New Grand Prix Season Is Almost Upon Us!!!

[Poopyhead]

So when was the last time that the reigning World Champion did not compete the next year?

[warspite1]

Nigel Mansell?

[british exil]

Nigel Mansell: 1992 Formula 1 champion. 1993 Indy Car champ.
Alain Prost 1994 Formula 1 champion. 1994 retired from F1.

Mat

[warspite1]

ORIGINAL: british exil

Nigel Mansell: 1992 Formula 1 champion. 1993 Indy Car champ.
Alain Prost 1994 Formula 1 champion. 1994 retired from F1.

Mat

warspite1

Duh - Prost of course . Although he was 1993 World Champion, not 1994.

[british exil]

Typo, meant 1993.

Mat

[warspite1]

Sad news [:(]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/39235608

[wings7]

ORIGINAL: warspite1

Sad news [:(]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/39235608

Rest in Peace John.

[Gilmer]

He was a gooder.

[Poopyhead]

Force India will be "in the pink"...

https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/head ... -2017.html

Also, watched a video where Kimi did a test lap at Barcelona that was over 3 seconds faster than Hamilton's poll qualifying lap there last year. Are the Italian stallions back?

[warspite1]

I think F1 testing (albeit notoriously difficult to know exactly what each team is doing) has strongly indicated that Ferrari are there or thereabouts - maybe even the fastest.

However, F1 cars are supposed to be 3-5 seconds a lap faster in their new guise this season.

[warspite1]

Interesting start to the campaign........

[Gilmer]

Wow, stayed up to watch. I haven't been up this late in a long time.

[warspite1]

Changing of the guard? The Ferrari looked superb - in Vettel's hands at least.

[AndyG1]

Hang on, 8 to 10 years ago they wanted to get rid of downforce and diffuser ground effect to aid better chance of the car following being able to stay close and pass. And here we had drivers catching the car ahead quickly, then 1 to 2 seconds behind they were stuffed! Hopefully non street tracks will aid passing. Even 30 kph slower on the straights than those behind and DRS, Alonso held off a Mercedes Force India car until 7 laps to go when his suspension problems hit.....

[warspite1]

Not good is it based on the evidence so far. They are talking about a plan for 2020 rather than quick fixes.....

[warspite1]

Apparently you can't overtake with these new cars. I don't think anyone told Vettel or Verstappen though...... Verstappen needs to cut out some of the nonsense though. Did he really expect the race director to blue flag a guy he is nowhere near?

Good race.

[Poopyhead]

Exactly. Mad Max got the "Driver of the Day" award for his performance behind the wheel, but not so much for his radio traffic. The biggest WTF moment goes to Bottas for spinning out behind the safety car while trying to warm up his tires. What was up with Ferrari not telling Kimi to get out of the way? It might have been a lot closer.

FYI, I just read where Alonso will not be at Monaco GP so that he can drive in the Indy 500. Well at least he didn't just up and retire like some driver.

[warspite1]

So no Alonso at Monaco! Does this mean he's given up on winning the F1 World Championship this year [:D]

[warspite1]

......and its been confirmed that JB will replace him. Let's hope he gets some simulation runs first!

[Poopyhead]

Let's hope he gets a serious training regimen. Wehrlein still hasn't driven yet. IIRC, Grosjean said that he had to take his preparation up a notch to get fit for the new high G cars this year. It will be great to see JB driving again.