Formula 1 2023.

[Cleoriff]

I'll run a Formula 1 thread for one more season. Hopefully there will be some new members who are interested? If not, I'll spend a lot of time talking to myself 😂

A fair amount of changes this season with the driver line up but I'll discuss that later.

Kicking off in Bahrain on March 5 and concluding in Abu Dhabi on November 26, the season will feature a planned, record-breaking 24 races, with Qatar set to return and Las Vegas arriving as the penultimate round for a Saturday night race. China has been dropped due to the ongoing Covid situation.

CALENDAR

*Pre Season testing will take place in Bahrain on Feb23-25th

DRIVERS 2023

No change in the top three teams of Red Bull,(Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez)

Ferrari, (Charles LeClerc and Carlos Sainz and

Mercedes  (George Russell and Lewis Hamilton.

Alpine team, Pierre Gasly moves to drive with them as Alonso has moved out

McLaren Team. Oscar Piastri replaces Ricciardo and Lando Norris remains.

Alfa Romeo Team. No change in the line up with Valtteri Bottas and George Zhou.

Aston Martin Team. Fernando Alonso replace Seb Vettel who retired last year. Lance Stroll remains.

Haas Team Another change. Mick Schumacher was sacked last year and has been replaced with Nico Hulkenberg who will have his arch enemy Kevin Magnussen as a team mate.

Alpha Tauri team. Nyck De Vries (a rookie) replaces Gasly who moved to Alpine. Team mate Yuki Tsunoda (no change)

Williams team. Alex Albon remains and Nicholas Latifi (one of the worse drivers on the grid), resigned before being sacked, is replaced by another rookie Logan Sargeant (who was 4th in F2 last season)

So lots to look forward to this season. There have been changes in Team Principals. For Ferrari, Fred Vasseur replacing Mattio Binotti, McLaren has changed but the most shocking change (for me) is James Vowles Chief Strategist for Mercedes has taken on the team principal role for Williams!!

I hope Merc have got a damn good replacement!

[Cleoriff]

I know it gives those at races more to watch over 3 days but look at the risk to the cars. More risk of crashes or engine problems. Just a gimmick.  Tomorrow Sprint Shootout and Sprint.

I suppose it gives drivers a few more points.

[pgn]

And we all know what points make... Prizes! 😂

[Cleoriff]

Sprint Shootout

Biggest shock: Hamilton topped the leaderboard until his lap was deleted. His team then brought him in to change to aging soft tyres and put him out just as Max was doing a cooldown lap. Poor strategy.

SPRINT Q1

SPRINT Q2

Russell had a hydraulic issue and didnt get out for the Sprint Q2

Sprint Q3

So this sets the grid for the 17 lap Sprint Shootout at 2pm.

[pgn]

Looks like Sprint Q3 was the PITs 😂

[Cleoriff]

---

@pgn wrote:

Looks like Sprint Q3 was the PITs 😂

---

As I was up around 5 am I will record the 2nd Sprint and go for siesta. I know the grid for the race tomorrow and that's all that matters to me. 😂

[Cleoriff]

SPRINT

Plenty of action as the 20 laps ran in wet and dry conditions. Needless to say the Mercs moved up the field. Norris dropped down from 3rd to 9th. Only the top 8 scored points.

[Cleoriff]

RACE AUSTRIA

I hate this track particularly due to TRACK LIMITS!!

Getting ridiculous now. I accept it during Practice, Sprint, Qualifying

....but on a 71 lap race? If you don't want anyone exceeding track limits get rid of the white lines and put gravel down!

The race was OK but for drivers reporting other drivers for exceeding track limits.

The Mercs better bring some good upgrades next week for Silverstone!

[Cleoriff]

Just to show the farce of today. 5 hrs after the race finished, the stewards have checked all the penalties and this is the amended race results!!

Sainz, Hamilton and Gasly drop down. Others move up accordingly.

[pgn]

Paperwork, eh? 🙄🤣

[Safwan]

Wow this is a disaster from the FIA. Hope Silverstone is better than this.