F1 2020

[Rosencrantz]

There's a thread called "Exeter on Sarries" on the "Northampton Saints Rugby Forum" which discusses the new book by the Guardian's Robert Kitson on the Exeter Chiefs which once again highlights the Saracen's outrageous behaviour regarding the breaches of the salary cap. Knowing your interest in Formula One I have brought it to your attention as one of the thread's correspondents claim that Ferrari cheated all last season and that it was something to do with the engine? By the way he talks it seems that those that control F1.com are just as secretive as was Premiership Rugby back in 2015 when salary cap discrepancies first came to light.

Ferrari were doing something clever/illegal where they were bypassing the FIA sensor which measures the fuel flow to the engine. More fuel equals more power. This seems common knowledge within F1 now.

However FIA President Jean Todt (ex Ferrari) said that it wasn't possible to prove they had broken any regulations. So a settlement was made and a joint statement put out. Other teams want more information but Ferrari are adamant that it would infringe details of their intellectual property . Ferrari also say they have done nothing wrong otherwise they would have been disqualified from races last season.

The Ferrari engine was the quickest engine last season right up to the point when they started to be investigated after monstering Spa and Monza, two power tracks. Then they mysteriously seemed to lose power about the time of the US Mexican GP's which they were expected to win. This season their power output is nowhere which combined with a high downforce "draggy" concept, carried over from when the engine was putting out monster power, has seen them relegated to lower midfield. And there isn't much they can change next year either due to regulations.

Whether Todt is truthful and the FIA couldn't definitively prove Ferrari broke the rules, but knew they were, hence the settlement, who knows. The FIA is known as Ferrari International Assistance by many such is their power in the sport.

The investigation only came about due to pressure from other teams who suspected Ferrari were up to something. They are normally very good at working out what each other are doing and the FIA stepped in before a formal protest. Red Bull as usual for them did seek clarifications on certain engine issues which was when Ferrari suddenly lost power though. And now this season, the car is a donkey which will lose Ferrari millions in prize money, they are currently sixth in the constructors championship. Everyone drew their own conclusions .

 

[Stuffy]

Thanks for that Mr R. It seems that fellow on the Northampton Saints site wasn't that far off the mark.

FIA President Jean Todt (ex Ferrari) said that it wasn't possible to prove they had broken any regulations. So a settlement was made and a joint statement put out. Other teams want more information but Ferrari are adamant that it would infringe details of their intellectual property .

Another bleeding Frenchman

 

[Rosencrantz]

The additional outcome which has not benefitted the rest of the field is that Mercedes upped their game on their power unit. Toto Wolff openly said at the start of this season that such was the power of Ferrari's engine last season, Mercedes really worked really hard on gaining more power from their own engine to try to compete with Ferrari's dodgy engine which has made them even more dominant.

 

[Stuffy]

Just started on channel 114 Sky Doc's: Senna

 

[Rosencrantz]

Hamilton breaks the record in style by destroying the field. Difficult start but he kept his nerve, looked after his tyres, and drove away to a grand slam - win, pole and fastest lap.

Comparing the different era's is always subjective. The best drivers get the best cars from Fangio to Hamilton and all in between. It was an incredible record to break from Schumacher, it will be an incredible record to break by the next driver.

Good drives also by Leclerc, Gasly and Perez although he will be gutted for the last two laps and the decision to go on those softs.

 

[Rosencrantz]

Did someone put the F1 2020 computer game into Kimi's camera

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1320378641625288704

 

[Red Devon]

The race itself could have done for a bit more rain after a very entertaining opening four or five laps Sainz was looking pretty good in the lead there while it lasted, after that it became all to predictable with Hamilton in a class of his own...reckless overtaking manoeuvre by stroll on Norris that cost Lando his race...interesting to see a decent amount of fans in attendance again.

 

[Rosencrantz]

Mercedes wrap up the constructors. Lewis takes advantage of a VSC to win, sometimes the better you are, the luckier you get. Verstappen unlucky with what looked like a left rear tyre failure after pushing past a damaged Bottas.

Renault rolled the dice right for Danny Ric to get the podium by maintaining track position over new tyres in the late safety car and just about kept off Kvyat who monstered the restart. Perez and Racing Point will feel they took the wrong decision in doing the opposite.

George

 

[Red Devon]

Good to see Danny Ric on the podium offering his shoe around again ...unfortunate shunt for George Russell behind the safety car...looked like he was off into the bushes to do a Mika Hakkinen

 

[Rosencrantz]

Good to see Danny Ric on the podium offering his shoe around again ...unfortunate shunt for George Russell behind the safety car...looked like he was off into the bushes to do a Mika Hakkinen

It was unfortunate for George. He would have been restarting in tenth on old hards just ahead of Kimi on pretty new softs so would have had a hard job keeping him behind. But with Albon spinning, it would have been a good chance of a point and he knew it.