German Grand Prix 2014, Hockenheim - Race 10/19
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Soldato
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The only team I can see protesting at all is McLaren with them moving to Honda (and I still can't see them protesting). Everyone else relies on an engine deal related to one of the big teams (Renault being Red Bull... though that's hardly a harmonious relationship currently), so unless Ferrari don't run FRIC and those ahead of them do and they want to shaft the sport, they'll protest.
Mercedes, with their huge advantage probably won't be affected either way, and even if they were, they've enough of a lead to comfortably defend the titles anyway, so they've zero to gain from protesting.
Red Bull know their issue is the power unit, and the deficit enormous, so they'd still be behind Williams and on certain tracks Force India, so there's no point in them protesting this season.
It won't happen, but even if a team was tempted to protest, it would be too damaging for the sport if half the grid is disqualified or penalised, and Bernie won't let it happen. Indy 2005 was damaging, but that was a safety issue, and while Ferrari and Jordan could have potentially changed that (had Charlie Whiting agreed), it was still a safety issue being the root cause.
It'll all blow over after the weekend, agreement or not.
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You cant possibly know this
IF the FRIC is such a big advantage for Merc that they dont win in Germany and RBR who ever else gain lots of points on them - there is every point in Merc protesting.
There is still enough races this year that IF the performances were to stay the same relative to Germany then Merc's points advantage could easily slip away completely before the end of the season.
Therefore they HAVE to protest if they see it as an "unfair" advantage other teams are using FRIC with the way the rules are currently.
Caporegime
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Missus gave birth to our beautiful healthy baby boy yesterday morning. In between and not on an f1 weekend. Great timing! X No name yet but we have a few candidates! Chuffed!
Surprised tbh, I presumed Jenson or the more obvious John, or Benjamin, or MP4-29
Congratulations anyway, see how you can be thankful of the quieter noise of the engines, you won't have to turn down the volume for the race this year.
Missus gave birth to our beautiful healthy baby boy yesterday morning. In between and not on an f1 weekend. Great timing! X No name yet but we have a few candidates! Chuffed!
Congratulations!
What about Kevin? Then you'll have both drivers
Soldato
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Of course not. It's pure hypothesis until demonstrated otherwise. The thread would be pretty bare if we didn't stir in a bit of guesstimation.
It's linked suspension and helps balance the load of the car and has a small aerodynamic benefit. It's hardly as complex as active suspension. You're not suddenly going to lose seconds a lap through using a non-FRIC system - you're probably looking at half a tenth max, which is a good chunk of time in F1 of course, but given their advantage won't suddenly put half a dozen cars ahead of them come the end of the race. Total conjecture of course, but if say Williams weren't using such a system, or a less optimised system, it might put them ahead on certain tracks, but as things stand that would likely be about it.
Hamilton fans ought to be happy if it inconvenienced Mercedes a little, as their cars mixing it with others ought to be of benefit to him (so long as he stops ******* up qualifying).
Soldato
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Twitter says it was just the contractors leaving.
Are any bookies taking bets on Caterham existing next year?
In fact, its probably worth a punt on them not lasting the season.
Doesn't he already have a son called Jenson?
In fact, its probably worth a punt on them not lasting the season.
Surprised tbh, I presumed Jenson or the more obvious John, or Benjamin, or MP4-29
Doesn't he already have a son called Jenson?
Points / f1 payments might make a difference (didnt one of the back end teams just score a couple of points in the last couple of races?)
Caporegime
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Seems so, couldn't remember if he said he did or if he intended to name his upcoming kid as Jenson... either for real or joking about it in a thread.
In which case, John seems appropriate this year, although buying him loads of pink shirts will confuse everyone, including the kid
Soldato
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Rosberg's helmet this weekend.
Hamilton is going to have a helmet painted identically, except for it being the Union Jack and three stars: 1918, 1945 and 1966.
Bummer about Caterham. I hope they last the season.
Soldato
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Haha that's a good one Jedit
Thanks guys!
Yeah we have a three year old named Jenson. The missus actually likes Senna for a first name but I'm not so sure!
That's not her first choice though lol..
Isn't that unfair on Jenson if you name your second child after a really successfull racing driver?