Formula 1 2018

[Cleoriff]

Starting a new thread (before the last one gets split again)...:smileytongue:

It is 2018, The year of the Halo... Like it or hate it, it will be implemented as part of new FIA rules

None of the 2018 cars have been revealed yet (that happens in February) but this is how it will look

Most drivers' aren't keen but are having to toe the party line...

[Cleoriff]

Just putting this here

For those interested, a 'fun fact'

There have been 99 races since the hybrid era. Lewis Hamilton has won the majority of those

Lewis Hamilton = 50 (Mercedes)

Nico Rosberg  = 19   (Mercedes)

Valtteri Bottas  = 3    (Mercedes)

So Valtteri needs to get his act together I think.

[gmarkj]

From those stats it certainly looks as though they have a bit of a monopoly...

[Cleoriff]

@gmarkj

More to the point....they have Lewis Hamilton....

[Cleoriff]

This weekend at Abu Dhabi is the last of the season (boo bloody hoo)

The WDC is decided (Lewis wins again)

The WCC has been won by Mercedes (again)

As a true F1 fan I will be watching though, as there is nothing to lose for anyone...so it should be a damn good race.

No team tactics, just 20 guys going flat out to win.

It's Drivers Press conference tomorrow and they are running it in 2 parts...so we will see 8 drivers instead of the usual 4.

Drivers Press Conference

We will be saying goodbye to Fernando Alonso as this is his last race in F1

Part one

Fernando Alonso (McLaren), Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes), Lando Norris (2019 McLaren Driver), George Russell (2019 Williams Driver)

Part two

Esteban Ocon (Force India), Kimi Raikkonen (Ferrari), Max Verstappen (Red Bull), Sebastian Vettel (Ferrari)

I hope Esteban isn't sitting next to Max!!

[jonsie]

Ocon could well be needing the make up girl working overtime if Max has given him a shiner Although if he left doing it till the cameras were there it would be outstandingly good TV

[Cleoriff]

It starts at 11am tomorrow so I will be watching both parts.

Fernando leaving will be sad for the sport....I'm expecting Lewis to say some very nice things about him

Kimi will be Kimi.... and Max will still be saying he did nothing wrong. (He needs to stop listening to his dad!!)

[Cleoriff]

So Abu Dhabi FP1 has just finished

A bit of news...

1) For this race Lewis has taken the Number 1 on his car for this weekend only (He has never opted for that before and loads of people are already clamouring to get no 44 back on)

2) He may take an engine penalty. According to Mercedes his last race in Brazil showed his MRU unit was failing after lap 20. Whether he needs a new one will be secided during Practice.

3) Robert Kubica has been in the car for FP1. He was 4 seconds off the pace. He will be driving for Williams next year.....

Results of FP1

[Cleoriff]

Esteban Ocon has been confirmed as Mercedes No 3 driver....So Bottas better watch out

http://www.f1undercover.com/ocon-will-be-mercedes-reserve-driver-for-2019/?preview=true&fbclid=IwAR3...

[jonsie]

It's going to be good seeing Robert Kubica back 8 years after the rally accident that nearly killed him.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/46306637

"At the time, he was one of F1's brightest stars, poised to start his second season with Renault, and had already signed to join Ferrari as Fernando Alonso's team-mate in 2012.

But that possible future was torn away from him when he lost control on a chilly mountain road, hit that barrier end on and was left fighting for his life, with a partially severed right arm and multiple fractures.

That arm and hand bear the effects of that accident to this day - visibly atrophied, held awkwardly, it has clearly limited strength and partial movement.

This is clear from in-car shots of him driving his Williams in practice sessions this year; he cannot bend the fingers on his right hand, so sort of wedges it against the wheel, effectively using not much more than friction to turn on that side."

Brilliant and I know personally abou the struggle of recovering from an awful motoring accident. Looks like I have 6 years to go!

[Cleoriff]

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@jonsie wrote:

It's going to be good seeing Robert Kubica back 8 years after the rally accident that nearly killed him.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/46306637

"At the time, he was one of F1's brightest stars, poised to start his second season with Renault, and had already signed to join Ferrari as Fernando Alonso's team-mate in 2012.

But that possible future was torn away from him when he lost control on a chilly mountain road, hit that barrier end on and was left fighting for his life, with a partially severed right arm and multiple fractures.

That arm and hand bear the effects of that accident to this day - visibly atrophied, held awkwardly, it has clearly limited strength and partial movement.

This is clear from in-car shots of him driving his Williams in practice sessions this year; he cannot bend the fingers on his right hand, so sort of wedges it against the wheel, effectively using not much more than friction to turn on that side."

Brilliant and I know personally abou the struggle of recovering from an awful motoring accident. Looks like I have 6 years to go!

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Yes but you won't be driving a F1 car @jonsie

He isn't in P2 anyway....but was slowest in P1!

Lewis ran the No1 livery for P1 though 44 is back on for P2

Alonso has a brilliant livery on his car for what will be his final race in F1....:smileysad: