2024 F1 News and Prediction League

[pharvey]

Are things getting a tad desperate in the Red BS camp?

Red Bull Change Car After Discussions With FIA

"Red Bull have confirmed that they have made changes to their car as a result of discussions with governing body the FIA.

Rivals had alerted the FIA to a device in the Red Bull cockpit that they believed could be used to adjust the height of the front of the car's floor.

The concern of rival teams was that this could be used to make changes to the car's set-up between qualifying and races, when they are not allowed.

A Red Bull spokesperson told BBC Sport: "Yes, [the device] exists, although it is inaccessible once the car is fully assembled and ready to run.

"In the numerous correspondence we have with the FIA, this part came up and we have agreed a plan going forward.""

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/ar ... 3yvz7xdgzo

[404cameljockey]

Why not simply extend the rules to say those outside of the "Top 10 Finishers" can't compete for the point

Because it wouldn't have been the fastest lap of the race. "Fastest lap of the top ten placed" has a bit of a hollow ring.

I think it's bit pointless (hah); better to drop it.

[pharvey]

Why not simply extend the rules to say those outside of the "Top 10 Finishers" can't compete for the point

Because it wouldn't have been the fastest lap of the race. "Fastest lap of the top ten placed" has a bit of a hollow ring.

I think it's bit pointless (hah); better to drop it.

OK - I see what you are saying. HOWEVER, there would have been no issue if Red BS didn't have that second team. Keep the point - Ban Second Teams!!

Of course there are Teams sharing Power Units and Teams looking at Drivers of the future etc.(Mercedes/Ferrari big players) BUT, having 2 outright team owners on the Grid is out of order IMHO and this is where the complaint/argument started. There are teams deserving of a chance, but the Powers that Be in F1 will not allow it -WHY?!! There are 10 Teams and 20 Cars on the F1 Grid - HOW The FECK do Red Bull CONTROL 2 TEAMS AND 4 CARS (LET ALONE DRIVERS)? NOT ON!!... We won't go into the influence of "That Team" in F2/F3/F4 etc.

Of course I am completely pro all teams and their drivers and have hidden my slight bias towards Mercedes and similarly any feelings against Red Bull/RB very well - I'm ashamed to now mention it

[pharvey]

Well, it’s been quite the weekend so far. The majority of drivers have certainly struggled at some point, only the single Free Practice, specified tyres for the Sprint Qualifying and of course, the track itself! One thing for sure though is that the Red BS Upgrades have certainly improved matters and the Dire Dutchman is back… DAMN!!

The Sprint itself really was a cracker, though again some drivers/teams struggled. My predictions for today’s race were made prior to Qualifying as usual, but most definitely through a Cloudy Crystal Ball and far more wishful thinking than there should have been! Never-the-less, I’m still hopeful!!

Race Qualifying itself threw up a couple of surprises – LH for one going out in Q1 and currently starting in P18 . Though, that may well change to a start from the Pit Lane if he and Mercedes to go with a shed load of changes – certainly nothing to lose in doing that IMHO. Perez under pressure and must be on borrowed time after “just” sneaking into Q3 and ultimately P10 – BIG drives from Alonso and Magnusen though, finishing up P8 and P9 respectively!

Crashappen did look to be heading for Pole despite a cracking earlier lap from Norris – Russell however leant a helping hand by spinning off during the “Dire One’s” Flying Lap with the subsequent Double Yellow Flag ultimately ending the session.. Lot’s of love to Russell for that!!

[EDIT] Should add that Lawson played little part in Q3 as he was taking huge "Grid Penalties", ultimately putting him in last position regardless.

RACE GRID: -
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Hopefully it's another one to enjoy!!

[pharvey]

Not bad, not bad at all - aside from LH's race, as short as it was!! Mercedes certainly not having the best of weekends at the Austin Circuit.

Some truly exciting racing and Ferrari proved a point or two. Norris was "too keen" IMHO and this ultimately cost him P3 - and realistically gave Leclerc his early lead when he (Norris) was trying to prove his own point with Crashappen.

The race between MV and Norris was superb and tactics seemed have won the day for the latter - fresher tyres in the last 12 odd laps. Hate to say it, but the Dutchman showed some great skill, albeit not all legal or sporting. Norris' overtake in the final laps was illegal, but Verstappen instigated things by running off himself (a "professional foul" if ever there was one). The 5 second penalty and loss of a place was harsh on Norris, but at the end of the day it was correct - decisions do seem to go Red BS' way at times though. This one is a bit of a killer blow for Norris' momentum, though he wasn't realistically going to challenge Crashappen for the title....

Incredible races from Liam Lawson and Colapinto - I'm not yet convinced with Lawson, though Colapinto is very much a star who's going to be around for years to come.

FULL RACE RESULTS: -
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As for the HHF/Superbru Prediction League - congrats to JJBones on the "Yellow Cap" this round. Commiserations to BigBoy who takes the "Wooden Spoon" and as such, unfortunately drops a place in the league.

HHF/Superbru F1 Prediction League: -
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Next up Mexico City over the weekend of 25th - 27th October. Long may this racing continue!!

[Big Boy]

Commiserations to BigBoy who takes the "Wooden Spoon" and as such, unfortunately drops a place in the league.

Another sleepless night, worrying

[pharvey]

Another sleepless night, worrying

[pharvey]

Well, this circuit is going to favour "Straight Line Speed" for sure, but things truly are tight at the top and it's going to be interesting to see how the likes of HAAS and Williams further back perform! Good times for F1...

All Times Shown UK (and don't forget the "Clock Change"!!): -
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[PeteC]

https://f1calendar.com/timezone/Asia-Bangkok

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[pharvey]

Well, Ferrari had been the performers over Free Practice, but I had convinced myself McLaren had hit the "sweet spot" in the final stages of FP3 and would continue this throughout Qualifying and the Race itself.... Piastri out in Q1, Sainz with a cracking P1 which he took all the way to the Podium, in part due to the Battle between Norris and Crashappen which also had other consequences.
[EDIT] And why oh why do I keep on insiting in the belief that Tsunoda will finish a race?!!

Thoroughly enjoyable race though, especially seeing Crashappen get his just deserts - the guy really is dangerous. Norris won't be pipping him to the title this season, but the Dire Dutchman is obviously not happy the way things are currently going for him - makes for some decent battles though!

The Scuderia are looking good - especially Sainz P1, Leclerc finishing P3 after being caught well by Norris. A good weekend for Mercedes with LH finishing P4 and Russell in P5. Crashappen's P6 finish means Norris took a 10 point chunk out of his lead in the Championship - Norris is now 47 points behind with 4 races remaining. Not impossible, but not exactly likely. That said, what is likely is that Verstappen and Red BS will need to take a Grid Penalty before the end of the season (additional Power Unit).... Who knows?

Perez has been on borrowed time, but his P17 finish - dead last of the drivers to complete the race, surely must mean we will not see him at Red BS next season... He may not even make it to the end of this one.

On a side note, a sad end to Alonso's 400th GP!! Unfortunately AM retiring the car on Lap 15 Never-the-less, what an incredible achievement!
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Next up is the Brazilian GP (Sau Paulo) over the weekend of Nov 1-3

[pharvey]

Next up - Brazil.

NOTE: Only the one Free Practice as it's a "Sprint Race" weekend. As usual, picks need to be made prior to Saturday's Qualifying session to get the 2 "Early Bru Points"

Times Shown UK
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[pharvey]

"2025 Haas driver Ollie Bearman will replace Kevin Magnussen at the team for the first day of the Sao Paulo Grand Prix weekend, after Magnussen reported feeling unwell.

With the Sprint format in play in Brazil this weekend, teams are afforded just one hour of practice before competitive action begins with Friday afternoon’s Sprint Qualifying session.

But Magnussen will be forced to miss these sessions, after reporting feeling sick – with the team calling on reserve Bearman to drive in his place, before taking a view on Magnussen’s ability to compete for the rest of the weekend.

Bearman has already raced for Haas once this season, competing for the team at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix as Magnussen served a one-race ban for exceeding 12 penalty points within a 12-month period."

https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/arti ... bt1U6JshXt

[PeteC]

https://f1calendar.com/timezone/Asia-Bangkok

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[pharvey]

Start times for Qualifying and the Main Race have been rescheduled due to torrential rain on Saturday. Qualifying will now begin Sunday at 10:30am (UK) and the Main Race at 15:30 (UK).

https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/arti ... ZgbfjphH8U

[sateeb]

At last, Lance Stroll does something useful in F1. His qually crash totally screwed both Red Bulls.