Official 2024 Monaco Grand Prix Thread ***SPOILERS***
Poll: Official 2024 Monaco Grand Prix Thread ***SPOILERS***
Total Members Polled: 152
Discussion
Gad-Westy said:
Adrian W said:
You have to find a pretty big road car to match the size of an F1 car. And they’re actually another 100mm longer again now!
Gad-Westy said:
You have to find a pretty big road car to match the size of an F1 car.
And they’re actually another 100mm longer again now!
The only thing close to it in the UK is going to be something like a long-wheelbase Maybach S-Class at 5,500mm - today’s F1 car is still a foot longer. And they’re actually another 100mm longer again now!
A Ford 150 crew cab (4 door) is longer, at 5,885mm, and you’re not seeing many of those on the lanes of England. Perhaps an LWB Transit van is a better comparison.
Tim the pool man said:
My new LWB Transit is 5.98M long, which just shows how ludicrous the size (and weight) of F1 cars has become, all in the name of ridiculous virtue signaling electric motors and batteries! As with everything being forced on us by those with vested interests, we're all asleep at the wheel and allowing this to happen
It’s ironic actually, one of the most wasteful and pointless sports trying to be more green. The decision is actually killing the point of the original sport. carlo996 said:
Tim the pool man said:
My new LWB Transit is 5.98M long, which just shows how ludicrous the size (and weight) of F1 cars has become, all in the name of ridiculous virtue signaling electric motors and batteries! As with everything being forced on us by those with vested interests, we're all asleep at the wheel and allowing this to happen
It’s ironic actually, one of the most wasteful and pointless sports trying to be more green. The decision is actually killing the point of the original sport. However, that would still be true if they went back to V10's, as we know it makes no significant difference in green terms of the sport.
But commercially, it clearly makes a difference to the manufacturers and the sport has to stay relevant to an extent in order to make sense to new generations of viewer.
I see the changes as sad from my POV, but not ironic or 'wrong', just commercially unavoidable.
I am surprised at how bold they're being with the PU's though. The 50% power from electric specification is going to really stretch the tech and alter the way the drivers have to manage and use that power significantly. Better/worse than today? It'll definitely be very different...
Andrew Bensons (BBC F1) take on excessive weight and size, in response to a viewers question post Monaco:
“
Surely fans, teams and drivers alike all recognise now that the cars should be lighter and smaller? Is this part of the 2026 rule changes? - John
The drivers have been saying this for a while. But it is actually harder than you might imagine to make the cars much smaller and lighter.
There was an attempt to reduce their size and weight for 2026, but it does not look as if there is going to be a significant difference.
One idea had been to reduce wheel sizes to 16 inches - because the 18-inch wheels introduced in 2022 have added quite a lot of weight.
But tyre supplier Pirelli pushed back against that and now the 18-inch wheels are staying.
There is actually a bit of a misunderstanding about the causes of the increased weight.
Many blame the hybrid engines, but this is not really accurate. They are heavier than the old naturally aspirated ones - especially because of the batteries.
But they need a lot less fuel - the naturally aspirated 2.4-litre V8s used until 2013 would start grands prix with close to 100kg more fuel than the current cars. And that would also require a larger fuel tank, of course, which would mean a bigger and heavier chassis.
This is one reason why suggestions that the sport might consider returning to these types of engines but using sustainable fuel from 2030 - an idea F1 chairman Stefano Domenicali recently floated - seem a little misguided to some.
And that is without even considering the optics of abandoning fuel-efficient, hybrid engines in a global climate crisis.
Most of the additional weight in the cars is accounted for by improved safety features. These include the halo, the highly successful cockpit head-protection device which has already saved several lives. And the strength required to be built in to pass more stringent impact tests.
And of course no-one wants weight to be reduced if it means safety also takes a hit.
“
“
Surely fans, teams and drivers alike all recognise now that the cars should be lighter and smaller? Is this part of the 2026 rule changes? - John
The drivers have been saying this for a while. But it is actually harder than you might imagine to make the cars much smaller and lighter.
There was an attempt to reduce their size and weight for 2026, but it does not look as if there is going to be a significant difference.
One idea had been to reduce wheel sizes to 16 inches - because the 18-inch wheels introduced in 2022 have added quite a lot of weight.
But tyre supplier Pirelli pushed back against that and now the 18-inch wheels are staying.
There is actually a bit of a misunderstanding about the causes of the increased weight.
Many blame the hybrid engines, but this is not really accurate. They are heavier than the old naturally aspirated ones - especially because of the batteries.
But they need a lot less fuel - the naturally aspirated 2.4-litre V8s used until 2013 would start grands prix with close to 100kg more fuel than the current cars. And that would also require a larger fuel tank, of course, which would mean a bigger and heavier chassis.
This is one reason why suggestions that the sport might consider returning to these types of engines but using sustainable fuel from 2030 - an idea F1 chairman Stefano Domenicali recently floated - seem a little misguided to some.
And that is without even considering the optics of abandoning fuel-efficient, hybrid engines in a global climate crisis.
Most of the additional weight in the cars is accounted for by improved safety features. These include the halo, the highly successful cockpit head-protection device which has already saved several lives. And the strength required to be built in to pass more stringent impact tests.
And of course no-one wants weight to be reduced if it means safety also takes a hit.
“
Greg_B said:
jazzybees said:
I have lots of respect for his racing from 40 years ago, and his media work.
But walking the grid, trying to talk to people who probably do not know who the hell he is.
Or who actually don’t want a microphone shoved in their face.
Then making derogatory remarks, when they don’t want to talk to him.
Yes makes him arrogant and rude, imo.
I could not disagree more.But walking the grid, trying to talk to people who probably do not know who the hell he is.
Or who actually don’t want a microphone shoved in their face.
Then making derogatory remarks, when they don’t want to talk to him.
Yes makes him arrogant and rude, imo.
Edited by jazzybees on Sunday 26th May 13:57
If you are allowed on the grid, you surely know what to expect and that includes the presence of MB and his microphone. He looks to talk to celebrities, who are (or should be) used to such things in the name of publicity. His comments when they shun or ignore him are part of his schtick. It is all entertainment. He need not present himself to them on bended knee.
You think when they “Shun or ignore him” are part of his Schlick and is Entertainment
While I think it’s arrogant and rude.
Ok it can be funny occasionally. but still rude.
Edited by jazzybees on Wednesday 29th May 08:21
TheDeuce said:
But viewed as entertainment, it's about the greenest entertainment that exists, due to the sheer number of viewers. One bloke going for a bike ride does more damage than the entire footprint of the F1 circus in terms of individual pass times.
I'd have to see your workings for that...danp said:
Andrew Bensons (BBC F1) take on excessive weight and size, in response to a viewers question post Monaco:
........
Most of the additional weight in the cars is accounted for by improved safety features. These include the halo, the highly successful cockpit head-protection device which has already saved several lives. And the strength required to be built in to pass more stringent impact tests.
And of course no-one wants weight to be reduced if it means safety also takes a hit.
“
Smaller cars with the same safety levels are more likely to be an issue of cost of design, engineering, testing etc. Understandable that F1 doesn't want to impose such costs in the cost cap era. The size is getting ridiculous now though. How much bigger than other single seater series cars do they need to be?........
Most of the additional weight in the cars is accounted for by improved safety features. These include the halo, the highly successful cockpit head-protection device which has already saved several lives. And the strength required to be built in to pass more stringent impact tests.
And of course no-one wants weight to be reduced if it means safety also takes a hit.
“
Leithen said:
Smaller cars with the same safety levels are more likely to be an issue of cost of design, engineering, testing etc. Understandable that F1 doesn't want to impose such costs in the cost cap era. The size is getting ridiculous now though. How much bigger than other single seater series cars do they need to be?
I was thinking the same, Indycar seems to only be 50mm thinner and 60Kg lighter and that's with half the fuel load of F1 (due to refuelling) and no batteries. They are however 570mm shorter. Hustle_ said:
Bo_apex said:
MustangGT said:
Drew106 said:
I'd imagine Alonso (or most) wouldn't be turning down a 2024/25 RedBull.
Any driver good enough is going to turn down RB, simply because they want to win the WDC and not play second fiddle to Max.Mercedes could've signed Ricciardo
davidd said:
TheDeuce said:
But viewed as entertainment, it's about the greenest entertainment that exists, due to the sheer number of viewers. One bloke going for a bike ride does more damage than the entire footprint of the F1 circus in terms of individual pass times.
I'd have to see your workings for that...You start with the view count, roughly 1 billion people.
They you realise that it doesn't matter what fuel they use of how much kit they drag around the globe, on a per viewer basis, it's an extremely efficient way to generate spectacle and entertainment.
Divide the entire dirty footprint of F1 by 1 billion and you get something fractional, probably genuinely less than a little wear and tear on a bike ride. Feel free to suggest your own comparisons though; driving a kid to five a side football, having a BBQ, buying new clothes etc etc..
jazzybees said:
Greg_B said:
jazzybees said:
I have lots of respect for his racing from 40 years ago, and his media work.
But walking the grid, trying to talk to people who probably do not know who the hell he is.
Or who actually don’t want a microphone shoved in their face.
Then making derogatory remarks, when they don’t want to talk to him.
Yes makes him arrogant and rude, imo.
I could not disagree more.But walking the grid, trying to talk to people who probably do not know who the hell he is.
Or who actually don’t want a microphone shoved in their face.
Then making derogatory remarks, when they don’t want to talk to him.
Yes makes him arrogant and rude, imo.
Edited by jazzybees on Sunday 26th May 13:57
If you are allowed on the grid, you surely know what to expect and that includes the presence of MB and his microphone. He looks to talk to celebrities, who are (or should be) used to such things in the name of publicity. His comments when they shun or ignore him are part of his schtick. It is all entertainment. He need not present himself to them on bended knee.
You think when they “Shun or ignore him” are part of his Schlick and is Entertainment
While I think it’s arrogant and rude.
Ok it can be funny occasionally. but still rude.
Edited by jazzybees on Wednesday 29th May 08:21
The old days were better and the snubs were part of the entertainment.
Blib said:
I'd rather see Ted, Karun or Ant on the grid examining the cars as they're usually tucked away in the garages.
Sod the celebrities. Most of them I've never heard of, due to me being an old, unreconstructed b
d.
What I do is start watching as they are lining up after the formation lap. Then none of this is an issue.Sod the celebrities. Most of them I've never heard of, due to me being an old, unreconstructed b
d.Blib said:
I'd rather see Ted, Karun or Ant on the grid examining the cars as they're usually tucked away in the garages.
Sod the celebrities. Most of them I've never heard of, due to me being an old, unreconstructed bd.
I blame his producers. They are clearly clueless . He had Aleksander Kilde and Mikaela Shiffrin behind him at least twice on the grid. Completely ignored.Sod the celebrities. Most of them I've never heard of, due to me being an old, unreconstructed b
d.maz8062 said:
I agree. I was watching him trying to speak to Mbappe, surrounded by body guards and the like. MB is not important enough to grab his attention - he should accept that, but his view that you must stop to speak to me because this is his gig so to speak, is a tad arrogant and cringe.
The old days were better and the snubs were part of the entertainment.
Definitely. I cringed a couple of times. The old days were better and the snubs were part of the entertainment.
Bo_apex said:
Hustle_ said:
Bo_apex said:
MustangGT said:
Drew106 said:
I'd imagine Alonso (or most) wouldn't be turning down a 2024/25 RedBull.
Any driver good enough is going to turn down RB, simply because they want to win the WDC and not play second fiddle to Max.Red Bull definitely could've signed a better driver than Perez. They have chosen not to, because they are content to be a one-car team which prioritises the WDC over the WCC
Mercedes could've signed Ricciardo
Blib said:
I'd rather see Ted, Karun or Ant on the grid examining the cars as they're usually tucked away in the garages.
Sod the celebrities. Most of them I've never heard of, due to me being an old, unreconstructed bd.
F1TV does more that style of ‘grid walk’, usually with Will Buxton, taking 10; or thereabouts to walk from the back to the front. The mechanics (esp. RB and Ferrari) do appear to be somewhat obstructive to anyone with a TV camera taking a close-up look at the cars. Sod the celebrities. Most of them I've never heard of, due to me being an old, unreconstructed b
d.Leithen said:
Blib said:
I'd rather see Ted, Karun or Ant on the grid examining the cars as they're usually tucked away in the garages.
Sod the celebrities. Most of them I've never heard of, due to me being an old, unreconstructed bd.
I blame his producers. They are clearly clueless . He had Aleksander Kilde and Mikaela Shiffrin behind him at least twice on the grid. Completely ignored.Sod the celebrities. Most of them I've never heard of, due to me being an old, unreconstructed b
d.k as to who is or isn't on the grid walk. Don't know who AK or MS are. Always tune in right before the race to avoid all the superfluous crap. Since 2023 I have just caught up with highlights. I watch the racing, not the walking.Edit: looks a bit in-your-face on a re-read. wasn't meant to be.
Edited by PhilAsia on Wednesday 29th May 09:52
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