Topic: Let's Talk F1

[Critterman]

The last race of the season this weekend.  You do you want to win the championship.

Even though he is not my favorite driver, I think he has driven a great second half of the season and the team papaya has been too centered on equality.  So my vote goes to Max.

[Critterman]

Well the season is over, an interesting race won by Max.  For the rest you will have to watch.

[Sol Asylum]

Finally watched the last race.  Yuki running Lando off the track was probably the only excitement of the race.  I'm fine with how the season ended. 

[Gentleman Jack]

Compared to some of the seasons in the recent past, this season was great, if only because there was some drama.  Hopeful for Cadillac.  F1 is better when Ferrari is relevant, so I hope they get a car that competes regularly.  Marc has two likable drivers and should do well with them.  Papaya has two great drivers, that will make a fun follow up season.  Red Bull has the best driver, and ....


Not sure about the move to Apple.  Guess we shall see.

[Critterman]

Already controversy over the new rules:

Mercedes' new 2026 F1 engines aren't failing to meet requirements, but are at the center of a controversy for allegedly exploiting a loophole in thermal expansion rules related to compression ratio, allowing them to run hotter and more powerful on track (near 18:1) than during cold FIA checks (16:1 limit). Other teams are upset, claiming this gives an unfair advantage, though Mercedes argues it's within the rules because measurements are taken at ambient temperature, not operating temperature, a situation the FIA is reviewing.

[Sol Asylum]

I saw that article and my first thought was this sounds like a bunch of BS.

I am not sure how thermal expansion could account for that much of an increase in compression.  Guess I would have to see some numbers to be sure.

[Gentleman Jack]

I saw that article and my first thought was this sounds like a bunch of BS.

I am not sure how thermal expansion could account for that much of an increase in compression.  Guess I would have to see some numbers to be sure.

What about a carbon fiber balloon on the top of the piston that ?inflates ? ever so slightly to increase compression?

[Sol Asylum]

I'm guessing at combustion temps and pressure that wouldn't last long.

[Critterman]

Anyone following the testing in Barcelona?

[Sol Asylum]

Can't say that I have been following it.

[Critterman]

Formula 1 news is buzzing with the secretive Barcelona shakedown tests for the new 2026 cars, revealing insights into new regulations, car designs (like the first Newey-designed Aston Martin), and driver reactions, with drivers praising the quicker acceleration but noting different cornering, while teams like Red Bull and Ferrari experienced minor issues like crashes and systems checks amidst secrecy. Lando Norris feels confident defending his title, while Williams missed the initial test, delaying their participation.
Key Updates & Stories:
2026 Season Underway: Teams are testing new cars, engines, and power units under strict secrecy with no media or fans present, focusing on the new regulations.
New Cars & Regulations: Drivers are reporting faster straight-line speeds but slower cornering with the new power units, calling the cars a significant challenge and different to manage.
Adrian Newey's Influence: The first Aston Martin designed under Adrian Newey's guidance has appeared at testing, drawing attention.
Driver & Team Reactions:
Lando Norris: is confident for his title defense.
Lewis Hamilton: found Ferrari's start productive.
Williams: missed the start due to delays but is preparing for Bahrain testing.

[Critterman]

In February 2026, Formula 1 is dominated by pre-season testing in Bahrain and intense debate over the radical 2026 car regulations, which shift to 50/50 hybrid power. While Max Verstappen has criticized the new cars as "Formula E on steroids," Ferrari and Mercedes are showing strong early pace, with rookies like Kimi Antonelli impressing.
The New York Times
The New York Times
 +2
Key Happenings & Trends in F1 (Early 2026):
2026 Regulations Debate: The new, highly electric cars have faced criticism for being difficult to drive and requiring "lift and coast" tactics, with Max Verstappen leading complaints. However, F1 leadership is resisting calls to "panic," suggesting the cars will evolve.
Pre-Season Testing (Bahrain):
Performance: Ferrari (Charles Leclerc) and Mercedes (George Russell/Kimi Antonelli) have shown strong pace.
Top Four Outlook: Early consensus suggests a "big four" of Red Bull, Mercedes, Ferrari, and McLaren, with Zak Brown noting McLaren is strong but perhaps not yet the fastest.
Issues: Aston Martin has experienced notable struggles, with Honda issuing a statement regarding their performance.
Driver & Team News:
Lewis Hamilton: Spotted at Super Bowl 60, preparing for his debut season with Ferrari.
Rookies: Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) has been a standout performer in testing.
Lineups: The grid features familiar faces, with Visa Cash App Racing Bulls continuing from their 2024/2025 rebrand.
Key Trends/Synonyms for Current F1 Environment:
Development Race: Teams are rushing to understand new, high-downforce, low-drag regulations.
Hybrid Focus: Increased reliance on electrical power (50/50 split).
Testing Narrative: Discerning true pace from fuel loads and engine modes.
Formula 1
Formula 1
 +9
The final pre-season tests are currently unfolding in Bahrain, with the season set to begin shortly.
BBC
BBC
 +3

[Sol Asylum]

Wasn't last year (2025) Hams debut season with Ferrari?

Antonelli gets how many years for a rookie year?  Pretty sure he was racing last year so....

[Critterman]

Ladies and Gentlemen,

You don't need your betamax, dvr or any recording device this season.

This Thursday the season starts on.......... Apple TV

Wednesday is some kind of introduction, Thursday P1 and P2 (around 8:40 and 11:40), Friday P3 and Qualifying  (same times) and The race Saturday night around 8.    Not sure if it will include the grid walk.

They currently have a good information piece on all the changes on the new cars, they cover everything but Ferrari's new flip wing  (rotates 180 degrees when open) but it won't be used at Melbourne.

[Uranium-238]

Just bought an apple TV, and may take advantage of the three months of free apple tv to try this out...

[Critterman]

Show starts about ten minutes before practice and ends about ten minutes after.  They talk non-stop.  Time will tell.

[Sol Asylum]

Could be worse, I hear SkyF1 fired Danica and she's available.  I imagine that Apple wants to increase viewers not eliminate them so that's not too likely.

[Critterman]

All in all it is not too bad.  10 to 15 minute warm up then the show followed by a 10-15 minute debrief.  Since this is the first race they may be working out the kinks.  Race tomorrow, prediction is 10 cars will not finish.  There were a fair amount of off track adventures and cars just stopping during practice.  Seems everyone is working out the kinks.  Changes were supposed to slow the cars down, they are already faster than 2016 which is when they had the last major changes. 

This is the first time they have had major changes to both the chassis and power train at the same time.

Did I mention that they talked alot.  Evidently Danica said something political, and may never see the light of day again.

[Critterman]

For the 2026 season, Apple TV (as the U.S. broadcaster carrying F1 TV) features primary commentary from Alex Jacques and former F1 driver Jolyon Palmer. The team also includes analysts Ruth Buscombe, David Coulthard, Davide Valsecchi, Alex Brundle, Sam Collins, and new addition Juan Pablo Montoya.

Key 2026 F1 TV Commentary & Analysis Team (via Apple TV):
Lead Commentator: Alex Jacques
Co-Commentator: Jolyon Palmer
Technical/Expert Analysts: Ruth Buscombe, David Coulthard, Davide Valsecchi, Alex Brundle, Sam Collins, Juan Pablo Montoya
Pre/Post-Race & Paddock: Laura Winter (Host), James Hinchcliffe, Lawrence Barretto, Chris Medland, Alice Powell, Ariana Bravo, and Betty Glover

Viewers on Apple TV can also choose to switch to the Sky Sports feed, which features David Croft and Martin Brundle.

[Sol Asylum]

Danica supports Trump so some think that's why Sky let her go.  I think the only reason Sky hired her was because they were supplying the US market and hoped she could bring NASCAR fans.  To me she seemed clueless about racing and Sky no longer having the US market didn't find they were getting their moneys worth from keeping her around.

Personally I would not watch the pre/post race broadcast if I knew she was going to be on that weekend.  I know I wasn't alone with that behavior.  The NASCAR fans I know dislike her about as much as they dislike F1, ?its just follow the leader there's no passing.

[TomatoSoup]

All of that is true, but, as we used to say in Blighty, "I wouldn't roll over her to get to you!" 

[Critterman]

Okay so race one (Australia) is in the books.  Actual race coverage is good.  There is about an hour pre-race much like SKY had.  The big difference is the post race coverage around another hour or so.  Much like the days of SpeedTV and their coverage.

The race itself in the new era was totally different, I believe there were over 140 passes from one end of the field to the other.  Lead changed hands at least 9 times in the first 9-10 laps.  Once drivers learned how to control their battery usage the pass - repass changed and you had to work for it.  Pushing the 'boost' button to counter the 'overtake' button worked fine until you ran out of juice then you lost 50% of your HP and got passed easily.  You could totally deplete your battery in a straightaway, but you could also recharge it fully in less than a full lap.

At least 5 cars did not finish the race, there were a couple of others that dropped out during the race and then come back in the end.  All in all an interesting race.

[Sol Asylum]

All of that is true, but, as we used to say in Blighty, "I wouldn't roll over her to get to you!" 

And I thank you for that.

[Critterman]

I enjoyed the Sprint race this weekend, a lot more interesting than the follow the leader they did before the massive changes this year.

[Critterman]

I'm liking the new cars and format.  Todays race was full of position changes and attempted passes.  There are still plenty of pass then get passed in a couple of turns, rinse and repeat.  In today's race there were more pass and hold your new possition for longer and longer.  The drivers are learning the systems and how to deploy the battery without depleting it completely.  Once again Metc ran away with 1st and second.  Ferrari 3rd and 4th.  This time Ham was in third and Antonelli won his first race. 

I read an article that explains merc dominance.  It seems that manufactures that provide engines to competitor teams do not have to provide their best tune for the engine as well.  So the factory cars get engines tuned to 1000 hp and 990 lbs of torque (made up figures for example) and the competitor teams get an engine tuned to 890 hp and 890 lbs of torque.  This doesn't sound like much but everyone builds there own transmissions and gear ratios.  This difference can be as much as .6 a lap.

Once theY actually start racing after all the testings They get  new engine mapping or can change it on their own but everyone is stuck with the transmissions they have and they are only allowed to make changes to them once a year and it is deep in the season.  And it is all LEGAL.