Official 2021 Saudi Arabia Grand Prix Thread ***SPOILERS***

Official 2021 Saudi Arabia Grand Prix Thread ***SPOILERS***

Author
Discussion

LaurasOtherHalf

21,429 posts

196 months

Friday 26th November 2021
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Horner would hand his wage back to build a new wing if he thought it would get them a title.

I hate to say it, I think a safety car or a lucky free pit stop under a safety car might decide the race one way or another next week.

Jasandjules

69,885 posts

229 months

Friday 26th November 2021
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This circuit looks like it will be a few overtakes down the straights.. I wonder if anyone will be able to follow closely, there are not good looking run off areas

Just thinking, perhaps optimistically, that with the corners it looks to have this could suit Ferrari and McLaren too? Be interesting if they were able to mix it up...

Deesee

8,420 posts

83 months

Friday 26th November 2021
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jimPH said:
Doesn't take as long to lay up a flexi-wing wink
Clearly the new ones from the new auto clave are not quite as flexible hehe

Deesee

8,420 posts

83 months

Friday 26th November 2021
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LaurasOtherHalf said:
Horner would hand his wage back to build a new wing if he thought it would get them a title.

I hate to say it, I think a safety car or a lucky free pit stop under a safety car might decide the race one way or another next week.
£5m!?

No chance…

Flooble

5,565 posts

100 months

Friday 26th November 2021
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LaurasOtherHalf said:
Horner would hand his wage back to build a new wing if he thought it would get them a title.

I hate to say it, I think a safety car or a lucky free pit stop under a safety car might decide the race one way or another next week.
I thought the cost cap didn't include the wages of the top staff anyway!

Deesee said:
The Speed traps do tell a story, on a Friday f1.com release the fastest in straights/low speed corners etc, Ferrari/Alpine/Mclaren often top these 'mini' sectors, although granted they are not as fast out of some corners, they are ofter 2/3ths quicker over the straights, and pretty equal on these high speed turns.

With the actuator thats a homologised part, if they have fixed it expect some chatter.

If Red Bull run the spoon wing (think SPA set up for them) that would be the lowest level of wing they could get away with, although FP1/FP2 will be interesting to see what they think they can get away with.
I think you can spend a token to change the actuator if you still have one spare. But there's probably a wangle involving safety or something anyway. It was wobbly last year too, so it's a surprise if it's the same part. I would expect them to have fixed it though, several weeks since the problem occurred and a two week gap between races too.

Only a six days until we see what wings the teams are planning to use. I imagine this is going to be a really tricky call - minimum downforce for the straights without losing all the time in the curves. Might be a good circuit for the technical interest, even if the racing is currently undecided.

Only just over a fortnight and we'll know the champion. What will we all talk about then!

cgt2

7,100 posts

188 months

Friday 26th November 2021
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Flooble said:
I think you can spend a token to change the actuator if you still have one spare. But there's probably a wangle involving safety or something anyway. It was wobbly last year too, so it's a surprise if it's the same part. I would expect them to have fixed it though, several weeks since the problem occurred and a two week gap between races too.

Only a six days until we see what wings the teams are planning to use. I imagine this is going to be a really tricky call - minimum downforce for the straights without losing all the time in the curves. Might be a good circuit for the technical interest, even if the racing is currently undecided.

Only just over a fortnight and we'll know the champion. What will we all talk about then!
Trump still insists he won the 2020 election so whoever wins I'm sure the opposite camp will still be talking about it in 2022/23!

JonChalk

6,469 posts

110 months

Friday 26th November 2021
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MG CHRIS said:
Should be a good track for McLaren to catch up a bit too Ferrari as well.
Looking forward to this one.
I can't help thinking "Monza" when I look at the track layout.

Deesee

8,420 posts

83 months

Friday 26th November 2021
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Flooble said:
I think you can spend a token to change the actuator if you still have one spare.
Sorry to crop, but the tokens were long gone on the 16b gearbox.

It’s a choice of wings now both unsuited for both tracks for RB.

TheInternet

4,716 posts

163 months

Friday 26th November 2021
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I don't understand how we've got this far through the season without the wing/actuator being an issue before. What's changed?

Deesee

8,420 posts

83 months

Friday 26th November 2021
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TheInternet said:
I don't understand how we've got this far through the season without the wing/actuator being an issue before. What's changed?
The whole rear wing around the actuator..?

TheDeuce

21,545 posts

66 months

Friday 26th November 2021
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TheInternet said:
I don't understand how we've got this far through the season without the wing/actuator being an issue before. What's changed?
They had to change their wing design to meet the new tests - as a result of that change they've now identified a knock on effect which they have to address.

TheInternet

4,716 posts

163 months

Friday 26th November 2021
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TheDeuce said:
They had to change their wing design to meet the new tests...
Ok, thanks for clearing that up.

CoolHands

18,630 posts

195 months

Friday 26th November 2021
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Sadly I reckon it will be decided by tactics / safety car / luck / undercut type shenanigans. Bottas will be overall pretty useless.

HustleRussell

24,691 posts

160 months

Saturday 27th November 2021
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Piginapoke said:
It does look a challenging (dangerous?) circuit.
I am actually a bit concerned about this circuit.

Suspect it will favour Mercedes. I think Red Bull will be close but second row. The surprises will be on row 3 and downwards on the grid. I think it might be quite jumbled.

ETA: Look out for surprise Bottas pole- smooth new tarmac, unusual low grip surface…

BrettMRC

4,086 posts

160 months

Saturday 27th November 2021
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Bottas could surprise us all by sticking it on pole, romping off and refusing team orders to let Lewis pass him! hehe

More likely qualifying will be chaos due to some late yellow/red flags and the grid will be messed up

rscott

14,753 posts

191 months

Saturday 27th November 2021
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Personally, I'm hoping Max qualifies next to Alonso and tries one of his over the top passing moves..


TDK-C60

2,334 posts

30 months

Saturday 27th November 2021
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Jasandjules said:
This circuit looks like it will be a few overtakes down the straights.. I wonder if anyone will be able to follow closely, there are not good looking run off areas

Just thinking, perhaps optimistically, that with the corners it looks to have this could suit Ferrari and McLaren too? Be interesting if they were able to mix it up...
I watched a simulated lap on youtube and there doesn't appear to be many overtake opportunities apart from the main straight.

The walls look quite close in pretty much everywhere - I hope that doesn't make most of the circuit like Monaco.

NoddyonNitrous

2,117 posts

232 months

Saturday 27th November 2021
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It looks like one of those Formula E circuits - between walls of barriers in a park somewhere.

TheDeuce

21,545 posts

66 months

Saturday 27th November 2021
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NoddyonNitrous said:
It looks like one of those Formula E circuits - between walls of barriers in a park somewhere.
I know exactly what you mean. But in fairness an FE circuit on an F1 scale..


Piginapoke

Original Poster:

4,760 posts

185 months

Sunday 28th November 2021
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