FORMULA ONE - 2020

There's also going to be a certain amount of hydraulic fluid, I imagine. And then the tub probably lit off. Isn't CF fairly flammable?

Keith Tanner said:

accordionfolder said:

Well, the wife dictated that I would have a top of the line fire-suit, etc after watching that live and I have to agree. I should've had one anyways - with my exocet outside and inside are words that don't mean a lot. Just glad he got out in a hurry. 

Yeah, my own suit is pretty old. I think it might be time to buy a new one. 

Look for the new "hocotex" fabric (I think that's a Sparco brand name, not sure what other manufacturers call it).  It breathes much better than the old suits while still offering the same fire protection, making for much better driver comfort in hot weather.

Keith Tanner said:

There's also going to be a certain amount of hydraulic fluid, I imagine. And then the tub probably lit off. Isn't CF fairly flammable?

I would wager a bet that the formulation of the safetycell is not flammable.  Given the absolute fear of fire in accidents, and remembering body's burning (ok, nof fair to compare CF to magnesium)- I can't see the FIA allowing a flammable tub.

codrus (Forum Supporter) said:

Keith Tanner said:

accordionfolder said:

Well, the wife dictated that I would have a top of the line fire-suit, etc after watching that live and I have to agree. I should've had one anyways - with my exocet outside and inside are words that don't mean a lot. Just glad he got out in a hurry. 

Yeah, my own suit is pretty old. I think it might be time to buy a new one. 

Look for the new "hocotex" fabric (I think that's a Sparco brand name, not sure what other manufacturers call it).  It breathes much better than the old suits while still offering the same fire protection, making for much better driver comfort in hot weather.

 

To add to this- saw a report that the drivers suit standard went from a 10 sec direct burn to 20 this season.  The same change for gloves happens next season.

Breaking this morning, Hamilton is out for this week after testing positive for Covid. Is there a petition I can sign or something like that to see George Russel in that car for a week? Merc can put a sub into a Williams and we can see how good Russel really is.

New York Nick said:

Breaking this morning, Hamilton is out for this week after testing positive for Covid. Is there a petition I can sign or something like that to see George Russel in that car for a week? Merc can put a sub into a Williams and we can see how good Russel really is.

If F1 wants eyes on the last two races make it happen! People would go gaga for that, myself included.

Same here!

Who would replace Russel?  I can't name any drivers in the pipeline for Mercedes.  Who is Williams backup driver?

Well, according to some old news, Stoffel Vandoorn and Esteban Gutierrez are Mercedes official reserve drivers.

In reply to alfadriver (Forum Supporter) :

True.  Esteban is not eligible.  He doesn't have a super license anymore and can't get an exemption.

If it was going to be van dorne,  why not just announce that immediately?  He is their reserve driver and going to be at the track anyway.

So, do you pick the guy that would make news and has been in an f1 car all year, or do you pick the guy that is familiar with the team and the technical aspects of the car?

If I was Mercedes, I'd give Russell a shot just because you have literally nothing to lose.

Russel, Stof, and Hulk are all drivers I'd be happy to see in the car. Maybe a slight preference for Russel so the man can finally drive a car worth points.

AaronT said:

... Maybe a slight preference for Russel so the man can finally drive a car worth points.

Exactly my thought, this guy has ground it out in the worst car in the field for 2 years, it would be nice to see him in a car that gives him a shot. I brought it up because he is somehow tied to Mercedes right? 

In reply to New York Nick :

He is a contracted Mercedes driver.  He is sub-let to Williams as I understand it.

He is a Mercedes contracted driver that they have loaned to williams

Just watched an opinon from "The Race"- 

Vandoorn does not look compelling since he's not driven an F1 car for some time.

Russel does not look compelling because Williams (there's a contract there, even being "on loan").

Hulk, well...  he's at least driven a 2019 Mercedes this year.

Perhaps Merc and Wolfe can make a deal with Williams, but Hulk would be the easiest drop in.

Points for a future Mercedes driver or a podium for a former F1 driver?

If they chose Russel (I imagine it'll be Vandoorn) I would feel sorry for him.  Imagine being Russel, driving a MB for two races and probably doing well, only to go back to a Williams.  It would be frustrating to know what's possible, but only have it for a short time.

Supposedly, Abu Dhabi's COVID restrictions are even tougher, so there's a possibility Hamilton is done for the year. 

-Rob

Hulk probably makes the most sense for an easy transition and I know there is a contract with Williams and Claire Williams was very firm on her assertion that GR was their driver. I didn't know if the new management team was more willing to farm him out for a deal like this?

I would think at this point in the pandemic that all of these teams have run the scenarios of loosing a driver or both drivers and how they are going to back fill. 

Anthony Davidson is the Merc sim development driver.  He spends a lot of hours in the imaginary car.  No talk of him?  He is still an active racer, but its been a long time since he's been in a real F1 car, and I imagine the super licence might be an issue.

In a way, this whole thing puts a lot of pressure on Valteri...

Any chance of Rosberg jumping back in? I know he's at all the races.

Russel would be my favorite to see.

I'd really like Hulk to get a drive, too, though.

This is a strange take on this but I would kind of like to see whoever gets in the car not do great, good yes but not great. Obviously the car is great but so is Lewis so it wouldn't hurt my feelings to see this weekend look like most of the other weekends do for Red Bull. One driver at the very top of the game getting 100% out of the car and one who is still very good getting something less than that. This weekend may show how dominate LH really is?

It seems like putting Russell in would be good for both teams. They would see what he can do with a very good car and vs Bottas. Nothing to lose info to gain. Otherwise Hulkenburg. 

Lewis had contact with someone just before Bahrain that had Covid, which means that he could have infected the people he had contact with on the podium. It's possible that we will see more positive tests in the next few days. I would like to see Russell in the Mercedes but I suspect it will be (ugh) Vandoorn, who no doubt will under perform.

Streetwiseguy said:

Anthony Davidson is the Merc sim development driver.  He spends a lot of hours in the imaginary car.  No talk of him?  He is still an active racer, but its been a long time since he's been in a real F1 car, and I imagine the super licence might be an issue.

In a way, this whole thing puts a lot of pressure on Valteri...

I was thinking the same thing about Bottas.  The last thing he wants is to be spinning four times and wind up behind someone who hasn't driven the car at all this year, or ever.

In reply to loosecannon :

Leads to another question, How many drivers have to be positive or ineligible due to close contact before they cancel the race (and / or the rest of the season)?

This is literally Vandoorn's job. Why would he NOT get the seat?

I'd love to see George Russell get the nod, though. That would be amazing to see. He wouldn't be able to completely get the most out of the car because there's just no time to learn it fully, but what a dream for the kid. It's not liable to affect Williams in any way.

I don't see the advantage in bringing Hulkenburg in. That wouldn't develop a future driver and Mercedes doesn't need the points.

I'll bet Perez made a phone call :) Too bad Racing Point needs him to fight for third in the championship.

Wouldn't it be funny if this triggered come of the 2021 driver changes? Perez goes to Mercedes for one or two races. Vettel gives the middle finger to Ferrari and goes to Racing Point. Sainz - well, Sainz would be foolish to do anything, he's in a much better car now. So Ferrari gives a seat to Mick Schumacher. There, that's my grid for the weekend.