Formula 1 Rolex Belgian Grand Prix 2020Formula 1

[Frank McGank]

Being a Tifosi is constant suffering

 

[Dotini]

I agree with these sentiments. Im purely speculating here but I think there are fingers in the till at Ferrari the money and engineering doesn't add up at all. Italy has a history of corruption when big money projects are involved in both the public and private sectors. I think the cheat mode engine is a symptom of them covering up the fact that those many millions are not actually going on design and engineering and are being siphoned off... surely it cant just be incompetence...

I agree with your speculation.
As an avid motor racing fan since 1961, I've read a lot. In reading every Road and Track magazine ever published since 1950, it's hard to avoid the conclusion that many shady and shadowy characters have always been involved in motorsports, and none more so than those associated with Ferrari. In so many ways its just a standing joke, a spaghetti web of tangles, angles and unsavory connections. But do I think anything can or should be done about it? No. "Let it Be".

 

[LeGeNd-1]

I agree with these sentiments. Im purely speculating here but I think there are fingers in the till at Ferrari the money and engineering doesn't add up at all. Italy has a history of corruption when big money projects are involved in both the public and private sectors. I think the cheat mode engine is a symptom of them covering up the fact that those many millions are not actually going on design and engineering and are being siphoned off... surely it cant just be incompetence...

Interesting take. I guess we'll see what happens when the cost cap comes into play. Are they going to suffer even worse than they are now because the money still goes "somewhere else", or will they finally clean up their act now that they don't have millions to squander over the other teams.

Personally, I think Ferrari has a people and expectation problem. During the Schumi era they have Todt/Brawn/Byrne. Everything just gradually came apart once those people left. Meanwhile at Mercedes they will keep winning as long as they have Wolff/Allison/Cowell (the latter left earlier this year, but it's too soon to know what the impact is). A winning team has to have the right people in the right places. The name above the door doesn't count for anything. In fact in Ferrari's case it's a double edged sword because people always expect them to win, and if there's no one to moderate that expectation on the inside, the working culture can get toxic very very quickly. I'm genuinely concerned that in a few years, we'll be talking about Leclerc and Sainz the same way we do Vettel and Alonso today

 

[Milouse]

I didn't resist...

 

[Roo]

If Hamilton wins on sunday he'll be 2 off Schumacher's total. But the FIA still counts Austria 2002 as Michael's, so technically he's only 1 away from it, because everyone knows that one belonged to Rubens.

I'd counter with the 2018 Russian GP, which Bottas was on course to comfortably win before being told to hand it over to Hamilton.

 

[TenEightyOne]

Being a Tifosi is constant suffering
View attachment 953267

Penne for his thoughts?

 

[Milouse]

Together, again.

 

[evldave333]

Wow vettel dead last fp3 and leclerc 17th will they even make it through to q2?

 

[numbnuts70]

Haas drivers and Kimi were all ahead of the Ferraris so hopefully Ferrari are saving the engines a bit.

I'm looking forward to a good quali sesh with lots of tactics (slipstreaming).

 

[Roo]

Beginning to think the ban on party mode engine settings is going to hurt Ferrari a lot more than Mercedes.

 

[Jimlaad43]

Wow vettel dead last fp3 and leclerc 17th will they even make it through to q2?

Russell was the only driver slowrr than a Ferrari engine in the whole session because he got blocked on his first run.

Beginning to think the ban on party mode engine settings is going to hurt Ferrari a lot more than Mercedes.

Especially as its just in time for the three Italian races this season.

 

[evldave333]

Sat watching Binnotto being interviewed apparently Ferrari did not breach regulations last year but RP did this year.... what planet is he on? Thats some serious magical thinking from Harry Potter...

 

[BrainsBush]

Now let's see if the RedBulls are really challenging the Mercedes' during this quali or was Mercedes 'sandbagging' during the FP's?
Racing Point first row?

 

[Jimlaad43]

Sat watching Binnotto being interviewed apparently Ferrari did not breach regulations last year but RP did this year.... what planet is he on? Thats some serious magical thinking from Harry Potter...

I'm still reeling for his comment about appealing the Racing Point ruling for "more transparency". This is the team which came to a settlement which hid their cheating engines with the FIA so nobody knew what was happening.

 

[BrainsBush]

Just watched a post FP2 interview (with Dutch reporters for Ziggo Sport) with both Vettel and LeClerc. They are obviously disappointed and they said (again they said this yesterday after FP2) that Saturday will be much better. "It cannot be worse". And then we've witnessed FP3. Pfff.
Ok we knew that Ferrari would get a serious set back but so far?! They have to struggle to qualify for Q2?

 

[evldave333]

I'm still reeling for his comment about appealing the Racing Point ruling for "more transparency". This is the team which came to a settlement which hid their cheating engines with the FIA so nobody knew what was happening.

Indeed where is RP's NDA? They're (Ferrari) cynically doing this for financial reasons only, as the outcome may slightly enhance their constructors standings.

 

[numbnuts70]

2 tenths between 4th and 11th at the moment in q1

 

[AshenGraey]

Qualifying mode is banned right??

 

[Dreadmed]

Now let's see if the RedBulls are really challenging the Mercedes' during this quali or was Mercedes 'sandbagging' during the FP's?
Racing Point first row?

Was it ever in doubt? They didn't even wait until Q3 this time!

 

[numbnuts70]

Its like Spain, they probably dont need it but engine modes are banned in next round.

Forget the mercs, enjoy the rest of the field.

 

[ROAD_DOGG33J]

Russell 2 tenths up on Leclerc in the 1st sector. There's something I haven't heard before.

 

[numbnuts70]

Ferraris saved a little to get into Q2.

Russell must have had a perfect tow.

 

[Jimlaad43]

Qualifying mode is banned right??

For Monza

 

[BrainsBush]

Qualifying mode is banned right??

Next week at Monza. FIA delayed this by one week.

Thanks @Jimlaad43

 

[ROAD_DOGG33J]

In by less than a tenth. Odds are high that Q2 is the final destination for the Ferraris.

 

[numbnuts70]

The 4 mercs and max on meds

RP will have to go soft to go to Q3.

Looks like Mercs maxed the engine to do a 42 flat on meds

Mclaren could be in danger if Kvyat matches the gasman.

Well done Mclaren.

 

[numbnuts70]

Ricc and Max on same row for the race??

 

[Jimlaad43]

Ferrari should use their FIA Heritage Payments to secure Mercedes engines for next season

 

[AshenGraey]

Good to see Ricc up at the front. Hope he can actually start on the 2nd row. The Renault has looked quite quick this weekend!

 

[evldave333]

looks like albons gonna tow max