The Formula 1 Thread - 2016
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It looks very much as though Stoffel Vandoorne will have the opportunity to consolidate his excellent showing in Bahrain.
Right. China. Another spirit-sapping Tilkedrome, distinguished by the most pointlessly long straight on the F1 calendar. China does, however, have a habit of throwing up an unusual result. Unusual in this sense meaning the possibility of anybody other than a Mercedes driver annexing the top step of the podium.
Certainly, Ferrari will want to provide Sebastian Vettel with the opportunity to mix it with the Mercs after failing to come under Starter's Orders last time out. Which also means that he's an engine down after two races.
In other news, most of the drivers had dinner together in China: http://www.pitpass.com/55861/Windbag...eet-for-dinner
There seems to be an undercurrent of unity among teams and drivers, which must be unsettling for His Berniness. If anything is likely to unsettle him, it's unity among those who he tries to manipulate. Bernie's MO is "divide and rule", and as happened when the race promoters formed an alliance a few years ago, he feels that his grip on power is weakened. It's not a situation with which he is familiar.
Also in the news, some teams* (from memory Williams and Force India - sorry, I read it somewhere today and can't remember where!) have said that they will try to manage the season on four engines per driver, to save money.
*Edit: it was reported in Auto Motor und Sport, and related to Williams, Force India and Manor, all Mercedes powered. In which case, they're probably right.
It looks very much as though Stoffel Vandoorne will have the opportunity to consolidate his excellent showing in Bahrain.
Right. China. Another spirit-sapping Tilkedrome, distinguished by the most pointlessly long straight on the F1 calendar. China does, however, have a habit of throwing up an unusual result. Unusual in this sense meaning the possibility of anybody other than a Mercedes driver annexing the top step of the podium.
Certainly, Ferrari will want to provide Sebastian Vettel with the opportunity to mix it with the Mercs after failing to come under Starter's Orders last time out. Which also means that he's an engine down after two races.
In other news, most of the drivers had dinner together in China: http://www.pitpass.com/55861/Windbag...eet-for-dinner
There seems to be an undercurrent of unity among teams and drivers, which must be unsettling for His Berniness. If anything is likely to unsettle him, it's unity among those who he tries to manipulate. Bernie's MO is "divide and rule", and as happened when the race promoters formed an alliance a few years ago, he feels that his grip on power is weakened. It's not a situation with which he is familiar.
Also in the news, some teams* (from memory Williams and Force India - sorry, I read it somewhere today and can't remember where!) have said that they will try to manage the season on four engines per driver, to save money.
*Edit: it was reported in Auto Motor und Sport, and related to Williams, Force India and Manor, all Mercedes powered. In which case, they're probably right.
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From: Stanmore
Hamilton's 5-place penalty for a gearbox change (he probably fried it making those awful starts 
) will mix things up a little, although it probably means another comfortable win for Rosberg.
) will mix things up a little, although it probably means another comfortable win for Rosberg.
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From: Sunny Norf*ck
Yes - it is starting to look as if this could be Nico's year for Mercedes. Early days yet but after this weekend we could be looking at Lewis needing to win/Nico DNF to get back on level terms. And that's disregarding the other teams.