UPDATE: Formula One: Thoughts on the Season So Far

[schmalex]

I think Jos Verstappen will ultimately end up costing Max several potential championships, either by forcing Horner out of Red Bull or taking Max to another team that isn't currently setup to win a championship with him.

Newey's departure from Red Bull does signal the end of the absolute dominance of the past few seasons, but I don't think his departure alone signals the complete demise of the team. They might just go back to being in contention every year, rather than expected to win every single race.

But that's only if they can calm down and find a way to move forward with Horner and Max working together.

[Charmed Life Picks]

Schmalex, thanks for your post. I don't have time to read about F1 as much as I'd like. Is there any truth to the rumor / scuttlebutt of Newey moving to Ferrari next year? I believe I read that he's under contract with Red Bull through the end of the 2025 season, but exits are negotiated and settled all the time at that level.

Thoughts?

Scott

[Charmed Life Picks]

Originally Posted by Silly Moustache

Scott, Max and Checko drive for Red BULL .... originally an Austrian "energy" fizzy drink of some sort.

I doubt that Red Bear picks have the finance to run an F1 team.

Thanks for catching that, Andy. I stand (and sit) corrected.

sm

[redi]

Originally Posted by AX17609

I agree with 6L6. I used to enjoy watching the races. I no longer do.

Pretty much watch races with the fast forward button in hand these days - at least until it becomes more competitive. But F1 goes this way - for years it was all Michael. Then Seb. Then Lewis.

[Silly Moustache]

Originally Posted by redi

Pretty much watch races with the fast forward button in hand these days - at least until it becomes more competitive. But F1 goes this way - for years it was all Michael. Then Seb. Then Lewis.

Very true. We watch it on Sky which has the monopoly now but it is 24 hour chit chat, time fillers, asking every driver inane questions, interviewing the guy who pumps up the tyres etc, etc. and mind numbing over analysis. and then all the "showbiz"nonsense that the latest "owners" have added in - it is now a "circus" with the main event somewhat sidelined.

"If Murray Walker was alive today, he'd be turning in his grave!"

Seriously thinking of cancelling my Sky sports sub, and just watching the highlights on You tube.

[redi]

Originally Posted by Silly Moustache

but it is 24 hour chit chat, time fillers, asking every driver inane questions, interviewing the guy who pumps up the tyres etc, etc. and mind numbing over analysis.

all of which might be interesting if it was...

interesting.

I guess some folks are into the circus, but I am not.

[schmalex]

Originally Posted by Charmed Life Picks

Schmalex, thanks for your post. I don't have time to read about F1 as much as I'd like. Is there any truth to the rumor / scuttlebutt of Newey moving to Ferrari next year? I believe I read that he's under contract with Red Bull through the end of the 2025 season, but exits are negotiated and settled all the time at that level.

Thoughts?

Scott

I'm not sure if the exact details of his departure are known. Last I read he had a 12-month non-compete contract. I did read somewhere that Newey had regretted never having a chance to work with Lewis Hamilton during his career, so I think that's where the Ferrari rumor started, but I think Red Bull might make that more difficult than if he were going to a different team.

I'm sure that every F1 team would love to have Newey designing their cars.

[Jeff Scott]

Originally Posted by schmalex

I'm not sure if the exact details of his departure are known. Last I read he had a 12-month non-compete contract. I did read somewhere that Newey had regretted never having a chance to work with Lewis Hamilton during his career, so I think that's where the Ferrari rumor started, but I think Red Bull might make that more difficult than if he were going to a different team.

I'm sure that every F1 team would love to have Newey designing their cars.

I think (not positive, though) it was a comment Lewis made that started the Newey/Ferrari rumor mill.

[Charmed Life Picks]

Originally Posted by Jeff Scott

I think (not positive, though) it was a comment Lewis made that started the Newey/Ferrari rumor mill.

Hi, Jeff. As schmalex was saying above, there might very well be a non-compete clause as part of Newey's contract with Red Bull. Although I'm not familiar with the F1 world, most contracts and situations are negotiable. Like any industry, everyone knows everyone, so it seems people will be flexible in this situation. After all, how many sports do you have where someone (Lewis) announces he's going to a new employer in a year and he still plays for his old team? I suspect RB would cut his severance or remaining $$$$ on his contract and let him start right up with Ferrari (or whomever).

I have no inside information, but that's the way most businesses work.

sm

[Jeff Scott]

Originally Posted by Charmed Life Picks

Hi, Jeff. As schmalex was saying above, there might very well be a non-compete clause as part of Newey's contract with Red Bull. Although I'm not familiar with the F1 world, most contracts and situations are negotiable. Like any industry, everyone knows everyone, so it seems people will be flexible in this situation. After all, how many sports do you have where someone (Lewis) announces he's going to a new employer in a year and he still plays for his old team? I suspect RB would cut his severance or remaining $$$$ on his contract and let him start right up with Ferrari (or whomever).

I have no inside information, but that's the way most businesses work.

sm

I have no idea (neither do any of us here, really) what Adrian may do, but I recall he mentioned that he simply wants some R&R time, along with wanting to concentrate on finishing up the Red Bull Hypercar project.

[Charmed Life Picks]

Hi, Everyone. I wanted to bump this thread after the Monaco race. I realize that many people in some parts of the world have not seen the race results yet, so I'll keep my comments general and forgo the final Monaco standings.

Anyway, the basic issue is this: The Monaco street circuit no longer fits the needs of Formula One. It is arguably the most boring race on the calendar, and has been for years The question is what to do about it.

Most people would agree that there are three options:

1) Leave the race and the track the same. Tradition is tradition.
2) Make significant changes to the track layout, bringing into play legitimate DRS zones and overtaking opportunities.
3) Cancel the Monaco race altogether and replace it on the calendar with something more exciting and competitive.

This last suggestion has seen a fair amount of play inside and outside of the media, and with the advent of the Drive to Survive series on Netflix, the number of U.S. races has quickly risen from one (Austin) to three (Austin, Miami and Las Vegas). Many have argued that Miami and Vegas more than replace the glitz and glamour of Monaco (although I find Las Vegas more tawdry than glitzy).

What say you? I'd be interested in hearing your opinions.

Thanks,
Scott

[Tahitijack]

You have to be there to appreciate how small and narrow the course in Monte Carlo/Monaco is. We visited Monte Carlo during race week in 2019 and walked the course. My wife attended the race years ago and said nothing had changed. The driver that gets in front just has to defend his position until the race ends. The most noticeable feature is how narrow the streets are in this little place. Hard to pass.

[Charmed Life Picks]

Originally Posted by Tahitijack

You have to be there to appreciate how small and narrow the course in Monte Carlo/Monaco is. We visited Monte Carlo during race week in 2019 and walked the course. My wife attended the race years ago and said nothing had changed. The driver that gets in front just has to defend his position until the race ends. The most noticeable feature is how narrow the streets are in this little place. Hard to pass.

Hi, Jack, thanks for your response. Yes, the width of today's cars compared to generations past -- combined with the narrowness of the circuit -- produces a very boring race.

I would say this in response to that. F1 is a multi-billion dollar enterprise, and Monaco's vast wealth is probably the greatest in the world per square inch. Where there's a will there's a way. There are certainly construction and technical techniques ways to reconfigure this layout and add two DRS zones. This flippin' race is the jewel in F1's crown. If the outcry becomes loud enough, and if Monaco is genuinely in danger of losing the race, the resources are there to make a change. I'm betting they could even retain most of the classic circuit while still spicing up the race.

It'll be interesting to watch. I'd hate to see this race removed from the calendar.

Others?

Thanks Again,
Scott

[Tyeetime]

Kind of mixed emotions for me. On one hand it, the tradition and history makes me want to keep it. I don’t know what they could do to make it competitive with the current cars.
And part of me wants to let it go, let the glory live in history.
I get the same kind of feeling when I see the Stones now - there comes a time.

[Steev]

Originally Posted by Charmed Life Picks

Hi, Jack, thanks for your response. Yes, the width of today's cars compared to generations past -- combined with the narrowness of the circuit -- produces a very boring race.

Scott

The cars were wider in the early '90s. They have become much longer now days.