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[Wax Free Vanilla]

Does this mean they have reached half of the Mercedes power unit?

No, it means they've surpassed Mercedes 15/16 hybrid PU output, there's the 160 bhp from the fixed ERS and the rest from their ICE improvements.

McLaren Honda will shock the F1 world with their blistering pace next season.

 

[brotkasten]

No, it means they've surpassed Mercedes 15/16 hybrid PU output, there's the 160 bhp from the fixed ERS and the rest from their ICE improvements.

McLaren Honda will shock the F1 world with their blistering pace next season.

There was, however, some good news for the team as Spanish tabloid newspaper AS recently reported that Honda had found an "extra 223 horsepower."

Honda, though, have been quick to downplay this.

The company told Sky Sports: "Recent media reports have suggested a huge horsepower boost for McLaren-Honda in 2016. These reports are unsubstantiated and merely speculative, and we ask fans and media alike to treat them as such."

Ok.-

 

[chicko1983]

Oldish F1 fan here but steadily lost interest over the last five years.

Barely watched a race last season but I hope this season is more competitive.

Is the McLaren Honda a real threat of being competitive?

Also, will they be changing their colors back to white and red/fluro orange?

 

[EarsOfASnake]

There was, however, some good news for the team as Spanish tabloid newspaper AS recently reported that Honda had found an "extra 223 horsepower."

Honda, though, have been quick to downplay this.

The company told Sky Sports: "Recent media reports have suggested a huge horsepower boost for McLaren-Honda in 2016. These reports are unsubstantiated and merely speculative, and we ask fans and media alike to treat them as such."

Ok.-

They were always going to get rumors of their improvement or lack of over the winter, best thing for them to do is deny everything and do their talking, good or bad, on the track.

 

[Wax Free Vanilla]

There was, however, some good news for the team as Spanish tabloid newspaper AS recently reported that Honda had found an "extra 223 horsepower."

Honda, though, have been quick to downplay this.

The company told Sky Sports: "Recent media reports have suggested a huge horsepower boost for McLaren-Honda in 2016. These reports are unsubstantiated and merely speculative, and we ask fans and media alike to treat them as such."

Ok.

Sky is a shithouse, that 223 figure is including the 160 from the ERS.

A 60 bhp gain on the ICE and no deployment issues = a race winning McLaren.

 

[Jezbollah]

Oldish F1 fan here but steadily lost interest over the last five years.

Barely watched a race last season but I hope this season is more competitive.

Is the McLaren Honda a real threat of being competitive?

Also, will they be changing their colors back to white and red/fluro orange?

Hello mate, glad to see you here.

Last year's Honda was a disaster - they came back to F1 too soon IMO - I actually think the McLaren car itself was not bad - just incredibly hindered by lack of power.

There are rumours that Honda have finally cracked the two big issues (ICE power, and ERS deployment) - If this is the case their engine should be in the ballpark this season. The new car will be the first with "maximum influence" from Peter Prodromou so it should be ok.

The colours really depend on their sponsors - they have claimed they have a few lined up but no real Title sponsorship around now. I suspect the current design will remain until next year if they are indeed competitive.

 

[chicko1983]

Hello mate, glad to see you here.

Last year's Honda was a disaster - they came back to F1 too soon IMO - I actually think the McLaren car itself was not bad - just incredibly hindered by lack of power.

There are rumours that Honda have finally cracked the two big issues (ICE power, and ERS deployment) - If this is the case their engine should be in the ballpark this season. The new car will be the first with "maximum influence" from Peter Prodromou so it should be ok.

The colours really depend on their sponsors - they have claimed they have a few lined up but no real Title sponsorship around now. I suspect the current design will remain until next year if they are indeed competitive.

cool, cheers for the reply.

I am a mechanical engineer and at university all my mates were really into F1 and so I naturally started following it pretty closely too (one guy I went to uni with now works for Red Bull, and another for an Australian touring car team).

I love the technology side of F1, but it needs a lot more competition than just two or three manufacturers. That is what I miss from the sport.

If Mclaren Honda go back to white and red rather than that predominantly black look, Id be all over that shit, so would thousands of other fans. Just how they could do it without having to pay Malboro is the question.

I mean, surely someone can come up with a look which looks similar to the past but different enough without infringing adversting laws.

 

[ChubbleDucks]

Stunning

 

[Icefire1424]

Let's assume for a moment that McLaren actually got their act together in the offseason, and managed to get an engine that can not only compete in the field, but compete against the mighty Mercedes power units.

Now, taking that a step further, what if the work Ferrari did on their units also leveled the playing field with AMG-Petronas. Suddenly we have three teams, all fielding former champions all shooting for the podium, every race.

Man, that would be awesome.

Not sure where I'm going with this, but I just think that would be really cool. That is all. Go about your regular discussions.

 

[Aiii]

Yeah, I wouldn't get your hopes up.

 

[Zeknurn]

Let's assume for a moment that McLaren actually got their act together in the offseason, and managed to get an engine that can not only compete in the field, but compete against the mighty Mercedes power units.

Now, taking that a step further, what if the work Ferrari did on their units also leveled the playing field with AMG-Petronas. Suddenly we have three teams, all fielding former champions all shooting for the podium, every race.

Man, that would be awesome.

Not sure where I'm going with this, but I just think that would be really cool. That is all. Go about your regular discussions.

hey Icefire1442, wake up, you're dreaming and it's time for school.

 

[Massa]

At the very least we can hope that the Rosberg that starts 2016 will be the same guy that finished 2015. That alone should make it a much more interesting season.

 

[Icefire1424]

hey Icefire1442, wake up, you're dreaming and it's time for school.

Hey, I never said I actually expect any of this to happen, just that it would be pretty damned cool if it did!

At the very least we can hope that the Rosberg that starts 2016 will be the same guy that finished 2015. That alone should make it a much more interesting season.

That would make for a more interesting season, yes. Especially considering when the two of them start going at it, one will eventually crash into the other, causing all sorts of shenanigans.

Spoiler

...leaving the win open for Ze German.

 

[JadedWriter]

At the very least we can hope that the Rosberg that starts 2016 will be the same guy that finished 2015. That alone should make it a much more interesting season.

And let's hope that Hamilton goes back to giving a shit cause I really think he was running on a couple of less cylinders by the end compared to the beginning of that season. I think it was also stated that he fell out of love with the car after Singapore as well.

 

[theignoramus]

Unless there are rules specifically made to stop Mercedes improving on their car while the others play catch up, I am not optimistic about a level playing field for this 2016 campaign. When you start out of the gate with a built in advantage, the history of the sport says the only thing that allows other teams to catch up are rules specifically crafted to negate the engineering advantage of the frontrunner. This token system is pure rubbish though and ensures the status quo is maintained.

 

[Icefire1424]

And let's hope that Hamilton goes back to giving a shit cause I really think he was running on a couple of less cylinders by the end compared to the beginning of that season. I think it was also stated that he fell out of love with the car after Singapore as well.

Was wondering that. Is the general consensus that Rosberg really did start doing better in the last few races, or that Hamilton just eased up after winning? Know he wasn't comfortable with the car though.

 

[JadedWriter]

Was wondering that. Is the general consensus that Rosberg really did start doing better in the last few races, or that Hamilton just eased up after winning? Know he wasn't comfortable with the car though.

I honestly think it's a combination of that and the car moving away from what Hamilton liked had a lot to do with that. I honestly don't think it was exactly one thing. I would like to think Hamilton could've gotten a better grasp on the car, but he just didn't want to and was like "I still win the WDC with safe seconds any how." I know that isn't exactly an old school Hamilton mindset, but this isn't exactly old school Hamilton anymore so it makes sense.

 

[theignoramus]

Was wondering that. Is the general consensus that Rosberg really did start doing better in the last few races, or that Hamilton just eased up after winning? Know he wasn't comfortable with the car though.

Hamilton partied harder after winning his title, didnt put forward the extra effort to get on top of his car set up, and Rosberg performs better without the weight of pressure.

 

[Fox Mulder]

Was wondering that. Is the general consensus that Rosberg really did start doing better in the last few races, or that Hamilton just eased up after winning? Know he wasn't comfortable with the car though.

I'm not giving nico any benefit of the doubt. He crumbles under pressure hard and lewis owned him all year until he won the championship and could let off.

 

[Zeknurn]

Haas will reveal their car on the morning of the first test day.

Also here's a teaser image.

 

[Juicy Bob]

Finally, a silver F1 car.

 

[Zeknurn]

It looks dark blue to me.

They missed a great opportunity to make the whole car the American flag.

 

[brotkasten]

It looks dark blue to me.

They missed a great opportunity to make the whole car the American flag.

They'll save that for the US GP.

 

[ElTorro]

The distorted flag on the rollover bar looks weird.

It looks dark blue to me.

They missed a great opportunity to make the whole car the American flag.

 

[DD]

I don't think that that's their final livery.

 

[brotkasten]

Some more non-news:

Vettel would rather win the title at the end of the season than win in Melbourne.

http://planetf1.com/news/vettel-thinking-long-term/

What should be the headline: "Ferrari not competitive in Melbourne"

 

[Norwegian Rudo]

Hamilton partied harder after winning his title, didnt put forward the extra effort to get on top of his car set up, and Rosberg performs better without the weight of pressure.

Keep in mind also that Nico's wife was having problems with her pregnancy for the early part of the season. Kind of hard to be 100% focused with all that going on.

 

[Zeknurn]

The distorted flag on the rollover bar looks weird.

That is exactly what I had in mind. If we get something less than this I'm disappointed.

 

[DrM]

That is exactly what I had in mind. If we get something less than this I'm disappointed.

Need more guns and Trump instead of eagle

 

[NHale]

Let's assume for a moment that McLaren actually got their act together in the offseason, and managed to get an engine that can not only compete in the field, but compete against the mighty Mercedes power units.

Now, taking that a step further, what if the work Ferrari did on their units also leveled the playing field with AMG-Petronas. Suddenly we have three teams, all fielding former champions all shooting for the podium, every race.

Man, that would be awesome.

Not sure where I'm going with this, but I just think that would be really cool. That is all. Go about your regular discussions.

So Mercedes was just on the factory playing chess, right?

 

[JadedWriter]

The distorted flag on the rollover bar looks weird.

In reality the distorted American flag properly reflects the state of this country, but that's a topic for another thread. Car looks boring, they really should just commission your "America Fuck Yeah" livery and just make sure you add some Master Chief some where in there or GI Joe or Optimus Prime.

So Mercedes was just on the factory playing chess, right?

Judging by some of their Facebook videos, they just drift around their office in mini scooter things.

 

[dubc35]

Haas will reveal their car on the morning of the first test day.

Also here's a teaser image.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CZuGMrxWQAABudP.jpg:large[/IM][/QUOTE]
Pirelli must be pissed, they didn't even bother to line up the tires!

I'll hold my opinion for the final version....but it better not be that dark/silver/black.

 

[frontieruk]

So Mercedes was just on the factory playing chess, right?

it's easier to find something extra when you're already that deficient from the leader, then when you are leading, there's a point of diminishing returns it just depends if/how badly Mercedes have sandbagged up to now

 

[Icefire1424]

So Mercedes was just on the factory playing chess, right?

So long as I'm living in a fantasy world, sure! No improvements whatsoever to the Mercs. All even terms this year.

Also, I'm a bit disappointed that the Bald Eagle on the bizzaro Hass car isn't crying. I feel there should be a teardrop. 'Cuz FREEDOM.

 

[Aiii]

RB's mini-doc on the snow demo is up: http://www.redbull.tv/videos/AP-1M2TRH9E51W11/f1-show-run-in-the-snow

 

[Zeknurn]

Todays tidbits:

• The FIA wants to get cockpit protection adopted for 2017 and it sounds like the ugly ass halo design by Merecdes has emerged as the best solution.
• Kevin Magnussen is set to replace Pastor Maldonado at Renault's new Formula 1 works team for the 2016 season, Autosport has learned.

 

[ElTorro]

Kevin Magnussen is set to replace Pastor Maldonado at Renault's new Formula 1 works team for the 2016 season, Autosport has learned.

End of an era.

 

[kvk1]

Todays tidbits:

• The FIA wants to get cockpit protection adopted for 2017 and it sounds like the ugly ass halo design by Merecdes has emerged as the best solution.

Woof.

 

[Goldrusher]

End of an era.

Have no fear...

http://www.gpupdate.net/en/autosport-news/334928/maldonado-s-cousin-to-race-in-italian-f4/

Pastor Maldonado's cousin, Manuel, will make his single-seater debut in Italian Formula 4 in 2016.

Manuel Maldonado, 15, recently competed in the British S1 and European Euromax kart categories, and will step up to car racing with Cram Motorsport, the team Pastor Maldonado raced for in Formula Renault 2.0.

 

[Dilly]

Another thought through regulation in F1.

 

[brotkasten]

I'm sure Sauber is still looking for money a driver.

 

[marvelharvey]

Todays tidbits:

• The FIA wants to get cockpit protection adopted for 2017 and it sounds like the ugly ass halo design by Merecdes has emerged as the best solution.
• Kevin Magnussen is set to replace Pastor Maldonado at Renault's new Formula 1 works team for the 2016 season, Autosport has learned.

Two tremendous steps forward to make the sport safer.

 

[JadedWriter]

End of an era.

The fucking goober probably crashed on his way back home.

 

[Icefire1424]

...is it just me that thinks visibility would be just a bit hampered by this thing? I'm all for making the sport safer, but I would think that bar in the center of a drivers field of vision would be distracting.

 

[AndyD]

That's not that ugly. Until you add 12 small fins to it like the front wing.

What are the other proposals?

 

[ElTorro]

...is it just me that thinks visibility would be just a bit hampered by this thing? I'm all for making the sport safer, but I would think that bar in the center of a drivers field of vision would be distracting.

The front pilar seems to be transparent.

 

[Adam Scott Aukerman]

...is it just me that thinks visibility would be just a bit hampered by this thing? I'm all for making the sport safer, but I would think that bar in the center of a drivers field of vision would be distracting.

Probably little more than the various assortment of cockpit aerials and bumps they already have

 

[JadedWriter]

That's not that ugly. Until you add 12 small fins to it like the front wing.

What are the other proposals?

Lol, let's go full 2007.

 

[Icefire1424]

That's not that ugly. Until you add 12 small fins to it like the front wing.

What are the other proposals?

From what I gather, the other options were a closed cockpit, or whatever in the hell the second one is.

 

[Wax Free Vanilla]

Is Magnussen an upgrade over Maldonado?

Jérôme Stoll (Président Renault Sport F1)

Thierry Bolloré (Chief Competitive Officer)

Patrice Ratti (Directeur Général Renault Sport Technologie)

Frédéric Vasseur (Racing Director)

Cyril Abiteboul (Directeur Général Renault Sport F1)

Gérard Lopez (Non Executive Director, actionnaire)

Bob Bell F1 (Chief Technical Officer)

Nick Chester (Directeur Technique Châssis)

Rémi Taffin (Directeur Technique Moteur)

No drivers mentioned after being confirmed last month, is there a double chop coming?

French F1 sites say Renault want Ocon and are willing to buyout his Mercedes contract.