2016 Formula 1 Season Thread
 

Starting now as last race of 2015 was today.

Scuderia Ferrari: Sebastien Vettel (GER) & Kimi Raikkonen (FIN)
Sahara Force India: Sergio Perez (MEX) & Nico Hulkenberg (GER)
Haas F1: Romain Grosjean (FRA) & Esteban Gutierrez (MEX)
Lotus F1: Pastor Maldonado (COL) & Jolyon Palmer (GBR)
Manor Marussia: TBA & TBA
McLaren: Fernando Alonso (ESP) & Jenson Button (GBR)
Mercedes: Nico Rosberg (GER) & Lewis Hamilton (GBR)
Infiniti Red Bull: Daniel Ricciardo (AUS) & Daniil Kvyat (RUS)
Sauber F1: Marcus Ericsson (SWE) & Felipe Nasr (BRA)
Scuderia Toro Rosso: Max Verstappen (NED) & Carlos Sainz Jr. (ESP)
Williams: Felipe Massa (BRA) & Valtteri Bottas (FIN)

PROVISIONAL 21 RACE CALENDAR

Australian, Melbourne - 20 March
Bahrain, Sakhir - 3 April
Chinese, Shanghai - 17 April
Russian, Sochi - 1 May
Spanish, Catalunya - 15 May
Monaco, Monaco - 29 May
Canadian, Montreal - 12 June
European, Baku, Azerbaijan - 19 June
Austrian, Spielberg - 3 July
British, Silverstone - 10 July
Hungarian, Budapest - 24 July
German, Hockenheimring - 31 July
Belgian, Spa - 28 August
Italian, Monza - 4 September
Singapore, Singapore - 18 September
Malaysian, Kuala Lumpur - 2 October
Japanese, Suzuka - 9 October
US, Texas - 23 October
Mexican, Mexico City - 6 November
Brazilian, Sao Paulo - 13 November
Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi - 27 November

Regulations say only a 20 race calendar to be used next season so I predict Germany will be axed from the final calendar.

Re: 2016 Formula 1 Season Thread
 

Since when has Azerbajian been in Europe???

Re: 2016 Formula 1 Season Thread
 

According to Wiki, it is at the crossroads of Eastern Europe and Western Asia. And to be honest, they have been playing in UEFA football competitions for a long time now. And taken part in Eurovision, so nothing new.

Re: 2016 Formula 1 Season Thread
 

Lets hope Lewis Hamilton can win a 4th world title in 2016.

Re: 2016 Formula 1 Season Thread
 

I really want to see wheel to wheel racing at the front with the sort of overtakes Vestappen has been doing. HAM and VET are capable of that IF they have cars that can race.

Merc management have made it quite clear that they dont want too much inter team racing on Sundays with their very boring call that drivers must use the same strategies.

If ROS can carry on his recent form there could be an upset, somehow i don't think that will pan out though. i don't think ROS is championship material though. Fast for sure, but I want a WDC who can drag a car kicking and screaming to win when its not really upt to the job......

Re: 2016 Formula 1 Season Thread
 

Aston Martin cool plans to re-enter F1 with Force India tie-up.

http://www.skysports.com/f1/news/124...e-india-tie-up

Re: 2016 Formula 1 Season Thread
 

BBC ends contract to show F1 3 years early, from 2016 Channel 4 takes over showing 10 live races a year without adverts and hightlights on the rest.

http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/formul...mula-1-7050447

Re: 2016 Formula 1 Season Thread
 

No surprise there.

Re: 2016 Formula 1 Season Thread
 

Good. Glad licence payers money isn't wasted on the most boring 'sport' appealing to a minority of fanatics.

Re: 2016 Formula 1 Season Thread
 

Personally speaking, and I'm probably in the minority here, I'd rather the BBC scrapped their coverage of Wimbledon early. Sick of it messing around with the schedules every year for 2 weeks. ITV do a decent enough job of the French Open.

Re: 2016 Formula 1 Season Thread
 

Yes, they can get rid of Wimbledon too - only of interest to a few women. Some cricket and/or beach volleyball would be nice but that's probably asking too much.

Re: 2016 Formula 1 Season Thread
 

Wimbledon is one of the "protected" sports as is the football final and others.

Just because you don't like don't think everyone likes your sports.

Personally, I don't care but at least I respect other peoples tastes and expectations hence why some sports made it onto the "protected" list.

Re: 2016 Formula 1 Season Thread
 

TBH I didn't bother with BBCs poor excuse for coverage, I got Sky Sports F1HD to see F1.

---------- Post added at 20:14 ---------- Previous post was at 20:13 ----------

Add Strictly, quiz shows that are shown 6 days a week.

Re: 2016 Formula 1 Season Thread
 

But don't worry! - we can still watch the boat race on BBC! - that's what I pay my licence fee for!

Re: 2016 Formula 1 Season Thread
 

Glad you reminded me 'cos i couldn't quite work out why I was paying my licenmce fee.

BBC6music is an ace radio station but the TV, well its sky or Discovery with a bit of Nat Geo thrown in for good measure and the comedy channel to watch impractical jokers :D

---------- Post added at 21:39 ---------- Previous post was at 21:36 ----------

What do folks think the chances of the new Haas F1 team are......

the other things I looking to forward to in 2016.

Can McLaren Honda move forward or will the Manor Mercedes beat them...

Hoping Renault (Nee Lotus nee Benetton nee Toleman) get a decent livery

Re: 2016 Formula 1 Season Thread
 

Printable 2016 F1 calander.

Re: 2016 Formula 1 Season Thread
 

Channel 4 confirm it will show the British Grand Prix live as part of its live portfolio of F1 races.

http://www.theguardian.com/sport/201...ve-formula-one

Re: 2016 Formula 1 Season Thread
 

Didn't bother with BBC half arsed coverage, won't bother with channel 4s.

I'll stick to Sky Sport F1 HDs coverage.

Re: 2016 Formula 1 Season Thread
 

I don't have any choice if i want to watch it on TV.

Re: 2016 Formula 1 Season Thread
 

I watch it live on KODI.

Re: 2016 Formula 1 Season Thread
 

How does that work, does it come down via torrents to a Kodi box or something, do you pay anything etc?

Re: 2016 Formula 1 Season Thread
 

Kodi scrapes streaming sites and picks up the feed from them. All free.

Re: 2016 Formula 1 Season Thread
 

What is the quality like when watched on a 40in+ TV?

Re: 2016 Formula 1 Season Thread
 

Don't know, don't have one.

Re: 2016 Formula 1 Season Thread
 

Start times confirmed for 2016 season.

http://www.skysports.com/f1/news/129...imes-confirmed

Re: 2016 Formula 1 Season Thread
 

Here is a list of which races are on which TV station.

http://www.cableforum.co.uk/board/at...1&d=1453640680

Source: http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2016/01/1...aces-for-2016/

Re: 2016 Formula 1 Season Thread
 

Thanks for the list SnoopZ as l among others are looking forward to the new season and hopefully a 4th World Championship for Hamilton.

Re: 2016 Formula 1 Season Thread
 

Hamilton apparently still using 44 on his car, instead of the number 1.

Re: 2016 Formula 1 Season Thread
 

44 is is lucky number.

Re: 2016 Formula 1 Season Thread
 

I promise I won't make any sarcastic comments this season. I'll get my little anti Hamilton moan done now. Anyone but him or Vettel to win the title please.

I just hope that McLaren are more competitive this season.

Re: 2016 Formula 1 Season Thread
 

Australia, Monaco and Canada Sky only, gutting. All usually good for different reasons

Re: 2016 Formula 1 Season Thread
 

Even Brazil is Sky only, the chances are we wont see the championship winning race on CH4.

Re: 2016 Formula 1 Season Thread
 

Car launch dates:

Mid Feb: Ferrari, online
Feb 21: McLaren MP4-31
Feb 22: Manor, Barcelona (TBC), Williams FW38, Barcelona (TBC)
March 1: Sauber C35, Barcelona

Pre season tests:

January 25/26: Paul Ricard, wet weather run
February 22-25: Barcelona
March 1-4: Barcelona

DRIVERS:

Ferrari: Sebastien Vettel (GER) & Kimi Raikkonen (FIN)
Force India: Sergio Perez (MEX) & Nico Hulkenberg (GER)
Haas: Romain Grosjean (FRA) & Esteban Gutierrez (MEX)
Lotus: Pastor Maldonado (COL) & Jolyon Palmer (GBR)
Manor: TBA & TBA
McLaren: Jenson Button (GBR) & Fernando Alonso (ESP)
Mercedes: Nico Rosberg (GER) & Lewis Hamilton (GBR)
Red Bull: Daniel Ricciardo (AUS) & Dannil Kvyat (RUS)
Sauber: Marcus Ericsson (SWE) & Felipe Nasr (BRA)
Toro Rosso: Max Verstappen (NED) & Carlos Sainz Jr. (ESP)
Williams: Felipe Massa (BRA) & Valtteri Bottas (FIN)

Manor are running out of time to get drivers for the season.

Re: 2016 Formula 1 Season Thread
 

They do seem to be good at hiring staff though.

Nick Tombasiz and then Pat Fry both hired recently.

They must be getting cash from somewhere, its either a pay driver anew headline sponsor or the budget fairy. For their sake I hope it's not the budget fairy.

Did anyone ever read anything about why Booth and Louden left Manor anyway... Always seemed odd to me the way they left after they dragged the phoenix out of the ashes.

Re: 2016 Formula 1 Season Thread
 

Kevin Magnussen set to replace Pastor Maldonado at Renault maybe F1 will have less on track accidents if this happens.


http://www.skysports.com/f1/news/298...ado-at-renault

Re: 2016 Formula 1 Season Thread
 

KMag confirmed at Enstone and Max Chilton to go to the states to do Indycar.

Thats two seats at Manor available and thats about it ....

Three weeks to the first test... :D

Re: 2016 Formula 1 Season Thread
 

Channel 4 retains 'The Chain' as its Formula 1 coverage theme tune.

Re: 2016 Formula 1 Season Thread
 

As they should!

Re: 2016 Formula 1 Season Thread
 

Still not enough to make me watch C4s 1/2 season coverage.

Thank god I have Sky Sports F1HD

Re: 2016 Formula 1 Season Thread
 

Red Bull launch new look for 2016

http://www.skysports.com/f1/news/124...sed-car-livery

It looks pretty nice in my opinion.

Re: 2016 Formula 1 Season Thread
 

It does, that's the bit I like most, seeing the livery on each car each season.

Re: 2016 Formula 1 Season Thread
 

Be interesting to see how the matt look comes over on TV. I noticed a distinct lack of other sponsors as well.

Re: 2016 Formula 1 Season Thread
 

I am not keen on the matte look of it, prefer it glossy as it will look a mess after a few laps in my opinion, but other than that it is a nice change.

Re: 2016 Formula 1 Season Thread
 

I'm more interested in the car design than the livery. Nice colours cannot hide a bad car after all.

We wont see these designs until Monday and I can't wait.

Also, I think the new RBR looks horrible, but that's just me! :P

Re: 2016 Formula 1 Season Thread
 

Was looking to see if Red Bull had an engine yet, I see they now have Tag Heuer as a sponsor for their Renault engines.

Just wondering what Manor will be able to do with the Mercedes engine - will it propel them to the middle ranks, if it's still the one to beat, compared to the weird situation with Red Bull, having to use a rebranded Renault after they were dismissive of them.

McLaren, in the second season with the Honda engine... will it now be a marriage made in heaven, the difficulties ironed out, or will they see the Manor-Mercedes putting the moves on them.

Re: 2016 Formula 1 Season Thread
 

A closer look at the cars for 2016.
http://bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/35626718

Re: 2016 Formula 1 Season Thread
 

First day of testing complete.

1. Sebastian Vettel (1:24.939) 69 laps

2. Lewis Hamilton (1:25.409) 156 laps

3. Daniel Ricciardo (1:26.044) 87 laps

4. Valtteri Bottas (1:26.044) 80 laps

5. Alfonso Celis (1:26.298) 58 laps

6. Jenson Button (1:26.735) 84 laps

7. Carlos Sainz (1:27.180) 55 laps

8. Marcus Ericsson (1:27.555) 88 laps

9. Pascal Wehrlein (1:28.292) 54 laps

10. Romain Grosjean (1:28.399) 31 laps

11. Jolyon Palmer (1:29.356) 37 laps

Re: 2016 Formula 1 Season Thread
 

Second day of testing, if the testing times are anything to go by then it looks like Ferrari are a threat to Mercedes dominance in past seasons, and i think this is a good thing for the sport and will sure make it more interesting!

Vettel 1:22.810 (126 laps)

Ricciardo 1:23.525 (112)

Perez 1:23.650 (101)

Rosberg 1:24.867 (172)

Ericsson 1:25.237 (108)

Gutierrez 1:25.534 (79)

Bottas 1:25.648 (134)

Wehrlein 1:25.925 (71)

Alonso 1:26.082 (119)

Palmer 1:26.189 (42)

Verstappen 1:26.539 (121)

Re: 2016 Formula 1 Season Thread
 

Testing figures are not anything to go by. Until they are qualifying or racing you have no idea as to setup, fuel load..etc..

For example take day #1 of Barcelona's testing last year



**FASTEST TIMES

P Driver Team Time
1 *Pastor Maldonado Lotus *1m25.011s
2 *Kimi Raikkonen Ferrari *1m25.167s**+0.156
3 *Daniel Ricciardo Red Bull *1m25.547s**+0.536
4 *Sergio Perez Force India *1m26.636s**+1.625
5 *Felipe Nasr Sauber *1m27.307s**+2.296
6 *Max Verstappen Toro Rosso *1m27.900s**+2.889
7 *Jenson Button McLaren *1m28.182s**+3.171
8 *Pascal Wehrlein Force India *1m28.329s**+3.318
9 *Pascal Wehrlein Mercedes *1m28.489s**+3.478
10 *Susie Wolff Williams *1m28.906s**+3.895
11 *Lewis Hamilton Mercedes *1m30.429s**+5.418

Re: 2016 Formula 1 Season Thread
 

It is nice to see McLaren being more reliable!

Re: 2016 Formula 1 Season Thread
 

Another thing to note is that Mercedes were on medium tyres and the two fastest were the only two drivers to try out the new ultra soft tyres again skewing the times.

Until they do the first full qualy sessions we'll not have a clue as to comparisons.

Re: 2016 Formula 1 Season Thread
 

Possible new qualifying format for the 2016 season.

2017 also sees some large changes, with wider cars and driver head protection, details in the link.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/...eporting-story

Re: 2016 Formula 1 Season Thread
 

The 90 secong rule is pathetic especially as some laps at more than that so qualifying will vary depending on track :rolleyes:

Re: 2016 Formula 1 Season Thread
 

Not sure if this solves that problem.



---------- Post added at 18:01 ---------- Previous post was at 16:42 ----------

Day 3 testing times.

1. Nico Hulkenberg (Ger) Force India 1:23.110

2. Romain Grosjean (Fra) Haas 1:25.874

3. Kimi Raikkonen (Fin) Ferrari 1:25.977

4. Kevin Magnussen (Den) Renault 1:26.014

5. Nico Rosberg (Ger) Mercedes 1:26.084

6. Carlos Sainz (Spa) Toro Rosso 1:26.239

7. Felipe Nasr (Brz) Sauber* 1:26.392

8. Lewis Hamilton (GB) Mercedes 1:26.421

9. Daniil Kvyat (Rus) Red Bull 1:26.497

10. Felipe Massa (Brz) Williams 1:26.712

11. Jenson Button (GB) McLaren 1:26.919

12. Rio Haryanto (Idn) Manor 1:28.249

Re: 2016 Formula 1 Season Thread
 

But that means that one place may be resolved without anyone passing the flag or within a time when someone else may have passed the flag

It'll really get confusing

I can understand using this ruling when there are 20+ cars on the track but not for the last 10

Re: 2016 Formula 1 Season Thread
 

Not sure about that, the traffic in the first slot will be manic. Imagine the traffic at Monaco. I know there is the "what goes round comes round" rule and most will try to get out of the way but I can imaging some hot laps being blocked. Hope it doesn't end up in the stewards room.

Re: 2016 Formula 1 Season Thread
 

Final day of testing times.

Kimi Raikkonen 1:23.477 80 laps

Daniil Kvyat 1:24.293 96 laps

Alfonso Celis 1:24.840 75 laps

Kevin Magnussen 1:25.263 153 laps

Max Verstappen 1:25.393 110 laps

Felipe Nasr 1:25.874 121 laps

Nico Rosberg 1:26.187 86 laps

Lewis Hamilton 1:26.295 99 laps

Felipe Massa 1:26.483 54 laps

Esteban Gutierrez 1:27.802 89 laps

Rio Haryanto 1:28.266 51 laps

Fernando Alonso No time 3 laps

Re: 2016 Formula 1 Season Thread
 

New rules delayed until the 5th race :rolleyes:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/35677549

Re: 2016 Formula 1 Season Thread
 

Murray Walker and Eddie Jordan to join Steve Jones on Channel 4 team.

http://www.theguardian.com/media/201...hard-channel-4

Re: 2016 Formula 1 Season Thread
 

Great to see Murray back though last time I saw him he was slowing down a bit with his commentary

Re: 2016 Formula 1 Season Thread
 

Yes he is certainly in his twilight years but its still great to hear his dulcet tones.

Re: 2016 Formula 1 Season Thread
 

Why it's not Sir Walker, I don't know!!!

Re: 2016 Formula 1 Season Thread
 

Quite right.

Re: 2016 Formula 1 Season Thread
 

It's because you don't tend to get past an OBE for just sport commentating from which he's never really branched out from, he needs to get out there in the charity scene to get his knighthood

Re: 2016 Formula 1 Season Thread
 

Or he turned one down.

Re: 2016 Formula 1 Season Thread
 

People only turn them down due to either not believing in the system or for political reasons.. In either case he wouldn't have his OBE

Re: 2016 Formula 1 Season Thread
 

Very good point, thank you for pointing that out to me.

Re: 2016 Formula 1 Season Thread
 

http://planetf1.com/news/lauda-hits-...ifying/http://

It would appear from the above link that Bernie Ecclestone suggested having the Pole winner be put down to 10th place for the actual race.
I know they do the reverse grid in the British Touring Car Championship but they do that in the last race of the day, as yo know they actually have 3 races on race day.

Just shows how much Bernie has lost the plot, he even had to abandon the double points sytem for the last 3 races because it almost meant that the winner of most races could have come last when it was first implemented.

Re: 2016 Formula 1 Season Thread
 

Bernie has lost his marbles and should quit F1.

Re: 2016 Formula 1 Season Thread
 

Indeed, the BTCC system works because it is 3 races per weekend.

This, added to the success ballast means that over the weekend, performance is at least equalised a little bit. Time ballast is completely stupid however, as weight affects cars in different ways and good teams can adapt.

The only way a physical ballast system could work is if there was at least 2 races during a weekend. Sprint and Feature races, like in GP2 could actually work as some cars last year worked better at full weight than low weight.

Anyway, Bernie is woefully out of touch and we need a leadership structure that is committed to the next 10 years and the next generation of motorsports fans. Bernie is neither and needs to go.

To defend the new qualifying however, I think it could work quite well to be fair. That and the fact that at least Ferrari look to be competative means that I'm looking forward to this weekend. The midfield battle too will be fascinating with barely a cigarette paper between everyone from Williams through Red Bull, Toro Rosso, Force India down to potentially even Haas and hopefully McLaren and Renault.

Re: 2016 Formula 1 Season Thread
 

Reverse grid in btcc only works because of the 6-10 place draw. Otherwise everyone would go for tenth place.

As for the new qualifying it does have some weaknesses already published, only time will tell

Re: 2016 Formula 1 Season Thread
 

I hope my excitement is justified. Looking forward to this weekend :hyper:

Re: 2016 Formula 1 Season Thread
 

Me too. I'm usually up at 5am in the morning before work so can watch Practice 2. Should be fun, I hope.

Re: 2016 Formula 1 Season Thread
 

All I want this season is:

1. The title race to be a bit more open, and not just a Mercedes lock out for the whole season (surely I can't be the only one who hates it when a team dominates?)
2. McLaren to be a bit more competitive this season than last year
3. Red Bull to stop whinging because their engine sucks (that is if it does suck again)

Re: 2016 Formula 1 Season Thread
 

I agree Mark.

Re: 2016 Formula 1 Season Thread
 

1: Yep
2: Yep, but I'm very worried.
3: Lolololol not happening.

Re: 2016 Formula 1 Season Thread
 

Hamilton takes pole.

New qualifying maybe abandoned.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/35850766

Re: 2016 Formula 1 Season Thread
 

How to make F1 the joke of the motor racing world :rolleyes:

---------- Post added at 16:05 ---------- Previous post was at 14:25 ----------

https://www.cableforum.co.uk/images/local/2016/03/5.jpg

Re: 2016 Formula 1 Season Thread
 

WOW, what a crash.

Thanks to the safety built into the cars Alonso was able to walk away, and that Gutierrez rushed to see if he was OK

Re: 2016 Formula 1 Season Thread
 

Bahrain GP to continue with elimination qualifying system.

http://www.skysports.com/f1/news/125...lifying-system

Re: 2016 Formula 1 Season Thread
 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-35889736

What is betting Sky put their prices up to pay for it.

I will jus watch on RTL and have the ipad at the side of me with Radio 5 Live.

The Germany commentry is absolute rubbish, they have no idea how to get excited during the qualifying or the race.

F1 wonder why it is losing popularity, well that link above is a major reason why.

Re: 2016 Formula 1 Season Thread
 

Oh well, the way F1 is going, I won't miss it ... BRING BACK FUEL STOPS - it's the only way to shake up strategy.
Dump the safety car and bring back proper restart!
Bring back spare cars, first corner incidents and the dash to reset the spare for the other driver.

Re: 2016 Formula 1 Season Thread
 

Way to go Lewis, P1 :D

Re: 2016 Formula 1 Season Thread
 

Way not to go, Lewis, got to improve those starts.

And a very creditable performance for Haas, new team hitting the ground running with some decent points ... and a point for the McLaren super-sub ... in a below par car, maybe one of the other teams will poach him next season.

Re: 2016 Formula 1 Season Thread
 

F1 bosses back down on qualifying, set to revert to the old 2015 format.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/35987323

Re: 2016 Formula 1 Season Thread
 

Now confirmed that the Chinese GP will use the old qualifying system

Re: 2016 Formula 1 Season Thread
 

Rosberg wins Chinese GP, Hamilton 7th after starting last.

---------- Post added at 09:36 ---------- Previous post was at 09:30 ----------

Latest driver standings:

1. Rosberg, Mercedes, 75
2. Hamilton, Mercedes, 39
3. Ricciardo, Red Bull, 36
4. Vettel, Ferrari, 33
5. Raikkonen, Ferrari, 28
6. Massa, Williams, 22
7. Kvyat, Red Bull, 21
8. Grosjean, Haas, 18
9. Verstappen, Toro Rosso, 13
10. Bottas, Williams, 7
11. Hulkenberg, Force India, 6
12. Sainz Jr., Toro Rosso, 4
13. Vandoorne, McLaren, 1

Constructors:

1. Mercedes, 114
2. Ferrari, 61
3. Red Bull, 57
4. Williams, 29
5. Haas F1, 18
6. Toro Rosso, 17
7. Force India, 6
8. McLaren, 1

Says something when a stand in drivers scores more points than the 2 main drivers for a team doesn't it? Button and Alonso need to pull their fingers out. Haas, who I thought would score nothing, have more points than McLaren.

Re: 2016 Formula 1 Season Thread
 

Early days yet in my opinion.

Re: 2016 Formula 1 Season Thread
 

Nico gifted his 3rd win of the season

---------- Post added at 13:37 ---------- Previous post was at 13:11 ----------

Its a shame that no commentator would ask Nico about another gifted win.

Re: 2016 Formula 1 Season Thread
 

Hamilton's misery continues, engine failure puts him out of Q3.

If things balance out eventually, Rosberg is due some bad luck soon!

Re: 2016 Formula 1 Season Thread
 

Well it will have to change soon or else he has no chance of a 4th title this season.

Re: 2016 Formula 1 Season Thread
 

I have a feeling they will wait for Rosberg to be so far ahead in the title race that he can't be caught before Hamilton will be in a reliable car. Nice to see a different driver winning, shame it is still Mercedes.

Nice to see Alonso in 6th, about time McLaren had some good news.

Re: 2016 Formula 1 Season Thread
 

Toto was highly offended at the Nico favouritism comment

Re: 2016 Formula 1 Season Thread
 

It was obvious that Mercedese slowed Lewis down. Although Lewis was catching Nico while Nico was overtaking back markers, Lewis was doing a better job at and would have caught Nico, after all he had cut the lead to about 7 seconds, no doubt about it at all. The only way they could stop Lewis catching and possibly passing Nico was to slow Lewis down, they could afford to do that and still get a 1 - because Kimi was quite a way back.

Once the lead went back to 13 seconds they had to let Lewis pick his speed up because Kimi had begun to catch him.

I heard the race on Radio 5 Live, and there was an interesting comment from Toto, he told the Radio 5 Live reporter that near the end Nico had got a power problem, however, when I watche dthe interview on Channel 4 Highlites Nico said that near the end he was able to push faster and keep getting faster laps and never mentioned any problem, so make your own minds up.

There is more to this than meets the eye.

Re: 2016 Formula 1 Season Thread
 

I reckon they are letting Nico win the title this year after last year, it is yet again going to be a Mercedes procession. Come on McLaren or Williams, wake up and get a car that will dominate for seasons.

Re: 2016 Formula 1 Season Thread
 

Had similar thoughts since the start that Hamilton has been sandbagged to give Nico the title from the offset. Nico has always come off as passive aggressive to me when finishing up second. Who knows though, i just find it hard to believe Mercedes that get it so right nearly every time suddenly can't get it right for Hamilton at all.

Re: 2016 Formula 1 Season Thread
 

Daniil Kvyat demoted to Red Bulls sister team Toro Rosso and replaced by Max Verstappen in a swap for the rest of the season.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/36206848

Re: 2016 Formula 1 Season Thread
 

Lets get this into perspective.

Max Verstappen is promoted to Red Bull and had less that 6 hours in the car (Drivers get a whole winter testing to feel the car involving 100s of hours) and only bloody wins :D

His is the youngest to win a F1 race, and it will NEVER be beaten as the rules have changed as to the age of a race driver.

Also the first time the Dutch anthem has been played in F1.

Re: 2016 Formula 1 Season Thread
 

Not seen the crash, whos fault was it?

Re: 2016 Formula 1 Season Thread
 

Well depends who you ask, but having read the rule book Damien Hill says Nico.