In the round-up: Honda may introduce an engine upgrade at this weekend’s race if they believe the gain will be worthwhile.
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Honda delays Canada upgrade to last minute (Racer)
"Until Thursday (before Canada) I can't decide. Already, we have had some performance factor, but if it is very small, it's not worth changing engine for the next one."
Kubica set for first F1 test since accident (Autosport)
"On Tuesday, he is set to join Renault F1 test driver Sergey Sirotkin for his first seat time in a grand prix car for more than six years, driving Renault's show car, which is a Lotus E20 chassis from 2012."
Toro Rosso would be 'more than happy' to keep Sainz, Kvyat (Motorsport)
"We will see what Red Bull decides, but if they will stay with us I think the complete team would be more than happy."
Targeting F1 points ASAP the wrong approach - Stroll (Crash)
"I don't look at Canada and say I need to finish in the points because that would be the wrong approach."
Pirelli would not fear a rival tyre supplier in F1 (F1i)
"Provera insisted however that the teams' current preference was for F1 to have just a single tyre supplier."
Understanding the Mercedes diva: Can this W08 really win an F1 title? (Sky)
"Next we go to Montreal which is essentially a selection of low speed, low grip corners connected by long straights. Not ideal for Mercedes on paper."
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Comment of the day
Last weekend IndyCar used a red flag to ensure the second race in Detroit didn’t finish under caution. Was this a good move?
The red flag felt a bit unnecessary and forced, and in the end it did’t change anything.
It was nice to see the race play out without yellow flags until the end, and even then it didn’t have much effect.
Yosi (@Yoshif8tures)
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Malik (@magnusy)
6th June 2017, 1:28
Kubica is back to replace Palmer
Hope to get this headline in November 2017 :)
HUHHII (@huhhii)
6th June 2017, 3:32
I’d happily read that headline in June 2017 already :)
Jay Menon (@jaymenon10)
6th June 2017, 4:29
That would be awesome, but unfortunately, it would seem highly unlikely. I doubt his injuries will allow him sustained assault in the current formula.
OmarRoncal - Go Seb!!! (@)
6th June 2017, 5:01
@jaymenon10 give Kubica the car only 3 weekends and I’m sure he could have the same or more points than The Hulk!
nelson piquet
6th June 2017, 5:27
one handed kubica is better than two handed palmer
Malik (@magnusy)
6th June 2017, 5:41
one handed maldonado is better than two handed palmer and stroll combined
erikje
6th June 2017, 11:24
But renault is unable to build cars at the same speed maldonado crashes them
Strontium (@strontium)
6th June 2017, 17:08
One handed Maldonado would have twice the amount of crashes
anon
6th June 2017, 7:15
@jaymenon10, as you say, whilst it seems that a number of fans have this wild fantasy that Kubica can just walk in and will automatically be a great driver, when you listen to what Kubica has to say about the possibility of returning to F1, he seems pretty adamant that chapter of his life is at an end. In the past, he reckoned that at least 20% of the circuits on the calendar would be physically impossible for him to compete at because they required movements of the wrist that he now cannot perform.
kpcart
6th June 2017, 13:39
You obviously only read comments 3 years ago. This year kubica has said completely different things!
CG
7th June 2017, 13:34
And you obviously haven’t read any current ones .. the only able to drive 80% of circuits. was made in the same interview where he announced that he would like to “try” a F1 car again … exactly 4 months ago
http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/128010
CG
7th June 2017, 13:35
https://www.racefans.net/2017/02/07/f1-fanatic-round-up-0702-2/
Todfod (@todfod)
6th June 2017, 5:49
I think the entire F1 community would love to see that. I just feel his injuries were too severe and he’s been out of the sport too long. Also, the cars have gotten even more demanding physically, which will only make it harder for him to drive flat out.
kpcart
6th June 2017, 7:10
Kubica has been training very hard since last year, back to his lean weight he had when in f1, and trianing on racing bikes with worldclass cyclist, for a moment it looked like he was preparing for a career change to cycling. If an 18 year old boy can handle a current f1 car then so can a super fit kubica. Only question is the hand… we will soon find out.
David Not Coulthard (@davidnotcoulthard)
6th June 2017, 7:02
@magnusy well this is a really early start to the silly season
erikje
6th June 2017, 11:25
That;s because we have some silly drivers to replace
AndrewT (@andrewt)
6th June 2017, 10:01
I believe a Formula-E one-off for him could be on the table sooner, as the double header in New York collides with the 6-hours WEC event on the Nürburgring on 2017.07.16. Many of the E drivers have WEC contracts as well and have to skip New York to race on the Nürburgring, including the Renault works team E.DAMS as both Buemi and Nico Prost might be departed. That seems to be a solid opportunity for Kubica the return to a competitive single seater series.
Strontium (@strontium)
6th June 2017, 17:13
It’s also a question of liability. A few tests is one thing, but if you were a team boss would you really want the responsibility of putting Kubica in the car for a weekend, or for a year? If something goes wrong it could potentially result in a bigger accident, or maybe worsening his injuries (although I’m not an expert on this).
Todfod (@todfod)
6th June 2017, 5:51
– Hasegawa
Sounds like a man with a concrete plan!
David Not Coulthard (@davidnotcoulthard)
6th June 2017, 7:05
Perfect for handling Intel’s X299 products! @todfod
C
6th June 2017, 7:37
Probably been smoking same stuff with Intel team.
F1Junky
6th June 2017, 8:39
I don’t know. ASRock is releasing X399 for AMD’s TR4. May have a real battle this time.
spoutnik (@spoutnik)
6th June 2017, 11:22
Translation: We still have no idea on how to improve the worst engine on the grid but will let you know in case of a miracle.
Jordi Casademunt (@casjo)
6th June 2017, 12:37
-Will there be any engine upgrades this season?
-¯\_(ツ)_/¯
BlueChris (@bluechris)
6th June 2017, 7:45
This is a joke really. The engine is better or not? they dont have test results in a bench? a multi million dollar company cannot decide if they will fit an engine now or in the next race or the race after? if they delay it they will gain something in that time?
I really dont understand their way of thinking. I know that Japanese people think differently than us the Europeans but this is basic.
With this and that i dont believe Alonso will stay more in Mclaren.. i was never a huge fan of him but i always respected him as one of the best and considering this i predict this scenario.
1. Alo goes to MB
2. Luis goes to Ferrari
3. Kimi goes to MClaren
:)
Sergio B. Perez (@sergio-perez)
6th June 2017, 8:04
@bluechris Luis? Figo? :)
On a more serious note, my predictions:
1- Perez at Ferrari
2- Leclerc to Haas.
3- Alonso to Renault.
4- Surprise signing at McLaren. Sainz?
Joao (@johnmilk)
6th June 2017, 8:52
I sense a great disturbance in the force. Search it in yourself lord @bluechris, you will know it to be true.
Remember, the dark side of the Force is a pathway to many abilities some consider to be unnatural, they could become powerful allies.
Only through them they can achieve a power greater than any manufacturer
The Force is strong with them! A powerful engine they shall become. Henceforth, they shall be known as Darth… MACONDA
spoutnik (@spoutnik)
6th June 2017, 11:32
@johnmilk But knowing the weaknesses of the dark side Darth McLaren will ultimately turn against emperor Hondatine for the greater good.
Joao (@johnmilk)
6th June 2017, 17:33
When they do it will be too late and Kylo Sauber will finish the job of his grandfather
Gabriel (@rethla)
6th June 2017, 10:21
@bluechris Well allow me to explain how the japanese people think in general. The engine is better but maybe not better enough to justify starting from the back of the grid.
NewVerstappenFan (@jureo)
6th June 2017, 8:22
“performance factor, but if it is very small, it’s not worth changing engine for the next one.”
Yeah. Epic. Fernando should be allowed an Indy honda engine.
Lee1
6th June 2017, 9:38
Didn’t his blow up?
neuralfraud
6th June 2017, 13:23
Better to be competitive and blow up than to be toiling around having been lapped before the halfway point!
Steven Robertson (@emu55)
6th June 2017, 8:41
Honda look like they’re trying to minimise penalties at a track they do quite well at (Canada), may use it if one of their cars ends up getting a large penalty on Friday or Saturday.
GeeMac (@geemac)
6th June 2017, 8:57
Sorry Lance, as a lifelong fan of Williams I do think that should be your approach. The FW40 is a good cr, at the moment it is probably the best of the rest behind the big three and you have scored no points. If Williams want to overhaul Force India you need to start scoring quickly. Montreal is a great opportunity for the team, the track should suit the car.
Adrian HX
6th June 2017, 9:36
@geemac – Baby steps – let’s see Williams try to get back in front of Toro Rosso first.
Ruben
6th June 2017, 9:02
I’m sure Toro Rosso wil be happy too keep their drivers. Question is will Dr Marko? And what would Sainz do if Ferrari did came knocking? Another year at Toro Rosso or driving a race winning car?
I still feel like Kvyat is walking on egg shells and if Sainz stays in 2018 it will be his fourth year at Toro Rosso, a record amount for the junior team. Sainz’s career would stagnate like Hulk’s. Great talent, but wrong place at the wrong time.
Andrey Baydin (@minilemm)
6th June 2017, 9:10
Yeah, changing engines mid-way through weekend! Who would ever do that, mr. Hasegawa.
Ben Needham (@ben-n)
6th June 2017, 11:26
I’m really intrigued by the news of Kubica’s test. There are a few aspects that make me think it could be more than just a fun run for old time’s sake.
1) They’re bringing Sirotkin. It’d be interesting to see how their times compare on the day and I wonder if Sirotkin is there for specifically that reason.
2) The recent comments about Palmer. Renault are clearly unimpressed with the gap between Hulkenberg and Palmer and will surely be looking to replace him as soon as it’s logically and financially viable.
3) The timing of the test. Kubica has been vocal about not being able to do around 20% of the circuits on the calendar, including Monaco. Monaco has now been and gone, leaving the rest of the season with tracks he could in theory do.
Personally, I think Palmer’s time is up after Canada and Renault are searching for the replacement. Sirotkin is the logical choice for a mid-season change, but if Kubica has the same or better pace, he’d be a much bigger draw PR-wise.
Maybe I’m dreaming but the pieces add up for me.
Kie
6th June 2017, 12:56
Would be amazing to see Kubica back.
kpcart
6th June 2017, 13:50
That 20% number is from 3 years ago, he has improved a lot, he said so himself this year. After the crash kubica always said he would never test an f1 car until he is ready, as there is no point if he cant race. he had numerous test opportunities for renault and mercedes, and he owns an f1 car (his 08 bmw) . well, he must be ready, as after 2300+ days away he is testing.
rpiian (@rpiian)
6th June 2017, 13:53
Dude you are seriously on to something.
De
6th June 2017, 11:39
It almost looked like Hasegawa had a difficult decision to made, but in reality it’s actually very easy: even if they decided to not change the engine for Canada, one or more will probably blow up anyway, so that will be the decision made for him. He will certainly never going to decide whether to “introduce it in Baku, and if not then it will go to Austria or Silverstone.”
I meant seriously, Austria or Silverstone?? Is he really looking that far? Got to be kidding me!
John H (@john-h)
6th June 2017, 14:04
Stroll really does say all the wrong things.
Robbie (@robbie)
6th June 2017, 16:13
I don’t see anything wrong with what he is saying.
Zim
6th June 2017, 16:22
‘Understanding the Mercedes diva’
I automatically thought this was going to be about Hamilton.
Dan
6th June 2017, 19:54
Biting satire that mate. Well done you.
joe jopling (@jop452)
6th June 2017, 20:42
Can Honda tell us if they are on top of the vibration problem that was causing problems earlier this year…..which stopped them turning it up???
Todfod (@todfod)
7th June 2017, 6:27
Considering that they are still figuring out what their problems from pre season testing were, I’m guessing their answer is a No.