OFFICIAL F1 2018 LIVERIES + PRE-SEASON TESTING THREAD

Allison isn't one to brag, but he says this Mercedes would whip the 2017 car in a straight fight....that says a lot about the pace of this car. But we will wait and see..... Two weeks to go..lol

 

I think they have made some changes in that respect, but we will soon see.

 

I hope so, I don't want a season of merc lock-out processions.

Mercedes have always seem to have gone for lap pace over race pace since they returned, if the others are closer than .5 then they will challenge in the race, at least that's been the way of it for the last few seasons. as to them being faster than last year, I think they all are, it's who has made the most. If redbull are up there we could be in for a great fight.

 

I agree. I don’t love Red Bull and the way they act (although they are mild compared to “toys out the pram” Ferrari who hold the sport to ransom) but we all know that Max and Danny in the mix for a race win will just cause absolute mayhem for the likes of Seb and Lewis, which would be some terrific racing.

The more the cars at the front fight one another, the more it brings in the better midfield teams too.

If we could have Renault and McLaren fighting the other 3 big names it would be brilliant, but I suspect we are asking a bit much this year.

Let’s hope Mercedes are not leaving everyone for dust- there was a paddock gut feeling that they have a scary amount in the locker.

 

I read a funny article, well it would be funny if it wasn't so hypocritical. Horner was saying that Ferrari shouldn't hold FIA & Liberty to ransom and threaten to quit! Wasn't it only a year or 2 ago where Dietrich Mateschitz threatened to pull BOTH his teams if he didn't get a better PU?
To be honest while Ferrari do have so much history they have way too much power. It is getting worse as well with HASS and now Sauber Alfa Romeo, that's 2 extra teams that as so connected to Ferrari they will do what ever they are told.
Teams need to be more equal in their say, and this unanimous voting rubbish needs to go. They need to sat it at say 70% of votes to pass a change, you can't allow a single team to block changes, I am thinking of pre season testing and the 'snow day'!
Say if Ferrari and Merc quit I would still watch as the racing might be better for a while. I think something like 70% of teams money from Liberty should be equally split between teams and the other 30% based on their finishing position.

Oh well hopefully we will have some decent racing this year.

 

The thing though...Mercedes are way too cool about not even bothering with the softer tyres... they seem to know something. They didn't even try to challenge the fastest lap. Is it a case of not scaring F1 fans who might decide not to watch if they think Mercedes will run away with the championships unchallenged? Just wondering, but it just seems strange they didnt think it necessary to put the softer tyres a bit.

 

I agree not running the softer tyres seems mad considering they have previously not been great on them.
Did they do some testing on softer compounds at the end of season tests? I wonder if that is what they are banking on? Seems like a big risk to me.

 

Get some Indy in ya! Looking like it could be a belting season.

 

Is there an easy way to watch in UK?

 

Looks like it's subscription only via BT Sport Unless anyone knows different?

 

ESPN maybe?

 

Unfortunately it looks like it's only available via a subscription to BT Sport ESPN.
It does look like it might be viewable via the http://racecontrol.indycar.com/ website although I will have to wait and see.

 

Poop! Hopefully that works.

 

If ya get bored and want a quick (not so quick) watch, it looks like yesterdays race is on youtube temporarily.

 

thanks sarge. Ive noticed the commentators talk alot about the european series.

 

Probably because ABC and ESPN recently nabbed the rights for F1 from NBC.

 

Mild variation in tyre choice for Aus.

 

Looks like Ferrari are playing it a little safe and Merc only using tyres that they have not run on the new car!!!!!
My guess is Merc have something up their sleeve and are going to be 1sec clear, if they want to show their full hand that is.

 

Shows why Ferrari did all that soft tyre work, but it’s at odds with Merc medium work.