F1 2017 - Valtteri Bottas signs for Mercedes

[James]

Felipe Massa is going to drive for Williams.


Valtteri Bottas to partner Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes in 2017 season

Valtteri Bottas has succeeded retired world champion Nico Rosberg as Lewis Hamilton's team-mate at Mercedes.

The move, expected since December, also sees Brazilian Felipe Massa come out of retirement to replace the 27-year-old Finn at Williams.

Bottas has signed a one-year deal with the option for more, while Rosberg moves into an ambassadorial role.

Mercedes' young driver Pascal Wehrlein, passed over in favour of Bottas, joins the Swiss Sauber team.


http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/38489054

Driver line-ups for 2017.

Ferrari: Sebastian Vettel, Kimi Räikkönen
Force India: Sergio Pérez, Esteban Ocon
Haas: Romain Grosjean, Kevin Magnussen
McLaren: Stoffel Vandoorne, Fernando Alonso
Mercedes: Lewis Hamilton, Valtteri Bottas
Manor: ?, ?
Red Bull: Daniel Ricciardo, Max Verstappen
Renault: Nico Hülkenberg, Jolyon Palmer
Sauber: Marcus Ericsson, Pascal Wehrlein
Toro Rosso: Daniil Kvyat, Carlos Sainz Jr.
Williams: Lance Stroll, Felipe Massa

[Drew.]

Red Bull definitely have the most exciting pair still. Will be interesting to see how Louis and Bottas get on, at least with him there instead of Rosberg the races should be faster/of a better quality

[Niamh.]

Was hoping for Fernando to join Mercedes

[James]

Manor team has folded.


Manor F1: Team fold after administrator fails to find buyer
By Andrew Benson

The Manor team have collapsed after administrators failed to find a buyer for the stricken business.

Manor's operating company Just Racing Services has been in administration since 6 January, and FRP Advisory has been unable to find a buyer.

Just Racing ceased trading on Friday, effectively ending the Manor team.

The staff were sent home on Friday and told they will be made redundant by the close of business on Tuesday after the payment of January salaries.

FRP said there was "no sustainable operational or financial structure in place to maintain the group as a going concern".

Joint administrator Geoff Rowley added the administration process "provided a moratorium" in the search for a buyer but "no solution could be achieved to allow for the business to continue in its current form".


What happens now?

It is not necessarily the end of Manor - a buyer could potentially still purchase the remnants of the team.

But even if that were to happen, the move makes it much harder for Manor to make it to the start of the season in Australia on 26 March.

The team's collapse leaves 10 teams - 20 cars - on the grid in Melbourne and comes just five days after the sport was taken over by US company Liberty Media and long-time commercial boss Bernie Ecclestone was removed as chief executive.


A turbulent seven years


Manor started life as Virgin Racing in 2010 and has been through several guises in the intervening seven years.

It previously went into administration in October 2014, and was only saved by current owner Stephen Fitzpatrick, the boss of energy firm Ovo, on the eve of the 2015 season.

Fitzpatrick has said the decisive moment was the team's slip to 11th place in the constructors' championship as a result of Sauber's Felipe Nasr finishing ninth in the penultimate race of last season in Brazil. This cost the team in the region of $15m (£12m) in prize money.

Manor were one of three new teams to enter F1 in 2010 after they were promised by then FIA president Max Mosley that a £40m budget cap would be introduced.

But Mosley stood down as head of the governing body in 2009 after losing a fight with the teams over the plan and the cost limit was abandoned.

All three teams have now collapsed.


http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/38772098

[Cal.]

McLaren have such a boring team now.

[Niamh.]

McLaren have such a boring team now.

Alonso is one of the best drivers, McLaren are just s**t now

[James]

Here's Sauber's car.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/C5Gn69vWQAAZv5L.jpg:small

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/C5Gn69vWQAAZv5L.jpg

[Drew.]

A lot nicer than last years, hopefully we get a bit more colour on the grid this year

[Drew.]

this is rather nice



https://i.gyazo.com/e017a6b6d0e1d21a8a7bd8d89012696f.png

[James]

Lewis Hamilton: Mercedes's new car given debut at Silverstone
By Andrew Benson

Lewis Hamilton has put the first laps on the Mercedes car he hopes will make him world champion for the fourth time in 2017.

The 32-year-old drove the new Mercedes W08 at Silverstone in blustery, damp conditions.

Hamilton said the car felt "incredible" and "pretty awesome" on his first outing.

It has been produced to new regulations aimed at making the cars faster, more dramatic and more demanding of drivers.

It features an elegant design, in contrast to some rivals, and a notably narrow rear.


Hamilton said: "Yesterday was the first time I saw [the car] together. It is the most detailed piece of machinery I have seen in F1.

"This is not an actual test - it's just a few laps to make sure the car will run. But I was able to go faster in the last couple of laps.

"It feels almost identical to last year's car in terms of ergonomics but you have this bigger, more powerful beast around you."


'You may see some sparks' - Bottas

His new team-mate Valtteri Bottas, signed by Mercedes last month to replace Nico Rosberg, who retired after winning his first world title last year, drove the car on Thursday afternoon.

Mercedes F1 boss Toto Wolff said he was hoping for a less fractious relationship between Hamilton and Bottas than between the Briton and Rosberg.

"It's a completely new dynamic," Wolff said. "I see it as an opportunity to start from square one with a healthy relationship. There are no games, no warfare because there is no history.

"There is a solid foundation that the relationship works well. But you have to be realistic that when they get out there, it is about winning races and championships, and the rivalry could be difficult."

http://ichef.bbci.co.uk/onesport/cps/624/cpsprodpb/13EE/production/_94820150_hamilton_bottas.jpg

However, Bottas told BBC TV that "you may see some sparks" and he wanted to be world champion himself at some stage.

"I am here to do a lot for the team, everything I can," he said,

"I'm here also to prove myself. I'm not here to be the second driver. We are both going to be fighting a lot on the track, but fairly, and for the team."

Mercedes have clearly worked extremely hard at shrink-wrapping the bodywork as much as possible around the engine and its ancillaries to ensure the cleanest airflow and maximum aerodynamic downforce.

And the aerodynamic detailing on the car looks especially intricate, with a cascading series of airflow conditioners - commonly known as 'barge boards' - either side of the cockpit, which are a clear advance on anything seen before in F1.

Bottas said: "What I really like about it is how clean it looks, but at the same time there's a massive amount of detail."

Wolff added: "It is a new era of technical innovation, maybe someone has found the silver bullet that makes the difference, like Brawn in 2009. Hopefully it will be us."
Fourth title 'there for the taking' - Hamilton

Hamilton is relishing the prospect of the new season, which starts in Australia on 26 March.

"It is a good day to get confidence in the car. It is a good way to brush off cobwebs and do the walking because next week we have to go straight into the running," he said.

"I definitely don't want to finish second. Every year you generally set the same goals but you might add more. All drivers want to win but not everyone has the ability or the opportunity.

"We will find out whether we have the car next week, whether it is a reliable fast car so I can exploit what's inside me. I am looking for that fourth world championship. It's there for the taking again, I am up against another great driver in Valtteri and hopefully Red Bull and Ferrari will be up there as well."


http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/39063786

LSIZRLDjqwI

[Iceman]

So are we saying Ferrari are fastest or was it just low fuel?

[James]

1. Vettel
2. Hamilton
3. Bottas

It looks difficult for these cars to run close, based on Verstappen and Kimi at the end of the race.

[Niamh.]

Seb :love:

[James]

Fernando Alonso to miss Monaco Grand Prix to race in Indianapolis 500.


Fernando Alonso: McLaren driver to miss Monaco Grand Prix for Indianapolis 500
By Andrew Benson

Chief F1 writer

2 hours ago

McLaren driver Fernando Alonso will miss the Monaco Grand Prix in May so he can race in the Indianapolis 500.

The double world champion has the full approval and support of McLaren and engine partner Honda, who are having a difficult season in Formula 1.

Alonso, 35, will race for the Honda-powered Andretti team on 28 May, and the car will be branded a McLaren.

McLaren are yet to decide who will replace him in Monaco that weekend, but Jenson Button is a possibility.

The 2009 world champion has retired from F1 but is contracted to McLaren as an ambassador. It is not known whether the Briton would want to come back to drive an uncompetitive car.

Why does Alonso want to race at Indy?

Alonso said he had long held an ambition to win the so-called 'triple crown' of Monaco, the Indy 500 and Le Mans.

Only one man has won all three in his career - the late Graham Hill in the 1960s.

Alonso, who won the Monaco Grand Prix in 2006 and 2007, said: "It's a tough challenge, but I'm up for it.

"I don't know when I'm going to race at Le Mans, but one day I intend to. I'm only 35. I've got plenty of time for that."

The Spaniard added he would definitely race for McLaren for the rest of the season, dismissing speculation he could quit part way through the year because of the Honda F1 engine's poor performance.

"It's of course a regret that I won't be able to race at Monaco this year," he said. "But Monaco will be the only 2017 grand prix I'll be missing, and I'll be back in the cockpit for the Canadian Grand Prix in Montreal in early June.

"I've never raced an IndyCar car before, and neither have I ever driven on a super-speedway, but I'm confident I'll get to grips with it fast.

"I've watched a lot of IndyCar action on TV and online, and it's clear that great precision is required to race in close proximity with other cars on the far side of 220mph [354km/h]."

Alonso acknowledged he would be on "a steep learning curve".

But he added: "I'll be flying to Indianapolis from Barcelona immediately after the Spanish Grand Prix, practising our McLaren-Honda-Andretti car at Indy from 15 May onwards, hopefully clocking up a large number of miles every day, and I know how good the Andretti Autosport guys are.

"I'll be proud to race with them, and I intend to mine their knowledge and expertise for as much information as I possibly can."

McLaren have supported Alonso's wishes because they recognise the efforts he has been putting in - and the frustration he is feeling - after three uncompetitive seasons since joining the team in 2015.


From http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/39576099

[Niamh.]

I read that earlier James, I'd say he's totally fed up in F1, such a waste of a great driver. Would have loved him to have moved to Mercedes instead of Bottas, give Hamilton a real run for his money

[Niamh.]

Lewis getting his excuses in early just incase :fan: Come on Seb!

http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2017/04/13/f1-fanatic-round-up-1304-3/

[James]

Jenson Button to race in Monaco Grand Prix.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/39599645

[Niamh.]

Jenson Button to race in Monaco Grand Prix.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/39599645

Good for him, I like Jenson

[Niamh.]

Come on Bottas and Seb :hee:

[Niamh.]

Hopefully Lewis gets a penalty for holding up Ricciardo, the little snake

[Niamh.]

ahahahaha 5 seconds, delighted

[James]

ahahahaha 5 seconds, delighted

:rolleyes: Where did that rule come from? Never heard of it before now.

[BBfanUSA]

Alonso in the Indy 500 is kinda huge. Indycar (Sanctions the Indy 500, owned by the Hulman family)'s been on a upswing a bit in the US it seems. I go to one of their Oval races here practically every year. Great series.

I've actually visited the Indy Motor Speedway but not on a race weekend (I think they have 3 or 4, NASCAR, MotoGP, USAC are there as well.) You don't understand how truly huge the 2 miler is until you actually go, I think Turns 1 and 2 were the length of a football pitch by itself when I went inside to visit the museum located inside the track

He's not the only crossover driver, word's going around that current NASCAR Monster Energy (Top series, replaced Sprint as sponsor) points leader Kyle Larson could enter the Indy 500 as well. (Races for Chip Ganassi, a big time owner in NASCAR and Indycar)

NASCAR drivers have attempted to race both the Indy 500 and Coke 600 on the same day before. Kurt Busch did it in 2015, Tony Stewart did in the early 00s as well.

[James]

What a procession that race was, with a little excitement at the end because Bottas flat-spotted his tyres. I don't think there was a proper overtake in the whole race.

[Cal.]

What was up with Lewis' car?

[Niamh.]

Great result, no Lews on the podium :hee:

Sent from my SM-G920F using Tapatalk

[Calderyon]

859113441839140869

[Niamh.]

859113441839140869

Kimi :worship:


and Bottas too but Kimi more :fan:

[Iceman]

Just a bit of an update from me in how I saw the season so far. Lewis good not great. Vettel doing amazingly. Kimi is Kimi. And now we get to Bottas. He could have been great, a proper driver fighting for everything but he's literally a little bitch boy. It's a shame he could have had a good career too. Will go down the massa, Rubens, jenson route.

[Niamh.]

Ah Eoin :love: I missed you, loving a proper fight this season, hoping Vettel wins (obviously would rather Kimi but I dont think he has a chance)

[Iceman]

Kimi ****ing Kimi:worship:

[Niamh.]

:worship:

Lewis good too :hehe:

[Iceman]

Gonna be great tomorrow. Whoever wins deserves it.

[BBfanUSA]

Update on Alonso in the Indy 500:

Did pretty decently, even led a few laps, but with 20 laps to go had a engine failure on the front stretch and parked his car on the edge of Turn 1. Sulked to Pit Road with the crowd saluting him as he left.

Scott Dixon had a near death experience, it's actually incredible that he didn't die, car flipped and hit the fence like what happened with Dan Wheldon. Might have suffered a foot injury but otherwise survived unscathed.

Takuma Sato made history as the first Asian and Japanese to win the Indy 500. Helio Castroneves finished Second

[Niamh.]

can't believe the bloody engine packed in on him again ^^^

Gutted for Kimi not winning Monaco but atleast vettel strengthens his lead in the championship. Also, my 3 favourite drivers top 3 :hee:

[James]

Vettel's just turned his car in to Hamilton during the safety car.

[Niamh.]

Vettel's just turned his car in to Hamilton during the safety car.
No wonder he did, bloody Lewis jamming up in front of him

[Niamh.]

Omg he just asked if they'd tell Bottas to slow down and back Vettel into him, what a prick. Imagine they asked him to do they for Bottas 😂

[James]

No wonder he did, bloody Lewis jamming up in front of him

Then he rammed him. Only got 10 second stop and go penalty.

[Niamh.]

Haha Vettel still beat him :smug: Ricciardo :worship:

[Niamh.]

Then he rammed him. Only got 10 second stop and go penalty.
In retaliation to what Lewis did first

[James]

Vettel was given a 10-second stop-and-go penalty in the race - won by Red Bull's Daniel Ricciardo - after being adjudged guilty of dangerous driving but still finished a place ahead of Hamilton in fourth, extending his championship lead to 14 points.

The 29-year-old was also given three penalty points on his licence, taking him up to nine. If a driver receives 12 in a 12-month period, it triggers an automatic race ban.

If Vettel receives three penalty points at the next race in Austria on 9 July, he would face a race ban. However, two points will drop off after the British Grand Prix on 16 July as he was punished for forcing Felipe Massa off the track at Silverstone last year.

Hamilton was not penalised. The stewards examined data from his car and found that he had maintained a more or less constant speed, had not lifted off the throttle or braked, and had behaved no differently at that restart at that point on the track than at the other two restarts.

Hamilton appeared not to accelerate out of Turn 15, the penultimate corner, and Vettel hit him up the back, damaging the Ferrari's front wing and part of the Mercedes' floor.

Vettel then pulled alongside Hamilton and swerved into him, banging wheels.


http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/40400301

[Niamh.]

Bottas only 15 points behind Lewis now and Seb strengthening his lead :hee:

[James]

F1 is back, with the Belgian Grand Prix. That's the big sporting event of the weekend for me. :hee:

[James]

Singapore Grand Prix about to start.

[Niamh.]

Ugh disaster

[Drew.]

Another incident where Vettel will refuse to take the blame

[Niamh.]

Another incident where Vettel will refuse to take the blameLewis fault :hee:

[Drew.]

Lewis fault :hee:

:joker: its refreshing not to have him involved in all of this for once

[Niamh.]

:joker: its refreshing not to have him involved in all of this for onceIt would be more refreshing for him to lose though :hee:

[Drew.]

It would be more refreshing for him to lose though :hee:

Massive compliment to him right there Niamh :clap1:

[Niamh.]

Massive compliment to him right there Niamh :clap1:To his car actually :idc:

[James]

Vettel's car has let him down again.

[James]

What was this all about lol? I only watched from the start.

922175613699547138

[Drew.]

The drivers entrance/introduction whatever you want to call it was so OTT, classic Americans over doing things. Hopefully it doesn't catch on outside of the US

[James]

That was a good one.

The drivers entrance/introduction whatever you want to call it was so OTT, classic Americans over doing things. Hopefully it doesn't catch on outside of the US

Americans own F1 now, hah. :hehe:

[James]

Verstappen given a 5 second penalty. :o What's going on?

[Drew.]

Max is seriously unlucky. Driver of the day and overtake of the day at the end there, should never have been given a penalty

[James]

Just seen a replay of the overtake. Nothing in it.

[Niamh.]

He went completely off the track and was able to over take Kimi for a Podium place because of it, of course he should have been penalised :nono:

Also, i thought Lewis was really rude on the Podium while Usain Bolt was interviewing Kimi

[James]

He went about an inch over the white line. I think it has been said also that other drivers were doing it during the race also without punishment, but I'm not sure.

[Niamh.]

Yes but the rule is you can't go off the track and gain an advantage, the other drivers didn't gain a position when they went off the track but Max did. I can't understand how people are complaining about this tbh

[Niamh.]

people are only complaining because it's Max and he's young and people like him, you can't have people driving off the track/cutting corners to over take, it's clearly against the rules and it would be a mess if people started doing that all the time. Yeah max had a great race but that doesn't mean he should get away with breaking the rules and taking a Podium spot from someone illegally :nono:

[Niamh.]

Verstappen's penalty for overtaking Raikkonen with all four wheels off the track was:

Far too harsh (16%)
Slightly too harsh (17%)
Fair (67%)
Slightly too lenient (0%)
Far too lenient (0%)
No opinion (0%)
Total Voters: 262
https://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2017/10/23/354437/


Track limits calls like this usually involve drivers cutting across asphalt run-offs through slow corners. It isn’t usually possible for drivers to do the same at quick corners, but a fired-up Verstappen wielding Red Bull’s latest downforce monster found grip at a part of turn 17 few drivers had ventured onto during the weekend.

It was an impressive move and a thrilling culmination to an epic drive. But does that mean the stewards should waive a rule which has been enforced consistently in the past?

This is why I have some sympathy for the stewards. Track design, particularly on relatively new tracks like the Circuit of the Americas, should make it impossible for drivers to gain an advantage in this way.

I think much of the furore surrounding this move has to do with timing. Had it been a few laps earlier Verstappen would have had the opportunity to relinquish the position and have another go at passing Raikkonen. As it all happened in the final seconds of the race, emotions ran high.

It’s an unfortunate decision, but unless we’re going to start letting drivers straight-line chicanes to pass their rivals, it’s one that can’t be avoided until the track limits are enforced by physical obstacles rather than the rule book.

[James]

Lewis Hamilton is World Champion.

[James]

I'm going to watch the highlights at 10.