The Formula 1 Thread - 2016
Originally Posted by Ultra_Nexus' timestamp='1472167785' post='24047957
[quote name='lovegroova' timestamp='1472118847' post='24047277']
Might be an interesting race this weekend with Hamilton likely to take grid penalties, although unfortunately it looks like the weather will be rather un-Spa-like which will spoil the fun a bit.
I wonder if the Honda engines will survive the Kemmel Straight?
Might be an interesting race this weekend with Hamilton likely to take grid penalties, although unfortunately it looks like the weather will be rather un-Spa-like which will spoil the fun a bit.
I wonder if the Honda engines will survive the Kemmel Straight?


No surprise there.
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Yes but that is because they have removed the token rules. It will be interesting to see if Honda go for the Merc split Turbo/compressor or keep with their turbo in the 'V'.
You have to remember that all of Honda's designs are very much in house and they haven't recruited anyone from outside. If they manage a good engine, they'll keep it a secret longer.
If my memory serves me correctly, Honda's MGU-H unit is directly next to the "hot" side of the turbo. Who knew that might cause a problem?
The Mercedes design is clever because it keeps the intake side of the turbo relatively cool, and means that they can use smaller intercoolers which in turn means better packaging, shorter pipe runs and less aerodynamic drag. I saw somewhere that Ferrari had tried the same solution when they were developing their engine prior to 2014, but couldn't make it work, for various reasons.
Anyway. Spa. Lewis Hamilton will have something like 35 grid penalties, as he (or rather the team) have taken a total of three complete power unit assemblies. Good job the FIA relented on the rule that required these penalties to be carried over to the next race. Although one suspects that had that not been the case, Mercedes wouldn't have taken as many new components this weekend.
As it is, Hamilton will probably have to start from somewhere in the car park and pay to get in when the race starts.
Realistically, a pit lane start would make a lot of sense at Spa, given the short run from the grid to the tight hairpin at La Source, which often results in tears and tantrums. The pit lane exit is after La Source, so it might be possible to avoid any first lap carnage. (Caveat - I recall one year when everybody got through La Source and most of the field then managed to crash into each other).
The Mercedes design is clever because it keeps the intake side of the turbo relatively cool, and means that they can use smaller intercoolers which in turn means better packaging, shorter pipe runs and less aerodynamic drag. I saw somewhere that Ferrari had tried the same solution when they were developing their engine prior to 2014, but couldn't make it work, for various reasons.
Anyway. Spa. Lewis Hamilton will have something like 35 grid penalties, as he (or rather the team) have taken a total of three complete power unit assemblies. Good job the FIA relented on the rule that required these penalties to be carried over to the next race. Although one suspects that had that not been the case, Mercedes wouldn't have taken as many new components this weekend.
As it is, Hamilton will probably have to start from somewhere in the car park and pay to get in when the race starts.
Realistically, a pit lane start would make a lot of sense at Spa, given the short run from the grid to the tight hairpin at La Source, which often results in tears and tantrums. The pit lane exit is after La Source, so it might be possible to avoid any first lap carnage. (Caveat - I recall one year when everybody got through La Source and most of the field then managed to crash into each other).
Realistically, a pit lane start would make a lot of sense at Spa, given the short run from the grid to the tight hairpin at La Source, which often results in tears and tantrums. The pit lane exit is after La Source, so it might be possible to avoid any first lap carnage. (Caveat - I recall one year when everybody got through La Source and most of the field then managed to crash into each other).
The rule is as follows:
Cars starting from the pit lane may then join the race once the whole field has passed the end of the pit lane for the first time after the start.
The crash aspect is very real, of course.
Races tend not to be stopped for crashes now, unless the track is blocked. So, if three or four cars are eliminated at La Source on Lap 1 and the Safety Car is deployed, that's several places gained, and no time lost.
You'd be better off getting past the back markers off the start, and then be in position to overtake more cars on lap 1, especially important as there are only 44 laps.
Gambling on a crash at the first corner is too risky.
Conclusions from the race then?
Rosberg had a great start and that was him done for the race.
Max Verstappen didn't, but we'll get onto him in a min.
Hamilton had a lot of luck, but otherwise drove an uneventful race - VERY SMART to do so as the last thing he needed was a DNF. He was the biggest winner of the weekend.
Alonso was the driver of the day. 22nd to 7th in a McLaren on a power circuit... Some doing.
So yeah, Verstappen.
The first corner incident I saw as his fault. As soon as he saw the gap at La Source he went for it. Then he says he was 90% alongside. Yeah, only because you were 95% off the track. A completely daft move I'd expect to see in BTCC, not F1
And then he performs more of his high speed weaving. That is simply forcing someone off the road. He did it to Rosberg in Germany - waited until a move was made and then turn into the person.
Thing is it was obviously at a much higher speed than it was for Kimi.
He still hasn't learned his lessons from last year where he was the most penalised driver on the grid. He should have had a race ban by now.
Rosberg had a great start and that was him done for the race.
Max Verstappen didn't, but we'll get onto him in a min.
Hamilton had a lot of luck, but otherwise drove an uneventful race - VERY SMART to do so as the last thing he needed was a DNF. He was the biggest winner of the weekend.
Alonso was the driver of the day. 22nd to 7th in a McLaren on a power circuit... Some doing.
So yeah, Verstappen.
The first corner incident I saw as his fault. As soon as he saw the gap at La Source he went for it. Then he says he was 90% alongside. Yeah, only because you were 95% off the track. A completely daft move I'd expect to see in BTCC, not F1
And then he performs more of his high speed weaving. That is simply forcing someone off the road. He did it to Rosberg in Germany - waited until a move was made and then turn into the person.
Thing is it was obviously at a much higher speed than it was for Kimi.
He still hasn't learned his lessons from last year where he was the most penalised driver on the grid. He should have had a race ban by now.






