F1 2026 (1 Viewer)

samccov1987

Well-Known Member
Actually enjoyed that this morning. Russel and Charles swapping the lead due to the electrical energy actually made it interesting. Mercedes as expected look out in front but nice to see Ferrari up there.

Bizarre seeing Oscar spin out before the race.
 

Paul Anthony

Well-Known Member
Imagine if Ferrari had a half decent strategist, we could have had a race long scrap.

It started OK, first few laps were decent enough, then it sort of settled down and tailed off at the end.

I'd like to see how it plays out on a more traditional type of track, then we should have a better picture about how these regs are going to work out. Melbourne was always going to involve heavy energy saving. But certainly wasn't as bad as I thought it might be.
 

Saddlebrains

Well-Known Member
Imagine if Ferrari had a half decent strategist, we could have had a race long scrap.

It started OK, first few laps were decent enough, then it sort of settled down and tailed off at the end.

I'd like to see how it plays out on a more traditional type of track, then we should have a better picture about how these regs are going to work out. Melbourne was always going to involve heavy energy saving. But certainly wasn't as bad as I thought it might be.


Yea i was quite pleased with that race, a lot going on. As you say if Ferrari had a competent strategist it could have been an all timer

Max would have been up there if it wasnt for quali, so him and the Ferraris give me hope
 

tisza

Well-Known Member
stil undecided.too many overtakes were because of battery management (lead car slowing down).
Somewhere this season that Ferrari launch pace is going to cause some unfortunate first corner mayhem. (eg Hungary).
Staggering Ferrari still can't sort out their strategy team - not as if end of last season didn't give enough info on VSC pit stop strategies.
No real surprise Mercedes look strong - they've had far longer to prepare compared too many teams (knew who the engine supplier etc was going to be)
Hopefully different tracks will bring more competitive races- that's a big gap between Russell (1st) & Norris (5th).
 

SkyBlueSoul

Well-Known Member
Just finished watching and yeah, that was better than I expected. I skipped to the start so missed the fact Piastri had spun out till it started and he was greyed out. Cracking start though before it settled down, but still a decent enough race.

Predictably it looks like Mercedes will have the first half of the season with Ferrari not far off before development starts to kick in for everyone else
 

Saddlebrains

Well-Known Member
Thats me out

This is 2014 levels of dominance and no one will get near. Add to that the shit rules and super clipping etc, F1 has imploded in on itself
 

xcraigx

Well-Known Member
It doesn't look too promising and there are plenty of rumours that Mercedes are not running full beans and have more time in hand if required. Ferrari are rapid off the line though so maybe there could be some interest in the opening laps before Merc drive into the distance.
 

Paul Anthony

Well-Known Member
It's all on Ferrari getting a good start. Big problem with that is even if they nail it and manage to fight Mercedes, you know they'll find a way to bottle it.

There's no way Mercedes are showing their full hand. It's of benefit for them not to.

The super clipping is absolutely garbage. It sounds ridiculous, it looks ridiculous and I really do think it's going to catch someone out at some point and we're going to see a massive crash.
 

tisza

Well-Known Member
whether Mercedes are holding something back or not (Russell's quali would have had him only 5th last year) the others are well off last year's pace - Norris's 3rd place quali time would have had him around 12th on the grid last year.
The recent trend of engine management was bad enough but this super clipping is absurd. F1 (and mercedes) "celebrating" more overtakes in Melbourne is PR nonsense as most of them were where one car was "forced" to slow down rather than a genuine overtake.
F1 must think F1 fans are idiots - can see a real drop in viewership coming if they don't address issues and fans have a sense of genuine racing.
 

Paul Anthony

Well-Known Member
After the sprint race, I still don't know what to make of it. Sure, there's plenty of overtakes but, theres no real sense of achievement to it knowing why it's happening.

Don't think Mercedes are necessarily going to have it all their own way in the race.
 

SkyBlueSoul

Well-Known Member
Was discussing this possibility with my mate last weekend, hardly surprising

The races will not be rescheduled or replaced, so the F1 season will be reduced to 22 races and there will be a five-week gap between the Japanese Grand Prix on 27-29 March and Miami on 1-3 May.

 

tisza

Well-Known Member
Pleased for Antonelli.
But 4 cars don't even start the race. only 15 finish due to technical issues. Listening/reading as the pundits trying to make this season interesing is more entertaining than the racing.
Even the Ferrari overtakes were mainly about who had battery & who didn't.
It's frankly shocking how under-prepared most teams are for this season.
 

samccov1987

Well-Known Member
Yes two races in but just feels off. I like the new cars but Mercedes look so far out ahead and even when Ferrari pass them you know they’re getting the places back.

Pleased to see Lewis on the podium.
 

Paul Anthony

Well-Known Member
I still can't quite make up my mind about it. But...

I actually think it wasn't too bad in the race today, it sort of worked and provided plenty of close racing, the midfield scrap and the scrap between the two Ferrari's wasn't bad. I definitely think it works better on a circuit like this with a more typical layout and more opportunities to harvest than somewhere like Melbourne or a Jeddah (which isn't happening now anyway.) and I do think there were a few more battles than just pure battery overtakes today.

Qualifying is still a big issue for me. It's just so ridiculous to have lico on a qualifying lap. Nobody should need to save anything when they're supposed to be pushing to the ragged edge.

And it does look Farcical having so many cars missing the start, or not getting off the line.

There's definitely things that need improving, but today was a better showing than Melbourne.
 

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