Open Wheel Racing 2021, anyone there to watch?

[MichVandal]

Ford struck lightning in a bottle with the DFV and had a huge presence in the UK and Europe.

GM had neither.

And it was very much a Ford of Britain support thing- not sure how they pulled that off, but the luck to start winning so early sure kept some jobs.

[Russell Jaslow]

I was shocked to see that Ford is third all-time in F1 races entered and podiums.

Why did GM and AMC never give it a try?

AMC? You're joking, right? :-)

[Russell Jaslow]

Alex Palou is the big loser here.

Why? It was his choice.

[Jimjamesak]

And it was very much a Ford of Britain support thing- not sure how they pulled that off, but the luck to start winning so early sure kept some jobs.

TBF, the whole life of the DFV was one lucky moment after another.

[MichVandal]

TBF, the whole life of the DFV was one lucky moment after another.

While I’m no fan of cosworth these days, they did an amazing job developing that engine. So I’d give some good hard work some benefit.

[solovsfett]

Why? It was his choice.

True. He made a dumb decision to leave Ganassi. Concurrently I’d say Zak Brown is not trustworthy. What did he promise Palou and Rosenquist? + he’s dangling F1 in front of O’Ward and Herta.

This is why I think Colton Herta won’t go F1 unless RBR, Ferrari or Mercedes call. Possibly same with Pato. They’re witnessing the ugly side of the sport and in the end there are no vacancies on winning teams in F1 right now.

[Russell Jaslow]

OK so Alfa and Aston Martin are just naming rights, not owners, is that correct? Where as e.g. Ferrari and Mercedes are the actual team owners?

Why would a car manufacturer just do sponsorship, isn't that a little.... damning? I can see it for a non-car sponsor, but what does it say if you sponsor a team but run somebody else's car?

Speaking of Alfa they just announced their sponsorship deal with Sauber will end after 2023. Apparently, the team will go back to being named Sauber until Audi completes the buyout in 2026.

Meanwhile, Charles Leclerc will start at the back of the grid on Sunday after taking an engine replacement penalty. I got to think Ferrari, despite their public statements, know the championship is over, and are aiming to peak in two weeks to try to win their home race.

[Russell Jaslow]

True. He made a dumb decision to leave Ganassi. Concurrently I’d say Zak Brown is not trustworthy. What did he promise Palou and Rosenquist? + he’s dangling F1 in front of O’Ward and Herta.

This is why I think Colton Herta won’t go F1 unless RBR, Ferrari or Mercedes call. Possibly same with Pato. They’re witnessing the ugly side of the sport and in the end there are no vacancies on winning teams in F1 right now.

I had a lot of respect for Zak Brown. How he built up his marketing company he founded from scratch into one of the largest in the world. How he pulled McLaren out of depths deeper than the Marianna Trench. How successful his sports car teams (United Autosport) have been.

But yeah, now, I'm with you on him.

[Kepler]

Gasly gave his seat to Lawson for the first practice session at Spa, apparently this is an F1 rule to get the reserve drivers track time?

[Spartanforlife4]

Gasly gave his seat to Lawson for the first practice session at Spa, apparently this is an F1 rule to get the reserve drivers track time?

To drive F1 you have to get a super license from the FIA. You do that by accumulating points driving in other series (I.e. F2, Indy, even NASCAR but stock cars are granted less points than open wheel), but you can also pick up additional points by driving practice sessions.

It’s a win-win. Reserve drivers get time in an actual F1 car, earn a point towards their license, and the teams get some data on their reserve driver as well.

[Russell Jaslow]

To drive F1 you have to get a super license from the FIA. You do that by accumulating points driving in other series (I.e. F2, Indy, even NASCAR but stock cars are granted less points than open wheel), but you can also pick up additional points by driving practice sessions.

It’s a win-win. Reserve drivers get time in an actual F1 car, earn a point towards their license, and the teams get some data on their reserve driver as well.

Plus, this year it's a rule that every F1 team must give up two FP1 practice sessions to a "young" driver. This is also defined as inexperienced. So, for example, when Kubica drives FP1, it doesn't count towards the requirement. Or when Haas will give Giovinazzi two FP1 sessions later in the year, that also won't count towards the requirements.

[MichVandal]

Finally official that Audi is coming in 2026. And Alfa is leaving at the end of 2023. So one wonders who the main sponsor will be for 24 and 25, since they will surely keep the Ferrari powertrain.

[Kepler]

Spa grid after engine penalties:

 1) Carlos Sainz (Ferrari)
 2) Sergio Perez (Red Bull)
 3) Fernando Alonso (Alpine)
 4) Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes)
 5) George Russell (Mercedes
 6) Alex Albon (Williams)
 7) Daniel Ricciardo (McLaren)
 8) Pierre Gasly (Alpha Tauri)
 9) Lance Stroll (Aston Martin)
10) Sebastian Vettel (Aston Martin)
11) Nicholas Latifi (Williams)
12) Kevin Magnussen (Haas)
13) Yuki Tsunoda (Alpha Tauri)
14) Valtteri Bottas (Alfa Romeo)
15) Max Verstappen (Red Bull)
16) Charles Leclerc (Ferrari)
17) Esteban Ocon (Alpine)
18) Lando Norris (McLaren)
19) Zhou Guanyu (Alfa Romeo)
20) Mick Schumacher (Haas)

[Kepler]

We've all been there.

[MichVandal]

Spa grid after engine penalties:

 1) Carlos Sainz (Ferrari)
2) Sergio Perez (Red Bull)
3) Fernando Alonso (Alpine)
4) Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes)
5) George Russell (Mercedes
6) Alex Albon (Williams)
7) Daniel Ricciardo (McLaren)
8) Pierre Gasly (Alpha Tauri)
9) Lance Stroll (Aston Martin)
10) Sebastian Vettel (Aston Martin)
11) Nicholas Latifi (Williams)
12) Kevin Magnussen (Haas)
13) Yuki Tsunoda (Alpha Tauri)
14) Valtteri Bottas (Alfa Romeo)
15) Max Verstappen (Red Bull)
16) Charles Leclerc (Ferrari)
17) Esteban Ocon (Alpine)
18) Lando Norris (McLaren)
19) Zhou Guanyu (Alfa Romeo)
20) Mick Schumacher (Haas)

This is going to be a very different start than previous seasons- the new gravel trap means that you have to stay on the track or risk going out of the race. Verstappen has gone way wide in the opening corner in more than one previous race- as an example. I'm sure Max and Charles will get many places right away- but turn one will be really interesting.