The Official Formula One Thread!

[SDGT3]

Originally Posted by buckrogers0025

The issue is ‘gain a lasting advantage.’

Unfortunately, the stewards policed the limits at Turn 4 during practice and qualifying... but, not during the race. Classic stewards.

Max passed Lewis on the outside, Lewis continued to push him farther ‘off’ the track, then complains about Max going off the track. Classic Lewis.

Max at that point needed to be patient and pass Lewis on the front straight where could use DRS and not be so bothered by the dirty air. Pass Lewis into Turn 1 and disappear.

Red Bull’s continued strategy is to be in reactive/panic mode rather than actually think through what’s presented.

Good points. Someone counted Lewis exceeding track limits during the race 29 times at turn 4 before the race stewards clamped down after RBR told Max to do it as well....

All that said, it did appear Lewis gave Max ample room during his pass attempt so he didn't have to go off track to complete it.

I read this morning that a lodged sandwich bag was the cause of Fernando Alonso's rear brake failure...

[Speedbird-1]

Originally Posted by OmegaJJH

As someone else has said - Should Mazepin even have a super licence?


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I wonder how much they are.

(Stamping foot......."but, Daddy, I WANT one!, ..I WANT one!!)

[Sleepy996]

Originally Posted by texasmade

I saw a shot of Vettel wearing a GP Laureato in his AM getup. Looks like GP is now sponsoring the team.

Also Hublot and Ferrari finally parted ways this season being replaced by RM.

[Speedbird-1]

Originally Posted by SDGT3

Good points. Someone counted Lewis exceeding track limits during the race 29 times at turn 4 before the race stewards clamped down after RBR told Max to do it as well....

All that said, it did appear Lewis gave Max ample room during his pass attempt so he didn't have to go off track to complete it.

I read this morning that a lodged sandwich bag was the cause of Fernando Alonso's rear brake failure...

Ham sandwich?

[texasmade]

Originally Posted by Sleepy996

Also Hublot and Ferrari finally parted ways this season being replaced by RM.

So RM is sponsoring Ferrari, McLaren, Haas, and Alfa Romeo? I'm not too sure if RM is still sponsoring the last 2.

[Jackie Daytona]

Originally Posted by Speedbird-1

Ham sandwich?

made me laugh

[Dr.Brian]

Originally Posted by SDGT3

Congratulations to Mercedes - brilliant strategy to undercut RBR even before anyone thought a pit stop on the mediums were expected and then executing the plan to the end of the race. I can’t help but wonder if the diff problem Max was experiencing contributed to the race result but nonetheless, it was a great race and looking forward to Imola. I do believe LH and MV are in a different class but Perez may join them. Bottas is pretty much done I believe and is keeping the seat warm for young George.

Drivers of the race for me were Perez from pit lane to 5th and Lando Norris for a very quiet and drama free P4.

Vettel appears to have started 2021 where he left off the previous few years at Ferrari with multiple unforced errors.

It's a shame that Alonso had brake issues as he made a very solid reentry to F1 after a 2 year break.

Trivia question: Did Nikita Mazespin complete more laps this weekend in qualifying and the race or spins? I can just hear Gunther Steiner giving his honest account of the situation in next year's Drive to Survive series!

Even Toto got on the radio to tell Bottas to get moving.
The only issue with George is that I think he can compete with Lewis much more than Valtteri can, and I don’t think Lewis wants that.

[OmegaJJH]

Originally Posted by Zakalwe

Somebody at Merc needs to tell Bottas he’s the number two driver.

Bingo!


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[Rashid.bk]

Originally Posted by buckrogers0025

The issue is ‘gain a lasting advantage.’

Unfortunately, the stewards policed the limits at Turn 4 during practice and qualifying... but, not during the race. Classic stewards.

Max passed Lewis on the outside, Lewis continued to push him farther ‘off’ the track, then complains about Max going off the track. Classic Lewis.

Max at that point needed to be patient and pass Lewis on the front straight where could use DRS and not be so bothered by the dirty air. Pass Lewis into Turn 1 and disappear.

Red Bull’s continued strategy is to be in reactive/panic mode rather than actually think through what’s presented.

I think PaulG's explanation above yours sums it up perfectly. The team had a couple laps to make a decision...that's about one minute or two tops to consider what to do. I know they're pros and all but that isn't much time to decide and consider all courses of action like we're able to do now behind a keyboard.
RB may have some issues with strategy but even the best can get it wrong as you remember the debacle with Bottas and Russel last year at Mercedes.

Bottom line I think the faster and sooner Max let him pass the more opportunities he would have to retake the lead since he seemed stronger at the end. How Hamilton managed to push that car so fast on the last lap is pretty amazing....more proof, it's not just the car.

Definitely impressed with Checo again, form pit lane to fifth, wow. And Alonso, two years off and comes back to run mid pack, bravo.

[texasmade]

Originally Posted by Rashid.bk

Definitely impressed with Checo again, form pit lane to fifth, wow. And Alonso, two years off and comes back to run mid pack, bravo.

Of all the things to end his race, a sandwich bag getting stuck in his brake ducts was never on my list of possibilities. Karma hates Fernando.

[Rashid.bk]

Originally Posted by texasmade

Of all the things to end his race, a sandwich bag getting stuck in his brake ducts was never on my list of possibilities. Karma hates Fernando.

That's pretty bizarre indeed.

[Jster]

Fun race to watch. I was pulling for VER.
Btw, I love the green on the Aston Martin.

[OmegaJJH]

Originally Posted by Jster

Btw, I love the green on the Aston Martin.

I think they’ve got it wrong, it’s too dark.

The green they use on their GT3 race cars is nicer.




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[Andad]

It was a good race and almost as good as Moto GP.

[Jackie Daytona]

Originally Posted by OmegaJJH

I think they’ve got it wrong, it’s too dark.

The green they use on their GT3 race cars is nicer.




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I was going to say that as well. It’s a few shades off of the traditional Aston Martin racing colors. I think this new shade is even better and a fantastic color, I don’t care much for the team, but the color is great.

[Sleepy996]

Agreed I would have loved to have seen a traditional british racing green on the cars this year.

[enjoythemusic]

Originally Posted by Zakalwe

Somebody at Merc needs to tell Bottas he’s the number two driver.

So Bottas is the equivalent of Barrichello when he was with Ferrari and MSC (senior). Personally, i feel Barrichello is a better driver than Bottas, yet we'll never really know :(

[The Joker]

Originally Posted by OmegaJJH

I think they’ve got it wrong, it’s too dark.

The green they use on their GT3 race cars is nicer.




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Saw when they were showing it in the factory to Lawrence, it really is pearlescent and has pop. So probably changes in different light.

[77T]

Originally Posted by enjoythemusic

So Bottas is the equivalent of Barrichello when he was with Ferrari and MSC (senior). Personally, i feel Barrichello is a better driver than Bottas, yet we'll never really know :(

When we talk about teams there are strategy differences based on the chance of winning vs. scoring points for a share of EOY purse, manufacturer points, etc.

If I had the data and the metrics, I’d say the way to pick the better driver is the algorithm:
(#times he hit his marks per uncontested lap + #laps managed to race strategy) ÷ #errors unforced = RQ

By my measure, it goes to BOT. He “out-ices” the Iceman. BAR was stellar but not as steady. Just my 2¢ per the team values.

In the cases of Mercedes and Ferrari winning all 3 categories is key. For others like Haas, letting the team’s drivers battle each other at each race is fun to watch but really a pointless approach to achieving anything other than a few points.

BOT & BAR served slightly different roles at their respective teams. MSC & HAM had different influences along the way, too.

As for stats, if winning is one’s metric, BOT@9 vs BAR@11 is a stat. Of course BOT is apt to achieve a few more. BAR scored 68 podiums and BOT is at 57. So the crown goes to BAR.

But at each race there is a tactician who has “programmed” the race for each driver. There are many race strategies reflected in that program. HAM & BOT are both briefed and know their roles.

If HAM Strat.1 fails due to calamity, or something as simple as a carbon fiber shard causing a puncture, then BOT Strat.2 may propel him to the top step.


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[Too Old]

Originally Posted by Andad

It was a good race and almost as good as Moto GP.

You're right!

Only one thing better than MotoGP for good race, that's Moto3!!!

[enjoythemusic]

77T, wow and GREAT post! Agree Bot is an excellent driver and wow wow wow you are an analytics guy (big respect)

Am sure numerically you're correct, i was going by feelings (so yeah, my bad). Maybe it's the warm and friendly smile of Baracello that won me over? Something about those Brazilian drivers....

We mere mortals have no idea the full workout, food, driving skill, etc these drivers endure over the years to get to where they are. Even the drivers that finish at the end of the pack deserve much respect, as getting a seat on an F1 team takes more than a great smile and bags full of currency (and bringing in some key sponsors).

Thx 77T for keeping the stats... and keeping it real. They very much DO matter. With so many races within a season as compared to the early years, some stats are skewed a bit yet that can easily be factored in as well.

Am VERY impressed with the overall reliability we're seeing nowadays as compared to decades ago.

Btw, i truly DISLIKE the term 'won' (i.e. he/the team 'won' the race). Imho they EARNED finishing in First Place. Sure at times team strategy gets the podium over a team with a faster car. The driver does their part, the team does a MASSIVE effort too. There are also overachievers, so a nod to when Jenson (driver)... or Jordan (team)....

Let the good times roll

[SDGT3]

meh, Bottas is a true #2 in every sense of the word. If we were to draft drivers I guarantee he'd be at the bottom quartile of those chosen. He was nearly nicked in qualifying last year by a driver (Russell) who had never scored a point in 2 years of F1 racing, didn't fit in the car, had to wear a shoes size smaller than his regular size and was pushing the wrong buttons and only came up .1 seconds off Bottas time. Of course in the race Russell left Bottas in the dust and would have handily won the race were it not for a botched pit stop giving Russell the wrong tires and then a puncture. With all that time in the pits, he was still chasing down Bottas toward the end of the race. Not a fan of VB

[SDGT3]

Surprised that no one has opined about the race weekend in Italy. Two races, two unbelievably exciting races with excitement and drama from start to finish and that's not mentioning the fact that qualifying had the top 3 separated by less than .1 sec.

Curious how everyone else saw what transpired today?

[sillo]

It was a solid race and I'm happy to see anyone besides Merc on the top step. I love Imola too, but it's just not really suited to these giant modern cars.

I also think cars should not be allowed to unlap themselves during red flags. Lewis makes an extremely uncharacteristic and race ruining error, just to get gifted a red flag which puts him right back into it. There's no way he would've or should've finished P2 in that race and we would've had our 2nd non-Merc driver in the championship lead since the start of the Hybrid era.

Lastly, my guy Seb cannot catch freakin' break, though he didn't even finish and still finished ahead of both Hass cars.

[shaunylw]

Originally Posted by sillo

It was a solid race and I'm happy to see anyone besides Merc on the top step. I love Imola too, but it's just not really suited to these giant modern cars.

I also think cars should not be allowed to unlap themselves during red flags. Lewis makes an extremely uncharacteristic and race ruining error, just to get gifted a red flag which puts him right back into it. There's no way he would've or should've finished P2 in that race and we would've had our 2nd non-Merc driver in the championship lead since the start of the Hybrid era.

Lastly, my guy Seb cannot catch freakin' break, though he didn't even finish and still finished ahead of both Hass cars.

Agree with you on the red flag, that is very strange. I’m a big red bull fan, always happy to see max up front. I was really surprised how much speed Mclaren had, it could make for an interesting season!


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[joli160]

In one race enough action for a full season, kept me on the edge of my chair.
The first turn with Verstappen and Hamilton shows how you can race and not crash

Most important the safety construction of the cars is incredible

[Sleepy996]

This season is shaping up to be the most competitive we've seen in a very long time. Hopefully it keeps.

[huncho]

Originally Posted by joli160

In one race enough action for a full season, kept me on the edge of my chair.
The first turn with Verstappen and Hamilton shows how you can race and not crash

Most important the safety construction of the cars is incredible

bahrain was great too. very tense last 15 laps or so

[jatco]

A great race overall, baring the mishaps
Kudos to Norris for his podium finish and to Max for the win . This should be an interesting season...

[SDGT3]

My thoughts on the weekend. It appears the Merc is just slightly better than the Red Bull on race pace as Lewis was able to secure both pole position and fastest lap of the race when on the same compound as Max and the same amount of laps on the medium compound.

Max, however, was the better driver in the wet and was able to keep his lead after 2 safety cars and a red flag in drying conditions.

Lewis has to be the luckiest racer in any category I've ever seen. What are the odds that a guy that goes into the gravel trap, breaks his wing, spends appx. 90 seconds trying to dislodge himself and is already a lap down is saved by not only a safety car period, but a red flag that unlaps him??? If the Russell/Bottas incident doesn't happen, Lewis limps to the pits (the longest pit straight on the F1 calendar at 28 seconds) then has to do a nose change (appx. 14 seconds instead of the 2-3 second regular stop) and he's probably another lap down and out of the points completely.

Never believe anything you hear and only half of what you see... For all the bravado of V. Bottas, the bottomline is that he was fighting with a Williams for a single point and the Williams was about to pass him before the incident. The world is tired of hearing how this is his year and how he's going to challenge Lewis for the title now.... it's never going to happen.

Norris is really driving well as are the 2 Ferrari drivers. Both Ricciardo and Alonso need more races to get used to their respective cars before they can be on pace with their teammate. Little disappointed in Perez who had the pace but made way too many mistakes and put himself out of the points.

Finally, a great year of racing and 2 for 2 in excitement to start. Portimao should be incredible!