@Elfuggingjefe@themightyant@Titntin Totally on the same wavelength as you guys with these last few posts.
After following F1 when I was young through the Mansell/Senna/Prost to the Hill/Schumacher era I drifted away for quite a long time so never really saw young Alonso win and just got back into it when Seb had already started to dominate. I only really started to admire Seb near the end and think he is the type of person the governing body for FIA could really benefit from having.
That reminds me, I don't think we ever discussed the whole voting for the next head of the FIA and how it is rigged for Sulayem. Blatant corruption and it's sickening that it's allowed to happen.
Anyway, I'll have to look up that video of Lewis and Seb, and almost time for the Sprint. The build up looks like it's pretty dry after all with maybe a slight dampness to the track.
EDIT: It may be wetter than I thought as they just discussed it. It might be just borderline enough to force some different strategies or pitstops in the Sprint to spice it up.
Max is an undeniable talent, maybe the fastest pure racer I have ever seen, I respect that hugely. But you take the rough with the smooth and I really don’t like some of his antics. Things like deliberately hitting Russell when he felt the stewards got it wrong, he occasionally sees red and does crazy things. And I think the stewards need to be firmer here.
Trust is a huge part of racing and I feel Max bullies others off the track knowing he will almost never yield.
I’m slightly amazed, especially earlier in his career when he was in the midfield melee and far more aggressive, that no one ever got injured. I remember Seb saying similar years ago that the stewards had to take a stand before someone got hurt.
It’s a hard one to balance, utter respect for his driving talent, but disliking some of his antics.
Talking of amazed nothing happened. What are the odds of all three cars crashing on the same corner but not hitting each other. Very glad as that could have been nasty hitting a static car.
Bearman on fire! I wonder if the new track surface has anything to do with some of the drivers struggling for grip? Some interesting times so far but it's all pretty close up top, it wouldn't take much to jump some places.
That was a fun qualifying. A little bit of a shame Bearman's pace slipped slightly when it mattered most but still a hugely impressive display overall. If the Sprint is anything to go on Antonelli is going to keep Lando on his toes in the race.
Also where did Charles suddenly pull those times from?
The Sprint was actually a bit disappointing for overtakes/racing but hopefully the full race with strategy will be more exciting.
Don't think I've ever seen the need for a double-boxer, especially on the final lap. Interlagos delivers again. Mature display from Antonelli and Bearman continues a quality weekend as well.
Unbelievable drive from Max, new PU definitely helped looking at some of those overtakes, it was like he was in a different class. Much of that was him, some was the car.
But Lando takes a 24 point lead over his teammate and a 49 point lead over Max. Strong weekend for Lando.
Kimi starting to show some consistency. Well done. Brilliant from Bearman again. Lawson, Hadjar, Hulk and Gasly also in the points deserve some credit. 7 teams in top 10.
Ferrari double DNF likely ruined their chances of P2 in constructors. Horrible weekend for them, while Mercedes and Max capitalised.
Qualifying for Vegas was quite a treat. Not sure what the forecast for the race is but if it's anything like for quali it will make for an exciting race tomorrow. Some great driving on display in the conditions.
Much like today I'm not going to get up at the silly time to see it live, instead I'll just watch the rerun 'as live' later in the morning.
Sleep schedule has been upset due to the Ashes and I ended up finding myself awake at 3:30 and watched the GP.. Pretty exciting race I won’t spoil anything for those who haven’t watched it yet. Enjoy.
@themightyant I decided to go for the 8am replay 'as live' so just watching the podium interview now. I watched in bed using my laptop hooked up to TV so when I went to the Sky website to open the feed what's the first thing Sky has plastered across the screen - the winner of the race! Thanks Sky.
Anyway, I think I'll avoid discussing any result stuff yet as some still might not have seen yet. I will say the Vegas post race stuff showing now is so cringe, just give them the trophies.
Now safe to look at the news I've seen the potential major issue for one team. That could be huge if turns out to be true.
EDIT: It's been confirmed!!!!
Will pop back later after the lunchtime re-run and maybe the outcome of possible infringements.
@BearsEatBeets yeah I didn’t want to give any spoilers earlier. I know the emails also show hidden spoiler text. But the replay’s now finished too seems fair to chat.
As soon as I heard it was a possible plank wear infringement for both McLarens it was obvious that would be a double DSQ, as that penalty is never overturned. Obviously that’s now the big news, but before that I thought it was a fun race from the first corner. Action everywhere, it’s a shame it often wasn’t onscreen.
Lando aggressively blocking Max but then missing his braking and dropping to third; Antonelli on an off-set strategy, and now on the podium; Leclerc overtaking like a monster in the first stint. Hamilton moving from 19th to 12th on the first lap before being stuck behind Ocon. It was happening everywhere, except at the front… once Max was in clean air there was only one winner without a SC.
I thought Lando was sensible and got what he needed, gave him a huge buffer… but now the DSQ changes everything, no room for mistakes, pressure will be on Lando, even with a 24 point lead.
It’s a shame as all I am seeing online is everyone saying FiA is fixing it again. Plank wear is open shut imo, McLaren will also double check this.
It was a fun race, though surprisingly difficult to overtake for most.
I feel sorry for Lando. He keeps doing what needs to be done but a double dq is not something you can drive around. I still think he will grab the title though....
@themightyant I find it really hard to look at online discussion for F1 nowadays, even Matt & Tommy's comments section. The amount of conspiracy bs and delusion has become unbearable. I've even sometimes found them quick to assume some things without knowing facts.
Looking at the post race interview now, you can tell Lando was concerned about something. I think it's possible McLaren knew this track is a tricky one for them and maybe went too aggressive with their setup (ride height) and it's cost them big time. I thought I saw them producing a ton of sparks at certain points in the race.
Antonelli is massively my driver of the day. From where he started and making those tyres work for so long holding off Piastri and Leclerc.
The only bit of direction I remember being bad was when Verstappen was coming out of the pits and we weren't certain if he was going to hold the lead and they weren't showing it onscreen.
I'm glad it's straight into the next race, it's going to be spicey. Mclaren, and specifically Lando, just need to be clam though. These tracks are much more suited to their car and podiums for both will probably be enough to clinch it.
@BearsEatBeets shame there’s no likes on the forum as I’d like your post many times over.
Absolutely agree about the amount of BS F1 chat online, I don’t usually venture out to looking much elsewhere because of it to be honest, but this such was a huge event and it felt necessary, likely a mistake. Every time I read “Crashstappen”, “Cryhamilton” or some of the other tin-foil hat nonsense I lose braincells, I’d pull out my hair but it’s almost all gone already. 😂
It’s why I keep posting here! It’s nice that even when we disagree we do so respectfully, as sport should be. (Ends rant)
Agree with seeing the sparks, especially from Oscar at the end, I actually thought he might have had a bit of debris under the car at one point there were so many, but it turns out it was just plank wear.
@Titntin Totally agree about feeling for Lando, since the mid season break - where we were rightly critical as he seemed to be missing out on too many points - he has been superb and shown the consistency of an F1 Champion. (While Oscar has bizarrely done the opposite having been on almost every podium before). Though as a fan it does keep it exciting for the finish.
@BearsEatBeets I agree Lando probably just needs to be calm, he’s got one hand on the title, 24 points is still a lot, but he will now have both Max and Oscar even more desperate behind him. One misjudged lunge could seal it. Equally if Lando drives too cautiously that’s usually when things happen. Other drivers sense weakness and a small space. Pressure is now going to be on him, he needs to be mentally strong and just keep doing what he’s doing.
Lastly I wonder if this was track specific or if McLaren will have to raise the ride height a little and lose performance. That could bring Russell, Leclerc etc. into the picture if so. Currently if Lando got P3 in every race and sprint he would still win the title by 2 points even if Max won every race and the sprint. So he has a little wiggle room.
@themightyant Cheers mate and totally agree. I mostly get my sports news from BBC Sport and every time I decide to peruse the comments I usually regret it. I've never bothered posting anything myself but I suppose I like to try and upvote any level-headed and reasonable posts, if I can find any.
To be honest I do similar here when it comes to news articles. Some comments trigger a response but I rarely consider it worthwhile to engage.
Anyway, back on topic. Reading about the DSQ it seems McLaren tried to argue the unusual conditions for the practise sessions meant they weren't able to get enough data to determine that it was going to bottom out so much. I suppose if they didn't do much full fuel runs and played with run heights for the rain sessions it's possible they were just unfortunate. Apparently the worst margin over the limit was 0.12mm (about the width of a hair). Not that any of this excuses it, there has be a line somewhere and they broke it. Simple as.
I'm fairly sure this won't affect them much going forward but time will tell. The next 2 tracks are supposedly better suited to the McLaren so it will be interesting to see if they get back a slight edge on Red Bull (Max) or if he is still on equal footing. Looking forward to it.
You couldn't write it, eh? If Lando holds his nerve he should still be OK, but this is a giant mistake from McLaren.
...and guys, you are correct, it's hard to join in with any online discussion these days as it seems impossible to find genuine fans who aren't shouting conspiracy theories at each other. I value your comments. It's nice to know that there are other reasonable fans around who don't get caught up in this hyperbole and just enjoy racing competition.
It's an issue in the gaming space too. I try hard not to get involved but sometimes I bite and wonder why I did... it seldom achieves anything worthwhile.
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