F1 2025 - Watchalong Thread

[Brazilianadventure]

Happy New Year.

We start with the first all teams season launch on 18 February. Ferrari reveal their 2025 car the day after.

Pre season testing will take place on 26 to 28 February in Bahrain. Australia will host the opening race on Sunday March 16th.

Here’s another question for you all: Lando has said that he doesn’t have the same attitude towards racing that previous greats have had, such as Lewis, Michael, Ayrton etc. He said that he wouldn’t have done some of the things that they did to win. To which, my DH said that you can’t be an F1 champion without having a ‘killer instinct’. Do you think Lando, or any driver for that matter, can win a championship without that quality?

Totally agree @Wakemeuuuup, I feel that after the next few races they need to decide who’s being prioritised but DH doesn’t think that they’ll pick a number one. I also agree re constructors.

@purplespink unfortunately I have my doubts re Lando and the killer instinct, Lando comes from a very wealthy background, went to a top public school and has openly admitted he doesn't have a killer hunger, which is a bit different to the likes of Lewis whose dad worked three jobs to fund his karting career or say Esteban? Liam / Oscar - who all saw their parents go through serious financial hardship to fund their races - I would like it if lando could win the WDC whilst being a nice guy but even with the best car, if you have a decent team mate - how is that possible? because your team mate is going to work their backside off to beat you.

@purplespink I think your OH is right - McLaren won't pick a number 1 driver - the major investor / owner (can't remember his name) has made it known that he believes in sporting fairness.

Just woken to the news that helmut is happy to use Maxs performance clause if he doesn't buck his ideas up!
Red Bull have issues.

Contenders:
Oscar
Max
George
Charles
Maybe Lando if results fall right for him.

WRT Lando I do think when the helmet goes on there is a shift. DR and Kimi were good example of this - out of the car Kimi was so laid back but not on track.

Only time will tell.

I do agree the two McLarens trading wins could let Max or George in.

I’m going to be super smug because I posted back in Feb that I thought the season would be Oscar v Lando and that Oscar was underrated. I’m going to upgrade that now to Oscar for the championship. I think he’s better than Lando (and somewhat overlooked, for whatever reason)

Where did you see that? I saw an interview on Sky that was the opposite, Helmut was worried Max would use his performance clause to leave Red Bull and they need to give him a better car.

Bbc sport at 4am this morning!

I think he is worried the other way around - that Max will use the exit clause. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/articles/c9dj0elnexyo

Has anyone been to the British Grand Prix in recent years and used the shuttle bus from Milton Keynes station to Silverstone?

We booked the bus when we booked the tickets, but I am just wondering what time we should aim to arrive at Milton Keynes. We have grandstand tickets (DH really splashed out!) so no need to get there super-early to get a good spot - I’m just wondering how long the bus queues were and how long the journey takes?

Also how long before the race do you reckon we need to be at Silverstone? Is there much to keep you busy before the race? I’ve never been to an actual race before! Any intel very gratefully received!

@RockaLock I can't help on transport timings as I camped at Silverstone for the weekend so drove there and other than the after race concert / concession stands I can't really remember there being that much to do, but that said it was an amazing fantastic experience and I would love to go again if i could, I'm sure you'll have the best time.

Thanks @midlandsmummy123 So maybe as long as we are aiming to be at Silverstone by about midday, that should be plenty of time (I’m assuming it’ll be a 2pm start).

Oh actually I’ve just seen it’s 3pm, so yes I think midday will be plenty of time to get there beforehand!

It’s a long time since I’ve been but it can take time to walk to your grandstand.

There is the fan area and stalls plus there is on track activity such as races, drivers parade etc.

This is the map from 2023 https://www.silverstone.co.uk/sites/default/files/pdf/F1%20Master%20Map%202023.pdf

@RockaLock there is so much more than just the main race. I would get there as early as you can.
We went in 2019 for my 50th and literally spent all 3 days at the track. It's a brilliant experience. We are hoping to take RB and Max mad DS to Zandvoort for his 18th next year

Do you think your DS will still be a Max fan if he leaves Red Bull.?

Seems that Mercedes is keeping their options open while they still have a chance of getting Max. Max is still contracted for another few years but apparently has an out cleanse of RB aren’t performing.

I’ve only started following F1 again this year after a break of a few years soI may not be up to date with everything that’s going in the paddock

Yes I think so, he stuck with Seb when he left, but RBR is still his first team (sadly)
I thought I had posted this earlier but the photo might be under review
Lewis on the cover of Vogue

Lewis has really broken so many barriers whilst still being a world class sportsman.

Oh FFS, I just typed a long post and then accidentally minimised my keyboard using the keyboard button (iPad) and so lost the whole thing (glitch on the new “improved” apps, MNHQ assure me they are trying to fix it).

I cba to type it all out again, but just wanted to say thank you very much for everyone’s feedback, and I’ve booked seats on a train arriving at MK at around 9:30, so we should be at Silverstone by about 11:30 allowing for bus queues and traffic.

I’ve been an F1 fan forever but this is my first race. DS2 is a huge fan and so this was all booked for him really, as he had some big spinal surgery late last year.

I'm very jealous @RockaLockit was an amazing experience but soooo expensive we can't do it very often.

Me too @rockalock. I hope you all have a wonderful time

He really has. He and his family worked so hard and got there against all the odds. I admire him so much

I agree, for his dad to work 3 jobs for any length of time and probably spend every spare moment on Lewis's karting career is amazing.

Saw an interesting sky sports comment from Seb earlier re Lando saying that everyone has self-doubt and he thinks Lando is brave to be open about it, that's hard for me to get my head around because i don't see Max or Alonso ever having self-doubt but maybe they just hide it well.

@midlandsmummy123 with a dad like Jos I doubt Max would ever have been comfortable expressing his doubts.

Lando is a different character and sometimes talking about it helps you.

Race weekend again. Yay