In the round-up: Fernando Alonso took note of Daytona 24 Hours team mate Lando Norris’s pace during the wet part of the race.
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Alonso full of praise for ‘very impressive’ Norris (Racer)
"So even in wet conditions, his first time in a prototype, first time in Daytona, first time with Continental tires, he recovered 33 seconds in 20 laps or something like that. He is 18 years old, so that is quite impressive..."
"The buyer was rumoured to be Lewis Hamilton, the 32-year-old four-time world champion who idolised Senna. However, it is understood not to be him."
Ferrari defeat not down to Marchionne's management style - Wolff (Motorsport)
"It (Ferrari's style) works for him and I don't think you can reduce Ferrari's 2017 season, or the end of the 2017 season campaign, to pressure that was applied. I think this is oversimplification."
Red Bull: Gasly matured for F1 in Japan spell (Autosport)
"He didn't win the championship because of this strange storm (that cancelled the Super Formula season finale), but he managed to get his team to the top. He was an absolute winner."
Alonso enjoys learning curve despite Daytona frustrations (Sky)
"If and when I ever do another 24hr, I'll be much more prepared as it'll be my second time. Now I think I can drive prototype cars at a higher level than two weeks ago."
Column: NASCAR drivers can learn from Alonso's grace (The News Tribune)
"If more drivers had the same approach and attitude that Alonso applied to Indy and Daytona, NASCAR would be much better off."
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Comment of the day
Words of praise for IMSA’s online coverage:
My main take from Daytona was how good the IMSA app was for coverage. Could choose footage between the main coverage or five onboard shots, all for free.
Steven Robertson (@Emu55)
From the forum
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RogerAyles
30th January 2018, 0:24
The IMSA app may have been free but the coverage itself was pretty bad IMO.
The commentators were awful, The directing was awful, The graphics were rather uninformative & the overall style was just bad.
And while you could pick from a few in-car camera feeds i’d have much rather had some sort of directed mix like you get in F1 that features some graphics. I always hate things where you have to pick from a selection of shots yourself which takes your focus away from the action for a few seconds. There should be a directed mix that you can just load up & leave on a 2nd screen, That is something i really like about the f1 coverage.
Scottie (@scottie)
30th January 2018, 2:00
You get what you pay for I guess.
I enjoyed it, while I could watch it.
Ju88sy (@)
30th January 2018, 9:59
You get what you pay for (or not)! Many people bash the cost of UK Sky F1 channel, however it offers excellent second screen options with a choice of Driver views alongside the main race coverage using the app.
My primary issue is Race coverage + F1 Timing app + F1 Fanatic Live race chat takes up TV + two devices, although I have been known to stretch to TV + three devices from time to time!
spoutnik (@spoutnik)
30th January 2018, 11:48
That’s being a bit too negative for a free service! For sure things can be improved but hey, 6 worldwide HD live video feeds without a single glitch is already a feat. This and live timings on a second screen and one already get a good overall picture. Then commentary may be improved but it’s already a better service than F1.
George (@george)
30th January 2018, 18:26
I only caught the last few hours (my internet at home isn’t good enough to stream at the minute), and I see what you mean about the lack of direction, but considering it’s a free broadcast, and therefore there must be a very limited crew, I thought it was fine. As has been mentioned, the main take-away I had from it was the stability of the stream which was very good.
As far as the commentary goes it’s a more difficult job than F1 because they need to fill 24 hours without constantly repeating themselves, not to mention staying focused with lack of sleep. I usually listen to these guys for Le Mans rather than the TV broadcast, once you get used to their more conversational tone it feels like having a sleepover with some mates, it suits the format in my opinion.
Jack (@jackisthestig)
30th January 2018, 22:10
The commentary on the IMSA app was radio coverage laid over tv footage which is perhaps why it seemed a little disjointed. Personally I really enjoy commentary from John Hindhaugh and co from Radio Le Mans.
Miane
30th January 2018, 2:16
If F1 had online coverage featuring only onboard cameras (and full team radio transmission) It would be extraordinary.
Jon
30th January 2018, 2:56
Was watching Daytona Saturday night when Stroll got out of the car. The interviewer asked him the differences between F1 and racing at Daytona.
Stroll said (I’m paraphrasing) racing in the 24-hour race was different because it was constantly flat-out, while F1 is not constantly flat-out.
I found stroll’s comment to be totally inverse of what should be. Shouldn’t F1 be the flat-out sprint race?
Phylyp (@phylyp)
30th January 2018, 4:05
Tyre management and fuel management play a big role in F1.
I remember that back in 2013 or so, Martin Brundle said that a few drivers privately stated to him that they hate a big phase of their race where all they do is manage tyres, however they were not allowed to publicly voice such opinions (not sure if that was FOM, or their own team management).
JohnH (@johnrkh)
30th January 2018, 7:51
YES f1 should absolutely be a sprint race. As Phylyp (@phylyp) Tyre management and fuel management play a big role in F1.
Robbie (@robbie)
30th January 2018, 15:05
@jon Can we assume you are asking a rhetorical question? I can absolutely appreciate why Stroll’s words struck you as memorable, and worthy of comment here.
Alec Glen (@alec-glen)
30th January 2018, 14:54
It’s been said for ages especially by the guys that have done both. Endurance racing isn’t on the same limit that you see in F1 qualifying but they’re not tyre limited anything like what we get in F1 so they’re able to “push” every lap.
The difficulty with F1 being a flat out sprint race with the fastest cars starting at the front with less performance variables is that there would be less chance of decent overtaking, tyre and fuel management allows teams to use strategy to get cars ahead. Truth is F1 needs them because overtaking is important to the fan experience and overtaking is hard for cars that rely so much on aero.
Robbie (@robbie)
30th January 2018, 15:33
@alec-glen I think the problem with your theory on fuel and tire management is that once the dust settles and a few races into a season the teams are familiar with the season’s tires, they all pretty much use the same strategies anyway. Fuel conservation has seemed to be less of an issue, unless F1 has just decided to mention that a lot less due to people’s dismay at all the conservation. And what is enthralling about so and so being passed simply because he can’t race at that point or he might not finish the race fuel wise?
I think that due to the overwhelming dependency on clean air we have processions even with the ‘variables’ that tire and fuel strategies are supposed to bring, as those are only bandages, as is drs, to try to mask the damage aero does to close racing.
My bottom line in the context of this discussion is that if they insist on remaining so aero dependent, they might as well be given sturdier tires and more fuel so that at least when the processions ensue we will have the sense that the drivers are pushing to some sort of limits of themselves and the cars. Processions like we have now, only with drivers acting as passengers monitoring systems, not only have little actual race action, but have the drivers unchallenged in the actual art of driver vs driver action.
That said at least the cars look better now and are actually harder to drive from what we hear. And they may be faster this year. I’m hopeful that the new tires are less finicky to get into and keep into the right operating temp window. I don’t watch F1 to see which driver and which car can actually make tires work. The tires should just work so the drivers can actually do what they do best…drive…as in…race…not baby tires for the sake of some made up theory that we’ll consider that real racing in the pinnacle of racing.
Alec Glen (@alec-glen)
1st February 2018, 15:35
Thanks @robbie
I originally wrote a bigger piece about the tyres then deleted it out thinking it was too far off topic! I don’t necessarily like the tyre and fuel elements but if the alternative was no tyre changes like a proper sprint race there would be even less opportunity to get the jump on someone. Totally in agreement on the clean air dependency etc.
I wonder if Pirelli did provide durable tyres how many drivers would just rip them for being awfully slow (I think the pirellis were a huge step back in pace and grip terms and that’s with their softest rubber)?
Jere (@jerejj)
30th January 2018, 7:26
”He didn’t win the championship because of this strange storm (that cancelled the Super Formula season finale)”
– It isn’t a given that he would’ve won the Championship of that series had the final race not been canceled.
FlatSix (@)
30th January 2018, 7:57
According to the ‘Innovation advisor of the chamber of trade and commerce’ the license for Formula One on Assen is ‘a done deal’. “This will put Assen, Drenthe on the worldmap”.
Ju88sy (@)
30th January 2018, 10:06
Max vs Lando has the potential to be an Epic career long battle for both drivers, I am going to hop on the Lando band-wagon and say coming off the back of his Euro F3 season and Daytona he is showing the same potential that Max did at his age and would have been just as capable of hopping into an F1 seat for this coming season.
Joao (@johnmilk)
30th January 2018, 10:11
I would be very surprised if that happens. Alonso is reaching the end of his career and Lando just starting it, can’t see how it will be a career long battle.
Taimur (@invictus)
30th January 2018, 10:48
@ju88sy said Max vs Lando, not Alonso vs Lando
Ju88sy (@)
30th January 2018, 11:07
@invictus @johnmilk Indeed that would have been Nando vs Lando! – which we are unlikely to see.
Joao (@johnmilk)
30th January 2018, 11:11
wow I completely missed it ahah
In my head it was Nando vs Lando
Time for coffee it seems!
spoutnik (@spoutnik)
30th January 2018, 12:00
@ju88sy Actually most young guns look great! Sainz, Verstappen, Ocon, Vandoorne, Leclerc, … Exciting times ahead!
Joao (@johnmilk)
30th January 2018, 10:12
First time that I see the halo with that hinge, is that only on the F2 cars or F1 as well?
Todfod (@todfod)
30th January 2018, 13:42
Wondering if 10 years years from now Verstappen, Leclerc and Norris will be the Alonso, Hamilton and Vettel of the current generation. All WDCs battling at the front.
Also think Sainz, Ocon and Vandoorne would probably be solid teammates to the above 3 drivers and title hopefuls as well.
dutchtreat (@dutchtreat)
30th January 2018, 15:52
After Vettel no German WDC at the horizon.
Zad (@)
30th January 2018, 18:18
of course its not lewis, it’s his offshore cayman island company. he’s not that stupid to pay taxes. if he helps someone, it must be at least a foto opportunity.