2021 AMG Mercedes F1 Team

[Shrieker]

It's only going to get harder for Hamilton from here on out, so it'll be a question of consistency.

Pardon me, but don't you think if the problems with the car are addressed, they have more to unlock compared to Red Bull ?

On a side note, I think I've never seen the Merc strategy so sharp on a race day before. Because of the pit lane mishap, people tend to overlook, but Bottas was genuinely in the mix. He came into the pits with the gap to Max 3 to 4 seconds, and would've leapfrogged him, or would've forced him to pit a lot earlier than he did (to avoid getting leapfrogged), thus making Hamilton's job a lot easier. Who knows, with Max having to push longer on those hards, Bottas with some smart tire saving could've caught both of them when it came down to a dogfight in the end, as it did.

[Hammerfist]

still no news on where mercedes spent their tokens? what was all that allison saying it would be known in good time.

I'm wondering the same thing also. We don't even know if they spent their tokens yet is what I understand.

[dans79]

still no news on where mercedes spent their tokens? what was all that allison saying it would be known in good time.

I'm wondering the same thing also. We don't even know if they spent their tokens yet is what I understand.

Allison, specifically said they spent them they just wouldn't tell us where.

[Hammerfist]

still no news on where mercedes spent their tokens? what was all that allison saying it would be known in good time.

I'm wondering the same thing also. We don't even know if they spent their tokens yet is what I understand.

Allison, specifically said they spent them they just wouldn't tell us where.

Ah ok then.

Thanks

[zibby43]

still no news on where mercedes spent their tokens? what was all that allison saying it would be known in good time.

I'm wondering the same thing also. We don't even know if they spent their tokens yet is what I understand.

Allison, specifically said they spent them they just wouldn't tell us where.

I’m going to call this “Tokengate.”

We’ve seen the car in pieces being assembled for the weekend and still no one knows.

[Mostlyeels]

I'm wondering the same thing also. We don't even know if they spent their tokens yet is what I understand.

Allison, specifically said they spent them they just wouldn't tell us where.

I’m going to call this “Tokengate.”

We’ve seen the car in pieces being assembled for the weekend and still no one knows.

Won't the FIA eventually publish a list of newly-homologated parts for this season? I've been haunting the website over the last few days, expecting something to pop up, at least by parc ferme.

[MKlaus]

I'm wondering the same thing also. We don't even know if they spent their tokens yet is what I understand.

Allison, specifically said they spent them they just wouldn't tell us where.

I’m going to call this “Tokengate.”

We’ve seen the car in pieces being assembled for the weekend and still no one knows.

are they still working on something? or don't intend to use it at all.

[dans79]

Allison, specifically said they spent them they just wouldn't tell us where.

I’m going to call this “Tokengate.”

We’ve seen the car in pieces being assembled for the weekend and still no one knows.

are they still working on something? or don't intend to use it at all.

As I read the rules, whatever was changed must be on the car now, or they can't use the tokens till next year!

[zibby43]

I’m going to call this “Tokengate.”

We’ve seen the car in pieces being assembled for the weekend and still no one knows.

are they still working on something? or don't intend to use it at all.

As I read the rules, whatever was changed must be on the car now, or they can't use the tokens till next year!

Yep, as I understand it, the homologation rules went into effect at the start of FP1.

I mean, simple things like hydraulics and electrical looms each cost 1 token each. So it could be something really deeply hidden.

[dans79]

are they still working on something? or don't intend to use it at all.

As I read the rules, whatever was changed must be on the car now, or they can't use the tokens till next year!

Yep, as I understand it, the homologation rules went into effect at the start of FP1.

I mean, simple things like hydraulics and electrical looms each cost 1 token each. So it could be something really deeply hidden.

Honestly I think some of the tokenized items are moronic.

Pedal Assembly - 1 token
driver radio - 2 tokens
Fire Extinguishers - 1 token (seriously, updating a primary safety item costs a token?........)
Water drink system - 1 token (If designing and making the drink system bankrupts you, you're in the wrong sport.....)

[zibby43]

As I read the rules, whatever was changed must be on the car now, or they can't use the tokens till next year!

Yep, as I understand it, the homologation rules went into effect at the start of FP1.

I mean, simple things like hydraulics and electrical looms each cost 1 token each. So it could be something really deeply hidden.

Honestly I think some of the tokenized items are moronic.

Pedal Assembly - 1 token
driver radio - 2 tokens
Fire Extinguishers - 1 token (seriously, updating a primary safety item costs a token?........)
Water drink system - 1 token (If designing and making the drink system bankrupts you, you're in the wrong sport.....)

Absolutely farcical.

And as you said, even if assigning tokens to some of these things was an act to dis-incentivize spending money on items like the drinks bottle, it's still farcical.

[bosyber]

Yep, as I understand it, the homologation rules went into effect at the start of FP1.

I mean, simple things like hydraulics and electrical looms each cost 1 token each. So it could be something really deeply hidden.

Honestly I think some of the tokenized items are moronic.

Pedal Assembly - 1 token
driver radio - 2 tokens
Fire Extinguishers - 1 token (seriously, updating a primary safety item costs a token?........)
Water drink system - 1 token (If designing and making the drink system bankrupts you, you're in the wrong sport.....)

Absolutely farcical.

And as you said, even if assigning tokens to some of these things was an act to dis-incentivize spending money on items like the drinks bottle, it's still farcical.

Indeed, that drinking bottle, while not needed at some races, is pretty much a safety requirement in races like Singapore (even if drivers don't use it, I think FIA should insist it has enough fluid in there to keep the driver hydrated bc. that's a big risk potential risk right there), and the fire extinguishers, well. In the end, sure it is F1, and yes, if it doesn't need changing, why do it (unless for a time gain), but isn't that what the budget cap will with time make sure of?

[PhillipM]

Because they don't need changing, if they were fine last year, they're fine this year, in which case the only reason you're moving them around is to try to wedge something else in and with a token system restricting what they can move around and space they can make on the chassis that might well lead teams to make a smaller than necessary drink bottle or compromises on the fire extinguisher system which are both normally integrated tight up to the chassis.
So you put a token on it so teams don't touch it unless they really have to . It makes complete sense, you're just looking at it from the wrong way.

[astracrazy]

As I read the rules, whatever was changed must be on the car now, or they can't use the tokens till next year!

Yep, as I understand it, the homologation rules went into effect at the start of FP1.

I mean, simple things like hydraulics and electrical looms each cost 1 token each. So it could be something really deeply hidden.

Honestly I think some of the tokenized items are moronic.

Pedal Assembly - 1 token
driver radio - 2 tokens
Fire Extinguishers - 1 token (seriously, updating a primary safety item costs a token?........)
Water drink system - 1 token (If designing and making the drink system bankrupts you, you're in the wrong sport.....)

After Grosjeans fireball crash, making teams spend a token on Fire Extinguishers seems a bit odd to me. I'm not suggesting anything could have been different with them for a different result but we also don't know what could have been learnt from it. Teams should have got a free pass on that one to make changes they see fit if they feel its a safety improvement.

[godlameroso]

It's only going to get harder for Hamilton from here on out, so it'll be a question of consistency.

That's quite an assertion. Do you think that Red Bull's pace advantage will remain for the season and that Mercedes won't be able to get closer to them?

It's easier for RBR to keep their advantage than it is for Merc to overtake them, remember that resources are split between this and next year. So if you devote too many resources this year it will hurt you next. It took RBR basically the whole 2020 season to catch up, and Mercedes stopped developing halfway.