F1 fans?

[lefthack]

I loved seeing Gasley do well and both McLarens.

[golfortennis]

7 hours ago, lefthack said:

I loved seeing Gasley do well and both McLarens.

 

It will be interesting to see if Gasly stays at AT and they get treated almost as an RB equal, or if he goes to a higher team. Not sure where he could go, and would also revive the question about whether he simply does well in this car with no pressure or if he is a top driver.

[lefthack]

24 minutes ago, golfortennis said:

 

It will be interesting to see if Gasly stays at AT and they get treated almost as an RB equal, or if he goes to a higher team. Not sure where he could go, and would also revive the question about whether he simply does well in this car with no pressure or if he is a top driver.

 

He said he was staying put until he could go to Ferrari, I think. He didn't like Red Bull and said he was happier on the B team where he is the star, not the supporting cast. For basically running last year's Red Bull car, he's doing awesome. 

[lefthack]

Bottas is doing himself no favors. Rumor is Hamilton wants him to stay on Mercedes. I don't get it.

 

https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/bottas-hit-with-styrian-gp-grid-penalty-for-pitlane-incident/6607734/

[lefthack]

Hamilton was first in practice, tomorrow's quali will be awesome.

[golfortennis]

If Hamilton wants Bottas to stay at Mercedes, and Hamilton has resigned for another 2 years with Merc,  then that makes the George Russell situation very interesting.  Because Russell wants to be in a competitive car, and Williams just isn't there.  Maybe next year's regulations will tighten the field, but I don't think it will be that quick.  

 

You have to believe Perez gets resigned at RB, but you never know with those guys.

 

 

[lefthack]

Mercedes needs to put Russell in that seat because they need a driver. Look what he does in the Williams car. The next to slowest car on the grid placed P9. The dude can drive, everyone saw what he did in Hamilton's car that was too small for him. Put him in a car that fits and you have 2 drivers fighting for the title.

[golfortennis]

1 hour ago, lefthack said:

Mercedes needs to put Russell in that seat because they need a driver. Look what he does in the Williams car. The next to slowest car on the grid placed P9. The dude can drive, everyone saw what he did in Hamilton's car that was too small for him. Put him in a car that fits and you have 2 drivers fighting for the title.

 

Sure, but I think Mercedes does not want 2 drivers fighting for the title.  2016 was often enough.  They want Hamilton fighting for the title, and the second driver to be up on the grid, on the podium to secure the constructors championship, and to take victories when Hamilton's car is not cooperating.  But they don't want two guys fighting for it.  IMHO, anyways.

[Mr. Grumpy]

On 7/4/2021 at 6:26 PM, golfortennis said:

 

Sure, but I think Mercedes does not want 2 drivers fighting for the title.  2016 was often enough.  They want Hamilton fighting for the title, and the second driver to be up on the grid, on the podium to secure the constructors championship, and to take victories when Hamilton's car is not cooperating.  But they don't want two guys fighting for it.  IMHO, anyways.

GR would not be fighting for a title if put in Bottas' seat. Could he do consistently as well as Bottas? I have no clue and Merc probably feels the same which is why it's too risky. Like you said, Bottas finishes up the grid helping them in the constructors championship. 

[golfortennis]

1 hour ago, Mr. Grumpy said:

GR would not be fighting for a title if put in Bottas' seat. Could he do consistently as well as Bottas? I have no clue and Merc probably feels the same which is why it's too risky. Like you said, Bottas finishes up the grid helping them in the constructors championship. 

 

I don't know.  Dude got a *Williams* into Q3.  He was on track to win a race driving Hamilton's car(ie not setup for him, and he is quite a bit taller than Hamilton). 

 

I think you are underselling Russell a bit.  But that's what makes it interesting! 

 

ETA:  With Hamilton signed on for two more years, and word being he prefers Bottas as teammate, it may be moot.  Although I have to think Russell starts looking elsewhere.  Unless 2022 really brings the field back together.

Edited July 10, 2021 by golfortennis

[Mr. Grumpy]

2 hours ago, golfortennis said:

 

I don't know.  Dude got a *Williams* into Q3.  He was on track to win a race driving Hamilton's car(ie not setup for him, and he is quite a bit taller than Hamilton). 

 

I think you are underselling Russell a bit.  But that's what makes it interesting! 

 

ETA:  With Hamilton signed on for two more years, and word being he prefers Bottas as teammate, it may be moot.  Although I have to think Russell starts looking elsewhere.  Unless 2022 really brings the field back together.

He may look elsewhere especially since the changes in 22. Don't get me wrong, he is a great driver, but to go from almost last of the 1.5 to a championship contender just because it's a Merc is a tall order. BTW, I fully expect Bottas to sabotage his relationship at Merc and begin looking for a new seat. I think 22 will have more drivers jockeying for a contending car. 

 

I also may be out of my mind! hahahaha... 

[golfortennis]

3 hours ago, Mr. Grumpy said:

He may look elsewhere especially since the changes in 22. Don't get me wrong, he is a great driver, but to go from almost last of the 1.5 to a championship contender just because it's a Merc is a tall order. BTW, I fully expect Bottas to sabotage his relationship at Merc and begin looking for a new seat. I think 22 will have more drivers jockeying for a contending car. 

 

I also may be out of my mind! hahahaha... 

 

I just love the reference to F1.5 .  Didn't think anyone here would have gotten that reference.

 

The thing about going to contender....the car is just sooo much better.  He'd be a contender almost by default due to the car.  Whether he wins it or not is a different story, but short of mechanical failures, I can't see him struggling to be top 5, if not podium most races.  Just by virtue of the car.  

[lefthack]

Russell said he isn't going anywhere. Williams is the B team for Merc and Toto has told him he will be rewarded for his efforts.

 

I think Mercedes will move him up to push Hamilton. I think Perez had pushed Max.

[golfortennis]

So what did everyone think of the sprint qualifying format?

[TerpFangolfer]

Missed it unfortunately, due to watching the Open.

Actually been so busy lately I hadn't even heard about the new format. 

Have they said they will continue it for the rest of the season?

[lefthack]

2 hours ago, golfortennis said:

So what did everyone think of the sprint qualifying format?

 

I liked it. Lots of moves early, tight open. I thought it was great.

 

Tomorrow should be good. I know Russell wants to impress as much as he can before Spa so he gets a seat next year.

[lefthack]

Or not. 🤣

 

https://www.planetf1.com/news/george-russell-british-gp-grid-penalty/

[ebrasmus21]

Max and Lewis must not like one another 

[lefthack]

Damn, I feel bad for Max, I think it was just good racing though. This season isn't even half way yet. 

[golfortennis]

So apparently the shunt was $1.8 million worth of damage.  Holy crap.

 

I'll be curious to see what happens in future races.  I think Ecclestone made a good point.  If it was a penalizable offense, the penalty given was far too lenient.  A ten second penalty for taking a guy out on the first lap has zero impact on a car of that level.  

 

I'm still torn as to whether it was a racing incident or worthy of a penalty, but he basically wasn't penalized at all.

[lefthack]

Max had the corner and Hamilton should have slowed but you knew he wasn't giving up position. It happens, but I don't think it was intentional.

 

That's one hell of a repair bill. It sounds like they salvaged the power unit, so he still has one in the garage left.

[lefthack]

What a hot mess of a race that was, damn. Gasly is my hero. 1 lap left and he pits to take fastest lap from Hamilton, well done. I would love to see him at McLaren.

[Mr. Grumpy]

Nuts today! It made a traditionally boring track into an amazing race, start to finish. Gutted for Vettel. I wondered why he stopped on the track after. It will be interesting to see the appeal by AM. 

 

How about old man Alonso! Dude defended superbly! 

 

 

[lefthack]

Seriously, Alonso on his birthday weekend look awesome. I'm getting excited for next year when I think the field will be a little more level. The grid had some serious young talent.

[lefthack]

[TiScape]

On 8/1/2021 at 6:53 PM, lefthack said:

Seriously, Alonso on his birthday weekend look awesome. I'm getting excited for next year when I think the field will be a little more level. The grid had some serious young talent.

It that primarily because of the new aero regulations that will supposedly make passing easier? 

[lefthack]

1 hour ago, TiScape said:

It that primarily because of the new aero regulations that will supposedly make passing easier? 

 

Yes, supposed to be able to follow closer and pass. Looking at the field, McLaren and Ferrari are both really strong with strong drivers. I think there is possibly 4+ teams looking at either championship next year.

 

But maybe George Russell runs away with it in the Merc. 🤣

[lefthack]

Next year will be really hot with a half dozen great drivers in all new cars. Now a new bonus to work towards.

 

 

https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/f1-announces-new-overtaking-award/6652843/

 

[golfortennis]

I guess Verstappen and Hamilton just can't be away from each other.  Bromance?

[lefthack]

It's heated for sure. Next year will be nutty. There are at least 4 teams and 6+ drivers who are dying for a shot. Depending on where the cars end up next year, it could be a lot more interesting in the title battle.