Keeping tyres alive will be “exceptionally tricky” in Friday heat, says Ricciardo

35 comments on “Keeping tyres alive will be “exceptionally tricky” in Friday heat, says Ricciardo”

1. 

   TFLB (@tflb)
   7th August 2020, 0:24

   Sorry if it’s been explained already – but what will happen if the RP car is ruled illegal? I guess if it’s a copy of the Merc then it’ll be difficult to modify it to comply. Or is it only the brake ducts they’d have to change? Or will they have to rush through a B-spec version of last year’s car?
   1. 

      Jockey Ewing
      7th August 2020, 2:04

      How one proves in today’s world where communication can be done in million different channels, and messages can be encrypted million different ways, if one team lends some quite good engineers to another to recreate a design what functions at about like the original, but intentionally has some of it’s dimensions and quantities altered here and there? In the age where money, managers, and law specialits solving basically anything? In the age where rules and designs are so complicated that often teams can’t get their own designs to work sometimes for a whole season? When FIA struggled to prove Ferrari’s engine legality? They could hidden an ECU extension chip anywhere in the car if they are agile, or just as a very obfuscated piece of code. But for me Renault’s alleged automated brake balance setter not looked much better either. Ferrari got away with it quite cheaply yet, considering Danny Ricc’s disualification from a qualification session for exceeding the fuel flow limits with one millionth of the prescribed temporarily. With the current amount of protesting going on and things like these, I think most of the teams has their own messy efforts like these, combined with the huge amount of money and interlinked interests are the reason of these quite cheap getaways, because they know everyone might be messy a bit.
      I think there is little chance to prove things like that, if those engineers are good enough, and millions are flying around.
      1. 

         Jockey Ewing
         7th August 2020, 2:18

         Ok, sorry, Danny Ricc had been disqualified from 2014’s GP of Australia, post race, so not from qualification. Although fuel flow rules had been taken seriously if there had been proof, and often led to DSQ even for small exceedings in the recent years, so I mixed it up with some other case.
   2. 

      Jockey Ewing
      7th August 2020, 2:43

      Additionally, RP’s Pink Mercedes yet performs a bit weaker than I and likely many expected. Probably it’s due to Perez’s illness and because he not had a lucky race yet, or they not understand the car that much yet. But they still can be beaten by others because factory teams used to have more resources than them for development throughout a season, so their advantage might shrinks during the season, even if the car initially was really that
      good. But as they will use it for the next season too, they should develop it as much as it’s possible. I don’t really understand the rules around freeze of development, because it’s often said to be present, but teams often come up with some development. Or they just used up their free credits sometimes. I’m not the man of nuances. As teams used to come up wih a Monaco aero kit, or small wings for Monza, but aero will be more or less freezed for next season, what if they develop 5 kinds of different wings, or some quite different aero kits, will they be free to switch between them in the 2021 season?
      1. 

         ColdFly (@)
         7th August 2020, 7:15

         If RP is designed based on copying last year’s Mercedes then it will be difficult for them to improve within the season. The engineers know what they designed but don’t know why it looks like that.
         All other teams will improve however as their designs are better understood.
         1. 

            Jockey Ewing
            7th August 2020, 14:39

            Yes, as they don’t understand the design and tested it as much as much as most of their competitors. It could be a major point of any proof or disproval. Also the lack of complete understanding is true for many new designs too. Hehe I already forgot that bold and italic are an options here, despite of it’s in front of me :)
            If it was a copying based on mutual agreement, then Mercedes likely did it quite professionally, and carefully. I think information can be delivered in engineer’s heads, completely excluding computers and networks, before they start do draw something similar. This way likely they can draw a car what is reliable and slower with a bit more than 0.5s. And as noone intends to loose against a team supplied with engines that’s just “fine”.

            I’m might be evil, but I have seen too much corruption in my life. So I understand that the problem development wise will be that they don’t understand their new car, but they could have bought someone who understands it as well, and will give them some limited information, still based on a mutual agreement.
            I think if there will be no further actions they will be beaten by RB or Ferrari in this and next season, because it’s very likely that RB can fix it’s car’s snappiness, and Ferrari can outspend them in mid-season development. So copying is not what most of us want to see, but probably this car is not that good either, and they will have less resources to develop it, as they always tried to run the team quite eco efficiently (in terms of F1).

            I think solving the matter of copying could be done with less specific set of rules on the tech side, to allow innovations (and then do not ban them, unless they are unsafe), and very strictly enforcing a cost cap, which is so low that it prevents teams developing and copying everything what their competition has. That would ensure diversity in design, fairness and sane costs at the same time, sometimes top innovations come for dimes, we already have engines producing 5000bhp but still cheaper than 10M$, and we already had active suspension in F1, and a printer in that nice Williams :), and on the fly setting of toe exists outside F1 for quite long while, so Merc only figured it out how to have it instead of having a switch next to the others on the steering wheel.

            If RP is on a shortage of logs and other proofs of iterations building the new car, that’s quite stinky, maybe they can proof their innocence if they show that they built it in many iterations, and they have those logs. One just not dumps too much logs, because every innovation can be relevant or valuable later. I have no better idea currently.

            Even if it was a copying on mutual agreement, I still consider it a much less severe case than the McLaren’s copy gate from more than a decade before. Mutual agreement makes it very different.

            And I consider it even less severe if it was about copying the exterior only, because at today’s tech level It’s far from impossible to 3D scan something, or put together a 3D object based on photos, so that part of their defense is solid, and why would they admit more. If it was mostly about the exterior then I’m satisfied with the current penalty, although things may still to come.
2. 

   Tristan (@skipgamer)
   7th August 2020, 0:30

   Re: cotd. Why should F1 be praises for inadvertently spreading coronavirus? You guys are living in an echo chamber. Keep patting yourself on the back because being entertained is more important than stopping any spread of a deadly virus.

   F1 should be so proud.

   It’s one thing to go ahead, it’s another to not admit the only reason it is, is to keep jobs and teams alive. This isn’t some great cause for celebration that everything is normal, it’s a sad necessity.
   1. 

      @HoHum (@hohum)
      7th August 2020, 1:23

      @skipgamer, are they really spreading coronavirus ? While a couple of people may have brought C19 into the bubble I’ve not heard of it spreading within the bubble or infecting people outside the bubble, so I don’t think they are spreading coronavirus, inadvertently or otherwise. When you look at what’s happening in countries that rushed back to business as usual for economic reasons I think a little praise for F1 is justified.
      1. 

         Tristan (@skipgamer)
         7th August 2020, 1:45

         What about all the people not in the bubble? Local organisers, track staff, the food suppliers at the factory producing goods for catering, any unexpected shopping visit.

         A butterfly flaps its wings and on the other side of be world he makes a hurricane. Sure, I can reserve a little praise for F1 and I thank it for the distraction. But Todt’s comments went way above that. Some light on the fact that there are people dying every day and reminder that these races are held at least, at some level of risk, imo would be good.

         I lean more towards the tennis communities handling of the US open, there are a lot of top tennis players dropping out of that for exactly the reasons I stated.

         Yeah we all want things to be normal, but they’re not. Pretending this is the new normal is dangerous…
         1. 

            F1oSaurus (@)
            7th August 2020, 7:35

            @skipgamer So we should all just sit at home and die?
            1. 

               Tristan (@skipgamer)
               7th August 2020, 8:13

               Die from what exactly? What’s going to kill you by staying at home?

               Until there’s a safe vaccine, basically yes, travel should be restricted. A year of your life “wasted” is better than having no life at all.
            2. 

               SpaFrancorchamps (@spafrancorchamps)
               7th August 2020, 8:36

               @skipgamer are you aware of the mortality rate of covid-19? It is around 6 times higher than seasonal flu. Ever heard about anyone dying from seasonal flu? Me neither, as its mortality rate is 0.1%. Yes, covid is more severe, but over 99% of the population won’t get killed by it. That’s science.

               Is that worth wasting a year of your life for? Seriously? I recommend you go look up the numbers. Do your research, then come back educating people on this “deadly virus”.

               Good luck with the vaccine by the way. I hope they have tested it very well before injecting you by it. Do know, vaccine testing normally takes around 7 years to learn about long-term effects. Not anti-vax here, just to clarify.
            3. 

               Tristan (@skipgamer)
               7th August 2020, 9:14

               @spafrancorchamps
               I’ve got better things to do than argue with you. Hundreds of thousands have died around the world prematurely due to coronavirus and to think anything else is imbicilic.
            4. 

               Patrick (@paeschli)
               7th August 2020, 9:20

               @skipgamer Suicide, depression, domestic violence, alcoholism… you know, things people end up doing when being stuck at home for months?
            5. 

               SpaFrancorchamps (@spafrancorchamps)
               7th August 2020, 9:50

               @skipgamer I know. It is hard arguing facts when your only arguments are emotionally based, predominantly by fear. But if you are too careless to do any research whatsoever, then please don’t lecture others.
         2. 

            Duncan Idaho (@didaho)
            7th August 2020, 13:21

            I’d say tennis is having a big drop-out rate because of the disastrous organisation/control and consequent infections from Djokovic’s recent tournament and possibly because it’s being held in the US – who know’s what they’re doing?
   2. 

      Keith Campbell (@keithedin)
      7th August 2020, 1:25

      @skipgamer On what are you basing your assertion that F1 in inadvertently spreading coronavirus? Obviously there are risks and there will be additional cases in most countries relating to the re-opening of businesses and non-essential services, but that is something that has to be considered on a per case basis. F1 has taken much stricter precautions than most standard businesses – because it has the logistics and the finances to do so. All the team staff and people attending the races are being tested regularly, although there may be some personnel that have been missed and that should certainly be addressed (e.g. marshals).

      Nobody thinks that entertainment is more important than stopping the spread of the virus. The question is can it be done in a way that the risk of additional spreading is low enough to justify keeping all the invested businesses and jobs afloat. And so far I haven’t seen any evidence that F1 is contributing to the spread of the virus, so I would genuinely like to know if you have data to back that up.
      1. 

         Tristan (@skipgamer)
         7th August 2020, 1:37

         I don’t have data but it’s common sense (that is all too uncommon these days) with untested stewards travelling to and from the track each day, how is it possible for there to not be any inadvertent spread?

         How could I have data for this anyway? They’re not even being tested. Turning a blind eye isn’t a solution.
         1. 

            Jason
            7th August 2020, 2:45

            Just trying to follow the common sense, so just a couple questions.

            Are you confusing or combining marshals and corner workers with FIA stewards?
            Are you suggesting that F1 is a vector or the volunteers are the vector?

            Seems to me that one lesson we can learn from Perez is that the bubbled-circus is cleaner than the community it draws from.
         2. 

            ColdFly (@)
            7th August 2020, 7:27

            How could I have data for this anyway? They’re not even being tested. Turning a blind eye isn’t a solution.

            Austria is quite good at contact tracing. If the circus caused an outbreak we would have heard it.
            F1 does a great job IMO. Locking everybody up until we have a vaccine or cure isn’t feasible. Just opening up because you believe it’s ‘just a flu’ clearly didn’t work either. Thus creating workplaces where maximum precaution is taken is the solution. Testing is not the only precaution; safe procedures (distancing, hygiene) are even more important.

            I agree that the stewards should be tested as well. Not because it will materially increased safety, but more as a recognition and service to them; they should be as valued as the team workers.
         3. 

            Jockey Ewing
            7th August 2020, 14:57

            I even thought that marshals and stewards should not be changed for every weekend, but they could travel with F1. Although being a track side marshal is not that overpaid and well respected job, so sadly it would be demanding for them or would require a good salary if they have to stay away from home for a long while.
         4. 

            Jockey Ewing
            7th August 2020, 15:04

            Perez could got infected in my “precious” Hungary, as the numbers here are in the “I believe if I want category”. I live in the countryside, and I know a lot of people who went to summer holiday, swimming pools, beach, basically no one wears masks at the shops, not even many of the employees, because this is such a masculine society here :D But at least I have some things to laugh at often. They are so much fed with the government media. If I would tell my honest opinion on them, that would be quite more than slightly negative.
   3. 

      bookgrub (@bookgrub)
      7th August 2020, 2:17

      So far, they don’t appear to have done any spreading of coronavirus, which is the part that’s commendable. Finding a way to continue operating a global sport during the pandemic without contributing to the spread of the virus is a notable achievement. I think they should be proud of the systems they’ve set up. The key tests are always how they react if any cases are detected. So far the way everyone has dealt with a positive test for Perez has been excellent, in my opinion. Their preparedness to cancel a whole event if some spread of cases were detected remains to be seen.

      As you say, it’s not a celebration of normality – it’s a celebration of flexibility, not something F1 has historically had much association with. I think it bodes well for the future of the sport, and am personally very relieved to find Bernie nowhere near it.
   4. 

      Guybrush Threepwood (@guybrushthreepwood)
      7th August 2020, 2:22

      They are safer and less likely to catch and spread it in a controlled environment like F1 has put in place compared to if they were left to their own devices in their own homes and cities. Many countries won’t even test someone unless they have symptoms and contact whereas F1 has mandatory testing regardless and much stricter rules in general.
3. 

   JohnH (@johnrkh)
   7th August 2020, 2:10

   I think the tyre situation is going to add to the drama of the race. The strategists are going to really have their thinking caps on and the drivers are going to be under pressure to conserve tyres without giving up track position. Who knows it could turn out that the Williams and Sauber end up at the front because they aren’t fast enough to wear out their tyres.
4. 

   Chaitanya
   7th August 2020, 6:54

   I skipped both the eprix(though yesterday highlights were aired for 1st event while today they aren’t being aired) but it seems like Vergne has lost chance to retain title he is no. 2 driver to Da Costa and will have to play team game.
5. 

   Glennb
   7th August 2020, 7:02

   “Gonna“? Danny would never say gonna. As an Australian I can confirm it is pronounced gunna over here :)
6. 

   Jere (@jerejj)
   7th August 2020, 7:52

   Regarding the COTD: I’ve already replied to the COTD once, but here it is again: I’m not worried about the Spanish GP. The circuit spokesperson stated earlier that the restrictions that came in effect in Spain last month aren’t going to affect the event. People were also pessimistic about the Hungarian GP at one point because of the restrictions on UK-people, but fortunately, that didn’t happen, so I don’t expect anything in this case either.
   Otherwise, I share the same sentiment as the COTD.
7. 

   Euro Brun (@eurobrun)
   7th August 2020, 8:14

   Have Racefans fallen out with Hazel Southwell? I’m surprised at how little has been said about FE.
   I know we have the embedded videos today, but zero comment.
   1. 

      Euro Brun (@eurobrun)
      7th August 2020, 8:36

      for example: I’d like to know people’s opinions on Buemi and the Mahindras using the pitlane as a shortcut under a FCY.

      I think that this is a genius use of a loop hole (that was then correctly tightened up for the remaining races).
      It amused me that it was Mercedes that protested this (good to have a series that yhey are not dominating).
      1. 

         F1 frog (@f1frog)
         7th August 2020, 9:21

         Which race did Buemi and the Mahindras use the pit lane as a shortcut in?
         1. 

            F1 frog (@f1frog)
            7th August 2020, 9:52

            I just found the article about that, and I think that for Buemi it is definitely fine because he just made up time, and didn’t exceed the full-course yellow speed, so no rules were broken. For the Mahindras, though, they both made up positions, which sort of violates the ‘no overtaking under full-course yellow’ rule, although they technically didn’t overtake anyone on track. It’s a tough one to call, but I think that the decision to not penalise them but to close the loophole for the remaining races was the right one.
8. 

   Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
   7th August 2020, 8:36

   @eurobrun

   Have RaceFans fallen out with Hazel Southwell?

   Definitely not! Sadly unlike Formula 1, Formula E are not allowing journalists into their races, and Hazel’s arrangement with us to do Formula E coverage has always been on-site.
   1. 

      Euro Brun (@eurobrun)
      7th August 2020, 11:11

      Thanks for the info @keithcollantine
9. 

   TomD11 (@tomd11)
   7th August 2020, 15:40

   A nit-pick, I know, but I think Motorsport UK have got their figures wrong: HAM has only been the top placed British or Commonwealth driver nine times (2007, 2008, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019). For some reason, in that article, they’ve got HAM down as the 2013 winner despite WEB finishing ahead that year.

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