Knees up Mother Brown Forum:

With testing rapidly approaching along with new car unveils, it seemed appropriate to begin a new thread.

I am hoping for a better showing from McClaren and a tighter battle between Ferrari and Mercedes.

There could also be some interesting battles at the rear of the grid.

F1 to end engine restrictions in bid to improve competition (BBC)

Formula 1 plans to remove restrictions on engine development for 2017.

The move, which has been agreed by the teams but still needs to be officially ratified, will mean the end of the complicated 'token' system.

Mercedes has dominated F1 since the introduction of turbo hybrid engines in 2014, winning the drivers' and constructors' championships for the past two seasons.

The hope is that freeing up development will allow rivals to catch up.

The 'token' system, which limited what can be done to engines and when, aimed to keep costs under control.

But senior figures feel it has introduced unnecessary complexity and restricted the ability of manufacturers to improve their engines.

more...

So after pressure to reduce costs by limiting testing and development they're now (bar Merc) bleating they're not allowed to test and develop, and IT ISN'T FAIR

They seriously need a fairer distribution of votes for teams.

Mercedes, Ferrari and Red Bull have all at some point in the last season acted like playground bullied.

Going to Silverstone this year for the full weekend, with camping Been 8 years since I last went so looking forward to it (I was there for Lewis 1st ever British GP Win in 2008 - which was great)

Hoping I don't feel underwhelmed when I hear these reduced sound engines, they sounded fantasticly loud when they went past you at 200mph heading down to Stowe corner last time.

Although a Lewis fan, I want a more competitive season this year. I used to be solidly ABV (Anyone But Vettel) but this is no longer the case and I will be happy to see him give Lewis a proper fight at the front,so hopefully Ferrari have caught up with the Mercs.

Also hope McClaren improve drastically, it's a real shame to see Alonso waste the final years of his stella career in an absolute dog of a car when he should be fighting Hamilton and Vettel up front. Seriously doubt that McClaren will have made much progress so he will be fighting the midfield at best.

Going to the British GP weekend this year after a year hiatus. God I missed it. Can't wait for this season.

Just seen an Advert that F1 is to be shown on Channel 4 this season!

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/123168

If its anywhere near as good as Channel 4's Test Match coverage then F1 is in safe hands for those of us without Sky TV

Australian GP Final Qualifying:

Well the circus has rolled into Melbourne (quite literally)

Uproar after the first (disastrous) qualifying session.

F1 needs to go backwards to go forwards. Needs bigger, louder engines, cars that can follow one another to provide overtaking, change this awful qualifying, either back to the shootout or id be happy with an hour session 15 lap limit, fastest cars in order.

Too much to ask?

RyanWHUFC wrote:Uproar after the first (disastrous) qualifying session.
?

What what hell was that? 90 second countdown, 'oh I'm last better get in the motor and do a lap...I can't times up'. Needs a longer 'elimination clock' and to count the current lap.

Or even better just give them 1 lap thats all and make them start with the setup they apply. Got a choice go race setup and risk being down the grid or Yolo it and see how you do from pole etc.

Was a big disaster Wolf. It's not good for Formula one and the sport seems to be doing everything it can to shoot itself in the foot.

For me the solution in terms of qualifying is a difficult one.

I didn't really see too much wrong with last years system, I also have no problem with it being an hour session with each driver having 12 laps each. There's only so many ways to set a grid. I'm not a huge fan of "knockout" style stuff, just give all cars a set amount of time, set amount of laps to go as fast as they can, after all, that's what it's all about, isn't it?

Well that went well didnt it......................

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/35850766

Well that was actually worth getting up at 445 for. Amazed Alonso walked away from that. Only downside was even after all the 'fun' normal service still remained.

Didn't bother waking up. Could of told you that it would of been that podium in any sort of order ages ago.

Saw the last few laps, disappointed the fight between Vettel and Hamilton didn't materialise, however Verstappens radio feed was gold.

This sport is missing someone similar to him

No more F1 on normal telly from 2019.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-35889736" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Does that include highlights because if so, F1 is dead in the water.

It said in the BBC article yesterday that highlights and the British grand prix live will be shown on a new free-to-air sky channel.
I struggle to even watch highlights now as it is.

Interesting that the drivers union this week issued a letter to the governing body with some indirect critisism of Bernie and he's come out and backed it.
It needs someone else to come along and take it in a more conventional direction, (faster, simpler, noisier cars, the classic European tracks...). Unfortunately it's being ruined by running it as a business... now what sport are we seeing that happen in as well??

Vettle retires on the warm up lap, looks like engine failure.

Hamilton gets rail roaded at the 1st corner and has massive damage, Rosbergs weekend it is.