Open Wheel Racing 2021, anyone there to watch?

[Russell Jaslow]

Just saw an interesting theory that the one stop change might be a factor- since they could be lighter than expected at the end. Nobody figured that was possible, so they may have run less weight figuring that they wouldn’t have tires that worn.

Unless it’s all of the weight difference, maybe. If it was a contributor, then the car was just less underweight.

Sucks bad for Mercedes and George. Brave move that nobody had winning the race.

I've been reading more about this, too. And the math does work out that the extra tire wear can cause the underweight numbers. Fascinating. Every variable in F1 is cut so close, it doesn't take much of a change to mess the calculations all up.

What I find odd, though, is the practice of taking up tire klag on the cool off lap (which some speculated was a culprit since they don't run a cool off lap at Spa) is a useless practice. The scrutineers have the right to ask teams to swap out the wheels/tires with the klag for another set and weigh them again. If this is true, why aren't teams allowed to do that for their well used tire/wheel sets?

[Russell Jaslow]

Also, Horner says they will be discussing Checo’s future today. I’d say there’s a good chance RB has a new #2 coming out of the break.

Did you see the quote from Marko after the race? Something about Perez's Spa race performance being catastrophic. Yeah, a change is being made...

[MichVandal]

Did you see the quote from Marko after the race? Something about Perez's Spa race performance being catastrophic. Yeah, a change is being made...

Kinda crazy Checos massive downturn after signing the extension. But I have low expectations of whoever replaces him.

[Russell Jaslow]

Kinda crazy Checos massive downturn after signing the extension. But I have low expectations of whoever replaces him.

That's the real problem. The Red Bull driver program is in shambles.

[Spartanforlife4]

Did you see the quote from Marko after the race? Something about Perez's Spa race performance being catastrophic. Yeah, a change is being made...

Guess not. Red Bull announces no changes.

[MichVandal]

Guess not. Red Bull announces no changes.

He must be bringing in a lot of money. He may cost them a lot.

[solovsfett]

Is Williams on the rise? I wonder why Sainz would sign with them?

since I haven’t seen enough races this year I have numerous questions.

what’s happening at RBR? Did Mercedes and McLaren do their homework and catch-up or has RBR fallen backwards a bit?

that team radio transmission to versteppen was very telling. I wonder about the team chemistry.

I also wonder if Hamilton’s move to Ferrari is going to pan out considering Mercedes is better at this time and Hamilton doesn’t have time for a rebuild if he wants an 8th title.

[MichVandal]

Is Williams on the rise? I wonder why Sainz would sign with them?

since I haven’t seen enough races this year I have numerous questions.

what’s happening at RBR? Did Mercedes and McLaren do their homework and catch-up or has RBR fallen backwards a bit?

that team radio transmission to versteppen was very telling. I wonder about the team chemistry.

I also wonder if Hamilton’s move to Ferrari is going to pan out considering Mercedes is better at this time and Hamilton doesn’t have time for a rebuild if he wants an 8th title.

Williams is on the rise. It's not nearly as visible on the results, but the team is far more consistent and Albon raves over how they have fixed some key problems on the previous car. And the admitted real problem is that the car is overweight. Let alone, Vowles has publicized that the team was way behind in process and procedure to build the car- which should be fixed this off season. I'd wager that the weight is related to the process issues. Seargant has really let the team down on his performance, I think, too.

Red Bull is really having problems- and as far as I can tell, it's rooted in the team principle vs. Jos. And Horner v the team. The idea that max is interested in leaving is pretty telling. But as a fan who really dislikes RBR and Horner, I'm totally ok with this. Hopefully, McLaren and Mercedes can make it a real fight at the end.

When Lewis made his decision, I'm sure he saw Mercedes figuring things out. But pretty much all of the greats do some seasons at Ferrari. Prost, Mansell, Schumi, Alonso, Kimi, Vettel are the recent ones. So it's as much legacy teams as it is hope they can do something great in 2026. IMHO.

[solovsfett]

Williams is on the rise. It's not nearly as visible on the results, but the team is far more consistent and Albon raves over how they have fixed some key problems on the previous car. And the admitted real problem is that the car is overweight. Let alone, Vowles has publicized that the team was way behind in process and procedure to build the car- which should be fixed this off season. I'd wager that the weight is related to the process issues. Seargant has really let the team down on his performance, I think, too.

Red Bull is really having problems- and as far as I can tell, it's rooted in the team principle vs. Jos. And Horner v the team. The idea that max is interested in leaving is pretty telling. But as a fan who really dislikes RBR and Horner, I'm totally ok with this. Hopefully, McLaren and Mercedes can make it a real fight at the end.

When Lewis made his decision, I'm sure he saw Mercedes figuring things out. But pretty much all of the greats do some seasons at Ferrari. Prost, Mansell, Schumi, Alonso, Kimi, Vettel are the recent ones. So it's as much legacy teams as it is hope they can do something great in 2026. IMHO.

Thanks!

it would be cool to see Williams fighting for podiums with Ferrari and McLaren like old times.

i think RBR may be screwed for a couple of years. Losing Newey is the biggest issue IMO followed quickly by changing to Ford engines next year which… I don’t see how they can step in and maintain the speed and consistency RBR has had over the past 4 years. It will take time to acclimate. Ford has been out of F1 for what, 28 years?

[Russell Jaslow]

i think RBR may be screwed for a couple of years. Losing Newey is the biggest issue IMO followed quickly by changing to Ford engines next year which… I don’t see how they can step in and maintain the speed and consistency RBR has had over the past 4 years. It will take time to acclimate. Ford has been out of F1 for what, 28 years?

It's more of a branding exercise than anything else. When Honda pulled out, RBR took over the engine program, but the infrastructure was already there. Then, they put a bunch of money into it to get ready for the 2026 engine design and hired a bunch of Mercedes engine engineers. At that point, Ford stepped in to "help" with technical expertise. But how much are they really going to contribute? That's the key question. But they do get their name on the engine.

In summary, how much is the new RBR engine merely an evolution of the Honda engine vs. how much the new RBR engine is really a Ford engine is a mystery. But it definitely is not a "brand new" Ford engine.

[MichVandal]

It's more of a branding exercise than anything else. When Honda pulled out, RBR took over the engine program, but the infrastructure was already there. Then, they put a bunch of money into it to get ready for the 2026 engine design and hired a bunch of Mercedes engine engineers. At that point, Ford stepped in to "help" with technical expertise. But how much are they really going to contribute? That's the key question. But they do get their name on the engine.

In summary, how much is the new RBR engine merely an evolution of the Honda engine vs. how much the new RBR engine is really a Ford engine is a mystery. But it definitely is not a "brand new" Ford engine.

Even so... for RBR to develop the current Honda blueprints to the next level- do they have the skills to do that or not? We will see- but just having the ability to make the engine is not even half the battle anymore.

As for Ford, as far as I know, they are only doing the hybrid part, not the engine. And it really sounds like they are planning some technical input. Seeing how the company has evolved since I retired, I really think this will hamper RBR a lot more than it will help. Someone at Ford is going to want to be involved, meaning managers will want to be involved.... Historically, Ford had almost nothing to do with the Cosworth engine, other than some kind of support. The engine that Ford had real input on with Cosworth was the turbo V6 (I had an old boss that worked on it), and it almost was good. Then the disaster with Jaguar. Seems that this was a cash input so that Horner/Marko could sell the team. Or at least Red Bull can sell the team- their corporate interest has calmed with the death of the founder.

[MichVandal]

Mercedes has a LOT or explaining to do.

But that doesn't take away from an extremely entertaining race and a brilliant drive by Russell. What makes the later even more impressive is Russell was the first to pit amongst the front runners. So, to change the strategy midstream, he had to do that on tires that were a 1,000 years old. Amazing.

Just watched the Mercedes public debrief of the race. The two cars started the race at the same weight. George's car had more wear- tires, plank and even George. Pretty obvious that they had no real plans for a one stop race.

[Russell Jaslow]

Just watched the Mercedes public debrief of the race. The two cars started the race at the same weight. George's car had more wear- tires, plank and even George. Pretty obvious that they had no real plans for a one stop race.

It makes me wonder whether Toto Wolff knew they were in trouble. His reaction, to a freaking 1-2 no less, was so subdued. Think how he acted when Russell inherited that win (he almost caused Russell to crash) or when Hamilton took Silverstone. Then, he doesn't even appear at the podium ceremonies, I don't think.

Did some smart engineer, maybe back at the control center in England, radio him, letting him know, "We may in trouble"? Then factor in the story coming out that Mercedes tried to get away with leaving a gallon of fuel in the car until the scrutineers made them ensure all the fuel was drained, as if Mercedes knew they needed just a few more pounds.

[MichVandal]

Very reasonable thought!

[Russell Jaslow]

Anyone who is going to this weekend’s vintage event at Watkins Glen, I’ll be driving the pace/safety car again. (The date moved from September, but it should move back next year.)

This time, it’s an unbelievable car — a Ginetta G56 GTA. It’s essentially a race car, with just the gearbox swapped out and A/C added. I’ve never driven anything like it, and that includes my race car.