.

 

[TenEightyOne]

I don't think Kvyat will have any problem with Max, any driver would take the same opportunity if presented to them. Sainz may be feeling somewhat jealous of Max though.

I watched a piece by Coulthard earlier, he made an interesting point; when he drove for Red Bull they swapped the second seat between STR and RB several times in the same season. It just seems odd now because they haven't done so for a while.

 

[_Springy_]

I watched a piece by Coulthard earlier, he made an interesting point; when he drove for Red Bull they swapped the second seat between STR and RB several times in the same season. It just seems odd now because they haven't done so for a while.

I believe what Coulthard was referring to was 2005; when Christian Klien, and Vitantonio Liuzzi, shared the second Red Bull seat. However this was the season before Toro Rosso's formation. Perhaps the two teams have swapped test drivers previously, but this is definitely the first time that a swap between race drivers has been done.

 

[TenEightyOne]

I believe what Coulthard was referring to was 2005; when Christian Klien, and Vitantonio Liuzzi, shared the second Red Bull seat. However this was the season before Toro Rosso's formation. Perhaps the two teams have swapped test drivers previously, but this is definitely the first time that a swap between race drivers has been done.

You're absolutely right, my apologies.

 

[twitcher]

I was just searching some random stuff on YouTube, and came across this



The part I find most interesting is that Hamilton's kart has basically the exact same dayglow red swoops that we see on the McLarens today. I know he was picked up by McLaren very young, but I didn't know those red swoops were part of their heritage. I also am aware that the West McLaren Mercedes cars had red accents on them, but I don't recall them having the red swoops on top of the side pods. Hamilton's kart is nearly identicle to Alonso and Button's F1 cars.

 

[Anghammarad]

Anyway.

Alonso will win. Comfortably.

 

[Dodzzz]

Alonso will be in podium..

 

[Peter.]

Race of no surprises, so I'll just go with an extremely bold prediction and put a Mercedes down to win. It's around this time of year the cars get a good amount of upgrades, which will see Haas, who aren't developing their car anymore this year, begin to fall down the order. Alonso had to finish in the points first before we can start talking about podiums.

 

[Cap'n Jack]

Anyway.

Alonso will win. Comfortably.

I'm beginning to think you've been jinxing Alonso all these years.

 

[_Springy_]

Race of no surprises, so I'll just go with an extremely bold prediction and put a Mercedes down to win. It's around this time of year the cars get a good amount of upgrades, which will see Haas, who aren't developing their car anymore this year, begin to fall down the order. Alonso had to finish in the points first before we can start talking about podiums.

Say what?

http://www.espn.co.uk/f1/story/_/id/15491794/new-rear-wing-engine-haas-spain

 

[TenEightyOne]

Say what?

http://www.espn.co.uk/f1/story/_/id/15491794/new-rear-wing-engine-haas-spain

That will have been 2 months (plus) in the design-and-build. From the article it sounds as if it's a pre-planned higher-downforce wing, it was probably on the cards since last year.

 

[_Springy_]

That will have been 2 months (plus) in the design-and-build. From the article it sounds as if it's a pre-planned higher-downforce wing, it was probably on the cards since last year.

Perhaps. To me personally though, that article suggests they're bringing an entire aero update, alongside the upgraded Ferrari power unit. I've not seen anything anywhere that says Haas won't be updating their car any more and, judging from their season so far, it wouldn't make sense not to. Usually a team only gives up on developing a car when it's a total dog and even then, they'd seldom call it quits four races into the season. And so far the Haas has proven to be pretty competitive.

 

[TenEightyOne]

Perhaps. To me personally though, that article suggests they're bringing an entire aero update

Not really, it tells you that the front wing update was introduced at the previous race.

I've not seen anything anywhere that says Haas won't be updating their car any more and, judging from their season so far, it wouldn't make sense not to.

I think that interpretation has come from the way they're concentrating on the 2017 car and have been since the end of last year.

And so far the Haas has proven to be pretty competitive.

But we know the Ferrari is fast... and this is an under-the-radar Ferrari 2015 development car. No surprises that it has good mechanical potential at the start of the season. I genuinely hope it continues, I'm just not sure it will.

 

[_Springy_]

Not really, it tells you that the front wing update was introduced at the previous race.

Judging by how ESPNF1 is calling it an aero update, and by how Guenther Steiner says in the article they "keep on bringing things", it doesn't seem to me as if they're ceasing development any time soon.

I think that interpretation has come from the way they're concentrating on the 2017 car and have been since the end of last year.

There's no mention there of Haas ceasing development of the 2016 car, though. It is perfectly possible for them to be focusing on both this season, and next season, simultaneously. In fact that's what most teams will be doing.

But we know the Ferrari is fast... and this is an under-the-radar Ferrari 2015 development car. No surprises that it has good mechanical potential at the start of the season. I genuinely hope it continues, I'm just not sure it will.

Even if they do go backwards, at least they'll still be ahead of the Manors and the Saubers!

 

[RX-7_FD3S]

Probably one of the least interesting track of the year, at least for me. Hopefully Lewis will win this one and prove that we can still have a good championship battle this year.

 

[Liquid]

but this is definitely the first time that a swap between race drivers has been done.

Schumacher replacing Moreno at Benetton and Moreno heading to Jordan to take Schumacher's vacated seat?

 

[Akmuq]

Schumacher replacing Moreno at Benetton and Moreno heading to Jordan to take Schumacher's vacated seat?

He's talking about Red Bull.

 

[Liquid]

He's talking about Red Bull.

Apologies.

 

[prisonermonkeys]

I believe what Coulthard was referring to was 2005; when Christian Klien, and Vitantonio Liuzzi, shared the second Red Bull seat.

I'm pretty sure that the original plan was to swap between Klien and Liuzzi throughout the season far more regularly than they actually did, but the team felt internal pressure to put an Austrian driver in the seat, and do kept Klien on. When it became apparent that they needed the freedom to choose drivers based on individual merit in order to succeed (and that nationality does not translate into success), the rotational system was scrapped.

 

[Mike-ZENKAI]

https://www.formula1.com/content/fo...The_drivers_face_the_press_in_Spain_2016.html

Alonso playing it cool again (2:45)

I'm still baffled by the decision by RB, but I will be interested to see how Max will handle it.

GO MAX 👍

 

[TenEightyOne]

https://www.formula1.com/content/fo...The_drivers_face_the_press_in_Spain_2016.html

Alonso playing it cool again (2:45)

The section just after that's interesting; Kvyat tells us that it's the team that chooses the tyres, not the drivers. I guess that won't just be an STR/RB thing either. He also makes a stilted point that despite inheriting Verstep-uppen's tyres he keeps his points and his podium.

EDIT: Formula1.com also has a nice onboard of Schumacher's opening lap in his first season, he sticks it to Our Nige and makes Senna do a bit of work.

 

[prisonermonkeys]

I'm still baffled by the decision by RB

So is Kvyat - he says he hasn't received an explanation from the team. Vettel is playing Pilate, washing his hands of it by claiming that the decision was made before Sochi; that makes no sense because of Kvyat's podium in Shanghai and because Vettel isn't in a position to know it.

It really sounds like Red Bull are trying to bluff their way out of a situation they haven't handled well.

 

[spyrrari]

https://www.formula1.com/content/fo...The_drivers_face_the_press_in_Spain_2016.html

Alonso playing it cool again (2:45)

I'm still baffled by the decision by RB, but I will be interested to see how Max will handle it.

GO MAX 👍

GO MAX 👍




Spy.