Official 2023 Saudi Arabia Grand Prix Thread ***SPOILERS***

[FourWheelDrift]

Albon's had his 3 Weetabix this morning.

[Jasandjules]

Imagine how fast the Mercs would be if they could get 1/2 inch lower?!?!

[PhilAsia]

Jasandjules said:

Imagine how fast the Mercs would be if they could get 1/2 inch lower?!?!

...they could cut the one point five second deficit to point seven five........, probably

[ARFBY]

Hi guys. My live stream is down (beIN sports), so I'm having to watch on a Luxembourg channel.
Is there a radio channel I can listen to, or do they only broadcasting the races?

Thanks in advance.

[vaud]

ARFBY said:

Hi guys. My live stream is down (beIN sports), so I'm having to watch on a Luxembourg channel.
Is there a radio channel I can listen to, or do they only broadcasting the races?

Thanks in advance.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/live/formula1/63205256

Not sure if it will work internationally.

[ARFBY]

vaud said:

ARFBY said:

Hi guys. My live stream is down (beIN sports), so I'm having to watch on a Luxembourg channel.
Is there a radio channel I can listen to, or do they only broadcasting the races?

Thanks in advance.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/live/formula1/63205256

Not sure if it will work internationally.

Unfortunately not, I only have 1 device with VPN and I'm using that for the TV. Thanks anyway

[Jasandjules]

Imagine how fast the Mercs would be if they could get 1/2 inch lower?!?!

[Deesee]

Jasandjules said:

Imagine how fast the Mercs would be if they could get 1/2 inch lower?!?!

The gap in the photos is more than 12 mm

[Jasandjules]

Deesee said:

Jasandjules said:

Imagine how fast the Mercs would be if they could get 1/2 inch lower?!?!

The gap in the photos is more than 12 mm

True. But it would be a start.........

[Deesee]

Jasandjules said:

Deesee said:

Jasandjules said:

Imagine how fast the Mercs would be if they could get 1/2 inch lower?!?!

The gap in the photos is more than 12 mm

True. But it would be a start.........

[Deesee]

Great video on floors in the current formula from Albert Fabrega (F1TV/former engineer)..

https://youtu.be/Ks0cRGq7x1Q

Now on you tube rather than just F1tv, worth the full watch..

[Aids0G]

Blimey Andrew Benson in the BBC Sport coverage claiming he believes Mercedes will not win another championship until 2026 at the earliest and that liberty media will push the FIA for rule changes if the gaps don't reduce by mid season, punchy stuff.

I know Merc dominated (with some competition from Ferrari!) for a long time, but without the rule changes last year would we be seeing now the 3rd year of Lewis Vs Max but with the Ferraris and Aston Martin in the mix? All hypothetical but interesting to consider nonetheless.

[Frimley111R]

Aids0G said:

Blimey Andrew Benson in the BBC Sport coverage claiming he believes Mercedes will not win another championship until 2026 at the earliest and that liberty media will push the FIA for rule changes if the gaps don't reduce by mid season, punchy stuff.

I wouldn't disagree with the stuff about Merc. They can't just design sidepods this year and so will do it at the season end, they then nede to learn how the car performs and that takes them into 2025 so 2026 is probably realistic.

[Pflanzgarten]

Aids0G said:

Blimey Andrew Benson in the BBC Sport coverage claiming he believes Mercedes will not win another championship until 2026 at the earliest and that liberty media will push the FIA for rule changes if the gaps don't reduce by mid season, punchy stuff.

As I posted in another thread, it took Newey nine years and two (sort of) engine swaps to win another constructors after 2013.

[vaud]

Aids0G said:

Blimey Andrew Benson in the BBC Sport coverage claiming he believes Mercedes will not win another championship until 2026 ...

The Race Podcast (IIRC) said the same thing.

[Aids0G]

Pflanzgarten said:

Aids0G said:

Blimey Andrew Benson in the BBC Sport coverage claiming he believes Mercedes will not win another championship until 2026 at the earliest and that liberty media will push the FIA for rule changes if the gaps don't reduce by mid season, punchy stuff.

As I posted in another thread, it took Newey nine years and two (sort of) engine swaps to win another constructors after 2013.

I do think there is a chance Liberty will not want another period of domination and ask the FIA to change the rules, which will feel a bit contrived, but if it practically brings the field together the racing would improve, difficult one.

[Aids0G]

FourWheelDrift said:

Albon's had his 3 Weetabix this morning.

So pleased Williams are doing better this year, there is so much goodwill towards them, only team I have ever bought 'merch' from (cheap T Shirt but still)!

[thegreenhell]

Pflanzgarten said:

Aids0G said:

Blimey Andrew Benson in the BBC Sport coverage claiming he believes Mercedes will not win another championship until 2026 at the earliest and that liberty media will push the FIA for rule changes if the gaps don't reduce by mid season, punchy stuff.

As I posted in another thread, it took Newey nine years and two (sort of) engine swaps to win another constructors after 2013.

And that was without cost caps and mostly without aero testing limits. It would almost be worthwhile Merc throwing a season completely to get more testing allowance for the next year.

[Mark-C]

Worked through that session so not followed too closely - what did Lando get the black\white flag for?

[andburg]

Hamilton losing time to Verstappen everywhere but is faster than Alonso down the straights, loss compared to Alonso seems to be in the low speed corners.
Same as Bahrain really. Aston seems draggy so while it might be quick over a lap i think it'd struggle to challenge the RBR here .

looking at telemetry most corners the merc is 10+kmph slower minimum speed



missed Sainz off but top end of every straight he's lifting early, when hes on throttle hes inline with Hamilton for speeds.

Edited by andburg on Friday 17th March 15:43