Topic: Push Square Formula 1 thread - F1

I hope this Sainz penalty doesn’t cause dangerous chaos at the line.

Edit: of course 5 seconds is loads of time and no one had to do anything silly. Sainz is now last. It’s still too early.

Wow Hulk got lucky it held on just long enough.

8 cars out by the end. Madness! In what was a pretty dull race in terms of actual racing they did everything to make it thrilling… and try and screw Max out of an easy win.

The decision at the end has huge implications to both tables. But it was the right decision.

@themightyant yeah not the best race for wheel to wheel racing but very eventful and exciting enough to keep me awake.
Nice discussing the race with you this early morning 👍 Pondering catching a bit more sleep now or getting up 🤔

@BearsEatBeets likewise. Enjoy the rest of the day mate

This was a very sobering read, especially the bit at the end about the possibility of Red Bull still sandbagging and hiding their true pace.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/65153096

Feels a little weird getting ready for qualifying after all the footie on a Saturday. I hope Miami can provide a bit more excitement than Baku but I'm not overly optimistic.

Well that's going to spice things up. My enthusiasm for tomorrows race has improved.

Did NOT see that happening. Mixed up grid is always more exciting. Lewis P13, Max P9, Charles P6 should inject a little more fun, if there is any chance of overtaking with this new slippery surface that is, off the racing line is tough.

@themightyant We might see a few safety cars with it being so slippery off-line. It's a shame it takes something like that to mix it up but if it makes it more exciting tomorrow I'll take it.

@BearsEatBeets Absolutely, hoping it’s better than Baku!

The Americans love to try and build hype, and are generally good at it, but this intro thing is cringe.

Kudos to Sir Jackie Stewart for totally disregarding the security and literally grabbing Roger Federrer for Martin to interview 😄

@BearsEatBeets for sure. The fast and furious but was cringe AF. Almost as bad as when they were at the Game Awards.

Anyway 15 laps in Max up 7 places in second, meanwhile Lewis in a DRS train and can’t overtake. Tale of two cities

Update: he’s managed to pass Albon now

@themightyant Yeah I'm glad I was only half watching the build-up with that F&F rubbish.

Max certainly got it done quicker than Alonso guessed. Still this is already much better than Baku.

@BearsEatBeets it is bonkers that Max can start 9th and yet no one bats an eyelid that he wins. Complete dominance. Great push in the middle stint but Perez will feel mugged, wasn’t even close between them, should be doing a lot better.

Alonso in a race on his own, Russell mostly similar but made some nice moves. Great recovery from Lewis from P13 to P6 probably driver of the day for me considering that Merc certainly isn’t the Red Bull and he was stuck in a DRS train at the start.

Other than that not a lot to report, not the most thrilling race imo

@themightyant yeah that one is a bit embarrassing for Perez. I agree with Lewis being driver of the day, I think both Merc drivers did well with some overtakes.

I thought it was a pretty good race with quite of lot of overtakes but that's probably because the last one was so poor.
I think they need to do something with qualifying. With normal qualifying the fastest cars at the front just pull away because they are pretty much always in order of pace. I'd ponder doing away with it entirely and do a grid of reverse positions of the previous race but that would potentially be chaos at the start.

Gutting for Maclaren, they are really struggling and don't look like improving any time soon. Hopefully Mercedes' new parts for the next race prove to be substantially better.

@BearsEatBeets yeah I’ve just seen George’s passes and there were more than I thought. Great drive from him too. Yes hopefully they can fight Aston Martin with their upgrade at the next race, it’s not going to get near Red Bull.

McLaren are woeful, Ferrari still have the problem of a great qualifying setup but awful tyre deg in race. 4th best right now.

Loving seeing a happy Alonso this year, he’s mellowed and being a team player. Feels like a good character arc 😂 Stroll needs to do better

@themightyant I loved the bit where Alonso commented on a Stroll overtake, which he must have seen on a big screen, whilst driving an F1 car in a podium position! Part of me is gutted there wasn't a way Vettel could have stayed for one more year and still have Alonso. I think that would have been a lot of fun.

@BearsEatBeets yeah that was fun. Fernando’s always been a big brain on the track, uses everything to his advantage and has an almost telepathic ability to know what going on on track. See it time and time again he is like a chess player several moves ahead.

Seb and Fernando would be a dangerous pairing, now they are both older and wiser they’d likely be good teammates unlike when young. I miss Seb! A good dude.

What a crazy qualifying session so far. This is probably going to be more exciting than the race tomorrow though.

Bloody visor cam around Monaco is terrifying lol