British Grand Prix 2013, Silverstone - Race 8/19

Freakbro · 27 Jun 2013 at 08:09

I heard on the news that for the first time in years they will be selling tickets on the gate as they haven't sold out well in advance.

Is that indicative of peoples feelings towards the current state of play with F1?

Personally I am not a fan of this current tyre situation, where it seems about conservation from lap 1, but as a general spectacle it is currently more exciting than some previous years processions.

this_is_gav · 27 Jun 2013 at 08:22

I read yesterday that it's still expected to be the third largest crowd at Silverstone, so I wouldn't read too much into them not selling out.

Rather than a reflection of the current state of F1 I think it's more to do with the lack of a chance of a British winner - Hamilton might have been talking his chances up, but it still takes specific circumstances for Mercedes to be able to challenge for the win, and even when the tyres played into their hands in Montreal they were unable to capitalise... and then there's McLaren...

Nismo · 27 Jun 2013 at 09:11

Duke said:

It will be a case of see what it's doing when you're there I think. Forecasts are varying wildly, from light rain to no rain in the morning, to heavy rain to a bit of drizzle in the afternoon.

I'm certainly hoping that at least 1 session (probably morning) is mostly dry.

Danthus · 27 Jun 2013 at 09:36

Webber to quit F1.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/formula1/23074108

Red Bull driver Mark Webber has decided to leave F1 at the end of this season.
The 36-year-old Australian is joining German company Porsche's new sportscar programme, which includes an assault on the classic Le Mans 24 Hours.

Webber had options to stay in F1, either with Red Bull or another top team, but feels it is time to move on in his career.

Lotus's Kimi Raikkonen is favourite to replace him, with Toro Rosso's Daniel Ricciardo or Jean-Eric Vergne options.

Webber described it as an "honour" to race for Porsche, adding: "Porsche has written racing history as a manufacturer and stands for outstanding performance and technology at the highest level.

"I'm very much looking forward to this new challenge after my time in Formula 1. I can hardly wait to pilot one of the fastest sports cars in the world."

leaskovski · 27 Jun 2013 at 09:42

Hmmm, not sure how having Kimi and Seb in the same team is going to fly?

PDR has been told by FI that he is allowed to move to another team if he wants, so I see him going to McLaren. Perez will stay at McLaren as they will be bringing in the Mexico Telecoms giant (Telmex) for sponsorship next year, so that leaves button as a floater. My guess is that he is a "Number 2" driver now, and the RBR would probably suit him very well as it is a stable car that smooth drivers will get on well with, so Button to take his seat?

lol, probably won't happen like that though.

leaskovski · 27 Jun 2013 at 09:48

Oh and...

http://www.netweather.tv/index.cgi?action=uk7dayx7;page=4;ct=26005~Silverstone;sess=#forecast

Dry!!!! Apart from Friday.

Nismo · 27 Jun 2013 at 09:48

It'll be Ricciardo I reckon.

MooMoo444 · 27 Jun 2013 at 09:50

Kimi and Seb would both be great at RB. Two guys who don't give a **** and would ignore team orders. Great racing!

Kimi would never be a #2 driver, and neither would the finger.

Nismo · 27 Jun 2013 at 09:54

As the current forecasts go, this is about as optimistic as it gets at the moment for Friday...

Danthus · 27 Jun 2013 at 10:03

If RBR want someone to drive to a target then Di Resta is your man. However, being as dull as dishwater he doesn't really fit in with Red Bull in my opinion.

Guerrilla · 27 Jun 2013 at 10:04

James Rossiter to drive Friday practice in place of Sutil

deuse · 27 Jun 2013 at 10:26

I think Lewis will get pole and win the race. I got a feeling vimto will have bad luck here again.

Porceliamone · 27 Jun 2013 at 10:50

Wizzfizz said:
Yes, but not to watch F1.

Then how do you know F1 is so terrible at Silverstone? Care to expand on why you think it's so bad being there in person on race day?
What makes it so terrible to set it apart from every single other track on the calendar? Genuinely interested.

GravyMonster · 27 Jun 2013 at 14:14

I bet most drivers want to get to F1 to be part of all the super fun sponsor events they're ~~forced~~ encouraged to take part in.

Massa's face just says; KILL ME NOW.

Guerrilla · 27 Jun 2013 at 14:21

Poor Felipe

smr · 27 Jun 2013 at 14:30

Nismo · 27 Jun 2013 at 14:31

I didn't know Montoya was part of the Ferrari pit crew?

lolmassa

leaskovski · 27 Jun 2013 at 15:06

I thought that was a cardboard cut out to start with! lol

Duke · 27 Jun 2013 at 19:17

Staying in MK tonight then heading up tomorrow to the circuit. It's raining a fair bit at the moment, but BBC weather suggests light showers in the morning and should be dry in the afternoon.

Housey · 27 Jun 2013 at 19:36

JRS said:
Also, is it just me that really doesn't like this Silverstone layout compared with past versions? Give me the '91 to '93 circuit any day.

When I first started spectating there it looked like this.

I also drove it a few times in that layout.

Actually, not that layout, it had the left right thingy where the chicane was.