Official 2020 Austrian & Styrian Grand Prix Thread *Spoilers
Discussion
Just a little over 3 weeks to go until FP.. I'm expecting FP1 to be a little all over the place, probably a fair few errors and won't give very much away about quali pace up and down the grid. FP2 however... we should finally get a glimpse of how this years grid stacks up - albeit we will have to factor for it being a circuit that does favour the Red Bulls.
I'm actually expecting a little carnage in qualifying. The drivers haven't driven these cars for months, and have never had to really push them in anger with adrenaline pumping away.. It's a big ask in a new car, so long after pre-season testing.
It'll certainly be interesting to see how this season gets underway after such an unusual beginning.
I'm actually expecting a little carnage in qualifying. The drivers haven't driven these cars for months, and have never had to really push them in anger with adrenaline pumping away.. It's a big ask in a new car, so long after pre-season testing.
It'll certainly be interesting to see how this season gets underway after such an unusual beginning.
Pit stops will be interesting. I wonder how the different teams will interpret the safe social distancing. We are used to seeing a group of people at each wheel. Can this continue as before? None of them will want to sacrifice half a second to their competitors. So I guess it’s about adding Covid 19 protection to the fireproof clothing they already wear.
SpudLink said:
Pit stops will be interesting. I wonder how the different teams will interpret the safe social distancing. We are used to seeing a group of people at each wheel. Can this continue as before? None of them will want to sacrifice half a second to their competitors. So I guess it’s about adding Covid 19 protection to the fireproof clothing they already wear.
Multiple safety issues in NOT working closely together when handling awkward and heavy kit. I'm the same at my job, no chance of staying 2m apart and getting anything done!Social distancing 'social', is to keep those not at work from mingling too closely. Obviously it's fantastic if as many as possible at work maintain 2m too.. but some won't always be able to.
As you say, kit em up. If that's done properly and the protection used correctly, it will be effective.
SpudLink said:
Pit stops will be interesting. I wonder how the different teams will interpret the safe social distancing. We are used to seeing a group of people at each wheel. Can this continue as before? None of them will want to sacrifice half a second to their competitors. So I guess it’s about adding Covid 19 protection to the fireproof clothing they already wear.
Pit Stop practice
TheDeuce said:
I'm actually expecting a little carnage in qualifying. The drivers haven't driven these cars for months, and have never had to really push them in anger with adrenaline pumping away.. It's a big ask in a new car, so long after pre-season testing.
I don't expect it to be much of an issue. The IndyCar race at Texas had all the hallmarks to be a disaster given the type of Oval that Texas is, plus the hot temps they had there made it very slick. Despite only 1 hour of practice and 2 laps of qualifying, the whole thing went without any major drama. The only big error was Sato crashing in qualifying and missing the race due to the one day schedule leaving no time to fix the car.The F1 guys will have had a total of 4 hours of practice by the time they get to Qualifying. They will be comfortable on the limit long before Q1 starts.
SpudLink said:
Pit stops will be interesting. I wonder how the different teams will interpret the safe social distancing. We are used to seeing a group of people at each wheel. Can this continue as before? None of them will want to sacrifice half a second to their competitors. So I guess it’s about adding Covid 19 protection to the fireproof clothing they already wear.
It’s 2m where possible. Not 2m all the time everywhere.TwentyFive said:
I don't expect it to be much of an issue. The IndyCar race at Texas had all the hallmarks to be a disaster given the type of Oval that Texas is, plus the hot temps they had there made it very slick. Despite only 1 hour of practice and 2 laps of qualifying, the whole thing went without any major drama. The only big error was Sato crashing in qualifying and missing the race due to the one day schedule leaving no time to fix the car.
The F1 guys will have had a total of 4 hours of practice by the time they get to Qualifying. They will be comfortable on the limit long before Q1 starts.
They won't be on the limit (mechanically and mentally) until q3 though. And in F1 there are three separate pushes required to place first on the grid, not to mention many more quali laps in total and tyres that often fall off very early on a second fast lap attempt.The F1 guys will have had a total of 4 hours of practice by the time they get to Qualifying. They will be comfortable on the limit long before Q1 starts.
I guess we just have to wait and see. I think the likelihood is that the first competitive push of the season will force some errors along with whatever results of those errors. Although it could in the end be dull, predictable and uneventful too!
TwentyFive said:
I don't expect it to be much of an issue. The IndyCar race at Texas had all the hallmarks to be a disaster given the type of Oval that Texas is, plus the hot temps they had there made it very slick. Despite only 1 hour of practice and 2 laps of qualifying, the whole thing went without any major drama. The only big error was Sato crashing in qualifying and missing the race due to the one day schedule leaving no time to fix the car.
The F1 guys will have had a total of 4 hours of practice by the time they get to Qualifying. They will be comfortable on the limit long before Q1 starts.
On the note of Texas IndyCar, I'm surprised that F1 hasn't shortened the schedule and kept it at 3 days. With no paying customers, I would have thought that 2 days would have been fine, and less risk for everyone.The F1 guys will have had a total of 4 hours of practice by the time they get to Qualifying. They will be comfortable on the limit long before Q1 starts.
Most professional race teams in the world. All drivers with experience in their respective cars from pre-season testing. Limited personnel change and technical development since then due to enforced two month 'summer break'. Same tyres and very similar regs compared to 2019. I think what we see in Austria will be like any other season opener before it. I do not subscribe to the idea that the best drivers in the world are going to be all at sea because they have had a seven month break instead of the usual two-and-a-half. In fact, with four months to digest all of the findings from pre-season testing and a heightened emphasis on reliably finishing races due to the shortened calendar, I think most drivers will be especially keen to avoid an anti-climactic R1 L1 T1 retirement.
That said, we will see a lot of carbon flying around as the Austria circuit seems to be immediately surrounded by car destroying street furniture.
That said, we will see a lot of carbon flying around as the Austria circuit seems to be immediately surrounded by car destroying street furniture.
Edited by HustleRussell on Wednesday 10th June 10:41
TheDeuce said:
They won't be on the limit (mechanically and mentally) until q3 though.
That only applies to the top couple of teams who know they will easily make it through. Everyone else will have to be flat out in Q1 to try and make it through to Q2 as is always the case.I think the 'error strewn weekend' concept is being blown out of proportion in order to drum up interest. After FP1 I expect it to be business as usual. These are top line professionals used to preforming under pressure. The fact that Round 1 is in July rather than March will have little bearing on the outcome.
TwentyFive said:
That only applies to the top couple of teams who know they will easily make it through. Everyone else will have to be flat out in Q1 to try and make it through to Q2 as is always the case.
I think the 'error strewn weekend' concept is being blown out of proportion in order to drum up interest. After FP1 I expect it to be business as usual. These are top line professionals used to preforming under pressure. The fact that Round 1 is in July rather than March will have little bearing on the outcome.
Well, let's wait and see. This is a new situation - and you may well be right, it may be well within the drivers abilities to pick up where they left off.I think the 'error strewn weekend' concept is being blown out of proportion in order to drum up interest. After FP1 I expect it to be business as usual. These are top line professionals used to preforming under pressure. The fact that Round 1 is in July rather than March will have little bearing on the outcome.
NRS said:
How much development have teams been able to do since testing, is it an extra few months for development, or has most of that time been none allowed due to Covid?
Nothing officially - although that doesn't mean that smart minds haven't been thinking through their pre-season testing results and planning what they can do/change in prep for this GP.TheDeuce said:
NRS said:
How much development have teams been able to do since testing, is it an extra few months for development, or has most of that time been none allowed due to Covid?
Nothing officially - although that doesn't mean that smart minds haven't been thinking through their pre-season testing results and planning what they can do/change in prep for this GP.Outside of this enforced closure period I expect the teams will have been developing their car, however there is probably only so much they could've achieved in the absence of continuous in-season running.
Some of the teams also furloughed some of their staff so this is another variable.
Swampy1982 said:
Did anything more come from the controversial joint press release from the fia and ferrari? All seems to have been swept under the carpet. I wonder if more will come to light now racing is due to kick off again...
So much has happened since then, we don't even know how many teams may have been helped out by Liberty in various ways... But I'm guessing any team that will have been helped out might decide to re-think their commitment to pursue the Ferrari/FIA allegations any further. For the good of the sport ya'know? Troubled times and all that.. Pull together 
In times of forced unity, such squabbles do tend to be forgotten.
Swampy1982 said:
Did anything more come from the controversial joint press release from the fia and ferrari? All seems to have been swept under the carpet. I wonder if more will come to light now racing is due to kick off again...
Unfortunately Liberty have more pressing concerns to focus on rather than continued Mercedes dominance and flawed Ferrari tricks trying to catch up.2020 will be a bit scrambled egg.
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