Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
2023 Formula 1 Season thread
- Thread starter Apple fanboy
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
Yeah I was really impressed by Lando’s performance and hope he gets that first win next season. Charles and Max seemed impressed with an overtake Leo’s made on Charles too which was funny to see in the cool down room.
Only 3 races to go.
I think they can, but it isn't just the manufacturers. The drivers need to be able to find that, and a level of consistency. I mean, it was great visuals Lewis's overtake yesterday, but it was also super messy. To me, in the last two races he demonstrated that he still has it, but is too often involved in scraps of his own doing. Russel is much worse in my opinion, way to focussed on what others are doing opposed to what he is doing.
Lando has demonstrated his greatness, his drive yesterday was spectacular. Piastry has had an amazing rookie drive, really looking forward to what he can do.
Personally, I think it's only Lewis and Lando that can do it if they totally focus on the sport. Sainz perhaps if he changes teams. I can't see it in anyone else.
Hmm. He did have a great drive in an obviously good car, but I think he's some way from greatness. I think he has potential to be very good indeed, possibly a future DWC, but I'm not so sure he possess greatness. He's still young, he still has much to learn, and is nowhere near as polished as Max was at that age. He's also quite arrogant, a quality which will not endear him to others. He's made a fair few comments about other drivers, so now he has to really prove himself. Perhaps he can; he's shown himself to be better than Ricciardo and Sainz in races, but he's also been outperformed by a rookie this season at times. He's be wise to shut his gob, and concentrate on his racing. He strikes me as the kind of driver that can be very fast, but prone to stupid mistakes, a bit like Hamilton in his younger days. Impetuous. He'd do well to learn some humility, and respect for others I think. A bit of a young hot head.
Yes, Russell does come across as an entitled brat at times. A lot of the younger drivers do; that's actually what they are. Entitled brats from very wealthy backgrounds, who are there because of that wealth, not necessarily by merit. If we are to see truly great driving, then F1 needs to open up to give those form less advantaged background the same opportunities the rich kids have.
Last edited:
McLaren have impressed me the most this year, especially the rookie driver harassing the front runners in his first year! Bit of a winning team if they can get the car right.
Russel is still a good driver though, but he’s also essential as he represents the drivers safety and seems to be a good man for the job. He is the director of the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association. He needs to learn a lot more about the driving for sure but he’ll get there, he’s still a bit of a rookie. I mean he did literally go from the back of the grid to the front with one move.
George was very outspoken about the dangers of the Qatar race and challenged those claiming they just needed to be ‘fitter’. I like him for that.
They're all 'good' drivers, but perhaps not such 'great' ones. I was looking for more of a fight between Russell and Hamilton this season, but Lewis has got it together a bit more, and is getting some excellent results. He could well finish 2nd in the DWC, which would be a great achievement in an inferior car. Experience shows. He might not have the overall talent and ability of Verstappen, but he is a great driver, no question. I've actually been more impressed with him this season, than many previous ones. If he can't win, then his job should be mentoring the next generation to do so. If he and George can form a proper alliance, then Mercedes could well get back to the front of the grid.
LOL A lot of people find Max arrogant. I think it is having more to do with cultural background than reality, to be honest. Especially the British, and US, people don't seem to get it. I know I'm at risk of generalizing. I've seen it myself throughout my career. Furthermore, I see it as a good quality, especially British people see it as arrogant.
Also, I'd attribute Lando being outperformed by a rookie more towards how good Piastri is, opposed to a weakness of Landon.
But in principle we agree I think, as I did mention they just need to focus more.
Humility and respect for others only/mostly come into play when one is wrong,
When one isn't, it is generally the perception of the others, and being weaponized to detract from what is actually important. But again, it's quite a cultural thing. So yes, choose one's battles.A popular and common thing to say. Not just around background, but also around diversity, and as per the last two weeks, gender. I'm all up for equality for all, which to me means equality for all. Robbing Peter to pay Paul is not the way forward, let's leave that to governments to justify. I'm never a fan of artificial benefits for anyone. Besides, it isn't just money, one really needs to have dedication to become the best of the best.
I loved how Lewis showed George who was still the 'boss' last race (or was it the one before). George definitely has it in him, but in my opinion I think he has gone backwards with Mercedes and taken on the bad habits without holding on to the good ones.
F1 is a very fickle business in that a driver can be top of their game, winning in the best car on the grid and then the moment they lose that car and are working to get the package back, they are no longer ‘talented’ or as good as the next driver that is fortunate to be in the position they were in. Verstappen will face this criticism at some point when the likes of McLaren, Ferrari or Mercedes get the package right and one of their drivers are able to win consistently. Nothing lasts forever and there are quite a few drivers on the current grid who could all be tipped as greats in the future, no doubt.
Indeed. McLaren are a massive under-achiever when you look at the last 23 years though. The resources they have from the money Mercedes pumped in and the amount of championships they have won is quite incredible. This season they seem to have gotten something right and its great to see. I hope it continues into next year, I really do.
I suspect the FIA/Liberty/F1 wanted the season to last longer, get the championships down to the last few races, and if what I heard is correct, then really the last 15 races have all been in vain, that for many teams, a season test, for 2024/2025 cars.. So if this is true, then there is almost no chance of not having a 5 times WDC driving for Red Bull at the end of 2025... Max has won the next 2 yrs without having to really try..
Taking what you've heard
at face value; sounds like the other drivers and teams should have done better...
Just a matter of time before they adopt the stupid nascar model of points and championship "battles".
So agree, talk of a Sprint title, a $1m prize, sorry but now the FIA/F1 is heading towards points for all, just get a prize for showing up, F1 is more Special Olympics than the pinnacle of motorsport, F2 is a better series...
The McLaren is only now a "good" car as the changes introduced in Austria have helped tame the wicked handling of the chassis and Lando has appeared to adjust his driving style to take advantage of that and improve his performance in conjunction with the car.
Throwing absolutely zero shade on his talent, but as a rookie, I think Piastri has benefitted from coming in "fresh" and not having any "legacy baggage" about how the McLaren has evolved over the seasons. Lando has had to constantly adjust his driving style to match how the chassis has evolved over the years.
(I think part of the reason McLaren was willing to take the huge financial hit to cut Daniel loose early is because Daniel refused to adjust his driving style to suit the car and McLaren wanted a rookie in there who would.)
Off the track, George has shown he has a good head on his shoulders in terms of his critiques of FIA stewarding.
He has recently been critical of the FIA's 5s time penalties for Track Limits violations because if you do so to pass a slower car, you will gain far more than the 5 seconds you are penalized for doing it. He would prefer to see tougher time penalties to discourage such actions.
The problem... there are no adults in the room running F1.. The stewards are a joke, really they have no idea, most of the time it seems they are watching youtubes on how to steward an F1 event... Is anyone of them a qualified experienced attorney/litigator?? A mechanical engineer? The last decent bloke with any resemblance of a great education and used it well was Prof Sid.. for medical.. Since then, no one, no sane rational employees..
The issue, IMO, is that race stewards vary from race to race so there is no overall consistency and varying levels of experience (and competence).
Also IMO, the FIA should create and empower a dedicated team of stewards that handle all the races throughout the season.
Also IMO, the FIA should create and empower a dedicated team of stewards that handle all the races throughout the season.
That would be a start. But as we’ve said before, modify the tracks so there is no need to give penalties for crossing the white line. Just put some grass over there. That will stop half the penalties.
Or some aggressive rumble strips where there is less chance of them picking up speed and losing control, but enough to really make it a disadvantage. The sausage curbing is dangerous and the high grid run-offs do the job slowing the cars down when spinning, but give too much of an advantage if being used to corner faster. I would like to see more gravel traps back though, they really punished mistakes.
Yet not everyone goes over the white lines, proofing that it is possible to stay on the track. Max manages but its just his car isn't it...
but its just his car isn't it...
The tracks are all just designed to suit his driving style.Yet not everyone goes over the white lines, proofing that it is possible to stay on the track. Max manages
That was my impression as well. Unnecessary really as he has shown he can do tons of overtaking when required.
Not all the tracks. Max has been quite open as to his dislike for temporary street circuits. He has always been one to favor the tracks with the 200+ KM/H sweeping turns. That's his style. He simply has the ability to make the adjustments required to win. Singapore was a failed experiment IMO. RBR tried something and even Max was unable to tame it.
Exactly. There needs to be a Dedicated Team of Stewards that travel during the season. The end product of the "Stopping in Pit Lane" decision in Mexico should guarantee it if they really cared about consistency.
Well, then the other teams have no one to blame other than themselves. RBR has had a limited amount of wind tunnel testing (although getting extra hours under the "Cooling" loophole was a stroke of genius) and the car still wins by wide margins the majority of the time with Max always getting 101% out of it. Take away Max and we see what the RB19 can be as well. The 22 penalty will effect 24 development to a small degree as well even with their ability to really focus 100% by locking up 2023 so quickly.
RBR simply has the best engineers, aerodynamicists, strategist, and one of the top 2 Team Principles. That is why they win. Mercedes has the best chance next season. With the new rear suspension on the W15 they should improve tire deg greatly on full tank runs. I'll go so far that their tire deg will be on par with the RB20.
RBR still will have Max though, and he is the Hybrid Era Master. That won't be helpful bringing the WDC down to the last 2 races.
hmmm some of the tracks are older than he is though...
The key advantage Red Bull have over the rest of the field is the higher mechanical grip, something that has been discussed extensively, especially last season and the continuation into this. They also have by far the most superior DRS system on the grid. The mandate dictates that there is an 85mm gap once the wing is open but the aero design Red Bull (Newey) have employed across a number of wing designs to suit various tracks has meant Max especially has been able to manage his straightline advantage very effectively. Red Bull haven't just got a package that is universal, but a suite of aero packages that all seem to be a continuation of this advantage throughout the season. This is possibly why the likes of Ferrari and Mercedes and even Aston Martin at the beginning of the season were able to perform well at certain tracks and then drop off depending on how well their cars suited the flow of each track.
Until other teams work out what Red Bull have done so right, no amount of driver talent is going to compete for wins against a driver of Max's talent, and in a car carrying a significant advantage. Winning by 13.8 seconds is huge, even if this time has decreased somewhat over the season.
Until other teams work out what Red Bull have done so right, no amount of driver talent is going to compete for wins against a driver of Max's talent, and in a car carrying a significant advantage. Winning by 13.8 seconds is huge, even if this time has decreased somewhat over the season.