Formula 1 2023 Season

If this race was earlier in the season it would be more interesting to see how the cold tires changed the race plans , 

But now since the title is already set , do you go for it as hard  and damage the car or get hurt ?
We will see ......

In reply to loosecannon :

I was watching a video someone walking all around the track watching the track workers painting any vantage point of someone attempting to watch the race with out a ticket. I wonder just on the expense and not quantity if this will rake in the most money.

I'm hoping that some of the drivers and teams figure out how to drive the track and the cold temps, but hearing the teams be so concerned, that hope seems fleeting.  The tire changes are going to be the most interesting- as they have to balance the time lost driving with the time lost warming the tires up- especially noting how much the tires cool down exiting the pits.

I do know that I'll not watch live.  1am start time for us is a little much for a race like that.  Not sure if I'll watch the whole race or just the highlights.

Imagine what this race would be like if they'd already banned the tire blankets...... 

I heard that the tires cooled as much as 30 degrees from the start to the end of the straight at Baku.  Vegas is slightly shorter (1.9 km v. 2.2), but temperature will be about half.  I'd expect a 40 degree swing from getting on to the straight to turn 14.  The tires are optimal between 100 and 110 degrees.  That's a significant swing in temperature.  And, turns 14-16 probably won't generate much heat before they get on to the long straight into turn 1. 

They're expecting the cars to be at full throttle for something like 80% of the race.  Vegas is the second to last race on the calendar.  How many motors will pop before the race is done?

I think it'll be an interesting race. 

On a different note, I've heard several people describe the track layout as being shaped like an upside down pig.  Looks like Mercedes took that idea and ran with it to have some fun.....

-Rob

Ferrari for the win, since their biggest problem is keeping tire temps low enough?

I just watched the opening ceremony, well I fast forwarded through most of it. Yuck, this seems like a shot across the bow that says racing is just part of the show and not a very important one. I guess I will be looking for my next racing series to follow, F1 is going the way of NASCAR.

In reply to NY Nick :

So, entertaining races with interesting drivers?

Streetwiseguy said:

In reply to NY Nick :

So, entertaining races with interesting drivers?

Hmm... But does such a series exist?

I don't understand all the "nattering nabobs of negativity" here (and if you remember who said that - well, you're old!) it's an F1 race at a new track - I'm up for just watching it and seeing what happens!

I said before that I think it could be a chance for one of the lower rated teams to shine - are you all saying you wouldn't find it interesting and fun to see a HAAS driver, or Alfa Tauri driver on the podium? How about Logan Sargeant gets his first win?

I think it could be a hot mess (well, cold mess then) but what the heck.......lets see just what happens! 

In reply to Streetwiseguy :

NASCAR has gotten back to entertaining races on 1.5 mile tracks, the short track racing is straight garbage and that isn't my opinion, NASCAR knows it, the drivers know it, the org is actively trying to fix that. The road courses are alright. NASCAR went through a decade of trash before it got to it's current package too.

In reply to Mini Dave :

I don't think I am a negative person either on this thread or in any of them for that matter. That being said this pomp and circumstance is a huge departure from F1 normal processes. Like it or not huge change, I follow F1 hard, including news, pre race press conferences, practice sessions, weekend warm up, weekly analysis shows, and follow some of the factories social feeds so I know I am way far to one side but all of this show biz intro does what for the racing? I could and should just choose to ignore all this show but it really seems like a distraction. I am cognizant that this is always the progression of the world, including business and motorsports. 

First of all, I wasn't pointing a finger at anyone in particular - but you will have to admit not many people on this board seem to be in favor of this race.

OK, but what does all the hoopla a day or more ahead of the race hurt? If it's entertaining and doesn't impact the actual race what's the problem?

I also follow F1 "hard" but I don't see what harm there is in playing it up a bit.....remember when Hesketh used to bring 50 cases of champagne to the races - for the team members!?!?!?? 

I think maybe F1 has gotten a little bit full of itself - the races and the racing used to be fun.....I would like them to be again.

The response to the andretti entry is starting to seriously annoy me, if they continue to move the goalposts on it, I might just start sleeping in on sundays

In reply to MiniDave :

I can address the negativity as I am probably one of the negative ones.

I believe it's two two fold:

1. I think long time F1 followers feel likely they are tarting up something that doesn't need tarting up but this is what Vegas does.

2. As a 45 year Vegas resident I can tell you with certainty that Las Vegas has Jan Brady disease; she's every bit as hot as Marsha but try's to hard. Las Vegas is always on about wanting to be a world class destination but we already are.

For me personally the race doesn't work because A. I'm cheap and B. I don't want to get home at 2 AM.

I have several SCCA friends that are working it and I think they will enjoy themselves.

I guess you can count Verstappen among the negative folks: https://www.cnn.com/2023/11/16/sport/max-verstappen-las-vegas-grand-prix-f1-spt-intl/index.html

“I think it is 99% show, 1% sport,” Verstappen told reporters on Wednesday, according to Reuters. “They [Formula One] still make money if I like it or not, so it is not up to me.

“But I’m not going to fake it. I always voice my opinion in positive things, in negative things, that’s just how I am. It’s not really my thing. Some people like a show, I don’t like it at all.”

When I was a younger man of a few years ago, we had no F1 races in America and we liked it... Seriously why are folks so down that racing in the US has become so popular that they're taking chances on new races?

I just got home and fired up F1tv to watch weekend warmup.  The two Brits are wearing parkas, Lawrence has one to his calves.  Hinch, the Canuck, is standing there in an unzipped windbreaker.

Well that was a disaster. Maybe FP2 will happen

Yeah, that was a bust!  9 minutes.  Now they are saying a loose manhole cover.

In reply to superfund :

Looks like a valve box extention or riser. Maybe 6 inches diameter mini manholes to turn valves deep underground.

They never seem to be flat or the right elevation. 

But wow it knocked out a good chunk. 

They appeared to have tried to depress the valve box and cap but something happened. 

But two of the top three are Haas cars!

Ok I'm officially pissed off. Sainz is being hit with a TEN place grid penalty because his car needs major repairs and they aren't taking the track trying to kill him as a valid excuse.

Carlos penalty Reuters

There is no team out there that wouldn't protest that. FIA officials seriously have no common sense. 

Apparently they went around and kicked out all the fans before FP2 started as well.  At least the tickets were cheap.  Oh wait.

Fp2 has Leclerc and Sainz 1 and 2. Cars looking fast and cooler tire temps may make their tires go the distance compared to other tracks the Ferraris eat up tires. I can't imagine this being their chance for a strong finish and getting nailed with that grid penalty. Hoping they revisit that today.