Formula One 2020

[Lineker]

Ugh, Mazepin. Again, talented drivers will be missing out.

[LUKIE]

It sucks for Russell, but Williams are probably after the money the other two drivers can bring compared to talent at the moment.

[Lineker]

Perez at Williams will be great from a development point of view though. 2022 is the real target; 2021 is just going to be a season that is there, almost in the way.

[Chris2K]

Lance Stroll tested positive for COVID on the Monday after the Eifel GP, having not been tested during the event itself despite showing enough illness symptoms for him to be replaced by Hulk. Racing Point did not make the FIA aware of the details of his illness, so they have some real explaining to do.

[Lineker]

 

 

[Twist]

I think those were both foregone conclusions. I imagine they’ll have plenty of opportunities for drives outside of F1.

[JasonM]

[METALMAN]

A bunch of Haas-beens.

[Lineker]

Quote

Lewis Hamilton has expressed "surprise" with the FIA's appointment of Vitaly Petrov as a steward at this weekend's Portuguese GP in the wake of controversial comments made by the former F1 driver.

Petrov is making his debut on the four-person stewards' officiating panel as the driver representative, after appearing in 57 grands prix in 2010-12.

But comments attributed to the 36-year-old in a recent interview with Russian outlet Championat provoked controversy after Petrov was quoted as questioning the taking of a knee before races and saying Hamilton's wearing of a Breonna Taylor T-shirt at the Tuscan GP was "too much".

Petrov was also quoted as saying: "What if one of the drivers comes out as gay? Will they go out with a rainbow flag and urge everyone else to become gay or something?"

The remarks were put to Hamilton in Thursday's FIA press conference at Portimao.

"I've not seen all the quotes, obviously you've just recited some of them," replied Hamilton, a powerful voice in calling for equality and diversity.

"So yes, of course, that is I would say a surprise to see that they would be hiring someone that has those beliefs and is so vocal about things that we're trying to fight against.

"So you should take it up with them really, it's nothing I can particularly do anything about it. But we should definitely be including people here who are with the times, who are understanding of the times that we are living in and sensitive to the matters that are surrounding us.

"So I don't really quite understand what their goal is or why particularly he's here because it's not that they don't have any other good options."

The FIA said in a statement: "The FIA appoints driver stewards with the relevant Formula 1 experience and expertise to carry out this function at the highest level, and who have expressed an interest to the FIA in being a driver steward.

"The Federation does not discriminate in this process based upon views expressed outside of their function as an FIA Steward, provided that any such expression does not contravene the FIA's regulations and Code of Ethics."

The FIA and F1 have strongly reinforced their respective commitments to improving diversity and opportunities in the sport, with F1 launching the We Race as One initiative earlier this year along with a task force and foundation to widen inclusion.

The sport stages an anti-racism demonstration on the grid ahead of races, with drivers wearing T-shirts calling for an end to racism, with the majority also taking a knee.

Hamilton has created a commission in his own name to understand the barriers to entry for young people from diverse backgrounds to get into motorsport.

Valtteri Bottas, Hamilton's Mercedes team-mate, said: "As Lewis said, we all should have the same mindset for the things that we are pushing on. I don't know any details [of what was said]."

The LGBTQ+ in motorsport movement Racing Pride issued its own statement on Friday expressing "concern" around Petrov's appointment and saying that in the group's view, the Russian's recent comments were "both racist and homophobic in nature" and were "incompatible" with the FIA Code of Ethics.

"Not only do these comments display ignorance relating to inclusion in sport, but we also believe that such comments from an FIA official are incompatible with Article 1.2 of the FIA's Code of Ethics, which states that 'participants to the FIA activities' shall not be discriminated against on the basis of factors including 'race, skin colour, gender, sexual orientation, ethnic or social origin'," read the statement.

"Racing Pride applauds Formula 1's recent launch of the #WeRaceAsOne initiative and the position of FIA President Jean Todt, stated in the foreword to the FIA Code of Ethics, that 'The FIA is a truly diverse and multicultural organisation, and we, the FIA community, must all embrace the same ethical principles'.

"A commitment to inclusion is a fundamental principle of good sporting governance. However, in order to be effective, such a commitment must extend to all involved in the sport, in any capacity.

"It is essential that those who are appointed to positions of authority within the sport, especially, are sensitive to, and educated in, pertinent issues and correct terminology relating to diverse communities."

The statement concluded: "Racing Pride would be happy to work with the FIA and Formula 1 in providing such education in relation to the LGBTQ+ community, and indeed has already reached out to Formula 1 directly. We hope to work alongside all organisations and stakeholders within the sport who share our commitment to providing a safe and welcoming environment for all."

 

[LUKIE]

When Otmar Szafnauer was asked about Stroll not doing as well as Perez he let out a huge sigh. It was hilarious.

[Chris2K]

Vitaly Petrov, who was the driver steward for the weekend (although his appointment ruffled a lot of feathers due to homophobic comments following Hamilton's Breonna Taylor shirt protest) has stepped down after his father was assassinated in Russia.

[Chris2K]

Well that was one of my favourite opening two laps of all time.

Unfortunately it now all seems to be heading back to normality, with the exception of Kimi still in sixth.

[LUKIE]

Fantastic opening few laps. Sainz was amazing and showed some great skill. Raikonnen was also incredible. Was a fun race, yet disappointing outcomes for some. Perez once again proves why he is one of the best drivers on the grid.

I was a bit confused by the commentary RE: Bottas tyre choice. They said that Mercedes tyres are dictated by the lead driver, but that Bottas had put on a different set in a previous race? It really came across like they were purposely stopping Bottas from challenging Hamilton.

[Chris2K]

There appears to be an agreement that the two cars cannot run on different tyre strategies, which Bottas is aware of, and is willing to publicly point out by requesting to go on a different strategy on the radio for everyone to hear, only to then have the same tyres as Hamilton after he pits.

I would imagine it's partly for keeping team harmony, by which I mean Lewis harmony.

Speaking of going public, Romain Grosjean has been anything but shy in criticising the Haas car since he was dropped for next season.

[Twist]

I don’t blame Mercedes for prioritising Lewis. They want to win the constructors, they want to win the drivers. Their current setup gives them both consistently. And then the more Hamilton wins the stronger the argument for his place amongst the greats/against Schumacher becomes. And that only helps to boost this generation of the Mercedes team. Bottas isn’t good enough to consistently challenge Lewis so why even run the risk of them getting in each other’s way?

[Chris2K]

Racing Point are claiming that Stroll's terrible race was down to rustiness after having to miss a race due to COVID.

I guess we're just meant to ignore Hulkenberg taking the exact same car from 20th to 8th on 24 hours notice last time.

[Twist]

50 minutes ago, Chris2K said:

Racing Point are claiming that Stroll's terrible race was down to rustiness after having to miss a race due to COVID.

I guess we're just meant to ignore Hulkenberg taking the exact same car from 20th to 8th on 24 hours notice last time.

Or Checo’s point finish after 2 races off following Covid.

[Chris2K]

During the 2006 Monaco grid walk, Martin interviewed some unknown who won the F2 race. Then an old man goes up to talk that unknown guy.

 

Also, this has made me miss the grid walks.

[Lineker]

Why am I only just seeing this full uncensored version  

 

Quote

Formula 1 is set to stage a 23-race calendar in 2021, featuring two triple-headers and adding Saudi Arabia as the Dutch Grand Prix moves to an autumn date.

After the 2020 schedule was heavily revised as 13 races were cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, F1 has been clear in its plan to run a calendar next season that is closer to normal.

Teams were handed a first draft of the schedule in an F1 Commission meeting on Monday, featuring all 10 competitors as well as officials from F1 and the FIA.

Autosport has learned the provisional calendar for 2021 features 23 races, adding a grand prix in Saudi Arabia to the existing 22 rounds that were planned for this year.

The 2021 F1 season is scheduled to start in Australia on 21 March, followed by the Bahrain Grand Prix one week later.

A two-week gap will follow before the Chinese Grand Prix on 11 April, with the inaugural Vietnam Grand Prix set to be held two weeks after that.

One of the biggest changes from the planned schedule in 2020 is a shift of the Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort to an autumn date slot.

The race had been due to open the European season at the start of May this year, but will now form part of a European triple-header with the Belgian Grand Prix and the Italian Grand Prix after the summer break.

It means the Spanish Grand Prix returns to its traditional status as the first European race of the year, taking place on 9 May before Monaco on 23 May.

Azerbaijan will maintain is planned switch to a June slot from 2020, pairing up with the Canadian Grand Prix in Montreal, before the regular run of European events in France, Austria, Great Britain and Hungary, the latter hosting the final race before the summer break on 1 August.

The dates for the second half of the calendar remain fluid, but there is set to be a second triple-header formed by the races in Singapore, Russia and Japan.

Although the eventual 2020 calendar featured four triple-headers, including a run of nine races in 11 weeks to start the season, teams had warned running races on three straight weekends could not become the norm in the future.

F1 first attempted a triple-header in 2018, running races in France, Austria and Great Britain on consecutive weekends, but had agreement from teams not to do so again due to the pressures it placed on personnel.

By forming a triple-header with Singapore, Sochi and Suzuka, F1 has created an extra one-week gap in the calendar for the event in Saudi Arabia to join the schedule, with a street race in Jeddah planned for late in the season.

It will see F1 become the latest major international series to stage an event in Saudi Arabia following similar moves in Formula E - which has hosted its last two season openers in Diriyah - as well as sports such as boxing and football.

The race is set to mark a first move into Saudi Arabia for F1 amid plans to construct a new circuit in Qiddiya on the outskirts of Riyadh in the future.

The Brazilian Grand Prix is set to move to Rio de Janeiro for 2021, although the race is currently subject to pressure from environmental groups over the plans to build the circuit.

Despite concerns about the viability of some events due to the uncertain nature of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, F1 has not officially informed teams of any potential back-up races as it hopes to stick to the planned schedule.

Pre-season testing is also set for a shake-up, with at least one test moving from Barcelona to Bahrain next March prior to the season-opener in Australia.

 

[Twist]

Just saying what the rest of the paddock and the rest of us are thinking.