Doc Austin
Back From The Dead
Don't worry. Baku is coming up.F1 badly needs another unhinged race or two just to shake things up and keep things interesting for a time.
Don't worry. Baku is coming up.F1 badly needs another unhinged race or two just to shake things up and keep things interesting for a time.
It's not. Moved to September.Don't worry. Baku is coming up.
Too bad. They have had their share of twilight zone races there. Maybe we'll get a surprise this weekend.It's not. Moved to September.
Surprise!Too bad. They have had their share of twilight zone races there. Maybe we'll get a surprise this weekend.
When I was really deep into boxing, I became aware of a pattern that every promoter would engage in when discussing upcoming fights for a star. They'd throw out names - 3-5 names, specifically - and in that list of names all but one would be strong, unquestionable, indisputable options for a fight that were often stars in their own right. And then there was the one outlier: clearly someone who didn't belong next to the other names, didn't have the resume, didn't have the skills, but who appeared stronger simply by being positioned next to them. And as Jim Cornette would say, "Wouldn't you know who won the pony!" when it came time to actually announce a fight. Always the outlier.Mercedes are going to go on the offensive. Toto says Verstappen needs to be in a Merc at some point and is their #1 target for the vacant seat next year.
Other candidates mentioned at this point in time are Alonso, Sainz, and Antonelli.
Sainz is probably the favorite at the moment as the guy who’s confirmed on the market and visibly impressive when Max isn’t stinking up the show. Antonelli was more likely to get the seat before he even started an F2 race, which is kinda wild. Unless he goes on a tear at some point this year, the start to the F2 season has me thinking he’ll be in a Williams next year if he moves up immediately.When I was really deep into boxing, I became aware of a pattern that every promoter would engage in when discussing upcoming fights for a star. They'd throw out names - 3-5 names, specifically - and in that list of names all but one would be strong, unquestionable, indisputable options for a fight that were often stars in their own right. And then there was the one outlier: clearly someone who didn't belong next to the other names, didn't have the resume, didn't have the skills, but who appeared stronger simply by being positioned next to them. And as Jim Cornette would say, "Wouldn't you know who won the pony!" when it came time to actually announce a fight. Always the outlier.
Verstappen is the top guy in the world. Alonso is a legend. Sainz appears to be one of the best drivers around today and just won, breaking up the Red Bull domination - been linked to Audi Sauber forever which may be legitimate talk or just banter from people fantasizing about a landing spot. And then there's Kimi Antonelli, a 17 year old junior driver who skipped FIA F3 after winning two regional F3 series last year (just as well; it's all the same people really). I've seen plenty of him last year and he's, you know, pretty decent looking I guess but suffers from the same lack of capability to set up a pass that many junior drivers have. He overtakes either when DRS is enabled or someone makes a mistake in front of him, which is fine, but probably not the skill set required to dominate at the F1 level. I could be very wrong, but that's my feeling on him. I think I know who is stepping in that car when Lewis is out.
Where are they going to go?One thing seems odd to me. Mercedes says their wind tunnel data doesn't correlate to real world results. Why not dry a different tunnel? This has been going on for two years now, but they are going to keep trusting a tunnel that's giving them bad info?
One thing seems odd to me. Mercedes says their wind tunnel data doesn't correlate to real world results. Why not dry a different tunnel? This has been going on for two years now, but they are going to keep trusting a tunnel that's giving them bad info?
I am attaching both of these together because I think they reflect the same concern in my mind: sunk cost. Mercedes going to another rolling wind tunnel would mean the sunk cost of their own tunnel is excessive and wasteful (also would be a cost against the cap). I also recall this being more about their simulator, which, I dunno how you determine if the simulator is wrong or the wind tunnel is. Not my specialty. Antonelli is also someone the team has invested heavily in since signing him and again, do you want to see a return on the investment or do you want to burn money by having someone else run him? There's still only 20 seats next year and other than the guys leaving maybe leaving Haas and/or Sargeant, I dunno that we're seeing anyone who has a seat departing from the sport entirely.Antonelli was more likely to get the seat before he even started an F2 race, which is kinda wild. Unless he goes on a tear at some point this year, the start to the F2 season has me thinking he’ll be in a Williams next year if he moves up immediately.
Toyota has been known to rent out theirs. Anything would be better than data you can't trust. They just need to try a different tunnel as part of figuring out their own. Their tunnel has a problem they aren't going to fix by continuing to use it.Where are they going to go?
McLaren were using Toyota’s Cologne wind tunnel from 2010, until building and opening their own last year because Toyota’s is both outdated and quite literally a waste of time and money considering what it takes to transit parts back and forth between the UK and Germany. Not sure that’s any better.Toyota has been known to rent out theirs. Anything would be better than data you can't trust. They just need to try a different tunnel as part of figuring out their own. Their tunnel has a problem they aren't going to fix by continuing to use it.
Hass is happy with their pair of shoes, though they have been through so much turmoil I shake up would not be shocking.There's still only 20 seats next year and other than the guys leaving maybe leaving Haas and/or Sargeant, I dunno that we're seeing anyone who has a seat departing from the sport entirely.
I also recall this being more about their simulator, which, I dunno how you determine if the simulator is wrong or the wind tunnel is.
So what can they do except buy some tunnel time from another team? They are not going to get anywhere with bad information. If they can fix it, fine, but I think they need to have some sort of baseline to start from and they don't have that now. Whatever readings they are getting are clearly not working. I'm sure it would be expensive, but they need to do something or give up and start working on the '25 car.McLaren were using Toyota’s Cologne wind tunnel from 2010, until building and opening their own last year because Toyota’s is both outdated and quite literally a waste of time and money considering what it takes to transit parts back and forth between the UK and Germany. Not sure that’s any better.
That's a bit hyperbole. Lauda was in a coma, close to death for several days, came back 6 weeks later and finished 4th with bleeding wounds.he way he bounced back from surgery was very Lauda-like.
Maybe a bit of hyperbole. Not that same thing certainly, but still very much worthy of note.That's a bit hyperbole. Lauda was in a coma, close to death for several days, came back 6 weeks later and finished 4th with bleeding wounds.
I'd consider that slightly more badass than winning after a routine surgery.
Not sure if I like that or not.
F1 owner Liberty Media set to finalise €4bn MotoGP purchase
www.motorsport.com
There's rumor Red Bill Thailand wants to make him CEO. That would wind everyone up.LOL, what the f does Christian Horner know about beverage sales, marketing, and distribution?
That article also doesn't do much to dispel the notion that his accuser is being silenced intentionally not because she's untrustworthy, but because of ownership pressure around protecting Horner. Just saying. But regardless, if I were in Austria, I too would have a lot of questions about why a guy who's background professionally appears to be "racing, racing, also racing" would be in charge of a business that is radically different than racing. And needs to be protected from charges that he sexually harasses employees. And that the company also needs to move to a gulf state with minimal VAT and virtually no worker's protections. Kinda makes me think I should be drinking Monster when I need a pick me up (born in Southern California! Large stake owned by Coca-Cola!).There's rumor Red Bill Thailand wants to make him CEO. That would wind everyone up.
A person is easier to control when they have dirt on them.LOL, what the f does Christian Horner know about beverage sales, marketing, and distribution?
Will these skills be useful at Ferrari?
Will these skills be useful at Ferrari?
I’m sure they are, there just aren’t very many options he could feasibly go to so you don’t hear about it. Ferrari are supposedly heavily in the mix as well. Aston he wouldn’t really have to relocate for.I'm surprised the entire grid isn't after him. Newey has been so quiet through all the butthurt that we have no idea where his loyalties lay.
Newey hasn't said a word since all this started. No one knows where he stands. Probably a good position to be in with this mess.I’m sure they are, there just aren’t very many options he could feasibly go to so you don’t hear about it. Ferrari are supposedly heavily in the mix as well. Aston he wouldn’t really have to relocate for.
If Aston is making a serious offer to Newey you can tell they want the other guy too.I’m sure they are, there just aren’t very many options he could feasibly go to so you don’t hear about it. Ferrari are supposedly heavily in the mix as well. Aston he wouldn’t really have to relocate for.
Why put in a puppet when you could just put in the puppeteer?A person is easier to control when they have dirt on them.
I just don't want them to dump popular venues. I'm not really eager to see MotoGP do five races each in the states and in the Middle East.You should.
Liberty is mostly in it for the entertaining value but there is no doubting they boosted F1’s popularity here in the states.
I used to watch MotoGP all the time when it was more easy to follow. From Speed channel to the now defunct NBCSN.
If Liberty helps bring MotoGP to relevancy in the states again, I’m all for it.