F1 2022 Discussion Thread

[GrandSlamFinale]

After many weeks and months of waiting, we finally have an F1 discussion thread on MN!

Anyone who wants to join is welcome - regardless of how long you've been watching the sport or who you support. My only request is that we keep it respectful even when criticising our favourite driver's rivals.

We're in Barcelona this weekend for round 6 of what has been a thriller of a championship so far. I'm really excited to see how the race unfolds today, if overtaking will prove as difficult as it historically has here, if the Mercs have done a step forward in race pace, how RB and Ferrari will play around with strategy and tyres.

Pahaha

Yeah I read something earlier in the season that he's finishing up this season! (NC btw from Bobbie....)

Has just been announced that Danny Ric is leaving McLaren at the end of the season, basically because he has underperformed. Sadly I have to agree with that, but I hope he gets another seat.

BBC thinks Piastri will be McLaren's second driver.

I can't say as I'm surprised that Daniel Ric is leaving McLaren.No doubt he has been well compensated for leaving at the end of this season. I wonder whether he will go to Alpine?

Never thought Danny Ric was a good fit for Mclaren. He's used to being up there with the better drivers. He was always going to be no. 2 to lando. And I never quite understood why a team like Mclaren who were on the up would take a driver on the way out. Surely they'd look for a successful youngster.
That aside he seems a lovely bloke and I hope he finds something to do next season.

Lando's sparing no kind words for Ric.

www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/62680865

In fairness though (because I feel these comments by Norris will be spun where he comes out as the bad guy), Daniel just hasn't matched Lando consistently. Yes he got that win for McLaren in Monza but for qualifying and during the races, Lando has out performed Daniel since.

Good luck to Daniel in Aston Martin (I'm genuinely disappointed that Schumacher didn't get that seat) and I hope that the driver that comes in to McLaren is on a par with Lando for the 2023 season.

I also hope that Spa remains on the F1 calendar. It just needs to be at a better time of the year (weather-wise) so that it's not going to be rained out every time there is a race weekend there.

I hope Spa remains exactly where it is on the calendar. I've been there 4 times for the race weekend, it's always an exciting race precisely due to the weather! One race there I got heatstroke and other times I've been poured on.

It’s Fernando going to Aston Martin, not Daniel (unless I’ve just missed some big announcement this morning…?). It’s true that Lando has simply outclassed him these years.

It would be a shame to lose Spa. Looking forward to the weekend, especially as both Charles and Max are meant to be taking penalties, so it will be fun to watch them both climb up the field on Sunday.

Oops! Sorry about that @GrandSlamFinale 😂 No, you didn't miss any announcement. I was typing the message above as I had the Driver's Press Conference on in the background and David Croft was asking Daniel a question. I just typed the name without realising it 😆You are 100% correct that Alonso is going to Aston Martin.

Why is Charles taking a penalty this weekend? I though that he took one in Hungary so that he wouldn't be taking another this weekend.

Charles didn’t take a penalty in Hungary, I think his last was in Canada. He’s mounting the upgraded engine (they said both performance and reliability upgrades have been introduced) this weekend. It’s the last update they can do before 1st September when engines get locked in until the new regulations in 2026. So it makes sense that Ferrari wants to trial it in an actual race before the deadline. Charles will need an extra engine regardless so it makes sense to take the upgraded one, at a track where he can overtake.

Now it’s been announced that aside from Charles, also Max, Lando, Esteban, Mick and Valtteri are taking penalties. Max and Charles actually have a shot at podiums if their race goes well.

Well all those penalties should make for an interesting race with Max and Charles coming through the field. First win for Mercedes this year potentially too, although still one Ferrari and Red Bull at the front to tackle them.

Offfttt!!!

Ah no I love Lewis

I love him too so upset that his race is over today.

Can't stand Verstappen so not really watching now as it seems inevitable that he will win

I am definitely not one of Verstappen's biggest fans (based on the 2021 season and his arrogant behaviour really).

I do think though, if no one is bringing a proper challenge to Red Bull this year, he deserves to win the Driver's Championship. He came from 14th place on the grid to finish 1st. That takes skill. He's driven very well so far (by and large) this season.

I am really enjoying the challenges between the teams in 3rd - 10th place. Today just goes to show why Spa should remain on the calendar ahead of the likes of Monaco. There are very very very few places to overtake in Monaco. They were going like crazy at Eau Rouge and Radillion and on the Kemmel Straight. Loads of overtaking! Keep Spa on the calendar!!!!!

Where is ted kravitz?!

Max is driving beautifully, he deserves to be leading the championship - and he’ll win it soon, I’m sure - especially against the likes of Ferrari who yet again can’t stick to a simple strategy for the 537th time this season.

I agree that Spa should stay on the calendar, but so should Monaco. That track is iconic and provides the best Saturday session on the calendar. If you need to get rid of races, how about France, or Jeddah, Abu Dhabi, Las Vegas, Qatar… they bring very little to the table except money and the odd missile strike.

I napped through 70% of that race. Not Spa's finest. Agree with PP, I do not like Max but that car and him are something else this season. I quite enjoyed the palaver that was Ferrari's strategy, again. I think that's their season done. I bet poor Charles and Carlos are wondering what they've got themselves into.

At least we only have to wait til next week til the next race. It was disappointing Lewis was out on the first lap. I like to think he may have been able to stop the charge of the redbulls! I do not like Max and he seems unstoppable this year. I keep hoping that someone discovers the Redbulls are cheating somehow😅 I know that's just wishful thinking!

I was hoping that the porpoising and vertical bouncing that was going on in the other cars would start in RBR as they had the flexi-floor (I believe) and that was supposed to be stopped by Spa. Except it didn't seem to make an iota of a difference.

I also find it very poor by the FIA that they gave Hamilton a warning for not going to the medical centre after his shunt with Alonso, but where was the medical car to bring him there??? The images of him walking on what looked to be a disused road were being beamed into everyone's living rooms and then they hand out a warning???? They really don't like him in the FIA. I can't imagine how tough that gets.

I hate the FIA more each year.

I was beginning to warm to Alonso but after his comments at the weekend, I've gone decidedly cold on him:
www.bbc.com/sport/formula1/62709291

Does he not remember how Lewis essentially drove from the back of the grid, think it was in Brazil 2021, and just drove is tyres off!

Alonso doesn't like Lewis. He still seems bitter about their history at McLaren

Apparently Hamilton sent Alonso a signed cap after the race because he knows it will annoy him