2024 Formula 1 Constructors threadFormula 1 

  • Thread starter Jimlaad43
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I'm surprised I didn't know the Martini sponsorship for Williams ended a good two years ago - shows what I know! It's really too bad because I love the Martini livery, and plus it's a good vermouth for making drinks. Anyway, I think the SF21 looks like trash, and I don't get the controversy with the Haas car. I mean, aren't all liveries a matter of selling out to the highest bidder?
 
MIE1992
I don't get the controversy with the Haas car. I mean, aren't all liveries a matter of selling out to the highest bidder?
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Sure, but that isn't the issue.

The World Anti-Doping Authority has banned Russian athletes from competing under the Russian flag, either individually or as a team. Haas's Russian "driver" will indeed compete under a neutral flag - which would make a podium ceremony quite awkward, especially if he won (fortunately he's in the Haas; the team's approach to the 2021 regs is to take a Dremel to the floor and diffuser to get it into regs, then not bother to even attempt to recover any of the downforce lost).

Where the controversy comes from is that the car is quite clearly sporting a version of the Russian flag in its livery - or at least the colours on it are the right ones in the right proportions. There's no obvious connection to the car's main sponsor because... that's not Uralkali's colour scheme:

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I don't think it'll go anywhere, but it does seem pretty blatant.
Liquid
By the way, did anyone else see some sort of hidden message in @Famine's article? It's been a day or two and wondered if it was just me.
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*innocent whistle*

Just don't tell the Russian trolls :D
 
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After each race a randomly selected car will be subjected to deep scrutineering, a title which sounds like the sort of speciality film a motor racing fan might particularly enjoy.

 
McLaren
Will be at least a year before he can begin. 1 source said til' the end of 2022.
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Where there's a will there's a way, he'll probably start earlier than that and Red Bull will deal with any complaints by using lots of money.

EDIT: On lawyers and legitimate obfuscation. I'm not suggesting the days of Balestre's alleged brown envelopes are back.
 
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Mercedes' dream team are starting to unravel. First Andy Cowell, then James Allison taking a more managerial role, and now the engine guy goes to Red Bull. I know Toto and Lewis are still there for a few more years at least, but I'm getting similar vibes to post 2004 Ferrari here (especially if they don't win this year).
 
Ferrari were competitive until 2009 though, in 3 out of 4 seasons after Schumacher's last title.
 
McLaren
Will be at least a year before he can begin. 1 source said til' the end of 2022.
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After Ben now five other 'top managers/engineers' decided to switch jobs from Mercedes to RBR engine team

Steve Blewett, Omid Mostaghimi, Pip Clode, Anton Mayo and Steve Brodie. And on top of that RBR recruited a Head of Mechanical Development. Name will be announced soon.
 
TheElbows
That gives me more of a vibe that Mercedes doesn't have a long-term future in F1.
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If they all go to Red Bull nothing is going to change though. Possibly even worse if Brackley GP just tapers off and can't compete with Red Bull.
 
I think the most important thing to remember is (regarding Mercedes staff going to work for Red Bull), is that a good number of the Brackley team have experience working as Honda. So it really does seem to be the best logical step for Red Bull, to try their hardest to acquire that particular knowledge and expertise.

Liquid
Possibly even worse if Brackley GP just tapers off and can't compete with Red Bull.
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Personally i can't see Mercedes tapering off a such, to the point of not being able to compete with Red Bull. But i do think Red Bull will lessen the gap even more than they currently are.
The boys and girls at Mercedes AMG F1 in Brackley, are an extremely talented and highly skilled team of people (arguably the best), but with Red Bull's new acquisitions, they probably won't be far behind them.


[Interesting fact about Honda]:
On my tour of the Mercedes F1 team's factory in Brackley (a few years ago now), i learnt that when the team was operating as Honda, Honda would only allow one dedicated expert (from Honda Japan), to run the engine rigs. Obviously things have changed a lot since back in the Honda days at Brackley, but i found it really cool learning about the Mercedes teams past, operating as Honda and Brawn GP.
 
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Nessy
[Interesting fact about Honda]:
On my tour of the Mercedes F1 team's factory in Brackley (a few years ago now), i learnt that when the team was operating as Honda, Honda would only allow one dedicated expert (from Honda Japan), to run the engine rigs.
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It's exactly this sort of thing that is why Japanese manufacturers have struggled in F1, the stabborn Japanese way of doing business doesn't translate well to a sport that requires maximum creativity to push the envelope.
 
mustafur
It's exactly this sort of thing that is why Japanese manufacturers have struggled in F1, the stabborn Japanese way of doing business doesn't translate well to a sport that requires maximum creativity to push the envelope.
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The guy who was talking to me about the engine rigs, didn't use those same words, but it was something that swiftly changed when the team became Brawn GP. He did explain to me, it's just the Japanese way of doing things.
If i recall correctly though, the guy i spoke to did speak very highly about the skill and expertise of the Honda specialist. The Honda guy was really respected in what he was capable of doing.
 
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Liquid
Ferrari were competitive until 2009 though, in 3 out of 4 seasons after Schumacher's last title.
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I would say they were competitive in 2007 and 2008, but no longer dominant and mistakes are starting to creep in. 2009 they were nowhere, slipping down to 4th with less than half the points of Brawn and Red Bull. When a team loses key personnel, they don't just drop to the back of the grid overnight. It takes time to lose competitiveness, as it does to build a team back up (see McLaren). I mean if Toto is still at the helm I won't count them out completely yet, but this is definitely not something I'd like to see if I'm Lewis and gunning for that 10th WDC after the new regulations.
 
I'm bored of Gulf. It's not tried and tested, it's tired and tested. Create a new iconic livery instead of going back to an old one.

I'll go back to being a gruff in the corner.
 
Liquid
I'm bored of Gulf. It's not tried and tested, it's tired and tested. Create a new iconic livery instead of going back to an old one.
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But isn't it a new livery in the Gulf colours? I like it although it's not as good as some Gulf liveries have looked. I still greatly prefer it to the all-papaya McLaren and I'd like to see them keep this for the season.
 

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