No the Friday 'quali' fastest lap aka pole position will be for the sprint race but also go down in the history books as 'pole position'. So the winner of the sprint might not be the driver credited with the 'pole position lap'!!! Bit confusing but it makes sense to have the fastest lap, even if it's Friday quali go down in the history books as 'pole position'.
The effectivesness and even necessity for DRS (or same number of zones) is an unknown at the start of this season. I think we will learn a lot as this season unfolds. I would not be surprised if the teams are themselves responsible for no media coverage of this first test in Barcelona, wanting to avoid too much analysis in a public forum.
They sponsor a British superbike team, aptly titled OMG racing, and have been for almost two years! So they must've given them some money. Can't help but admire Storrey though, puts on a false beard and bullshits everyone.
Ferrari and Mercedes then for the Thursday-Friday mega launch!! If we get the real cars then these two will be the most revealing in terms of early comparisons.
First test is next week. Second test is 10th march in bahrain first race is 20th march in bahrain. I would PRESUME that there is a chance to test cars next week for reliability and some aspects of package but that there is a need to fly all parts to bahrain for full testing as the first race is also there. (why would they ship cars back etc.) Would teams want to have the engines and suspension/drive train etc all robustly tested first and then in effect there are on a longish haul trip for aero tests and such. I would presume if you've the secret to dominating F1 season up your sleeve now you could hide it next week but have to reveal all in the 10th March test? Is there even time in the schedule to jump all over a competitor idea on aero and make sims and changes in one single month? ESP if you've locked in your front win design and under floor areas. I suppose its really more about delaying when these copycats could bring your idea to the party later in the year?
I for one am not expecting the real car, why would they reveal? Any true innovation you would keep to yourself for as long as possible.
Correct decision to remove him from the role imo. Hopefully the replacements are more capable. I'm actually surprised they removed him from the role as it's basically an admission of fault in the whole debacle. Hopefully now we can put this crap behind us and never see the same again.
Whatever small amount of authority he had has gone. There's no way the teams would take him seriously, and he would be browbeaten (again) by the team principals over every decision. Whether an admission of fault or not, his position was untenable. I'm just glad they made the sensible choice.
On the one hand it's good that he's gone but on the other the experience he gained from Charlie has been lost! If the race directors rolls are between 2 people could be good but they are going to need clearly defined roles. Hopefully this brings an end to it all and we can move into 2022 season with clear rules that are set in stone.
I see that they are bringing Herbie Blash back as a permanent fixture to work with the RDs so he will bring his experience of supporting Charlie I guess. Not sure what I think of the other 2 job-sharing the main RD role, will have to see how it works in practice. I am glad that Masi was not sacked though, I didn't agree with his actions but he wasn't helped by the lack of support provided by the FIA. Interesting to see how the Virtual Race Control Room works, will that be Herbie's responsibility during races - a technological upgrade from when he used to fend off phone calls for Charlie! Anyway less than a week to the "Test that is not a Test" in Barcelona, not long now.
My concern is the roll is the same , just alternated race by race . Time will tell , but I am glad he has moved from that post .
Absolutely delighted that Masi had been moved on. As close to an admission of fault as we're going to get and will help me to be more 'at peace' with the end of last season.
Hopefully not rotating but working as a team, but who has final say if decision is 50/50? At least it's a change that may help or may highlight other problems.
Must admit, even after the way all that played out and that absolute injustice of it all, I do feel quite a bit better about it now that It's almost been acknowledged as a cockup. Hopefully we can move on now and never see the likes of it again.
