F1 2021 Season

Obviously, they have, cause he did - and he got various penalties for that as well. But he has been depicted way beyond that in the thread I feel.

Anyway, if everyone's happy with the thread, then carry on; I'm not contributing much anyway can can easily ignore most of it.
I get what you’re saying but this is a fan forum thread. You’re going to get much more direct and emotional posts. You’ll never see a proper media outlet with such direct criticism, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they don’t think it too. Not saying they do, they might not, but if you’re basing it on what you see written I think it’s a flawed approach. If you go back to this thread during the Silverstone incident you’ll see similarly heated posts about Hamilton.
 
Yeah it's been a shame how much McLaren have just dropped off the second half of the season. Their fight with Ferrari was a good sideshow in the first half.
Ricciardo hasn't been able to step up this season, has he? Last year the story was that he was still getting used to the car, but surely he should be past that now? But Norris hasn't been up there much recently either. Are they having issues? Or just stopped developing this year's car while focusing on next season?
 
Ricciardo hasn't been able to step up this season, has he? Last year the story was that he was still getting used to the car, but surely he should be past that now? But Norris hasn't been up there much recently either. Are they having issues? Or just stopped developing this year's car while focusing on next season?
Am i right in saying the lower you finish in the constructors the more wind tunnel time you get, I know more money is great for finishing higher, but the extra bit of time in the tunnel could be a major difference for them next season
 
I think everybody except red bull and merc did that a while ago
That's what I thought - but that doesn't explain why McLaren are dropping off, or why Ricciardo's performances aren't improving. If indeed that's both true. :)
Am i right in saying the lower you finish in the constructors the more wind tunnel time you get, I know more money is great for finishing higher, but the extra bit of time in the tunnel could be a major difference for them next season
There's also a lot of money involved in getting a good position in the constructors standings, isn't there?
 
Ricciardo hasn't been able to step up this season, has he? Last year the story was that he was still getting used to the car, but surely he should be past that now? But Norris hasn't been up there much recently either. Are they having issues? Or just stopped developing this year's car while focusing on next season?

Last year? He's only been at mclaren a season. He's doing OK, the car is apparently very weird to drive. He doe sof course have a race win and that was on merit as it was by no means guaranteed that max and Lewis would catch him. They just seem to have lost their way a bit towards the en dof the season. Lando hasn't been the same since the win that never was.
 
Last year? He's only been at mclaren a season. He's doing OK, the car is apparently very weird to drive. He doe sof course have a race win and that was on merit as it was by no means guaranteed that max and Lewis would catch him. They just seem to have lost their way a bit towards the en dof the season. Lando hasn't been the same since the win that never was.
I see you're right! It feels like he's been there much longer already - it must have been a long year for me! :lol: I'll shut up now. :)
 
Yeah it's been a shame how much McLaren have just dropped off the second half of the season. Their fight with Ferrari was a good sideshow in the first half.

Would like to see any or all of those four drivers for either team in a title fight.
Would be great to have multiple teams competing for the title next year. The big rule change mean it must surely be likely that an unexpected team win! Or at least increase the chances.

If its Red Bull vs Mercedees again next year I'll be disappointed. Would love a curve ball like Haas with a rapid car.
 
That's what I thought - but that doesn't explain why McLaren are dropping off, or why Ricciardo's performances aren't improving. If indeed that's both true. :)

There's also a lot of money involved in getting a good position in the constructors standings, isn't there?
Merc engine has more power when new but the power falls off more than other engines when the unit is old... not sure how many power units mclaren have used?

Edit ricciardo took his 4th engine and a penalty on 10th October

So has done Turkey, USA, Mexico, Brazil, Qatar and Saudi on that engine... so perhaps that explains a bit of it
 
And it would mean Ferrari can clean up and I can come in here and be insufferable about it.
When on top, Ferrari is the most insufferable and arrogant constructor of all. They will make Mercedes and even Red Bull look small time.
 
Ricciardo hasn't been able to step up this season, has he? Last year the story was that he was still getting used to the car, but surely he should be past that now? But Norris hasn't been up there much recently either. Are they having issues? Or just stopped developing this year's car while focusing on next season?
He made the switch from Renault to McLaren this year, hence his rather poor showing earlier in the season.
 
He made the switch from Renault to McLaren this year, hence his rather poor showing earlier in the season.
And every since the winter break, Danny Ric has looked so much more at home.

I think people undervalue how hard it is to adapt to a new car. Some drivers get it straight away but most don’t. It’s especially hard when you‘re joining a team whereby the other driver has been fully integrated into the team. Norris not only has 3 seasons under his belt at McLaren but he has also tested for them since 2017 and ran multiple practice sessions prior to 2019. Just for comparison, Russell and Leclerc both had extensive experience testing and practicing for Mercedes and Ferrari respectively. So it’s no surprise they looked right at home, especially Russell who only had a one off race.

That being said, Norris is no slouch, so we really need to see the best of Danny Ric next year. For a driver of his ability, expectations are that he should be leading this team for 2022, not the #2 driver.
 
And every since the winter break, Danny Ric has looked so much more at home.

I think people undervalue how hard it is to adapt to a new car. Some drivers get it straight away but most don’t. It’s especially hard when you‘re joining a team whereby the other driver has been fully integrated into the team. Norris not only has 3 seasons under his belt at McLaren but he has also tested for them since 2017 and ran multiple practice sessions prior to 2019. Just for comparison, Russell and Leclerc both had extensive experience testing and practicing for Mercedes and Ferrari respectively. So it’s no surprise they looked right at home, especially Russell who only had a one off race.

That being said, Norris is no slouch, so we really need to see the best of Danny Ric next year. For a driver of his ability, expectations are that he should be leading this team for 2022, not the #2 driver.

I can see Danny Ric being replaced at the end of next season if he doesn't rediscover his form. I really like him so want him to do well but, as you said, he is expected to be the one leading the team.

Gasly won't want to drive for AT forever so that could be a realistic replacement.
 
I can see Danny Ric being replaced at the end of next season if he doesn't rediscover his form. I really like him so want him to do well but, as you said, he is expected to be the one leading the team.

Gasly won't want to drive for AT forever so that could be a realistic replacement.

The guys won a race this year, he's not suddenly gone poor overnight. New car to him this year, he'll have got to grips with the brakes (which was challenge at Renault in the early days) by next year.
 
Would be great to have multiple teams competing for the title next year. The big rule change mean it must surely be likely that an unexpected team win! Or at least increase the chances.

If its Red Bull vs Mercedees again next year I'll be disappointed. Would love a curve ball like Haas with a rapid car.
Kamikadzin with a fast car is not something I have the nerves to see.
 
The guys won a race this year, he's not suddenly gone poor overnight. New car to him this year, he'll have got to grips with the brakes (which was challenge at Renault in the early days) by next year.

I think he'll be fine. He's been much better since the mid-season break already.

Was just more an observation than anything. On the flip side if he does get back to his best and McLaren regress, he'll want to leave.
 
He made the switch from Renault to McLaren this year, hence his rather poor showing earlier in the season.
I think people undervalue how hard it is to adapt to a new car.
Yeah, sorry, my bad. As I also said in another post in the meantime, I didn't realize it's still his first season with McLaren, thought it already was his second. Guess it's been a long year...
 
I can see Danny Ric being replaced at the end of next season if he doesn't rediscover his form. I really like him so want him to do well but, as you said, he is expected to be the one leading the team.

Gasly won't want to drive for AT forever so that could be a realistic replacement.
100%. McLaren brought him in to be #1. They're reportedly paying him more than double what Norris is getting. Even Danny Ric ambitions are to be a world champion. 2022 is definitely make or break.

Gasly is a great shout. He's in no man's land in terms of finding a new drive. Can't see him going back to Red Bull and every other top team is locked out till 2023. His biggest hope is that a driver from a top team hits really bad form i.e. Ricciardo or Ocon maybe.
 
I'd love to see Danny Ric have a car that can compete next season. He's so much more likeable than Max and Lewis too.
 
Mick vs Max battle of the offsprings would be nice.

EDIT: compared to battle of the brats
Would be interesting. But...
I'll be happy if I don't have to watch Max and his "driving style" too much next season! I like Mick though, so far he seems hard but fair in the little we have seen of him.
 
I'd love to see Danny Ric have a car that can compete next season. He's so much more likeable than Max and Lewis too.
Definitely a character. Not sure he will remain this way if he was in the mix to actually win a WC though.
 
I can see Danny Ric being replaced at the end of next season if he doesn't rediscover his form. I really like him so want him to do well but, as you said, he is expected to be the one leading the team.

Gasly won't want to drive for AT forever so that could be a realistic replacement.
As a Mclaren fan he's definitely been a bit of a disappointment. Some great highs like Monza and a few other good results, but then some horrible drives along with it. Way too inconsistent.

I do think he needs to hit 2022 strongly, as there's plenty of good young drivers coming up. As you say Gasly would be a great move I think, we also have Pato O'ward from Indycar that they might want to give a chance (he's doing an f1 test soon)
 
I don't think McLaren will be able to beat anyone to a world title with a customer engine sadly, a nice dream all the same.
 
"Max Verstappen did brake on Lewis Hamilton as Red Bull apologise ahead of Abu Dhabi"
https://www.independent.co.uk/sport...ilton-verstappen-2021-standings-b1971818.html

Marko apologises and accepts Verstappen did brake on Hamilton in Jeddah
“At the time of the television interview, I passed on exactly the information I had previously received from the engineers,” Helmut Marko told f1-insider.com.
“They obviously weren’t right, so I’m sorry.”
The Red Bull advisor initially said: “We feel we have been treated unfairly. We are working to prove Max’s braking pressure did not increase when he crashed with Hamilton,” said the Austrian.
“Hamilton simply misjudged and drove into Max’s car. Unfortunately, that left two big cuts in our rear tyre. That’s why we couldn’t attack anymore.”

It must be black & white if Marko is coming out with it.
 
I don't think McLaren will be able to beat anyone to a world title with a customer engine sadly, a nice dream all the same.
They will when Audi eventually buy them.

Anyway in regards to danny Ric, the main problem has been the car under braking, it's where he is losing time to lando. Unfortunately for danny Ric, mclaren are designing the car around what lando needs rather than danny. They take input from both, but at present lando is the better drive and the future.
 
He made the switch from Renault to McLaren this year, hence his rather poor showing earlier in the season.
It must be black & white if Marko is coming out with it.
it has been since sunday. the data doesn’t lie, he decelerates over 50mph in a second.

The FIA also state it in the press release.

It’s quite humbling to hear Marko actually apologise though, hopefully they’ve given max a bit of a dressing down for once.
 
it has been since sunday. the data doesn’t lie, he decelerates over 50mph in a second.

The FIA also state it in the press release.

It’s quite humbling to hear Marko actually apologise though, hopefully they’ve given max a bit of a dressing down for once.
Doubt they will have spoken to Max. They are desperate to win by any means under the guise of "strategically".
 
Are Red Bull still using Honda next year? This could be their last chance of a WDC title before it gets more competitive next year.
 
Are Red Bull still using Honda next year? This could be their last chance of a WDC title before it gets more competitive next year.
I’m not 100% sure but I think they’ve started their own Powertrain department which is intended to build upon the current Honda engine. Makes sense since the engines won’t change much till at least 2026. In fact they may become more simplistic since F1 plans on dropping the MGU-H, so that could be a win for Red Bull and any potentially new engine supplier looking to enter F1.
 
So the chances are I’m going to be in London on holiday for the race this Sunday. I’ve managed to convince the wife to make time in our schedule to watch it. Anyone know of decent pubs/venues to watch it in? Or is it the case of just finding a sports bar & hoping they show it?
 
Are Red Bull still using Honda next year? This could be their last chance of a WDC title before it gets more competitive next year.
Yes they are. Though they wont be branded as honda. They have taken over honda uk factory for the f1 engine and will get help from Honda engineers next season.

Longer term RB are hoping a manufacturer will come and buy the f1 engine factory back off them and take over the engines again. Someone from the VW group, but it looks as if Audi have their eyes on McLaren as their way in rather than supplying engines to RB.
 
Yes they are. Though they wont be branded as honda. They have taken over honda uk factory for the f1 engine and will get help from Honda engineers next season.

Longer term RB are hoping a manufacturer will come and buy the f1 engine factory back off them and take over the engines again. Someone from the VW group, but it looks as if Audi have their eyes on McLaren as their way in rather than supplying engines to RB.
Couldn't they do both? Take over McLaren as a team, take over the RB engine factory, supply engines to both RB and McLaren?