*** The official Formula One 2015-16 off season thread ***

[Vaud]

OK, so rather than a bazillion threads I thought we could keep the off season discussion focused in one thread. (I'm not a mod, it's just a wild idea)... just up to testing...

So we have some bits still to close out:

• Red Bull engine supply (Renault + Demon Tweeks air filter and Milton Keynes remap?)
• Torro Rosso engine supply (Ferrari seems likely)
• Team Principal for Haas
• Renault - will they, won't they?

What else?

[Vaud]

suffolk009 said:

I'm intrigued to see whether or not Alonso will be on the grid.

Who would replace him?

Magnussen? (I know they released his contract but he is still available?)

[Vaud]

Doink said:

Tyres.

Why are pirelli so obsessed with this 'cliff' they want to reintroduce...... WHY! All it means is that drivers will tootle around trying the stretch the stint, be the last to hit this cliff and to make the last stint shorter!

Drivers want to push not babysit tyres, why are you doing this pirelli why why why?

Because they have been asked to?

[Vaud]

Otispunkmeyer said:

What makes you say so?

I have heard of Haas (if it is indeed Haas as in Newman-Haas Racing?) but don't really know about their successes or anything. Is it an all-american outfit (remember how bad that turned out last time).?

Google them - they have been using Ferrari wind tunnels (without limitations unlike teams that are in the championship), have a Ferrari engine and gearbox and some very smart people.

They will screw up with race operations but that car is as close to a Ferrari B team as the regulations allow. Plus Grosjean who is pretty damn quick.

Wild guess - Ferrari aero next year will also be awesome given the above.

[Vaud]

suffolk009 said:

I read on the internet that Ferrari fired a bunch of their aero guys. Haas immediately employed them. Haas have now fired them. Unsurprisingly, they've been re-hired by Ferrari.

Shocking if true.

You clearly haven't followed F1 for very long ;-)

That's one of the least shocking things I've heard in years!

Operating within the letter of the rules, though maybe not the spirit...

[Vaud]

Vaud said:

So we have some bits still to close out:

• Red Bull engine supply (Renault + Demon Tweeks air filter and Milton Keynes remap?)
• Torro Rosso engine supply (Ferrari seems likely)
• Team Principal for Haas
• Renault - will they, won't they?

From my opening list, 3 down and one to go...

[Vaud]

suffolk009 said:

Just read an interesting idea from Paul Hembrey. He suggests a fundamental shake-up of the calendar - that instead of chasing all around the world, crossing continents and then re-crossing them, they should be grouped more closely.

As I understand it he further proposes three separate championships in a season. Asia. Europe. Americas. Run six or seven races in championship. Build local interest, maybe even have a couple more races per annum.

I'm new to the idea so will have to see how I feel about it in a day or two.

It's worth considering. Would tightly clustered local races erode attendees from each other?
3 championships and then a world champion decided as well? or not?

[Vaud]

suffolk009 said:

I just thought his idea was interesting and worthy of thought/discussion. Better than the NASCAR setup IMO.

I agree. Having European, Americas and Pan-Asia champions as a sub-series is a great marketing angle.

[Vaud]

REALIST123 said:

The first part is stating the obvious, been suggested and debated before. The second is more unnecessary complication that won't make any difference to anything that matters.

Really? You don't think US viewing would rise if you have a 5-6 race NA series with a US Driver or two in the mix?

[Vaud]

suffolk009 said:

I've been watching a bit of NASCAR this year for the first time. It's interesting that's it's on (pretty much) every weekend and it tours around the country. The western states get very excited when they're all over in the west... and so on. It seems they mostly do the circuit twice.

I don't see why clustering the races would reduce track visitor numbers. How many people can actually afford to go to two races every year anyway?

Well Texas / Mexico really hurt Texas this year.. California to Texas or Mexico isn't that far by US standards so you would need some smart scheduling...

Brazil
US - California
Argentina
US - Texas
US - Canada

Maybe ?

[Vaud]

The Moose said:

I've just bought a pair of tickets for the NASCAR next year. Best seats available $140 per seat plus $75 for the pit pass.

You cant get into F1 for that!

Yes you can. GEneral Admission at Monza is about €85 on race day but generally I agree.

[Vaud]

Vaud said:

Vaud said:

So we have some bits still to close out:

• Red Bull engine supply (Renault + Demon Tweeks air filter and Milton Keynes remap?)
• Torro Rosso engine supply (Ferrari seems likely)
• Team Principal for Haas
• Renault - will they, won't they?

From my opening list, 3 down and one to go...

Still one to go.

Also I see that Pastor may not be driving... and maybe Kevin M in as a replacement. Maybe all just for show to pressure Venezuela to pay up of course.

[Vaud]

suffolk009 said:

I thought Gunther Steiner (sp?) was the team principle. I maybe wrong.

My error.

I am mixing things up in my simple mind.

[Vaud]

BigBen said:

I am pretty sure that F1 tickets in the US are about that much, certainly not a lot more.

3 day general admission is $225. Turn 15, $775.

Both prices from a site offering 2016 tickets which aren't actually on sale yet (IIRC) but sound about right.

[Vaud]

jsf said:

Canada isn't in the US, it's a country.

I know it isn't but it is for the purposes of travel inside North America

[Vaud]

I know!

[Vaud]

Is it time for some F1 yet? I'm getting really bored. No testing, no launches. I like my Fridays to have some FP1/FP2 to ease into the weekend.

[Vaud]

Scuffers said:

so, do we think Hass will be running 2016 engines?

I think so.

[Vaud]

ajprice said:

Internet beer bet: Which team will be at the back of the grid?

Sadly, could it be Sauber?

[Vaud]

andyps said:

Red Bull are getting their complaints in early this year - http://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/marko-tells-rena...

Whilst the underlying principle may be correct for 2016 were Renault to follow this advice they would be in the same situation at the start of 2017 and Marko would say the same again. I hope they ignore him!

I like RB.

But he's a f***** liability at times.