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Original poster

F1 2023 - Watchalong thread

920 replies

LookItsMeAgain · 23/02/2023 07:28

At the moment it's pre-season testing and they are in Bahrain as that is where the first race happens

Is anyone watching the preseason testing at the moment?

Anyone follow the WTF1 personnel change over the past few weeks (social media channel) and that Tommy & Matt have set up P1 with just Matt & Tommy as co-owners?

I'm really looking forward to seeing what progress the other teams have been able to make since RBR had their wind tunnel time reduced due to their overspend in 2022 (that was their punishment for doing that).

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Brazilianadventure · 31/08/2023 18:32

Agreed 2024 needs to see other teams much closer to RB. I can’t remember one team and team member dominating all season. Yes Schumi did but only because team mates had to move over.

NotMadeOfStone · 31/08/2023 20:03

I wonder if Lewis signed on again with a bit of a heavy heart. With the best will in the world Mercedes haven't had a good enough car for a few seasons now.

Brazilianadventure · 31/08/2023 20:52

@NotMadeOfStone Remember Mercedes went completely the wrong way with the new regs. Next year they should have a fundamentally better car. Lewis believes in Mercedes and honestly it’s the best option bar a RB which would never happen.

Give Lewis a car to compete and he will be close to RB. Remember in 2021 RB had the faster car over the whole season, as stated by Adrian Newey, and it took the rules not being correctly applied for Max to be WC.

I am more concerned about 2026 and the reg change as it appears RB have argued for a change as they are not happy with them but Mercedes have just got on with them.

NotMadeOfStone · 31/08/2023 21:12

Oh well that's very true actually - I had somehow wiped 2021 from my memory!

Brazilianadventure · 02/09/2023 19:24

Yay, Carlos on pole and no penalty. I wonder who will lead at the end of the first lap?

NotMadeOfStone · 02/09/2023 19:30

Oh Max no doubt!

Teddypops · 02/09/2023 20:12

I find it hard to hate max. Is it just me? I hate how he dominates and makes it quite samey.

NotMadeOfStone · 02/09/2023 20:14

I don't hate him. He's awesomely talented. I sort of forget about his existence tbh when he takes off info the distance, and watch the race as if he isn't even there. Mostly after the first few laps he's not involved in the battle so it's easy to screen him out.

Brazilianadventure · 02/09/2023 21:41

@NotMadeOfStone I do something similar. There has actually been good racing behind Max.

Max is exceptional, but so is Lewis and possibly Alonso. As Lewis said in his Sky F1 interview, Max has not been tested by team mates of the same calibre as those Lewis has raced against.

The driver commentators like Martin, DC, JB, Ant, Karun, Alice etc. all say the first thing is to beat your team mate. Head to head Lewis’ world champion team mates were 1:0 Alonso, 2:1 Jenson, 3:1 Nico. Nico had raced Lewis virtually all their racing career and in 2016 he had to use every ounce of knowledge plus benefitting from retirements to win. He then retired as he knew he couldn’t do it again.

Michael also at times had a favourable contract where the 2nd driver had to move over. It’s obvious RB are favouring Max, plus Adrian had designed a phenomenal car for Max. It would be nice to see Alonso or Lewis in the RB, but that would never happen.

There are some signs Oscar may be someone to challenge, sadly Charles has shown he is susceptible to the pressure, Carlos and Alex are good but not exceptional. Lando may be too loyal to McLaren and miss his opportunity. I know George beat Lewis last year but after losing like he did in 2021 and focusing on developing the car that isn’t surprising. This year Lewis is ahead.

I just hope in 2024 the mercs, Ferrari and McLaren are closer.

Sulusu · 03/09/2023 10:51

What do we reckon, Max in the lead by the end of turn one?

mydogisthebest · 03/09/2023 10:52

Sulusu · 03/09/2023 10:51

What do we reckon, Max in the lead by the end of turn one?

I really hope not. Time for someone else to win. Surely his car has to be unreliable at some stage?

Sulusu · 03/09/2023 10:56

mydogisthebest · 03/09/2023 10:52

I really hope not. Time for someone else to win. Surely his car has to be unreliable at some stage?

Show quote history

It would be nice if someone else won for a change, but the Red Bulls are very reliable and they tend to do the best pit stops too.

Nico Rosberg suggested yesterday that Ferrari might have turned their engines up for this home race, which is why they look fast this weekend. I hope it doesn't affect reliability though if it's true.

NotMadeOfStone · 03/09/2023 11:25

I mean, I can't see Sainz staying up front for very long. It would be so lovely to see though. I think he's a pretty consistent and safe pair of hands who gets little of the attention Le Clerc gets.

Brazilianadventure · 03/09/2023 14:46

14 laps, Sainz did well.

Sulusu · 03/09/2023 15:11

Sigh. Looks like we are heading for a Red Bull 1-2 here.

jennywasafriendofmrbrightside · 03/09/2023 15:12

I turned it off - far too boring on such a lovely day 🤷‍♀️

mydogisthebest · 03/09/2023 15:17

Another bore fest. We need someone to actually give Verstappen a battle. He is having it far too easy

Brazilianadventure · 03/09/2023 15:37

How can you say that, yes Max has easily won but the racing between the Ferrari’s and with Sergio has been so close.

Brazilianadventure · 03/09/2023 15:41

Glad Sainz got 3rd he deserved the Monza podium.

Adrian Newey has designed a fantastic car. Max is driving well and Sergio did well today.

Sulusu · 03/09/2023 15:42

Exciting racing between the two Ferraris, but Red Bull need to think about that second seat now. Perez spent ages behind first Russell, then Sainz in a much faster car. For the sake of F1 we need someone to challenge Verstappen next year, and it probably needs to be within Red Bull itself.

IslandAngle · 03/09/2023 15:42

Very glad for Sainz there, he deserved that podium.
It is a bloody RB bore-fest. 🥱

Brazilianadventure · 03/09/2023 15:45

@Sulusu I agree the 2nd RB seat has to be able to fight Max - if the team allow it.

I want DR as he has raced Max before, I think everyone else who could challenge is under contract.

Sulusu · 03/09/2023 15:48

Brazilianadventure · 03/09/2023 15:45

@Sulusu I agree the 2nd RB seat has to be able to fight Max - if the team allow it.

I want DR as he has raced Max before, I think everyone else who could challenge is under contract.

I like DR but I don't think he is the same driver from those early Red Bull days. I would say Piastri would be a good option. His McLaren contract looks solid though.

gingercat02 · 03/09/2023 15:49

That was the best race I have watched for years! Brilliant battles all the way and the Ferrari's were amazing 👏

jennywasafriendofmrbrightside · 03/09/2023 15:50

RB absolutely will not allow their 2nd driver to challenge Max at this point, one of the main things keeping Lando away I think