The Official Japanese GP 2019 **Spoilers**
Discussion
37chevy said:
Petrus1983 said:
Classy act to remember Lauda when getting the WCC - it’s been a great team from the outset (goes back to Schumacher days) - so well done. Next year will be tough - game on.
Goes back to the Jackie Stewart days ;-p
Petrus1983 said:
Classy act to remember Lauda when getting the WCC - it’s been a great team from the outset (goes back to Schumacher days) - so well done. Next year will be tough - game on.
The way I see next year:If Ferrari win WCC they have another title to add to their tally
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If Red Bull win WCC they have another title to add to their tally
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If Mercedes win WCC they have another title to add to their tally, and they extend their winning streak, and they secure a record that is unlikely to be beaten for a very long time. They also deliver their driver a record equalling 7 WDC's that no one expected to see again so 'soon'.
It's more valuable to Mercedes than any other team, simply because for any other team, winning WCC next year could only be the first of 6 years they would need to carry on winning in order to beat the bar Mercedes have already set. For Mercedes, they're at the other end of that journey and now have an opportunity to cement and extend their dominance. Not forgetting, next year if they carry Lewis to a 7th WDC it will be a joint celebration the likes of which F1 hasn't seen before.
It's also the last year of free spending - I don't think the Mercedes board will worry too much about costs if Toto can convince them it's money well spent to wrap this up and deliver the goods.
I expect Mercedes to deliver a hammer blow in terms of development next season - no team has ever been more motivated to do so. There has never been quite so much to lose - this is the only year they will ever be able to win for a 7th year straight.
LaurasOtherHalf said:
TheDeuce said:
It is a fantastic time to follow the sport.
A
oyster said:
Doink said:
No ones ever won from the second row here they said, looks like Mercedes didn't get that memo
That can’t be right.Both 1989 and 1990 Senna and Prost occupied the front row, but neither of them won either race (famously).
oyster said:
Doink said:
No ones ever won from the second row here they said, looks like Mercedes didn't get that memo
That can’t be right.Both 1989 and 1990 Senna and Prost occupied the front row, but neither of them won either race (famously).
Neither of those years saw a second row driver win. The years when the front row didn't win were simply such manic races that half the grid retired for various reasons and someone who started further down got a chance at the win. Those GP's are mostly famous for being freak events where nothing turned out as expected. Much like this years German GP in fact.
So that's 9 races in a row now that have been at the very least pretty watchable, the streak beginning after the painfully dull French GP. Sure not all have been classics for the top podium spot, but the midfield has really stepped up when needed to and overtaking has typically been very much present for a sport apparently in desperate need of a refresh. Ferrari even stepped up to offer some inter-team politics to spice up what should have been the obvious dull race in the final stretch towards the end of the season.
That's quite something for F1 in any era. Let alone one that the history books will show is just another dominant one in a long streak for one team.
That's quite something for F1 in any era. Let alone one that the history books will show is just another dominant one in a long streak for one team.
Edited by ukaskew on Monday 14th October 01:53
Newscuttlepanel said:
I’d say Mercedes strategy calls were probably made with the goal of ensuring Bottas scored maximum points to secure 2nd in the Championship today, rather than a potentially risky Merc/Merc battle for the win.
But, that’s not what they’ve done. With 4 races to go, Bottas can still be caught for second. They’ve guaranteed a Merc drivers champion, because its only Bottas who could catch Lewis. ukaskew said:
So that's 9 races in a row now that have been at the very least pretty watchable, the streak beginning after the painfully dull French GP. Sure not all have been classics for the top podium spot, but the midfield has really stepped up when needed to and overtaking has typically been very much present for a sport apparently in desperate need of a refresh. Ferrari even stepped up to offer some inter-team politics to spice up what should have been the obvious dull race in the final stretch towards the end of the season.
That's quite something for F1 in any era. Let alone one that the history books will show is just another dominant one in a long streak for one team.
It's true, it's been very much above average and I've fully enjoyed it. In fact, other than Australia, France and, weirldly this year Baku, I've not been bored at all!That's quite something for F1 in any era. Let alone one that the history books will show is just another dominant one in a long streak for one team.
Edited by ukaskew on Monday 14th October 01:53
The 'another boring procession' cries have quietened down too.
This is how it should be and next year will offer more of the same, all signs pointing to it being more intense actually.
TheDeuce said:
It's also the last year of free spending - I don't think the Mercedes board will worry too much about costs if Toto can convince them it's money well spent to wrap this up and deliver the goods.
Just on this point but it’s my understanding that the Mercedes F1 project runs in profit.Teddy Lop said:
Watching max crashstappen complain about a bit of rough handing was funny. Pots and kettles much!!??!!
It was very similar to Hungary a couple of years ago when Verstappen understeered into Ricciardo who was going round the outside of him on the first lap.Both Verstappen and Leclerc seemingly would prefer to crash than concede a place.
LaurasOtherHalf said:
Mercedes Benz AMG Petronas F1 Team, now the most successful run in F1 history. Quite a feat to witness, did anyone think the Ferrari/Schumacher pomp would be beaten in their lifetime?
A huge congratulations to not just HAM,BOT and ROS but Wolf, Bono, Allison, Lowe, Vowes and obviously the hundreds we don't see every other weekend. Plus the dearly departed Nikki, the red star is a fitting tribute.
It has been and continues to be, an utter pleasure to watch.
You've nailed it there.A huge congratulations to not just HAM,BOT and ROS but Wolf, Bono, Allison, Lowe, Vowes and obviously the hundreds we don't see every other weekend. Plus the dearly departed Nikki, the red star is a fitting tribute.
It has been and continues to be, an utter pleasure to watch.
They've done it with style and they've done it without moving floors and such. Hugely impressive.
As you say, the drivers are not the only ones who contributed massively to the team's success. Wolff, Bono et al deserve as much praise.
We've been living through one of the best seasons I can remember.
LaurasOtherHalf said:
Just on this point but it’s my understanding that the Mercedes F1 project runs in profit.
Including customer engine sales I believe this is true, or at least was a couple of years ago. I certainly can't see them making a significant loss as long as they keep winning. Japan was a race that left me confused to an extent.
Whilst I don't want drivers penalised for actions which give them no advantage, Vettel's false start would have cost him a drive though at any race before this one. The decision not to investigate the MV/CLC incident was bewildering. There might not have been any steering input from Charles, but there wasn't enough braking either. It was a slam dunk and ruined MV's race as well, and, perhaps, an exciting first few laps.
Merc tactics: even after sleeping on it they've become no clearer. Really rather odd. Is it that they feared a coming together to knacker their WCC? Or was it because one of the myriad reasons doing the rounds here and on other F1 forums. Every explanation has its counters.
Very strange.
Whilst I don't want drivers penalised for actions which give them no advantage, Vettel's false start would have cost him a drive though at any race before this one. The decision not to investigate the MV/CLC incident was bewildering. There might not have been any steering input from Charles, but there wasn't enough braking either. It was a slam dunk and ruined MV's race as well, and, perhaps, an exciting first few laps.
Merc tactics: even after sleeping on it they've become no clearer. Really rather odd. Is it that they feared a coming together to knacker their WCC? Or was it because one of the myriad reasons doing the rounds here and on other F1 forums. Every explanation has its counters.
Very strange.
LaurasOtherHalf said:
Just on this point but it’s my understanding that the Mercedes F1 project runs in profit.
I read this recently, but that's mainly/only due to a healthy injection of cash from the Daimler AG, the team itself may turn a profit but overall for Mercedes it's very much a costly exercise.ukaskew said:
I read this recently, but that's mainly/only due to a healthy injection of cash from the Daimler AG, the team itself may turn a profit but overall for Mercedes it's very much a costly exercise.
Not if they consider running in F1 as part of their marketing spend. Redbull have previously said that being in F1 was much cheaper than it would have been to achieve the same global marketing/brand awareness using traditional marketing.
ukaskew said:
LaurasOtherHalf said:
Just on this point but it’s my understanding that the Mercedes F1 project runs in profit.
I read this recently, but that's mainly/only due to a healthy injection of cash from the Daimler AG, the team itself may turn a profit but overall for Mercedes it's very much a costly exercise.However, the estimated advertising airtime equivalent from F1 is over a billion a year to them, so they may consider it profitable overall.
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