Canada: pre-qualifying 2018
Williams has split with
Dirk De Beer, their aero chief, which follows the recent departure of
Ed Wood, the team’s chief designer. Perhaps not wholly surprising,
given how poor the car has been this year. Apparently the 2018 car’s
weakness is due to a significant aerodynamic flaw. The problem
involves the turning of the front wheels disrupting air to the rear,
making the car very ropey on long corners (they’re going to have
fun at 130R when we go to Japan).
After his victory in
the world’s most exciting race, Ricciardo will be facing a grid
penalty for using too many parts. This is thought to be at least a 10
place penalty for using more MGU-K bits than permitted, but could
include other penalties too. Given he’s likely to qualify around
5th or so, any extra penalties will see him pretty much
starting last. Update: after
all that, he apparently won’t have a penalty after all as the team managed to
replace a broken part with an old one.
His
team mate, meanwhile, has not necessarily ended questions over his
temperament. Verstappen, perhaps unwisely, said he might headbutt
someone if he kept being asked about his crashes (I’m sure he just
meant it in a lighthearted way, but then, so did Hamilton a few years
ago when he questioned penalties from stewards and said maybe it was
because he was black).
Thanks to Mr. eek, from
PB, who reminded me that as well as the Renault engine upgrade, Honda
are doing likewise for Toro Rosso. The Renault performance boost is
not thought to be massive (but every little helps, of course). Ferrari are also bringing an enhanced engine, meaning Mercedes is the only manufacturer not doing so (it was planned for now but has been delayed).
Speaking of Toro Rosso,
they sought McLaren’s permission to sign up their chap Lando
Norris, to replace Brendan Hartley. McLaren declined. Some reckon
Alonso will leap into a McLaren Indycar team next year, with Norris
getting promoted to the F1 team. Not to mention, if Norris helped
Toro Rosso (and Honda...) beat McLaren in this year’s
Constructors’, that would be something of an own goal.
It’s not F1, but
recently it’s emerged Formula E is going to enable racing (as a
game) in real time against drivers. That’s a fantastic idea which
will, I think, really help enthuse the fan base, and expand it to
those who like e-sports as well. Smart thinking.
The weather forecast, a
few days ahead of practice, was for it to be dry throughout the
weekend.
In first practice,
Verstappen was fastest, with Hamilton less than a tenth behind.
Ricciardo and Vettel were next up, followed by Bottas and Raikkonen.
Alonso, Sainz, Vandoorne and Gasly rounded out the top 10.
Second practice was
also topped by Verstappen, this time with Raikkonen next up, and
Ricciardo again occupying the next position. Hamilton, Vettel and
Bottas followed, chased by Grosjean, Ocon, Perez and Alonso.
At this stage I think
both Ferrari and Mercedes are sandbagging. It’d be an interesting
surprise if Red Bull really were fastest here.
There’s a reasonably
high chance I won’t be in for third practice so I’m going to post
this now, even though it’s earlier than planned. Not offering a tip
on qualifying, but am quite intrigued to see who’s been sandbagging
most and who will end up being best of the rest. If Haas can get the
hypersoft working, unlike in Monaco, they could be set fair.
Also, do give my comedy
The Adventures of Sir Edric a look. It’s rather good and, unlike my
tips, you’re near certain to get value for money. Ideal for
Blackadder/Red Dwarf fans.
That’s about as
tempting an offer as a threesome with a leper and a corpse.
“Have you ever
considered trying an acupuncture bed?” Belinda asked. “They can
work wonders for a bad back.”
Perhaps, but I bet
the pillow fights are horrendous.
Morris Dancer
Comments
Post a Comment