Formula 1/F1/Formula One

[roller]

Otmar departs Aston Martin... and is rumored to be headed to Alpine where he'd be Team Principal.

And on a related nugget, Vettel states he'd be open to serving as a TP in the future.

 

[roller]

Btw, what are everyone's thoughts on continuing the 2022 F1 discussion here in the same thread (as opposed to starting a new one)? That seems logical... but I'm open to ideas.

Unfortunately, I'm unable to change the name of the thread... but I've reached out to the mods to see if they can assist. Basically, I'd like to drop the "2021 season" from the thread title. I was the one who originally created this thread, but the site isn't giving me the option to make edits to the title. Any thoughts???

Thanks!

 

[ahc]

Btw, what are everyone's thoughts on continuing the 2022 F1 discussion here in the same thread (as opposed to starting a new one)? That seems logical... but I'm open to ideas.

Unfortunately, I'm unable to change the name of the thread... but I've reached out to the mods to see if they can assist. Basically, I'd like to drop the "2021 season" from the thread title. I was the one who originally created this thread, but the site isn't giving me the option to make edits to the title. Any thoughts???

Thanks!

Makes sense. Good idea.

 

[ShawnG]

Btw, what are everyone's thoughts on continuing the 2022 F1 discussion here in the same thread (as opposed to starting a new one)? That seems logical... but I'm open to ideas.

Unfortunately, I'm unable to change the name of the thread... but I've reached out to the mods to see if they can assist. Basically, I'd like to drop the "2021 season" from the thread title. I was the one who originally created this thread, but the site isn't giving me the option to make edits to the title. Any thoughts???

Thanks!

I’m good staying here.

 

[Jeff Scott]

And on a related nugget, Vettel states he'd be open to serving as a TP in the future.

Hmm...

Btw, what are everyone's thoughts on continuing the 2022 F1 discussion here in the same thread (as opposed to starting a new one)? That seems logical... but I'm open to ideas.

Unfortunately, I'm unable to change the name of the thread... but I've reached out to the mods to see if they can assist. Basically, I'd like to drop the "2021 season" from the thread title. I was the one who originally created this thread, but the site isn't giving me the option to make edits to the title. Any thoughts???

Thanks!

I'm fine here, as it is, but a new thread for the 2022 seasons makes a lot of sense, too, as there is much that will be different compared to 2021.

 

[roller]

Update -- the mods changed the thread name per my request... so moving forward, this can be a thread for F1 discussions of all types, regardless of season, topic, etc. The thread even ventured into IndyCar and America's Cup last year!

Thanks again to everyone who contributes, especially our regular guys. I've enjoyed everyone's notes.

Unvelings and winter testing will be here before we know it!

 

[Passinwind]

Update -- the mods changed the thread name per my request... so moving forward, this can be a thread for F1 discussions of all types, regardless of season, topic, etc.

Thanks again to everyone who contributes, especially our regular guys. I've enjoyed everyone's notes.

Unvelings and winter testing will be here before we know it!

Bring it on. In the meantime IndyCar testing starts Monday and the Rolex 24 field is really loaded with great drivers again this year. Plenty of ex-F1 guys plus all the usual IC suspects.

 

[Roxbororob]

Update -- the mods changed the thread name per my request... so moving forward, this can be a thread for F1 discussions of all types, regardless of season, topic, etc. The thread even ventured into IndyCar and America's Cup last year!

Thanks again to everyone who contributes, especially our regular guys. I've enjoyed everyone's notes.

Unvelings and winter testing will be here before we know it!

Nice. Thanks for this thread Low8

..and thanks mods.

 

[roller]

Anyone wanna give out predictions for 2022? Or hunches?

Here are a few of mine...

1. I have a hunch Red Bull won't be as strong as Mercedes this season. Not saying the team will be in the doghouse... but without Honda's involvement, I have my doubts.

2. I predict Ferrari will win a race in 2022. They looked good in the second half of last season and for months, I've read lots of positive rumblings about their '22 car. They're a smart team, their management likes to win and they've got the drivers to get it done. I believe these guys are on the rise.

3. I have a hunch Alpine will have more podium finishes in '22 than '21. Hey, I know they only had two last season, but the competition will be fierce and again, Alpine is the only one running the Renault engine (less data, fewer allies). This team is on the rise and more good fortune will head their way.

4. I predict Lando's first career victory will elude him in '22. I'd love to see him atop the podium, but I see McLaren getting reeled in this year. With last year's engine change, McLaren had to change more stuff on their car vs. Ferrari, Alpine and AlphaTauri. They had a couple of high points, but they didn't run well in the second of the year. I have a hunch the team will be mid-pack this season.

5. I predict Aston Martin will finish 8th or worst in the constructor's championship. Bringing in Whitmarsh won't do the trick and Lawrence's nightmare will continue. Also, I expect Vettel to hang it up at the end of the year.

What say you?

 

[Jeff Scott]

I see Whitmarsh being the reason Otmar left.

Wildazz thought - Bottas and Alfa Romeo win the 2022 championships...

I have a hunch Haas will come in last again, sadly.

 

[roller]

I'm kinda surprised Guenther is back at Haas for '22... but I guess it's easy money working for Gene Haas. I read an interesting comment from Tony Stewart about Haas in which he said something to the effect that Gene had big bucks and no family and simply enjoyed to spend his money on what makes him happy. If running around in the back of the most prestigious racing series on Earth trips your trigger for another year, I guess it's pretty easy to just roll over and poop out a team.

I'd love to see Bottas surprise some folks (in a positive way) this year.

I see Whitmarsh being the reason Otmar left.

Wildazz thought - Bottas and Alfa Romeo win the 2022 championships...

I have a hunch Haas will come in last again, sadly.

 

[ShawnG]

Looking forward to "Drive to Survive", or whatever the Netflix thing is called, this year. Last season should provide plenty of good storylines.

Agree, re: looking to Ferrari for a good season based on what appears to be a lot of work done on 2022 car.

Guenther is always good for info on the Netflix show. Lots of insight into Haas, IMO. I don't understand the Haas strategy either, but I believe it is simply based on the amount of $$$ Mazi-spin and Schumacher bring with them. I believe it makes Gene's investment much less, therefore another season at the back.

Hoping to see Williams build on their progress last year, but with George at Merc, will be tough.

Re: George at Merc, how many races until he tops Lewis? Not many, is my guess.

 

[Jeff Scott]

Re: George at Merc, how many races until he tops Lewis? Not many, is my guess.

How about, Bahrain?

 

[ShawnG]

How about, Bahrain?

Wouldn't surprise me.

 

[roller]

Oh, I'm sure Boy George clearly agreed to be the secondary driver behind Lewis. Unless there's a special circumstance in which Lewis can't move ahead, I see Russell winning as many races per year as Bottas did (one to three).

Wouldn't surprise me.

 

[ShawnG]

Oh, I'm sure Boy George clearly agreed to be the secondary driver behind Lewis. Unless there's a special circumstance in which Lewis can't move ahead, I see Russell winning as many races per year as Bottas did (one to three).

I’m not so sure. Lewis’ time is coming to an end. I think he’ll put up a good fight for another championship next year, don’t get me wrong, but at the end of the day, Toto wants to win and I think will give the opportunity to the driver that gives him the best chance to do so.
I really think it will be interesting to see what Lewis’ motivation level is this coming season. I think he has found something in his “activist” role that is really connecting with him. That being said, he needs the spotlight of his F1 success to provide illumination for his platform, can’t have one without the other, yet, IMO. Will be an interesting year at MB, I believe.

 

[ShawnG]

I’m also interested to see what 2022 holds for McLaren. Best thing they did, again IMO, was bring in Andreas Seidl. That guy knows how to win. Reminds me of Toto in that respect.

 

[ahc]

Lewis wants that 8th title and therefore become the GOAT. He won't be letting up. It would also help him pursue his social activism work.

Honda will still be assembling power units for Red Bull Powertrains (their motor division) for '22 and Red Bull gets to keep Honda's intellectual property from then on. They have also committed to spending whatever it takes on engineering talent and facilities to build that division as they did with their chassis (hiring Adrian Newey for example). I would not count Red Bull out.

Ferrari will have a good (hopefully great ) year. They made a lot of progress over the season and are putting a lot into the new car which limited their development of the 21 car. You could see them improve the last half of the season as they incorporated some of the new stuff.

Bottas will help Alfa Romeo as he did Williams back when. He also won't be saddled with having to sacrifice in support of another driver. And who knows what technical tidbits will filter over to Alfa from Ferrari beyond an improved power unit.

And sadly, Haas will still finish last.

 

[revd]

We're questioning Hamilton's motivational level? Really?

Admittedly one choice he has is to walk away after the shameful end of season result manipulation. But if he races, he's 100% on it.

Already my GOAT but I'd love to see him win again, of course.

 

[roller]

Yeah, I'm with revd -- obviously, Hamilton competes at a high level as he's a 7-time World Champ. Seems rather silly to wonder what will be driving him this season. If he's physically and mentally fit to do his job, you can guarantee he'll be in it to win it, especially driving for the best team on the grid; Mercedes isn't going to hire a seatfiller.

We're questioning Hamilton's motivational level? Really?

Admittedly one choice he has is to walk away after the shameful end of season result manipulation. But if he races, he's 100% on it.

Already my GOAT but I'd love to see him win again, of course.