F1 2023 Launch and testing topic

[Duke]

:shocked:

[Big Kev]

McLaren MCL60

[Big Kev]

[norbs]

Paint is obviously heavier than I expected.

[Big Kev]

[Big Kev]

[Big Kev]

Looks like Merc have stuck to their zero side pod concept.

[durbster]

Looks very similar so the big question: is it still a shitbox? I hope not, and they (or somebody else) gives RBR a decent fight.

[KNAPPO]

Looks very similar so the big question: is it still a shitbox? I hope not, and they (or somebody else) gives RBR a decent fight.

They seemed to get their acto together at the end of last year and reports came out that they found why their calculations were wrong in designing the W13. I bet they are in the hunt this year from the begining.

[w00dsy]

There was a Beyond The Grid episode with Mike Elliott from the team and he said they had to make a decision while designing the 22 car that turned out to be wrong. So i'm assuming they have now unfucked that decision and the car should be better, although i'm quietly hoping they have another tough year as punishment for their long term domination.

[Big Kev]

Amazing how much Aston Martin have changed their sidepod concept from last year

[Big Kev]

and doing a couple of the early races in all pink

[Scottie]

I don't think there's as big a difference in the Aston side pods as those images imply.
The angle and field of view of each photo are very different, and even with a similar angle, the FOV is a huge factor which people don't pick up on in photo's comparing things like how far forward or back the front wheels are from any give year.

For instance, they have a photo from the same angle, but are closer to the car, so need a wider FOV for the car to be framed the same, but then it shows the wheels further apart as they are closer to the lens even though they may be the same.

[DarrenM]

Looks like they've dished out the top a bit more, but that's the direction they'd already gone during last season. If the comparison was to the end of last years car it probably wouldn't look so different.

[durbster]

Bottas has stuck his Aussie mullet and 'tache on his helmet

[Big Kev]

[Exar Kun]

Based on two days of testing, my predictions are:
- another Max walk over (Checo already looks uncomfortable in the car and Max's quick times have been easy for him)
- Ferrari occasionally challenging Max
- Mercedes challenging Ferrari more regularly but still a little behind the top 2
- Alpine stay 4th best team
- Aston to move forward on the grid
- McLaren back with Alfa and Alpha.
- Haas sometimes up with those guys
- Williams maybe more consistent but still on average slowest.

Will be fun to look back at this post at the end of the year

Sent from my SM-G998B using Tapatalk

[Big Kev]

[Big Kev]

[Big Kev]

I'm happy to do the race topics again if you want them (unless someone wants to take it over).

Anything you want me to add (weather?) or remove? If no one is interested in previous winners, for instance, it's easy to take it out.

[norbs]

I appreciate all the work you have done Kev, dont feel pressured to do it if it is a burden.

[nutty]

agreed, I enjoy them but I understand the work

[Big Kev]

It's not too bad. I know the sites to get the stuff I use so it usually only takes 15-20 mins to knock a topic up

[StanDaam]

+1 to the Kev Appreciation Society!

[Cutter]

+1