Topic: Push Square Formula 1 thread - F1

Awesome Race. Whenever there is a safety car it always benefits some and hinders others but his pace in the the lead up to the safety car got him that spot. To be honest I didn't think he was going to be able to hold off Max after the restart, especially as Max seemed right on him when they were released and almost had a go into the first corner. After that though he just dropped him and kept pulling away.

Very popular result too with so many drivers going over to congratulate him. Nice touch from Alonso to go and congratulate the team straight after too.

Fingers crossed Maclaren can continue to bring the fight to Red Bull going forward.

Typical that the weekend I was away is one of the more exciting. I was watching when I could from my phone. I saw a lot of the sprint and had half an eye on the race. Congrats Lando, been a long time coming.

Perez out again in Q1. With other teams catching up to Red Bull I wonder if they can afford to keep him on for 2025?

@themightyant It's bizarre, it's almost like last season where he started fine but suddenly dropped way behind Max. I don't think he can afford for his bad form to go on for as long as it did last time.

Tomorrow should be more interesting now that a Max win looks virtually impossible baring some major mishaps. Can Charles break his Monaco curse?

Race ban incoming for KMAG.

Hope this doesn't become a no-stop race now, that would be dull.

@BearsEatBeets maybe. I think there WAS a gap there, though you’d have to be very brave/stupid to take it, but first lap they MAY give him a pass… perhaps. But probably not. Big accident though.

I was just about to say Ferrari had a good chance to close in on Red Bull this race… then Sainz got a puncture and looked out, then Perez was out and then a red flag and Sainz limped back to the pits. Will be interesting to see what they say the restart order is

@themightyant If he had been more alongside Perez I could have understood but his front tyres were in line with Perez's rears, I think he should have conceded sooner. Your right the 'first lap' leniency may just save him from a ban. I've only seen Hulk's viewpoint once but feel he was a bit hopeful trying to speed past them as they collided but at those speeds it's hard to judge.
That barrier looked pretty bad. I hope we don't have to wait for them to replace it all, it could be quite a while for a restart.

From my understanding of what they are saying if the cars swap tyres now they can go to the end without having to do a stop. Might be about to watch a parade around Monaco now.
Ferrari and Sainz feeling mighty relieved right now.

@BearsEatBeets on seeing all the replays I think it’s the right decision, Perez had looked and seen he was there and STILL closed the gap. While Magnussen probably shouldn’t have been there Perez shouldn’t have closed the gap.

Happy for Charles, he’s been pretty unlucky here in the past, but despite all the drama at the beginning Monaco continues to be dull. Top 10 qualifiers finished exactly as the top 10. I know it’s the glitz and glamour but I don’t like it.

Also Perez down to fifth in the drivers standings, Ferrari less than a win behind Red Bull in the constructors. Sergio needs to start pulling his weight.

@themightyant I can understand them taking no further action. However, even though they noticed that Perez had seen Mag was there, I think he probably assumed Kev was going to back off from that position which I think he should have done. Still, they both could have done more to avoid it so understand the decision.
I totally agree with other points. Super happy for Charles and you could see how much that meant to him, even heard him in the cool down room saying he started feeling emotional with a couple of laps to go and his teary vision started to affect him. I also get the tradition of the track but I'm of the opinion they need to find ways to change it or get rid of it. It's just no longer a race track. They need to make the cars smaller or find some adjustments to the track (or both).
I'm pretty sure there are some roads just after the Grand Hotel hairpin(6), where they could turn left immediately after turn 7 and then loop back onto the road leading into the tunnel further back. Therefore making that fast section through the tunnel even longer and make moves into the Nouvelle Chicane more achievable.
I think everyone including Martin Brundle were surprised how close Ferrari are to Red Bull now. Have we maybe got a Championship competition this season after all? Certainly grateful for a decent track next with Canada. Fingers crossed we can have 3 teams all battling for the podium places in 2 weeks.

Have we maybe got a Championship competition this season after all?

I hope so, but while I’m usually an optimist I doubt it, at least for the drivers championship. Monaco is a unique track that didn’t suit Red Bull’s car AND Verstappen had a bad qualifying. Those two things are unlikely to happen too often this season. But it is closer, and as I said Perez has to start pulling his weight or Red Bull might lose the constructors to Ferrari.

McLaren are also very close in terms of performance with one of the best driver parings on the grid, Piastri continues to show he’s the real deal - and in a few more races Mercedes have their big upgrade coming, if that works (which is always a doubt) we could have 6-8 drivers competing for wins.

But that’s best case, I’d expect red bull to dominate most races still. Ultimately it’s a very long season though so anything can happen. Bring it on

After yesterday's enjoyable mixed up qualifying and the starting weather I'm looking forward to this Canadian GP. Just hope they don't delay the start.

@BearsEatBeets Fantastic weekend so far. And that’s about the first time I remember someone overtaking Verstappen on merit in a long time!

@themightyant best race of the season by far. I’m a bit confused how Lando has lost the lead when they all pitted under SC and he had a several second lead.
Still, lots to go and he is looking epic.

Edit: they just explained he caught the SC so lost time there.

Albon has to have just banked overtake (s) of the day with that move.

@BearsEatBeets yes was a great move. He got rather unlucky, but it was a fun race!

Best race of the season for me. A shame Lando couldn't quite give Max a battle after the last SC, it seems their dominance in the damp was gone once it dried out. Lots of good battles though, even for first. A right stinker for Ferrari though, McLaren catching them up and Lando only 7 points behind Charles.
@themightyant Gutted for Albon. Nothing he could about being taken out and was doing well.

The Perez deal is looking more and more bizarre with each race.

@BearsEatBeets I know I’ve been more negative on Checo for a while but even last year when they dominated more than any ever team has ever done Checo was still missing Q3 frequently. I know it can’t be easy being Max’s teammate he’s a genius, but Checos results are still not good enough imho.

In fact the only reason I can think that they retained him is to not upset Max.