First thoughts on the New F1 changes and broadcast.

[97prizm]

That's not accurate - this is only for used tires. They are recycled, at least.

According to a 2025 Jalopnik article "
Shutterstock
Pirelli actually collects all the tires from the race weekend, regardless of whether they're used or not."
"
"When Pirelli's professionals are done with them, those F1 tires are then shipped to England, where they're shredded and converted to small rubber pellets. The pellets are ultimately burned under extreme heat as tire-derived fuel to power concrete factories."

 

[billt460]

According to a 2025 Jalopnik article "
Shutterstock
Pirelli actually collects all the tires from the race weekend, regardless of whether they're used or not."
"
"When Pirelli's professionals are done with them, those F1 tires are then shipped to England, where they're shredded and converted to small rubber pellets. The pellets are ultimately burned under extreme heat as tire-derived fuel to power concrete factories."

I read that Hamilton wanted a few F1 tires "for decoration" in one of his homes, and he was told no. Not one tire, used or new, is allowed to leave the confines of the track. Every one of them is under direct control of Pirelli at all times.

They can demand tires off any car, of any team, at any time, and the teams have to conform to their wishes.... No questions asked.

 

[Hall]

Pirelli actually collects all the tires from the race weekend, regardless of whether they're used or not."

Article I read said the opposite - unused tires are not destroyed. Why would they ? They're the same tires they use for the season.

Lots of contradiction....

Used tires go to incinerators in unmarked trucks, accompanied by security guards.

 

[Pablo]

Listen I will watch

Mainly because I’m psychotically Tifoso.

And I get Apple TV free with T Mobile hahaha

 

[_Will_]

New tech will always lead to technical attrition during races (which does add to the spectacle and randomness) and most car guys love the absurdity of old school F1 or most petrol powered toys, but the lead teams have figured out how to use the tech and are putting on a decent show by bringing in some strategy. Lewis vs. Charles in China was some of the best wheel to wheel F1 has seen in a long time; true skill on display in place of relying on DRS and optimistic lunges.

During the Max domination streak I didn't even watch for a year, referencing Jeremy Clarkson during a grid walk interview at the start of the season he said it was like last season never ended and nobody had changed anything to shake it up. I agreed and didn't see a reason to watch the same season twice with different years on the calendar.

 

[Patman]

Article I read said the opposite - unused tires are not destroyed. Why would they ? They're the same tires they use for the season.

Lots of contradiction....

Given the fact that F1 is trying to portray an image of being good to the environment I don’t believe for a second that they would destroy perfectly good tires. And they are already mounted on the wheels for the race so they will just bring them to other races

 

[4wd]

NASCAR decorator tires LoL

 

[Hall]

Lewis vs. Charles in China was some of the best wheel to wheel F1 has seen in a long time; true skill on display in place of relying on DRS and optimistic lunges.

Haha, no.... Even the drivers calls that "yo-yo'ing". That was nothing more than recharge, deploy, pass, recharge, deploy, other guy passes and repeat.

 

[_Will_]

Haha, no.... Even the drivers calls that "yo-yo'ing". That was nothing more than recharge, deploy, pass, recharge, deploy, other guy passes and repeat.

I'm aware it was pass and repass due to the new systems, but at least added to the action and adds a new dimension. I'll take that over an absurdly dominant engine passing everything in sight with nobody bothering to fight.

Closely matched cars have been fighting for ways to make a pass stick for as long as they've been racing, one gets an advantage from a draft and is in front the next straight and the shoe is on the other foot; swapping advantage isn't anything new. This is just a new way it is happening.

 

[Hall]

This is just a new way it is happening.

Actually, the drivers are on record as saying it's "artificial" and not real passing and that, at least in the case of fairly equal cars, when they pass, they simply don't have the power to pull away and they know with certainty that the driver behind them will have been able to recharge more and that they will pass them in the next braking zone.

 

[billt460]

If it doesn't have at least 10 holes in the block, and rev 21,000 RPM, it's boring. This is just a reminder of what F1 used to sound like..... And should sound like.

 

[_Will_]

Actually, the drivers are on record as saying it's "artificial" and not real passing and that, at least in the case of fairly equal cars, when they pass, they simply don't have the power to pull away and they know with certainty that the driver behind them will have been able to recharge more and that they will pass them in the next braking zone.

Next you'll tell me being in a draft doesn't artificially make the car behind faster due to lower drag and they won't be in danger of being passed by someone in their draft at the next straight.

 

[jghall00]

So far this season is shaping up to be very dramatic.

A 2nd year rookie is leading the championship by a noteworthy margin.

Mercedes more experienced driver is underperforming compared to his much younger teammate.

Ferrari has developed a vehicle with the best chassis on the grid, but it is underpowered, and is bringing engine updates to future races.

Leclerc has had a run of weak races and may need to support Hamilton if his results don't improve.

Mercedes has the best powertrain on the grid but has experienced DNFs, along with its customer teams. It also qualified for ADUO despite being in the championship lead.

It's unclear whether Mercedes customers can match its performance using a powertrain that Mercedes knows best.

Mercedes also has its two drivers fighting for the title. Will it have to choose between them? If so, when?

Redbull has the best ICE and won't get ADUO updates, but is making chassis improvements. Verstappen can't be overlooked if the car improves. He made up a massive deficit in 2025 to stay in title contention.

Mercedes aero components just got ruled illegal due to Ferrari requesting FIA clarification, but it is unclear what the impact to the car will be.

Hamilton is 2nd in the championship and more engine upgrades are coming, this after finishing 1st in Barcelona, which it was thought would be a tough track for Ferrari with its weaker engine.

If Mercedes has to turn its powertrain dowto improve reliability, Ferrari has an excellent shot at taking the championship lead in the next few races.

Don't know about y'all but I'm loving this season so far. Seeing Hamilton back the fight and George getting taken down a peg is awesome.

 

[Hall]

Seeing Hamilton back the fight and George getting taken down a peg is awesome.

I'm very happy seeing Hamilton back in the fight. Sadly, there's a member here who is probably incensed over this. I've still got their PM....

I do feel bad for George. I like him and feel he paid his dues, Mercedes now has a great car again, and this phenom is stealing his thunder. Nothing against Kimi either.