2024 Mercedes-AMG | Petronas F1 Team

[DGP123]

This isn’t isolated to Mercedes. It’s RB under pressure.

‘There have been heated discussions about the front wing, fuelled by Red Bull, who claim that the front wing bends a lot, especially at McLaren. It‘s also seen at Ferrari and now at Mercedes too’.

Nothing will come of this.

[taperoo2k]

It's definitely RB under pressure and why target Mercedes? When other teams are following a similar deisgn path.

[Farnborough]

It's definitely RB under pressure and why target Mercedes? When other teams are following a similar deisgn path.

You don't recall all the "flexi" comments from LH and TW a few years ago then ?

That leading to a change in definition/inspection/interpretation of the rules that required difference in rear wing construction for some.

Spectacular own goal in 2022 for MB though and took SF down with them.

They all do it, and have done for the entire time I've watched F1. Depends if it gets out to press and journalism though on if we hear of it, also accented on which bias a journalist may favour in bringing their "insight".

It'll sort itself, either by being followed by others, or clarification in scrutiny and application of measurement.

[dren]

Antonelli being fasttracked into F1 now? FIA dropped the super license age.

[214270]

Antonelli being fasttracked into F1 now? FIA dropped the super license age.

It means he can potentially get a few full races in this year instead of SAR Im guessing, but doesn’t change much for next - his seat appears to be secured for ‘25 unless VER throws in…

[Jurgen von Diaz]

Toto can't make up his mind about Antonelli. First, there was huge hype about him, then he calmed down, saying they shouldn't be rushing him, and now Toto must have him in the Mercedes seat in '25. Toto clearly doesn't want him to slip away like what happened with young Verstappen.

[Cs98]

Antonelli being fasttracked into F1 now? FIA dropped the super license age.

The FIA should just make up its mind. I'd much rather have 17 year old Antonelli in the Williams than Sargeant, but at the same time they changed the rule to prevent this specific scenario, and now they are changing it back why exactly? What has changed about the logic they used when they introduced the rule? Also never good when a new rule is subjective, you get special dispensation if we deem you special and mature.

[SiLo]

Antonelli being fasttracked into F1 now? FIA dropped the super license age.

The FIA should just make up its mind. I'd much rather have 17 year old Antonelli in the Williams than Sargeant, but at the same time they changed the rule to prevent this specific scenario, and now they are changing it back why exactly? What has changed about the logic they used when they introduced the rule? Also never good when a new rule is subjective, you get special dispensation if we deem you special and mature.

If he is so special, why isn't he doing anything remotely good in F2 as well? The kind of talent Toto thinks he is, he should be smashing it wherever he goes, much like others have done before him where they just win no matter what.

[dren]

Yeah, he isn't overly impressing in F2. I think Toto is running out of options and Antonelli is the back-up choice as he isn't having any luck luring Max away.

[AR3-GP]

Antonelli being fasttracked into F1 now? FIA dropped the super license age.

The FIA should just make up its mind. I'd much rather have 17 year old Antonelli in the Williams than Sargeant, but at the same time they changed the rule to prevent this specific scenario, and now they are changing it back why exactly? What has changed about the logic they used when they introduced the rule? Also never good when a new rule is subjective, you get special dispensation if we deem you special and mature.

If he is so special, why isn't he doing anything remotely good in F2 as well? The kind of talent Toto thinks he is, he should be smashing it wherever he goes, much like others have done before him where they just win no matter what.

They said he was fast at Imola and Austria in the old car (compared with Mick and George).

[DGP123]

If he is so special, why isn't he doing anything remotely good in F2 as well? The kind of talent Toto thinks he is, he should be smashing it wherever he goes, much like others have done before him where they just win no matter what.

That’s not really how motorsport works, is it? You may have a special talent on your hands, but that does not entitle them to smash it every session, race, or, season.

Antonelli is doing fine. In his debut year, having skipped a category, he’s sixth in the standings. Bearman, having only missed the Saudi race, is thirteenth. Most importantly, Prema aren’t the force they once were. He should not be compared to past champions like Leclerc/Russell, as they had far superior machinery under them, notching seven wins apiece in their seasons. They also don’t ‘win’ no matter what or wherever they go, seeing as Russell’s F1 career has basically amounted to nothing, and Leclerc isn’t fairing much better.

[AR3-GP]

If he is so special, why isn't he doing anything remotely good in F2 as well? The kind of talent Toto thinks he is, he should be smashing it wherever he goes, much like others have done before him where they just win no matter what.

Antonelli is doing fine. In his debut year, having skipped a category, he’s sixth in the standings. Bearman, having only missed the Saudi race, is thirteenth. Most importantly, Prema aren’t the force they once were. He should not be compared to past champions like Leclerc/Russell, as they had far superior machinery under them, notching seven wins apiece in their seasons. They also don’t ‘win’ no matter what or wherever they go, seeing as Russell’s F1 career has basically amounted to nothing, and Leclerc isn’t fairing much better.

Formula 2 is a spec category. Everyone has the same car. "far superior machinery" is an exaggeration is it not?

[DGP123]

If he is so special, why isn't he doing anything remotely good in F2 as well? The kind of talent Toto thinks he is, he should be smashing it wherever he goes, much like others have done before him where they just win no matter what.

Antonelli is doing fine. In his debut year, having skipped a category, he’s sixth in the standings. Bearman, having only missed the Saudi race, is thirteenth. Most importantly, Prema aren’t the force they once were. He should not be compared to past champions like Leclerc/Russell, as they had far superior machinery under them, notching seven wins apiece in their seasons. They also don’t ‘win’ no matter what or wherever they go, seeing as Russell’s F1 career has basically amounted to nothing, and Leclerc isn’t fairing much better.

Formula 2 is a spec category. Everyone has the same car. "far superior machinery" is an exaggeration is it not?

Yes, I’m just saying Prema have fallen back. They lost personel & they aren’t as strong a team, as they once were. Hence, no point comparing them, and then writing Kimi off before he’s even stepped into F1, as some seem to want to do.

[JordanMugen]

Formula 2 is a spec category. Everyone has the same car. "far superior machinery" is an exaggeration is it not?

Apparently Mechachrome engines have very poor quality control and thus uneven power output, and Doohan claims he raced for half a season with a cracked chassis.

F2 results are hard to read, in any case it seems Wolff backs Antonelli as a better choice than Sainz or Ocon or indeed rookie F2 championship leader & ex-Mercedes junior Paul Aron?

{Why doesn't Mercedes HPP tender for F2 & F3 engine supply, or have Mercedes HWA (the former leading engine in classic F3) bid to supply, and Mercedes bid to host the German GP at Hockenheim while they are it it?! Some note the relationship between the F2 & F3 organisers and Mechachrome seems uncomfortably close, almost as if the tender process is not impartial. ]

Also, you don't suppose car setup in F2 can be worth up to 1s/lap or more, either gain or loss?

[Cs98]

Antonelli is doing fine. In his debut year, having skipped a category, he’s sixth in the standings. Bearman, having only missed the Saudi race, is thirteenth. Most importantly, Prema aren’t the force they once were. He should not be compared to past champions like Leclerc/Russell, as they had far superior machinery under them, notching seven wins apiece in their seasons. They also don’t ‘win’ no matter what or wherever they go, seeing as Russell’s F1 career has basically amounted to nothing, and Leclerc isn’t fairing much better.

Formula 2 is a spec category. Everyone has the same car. "far superior machinery" is an exaggeration is it not?

Yes, I’m just saying Prema have fallen back, they aren’t as strong a team, as they once were. Hence, no point comparing them, and then writing Kimi off before he’s even stepped into F1, as some seem to want to do.

It's interesting you seem to think Russell drove for Prema, and that you seem to think there is such a thing as "far superior machinery" in a spec category. I think we'll take your comments for what they are worth

As for Antonelli, I think we can ask a little better of him than P6 against supposedly less talented drivers. No wins, no podiums etc. His pace and tyre management has not looked all that impressive. All in all, he has not lived up to the hype, yet.