2020 F1 Challenge R15 & R16 Bahrain/Sakhir discussion thread

Well, lucky Romain ! I can't recall seeing a car split into 2 like that since John Watson did it with a McLaren... a bit of research shows that was in 1981 at Monza.

Hope he's not inhaled any nasties in getting out of the wreckage, and wishing him a speedy recovery. If he does have broken ribs, as is being speculated on t'internet, I doubt that he will be able to drive next week, or possibly in the finale a week later. Maybe with no F1 drive lined up for next year, someone or something is trying to tell him to stop...

Thank goodness for the Medical Car team. That whole set-up saved Grosjean’s live. The way the Merc sits at the back of the grid in case of any first-lap shenanigans, the fact that it’s a C63 so it can get there quickly, and their response was just fantastic and brave.

The late Professor Sid Watkins has a lot to be thankful for.

Grosjean was just crazy, it must be said. No doubt he wouldn’t have seen Kyvat in his right-side mirror. And that is precisely why one doesn’t make a big swerve across the track like that.

The angle of barriers has been a concern of mine for years. It’s resulted in some terrible impacts, in European series and in America. Where barriers are not parallel for service roads, it’s a problem. What I’ve discovered over the years, never think that race cars won’t crash in a particular area, they will. For me, road courses need the equivalent of the SAFER barrier in America. Armco is outdated now, and it’s time that a more energy-absorbing barrier was developed for road courses across the world. Tech-pro is impractical because it collapses with any real force. Before the SAFER barrier on ovals and mere concrete barriers, people thought that was the way things are. With a SAFER barrier, you still have awful shunts. The key aspect, is the level of energy dissipated on impact, it’s made a huge difference since the Indianapolis Motor Speedway introduced it.

Where I would not want SAFER-style barriers is for braking zones. A conveyor belt system with tyres is still more effective, if someone loses control and goes straight on; tyres still cushion the blow well.

But angles of walls, this has to be a priority.

IndyCar's medical response is similarly good in my view. They saved James Hinchcliffe's life at Indianapolis in qualifying when he had a wishbone fail. He was losing blood fast.

Apparently, the part of the car in which Grosjean was sitting decelerated at 53G in the impact ..... it's quite surprising that he survived that, let alone the damage.

He was trapped with the car on its side, so he had to wriggle out before he could attempt to stand up - looks like he may have lost one of his racing boots (trapped in a deformed footwell? Whatever, it's a good job that he was not trapped by deformed bodywork or barrier because that fire looked pretty intense

We had something similar with an upside down Ferret but, having next to no gear had a less successful outcome.

+1.

I like Albon and he did do a solid job to rebound from the crash on Friday, put the car where it should be on the grid, and finish on the podium. He was pretty punchy on both starts, too. All good stuff. But the gap to Verstappen in both qualifying and a 'normal' (post accident) race was simply too big, and he was effectively beaten by a slower car. I'd like to see him stay in F1 alongside Gasly at AlphaTauri, and see how he gets on in a slightly less pressured environment.

Perez is pure class and I'd love to see him get a shot in a Red Bull.

The Grosjean hit was unreal, I've been slagging off the halo since the start but had to eat my words yesterday, if it wasn't there he'd have been decapitated. That was until Stroll turned his car upside down and was stuck in it. Chapeau for the safety crew, designers, FIA and Marshalls who all came together brilliantly.

As for the second Red Bull seat, it seems they have the same problem as Mercedes. Whoever you put into that seat is going to get their doors blown off and look distinctively second rate. They should have paid Ricciardo the big bucks a few years ago to keep him. Put Perez in that seat and he'll offer a decent alternative strategy on race day but think its a bit of a poisoned option. Its Max's team after all.

With Perez sponsorship money on the table It seems Engine supply is more important then cash. Otherwise he'd be a fit in at Williams over Russell, or either of the Haas seats. Can't work out why Alfa Romeo haven't taken him over Raikonnen though.

No danger for Russell's seat. Bottas off in 2022 and George in the big Merc. The Räikkönen one is easy: Sauber / Alfa have the same engine thing with Ferrari so the last Ferrari World Champion on the grid gets a drive if he wants one. He also sells a lot of merchandise. A lot.

Money. Mr Latiffi is RICH!

I know Russells quick but its rather pointless having someone quick if your going tofinish last. You could put Hamilton in the car and Williams will be at the bottom of the table. Surely your better off with Sofina and Carlos Slim money then paying a driver. 

I really like Russell and hope he's the next big thing but think Williams could do with the money. 

I probably always sort of assumed that's Raikkonen's future

I read that Hamilton has tested positive for Covid and will miss the next Grand Prix

So who gets a go in the fastest nag in he paddock? Vandoorne is their reserve driver if memory serves. Does this mean Bottas might actually find a way to win a race?

That's a blow, hope Lewis gets well soon.

Stoffel Vandoorne is their reserve and was due to be in Bahrain anyway. But he hasn't raced an F1 car for two years. The most competitive option (and biggest crowdpleaser) would be Russell if they can prise him away from Williams. That could give Jack Aitken (Williams reserve) his F1 shot.

I guess there's nothing more for Merc to achieve this year so in theory they could give me the drive and it would make no difference.

It might make a huge difference to a certain Mr Russell, I think he has earned it.