2016 Hungarian Grand Prix

This Could Be You · Post by **This Could Be You** » 22 Jul 2016, 12:30

Sorry for the huge image, still haven't got the hang of posting them yet :facepalm:

Jan Magnussen · Post by **Rob Dylan** » 22 Jul 2016, 14:57

Doesn't appear to be much talk going into the beginning of this race! I haven't watched FP2 yet, but the McLarens seemed to be showing some kind of pace from the start. Though Silverstone was a disaster, it's still encouraging to see them doing not as terribly as last year.

It's also quite sad that already into the season the Mercedes and Ferrari seats are locked into position for next year. F1 needs an injection of intrigue, and it's not getting one. When on earth are we going to see our next maiden winner?

RonDenisDeletraz · Post by **RonDenisDeletraz** » 22 Jul 2016, 15:16

Well, Lewis found the fence in FP2

dr-baker · Post by **dr-baker** » 22 Jul 2016, 16:59

Rob Dylan wrote:It's also quite sad that already into the season the Mercedes and Ferrari seats are locked into position for next year. F1 needs an injection of intrigue, and it's not getting one. When on earth are we going to see our next maiden winner?

At the current turnover of drivers in the top seats, I reckon the next maiden winner could be Max Verstappen's yet-to-be-conceived child.

dinizintheoven · Post by **dinizintheoven** » 22 Jul 2016, 17:03

That might not be so far away. Remember how old Jan Magnussen was when Kevin was born...

dr-baker · Post by **dr-baker** » 22 Jul 2016, 17:53

dinizintheoven wrote:That might not be so far away. Remember how old Jan Magnussen was when Kevin was born...

And remember how old Max was when he made his debut (and it might be possible again in less than 2 decades' time).

Post by **mario** » 22 Jul 2016, 20:48

Rob Dylan wrote:Doesn't appear to be much talk going into the beginning of this race! I haven't watched FP2 yet, but the McLarens seemed to be showing some kind of pace from the start. Though Silverstone was a disaster, it's still encouraging to see them doing not as terribly as last year.

It's also quite sad that already into the season the Mercedes and Ferrari seats are locked into position for next year. F1 needs an injection of intrigue, and it's not getting one. When on earth are we going to see our next maiden winner?

You could also add Red Bull into the mix as well given that Ricciardo and Verstappen already had seats for 2017.

In fact, most of those teams have fixed their line up for 2018 as well - Hamilton and Vettel were already signed up to their respective teams until the end of 2018, whilst Horner has indicated that Red Bull are looking to keep their line up of Verstappen and Ricciardo until at least 2018 (the latter definitely is under contract until 2018, whilst Red Bull are pulling out all the stops to hold onto Max for as long as possible).

Now that Rosberg has signed a two year contract extension, the only driver in those three teams who doesn't already have an agreement in place for 2018 is Kimi - even then, with most of Ferrari's preferred alternatives unavailable, I wouldn't be surprised if Kimi's contract is renewed for another year.
It probably means that the driver market will be fairly flat in 2017 as well, since most drivers are contracted through until the end of 2018 - the 2019 market might see more movement given the number of drivers who would be coming free at the end of that season though.

Jan Magnussen · Post by **Rob Dylan** » 23 Jul 2016, 11:54

That feel when people are already talking about the 2019 driver market. In this situation I really hope an alternative team shoots up the order to give at least something to talk about.

Post by **Miguel98** » 23 Jul 2016, 12:05

Dear lord FIA :facepalm:

Collieafc · Post by **Collieafc** » 23 Jul 2016, 12:25

PLEASE freeze the grid as it stands!

Paul Hayes · Post by **Paul Hayes** » 23 Jul 2016, 12:26

Looks lovely out...!

Enforcer · Post by **Enforcer** » 23 Jul 2016, 12:28

Yeah, if it stays down for the day and they can't restart then surely we have a Force India front row lockout?

Right before they red flagged you couldn't see the pit exit from the camera at turn 1. That is too wet to race in. Not that pifling bit of dampness at the start of the British GP.

Collieafc · Post by **Collieafc** » 23 Jul 2016, 12:34

Enforcer wrote:Right before they red flagged you couldn't see the pit exit from the camera at turn 1. That is too wet to race in. Not that pifling bit of dampness at the start of the British GP.

I thought that too. A safety car to that is totally fine and understandable or even a delayed start to see if it improves.

Would they push for a Sunday morning if it doesnt improve or just do a full Q1? Or push until Q3 is complete if the rain proper stops? Or now they have a lap out will they just bin quali? And I guess the 107% rule would be waived for Rio? I could understand if it was in this case

The coinditions are also a good showcase for a HD telly!

DonTirri · Post by **DonTirri** » 23 Jul 2016, 13:06

Can we really just get the monsoon tires? This is goddamn silly.

Actually, can FIA start fiddling the rulebook so that the cars wouldn't be so goddamn sensitive to non-optimal circumstances?
Overtaking is hard because the cars can't stay close.
Rain racing is hard because the cars aquaplane so easily.
Radio rulings are restricted because the cars are too technical for the driver to handle it on his own when a problem arises.
Going maximum attack for extended periods of time is hard because the brakes/tires/gearboxes/engines can't stand the stress.

... Can we just restrict the designs to a point where the cars look more like late 80's/early 90's cars without all the technical thingamajigs and aerodynamic silliness. To a point where driver skill matters more than design skill and money.

Can be go back to RACING!

Post by **Londoner** » 23 Jul 2016, 13:16

Including the 20 minute rain delay at the start of the hour, this Q1 lasted for 73 minutes. I feel physically older.

Enforcer · Post by **Enforcer** » 23 Jul 2016, 13:58

Inb4 Hamilton fan tears.

Good qualy for McLaren.

Paul Hayes · Post by **Paul Hayes** » 23 Jul 2016, 15:13

I enjoyed seeing Rosberg just pip Hamilton to the pole. 'ave it!

CoopsII · Post by **CoopsII** » 23 Jul 2016, 15:56

"Great job man, thanks"

"No problem. Don't forget your part of the deal; I get a Mercedes engine for tomorrow"

"Er, yeah, leave it with me"

Jan Magnussen · Post by **Rob Dylan** » 23 Jul 2016, 18:40

Rosberg being investigated over his pole lap.

Also I thought it was funny that Alonso should disrupt Hamilton's lap and prevent him from getting pole position at the Hungaroring, while Alonso was driving a McLaren.

Post by **Bobby Doorknobs** » 23 Jul 2016, 18:45

Rob Dylan wrote:Rosberg being investigated over his pole lap.

And he's safe.

Post by **Londoner** » 23 Jul 2016, 19:08

Both Red Bulls, Force Indias, and Bottas could be thrown out of qualifying due to the 107% rule.

I thought the 107% rule was suspended when there's a wet qualifying? The idiocy of this sport and the people who run it never ceases to amaze me. The rulebook needs to be rewritten from scratch. :facepalm:

GwilymJJames · Post by **GwilymJJames** » 23 Jul 2016, 19:13

East Londoner wrote:Both Red Bulls, Force Indias, and Bottas could be thrown out of qualifying due to the 107% rule.

I thought the 107% rule was suspended when there's a wet qualifying? The idiocy of this sport and the people who run it never ceases to amaze me. The rulebook needs to be rewritten from scratch.

The rule is a bad rule designed to discourage new teams. But the fact is, there is no way the regulation can be interpreted not to DNQ the failing drivers. Rules are the same for all teams.

Post by **Londoner** » 23 Jul 2016, 19:19

Seems fairly clear-cut then. Once again, badly-worded rules could be about to rob us of an interesting race.

GwilymJJames · Post by **GwilymJJames** » 23 Jul 2016, 19:21

East Londoner wrote:

Seems fairly clear-cut then. Once again, badly-worded rules could be about to rob us of an interesting race.

This will almost certainly be the end of the 107% rule; clearing the way for the triumphant comeback of HRT!

GwilymJJames · Post by **GwilymJJames** » 23 Jul 2016, 19:36

The rules will not be applied. BOO!

Barbazza · Post by **Barbazza** » 23 Jul 2016, 20:13

The fact that they were even thinking of applying the rules in a session with 4 (or was it 5? I genuinely did lose count) red flags and changeable conditions tells you all you need to know about current F1.

I know we love the underdog here, but to create that kind of situation would be beyond dumb!

Post by **mario** » 23 Jul 2016, 20:19

Simtek wrote:
Rob Dylan wrote:Rosberg being investigated over his pole lap.

And he's safe.

What I find a little questionable is that the wording of the investigation seems to specify that he was only being investigated for his behaviour in Turn 8 - the onboard footage from Rosberg's car shows that yellow flags were being displayed in Turn 9 as well.

There does seem to be some evidence from somebody on the Autosport forums who pulled data from a GPS tracking app that suggests Rosberg did reduce his cornering speed between 5-14kph through Turn 8. I have to say that I am a little uncomfortable about the whole situation though - the fact that it was a fairly small lift, and the fact that no further action was taken, makes it feel as if the FIA is implicitly condoning such behaviour.

The FIA has previously expressed concern that drivers do not obey yellow flags, and I feel that this sort of incident is going to effectively encourage drivers to push the boundaries far further than they should, which I fear will have a negative impact on the safety of marshals who might have to attend to a stranded car.

GwilymJJames wrote:The rules will not be applied. BOO!

Being cynical, I imagine that there would also be pressure to avoid demoting Red Bull down the order given that they seem to be the only team that could potentially challenge Mercedes's dominance this weekend.

What makes it especially strange is that, normally, the race director effectively waives the 107% rule in wet conditions given that the rapidly varying conditions make it so difficult to judge the true pace of a car. This is the first time that I have heard the stewards consider enforcing the rule in wet conditions by taking such a narrow view of the rules, and frankly it would be a pretty stupid thing to do - frankly, I really wish that moves were finally set in place to professionalise the process of becoming a steward.

That said, this must be the first time that we have had cars technically fail to meet the 107% rule that were still able to then compete in the remainder of the qualifying session.

Jan Magnussen · Post by **Rob Dylan** » 23 Jul 2016, 20:23

I think the FIA has attracted enough hate over the last two races alone to know not to anger the fans even more by removing whatever mildly feasible opposition to Mercedes there is on the track this weekend.

Spectoremg · Post by **Spectoremg** » 24 Jul 2016, 09:10

The stewards are trained - by Mercedes.

Fetzie · Post by **Fetzie** » 24 Jul 2016, 10:23

mario wrote:data from a GPS tracking app that suggests Rosberg did reduce his cornering speed between 5-14kph through Turn 8. I have to say that I am a little uncomfortable about the whole situation though - the fact that it was a fairly small lift, and the fact that no further action was taken, makes it feel as if the FIA is implicitly condoning such behaviour.

Aren't double-yellows "prepare to have to avoid cars and people on track, and if necessary halt"? How is that compatible with a speed reduction of a mere 10 kph?

Tyres available for the race for each driver:

tBone · Post by **tBone** » 24 Jul 2016, 11:00

Rob Dylan wrote:When on earth are we going to see our next maiden winner?

When Renault becomes more competitive? Or Stoffel, with McLaren?

Aguaman · Post by **Aguaman** » 24 Jul 2016, 11:17

Well we went from 2009 to 2012 from Mark Webber to Nico Rosberg. So yeah.

So far watching the build up to this race. Paul di Resta isn't falling for the Brundle Alonso cheating thingy. It's like he is not with the plan. Also I think Alonso and Bouiller want to punch Herbert and Kravitz.

Aguaman · Post by **Aguaman** » 24 Jul 2016, 12:10

First retirement. Unlucky Button.

Oh wait. He's still going.

FMecha · Post by **FMecha** » 24 Jul 2016, 12:19

Aguaman wrote:First retirement. Unlucky Button.

Oh wait. He's still going.

And he's investigated for unauthorized radio communications. Radio ban for ROTY please. :facepalm:

Post by **Londoner** » 24 Jul 2016, 12:19

Button gets a DTP because of these utterly retarded radio rules. Good going FIA, well played. :facepalm:

lance_rambert · Post by **lance_rambert** » 24 Jul 2016, 12:23

F___ these radio rules. Seriously.

I think I actually want Button to go all pre-Stewart Haas Kurt Busch and chew out both McLaren for the crapbox and the FIA for the BS penalty. He probably won't even get penalized for dropping Kurt's trademark double atomic F-bomb. :facepalm:

This Could Be You · Post by **This Could Be You** » 24 Jul 2016, 12:26

This is already looking ominously like a dull Mercedes GP 1-2 . Sky must be happy.

tBone · Post by **tBone** » 24 Jul 2016, 13:13

I would like to see the radio rules extended. Let's also ban Vettel's pathetic whinging :facepalm:

lance_rambert · Post by **lance_rambert** » 24 Jul 2016, 13:21

Oh my goodness. For once, I'm happy about Gutierrez being a mobile chicane... maybe I shouldn't because it's pretty naughty, but he did get the Mercs closer together. :deletraz: