2026 Motorsports Season
- Thread starter Mcdavis
- Start date
AC Bill
Well-known member
I'm really looking forward to the 2026 F1 season. I binge watched Netflix's, Drive to Survive series covering last season's drama's, and once again I really enjoyed it. Watching this series the last several years gave me a much better appreciation of F1 racing.
I had basically ignored F1 for several seasons, in spite of being a lifelong fan of all types of motor racing. Seemed like it was just the same old, same old, race after race. The same few drivers always at the front, seemingly pulling a train of slower cars behind them. It became hugely boring to watch. Crazy thing is, it hasn't really changed, but I'm no longer bored watching it.
The Drive to Survive series created excitement and a new founded appreciation for F1. For me, it was seeing the behind the scenes ebb and flow of a team's many dynamics. The pressure and drama that the key people, and F1 driver's face, throughout the season. For the most part this goes unseen, other than what the media pundits may briefly bring to our attention. The Netflix series glimpses into the personal lives of these people we often see on camera during a race but we know so little about, help create a story that a person simply watching the race on a Sunday would have no clue of.
If you have a chance to watch the series before the first race, I'd wholly recommend it. I believe it may have you looking at the F1 season in a whole different light.
I had basically ignored F1 for several seasons, in spite of being a lifelong fan of all types of motor racing. Seemed like it was just the same old, same old, race after race. The same few drivers always at the front, seemingly pulling a train of slower cars behind them. It became hugely boring to watch. Crazy thing is, it hasn't really changed, but I'm no longer bored watching it.
The Drive to Survive series created excitement and a new founded appreciation for F1. For me, it was seeing the behind the scenes ebb and flow of a team's many dynamics. The pressure and drama that the key people, and F1 driver's face, throughout the season. For the most part this goes unseen, other than what the media pundits may briefly bring to our attention. The Netflix series glimpses into the personal lives of these people we often see on camera during a race but we know so little about, help create a story that a person simply watching the race on a Sunday would have no clue of.
If you have a chance to watch the series before the first race, I'd wholly recommend it. I believe it may have you looking at the F1 season in a whole different light.
I am / was like you, huge F-1 fan and went away from it for quite awhile, drivers becoming to commercial at one point, cars
mattered, drivers did not and a few years ago, got back into it.
I have watched drive to survice series, I enjoy it, but know enough to know,
they shoot 1500 hours to give us 8 hours, heavily edited and design to give us drama.
That said, does give some insight of the behind the scenes working of the sport.
F-1 has always impressed me with the amount of time, energy and money that goes into
making 2 cars go this quick, I have also been forunate enough to have gone to 5-6 races
along with a few indy car races back in the day when indy was real big ( before Tony George)
seeing these cars live, gives you a very different perspective, they are far faster than TV can show,
in every aspect, from accelration to braking, is absolutely insane.
Also in last few years, drivers and teams are much are more competitive and fun to watch.
I also relaize with rules changes the gap becomes bigger for awhile, but hopefully
it makes racing more interesting and more ability to pass.
mattered, drivers did not and a few years ago, got back into it.
I have watched drive to survice series, I enjoy it, but know enough to know,
they shoot 1500 hours to give us 8 hours, heavily edited and design to give us drama.
That said, does give some insight of the behind the scenes working of the sport.
F-1 has always impressed me with the amount of time, energy and money that goes into
making 2 cars go this quick, I have also been forunate enough to have gone to 5-6 races
along with a few indy car races back in the day when indy was real big ( before Tony George)
seeing these cars live, gives you a very different perspective, they are far faster than TV can show,
in every aspect, from accelration to braking, is absolutely insane.
Also in last few years, drivers and teams are much are more competitive and fun to watch.
I also relaize with rules changes the gap becomes bigger for awhile, but hopefully
it makes racing more interesting and more ability to pass.
SVT4MT
Well-known member
Impressive too that Reddick was on three basically different styles of tracks....super speedway , mile and a half and road course.
I was rooting for SVG to be honest, interesting if he would have tied Jeff Gordon's record of six in a row road course victories.
Guess the clock get's reset on that run.
I was rooting for SVG to be honest, interesting if he would have tied Jeff Gordon's record of six in a row road course victories.
Guess the clock get's reset on that run.
Yes and he was impressive to watch, my guess is he wore it out, getting to the front.
I added a link, which has a few videos, with drivers explaing terms to couple videos
explaingin Formula one, For the more knwoing maybe a bit boring.
But quite good for the entry level folks trying to understand a bit better
what they are seeing.
Fun about 15-20 minutes.
explaingin Formula one, For the more knwoing maybe a bit boring.
But quite good for the entry level folks trying to understand a bit better
what they are seeing.
Fun about 15-20 minutes.
I have to admit, I more excited to see the start of this F-1 season,
Than I have been in years. With the biggest regulation change in F-1 history
and the fact F-1 Has never change the engine and chassis in the same year,
along with creating 50% of the power comning from battery which has to be recovered while racing
So each lap, recovery / use will have to be manage along with the ability to use where the drivers want to.
So they have a button for Electric power they can use anywhere on track,
also a push to pass button to be used when within 1 second of other cars gives them more power to pass
as well, but they have to recover this energy under braking or downshifting to recharge.
Also with pre season testing, the teams are trying to hide what they got from other teams
So now its first race of season, we will see what teams really have , we will also see which drivers adapt
to these changes best and also engineers to us use and recover power.
Also after this race expect fast a furious upgrades from teams in first half of year,
with race to race swings of power as teams / drivers adjust and come to terms
with this new car and power.
I think it is going to be fun to watch and maybe bit crazy at times.
Than I have been in years. With the biggest regulation change in F-1 history
and the fact F-1 Has never change the engine and chassis in the same year,
along with creating 50% of the power comning from battery which has to be recovered while racing
So each lap, recovery / use will have to be manage along with the ability to use where the drivers want to.
So they have a button for Electric power they can use anywhere on track,
also a push to pass button to be used when within 1 second of other cars gives them more power to pass
as well, but they have to recover this energy under braking or downshifting to recharge.
Also with pre season testing, the teams are trying to hide what they got from other teams
So now its first race of season, we will see what teams really have , we will also see which drivers adapt
to these changes best and also engineers to us use and recover power.
Also after this race expect fast a furious upgrades from teams in first half of year,
with race to race swings of power as teams / drivers adjust and come to terms
with this new car and power.
I think it is going to be fun to watch and maybe bit crazy at times.
AC Bill
Well-known member
I was also hoping SVG would once again prove his road course skills. He certainly neve quit trying.
AC Bill
Well-known member
I see today that some F1 tire testing has been cancelled due to the war in the Middle East.
F1 have been forced to cancel a two-day Pirelli tire test in Bahrain due to ongoing tensions in the Middle East.
Both Mercedes and Mclaren had provided mule cars for Pirelli to conduct testing ahead of the opening Grand Prix of the season next week in Melbourne.The two-day test was expected to feature wet weather running by artificially wetting the track to gather crucial data for both Pirelli andF1 teams.
There is always the chance that the other races planned for in the region in April could also be affected. There would be a month long drought of F1 events if that were the case. So much money and preparation involved in hosting the events, it could be a huge setback. As well, this could really affect team point gathering. I wonder if they would just reschedule them, or cancel them altogether for the 2026 season?
The middle east obviously could cause major headaches to F-1
they have announced everything will be done onn the basis of safety.
Rumors about replacing have been mentioned, but I don't see how they can pull it off,
Even with 4-5 tracks in the europe region are capable of doing the logistics
for an F-1 race are massive, I suspect they would not be replaced. we will see.
Covid and in one case major flood has cancelled events in recent past
the lost revenue and points become a by product of this.
Know the FOA they onl ycare about the money LOL
Round 4 and 5 only a month away, how long does this war last and when it stops, how long before safe?
As expected Mercedes powered cars at the front, Ferrari did lead FP-1
still one practice and qualifying to go, I expect more drops in times
cars look good.
1. Oscar Piastri (McLaren) - 1:19.729
2. Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) +0.214
3. George Russell (Mercedes) +0.320
4. Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari) +0.321
5. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) +0.562
6. Max Verstappen (Red Bull) +0.637
7. Lando Norris (McLaren) +1.065
8. Arvid Lindblad (Racing Bulls) +1.193
9. Isack Hadjar (Red Bull) +1.212
10. Esteban Ocon (Haas) +1.450
still one practice and qualifying to go, I expect more drops in times
cars look good.
1. Oscar Piastri (McLaren) - 1:19.729
2. Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) +0.214
3. George Russell (Mercedes) +0.320
4. Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari) +0.321
5. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) +0.562
6. Max Verstappen (Red Bull) +0.637
7. Lando Norris (McLaren) +1.065
8. Arvid Lindblad (Racing Bulls) +1.193
9. Isack Hadjar (Red Bull) +1.212
10. Esteban Ocon (Haas) +1.450
AC Bill
Well-known member
That practice session was quite the shit show!
The floor and parts of the Red Bulls underbody were apparently "shredded" as Max bounced through the gravel, needing extensive repairs. Other cars suffered less extensive damage as well from offs.
Hamilton's near miss of colliding with Colapinto was downright scary. Thank goodness Hamilton's age hasn't affected his reaction time.
The Sky pundits kept saying that drivers will adapt to the power systems quite quickly, but I think there may be more than a few practice sessions to have them all figure it out before qualifying and the race. Teams need to first figure out what are the cars issues, vs the driver issues, or the mix of the two.. It must be frustrating as hell.
These vibration, battery, and power unit problems may mean far fewer cars will start on the grid on Sunday. There could be half of the cars starting from the pit lane, after having to do extensive work on them after qualifying. It could be a very interesting race.
https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/...es-you-need-to-know-in.56uUTFhB0z5j3iZfhC0rGP
The floor and parts of the Red Bulls underbody were apparently "shredded" as Max bounced through the gravel, needing extensive repairs. Other cars suffered less extensive damage as well from offs.
Hamilton's near miss of colliding with Colapinto was downright scary. Thank goodness Hamilton's age hasn't affected his reaction time.
The Sky pundits kept saying that drivers will adapt to the power systems quite quickly, but I think there may be more than a few practice sessions to have them all figure it out before qualifying and the race. Teams need to first figure out what are the cars issues, vs the driver issues, or the mix of the two.. It must be frustrating as hell.
These vibration, battery, and power unit problems may mean far fewer cars will start on the grid on Sunday. There could be half of the cars starting from the pit lane, after having to do extensive work on them after qualifying. It could be a very interesting race.
https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/...es-you-need-to-know-in.56uUTFhB0z5j3iZfhC0rGP
I watched both sessions, no question some different stuff happening.
Max went off hit curbs and went into gravel and has floor damage,
that happens 10-20 times a year before this.
Managing the power units is definitly going to take some time,
those who figure it out the fastest, will be the fastest,
They did get 2 extra 3 day practice sessions to help sort out.
I am not a fan of 50% electrical power, but they are 3 seconds off last years pole
time after FP 1&2 they will figure it out.
The vibrations are only Honda and they got it very wrong.
Neweys design is very different, which forced Honda to do different
and it did not work, they are in BIG trouble, only reason they even
came to Melbourne is becasue they receive massive $$ penalties if they didn't.
odds are the retire beofre 20 laps
I like drivers control some of extra power and aero and they can use it anywhere.
increases odds for more over takes and in different places than historically.
F-1 History proves after big change there are gaps, in 21st century how fast the recovery
and catch up is amazing. after last year, this could be quite refreshing.
Max went off hit curbs and went into gravel and has floor damage,
that happens 10-20 times a year before this.
Managing the power units is definitly going to take some time,
those who figure it out the fastest, will be the fastest,
They did get 2 extra 3 day practice sessions to help sort out.
I am not a fan of 50% electrical power, but they are 3 seconds off last years pole
time after FP 1&2 they will figure it out.
The vibrations are only Honda and they got it very wrong.
Neweys design is very different, which forced Honda to do different
and it did not work, they are in BIG trouble, only reason they even
came to Melbourne is becasue they receive massive $$ penalties if they didn't.
odds are the retire beofre 20 laps
I like drivers control some of extra power and aero and they can use it anywhere.
increases odds for more over takes and in different places than historically.
F-1 History proves after big change there are gaps, in 21st century how fast the recovery
and catch up is amazing. after last year, this could be quite refreshing.
Watched FP3 and Qualifying last night and as expected the Mercs ran away with it.
9 tenths of a second to the next group, With major changes this can happen,
Guess the question is how long does it take for everyone to catch up and is Merc even unleashed everything yet.
Rumors were they had figured out a trick with engines to run 18-1 instead of the rules 16-1
under current rules testing this doesn't show up, New testing won't start till June.
So more HP than rest, not sure thats good.
The new rules are exceptionally complicated, as I start to understand them, not sure
its good for drivers or fans.
New post coming.
9 tenths of a second to the next group, With major changes this can happen,
Guess the question is how long does it take for everyone to catch up and is Merc even unleashed everything yet.
Rumors were they had figured out a trick with engines to run 18-1 instead of the rules 16-1
under current rules testing this doesn't show up, New testing won't start till June.
So more HP than rest, not sure thats good.
The new rules are exceptionally complicated, as I start to understand them, not sure
its good for drivers or fans.
New post coming.
So most drivers hate the new cars, as I begin to understand how the
engine and electric motors work and harvesting works, I get why.
Mapping for these cars is exptremely complicated, engineers do this
before they get to tracks, based on past data. Where to shift, lift and
harvest energy. Drivers who figure this out and do the best get the benefits.
engineers are 50% of the solution now, during the race.
These cars are crazy complicated and drivers have to do this or they don't have any HP
Engine creates 450-500 HP Electric Motors Create 500HP and final boost button can give them
another 25 HP+ the problem is when you hit the button its instant, you go through the power in seconds
you can also harvest in seconds, in a few ways, lifting so the natural engine braking creates power, down shifting even
more and faster and braking.
So what happens is drivers lift early, downshift faster and drop an extra gear, which is violent and slower through turns
to have power coming out of turns. so in the true sense of that, they are not racing, they are lifting where in the past they would not
going through turns in 2nd instead of third etc. so they can have more excelration on straights.
98% if drivers are now speaking out as they learn the cars, Not happy with this, more are happy ground affects are gone,
but everyone of them except maybe george Russel wants gas powered v-8 or v-10 engines.
Sounds better, drivers decide how fast they can go based on car design and abilities not
how much power is in thier batteries.
Fans at Melbourne who see this live are not happy, they can see and hear all this live,
which TV hides a bit from us. Guys lifting and going through turns slower is not as exciting.
FIA and FOM have a major problem, teams like Audi, Ford, GM and Honda coming back
were in lage part because of this 50/50 split. Drivers not happy is one thing, fans not is a huge problem.
Now they have sustainable fuels, so no carbon footprint from the fuels they run, so why not run
gas, wel these major manufactures understand F-1 will develop electric power faster than anyone else on the planet.
First Race tonight, unless the Merc breaks, they will run away with it, but how does the actually racing look?
20 unhappy drivers will make this spread like wildfire, what happens now?
engine and electric motors work and harvesting works, I get why.
Mapping for these cars is exptremely complicated, engineers do this
before they get to tracks, based on past data. Where to shift, lift and
harvest energy. Drivers who figure this out and do the best get the benefits.
engineers are 50% of the solution now, during the race.
These cars are crazy complicated and drivers have to do this or they don't have any HP
Engine creates 450-500 HP Electric Motors Create 500HP and final boost button can give them
another 25 HP+ the problem is when you hit the button its instant, you go through the power in seconds
you can also harvest in seconds, in a few ways, lifting so the natural engine braking creates power, down shifting even
more and faster and braking.
So what happens is drivers lift early, downshift faster and drop an extra gear, which is violent and slower through turns
to have power coming out of turns. so in the true sense of that, they are not racing, they are lifting where in the past they would not
going through turns in 2nd instead of third etc. so they can have more excelration on straights.
98% if drivers are now speaking out as they learn the cars, Not happy with this, more are happy ground affects are gone,
but everyone of them except maybe george Russel wants gas powered v-8 or v-10 engines.
Sounds better, drivers decide how fast they can go based on car design and abilities not
how much power is in thier batteries.
Fans at Melbourne who see this live are not happy, they can see and hear all this live,
which TV hides a bit from us. Guys lifting and going through turns slower is not as exciting.
FIA and FOM have a major problem, teams like Audi, Ford, GM and Honda coming back
were in lage part because of this 50/50 split. Drivers not happy is one thing, fans not is a huge problem.
Now they have sustainable fuels, so no carbon footprint from the fuels they run, so why not run
gas, wel these major manufactures understand F-1 will develop electric power faster than anyone else on the planet.
First Race tonight, unless the Merc breaks, they will run away with it, but how does the actually racing look?
20 unhappy drivers will make this spread like wildfire, what happens now?
1 George Russell (Mercedes) 1m18.518s
2 Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) +0.293s
3 Isack Hadjar (Red Bull) +0.785s
4 Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) +0.809s
5 Oscar Piastri (McLaren) +0.862s
6 Lando Norris (McLaren) +0.957s
7 Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari) +0.960s
8 Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls) +1.476s
9 Arvid Lindblad (Racing Bulls) +2.729s
10 Gabriel Bortoleto (Audi) 1m20.221s
11 Nico Hulkenberg (Audi) 1m20.303s
12 Ollie Bearman (Haas) 1m20.311s
13 Esteban Ocon (Haas) 1m20.491s
14 Pierre Gasly (Alpine) 1m20.501s
15 Alex Albon (Williams) 1m20.941s
16 Franco Colapinto (Alpine) 1m21.270s
17 Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin) 1m21.969s
18 Sergio Perez (Cadillac) 1m22.605s
19 Valtteri Bottas (Cadillac) 1m23.244s
20 Max Verstappen (Red Bull) no time
21 Carlos Sainz (Williams) no time
22 Lance Stroll (Aston Martin) no time
2 Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) +0.293s
3 Isack Hadjar (Red Bull) +0.785s
4 Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) +0.809s
5 Oscar Piastri (McLaren) +0.862s
6 Lando Norris (McLaren) +0.957s
7 Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari) +0.960s
8 Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls) +1.476s
9 Arvid Lindblad (Racing Bulls) +2.729s
10 Gabriel Bortoleto (Audi) 1m20.221s
11 Nico Hulkenberg (Audi) 1m20.303s
12 Ollie Bearman (Haas) 1m20.311s
13 Esteban Ocon (Haas) 1m20.491s
14 Pierre Gasly (Alpine) 1m20.501s
15 Alex Albon (Williams) 1m20.941s
16 Franco Colapinto (Alpine) 1m21.270s
17 Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin) 1m21.969s
18 Sergio Perez (Cadillac) 1m22.605s
19 Valtteri Bottas (Cadillac) 1m23.244s
20 Max Verstappen (Red Bull) no time
21 Carlos Sainz (Williams) no time
22 Lance Stroll (Aston Martin) no time
AC Bill
Well-known member
Congrats to young Hadjar, he did so well. Qualifying in 3rd so early in the season in this new generation of car, is really quite the feat.
Kimi's starting 2nd on the grid was amazing as well. You'd think a driver having just had a massive crash, then climbing back in to an untested, and hastily repaired car, would be somewhat cautious, but he pushed hard immediately.
Arvid Lindblad....? Good grief, where did this talented young rookie F1 driver come from? I'd never even heard of him till the tail end of last season. He is fast!
So far all three youngsters have put on an impressive display of skill, and courage. Or, is it perhaps a youth's perception of their immortality?
We all did some crazy dangerous stuff at some point when we were young, because we were immortal, right?
I can understand the drivers frustrations. Lifting when racing? Seems illogical to me, and must be bizarre for the drivers to experience on the track. It's a bit too much like Formula E for my liking. Perhaps this is the end of F1 as we have always know it. I don't fully understand the whole Green thing F1 is attempting. After all, much of the big money in F1 is oil money. Oil companies have been major long term sponsors of F1 racing, investing hundreds of millions annually through team sponsorships, title partnerships, and branding on circuits. Companies like Petronas (Mercedes), and Shell (Ferrari), Exon Mobile (Red Bull), ENI (Alpine), etc., are prime examples. Now Aramco (Aston Martin), more so than the others has been working on sustainable fuel development for racing, but were they thinking that battery power would play a major role in the sport?
Kimi's starting 2nd on the grid was amazing as well. You'd think a driver having just had a massive crash, then climbing back in to an untested, and hastily repaired car, would be somewhat cautious, but he pushed hard immediately.
Arvid Lindblad....? Good grief, where did this talented young rookie F1 driver come from? I'd never even heard of him till the tail end of last season. He is fast!
So far all three youngsters have put on an impressive display of skill, and courage. Or, is it perhaps a youth's perception of their immortality?
We all did some crazy dangerous stuff at some point when we were young, because we were immortal, right?
I can understand the drivers frustrations. Lifting when racing? Seems illogical to me, and must be bizarre for the drivers to experience on the track. It's a bit too much like Formula E for my liking. Perhaps this is the end of F1 as we have always know it. I don't fully understand the whole Green thing F1 is attempting. After all, much of the big money in F1 is oil money. Oil companies have been major long term sponsors of F1 racing, investing hundreds of millions annually through team sponsorships, title partnerships, and branding on circuits. Companies like Petronas (Mercedes), and Shell (Ferrari), Exon Mobile (Red Bull), ENI (Alpine), etc., are prime examples. Now Aramco (Aston Martin), more so than the others has been working on sustainable fuel development for racing, but were they thinking that battery power would play a major role in the sport?
Ironically the big oil companies are the ones who designed and made the sustainable fuels.
which is said they have no Oild from the ground in them.
They used carbon, captured for the carbon needed in the engine,
Quite impressive.
As for end of F-1 as we know it, would likely be the end of F-1
they already have Formula E, Max said " formula E on Steriods"
Guess big question is what if anything does the FIA/FOM do?
Or is it just to soon to do anything? Drivers and teams will figure out how to maximize
what they have, the question is still, what they have what anyone wants to see?
which is said they have no Oild from the ground in them.
They used carbon, captured for the carbon needed in the engine,
Quite impressive.
As for end of F-1 as we know it, would likely be the end of F-1
they already have Formula E, Max said " formula E on Steriods"
Guess big question is what if anything does the FIA/FOM do?
Or is it just to soon to do anything? Drivers and teams will figure out how to maximize
what they have, the question is still, what they have what anyone wants to see?