

Grumpy Kerb
2.1K posts

@GrumpyKerb
F1 scholar. Mid 1990s supremacist.





🚨| Wolff: “this F1 is pure racing. seeing one driver recharging and the other using energy is exciting”: — Toto Wolff expressed his enthusiasm for the new Formula 1 regulations, highlighting the excitement of strategic energy management during races. Speaking to media, Wolff remarked: “Formula 1 is changing and is becoming pure racing. Seeing one pilot recharging energy and the other using it is very exciting. Let's talk about a science of racing that is developing and is in the hands of drivers. But maybe Max and the others preferred the rules of last year, when here in Suzuka we hardly saw overtaking.” — Wolff attempted to engage journalists on the topic of race aesthetics, receiving a muted response. He commented: “Nobody can complain about the lack of beauty of the races. Do you agree or not?” — In response to the silence, Wolff added: “Only conservatives and traditionalists and those who live in the past may not like it.” — Despite his satisfaction with the current state of racing, Wolff acknowledged areas for improvement, particularly in qualifying sessions: “For me, the race is not a problem, we have to work on qualifying and we will do it in London on April 9.” #toto #mercedesf1 #f1racing 🇬🇧 VIA: [formulapassion]




Can’t expect much in terms of context from these lot but here’s what really happened: Bottas clearly had some kind of issue in the 1st stint (was doing high 38s on the Hards when others were in the high 37s). I’d suspect due to Hard tyres + high fuel + cold = massive graining which is what we saw. Perez’s medium stint was in the mid-high 37s around half a second quicker than the Astons behind both on Mediums. Bottas’ medium stint was lapping in the mid-high 36s whereas the Astons in the low 37s both on Mediums. Applying fuel-correction (0.03s) once again confirms Bottas and Perez being equal on the Mediums. On the Hards however, Bottas was 2-3s slower than anyone else which is clearly not representative pace. 1 week ago, Bottas finished 20s ahead and outqualified Checo by 1.5s but nothing was said. Focusing on drivers in the slowest car for a team who aren’t at the level of any other is a new level of cope and damage control. Using unrepresentative laps 2-3s off the pace just to push a silly agenda about Hamilton is an all-time low




In Spain, the race at Japan lost 49% of its live audience compared to 2025 2026: 63000 2025: 124000 2024: 137000 2023: 152000 2022: 143000 2019: 48000 2018: 33000



I'm hearing some interesting admissions off the back of Suzuka - namely, that there's a growing awareness within the FIA that the 50/50 split has been the wrong direction. It's understood that, in the short-term, energy deployment limits are being looked at while, longer-term, a change in the ICE vs. electrical split. Getting the drivers and teams in alignment is a hurdle to clear, with the teams not all agreeing with their drivers on the issues, but there is an awareness now that changes are needed. #F1 #JapaneseGP


@FormulaUR_ That pure bait Toto didn’t design the regs





