F1 2023 QatarGP - Losail Pre-Race Thread

More and more series have now multi-races at events.
- World GT Challenge (2 races each in GT2, GT3 and GT4 between 6 to 8 locationss)
- DTM and ADAC Masters in Germany (2 races each in GT3 between 6 to 8 locations)
- British GT Cup ( 26 races over 7 events)
- British Touring Car Championship ( 30 races over 10 locations)
- In MotoGP World Championship (all 21 GPs have now sprint races)
- In World Superbike Championship (30 races over 10 weekends)
- British Superbike Championship, (33 races over 11 locations)
- MotoAmerica Superbike Championship, (20 races over 9 locations), etc ...

For the teams, it makes sense from a logistic point of view, to have a large number of races at less locations.
The public will gain by having more races to watch at each venue, and less travelling costs.
There is more action in short races, several starts, less strategy, less managing, etc ...
Liberty must have seen the advantages and F1 may just be following the trend in future, IMO.

 

That was announced a few days ago, wasn’t it? Ricci Danny needs to find another series. Is the 2024 IndyCar grid set yet? That could be his path back to Macca.

 

He should sit the year out. I think he broke his wrist, not his arm.

Wrist takes much much more longer to heal. He has nothing to prove this year. Better focus on his fitness, and start working in the sim (if possible) for next year,

 

https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/why-all-new-qatar-track-adds-to-f1-teams-sprint-headaches/10528771/

Why ‘all-new’ Qatar track adds to F1 teams' sprint headaches
Formula 1 will be returning to the Lusail circuit for this weekend’s Qatar Grand Prix, but it is actually going to be a new and difficult challenge for teams.
By:Jonathan Noble
Oct 5, 2023, 10:39 AM

The inaugural event in 2021 came towards the end of the thrilling campaign as the title battle intensity between Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen ramped up.

Since then F1’s cars have changed dramatically, with the new generation of ground effect machinery having little in common with the older era of machines.

But if teams had hoped to be able to fall back on some old data to help them out ahead of this weekend’s race, they will be disappointed – because the circuit is effectively considered to be brand new.

That is because circuit bosses have totally revamped the venue. Beyond the new pits and paddock complex, of more importance to teams and drivers is the work that has been completed on the circuit.

As the FIA pointed out in its official preview notes for the weekend, the first major resurfacing work since the venue opened in 2004, allied to other changes, have made a big difference.

It said: “The entire track has been resurfaced and all the kerbs, run-off areas, guardrails and fences have been replaced since the previous event.

“Given the extensive nature of the changes made, to all intents and purposes, it is considered to be a new circuit.”

While F1 teams are can cope with such venue changes on race weekends, the ‘new’ Lusail adds an extra layer of complication on a weekend when they already face many headaches in how they approach things.

As a sprint race, that means the teams will need to be on their toes to ensure that they make the most of the opening practice session on Friday afternoon.

It is the only opportunity to nail the set-up they will be using for the rest of the weekend, because once the cars leave the garage for qualifying on Friday evening then they are locked into parc ferme conditions.

Unlike normal race weekends, where teams can shake off a bad Friday with some overnight simulator work to sort things out for a better Saturday, there is no second chance.

As Mercedes boss Toto Wolff said: “There have been changes both on and off track. A key feature of FP1 therefore will be understanding the effect of the track resurfacing. As it is a sprint weekend, we will have limited time to get on top of this and find a solid set-up for the rest of the event. It will be an interesting task and one we are excited for.”

But further adding to the Qatar task is the fact it is a night race, so there will be fluctuating temperatures and variable track conditions to deal with as well.

Teams know that at similar night race events like Bahrain and Singapore, the first sessions of the day can be pretty unrepresentative because they take place when things are a lot hotter and the asphalt is not as its best.

That is why a lot more of their focus and effort goes into nailing set-ups in the evening sessions, which are very aligned with how things will be in the race.

In Qatar, there will be no opportunity to wait until then. Teams are going to have to take a bit of a guess about how the track and air temperatures will develop as they commit to things after just one session.

First practice is due to take place at 4.30pm local time, when temperatures will be at their peak of around 40C. By 8pm local time, when qualifying begins, things are anticipated to drop to be around 33C. That’s quite a big difference - and that's before you consider how the wind speed and direction can change too.

For teams, the key will be in having prepared enough in the simulators before the weekend to try to give them the direction needed.

 

What baffles me is why with his vast experience he didn't take his hands off the wheel before the impact?

 

Lawson found out via Ricciardo FaceTime that he would race in F1 Qatar GP
Daniel Ricciardo surprised Liam Lawson via FaceTime to tell the AlphaTauri Formula 1 substitute driver that he would be required to race again in the 2023 Qatar Grand Prix.

 

That's 9:30am and and 1 pm for US East coast for friday.

sjd

 

I mean, it could be complete instant thing. He probably was in shock, wasn't anticipating, an got caught completely off guard.