F1, 2018

[Gandalf]

Everybody is talking about how Ferrari are in trouble, having imploded in the latter half of the season two years running. But I think Ferrari’s troubles are about to get a whole lot worse. This year may have been their last chance to win the Championship for a very long time.

Before Marchionne's death Ferrari were a very strong team, leading the championship and with the fastest car. After his death the team has just fallen apart.
Whether his passing lead to these troubles so quickly is open for debate. But, since he’s gone there has been a power struggle within Maranello to gain control of Ferrari. And if that in-fighting is not resolved quickly then that can have a detrimental effect on the whole operation. Formula One operates to such fine margins that it is essential that everybody is pulling in the same direction. And it is abundantly clear that that isn’t happening right now. And right now the teams are well into the process of designing and building next year’s car. So the effects of these troubles may well be felt next season. Is it too soon to say next year’s championship is already lost? Maybe that’s pushing it a bit but now is a critical time, especially as the new front wing regulation will have a big impact on the whole design philosophy.

But what of the years after that?
Well if Liberty get their way we will soon be seeing a budget cap. And if that happens it will certainly be the big teams that get hit hardest. Some of the smaller teams have worked wonders with a fraction of the big team budgets. Force India is the best example finishing fourth last year with the second smallest budget. And that wasn't a one-season wonder.

These small teams are used to working with a small budget. But the bigger teams will have to learn that. And that will take time. Time that Ferrari don’t have. It’s already been over a decade since their last championship. Will it be another decade before the next one? If they don’t win it next year then it could well be. And right now next year isn’t looking good either.

[Noni]

Another Brit is in F1. George Russell has signed a multi - year deal with Williams...

Lando Norris and now George Russell

[Neville Bartos]

Everybody is talking about how Ferrari are in trouble, having imploded in the latter half of the season two years running. But I think Ferrari’s troubles are about to get a whole lot worse. This year may have been their last chance to win the Championship for a very long time.

Before Marchionne's death Ferrari were a very strong team, leading the championship and with the fastest car. After his death the team has just fallen apart.
Whether his passing lead to these troubles so quickly is open for debate. But, since he’s gone there has been a power struggle within Maranello to gain control of Ferrari. And if that in-fighting is not resolved quickly then that can have a detrimental effect on the whole operation. Formula One operates to such fine margins that it is essential that everybody is pulling in the same direction. And it is abundantly clear that that isn’t happening right now. And right now the teams are well into the process of designing and building next year’s car. So the effects of these troubles may well be felt next season. Is it too soon to say next year’s championship is already lost? Maybe that’s pushing it a bit but now is a critical time, especially as the new front wing regulation will have a big impact on the whole design philosophy.

But what of the years after that?
Well if Liberty get their way we will soon be seeing a budget cap. And if that happens it will certainly be the big teams that get hit hardest. Some of the smaller teams have worked wonders with a fraction of the big team budgets. Force India is the best example finishing fourth last year with the second smallest budget. And that wasn't a one-season wonder.

These small teams are used to working with a small budget. But the bigger teams will have to learn that. And that will take time. Time that Ferrari don’t have. It’s already been over a decade since their last championship. Will it be another decade before the next one? If they don’t win it next year then it could well be. And right now next year isn’t looking good either.

I'm not sure about the Marchionne theory.
It's more likely the FIAs monitoring of Ferrari's ERS system is more directly responsible.
Pre-monitoring Ferrari appeared to have an extra gear in qualifying. And as we've seen from Mercedes recently, if you lock out the front row you don't necessarily need the quickest car on the grid to win.

There's probably not a lot in the relative pace of the Mercedes and Ferraris, but Mercedes improved tyre management coupled with Ferrari's loss of that qualifying pace seems to have decisively tipped the balance.

As for budget caps? I can't see Liberty risking upsetting their big names. Unless of course they want a single chassis series like Indycar.
Is budget really worth the lack of history and glamour that comes with 24 identical cars and 2 different engine manufacturers?

[Noni]

With 9 points to beat Vettel to claim this years championship, I hope Hamilton's status improves in the likings and support for this guy. I still see a lot of mixed feelings. This could all be wrapped up this weekend. ... With 2 more seasons left, it's possible for him to equal Schumacher's record of WC's and beat him in the total of wins.

We have 2 great British prospects joining F1 next year in Russell and Norris, who could well be winning grand prix's and WC's.. So if Hamilton retires in 2 years time, he will have others to follow him. I would love to see Verstappen and Riccardo win a WC in the future.

Just hope Hamilton if he wins this weekend will allow Bottas through for a win in the next races, as he deserves it and will look good on his resume. He deserves at least 2 wins as he's been robbed of those because of bad luck.

[Neville Bartos]

Vettel picks up a 3 place grid penalty in FP.
Even when the championship is gone he can't stop making mistakes. Unbelievable.

[Noni]

Vettel picks up a 3 place grid penalty in FP.
Even when the championship is gone he can't stop making mistakes. Unbelievable.

Vettel cracked under Daniel Ricciardo and now Hamilton. Cannot hold his composure well under pressure, while the others thrive on it, Vettel loses it!... Mid season last year Hamilton was down 40 points on Vettel and turned it around quite remarkably.

I cannot see Vettel marching back after this penalty.

[Noni]

I want Daniel Ricciardo to do well here!.... Verstappen out in Qualifying.

[Noni]

Hamilton on Pole US Grand Prix
Kimi 2nd
Bottas 3rd

................

Ocon is a better driver then Perez............ Williams, " please give him a seat next year "!!..

[Noni]

Another blunder by Vettel dropped him down to 15th, though he has climbed back through the field. Could see Hamilton become champion today.

[Noni]

2 drivers I wanted to win a GP and that is Kimi Raikkonen and Bottas .

Kimi finally wins in America, though Hamilton who came 3rd ahead of Vettel, will have to wait till next week.