F1 2024 -Watchalong thread

[Brazilianadventure]

Happy New Year.

Thought I would start the 2024 thread given there is more political intrigue with the FIA.

2 resignations and one person choosing to not renew their contract. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/67906883

Plus allegedly another ex-Red Bull employee moving to the FIA. https://x.com/silverarrowsnet/status/1744375322131231089?s=46&t=lJm6-66fq4MtGcwwAsK6Kg

I did too, with those two I’m always left with the feeling that they could have been funnier or get more laughs

For those with Sky Sports or Now TV early start tomorrow 07:00 first day of testing.

I am always doubtful about what testing actually shows but nice to see cars on track.

Here's hoping the rain is heavy early tomorrow morning (in the UK) so I can legitimately stay in bed and watch, rather than walk the dog before work....

Sigh - Max seems to be going well so no change there. I just hope come race weekend the pack is closer.

It doesn't seem to have changed much from the last few years has it. No doubt Red Bull are holding back as well so currently wondering whether it's even worth watching if it's just going to be a repeat of the last few years.

Well better get used to the Dutch a them on weekends again!

I'm sort of joking as it's too early to tell properly, but those numbers from today are a little ominous.

It won’t be till the first qually & race we will really know.

I do wish RB would hurry up with the CH investigation as it is not a good look to allow him to be doing tomorrow’s press conference. RB could suspend him on full pay which is a perfectly valid option.

Ominous is the word indeed - I can't remember the last time I felt so meh at the start of a new F1 season.

I think we really know. About Red Bull's pace anyway. I think we really knew that yesterday.

Maybe the fight for second will be exciting.

Is there a faint flicker of hope? Carlos top of the times. Lewis & George saying the merc is nicer to drive = more predictable, but is it fast?

Danny Ric getting the VCARB up to 5th - although that will set Zac off.

I've had the telly on all day in the background as I worked today (didn't have any online meetings) so I've had 8 hours or so of the final day of pre-season testing.

There are a few things that worry me.
Firstly - as we're in the age of cost caps, so if there is something that causes your car damage and it's found to be something related to the race venue rather than one driver taking another driver out (I'm thinking of drain covers doing severe damage to the car for example), do the teams have a central pool of money that they can avail of to repair their car?
Secondly - I wonder if RBR will do another whitewash of the championship, as I've been listening to the commentary and they think that it's going to be very close for 2nd place but that Max has yet another season sewn up (I can't do another boring season listening to the Dutch national anthem again).
Lastly - as the first couple of races will be on a Saturday, will I remember to watch them?!?

Practice for next weekend's opener of the season
Practice - Thursday
Quali - Friday
Race - Saturday

Thanks for the reminder. I'm away on Sat so will need to keep the radio off in car 😂

@LookItsMeAgain To answer your first question, I believe it’s tough luck if your car is damaged by loose drain covers etc.

Just caught the first episode of DTS - focused on Aston Martin. It was nice to see more of Lawrence Stroll as I think they were slightly unfair in their portrayal of him in earlier series.

There seems to be some rumours around regarding Sainz going to Red Bull next year to replace Perez.

Mostly based on conjecture after seeing Sainz SR meeting with Horner and Marko.

That's a pairing I wouldn't mind actually, as I feel Carlos has been a bit harshly treated by Ferrari at times. Bit of karma if he cruised past the Ferraris in 2025 eh.

God I love F1 gossip 😂

@Sulusu I was thinking this morning as I watched testing Carlos to RB was an option. He was on the RB junior programme and raced for Torro Rosso. Additionally his Dad is a RB sportsman https://www.redbull.com/gb-en/athlete/carlos-sainz-wrc

I think Carlos SNR is an integral part of the paddock as he seems to have good relations with TP and drivers.

Like you I love the F1 gossip. I have to say DTS has more insight than I was expecting.

Wasn't there a bit of friction between Carlos and Max when they were teammates at Torro Rosso though? I suppose there is a lot of water under the bridge since then and Carlos might have got used to playing second fiddle since he's been at Ferrari. I think he could handle the pressure of going up against Max more than, say, Alex Albon.

@milski I agree Carlos would be better able to go up against max than Alex was. Partly because he is older and more experienced than Alex was. Also he is prepared to challenge strategy.

Is anyone watching Drive to Survive S6?

Any thoughts on it?

We've watched the first 3 episodes, enjoying it so far. Always enjoy the bits where they catch the drivers just chatting away.

Depressing that they've had to bring in Claire Williams (who I do really like) and Danica Patrick to have some women on screen. No men interviewed are "former" anything that I can think of.

I'm only starting on S6E6 and my eyes are out on stalks!!!

It's got all the tea you might every need!!! 😬

It's weirdly like looking at a time capsule though - a lot has changed. You can see why Gunther is gone, he couldn't get out of that negative space he was in. Probably not a great leader in that regard.

The Apline episode was good - I didn't know Ocon and Gasly had such a poor relationship.

The editing as always was bitchy as hell. That's why it's so much fun

I have only watched the first few episodes. I dislike DTS for a lot of things but I like the behind the scenes stuff so still enjoy some of it. I just watched the De Vries episode. I guessed that it would be framed as very pro Danny Ric. I really like Riccardo but he really is DTS golden boy isn't he.

Well it's race week finally and I'm keeping an eye on offers from Now TV to resub. The current deal isn't a very good one. Usually get an email with an offer from them a few days before the first GP, but nothing yet. 😐

What annoys me about nowtv is how long the on demand takes to show up. We tend to sign up for it if there's a series of races where the timings work, but otherwise stick to the channel 4 highlights.