Topic: Push Square Formula 1 thread - F1

@themightyant It's a shame McLaren and Mercedes haven't really had this pace since the start of the season — especially McLaren.

I really hope next season is a lot closer at the front. People complained about Hamilton's dominance but at least he had some genuine competition. Max is just cruising most weeks.

@KAIRU I hope too. And I think it will be a BIT closer. But sadly I think it will be exactly as several of us predicted at the start of the year... or was it last year. i.e. new rule change, someone will get it 'right' everyone else will spend a few years catching up, the field will close and just as it is getting competitive they will move the goalposts when the rules change again. Back to step 1 just hoping it is someone different who gets it 'right' for a little variety. Model seems broken imho. And as much as I understand the reason for it, and cost cap, it is making things worse.

@themightyant We can only hope, I suppose! Time will tell though.

The grid is as absolutely ridiculous as I thought it was going to be. Makes Monaco seem calm and normal.

@BearsEatBeets I thought it was a brilliant weekend after the disaster of FP1. Excellent racing all over. I'm actually tempted to go back and see some onboard highlights. Not only the grid was all messed up but drivers caught up in the first corner incident or from penalties because of it overtook dozens of cars between them especially, Checo, Lewis, Carlos and Fernando, who was the instigator for once.

I groaned at the last safety car as I knew it played into Max's hands, but it actually gave us a lot of other exciting action. A thrilling weekend.

@themightyant A bit late responding but agree with you totally it ended up being one of the better races of the season. I heard Ricciardo saying in a press conference it was the second most overtakes in a race this season.
I was gutted for Lando but we have a few tight fights for places this weekend now. Ferrari and Merc for second in the constructors and although they may not care too much, there is only 5 points between Carlos, Alonso and Lando for 4th,5th and 6th.

Another relatively entertaining race. Congratulations to Max and Red Bull on an utterly dominant season. But as a fan I hope for more competition next year.

@BearsEatBeets Merc scraped to 2nd in constructors, Fernando to 4th in drivers level on points with Charles who finished strong - I think he got a little unlucky this year with 5 non-scoring races and should have been competing or beating Lewis in 3rd. Lando then pipped Carlos who will be frustrated to go from 4th to 7th in the last race! Fingers crossed for 2024.

@themightyant Not among the best races of the season but not in the worst either. I loved the strategy going on in LeClerc's head whilst driving at silly speeds.

Saw something that suggested the average speeds between the teams compared to the previous season did actually tighten. Fingers crossed a few teams catch up to the Red Bull next season. I'd love it if Marc, Maclaren and Ferrari are all able to compete for an occasional win next season even if RB still has an edge.

@BearsEatBeets Indeed. Enjoyed all that with Leclerc. Definitely want to see the other teams doing better.

Hoping Perez can sort his head out too. He almost matched Max in the first 5 races, winning two and coming second twice. But then only got 5 podiums in the next 17 while Max won 16 of those 17. I know it's really hard being Max's team mate, i'm not expecting him to beat Max frequently, but he massively underperformed. He should have been on the podium almost every race and won a few more. If the constructors title was closer I can't imagine they would put up with that complete lack of consistency, but Max won Constructors alone.

Enjoy the hibernation until testing in February

@themightyant Good point. If Perez had been more of a threat, those 2 battling might have caused some mishaps for others to benefit from as well.

With this and tennis done it's just footie and American football to see me through the dark winter 😁

Glad it's over. A record breaking season which should be recognized but it kills the sport as a competition. Hoping for better next year.