I have discussed this with a few people, and came to the conclusion that, assuming the field is closer than it was last year, my logic says it'd make sense to take penalties on circuits that require high downforce for good overtaking options. Think Spa. The idea being that if you can squeeze 15hp extra out of an engine, it might allow you to run a higher downforce (and therefore drag) wing, allowing you to go harder in the corners, and still be able to out-drag the competition in the next straight. That said - teams reporting flat out through turns 3 and 9 in Barcelona during testing sounds like the cars will be mega quick anyway.
They're not allowed to do that any more. After what Mclaren did at Belgium (I think) with Alonso using a billion different parts and then not bothering to run in qualifying, they put a stop to it.
That loophole was closed at the end of 2016 when Mercedes did that with Hamilton, at Spa they installed five engines and one extra gearbox in his car. Even with all the penalties racked up from that he still started the race in front of Alonso and the McHonda, because they also changed between five engines then one blew up in qualifying so Nando set no time, because of course McHonda found a way to out do everyone. Ironically one of those new Merc engines was the one that blew up at Malaysia. Now the rule is that once the limit is reached the drivers get a penalty every time they change the engine. So stacking the engine changes is moot, because when they next change the engine they will still get a penalty even if they already fitted that power unit.
They can't "stack penalties" anymore, but they can still willingly incur them for a race, if there's a benefit. That's to say: there's no benefit and only drawbacks to cracking open 3 new engines on one weekend, but if it makes sense to run a new engine that weekend and take the penalty for that, they can still do that, as I have it.
For anyone interested, I created a Fantasy Racers Bit-Tech league - always fun for a bit of friendly competition/banter. I tend to stick with Strategy 2, just because I like to be loyal to my drivers... though it can backfire spectacularly.
http://www.planetf1.com/news/flip-flop-sponsor-to-appear-on-mclarens-halo/ If you made it up, no one would believe you.
I care not, the F1 theme will always be The Chain. At a push the electric gutiar riff from the FIA Formula 1 intro splash of the late 80s and 90s, five year old me thought that was the most badass piece of music in all of creation.
Sounds very American sports channel esque. Anyone know how the coverage works on now TV? Can it 'recorded'/watched at your convenience, or is it only live streaming?
Agreed that it sounds particularly cheap and generic (no soul or character to speak of) and more than a hint of pirates of the Caribbean about it. The chain remains king of all.
Thats awful, its got pirates of the Caribbea , generic action films, Marvel, generic chase/suspense music an the car sounds are terrible.
Brian Tyler is responsible for some of the Marvel stuff and not the good stuff either, we're talking Thor: The Dark World... but even by Tyler's dismal standards that's bad... ...hopefully it's only for the pre-race ident or their youtube/streaming ****... if they make C4 or Sky preface their coverage with it i think there'll be riots...
Quick reminder that you guys got less than 24 hours if you want to make a team and join the Bit-Tech Fantasy F1 league!
Ricciardo given 3 place grid penalty and 2 points for... slowing down too much during red flag? The article doesn't actually make it very clear, starting with: But then goes on to say: And then: And finally: Sooooo... Good job stewards?
