[CMOTD]

Ho Hum. Yet another race with a probable race winner (Perez) being robbed by others getting a lucky free pit stop with a safety car.
Is Latifi being paid by RedBull to crash at the most opportune moment?

[Kevan]

He needs a nickname...Havinalafiti

[Kevan]

According to Rob Smedley, MB have high hopes...

“Mercedes would be the first to admit that they haven’t got it right," Smedley told Reuters. “Ferrari have done a really good job in moving up and being right there with Red Bull.
“But I would expect that to change now more than any other year as people find big chunks of performance in lots of different areas. The development phase of the car is at such an immature stage, the cars will change significantly from the first race to the final race.
“There’s going to be a very, very strong development curve on those cars.”

[Kevan]

Hmm, interesting...

Audi Raises McLaren Offer to $718M to Enter Formula 1

Audi has reportedly raised its offer to buy a stake in McLaren’s Formula 1 unit from $495 million to $718 million, according to a report by Germany’s Automobilwoche.


McLaren and Audi are expected to sign a letter of intent, while a supervisory board will meet to discuss details of the deal later this month. 

Audi’s parent company Volkswagen AG expressed interest in acquiring McLaren last year as a way to tap into the booming Formula 1 business. Formula 1 reported $787 million in revenue in Q4 2021, a 62% increase year-over-year, with viewership reaching 1.55 billion last season. 

McLaren later called off a potential deal, deeming Volkswagen’s initial offer as too low. 

Volkswagen could separately acquire a stake in McLaren’s road car division, McLaren Automotive.
Porsche, one of Volkswagen’s 12 car companies and brands, is pursuing a partnership with Formula 1 team Red Bull Racing.
Volkswagen’s interest comes on the heels of a joint development project between McLaren and German carmaker BMW. McLaren and BMW signed a memorandum of understanding on March 24 that will see the two brands develop an architecture for electric sports cars. 

The agreement isn’t binding and could be voided with a deal between McLaren and Audi. 

[Bazzer]

Hmm, interesting...

Audi Raises McLaren Offer to $718M to Enter Formula 1

Audi has reportedly raised its offer to buy a stake in McLaren’s Formula 1 unit from $495 million to $718 million, according to a report by Germany’s Automobilwoche.


McLaren and Audi are expected to sign a letter of intent, while a supervisory board will meet to discuss details of the deal later this month. 

Audi’s parent company Volkswagen AG expressed interest in acquiring McLaren last year as a way to tap into the booming Formula 1 business. Formula 1 reported $787 million in revenue in Q4 2021, a 62% increase year-over-year, with viewership reaching 1.55 billion last season. 

McLaren later called off a potential deal, deeming Volkswagen’s initial offer as too low. 

Volkswagen could separately acquire a stake in McLaren’s road car division, McLaren Automotive.
Porsche, one of Volkswagen’s 12 car companies and brands, is pursuing a partnership with Formula 1 team Red Bull Racing.
Volkswagen’s interest comes on the heels of a joint development project between McLaren and German carmaker BMW. McLaren and BMW signed a memorandum of understanding on March 24 that will see the two brands develop an architecture for electric sports cars. 

The agreement isn’t binding and could be voided with a deal between McLaren and Audi. 

That will be the end of McLaren standing any chance of winning, I have no faith in VW having the stomach for the F1 grind, they do well in lesser formulas but F1 is very hard.

[Kevan]

F1 is changing...very quickly...

[dvd3500]

F1 is changing...very quickly...

Yeah it is almost as exciting as a formula E (or BTCC) race!

[Kevan]

I can't decide whether that was a serious comment or a jokey comment.

I think the build up to the start of this new era was certainly exciting but it's disappointing in lots of ways.

I was expecting a real 3 way race at the front...no chance.

I was expecting less faffing about on the track playing for track position/DRS...no chance.

I was expecting Merc and Mclaren to be competitive...no chance

No doubt we can expect further two-horse-racery this weekend...but I'm still looking forward to it...for now.

[dvd3500]

I am serious in that in terms of excitement BTCC and Formula E seldom disappoint. The GT class of WEC/IMSA is usually very good as well.

With Formula 1 it got so bad that I recorded the highlights and let it run at double speed on the TV while I folded clothes. I basically glanced at the current standings and/or if a yellow/red flag was on the screen and then I would back up a little and let it play regular speed. I never felt I missed anything...

So in a way, the fact that I actually stop what I am doing and WATCH the overtakes etc means it IS getting better...

When it comes to cutting edge technology though Formula 1, by its very nature is of course at the forefront (until more Hypercars come out that is...).

[Savage GT]

I think, given how early in development the cars are, we should hopefully see some other makes making bigger jumps to catch RB and Ferrari.

What F1 could really use IMO, is a new rule that prohibits pit stops during VSC or Physical Safety cars.