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31

Racing / Re: Let's Talk F1

« Last post by Critterman on March 15, 2026, 03:39:55 PM »

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.

32

Racing / Re: Let's Talk F1

« Last post by Critterman on March 14, 2026, 03:47:04 PM »

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

33

Racing / Re: Let's Talk F1

« Last post by Sol Asylum on March 08, 2026, 08:31:38 PM »

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.

34

Racing / Re: Let's Talk F1

« Last post by Critterman on March 08, 2026, 02:49:45 PM »

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.

35

Racing / Re: Let's Talk F1

« Last post by TomatoSoup on March 08, 2026, 09:14:39 AM »

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

36

Racing / Re: Let's Talk F1

« Last post by Sol Asylum on March 07, 2026, 08:42:52 PM »

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.

37

Racing / Re: Let's Talk F1

« Last post by Critterman on March 07, 2026, 03:21:15 PM »

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.

38

Racing / Re: Let's Talk F1

« Last post by Critterman on March 07, 2026, 01:44:06 PM »

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.

39

Racing / Re: Let's Talk F1

« Last post by Sol Asylum on March 06, 2026, 02:59:35 PM »

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.

40

Racing / Re: Let's Talk F1

« Last post by Critterman on March 06, 2026, 01:21:02 PM »

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