Aston Martin announces exit of F1 team principal Szafnauer
Aston Martin has announced that its Formula 1 team principal, Otmar Szafnauer, has left the team.
12.01.2022 16:16:58
12.01.2022 16:53:14
12.01.2022 20:19:07
thuggy:Seems like all 3rd party speculation and no actual real data there. Filling the void. If Lewis does not show up at winter testing, then I'll worry about it.
Absolutely.
Last year was a clear case for Max to win his first title, he only made it THIS close by being an idiot on track and throwing away a boat load of points, had he had some brain cells, he would have wrapped up the title with races to spare.
Last race at Abu Dhabi was also a clear case for Hamilton to win his 8th after the year long clown show of FIA. He was within laps, literally minutes away from securing that, before Masi decided to 'forget' how the FIA rules are written and applied. A very clear and unequivocal case can be made that he was robbed blind for his 8th. Had FIA's own rules are followed, then he would have been champion.
For the educated race fans, they all saw what happened. They knew who would have been champion had Masi followed the FIA rules. There was nothing left to debate.
Hamilton hold every meaningful records there is. Having number 8 would be nice, but if he walks away now, he would have no regrets. It was out of his hands for the last race, nothing he can control. Why should he come back again if the system isn't fixed?
Would Mercedes pulled out last minute in support of Hamilton quitting? Absolutely not. They won their 8th. In a row. Drivers are commodity, they can be easily replaced. They already have Russell after all. They next 'Hamilton' could be just around the corner after all.
2022 story lines are shaping up nicely for Netflix. New cars, driver shuffle at top team, new champion looking to remove doubt, GOAT looking solidify his claim, and midfield looking to make jumps with new regulations.
I feel a bit bad for Max, through no fault if his own, he wins his first title and it’s a disputed Championship to borrow the boxing term. He should be enjoying his time in sun and getting his flowers; but instead he has to share the headlines of investigations and speculation if LH is going to retire.
14.01.2022 16:04:54
https://www.astonmartinf1.com/en-GB/news/announcement/mike-krack-joins-amcf1-as-team-principal
Prior to joining Aston Martin Cognizant Formula One Team, Mike Krack was leading BMW's global motorsport operation, having worked for the Munich-based company since 2014.
In that role he was in charge of BMW's Formula E, GT and IMSA programmes, as well as its planned expansion into the new LMDh formula for IMSA & WEC, including the Le Mans 24 Hours.
Prior to that Mike worked in a senior motorsport role for Porsche. He has worked for a decade in Formula One before, for Sauber then BMW-Sauber.
17.01.2022 14:50:10
18.01.2022 15:02:37
18.01.2022 16:04:32
After careful considerations I won't be doing play by play detailed analysis for 2022. it would seems some members here doesn't like factual analysis. Someone else who wanted to can do it in place of me.
I really do tried hard to stay centered even when it well known I much preferred Hamilton over Verstappen, but I still called it as it is if Hamilton is in the wrong. But it would seems pointless as some felt even if I combed over all available information before I do the analysis that they think I am still biased. I had raced under FIA sanction events, I was a racer, I haven't driven an F1 car but the principles are still the same no matter the series, same rules after all, Heck, I had also been called to face the Stewards of the Race and know the process.
Some people think they know more, so they are very welcome to be the substitute.
As for my prediction, well I see Norris will be a contender, Max and Red Bull will fall off the pace simply because they had spent their efforts going all in last year. Hamilton will retire and Russell could be finishing 3rd. Mercedes probably will recall Nick de Vries to race in place of Hamilton. Between Leclerc, Norris and Russell, that's the top 3 for 2022. Sainz will be wild card at Ferrari, if he got the lead over Leclerc, he could get the nod to be the #1 there. So top 4 for 2022 will be Leclerc, Norris, Russell and Sainz. Not in that particular order. Max might be a close 4th. Or likely 5th.
Ferrari will win the constructor between Leclerc and Sainz. Red Bull second based on the strength of Perez. Mercedes 3rd. McLaren 4th. Or the other way around.
Aston got championship aspirations, huh? With whom? Vettel is past his prime, Junior? I don't think so. Unless they replace junior, they won't be contending. Baby Stroll isn't even up to Gasly standard, I really don't see them 'contending'.
Alpine seems to be a mess, Ocon is talented but the team isn't. Alonso won't be winning again at Alpine. Ricciardo will fall off the pace even more compared to Norris, he simply isn't on the same level. Perez will be much closer to Verstappen than people expect, simply because of his driving style.
Who else am I missing? Mazepin was 21st among a 20 car field in 2020, he would placed 22nd or 23rd. Bottas will finished in the top 10. Who is on top of Mazepin? Hulkenberg, Kubica. Latiffi. Likely Latiffi will be 20th/19th, he is next up on the unqualified paid drivers. Behind Zhou. Next up could be Mick. Then de Vires.. Who else? Tsunoda would place better because of the strength of his RB engine, he has showed he is a decent defender. Tha's 16th/15th place, he could get to 13th if he gets a lucky break in one of the races. Albon will likely be in font of him however, 14th. 13th might be Alonso. The Alpines just wonn't be that good.
13th, or 12th, Ocon. In place of the other spot it would be Ricciardo. Luck of the draw. Who we got left? Stroll. He could be as low as 16th, or as high as 10th. Vettel will be ahead. Top 10. Just because of his experience. Bottas, 9th, 8th? close battle with Perez there.
I might likely put Hamilton somewhere in there, just because of the timing of the FIA ruling and he might race a race or 2. But I really don't see him trying to compete in a rigged and biased environment. No point.
22nd mazepin
21st Kubica
20th Hulkenberg
19th Latiffi
18th Zhou
17th Mick Schumacher
16th Nick de Vries
16th Tsunoda
15th Albon
14th Hamilton
13th Alonso
12th Ocon
11th Ricciardo
10th Stroll
9th Vettel
8th Perez/Bottas
7th Bottas/Perez
6th Gasly
5th Versteppan
1st/2nd 3rd/4th Leclerc/Norris./Russell/Sainz
It will be a crap shoot between Leclerc and Sainz. Ferrari don't really have a #1 per se, and Sainz is signed by the current personal in charge after all.
Ferrari winning the all important Constructor. Then McLaren/Red Bull/Mercedes in no particular order.
Talent wise, Max is no better than Russell. Max just got a better car for 2021. I see Red Bull falling behind with development on the 2022 car, even with Adrian Newey, as they went all in on 2021.
They might catch up in 2023 however.
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19.01.2022 08:01:40
Whoopsy, you are grown up man, stop this talks, i tried hard, but others are bad and so on (its a ham approach). All people have its own opinion and view on things, every one has a right on it (even if it is wrong) and there should not be any monopoly on opinions. You raced fia sanctioned events - great! Does it give you the monopoly on opinion - nope. I have a friend who is an owner of gt team, does it gives me an opinion to say, guys I collect all the info and share with you but some of you are bad and argue with me - nope. Moreover f1, fia wec, european gt and so on have a different organizational approaches and business models, not so much in common.
19.01.2022 14:25:34
Sounds like someone is having a poor day. I’m sorry to hear it. There is always room for more than one opinion. There has been no shortage of appreciation for your input and I am happy to hear others chime in.
I feel this way many times in regard to Tesla or EV comments here BUT in the end I know I’m performing a valuable public service. Lol.
cheers
19.01.2022 14:58:15
19.01.2022 16:25:33
19.01.2022 17:05:18
The rumors persist:
19.01.2022 18:14:48
Spyderidol:The rumors persist:
Also, according to the latest info, VW wants to be not only the PU supplier, but team owner. Lets see what happens next :-)
20.01.2022 04:40:20
20.01.2022 04:48:43
Whoopsy:….
As for my prediction, well I see Norris will be a contender, Max and Red Bull will fall off the pace simply because they had spent their efforts going all in last year. Hamilton will retire and Russell could be finishing 3rd. Mercedes probably will recall Nick de Vries to race in place of Hamilton. Between Leclerc, Norris and Russell, that's the top 3 for 2022. Sainz will be wild card at Ferrari, if he got the lead over Leclerc, he could get the nod to be the #1 there. So top 4 for 2022 will be Leclerc, Norris, Russell and Sainz. Not in that particular order. Max might be a close 4th. Or likely 5th.
I might likely put Hamilton somewhere in there, just because of the timing of the FIA ruling and he might race a race or 2. But I really don't see him trying to compete in a rigged and biased environment. No point.
Talent wise, Max is no better than Russell. Max just got a better car for 2021. I see Red Bull falling behind with development on the 2022 car, even with Adrian Newey, as they went all in on 2021.
I trully hope that Lewis will be back once more to show for the last time who‘s (still) the real deal out there, especially after the events of the last race!
On top there‘re new rules in place and to finish his impressive career as the first WC under these would be „the topping on the cake“ especially considering his age compared to the young guns.
Also it would be great if he could pass some of his knowledge to George and hand over the zepter in style
I predict Max won‘t be winning any title anymore, he was taking profit of his far superior car and a very supportive team mate and now having George (Merc), Carlos & Charles (Ferrari) in competitive cars he‘ll struggle with his driving style as these guys will let him taste his own medicine for sure
Looking forward to the new season and (again) to your comments/ analysis @Whoopsy