2019 Super Formula season

So the frontpage article reporting first race in 2019 Super Formula..

Super Formula Suzuka: Ticktum P8 as Cassidy wins from 12th on grid

What is it about Ticktum that makes him so interesting? 

So the frontpage article reporting first race in 2019 Super Formula..

Super Formula Suzuka: Ticktum P8 as Cassidy wins from 12th on grid

What is it about Ticktum that makes him so interesting?

At this point, it's all about the controversy. 

At this point, it's all about the controversy.

So it was a loose wheel for Palou as well? I think his only visit to the pits was for the drive-through penalty, so the wheel had been on for at least 17 laps.

Tadasuke Makino's retirement was very [broken heart emoticon]

Yeah wasnt clear from footage but at least that's what Super Formula's official race report says, front left tyre came off.

https://superformula.../headline/15101

The report says right rear came off for Makino as well but I remember actually it sounded like puncture. I checked Nakajima Racing's official release but it doesnt specify the exact reason, only says "machine trouble". Maybe more detailed report and interviews will be published by media later.

Shame for both drivers, the team is in good form, Makino is good, and Palou seems real deal.

Very dramatic race... catched the highlights

Autosport is primarily focused on Formula 1 above all, and Ticktum is clearly being set up by Red Bull to be next in line to get promoted to F1. This means he's the main interest in the race from most readers. Also he's British and Autosport are British with a majority of British readers.

Don't rule out completely Juri Vips beating him to a Toro Rosso seat though, if he smashes F3.

I guess I have to say I understand that, but I really do not. Autosport to me is more than a British Magazine, to me it is 'The' Autoracing magazine, I may be wrong in that, I do however expect more and better than celebrating an 8th place finish as the headline for an arguably top premier junior series.

I have Vips as being in F1 next season in the guess the 2020 grid I think.

Yeah wasnt clear from footage but at least that's what Super Formula's official race report says, front left tyre came off.
https://superformula.../headline/15101
 
The report says right rear came off for Makino as well but I remember actually it sounded like puncture. I checked Nakajima Racing's official release but it doesnt specify the exact reason, only says "machine trouble". Maybe more detailed report and interviews will be published by media later.
Shame for both drivers, the team is in good form, Makino is good, and Palou seems real deal.

I guess I have to say I understand that, but I really do not. Autosport to me is more than a British Magazine, to me it is 'The' Autoracing magazine, I may be wrong in that, I do however expect more and better than celebrating an 8th place finish as the headline for an arguably top premier junior series.

I have Vips as being in F1 next season in the guess the 2020 grid I think.

So the frontpage article reporting first race in 2019 Super Formula..
 
Super Formula Suzuka: Ticktum P8 as Cassidy wins from 12th on grid
 
What is it about Ticktum that makes him so interesting? 
 

I didn't say it was a good headline...

No no... not saying you did, my argument is with Autosport and the seeming infatuation with any and everything Ticktum, you likely are spot on for reason.

Because he'll likely be in F1 next year and let's face it, he's box office.

I like Ticktum, to be honest. He's a cocky little creature but I'm a sixth form teacher, I see kids like him every day. He's not a PR robot, he's got a personality, he's confident, he's gonna go places.

1) I doubt he will be in F1 next season.

2) I disagree that he is box office.

3) I disagree with more or less with everything in the full statement.

I also found it strange that Cassidy gained such an advantage by pitting before the safety car rather than putting under safety car. It’s usually the other way around in most series.

...my argument is with Autosport and the seeming infatuation with any and everything Ticktum...

I'm British, watched Ticktum in his early races, rate him highly and... I agree with you entirely. What a bizarre headline! Reminiscent of the 1912 headline in an Aberdeen newspaper: "Titanic sinks: Aberdeen man lost."

Was good to have it streamed by the ex-Nismo TV guys on Youtube, although the race itself wasn't the best I think, too many safety car periods, and Cassidy kind of got lucky in pitting when he did.

Not sure what KCMG and Kobayashi were doing strategy-wise... even if you're looking to pit late in the race, at least give yourself a few laps to reap the benefits of the new tyres.

Having 3 or 4 Safety cars to pit, not even 13 laps from the end with some advantage, it seams Kobayashy made a hara kiri race, or had mental lock up.

So Auer beats Ticktum, abnd Newey jr was beating both the Red Bull Juniors while he lasted.   As his dad was in the pits, it would be interesting to be a fly on the wall at Red Bull when Adrian tells Helmut how the lads performed.....

Perhaps Red Bull would do better to look at one of the fast Japanese drivers for their team, rather than these less than stellar juniors.  That might please Honda as well.

1) I doubt he will be in F1 next season.
2) I disagree that he is box office.
3) I disagree with more or less with everything in the full statement.

Edited by messy, 22 April 2019 - 18:46.

You don't like him, I get it!! - Rather neither like, nor dislike. I just do not see him being as good as Red Bull seemingly does, he appear to be one of those drivers who look like world beaters in lower classes, then fail to deliver when he advance. He is not a bad driver, no driver at the level he is at are bad drivers. But to me he does not warrant being the headline for the first Super Formula race of the season, placing 8th and reaping all of 1 point.

If he had the Superlicence points, he'd be on the grid already instead of Albon. - I know, and I do not get that, not I actually do not get Albon getting the seat either, or Kvyat for that matter.

I thought the Super Formula was really interesting this weekend. Of the new rookies, the big names were the disappointments, really. Palou....last time I remember him he was dominating at Abu Dhabi in the GP3 finale after doing nothing all season. Newey, dropped off my radar completely. Auer lost to the DTM, Makino didn't do much in F2 aside from that one race at Monza. They were all really good. Then on the other end, Markelov and Ticktum.

You don't like him, I get it!!

If he had the Superlicence points, he'd be on the grid already instead of Albon.

I thought the Super Formula was really interesting this weekend. Of the new rookies, the big names were the disappointments, really. Palou....last time I remember him he was dominating at Abu Dhabi in the GP3 finale after doing nothing all season. Newey, dropped off my radar completely. Auer lost to the DTM, Makino didn't do much in F2 aside from that one race at Monza. They were all really good. Then on the other end, Markelov and Ticktum.

I think the tyres make a big difference. The Yokohamas don't need so much nursing as the F2 Pirellis do, and I think if you can work out how to look after the Pirellis (its a skill and I'm not admonishing drivers who have this skill), you can do better than you would otherwise on outright speed. I think then moving onto tyres like in Super Formula where they are of a higher overall quality and thus it is more down to how quick you are. I would think that there are some really quick drivers in F2 (De Vries is a prime example I think) who suffer for not having that Pirelli tyre management in their arsenal, and whilst having it is not a bad thing, if those drivers moved to a series like Super Formula, they'd look a lot better all of a sudden.

Edited by thegamer23, 30 April 2019 - 19:09.

Jesus those cars are fast!

https://youtu.be/K2KZ5Xaurf0

2nd fastest racecar after F1 i would say!

What I like is how nimble they are on track. And not just purposely designed to constantly drive on the edge and slide around like Indycars (which is also fun to watch, don't get me wrong), but just by looking you can instantly tell that they're really light. 

Edited by Anja, 30 April 2019 - 21:28.

Jesus those cars are fast!

https://youtu.be/K2KZ5Xaurf0

2nd fastest racecar after F1 i would say!

With the new 2019 turbo motors, they are actually a little slower than before - about a second slower at Suzuka than the old n/a engines.  And about 11 seconds off the F1 pace.  Not sure how that would compare to F2 or to Indycars though.   It is a good series and they are nice cars.

The weather this weekend has been quite dreadful, Fp2 had to be cancelled at a certain point.

quali results:

race results:

I wonder if something broke on Ticktum's car or if he simply went off on his own.

he sais it was his mistake

How good these Japanese drivers do compared to the European drivers...

Well, that was a strange race.  To win from 19th on the grid is a bit special these days - good strategy but also a stellar drive by Sekiguchi.  

These local drivers are really strong and an overseas driver needs to get up early to beat them.  Master Ticktum's Super Licence points quest is looking a bit threadbare.  He seems to find it as hard to get points as the UK does at Eurovision.  His Red Bull colleague wasn't finding it very easy either  Maybe Red Bull should have a chat with thier Honda friends to see if they can nominate some Japanese drivers for the RB Juniors, as their current bunch don't seem to be up to the job.

Edited by BRG, 19 May 2019 - 19:32.

And another odd race, with a disrupted qualifying meaning people where all over the place compared to where they might have been expected to be.

Auer ran very strongly, as did Harrison Newey until his car seemed to catch fire in the pits.  

Our forum favourite Ticktum qualified near the back and stayed there resolutely to the end.  He is now in a strong 15th place in the championship.  He is really hammering in the nails of the coffin of his F1 aspirations.  Being controversial is one thing, but being bog slow is another altogether.  The fact that Red Bull are parachuting their new squeeze, Pato O'Ward into the vacant seat in F2 rather than Daniel suggests that he is toast.

And still the Japanese drivers are looking better than any of these Western young guns.  Can't Honda get one into that #2 Red Bull?

Edited by ANF, 26 June 2019 - 19:20.

And still the Japanese drivers are looking better than any of these Western young guns.  Can't Honda get one into that #2 Red Bull?

Yamamoto. Honda driver, reigning Super GT and Super Formula champ. Pretty convincing so far in this Super Formula season. Backed by Button who is very well liked by Honda.

I really think they should get him in to F1. He is however, AFAIK the only Honda-affiliated Japanese driver with enough SL points.

Ticktum has been really sh*t so far and yeah, Red Bull putting O'Ward into F2 ahead of him isn't exactly a ringing endorsement of him. I mean, no doubt Super Formula is a very different challenge to F2 and I'd argue potentially harder given that you're not racing against Latifi and Ghiotto but in many cases vastly experienced local drivers....especially when you factor in the change of culture for such a young driver etc - but Harrison Newey looks quick and he's not exactly blazed up the junior ladder like Charles Leclerc the second. 

Markelov is always dog slow when he starts a series- based on GP2 he'll become competitive and stop always qualifying at the back in about four years. 

Red Bull getting to their senses. Nice.

Autosport is primarily focused on Formula 1 above all, and Ticktum is clearly being set up by Red Bull to be next in line to get promoted to F1. 

Doesn't sound like it now.

Looks like he's about to be turfed out of the Red Bull programme. 

Ticktum even tested for RB F1 earlier this year. Did he have one of his fall-outs again?

Ticktum even tested for RB F1 earlier this year. Did he have one of his fall-outs again?

Nope but i guess Red Bull realised that the likelihood of getting enough SL points was rather weak so they decided not to bother anymore.

Also he got trounced by Nojiri which was himself trounced by Vandoorne in 2016.

And they got to compare with Gasly and Auer.

He lost the Asia winter series rather embarrassingly as well. 

Ticktum even tested for RB F1 earlier this year. Did he have one of his fall-outs again?

He's just been a bit sh*t. Nothing else to see there. 

If Formula One was less ageist then Naoki Yamamoto would be in there on merit and probably doing pretty solidly.

I really, really wish we didn’t live in a time when anyone over 25 was completely written off in terms of getting into F1. That’s why Brendon Hartley’s signing by Toro Rosso was such a breath of fresh air - an experienced “older” driver who was a 2x World Champion in the WEC, and before that André Lotterer’s one-off with Caterham.

These 18/19 year old kids have such limited experience and all broadly the same shared experience, someone like Yamamoto or I dunno, Buemi, Newgarden, Rossi, Vergne, all these guys out there excelling in other high level series’, would make for a much more interesting grid.

That's also partly down to the top teams. Ferrari, Merc and Red Bull have their lead drivers and either filler or a future replacement. They now also park their juniors in lower teams so there isn't really a lot of seats to go around because everyone is looking for the next Hamilton rather than a solid F1 driver.

If Formula One was less ageist then Naoki Yamamoto would be in there on merit and probably doing pretty solidly.

I really, really wish we didn’t live in a time when anyone over 25 was completely written off in terms of getting into F1. That’s why Brendon Hartley’s signing by Toro Rosso was such a breath of fresh air - an experienced “older” driver who was a 2x World Champion in the WEC, and before that André Lotterer’s one-off with Caterham.

These 18/19 year old kids have such limited experience and all broadly the same shared experience, someone like Yamamoto or I dunno, Buemi, Newgarden, Rossi, Vergne, all these guys out there excelling in other high level series’, would make for a much more interesting grid.

It's part of the current F1 obsession with absolute perfection in everything. Once an "optimal" route to F1 was established, every team started blindly following it. All in belief that any other way just isn't good enough and that's final. 

Edited by Anja, 27 June 2019 - 18:24.

If Formula One was less ageist then Naoki Yamamoto would be in there on merit and probably doing pretty solidly.

I really, really wish we didn’t live in a time when anyone over 25 was completely written off in terms of getting into F1. That’s why Brendon Hartley’s signing by Toro Rosso was such a breath of fresh air - an experienced “older” driver who was a 2x World Champion in the WEC, and before that André Lotterer’s one-off with Caterham.

These 18/19 year old kids have such limited experience and all broadly the same shared experience, someone like Yamamoto or I dunno, Buemi, Newgarden, Rossi, Vergne, all these guys out there excelling in other high level series’, would make for a much more interesting grid.

I agree that's not very fair and some of those guys got a lot better once they matured away from F1. But reality is the very greatest, world champion level drivers of the past decade, all have been brilliant freakishly young and getting experience with F1 cars early on seems to give quite a bit of an advantage IMO. Bit like how kids start karting super early and it becomes 2nd nature to them, getting into a F1 car early makes driving a F1 car more natural. So I understand why top F1 teams are like this, they're searching for the very best drivers of all.

And if you're not a top top F1 team, but a midfield one, yeah maybe you should hire a Buemi or a Vergne or a Rossi, but most teams like that don't hire drivers like that, because they either get drivers with sponsorship or affiliated to the top teams, and in the rare case you get a free choice on drivers it's a gamble and a disadvantage to take a guy without recent experience of the sport. Whereas you can take a Hulkenberg or a Magnussen, drivers with recent experience and whose potential is probably in the same bracket as all those - excellent but not quite world class.

Oh and it also doesn't help that the last guy that got into F1 looking like a new superstar, that was just slightly older than the current norm of 18-21 year olds, flopped. I'm talking of Vandoorne of course. End result is that teams learn from these cases and stop giving older drivers who look great chances, because they read in it that these drivers only look great because they have a maturity advantage over the kids they're competing against.

I agree that's not very fair and some of those guys got a lot better once they matured away from F1. But reality is the very greatest, world champion level drivers of the past decade, all have been brilliant freakishly young and getting experience with F1 cars early on seems to give quite a bit of an advantage IMO. Bit like how kids start karting super early and it becomes 2nd nature to them, getting into a F1 car early makes driving a F1 car more natural. So I understand why top F1 teams are like this, they're searching for the very best drivers of all.

Edited by messy, 27 June 2019 - 19:17.

Yamamoto is 110% F1 ready and I really think he'd do good.

That goes for Nick Cassidy as well.

Super Formula is a no-nonsense balls-to-the-wall great championship and highly deserving of international respect.

Edited by OvDrone, 27 June 2019 - 20:51.