1135 replies to this topic

[TomNokoe]

The second half of the 2019 season begins - 10 down, 11 to go!

 

After two thrilling races in Austria and Britain, F1's European roadshow arrives in Germany.

Home-races hopes for Mercedes?

Redemption for Seb?

Another surprise from Red Bull?

 

And what is going on with the bloody weather?
 

They do say good things come in threes...

 

 

Circuit

 

 

Turn 1 is expected to be flat this year, meaning drivers will take their foot off the throttle only 3 times before the second-sector checkpoint.

 

Tyres
 

 

The tried and trusted C2-C3-C4 combo makes an appearance for the 6th time this season.

 

Standings

 

Schedule

Standard Liberty European timing (CEST)

 

FP1 1100-1230

FP2 1500-1630

FP3 1200-1300

Q 1500-1600

R 1510-1710

 

Weather

A second heatwave in four weeks is sweeping central Europe.

 

Current forecasts suggest:
FRIDAY - 39°C, sunny

SATURDAY - 34°C, reducing chance of rain

SUNDAY - 26°C, increasing chance of rain
 

Anybody who has been following this heatwave will have noticed that initial forecasts indicated it would end on Thursday... and then Friday... and now it is edging towards Saturday. Common consensus is that thunderstorms will arrive at the conclusion. It is set-up very nicely for a hectic weekend.

 

--

 

Assorted program covers, 100/1 betslips (thanks Leclerc), fanciful Vettel predictions and special-Mercedes-livery-expectations welcome below...
 

Edited by TomNokoe, 23 July 2019 - 21:54.

[PayasYouRace]

I feel like Vettel needs some redemption after what happened last year.

[Branislav]

[w1Y]

Watching silverstone there is so much added to the coverage when you can properly hear the crowd. I know not every track is suitable but it would be great if they can start getting more of the crowd noise through the tv screens and a little louder.

It makes it feel less sterile.

Edited by w1Y, 23 July 2019 - 22:36.

[Anderis]

I expect a weekend full of surprising results with Hamilton winning and Bottas, Ferrari and Red Bull making the rest of the top5.

[SonGoku]

Watching silverstone there is so much added to the coverage when you can properly hear the crowd. I know not every track is suitable but it would be great if they can start getting more of the crowd noise through the tv screens and a little louder.

It makes it feel less sterile.

Well, you need a crowd first and judging the F1 ticket website it will be empty seats galore as always. Crazy when you have a German driving for Ferrari, by far the most popular F1 team.

I wouldn't be surprised if most fans are Dutch again.

Edited by SonGoku, 23 July 2019 - 23:06.

[Atreiu]

Oh well, another race at a once great track.

 

Let it rain cats and dogs.

[teejay]

Mercedes will be doing some extra bits and pieces this week it seems also. 

[SophieB]

Ian Fergusson‏Verified account @fergieweather 21h21 hours ago

More

#F1 #BBCF1 #GERMANGP OUTLOOK: A challenging period for teams weather-wise. Sweltering conditions develop now to Fri, reaching 38-40C Thurs-Fri but dry. Sat sees a drop to ~30C, with shower risk increasing later. Currently Sunday has a heightened risk of showers/rain, temp 23-26C

 

 

Thanks for starting the race thread, TomNokoe!

[Muz Bee]

Mercedes will be doing some extra bits and pieces this week it seems also.

Looks like Mercedes will be saved from “lift and coast” by dropping temperatures - even if Saturday hits mid 30s it shouldn’t prevent a front row lockout. Oh well 😔 maybe Charles LC can pull out a blinder and Max’s Honda can be run with everything turned up to maximum. We live in hope that we may get a third great GP in a row!

[RECKLESS]

Yeah. Weather looks that it could get interesting at the moment. 

[noikeee]

I feel like Vettel needs some redemption after what happened last year.

A Vettel win here would be quite special! Don't think it'll happen, but...

[Flamini]

Verstappen will win this race, you read it here first.

[Mosrite]

Mercedes can easily win every race, and no one would be surprised so let's take a look at what could hinder Mercedes, and that can only be the weather, barring any mechanical or technical errors. The warmer weather won't suit them and all eyes will be on LeClerc and Verstappen for me. I do not really consider Bottas to be a contender, not that he's not fast enough, it's just that he's #2. 

I'm also thinking Leclerc is ferrari's best chance for a race win, I think Vettel is getting down and he doesn't look like he's enjoying it all too much, it's very similar to Red Bull when Ricciardo came in. I don't think Vettel can redeem himself with one race victory. He can redeem himself by winning all the remaining races without making mistakes, but I think Hamilton is a better bet for that than Vettel

Hamilton
Bottas
Verstappen or Leclerc 

[djparky]

Is there F2 and F3 this weekend?

[TomNokoe]

Is there F2 and F3 this weekend?

Nope

[iSpeedFreak]

I expect a weekend full of surprising results with Hamilton winning and Bottas, Ferrari and Red Bull making the rest of the top5.

 

Bold prediction there 

[SophieB]

Albert Fabrega‏ @AlbertFabrega 13s13 seconds ago

More

Hay reducción zonas DRS en Hockenheim. Solo habrá 2 zonas activación de las 3 d 2018. Se elimina DRS recta principal y se cambia detección

 

(Auto translate: There will be DRS area reduction in Hockenheim Only 2 DRS activation zones from 3 in 2018. No DRS on main straight and detection been moved)

 

[Sunnny]

I am predicting redemption for Vettel especially if it rains. Yes I know people have forgotten how good he used to be in the rain. 

[TheFish]

I was there last year, amazing.

 

We were promised a storm all weekend then too, and it arrived, just in time for the podium. Fairly sure I still haven't fully dried out.

 

 

 

[ANF]

Is there F2 and F3 this weekend?

There's ADAC F4 (hopefully live-streamed on https://www.youtube.com/user/ADAC), Clio Cup Open (hopefully live-streamed on https://www.youtube....er/renaultsport) and Porsche Supercup.

[JonnyJ]

Chances of rain for Sunday definitely on the way up. Please.

PLEASE.

[Retrofly]

Not sure why they reduced the DRS activation zones there, if they wanted to change it they should have taken the DRS zone on the back straight and made it shorter. The 2 DRS zones before allowed the car keep close into the main overtaking area.

[TheFish]

Well, you need a crowd first and judging the F1 ticket website it will be empty seats galore as always. Crazy when you have a German driving for Ferrari, by far the most popular F1 team.

I wouldn't be surprised if most fans are Dutch again.

 

It wasn't empty at all last year. There were more Germans than Dutch too, with a sprinkling of Brits there.

[Branislav]

Verstappen will win this race, you read it here first.

I hope so. He is the best. Not in a car that is on par with Mercedes. But still... and possibility of rain... Bring it on!

[shure]

Mercedes can easily win every race, and no one would be surprised so let's take a look at what could hinder Mercedes, and that can only be the weather, barring any mechanical or technical errors. The warmer weather won't suit them and all eyes will be on LeClerc and Verstappen for me. I do not really consider Bottas to be a contender, not that he's not fast enough, it's just that he's #2. 

I'm also thinking Leclerc is ferrari's best chance for a race win, I think Vettel is getting down and he doesn't look like he's enjoying it all too much, it's very similar to Red Bull when Ricciardo came in. I don't think Vettel can redeem himself with one race victory. He can redeem himself by winning all the remaining races without making mistakes, but I think Hamilton is a better bet for that than Vettel

Hamilton
Bottas
Verstappen or Leclerc 

Bit of a low bar you've set there...

[muramasa]

　

Be ready for Vettel Resurrection

[Zoe]

It's gonna be either 40°C or thunderstorms; in the latter case no race or a delayed start after the SC and 50% of the race behind the SC.

 

Main questions:

• Will Merc be 2 or 3 seconds ahead?
• How many overtake actions outside of the track this time?
• How many times people will be banging wheels?

and the most important questions:

 

• Will it be worthwhile to watch the full race?
• Can I stay awake?

[RedRabbit]

Ferrari should get the German GP Meister in for a one-off wild card drive - Alonso, hehehe. 5 time winner, and doesn't even particularly like the track.

 

More seriously, hoping that Red Bull can continue the fight that's developed with Ferrari lately, and that Merc aren't too far ahead.

[ANF]

Not sure why they reduced the DRS activation zones there, if they wanted to change it they should have taken the DRS zone on the back straight and made it shorter. The 2 DRS zones before allowed the car keep close into the main overtaking area.

It's similar to Silverstone: the third DRS zone was introduced last year on the main straight despite the lack of braking before Turn 1, which led to a couple of unnecessary high-speed accidents.

[Marklar]

S1/S2 should be Ferrari land. All depends then on how much they lose in S3 and whether the weather hampers Merc enough. Sunday however is expected to be much cooler or it rains, both things are in Mercedes' favour.

If Red Bull survives the first two sectors they can mix it up in qualifying. They certainly will in the race: Max couldnt show it in Silverstone because of being stucked behind the Ferraris.

[f1paul]

I agree Marklar, I think things will be closer than some expect. 

[Requiem84]

T1 might be vital for RB / Merc.

Looking at Vettel’s pole lap last year, he had to lift a littke bit going into T1. If RB / Merc can take T1 flat, that might negate Ferrari’s PU advantage towards T2.

[SonGoku]

First two sectors could be designed by a Ferrari engineer. All depends on the gaps in S3.

[TomNokoe]

T1 might be vital for RB / Merc.

Looking at Vettel’s pole lap last year, he had to lift a littke bit going into T1. If RB / Merc can take T1 flat, that might negate Ferrari’s PU advantage towards T2.

 

Max took T1 flat last year, albeit with an underpowered Renault.

 

Qualifying was immediately after a washed-out FP3 last year, so the track was very green.

 

Everyone has more downforce this year, and there is no rain predicted until after qualifying. I think the top teams will manage it after the track has ramped up.

 

Similar story for T12 (Agip Kurve), but even more marginal. Crazy cornering speeds.

Edited by TomNokoe, 24 July 2019 - 11:57.

[Ali623]

Ferrari on pole I reckon, their speed advantage will put them ahead in the first two sectors - Merc and Red Bull will have much stronger race pace though

Could be an interesting one, especially if it rains (three good races in a row!?)

[Requiem84]

Max took T1 flat last year, albeit in an underpowered Renault.

Qualifying was immediately after a washed-out FP3 last year, so the track was very green.



Everyone has more downforce this year, and there is no rain predicted until after qualifying. I think the top teams will manage it after the track has ramped up.

Similar story for T12 (Agip Kurve), but even more marginal. Crazy cornering speeds.

If all top teams will manage T1 flat, Ferrari should be the favorite for pole under normal conditions.

I can’t see how they could lose thát much in S3 alone. S1 and S2 will give them a 0,5 gap or so..

Edited by Requiem84, 24 July 2019 - 11:58.

[TomNokoe]

If all top teams will manage T1 flat, Ferrari should be the favorite for pole under normal conditions.

I can’t see how they could lose thát much in S3 alone. S1 and S2 will give them a 0,5 gap or so..

I agree. Sector 3 isn't even that bad, especially if they can somehow take the Agip Kurve flat. Am I being too optimistic?

Braking and acceleration through Sachskurve, short spurt and then braking through the penultimate corner, which leads into maybe (again DF and grip dependent) a simple acceleration zone for the final corner and run to the line.

It's all very marginal, but if they have enough downforce and grip, sector 3 only consists of 2 corners.

 

In fact, I'm pretty sure the average lap speed will be very similar, if not higher, than Canada.

[muramasa]

　

Newey would go mad at this (not Aerodynamically Correct!)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

eff wun ferris wheel

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

something like this makes me go mad, I think Ron Dennis would agree with me (i mean poor paint job)

 

 

 

https://www.auto-mot.../#bildergalerie

 

 

[P123]

If only they would stick some gravel back at T1...

[Astandahl]

Ferrari on pole I reckon, their speed advantage will put them ahead in the first two sectors - Merc and Red Bull will have much stronger race pace though

Could be an interesting one, especially if it rains (three good races in a row!?)

Yes pole of the midfield.

[PlayboyRacer]

Hamilton to put it on pole.
Leclerc another podium
Verstappen to win

[Atreiu]

If only they would stick some gravel back at T1...

 

Either that or just open it up so it's easily full throttle and overtaking becmes a little easier on T2.

[PayasYouRace]

I've never really got why they made T1 so awkward when they rebuilt the track. The original T1 would have been fine.

 

Maybe it was designed by the same guy who redesigned the first corner at Oschersleben, before he was taken into a dark room and beaten. It does seem like every major circuit in Germany has a terrible first corner.

[Lights]

Another great addition to the list of 'circuit alterations nobody asked for':

[kernel]

The Vettel kerb...

[f1paul]

I've never really got why they made T1 so awkward when they rebuilt the track. The original T1 would have been fine.

 

Maybe it was designed by the same guy who redesigned the first corner at Oschersleben, before he was taken into a dark room and beaten. It does seem like every major circuit in Germany has a terrible first corner.

[CL16]

The Vettel kerb...

Imagine they named it vettel corner

[TauriJ]

 


Jinx is on..

[MortenF1]

4millimetres... it’s nothing. Will create some excitement (for a short while) even if it’s just tip-toeing around on slicks, but the forecast needs to predict more rain for inters or wets to be something to expect.

Edited by MortenF1, 24 July 2019 - 20:40.