The F1 Thread

[Nando]

Great driving Seb. Miles behind Kimi and ridiculous blocking of Alonso.

 

[Kenny]

Rosberg Pole. Cracking stuff for him as he only had 1 attempt after he had to abort his opening lap due to some failure on the car.
Hamilton was on to beat his time but locked up and that cost him his chance

 

[Paddingtonwolf]

Easy win for Hamilton. Rosberg back in fourth.

So - 19 points clear and can afford to take that engine hit now.

Told you he would win it comfortably.

 

[Kenny]

Going to take 2 engine hits in one weekend.

Either Spa or Monza they will replace the units on one engine in P1 that will put him to the back of the grid....then a second engine will get its parts replaced later in the weekend and it will do nothing as the rules now have you hit last place and no further action. So that should get him to the end of the season.

Awful start by Nico....Probably unlucky to get his 5 second penalty but he should try turning at a corner. Easy race for Lewis once he got in front.

 

[Deutsch Wolf]

I guess the theory being at either of those tracks he can come right through the field?

Penalty was fair enough to me. Turned stupidly late. It's as if he doesn't realise every car has onboard footage.

 

[Kenny]

I guess the theory being at either of those tracks he can come right through the field?

Penalty was fair enough to me. Turned stupidly late. It's as if he doesn't realise every car has onboard footage.

Yep. Both tracks are good for over taking. So back of the grid should see a top 6 finish. Obviously safety cars or rain can improve that possibility.

 

[FrankMunro-371]

Going to take 2 engine hits in one weekend.

Either Spa or Monza they will replace the units on one engine in P1 that will put him to the back of the grid....then a second engine will get its parts replaced later in the weekend and it will do nothing as the rules now have you hit last place and no further action. So that should get him to the end of the season.

Awful start by Nico....Probably unlucky to get his 5 second penalty but he should try turning at a corner. Easy race for Lewis once he got in front.

Didn't Hamilton say last week that he would take his penalty in the next race?

 

[Kenny]

Didn't Hamilton say last week that he would take his penalty in the next race?

He said more than likely as his current engine is now close to the end but it will be assessed by his engineers.

Spa is next race in 4 weeks. He should do it then and get it out of the way and then he concentrate on the final races.

 

[FrankMunro-371]

He said more than likely as his current engine is now close to the end but it will be assessed by his engineers.

Spa is next race in 4 weeks. He should do it then and get it out of the way and then he concentrate on the final races.

Spa is usually a decent track for overtaking, so maybe it will be done then.

 

[Carrotdude]

Glad Nico got a penalty that cost him points for pulling that crap again. He was in no position to overtake and blocked max off by not bothering to turn for the corner again.

 

[BillyDee]

Spa is a glorious course for real racing.

A side bar, talk in the pub is that F1 should get back to proper manual transmission, gear sticks and foot clutches. I know it was mooted a few years back, do you think it could/should happen..?

 

[Paddingtonwolf]

It would test the drivers. I wouldn't mind. Unlikely though I fancy.

 

[Kenny]

Manor replace Rio Haryanto with Esteban Ocon for the rest of the season.

Rio's sponsorship money for the final races ($7m) has not been paid

 

[Kenny]

Mercedes all but confirm Hamilton will be taking a double hit this weekend. Effectively renewing 2 engines so he will start from last place. Sensible move.

Worst case scenario is Nico gets a 7 point lead after the race. Bit of rain and a safety car or 2 would be handy

 

[Kenny]

Hamilton engine unit re-charged in P1. Sky are saying another engine will be done in P2 and then another in P3....totaling 75 Grid penalties. Thanks to Honda and Renault last season (remember Button and Alonso getting 55 places etc) these are no longer carried over or turned into Stop/Go pens. The only rule, which Mercedes pushed for last season when F1 decided to change the rules to you can only go to the back of the grid and no further, is any re-charged engine units have to be used. Hence the 3 possible changes this weekend.


Now the question is. Should Lewis bother with Qualifying? He starts in dead last anyway and what is the point of using tyres up. He is already doing race set up tests and not bothering with challenging Nico on the times in P1. He will probab;y want to do it, just to nick Pole and remind Nico he is still there.

 

[Deutsch Wolf]

He'll have to do Q1 to get within the 107% mark. Beyond that he may as well not bother.

 

[lemonjelly]

I don't think he should bother either. Save the tyres etc for the potential for an extra couple of laps and focus on strategy.

 

[The Bear]

He'll have to do Q1 to get within the 107% mark. Beyond that he may as well not bother.

Not necessarily, they can always appeal his entry using practice times. Though I imagine it wouldn't go down well if he voluntarily stayed out of qualifying.

 

[Nando]

Hamilton and Alonso at the back of the grid on Sunday then.

 

[Kenny]

Hamilton and Alonso at the back of the grid on Sunday then.

35 Place Grid Pen for Alonso
30 for Hamilton at this point but they reckon that will jump to 75 as they will renew a load of parts again ahead of P3 tomorrow. A new grid penalty record.