F1 2026 Chinese F1 Grand Prix - Race Weekend Thread

[adelaidecrows]

At the start of the season?
Nah what incentive is there to do that?
Lose out on valuable race data?

Sponsors pay big bucks even for the billboard at the back of the grid. So for McLaren to do what they did and not even start it had to be a serious issue that they couldnt even run the car. The sponsor liasons within the team would have been smashed by the respective boards demanding answers. It would not be worth doing it on a whim.

 

[adelaidecrows]

He would have been an easy discard for Toto before this season, but he's odds on to be a WDC come season end. Can you lose your seat after that?

George has the drivers charm and charisma of a toad fish and he just wouldnt attract fans or big sponsors. The drivers championship is a long way down the list of priorities as its the constructors teams race for. Kimi will be Mercs number one even by the end of this year and id go so far as to say even if George wins the championship.

 

[jb04]

George has the drivers charm and charisma of a toad fish and he just wouldnt attract fans or big sponsors. The drivers championship is a long way down the list of priorities as its the constructors teams race for. Kimi will be Mercs number one even by the end of this year and id go so far as to say even if George wins the championship.

Yeah I'm sure Toto see's Kimi as his own grassroots multiple WDC. I still think he's salty about not securing the Verstappen signature 10+ years ago.

I think maybe only RBR gives a toss about the WDC but that's because it's easier to market a champion driver compared to a champion team, and they're a marketing business that incidentally has done well at open wheel racing.

 

[Cromulant]

Yeah I'm sure Toto see's Kimi as his own grassroots multiple WDC. I still think he's salty about not securing the Verstappen signature 10+ years ago.

I think maybe only RBR gives a toss about the WDC but that's because it's easier to market a champion driver compared to a champion team, and they're a marketing business that incidentally has done well at open wheel racing.

Makes sense given they have a huge stable of "Red Bull Athletes" and a small group of top level teams

 

[Not Important]

max not a happy chappy. he's right though

 

[Jatz]

The battery side of it isn't ideal but the racing has been far better so far than what we've had recently.

If the Ferrari's could stick with the Mercs a touch better, there'd be a great 4 way battle for the WDC.

Even seeing the Haas and Alpines battle it out yesterday was great.

Having said that, I think it's entirely problematic having so many cars not starting/finishing.

 

[BIRDBRAIN]

The 'racing' is fake and none of the on track action feels like it has any consequence. Cars swapping positions 20 times just to finish where they qualified. Doesn't feel like there is any real strategy pay off or build up to anything either, the longer a race goes the worse it gets. It's only really ferrari's rocket starts keeping things slightly interesting.

After 30+ years I'm about done I think, unless they fix it in a hurry. I'll be paying much more attention to motogp this year that's for sure.

 

[norway blue]

The 'racing' is fake and none of the on track action feels like it has any consequence. Cars swapping positions 20 times just to finish where they qualified. Doesn't feel like there is any real strategy pay off or build up to anything either, the longer a race goes the worse it gets. It's only really ferrari's rocket starts keeping things slightly interesting.

After 30+ years I'm about done I think, unless they fix it in a hurry. I'll be paying much more attention to motogp this year that's for sure.

Agree. Flat track speedway is a very good format also. Finding traction dirt.

 

[Duck Farmer]

Where does George go ??

Toto only signed George to a one year contract to keep the option open to sign Max when he's out of contract this year. I think Toto would be perfectly comfortable with Max and Kimi as his line up next year even if George is WDC.

 

[Bradesmaen]

max not a happy chappy. he's right though

He made this a point in 2023 on the new regulations that were mooted then, so yeah he's not just being sour.

 

[Bradesmaen]

The 'racing' is fake and none of the on track action feels like it has any consequence. Cars swapping positions 20 times just to finish where they qualified. Doesn't feel like there is any real strategy pay off or build up to anything either, the longer a race goes the worse it gets. It's only really ferrari's rocket starts keeping things slightly interesting.

After 30+ years I'm about done I think, unless they fix it in a hurry. I'll be paying much more attention to motogp this year that's for sure.

IndyCar has push to pass but it's at least racing and the higher amount of street races usually leads to some interesting results. It's also generally on at a good time for me here.

 

[juice t]

Sponsors pay big bucks even for the billboard at the back of the grid. So for McLaren to do what they did and not even start it had to be a serious issue that they couldnt even run the car. The sponsor liasons within the team would have been smashed by the respective boards demanding answers. It would not be worth doing it on a whim.

Worth remembering Mastercard paid $100m a season to get the McLaren title sponsorship

And the last time Mastercard were the title sponsor of an F1 team was Lola in 1997... who failed to qualify in Australia and withdrew from the championship without ever racing a lap

 

[Not Important]

maybe there's a subtext behind oscar's quip.

 

[Bedi]

The 'racing' is fake and none of the on track action feels like it has any consequence. Cars swapping positions 20 times just to finish where they qualified. Doesn't feel like there is any real strategy pay off or build up to anything either, the longer a race goes the worse it gets. It's only really ferrari's rocket starts keeping things slightly interesting.

After 30+ years I'm about done I think, unless they fix it in a hurry. I'll be paying much more attention to motogp this year that's for sure.

Interestingly Hamilton's said this grand prix is the best experience he's ever had in racing, comparing it more to go-karting in terms of the amount of overtaking. While i loved the theatre of it all in Australia, China did leave me a bit flat. Oscar's situation didn't help, but both sprint and main race definitely had the same clear pattern as we saw in Australia: Ferraris take off, Mercedes catch them, short, thrilling battle ensues, and then Mercedes gradually pull away not to be challenged. So we've pretty much just watched the same race three times in a row! So def don't like that aspect. But as i've mentioned earlier, it's still way too early to make a full assessment. Very early days still, and there's definitely been some positives to the new regulations as i have enjoyed some of the battles for the lead. But unfortunately with Mercedes having a clear edge and teething problems with McLaren, RB, Aston Martin, Williams etc means i don't have high hopes for the rest of the season.

 

[Pure_Ownage]

He'll move to Mercedes.

I would find it hilarious if George wins the drivers title (as is likely) only to be sacked if Toto manages to bring max across i would lol. That said if think a good chance max eventually leaves the sport altogether he hates these new rules.

 

[Bedi]

I would find it hilarious if George wins the drivers title (as is likely) only to be sacked if Toto manages to bring max across i would lol. That said if think a good chance max eventually leaves the sport altogether he hates these new rules.

happened to Damon Hill after he won the championship

 

[Cromulant]

happened to Damon Hill after he won the championship

Sort of.

Damon chose to leave after being low-balled. Walkinshaw paid him a lot, but delivered next to nothing.

IIRC he didn't make the start of the Melbourne GP in 97, broke down on the warm-up lap.

 

[Bedi]

Sort of.

Damon chose to leave after being low-balled. Walkinshaw paid him a lot, but delivered next to nothing.

IIRC he didn't make the start of the Melbourne GP in 97, broke down on the warm-up lap.

Not sure about that as i remember Hill was shocked as anyone to read they'd signed up Frentzen.

 

[skam85]

Reports that Newey has stepped back from TP at Aston Martin to focus on the car. Something that should have been from the get go

 

[imadodgyumpire]

Whenever it was, about 20 years ago, when I first heard about a 17yo Nico Rosberg testing a Williams, I thought to myself, "F1 cars have become too easy if a 17yo can drive them."

19yo winning races is just not right.

 

[StFly]

Whenever it was, about 20 years ago, when I first heard about a 17yo Nico Rosberg testing a Williams, I thought to myself, "F1 cars have become too easy if a 17yo can drive them."

19yo winning races is just not right.

It's fine, the problem is their bullshit engine not the fact that an Italian is better than Brit in China.