2014 Formula 1 Thread

[Ruffdaddy]

You think RBR will be better than they were this year? Seems like less newey, stricter regs, more competition and renault could prevent that improvement. But maybe Renault figured something out?

[momo]

well with that Fiat POS Marchionne calling shots, expect everything to constantly be uprooted.

vettel will be miserable. RBR will be much better next year.

[Ruffdaddy]

Who marco mattiacci is out already. I didn't ever think that was a temporary thing...

[momo]

Well, that's a wrap on 2014.

Happy Lewis won it, think he outperformed Nico clearly other than qualifying. Wish Nico didn't have his race ruined with the ERS issue but it didn't effect the outcome. (Imagine if that issue hit Lewis instead...) Nico was classy in defeat.

Testing coming up and the last few driver announcements should take place soon.

[Ruffdaddy]

Mclaren announced that vandoorne will stay in GP2, idk how much we should trust that though.

It is odd that Mclaren is testing a new wing design done by the guy they brought in from Red Bull is on K Mags car and not on Button or on both. That could be a sign.

As for the championship, Lewis should be good with 2nd. As stated the Williams don't look like they have the race pace to compete. Who knows.

Agreed on Ferrari shitting the bed. Two straight races with Alonso having engine problems. Also a slight rift between Alonso and the TP.

Button and mag have been alternating who tries the new parts so that's really not much of an indicator.

[pHILSANITY07]

Mclaren announced that vandoorne will stay in GP2, idk how much we should trust that though.

It is odd that Mclaren is testing a new wing design done by the guy they brought in from Red Bull is on K Mags car and not on Button or on both. That could be a sign.

As for the championship, Lewis should be good with 2nd. As stated the Williams don't look like they have the race pace to compete. Who knows.

Agreed on Ferrari shitting the bed. Two straight races with Alonso having engine problems. Also a slight rift between Alonso and the TP.

[Ruffdaddy]

That would make me follow WEC religiously.

McLaren are being dumb but I think they've got a shot with honda and prodmorou. Especially with an alonso in the mix.

However ferrari will benefit greatly from vettel in the way of car development. Sadly, kimi will not get the front wing he wants I feel.

Next year will be awesome if anyone catches merc.

[momo]

I'd like to see Porsche run a 3rd car for LeMans with webber, alonso and button as the drivers.

[momo]

Not really sure they even know. McLaren is delusional.

I'd guess Alonso. That's the rumor but I'm shocked Ron Dennis wants him back at all. No clue on Button. As my favorite f1 driver I'll just assume this is his last race.

K Mag could be out just as easily. Then they could just as easily sign Vandoorne. And just to throw another wrench in it, i bet Ron wants Lewis back.

[Ruffdaddy]

What do you think about mclarens prospects next year?

[momo]

I guess it has been a while since RBR has been hit for a technical infraction.

Ferrari was beyond slow.

I fully expect Lewis to try and win tomorrow outright and he can beat nico. It's probably smarter to just hang back.

Williams was fast but their race pace is probably not as great as their qualifying form and they don't use tires well enough to serve as spoiler.

[Ruffdaddy]

Wow...the heat just turned up even more for the merc team. Let's see if ham behaves like his hero and runs Britney off in turn 1.

Looks like RBR and ferrari are making sure to remind their hero's why they're leaving.

[Ruffdaddy]

You're not kidding on indy not knowing what they could have if they marketed right.

Part of me thinks a lot of the races like tms are only retained for the sake of loyalty. Oval racing sucks, especially on an open wheel platform. But I think they're scared of taking the risk required to make it great.

Regardless, I'm pumped for this weekend.

[Slowhand]

Yeah aero is a tough call. I like it because it allows so much cornering speed, but it does make a race more boring. Then you have to use DRS and stuff to keep the leader from running away with it. I like what indy has done so far, and am trying harder every year to not make the switch from F1

I like the renewed emphasis on mechanical grip in F1, but I hate that the counterpoint is to stifle innovation. That said, if F1 is going to act like they're so concerned with road-car relevance (re: power units), it's a waste of innovative resources. I'd be more interested in seeing work in the realm of non-fixed suspension.

Re: Indy, I still hate the basic chassis design, and the aero "kits" just feel so cheap and kitschy. Glad they're letting the engineers do a little bit at least, though. It's a series I want to love, but at the moment the cars are still hideous, the pecking order is still a bit stale, and the television package is still horrendous.

I can overlook everything except for the TV package; that shit is bad, and watching an IndyCar race for me is a battle of whether I feel up to sitting through the broadcast or not. Maybe it's just me, but I think a lot of IndyCar's future appeal banks on them learning how to market the damn thing. Even Global RallyCross has a better TV package, IMO.

[Ruffdaddy]

Just throwing a little nugget out there for a fixed chassis/motor/aero blend. I don't mind the idea entirely, especially if you toss out the country representation and allow a bit of development, but now that's starting to sound like the awful aero package setup that IRL is using embarking upon which I just don't care much for.

Yeah aero is a tough call. I like it because it allows so much cornering speed, but it does make a race more boring. Then you have to use DRS and stuff to keep the leader from running away with it. I like what indy has done so far, and am trying harder every year to not make the switch from F1