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[Aiii]

Pretty cool look, though. Hope this is the first step to unique liveries on both cars like BAR wanted to do initially.

 

[xrnzaaas]

The numbers on the shark fin look fugly and they're still too small. Is it Merc's idea to add the flag or is it also mandatory?

 

[Aiii]

Thanks Liberty Media: https://twitter.com/ScarbsTech/status/862273179259162624/photo/1

Guess we know what Glock is doing in F1.

 

[Mastah]

RB14 CONFIRMED!!!1

 

[Zaru]

Well there's the tail, at least.

 

[Aiii]

RB14 CONFIRMED!!!1

Nah the RB14 would have a t-wing, obviously.

 

[Psychotext]

Will be interesting to see what Scarbs has to say.

 

[ElTorro]

I wonder if the RB14's improvement of 1.5 seconds per lap will be enough to rival Peter P's unshackled rocket ship.

 

[Aiii]

I wonder if the RB14's improvement of 1.5 seconds per lap will be enough to rival Peter P's unshackled rocket ship.

It will be a race alright,

Spoiler

to see whose engine blows up first!

 

[brotkasten]

To be fair, there is no reason to show off the new car to demonstrate a livery change. A mockup with the RB13 is sufficient for that.

 

[DBT85]

RB14 CONFIRMED!!!1

Much better size for the number on the fin.

Should have been mandated that large.

 

[scorcher59]

That rumour of moving to a whole new chassis from RB13 to 14 and the alleged 1.5-2 sec advantage made for some truly Honda Peter P waxwork lemme tell ya

 

[dubc35]

Much better size for the number on the fin.

Should have been mandated that large.

According to F1 Fanatic they are the new mandated format, at least that's how I read it.

Mercedes has become the first team to reveal the new driver identification graphics which will be used on cars from this weekend’s Spanish Grand Prix.

 

[Fox Mulder]

To be fair, there is no reason to show off the new car to demonstrate a livery change. A mockup with the RB13 is sufficient for that.

This.

Won't have to wait long to see the real car though. Unless the bull's tail gives 1.5 seconds.

 

[DBT85]

According to F1 Fanatic they are the new mandated format, at least that's how I read it.

The number on the side of the Red Bull is larger than on the Merc. What I'm saying us the rule should have made the minimum size that if the RedBull, not the Merc.

 

[brotkasten]

And so the talking and silly season begins.

Former F1 team boss turned TV pundit Eddie Jordan, who got it right when he told the world that Michael Schumacher would return to Formula 1 after his first retirement and would do so with Mercedes, recently stated that he believes Vettel is in talks with Mercedes.

He told Sport Bild: ”Of course they're talking with Vettel. They need to be. Formula 1 is a brutal business. It's not just about strengthening yourself, but weakening your opponent."

But rather than quash the rumours, Mercedes non-executive chairman Niki Lauda has thrown fuel on the fire.
He told Auto Bild:
”He's the best at the moment. He is a straight-lined guy without talking a lot. He knows what he wants, he knows the points where he has to find something within himself to get the maximum performance. Just an incredible guy."

Vettel, though, is keeping quiet about his future.
”I'm here at the moment with Ferrari," he said. ”That's what it's all about."


http://www.planetf1.com/news/lauda-stokes-the-vettel-to-mercedes-fire/

I've said it before and can only repeat it, but I'm certain this is Vettel's last season at Ferrari, if he doesn't win the championship or at least gets very close doing so. As much as he likes to emulate Schumacher, winning and breaking records seems more important to him and Ferrari can't give him that.

 

[Yen]

Vettel to replace Hamilton or Bottas?

 

[brotkasten]

Vettel to replace Hamilton or Bottas?

Bottas is the one with the one year contract, but I'm fairly sure that Mercedes also sees Hamilton as replaceable.

 

[Xando]

Don't think they would open themselves up to all the potential trouble of a Vettel/Hamilton teamfight.

 

[Aiii]

Hamilton will be gone soon anyways, he's already got his 3 WDC's, he's about to get beaten by Bottas, so I reckon he will retire either this year or next and go live the American Dream

Spoiler

of doing nothing and recording music that will never see the light of day

. Maybe do that Nascar race he's been wanting.

 

[DBT85]

Lol. Merc talking to Vettel, Bottas on a 1 year deal and you think they'll eject Hamilton?

 

[Aiii]

Eject?

Does Hamilton look like a guy to you that's in this for another decade?

 

[Lach]

As much as Hamilton shot against Alonso for doing the Indy 500, I think it's stuck in the back of his mind now. I can see him wanting to do a sabbatical year where he does the shit he has fun with (NASCAR etc.).

Vettel feels well enough at Ferrari and he finally has a race winning car so I don't think Mercedes can snatch him up.

 

[chadskin]

Cool AF

 

[Cyborg]

Lauda about Vettel:

He is a straight-lined guy without talking a lot

Uhmm he was complaining/talking more than racing last season.

 

[Xando]

Lauda about Vettel:

Uhmm he was complaining/talking more than racing last season.

I doubt he complains more than others. It's just that his radio was on all season and the car was shit.

Same thing happened to lewis in russia where he was constantly complaining because the car was shit.

 

[Fox Mulder]

Vettel is in a contract year. It would be stupid to not look at other options, if only to just improve his next deal. it's his only other competitive option anyways.

No one thought Ferrari would be this good this year, as they were a bit lost last year and still have plenty of time to fuck themselves out of the championship.

 

[Zaru]

Not expecting next year, but one of these days I wouldn't be surprised to see Vettel and Max at Mercedes if they remain competitive.

 

[DBT85]

Eject?

Does Hamilton look like a guy to you that's in this for another decade?

Does Vettel? You reckon he'll be here till he's 39?

I wouldn't be surprised to see Hamilton do another 5 years and provided he's still fast enough, which hardly looks like disappearing, he'll be at a top team. He's still contracted till the end of next season while Vettel, Alonso and Bottas cunningly only have 1 year left.

Merc would do something that's not been done in years and have 2 of the best drivers on the grid in the same car. Would be even cooler if Ham wins this year and its Him v Vettel, both start the new season together on 4 WDC in Hamiltons last (currently) contracted year at the team as a decider.

There is a reason Mercedes only gave Bottas a 1 year deal and it wasn't only because they wanted to be sure he could do the job.

 

[Fox Mulder]

Does Vettel? You reckon he'll be here till he's 39?

I wouldn't be surprised to see Hamilton do another 5 years and provided he's still fast enough, which hardly looks like disappearing, he'll be at a top team. He's still contracted till the end of next season while Vettel, Alonso and Bottas cunningly only have 1 year left.

Merc would do something that's not been done in years and have 2 of the best drivers on the grid in the same car. Would be even cooler if Ham wins this year and its Him v Vettel, both start the new season together on 4 WDC in Hamiltons last (currently) contracted year at the team as a decider.

There is a reason Mercedes only gave Bottas a 1 year deal and it wasn't only because they wanted to be sure he could do the job.

Mercedes would be paying like $100 million combined for the top two drivers.

 

[Zaru]

Paying like $100 million combined for the top two drivers is kind of dumb though.

Red Bull is doing the "smart" thing here, paying Max and Riccy a relative pittance saves them tens of millions compared to what Mercedes and Ferrari are forking up (or McLaren, for that matter), while hardly losing driver pace.

 

[Aiii]

Red Bull is doing the "smart" thing here, paying Max and Riccy a relative pittance saves them tens of millions compared to what Mercedes and Ferrari are forking up (or McLaren, for that matter), while hardly losing driver pace.

That's only because they run a young driver programme, which includes running a second F1 team (with a 100m budget), that allows them to quickly replace drivers when they leave with talented new stars.

I love that they do that, but I doubt it's any more cost efficient than just paying the best drivers their tens of millions.

 

[nitronite]

And so the talking and silly season begins.

Former F1 team boss turned TV pundit Eddie Jordan, who got it right when he told the world that Michael Schumacher would return to Formula 1 after his first retirement and would do so with Mercedes, recently stated that he believes Vettel is in talks with Mercedes.

He told Sport Bild: “Of course they’re talking with Vettel. They need to be. Formula 1 is a brutal business. It’s not just about strengthening yourself, but weakening your opponent.”

But rather than quash the rumours, Mercedes non-executive chairman Niki Lauda has thrown fuel on the fire.
He told Auto Bild:
“He’s the best at the moment. He is a straight-lined guy without talking a lot. He knows what he wants, he knows the points where he has to find something within himself to get the maximum performance. Just an incredible guy.”

Vettel, though, is keeping quiet about his future.
“I’m here at the moment with Ferrari,” he said. “That’s what it’s all about.”


http://www.planetf1.com/news/lauda-stokes-the-vettel-to-mercedes-fire/

I've said it before and can only repeat it, but I'm certain this is Vettel's last season at Ferrari, if he doesn't win the championship or at least gets very close doing so. As much as he likes to emulate Schumacher, winning and breaking records seems more important to him and Ferrari can't give him that.

Honestly, I think Jordan`s biggest recent prediction was Hamilton`s move to Mercedes. I remember people at the time going: "No way. Mercedes is terrible compared to Mclaren".

It's kind of both funny and sad thinking about that now...

 

[Zeknurn]

Analysis: Could Brawn's open inspection idea help end two-tier F1?

Speaking recently about changing directions for F1, Brawn brought up an idea that he was told about from NASCAR – a clever way that teams can understand what their rivals are up to, so that competitive advantages are not kept secret for long.

“I think that there’s a change of mindset as well within Formula 1 because there are opportunities that we shouldn’t be missing,” Brawn told Motorsport.com.

“You know, in NASCAR, as someone told me the other day, at a certain stage of the season you can go and look at someone else’s car and strip it apart and see what’s in it.

“And that’s their way of keeping everyone loosely competitive. And no one objects, no one has a problem. And it’s a philosophy that should be thought about.”

Lets do it.

 

[brotkasten]

PU standings ahead of Spain.

Mercedes is looking pretty solid. I wonder if they sacrificed some of their raw power for higher reliability, considering that only 4 PUs are allowed this season (which is silly to begin with).

 

[Zaru]

Hooooold up. Lance fucking Stroll still has every first component? How tough is that Williams?

 

[Aiii]

Hooooold up. Lance fucking Stroll still has every first component? How tough is that Williams?

He completed only one race.

 

[Zeknurn]

@F1
VET [on mental battle with Hamilton]: "I don't do psychological battles so he has the upper hand. I'm not clever enough for that" #SpanishGP

.

 

[DBT85]

Totally fine with Brawns inspection suggestion.

PU standings ahead of Spain.

Mercedes is looking pretty solid. I wonder if they sacrificed some of their raw power for higher reliability, considering that only 4 PUs are allowed this season (which is silly to begin with).

Not even just more reliability because of having less engines, the engines are now subject to higher G so needed to be reinforced for that also.

 

[DD]

From here: https://twitter.com/AlbertFabrega/status/862663313871835136



"This isn't even my final form!"

 

[Aiii]

Looks fancy.

 

[Zaru]

Forget just the nosejob, the whole car has been significantly changed.
Really gonna be interesting to see a potentially changed pecking order this weekend.

 

[brotkasten]

Vettel is asked: Who would you like to be fighting in the last corner?
Alonso: “Pick me. You could overtake on the straight.”

Gotta love Alonso.

 

[DD]

Looks fancy.

Looks diabolical!

 

[bobnowhere]

Holey moley, getting closer to 2008 madness.

 

[Aiii]

Looks diabolical!

 

[brotkasten]

So much for Red Bull being the ones who bring a new chassis. Jesus.

 

[DBT85]

Narrower nose. Weird.

 

[Dutch Gronk]

Vettel is asked: Who would you like to be fighting in the last corner?
Alonso: “Pick me. You could overtake on the straight.”

Gotta love Alonso.

Lmao

 

[Diablohead]

These cars are staring to look more and more like 3rd and 4th stage freiza transformations.