2014 Silly Season Thread

go_Rubens · Post by **go_Rubens** » 07 Feb 2014, 03:14

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.ph ... ostpopular

What a load of bollocks. Although maybe some of these ideas are okay...

AustralianStig · Post by **AustralianStig** » 07 Feb 2014, 03:27

Either they should give the drivers new tyres for the race, or they should introduce the 107% rule (or something similar) for Q2 and Q3. Failing to make the threshold means you take a grid penalty, unless there are extreme circumstances such as a quickly drying track or similar.

Quali works well the way it is, aside from drivers too often not setting a lap in Q3 - pleeeease don't wreck it...

CoopsII · Post by **CoopsII** » 07 Feb 2014, 08:30

go_Rubens wrote:http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/112434?source=mostpopular
What a load of bollocks. Although maybe some of these ideas are okay...

Im not even going to read the link Im going to use your incisive 'I hate it/I dont hate it' point of view as the model for how I enjoy F1 this season.

SgtPepper · Post by **SgtPepper** » 07 Feb 2014, 08:59

go_Rubens wrote:http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/112434?source=mostpopular

What a load of bollocks. Although maybe some of these ideas are okay...

I think it's a relatively decent solution to a problem I'm not entirely sure should have existed in the first place.

Still maintain my idea that there should be two sets of qualifying - one run of one lap qualifying to decide a preliminary grid, and then a top 10 shoutout. Best of both worlds, as we get to see how the cars further back are doing when coverage of these teams has gotten incredibly pathetic in recent years (and also helps lure more sponsors as costs continue to escalate), and retain the suspense of Q3.

Collieafc · Post by **Collieafc** » 07 Feb 2014, 12:29

Just give those in Q3 quali-only tyres. Pirelli are up for it so it shouldnt be a problem. Just make teams elect their starting compound before they go out for a Q3 run.

Waris · Post by **Waris** » 07 Feb 2014, 21:27

Why don't they just make it mandatory to set a timed lap in Q3 (or maybe like a minimum of 2 or 3 timed laps)? That would be so much simpler.

Post by **DemocalypseNow** » 07 Feb 2014, 21:43

Waris wrote:Why don't they just make it mandatory to set a timed lap in Q3 (or maybe like a minimum of 2 or 3 timed laps)? That would be so much simpler.

You'd have to make a sort of 107% time for this session - but even then, the ten competitors might make and agreement for every driver to go slow. Just because they have to drive, doesn't mean they'll do so for a fast laptime. It needs a different sort of motivation to make them drive on the edge in Q3.

Dj_bereta · Post by **Dj_bereta** » 08 Feb 2014, 02:40

I really want F1 returning with the 03-04 qualify system. One lap, one chance.

FMecha · Post by **FMecha** » 08 Feb 2014, 05:07

Biscione wrote:
Waris wrote:Why don't they just make it mandatory to set a timed lap in Q3 (or maybe like a minimum of 2 or 3 timed laps)? That would be so much simpler.

You'd have to make a sort of 107% time for this session - but even then, the ten competitors might make and agreement for every driver to go slow. Just because they have to drive, doesn't mean they'll do so for a fast laptime. It needs a different sort of motivation to make them drive on the edge in Q3.

An anti-sandbagging rule will solve it.

AdrianSutil · Post by **AdrianSutil** » 08 Feb 2014, 06:10

Theres no point in Pirelli giving the Q3 runners an extra set of tyres because the drivers will only set one fast lap at the end of the session, if they decide to go out anyway. So you'll have the ridiculous situation where the first 8 minutes of the session is quiet and then everyone tries to find a lap in the final two minutes. We pretty much have that at the moment anyway. Not good enough.

I propose Pirelli give Q3 drivers a set of tyres each and we do the classis one-lap shoot out. The 10th places driver in Q2 goes first, the 9th placed in Q2 second ect... I reckon it'll take 15 minutes to complete Q3 where we see every car (albeit one at a time) on one do-or-die lap. It's nowhere near as exciting as seeing multiple cars on track at the same time, but we will see every car at least.

Post by **mario** » 08 Feb 2014, 07:56

AustralianStig wrote:Either they should give the drivers new tyres for the race, or they should introduce the 107% rule (or something similar) for Q2 and Q3. Failing to make the threshold means you take a grid penalty, unless there are extreme circumstances such as a quickly drying track or similar.

Quali works well the way it is, aside from drivers too often not setting a lap in Q3 - pleeeease don't wreck it...

The issue is that, for those midfield drivers who just scrape into the session, they are already at a disadvantage for the race because most of them will have had to use up more tyres than the major teams.

Pushing them into setting a lap in Q3 by throwing extra tyres at them does, in one sense, get rid of the issue of drivers not wanting to go out to save tyres, but on the other hand it also kind of reduces some of the strategic variability (because it is almost certain that all of the drivers will set a fast time in Q2 on the softer compound, it means that the whole of the top 10 will start on the soft tyre).
If anything, it perhaps makes it worse for those at the tail end of the top 10 as it removes one of the few strategic options that they had to avoid being jumped by those who were just outside the top 10 but have the luxury of a completely free strategy.

Post by **Londoner** » 08 Feb 2014, 11:08

In more light-hearted news, someone managed to hack the Lotus Twitter account yesterday, and posted this, in reference to the Winter Olympics.

Sadly, they deleted it and apologised...

watka · Post by **watka** » 08 Feb 2014, 12:13

Can anyone tell me what was so wrong with the classic, 60-minute qualifying session of yesteryears? I know that all of the drivers would just go out in the last 10 minutes, but you could either shorten the session to a more manageable 30 minutes with a mandatory minimum number of flying laps, or make it mandatory for the teams to set at least one flying lap in each of the three 20 minute blocks that comprise a 60 minute session.

Salamander · Post by **Salamander** » 08 Feb 2014, 12:25

watka wrote:Can anyone tell me what was so wrong with the classic, 60-minute qualifying session of yesteryears? I know that all of the drivers would just go out in the last 10 minutes, but you could either shorten the session to a more manageable 30 minutes with a mandatory minimum number of flying laps, or make it mandatory for the teams to set at least one flying lap in each of the three 20 minute blocks that comprise a 60 minute session.

It was kind of dull, and bland. With the 3 session system, teams get punished for stupid strategy calls, such as the times when McLaren and Ferrari got caught out in the wet in Malaysia a couple years back.

Klon · Post by **Klon** » 08 Feb 2014, 12:36

East Londoner wrote:In more light-hearted news, someone managed to hack the Lotus Twitter account yesterday, and posted this, in reference to the Winter Olympics.

Sadly, they deleted it and apologised...

Wow. What bravery, to illegaly gain access to a public social media account and post an homoerotic picture. That'll show those evil Russians. :roll:

Post by **Ataxia** » 08 Feb 2014, 12:38

Klon wrote:
East Londoner wrote:In more light-hearted news, someone managed to hack the Lotus Twitter account yesterday, and posted this, in reference to the Winter Olympics.

Sadly, they deleted it and apologised...

Wow. What bravery, to illegaly gain access to a public social media account and post an homoerotic picture. That'll show those evil Russians.

May I be so cynical to suggest it wasn't hacked? It sounds like something Lotus would do but considering they've recently sold 10% of the team to some Russians, they probably got told to take it off.

Klon · Post by **Klon** » 08 Feb 2014, 12:42

Ataxia wrote:
Klon wrote:Wow. What bravery, to illegaly gain access to a public social media account and post an homoerotic picture. That'll show those evil Russians.

May I be so cynical to suggest it wasn't hacked? It sounds like something Lotus would do but considering they've recently sold 10% of the team to some Russians, they probably got told to take it off.

If that is the case I will seriously pray to the gods that Lotus (or at least its PR department) goes to hell as soon as possible. Ineffective activism is one thing, hypocritial, half-arsed activism another.

fjackdaw · Post by **fjackdaw** » 08 Feb 2014, 16:43

Klon wrote:
Ataxia wrote:
Klon wrote:Wow. What bravery, to illegaly gain access to a public social media account and post an homoerotic picture. That'll show those evil Russians.

May I be so cynical to suggest it wasn't hacked? It sounds like something Lotus would do but considering they've recently sold 10% of the team to some Russians, they probably got told to take it off.

If that is the case I will seriously pray to the gods that Lotus (or at least its PR department) goes to hell as soon as possible. Ineffective activism is one thing, hypocritial, half-arsed activism another.

What's the problem with it?

lgaquino · Post by **lgaquino** » 10 Feb 2014, 12:59

I thought it was a joke about the habit Russians have of kissing when greeting, even among men. .. albeit not in the mouth hehe
Didn't see anything particularly bad about that :shock:

watka · Post by **watka** » 10 Feb 2014, 13:27

Just noticed that the BBC website quote Lotus as saying the tweet was "unauthorised" rather than a hack so perhaps it was someone internal.

Klon · Post by **Klon** » 10 Feb 2014, 13:48

fjackdaw wrote:What's the problem with it?

Because any moron can say "x is bad" and then back down when faced with the consequences. Yet the type of person who does that expects to be praised for it.

Post by **mario** » 10 Feb 2014, 21:39

Klon wrote:
fjackdaw wrote:What's the problem with it?

Because any moron can say "x is bad" and then back down when faced with the consequences. Yet the type of person who does that expects to be praised for it.

At risk of prolonging what could turn into something of a political debate, I can see the point that you are making and, to a certain extent, sympathise with it.

There are certainly many in Russia who face prejudice, harassment and intimidation from the authorities for exposing corruption, abuses of power and stripping away power from minority groups who don't fit with their vision of the ideal Russian state, and some have certainly paid with more than just mere money for standing up to those in power.
Whilst it is not surprising that there would have been those in the Lotus team who would feel uncomfortable about making such politically charged statements, particularly when they are relying on Russian patronage to support the team, at the same time I do agree that you should not make such comments unless you have the conviction to stand by them, no matter the response that it may engender.

DanielPT · Post by **DanielPT** » 13 Feb 2014, 12:54

I cannot wait to see the Martini livered Williams car.

Shizuka · Post by **Shizuka** » 13 Feb 2014, 13:44

Will we get close to this?

Alextrax52 · Post by **Alextrax52** » 13 Feb 2014, 19:54

Controversial Jacques sticks his neck on the line. But for once he's right

eytl · Post by **eytl** » 13 Feb 2014, 20:03

Freeze-O-Kimi wrote:Controversial Jacques sticks his neck on the line. But for once he's right

And there are these comments reported on Autosport as well, which I agree with 100% - a rare situation with Jacques!

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/112511

UncreativeUsername37 · Post by **UncreativeUsername37** » 13 Feb 2014, 21:01

eytl wrote:
Freeze-O-Kimi wrote:Controversial Jacques sticks his neck on the line. But for once he's right

And there are these comments reported on Autosport as well, which I agree with 100% - a rare situation with Jacques!

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/112511

Jacques Villeneuve for IIDOTesting

CoopsII · Post by **CoopsII** » 14 Feb 2014, 07:52

Freeze-O-Kimi wrote:Controversial Jacques sticks his neck on the line. But for once he's right

He's right but not particulary controversial, there's nothing in that we covered ourselves. Stating The Bleeding Obvious Jacques would be a better description.

Ferrim · Post by **Ferrim** » 14 Feb 2014, 09:14

And I've got the feeling that he would be saying similar things about a F1 with no DRS or double points. "Look, it was much better in my era, now those turbo engines sound stupid, the races are boring because you cannot overtake and you can go through the corners at top speed and don't kill yourself. It's a joke."

And then we would criticize him, wouldn't we? My point is, Jacques doesn't need F1 to get it wrong to whine about it. :lol:

DanielPT · Post by **DanielPT** » 14 Feb 2014, 09:48

Ferrim wrote:And I've got the feeling that he would be saying similar things about a F1 with no DRS or double points. "Look, it was much better in my era, now those turbo engines sound stupid, the races are boring because you cannot overtake and you can go through the corners at top speed and don't kill yourself. It's a joke."

And then we would criticize him, wouldn't we? My point is, Jacques doesn't need F1 to get it wrong to whine about it.

Well, yes, you are probably right on that. Although I think we should also praise him when he gets it right for once, otherwise it would be unfair just to bash the man when somebody asks him something about F1 and he answers what he thinks and gets it wrong. Not that bashing Jacques Villeneuve is a bad sport!

DanielPT · Post by **DanielPT** » 14 Feb 2014, 10:46

Great news dr-baker!

Sauber will be preparing De Silvestro for a race seat in 2015. Meaning that they will help her gain a Super Licence and maybe a race seat somewhere. I would like to see that. De Silvestro is a good driver, probably better than some others in the grid right now.

FullMetalJack · Post by **FullMetalJack** » 14 Feb 2014, 10:48

It's a strange situation, as I completely agree with what Jacques Villeneuve has said

Post by **Londoner** » 14 Feb 2014, 10:57

Simona's signed for Sauber? Fantastic news.

I can only assume Gutierrez is driving on borrowed time now, another season like last year and he'll be gone when Simona gets her superlicence. I just hope Sauber can remain competitive if and when she gets the race seat.

Yannick · Post by **Yannick** » 14 Feb 2014, 11:05

DanielPT wrote:Great news dr-baker!

Sauber will be preparing De Silvestro for a race seat in 2015. Meaning that they will help her gain a Super Licence and maybe a race seat somewhere. I would like to see that. De Silvestro is a good driver, probably better than some others in the grid right now.

Having followed Simona DeSilvestro's career in IndyCar, this is definitely the right way to go for her because she is much more of a road racer than an oval racer. Yet, after her prior sponsorship deal has run out, it is making me wonder whether the Sauber deal as "affiliate driver" might be just not that much to begin with. I guess a race seat in another series might have been a better deal since Sauber already has the seemingly well funded Sergey Sirotkin waiting in the wings to have his sponsors compete with Simona's for a Sauber race seat for next year. Here's hoping she will get to run the current car on the track in testing this year and maybe add somew cameo appearances in a European series and a start at the Indy 500 as part of the package.

Shizuka · Post by **Shizuka** » 14 Feb 2014, 11:15

DanielPT wrote:Great news dr-baker!

Sauber will be preparing De Silvestro for a race seat in 2015. Meaning that they will help her gain a Super Licence and maybe a race seat somewhere. I would like to see that. De Silvestro is a good driver, probably better than some others in the grid right now.

That makes me question:
What about Sirotkin?

DanielPT · Post by **DanielPT** » 14 Feb 2014, 12:07

Shizuka wrote:
DanielPT wrote:Great news dr-baker!

Sauber will be preparing De Silvestro for a race seat in 2015. Meaning that they will help her gain a Super Licence and maybe a race seat somewhere. I would like to see that. De Silvestro is a good driver, probably better than some others in the grid right now.

That makes me question:
What about Sirotkin?

The only explanation I could come up with was that the agreed money might not be coming in. Which, let's face it, was the only reason behind Sirotkin's place at Sauber.

On a different note, I reckon De Silvestro could make a better job that Mr Gutierrez Gutierrez.

Ben Gilbert · Post by **Ben Gilbert** » 14 Feb 2014, 12:35

DanielPT wrote:
Ferrim wrote:And I've got the feeling that he would be saying similar things about a F1 with no DRS or double points. "Look, it was much better in my era, now those turbo engines sound stupid, the races are boring because you cannot overtake and you can go through the corners at top speed and don't kill yourself. It's a joke."

And then we would criticize him, wouldn't we? My point is, Jacques doesn't need F1 to get it wrong to whine about it.

Well, yes, you are probably right on that. Although I think we should also praise him when he gets it right for once, otherwise it would be unfair just to bash the man when somebody asks him something about F1 and he answers what he thinks and gets it wrong. Not that bashing Jacques Villeneuve is a bad sport!

Really?

If someone were to spend their entire weekend shooting blindly into the air, would you praise their hunting skills when they proudly show you their haul of one sparrow?

eytl · Post by **eytl** » 14 Feb 2014, 13:08

Shizuka wrote:
DanielPT wrote:Great news dr-baker!

Sauber will be preparing De Silvestro for a race seat in 2015. Meaning that they will help her gain a Super Licence and maybe a race seat somewhere. I would like to see that. De Silvestro is a good driver, probably better than some others in the grid right now.

That makes me question:
What about Sirotkin?

And Giedo van der Garde.

How many drivers does Sauber need?

Maybe, more to the point, how much sponsorship money does Sauber need?

DanielPT · Post by **DanielPT** » 14 Feb 2014, 13:25

Ben Gilbert wrote:
DanielPT wrote:Well, yes, you are probably right on that. Although I think we should also praise him when he gets it right for once, otherwise it would be unfair just to bash the man when somebody asks him something about F1 and he answers what he thinks and gets it wrong. Not that bashing Jacques Villeneuve is a bad sport!

Really?

If someone were to spend their entire weekend shooting blindly into the air, would you praise their hunting skills when they proudly show you their haul of one sparrow?

Yes, really.

But it all comes down if you like him or not. If you like him and want him to go beyond bitterness then maybe a bit of appraisal when he finally points in the right direction can encourage to do more in that way. If you don't like him and want him to just shut up (or stop shooting) then you will keep bashing him no matter what and even if he gets it right, keep bashing him some more because he didn't brought a full haul. Think about it, if it was someone dear to you, would you just say: "Stop trying, you bathplugging suck!"?

Post by **mario** » 14 Feb 2014, 18:01

eytl wrote:
Shizuka wrote:
DanielPT wrote:Great news dr-baker!

Sauber will be preparing De Silvestro for a race seat in 2015. Meaning that they will help her gain a Super Licence and maybe a race seat somewhere. I would like to see that. De Silvestro is a good driver, probably better than some others in the grid right now.

That makes me question:
What about Sirotkin?

And Giedo van der Garde.

How many drivers does Sauber need?

Maybe, more to the point, how much sponsorship money does Sauber need?

The talk around Sirotkin has dropped off dramatically in recent months, which has made quite a lot of spectators wonder if the promised sponsorship has failed to materialise. As for van der Garde, well, we will see what may happen there - he has indicated that he approached Sauber (Caterham, it appears, wanted to keep him but he decided that Sauber offered more opportunities), so he must think that there is a chance he could get a race seat there.
I think that it may depend on how well Gutierrez does, but there is always a possibility that Sauber might throw both drivers out after 2014 - let's be honest, sponsorship is the main reason why both drivers are there (I would rate Sutil as a fairly average driver and think that there are better experienced and rookie drivers on the market - but then again, Sutil does have sponsorship from Medion), and if they feel that they can get more by pairing up van der Garde and de Silvestro, I could see them running that line up in 2015 instead.

As for the amount of sponsorship money Sauber needs, the suggestion is that they need quite a lot more - the figures that I recall being bandied about is something in the order of an additional €15 million a year just to break even, let alone pay off their old debts.