Midfielders don't want to waste their tires battling the front runners. Extra pit stops costs them positions, which costs them points, which will ultimately cost the team money. It's a waste to try to fight off a top 3 team when they're going to pass you eventually no matter how hard you fight.

Agree, trying to 'drive the tires off' your mid-level F1 car in an attempt to defend against a far faster car behind you is a fools game. Also, the time you lose playing defense by 'making your car wider' to avoid a pass only serves to let cars further back catch up as they still drive the 'optimum' line.

Usually, and a bit of personal experience here, you fry the rears trying to defend your position. You may also use a bit more brakes (more heat there) depending on the track / defense strategy. Tire mgt / heat cycling is very important. Driving the tires off your call actually costs you more time in the end versus proper tire mgt.

Ah well, that's why we run the races.

JMHO YMMV


BTW, am a Hamilton fan yet wish Kimi would FINALLY get some luck on his side. Year after year Kimi.... Well, at least nowadays we can actually understand what Kimi is saying during interviews LOL!

Bottas was only 2 tenths off Vettel's pole time in qualifying and Raikkonen was slower than Bottas. Hamilton can usually find a tenth or two out there so I'd say Mercedes is pretty even with the Ferrari. The Ferrari does seem to make better starts though.

Kimi Raikkonen did it in 2005 at the Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka. He was driving for McLaren and started 17th on the grid. He worked his way up through the field until he was running behind race leader Giancarlo Fisichella. In an amazing outside pass coming into Turn One on the very last lap, Raikkonen passed the Fisichella, taking the lead and winning the race. It was a masterful display, I'll never forget it. :thumbsup:

True true and true again. Kimi is only driver of late who has come out of 'retirement' and be competitive. He has a win or more coming...I hope.

Anyone at Spa this weekend?

I’m currently sat in the grandstand overlooking Eau Rouge with the sun on my face and a cold beer in my hand :cheers:

Awesome James, just watching quali on TV, coverage just started

The Official Formula One Thread!
 

Hi Wes, hope you’re well!

We’re just waiting on a demo run from Schumacher’s Benetton and Lando Norris is currently doing an interview on the stage behind us.

It’s the 20th anniversary this year of Jordan’s first win at Spa!!

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EJ and his band played for us last night [emoji1303]

Tonight we’ve got a Q&A with Martin Brundle which I’m really looking forward to!!

Bring on Quali!!

Ferrari’s unfortunately looking strong...


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The rain came at the perfect time for Lewis who has been behind Kimi all weekend.

What a superb lap under pressure from Lewis having made a mistake the lap before.

No coincidence the 2 four time world champs are 1st and 2nd In tricky conditions.

Bring on tomorrow!!!


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How about the new Force India team locking out the 2nd row? Lewis showed once again that he's the best drive on the grid in the wet.

Too bad for Kimi and RB for not refueling when they had the chance. It stopped them from doing a final run in improving conditions.

Should be an interesting race. Missed quali.. but got the race set to record on the pvr...(as with the nxt one..).
We'll see come tomorrow.....

Q3 was fun!

Congrats to Hamilton and holy smokes on the second row! I did not see that one coming at all.

The race should be very interesting. Hope there is some rain on race day too.

Anyone else catch the Italian GP?

Hope you did. It was not a boring.

I watched it in Venice on a large screen across the grand canal with a cold beer in my hand [emoji1305][emoji964][emoji469]

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Great fun supporting Lewis surrounded by Ferrari fans!!! [emoji23]


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I watched it and was pulling for Kimi even though I’m Team Benz. He’s due for a win. It was a great race!

Kimi just can’t close. Seb and Lewis close it out.


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Not yet.. Got it on the PVR but hadnt seen it yet.

Great strategy by Mercedes and great drive by Lewis. Bottas the Blocker saves it for Mercedes and Lewis.

Looks like Vettel can't handle the pressure.

Kimi became the West Ham in a Benz bun that squeezed the relish out of him.

He claimed the tires let him down but he had done the lock-ups and drove them off slipping the fronts too.

Otherwise a decent race strategy.

Max whining on the radio about Stewards was par for the course, too.


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This was the second race I watched this season.
Watched both with my 30 year old nephew and his best bud. They’re huge fans and root for Ferrari.
Lots of fun and I’m learning as I watch. Amazing strategy among the teams and pit crews. I might just become a fan.

Good race to pick and watch. About half the races are pretty boring but occasionally you’ll get a thriller like this one.

Maybe you can explain Seb in Germany then. :chuckle:

All in all I thought it was the best race of the season so far.

Certainly seems the case... Bottas and Rubens... 2nd fiddle for the leaders/ primary 'team mate'. Was rooting for Bottas or Kimi...but yet again Hamilton pulled it off. Tied Schumacher's wins on this circuit.
A good race overall..:cheers:

Yes, a great race to watch.

Although no fan of Seb. Got to hand it to him. From second to Last to fourth.

....
True, but Hamilton went from last to 1st a couple of races ago.!

Again... Ferrari can’t win with Vettel. At this point , even if Kimi is getting old, I would give the support to him...


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Fernando & Kimi partnership?

That would be a bloody strong pairing!!


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Er not really he cocked up again. That was the least he could do especially as Max got the penalty.

Hamilton is knocking it out the park at the moment and capitalising on everything. But I still still fancy Ferrari as they have the fastest car now.

What race are you recalling?

His worst qually thus far this year was 14th IIRC...

Monaco 2016 he was DFL after multiple grid penalties for the team doing power plant replacements. He did win that race.


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