The F1 Thread

[Kenny]

That was definitely a boring race, but I don't agree that no one can get close to the Mercedes - in a fair few races Ferrari have had the better car and arguably they had the best car last season too.

It's not Mercedes fault that Hamilton is just a much superior driver.

Bahrain they were the quicker car by a street but Vettel cracked under pressure and Charles had horrible bad luck.
Canada should have been a Ferrari win but Vettel cracked under pressure and they got the strategy wrong for Charles.
Azerbaijan they looked good all weekend until Q3.

A couple of other races they might have been closer as well but got their strategy all wrong.
Since the German GP last year (where Vettel cracked under no pressure) Ferrari have been a clusterfuck.

3 years in a row we have had Red Bull finish the season looking good and everyone saying the following season they will be a threat from the off but again they will be a minor threat until Singapore and then dominate the Mexican & Brazil races.

 

[Paddingtonwolf]

Leclerc is incredibly quick.

And Vettel's car has gone pop when Ferrari look good. Disaster for him.

 

[Kenny]

Hamilton not on it at all and facing a penalty for blocking Kimi on a flying lap in Q1.

 

[Kenny]

Pulls something back to nab 2nd behind Leclerc. More than likely will start 5th though.

Bonus for Lewis is Bottas looks poor and Seb is 10th so will more than likely maintain his huge points gap.

 

[Paddingtonwolf]

They reckon on the radio that he will get away with it. Seb is 9th - Magnusson has a grid penalty for repairing broken shit in his engine.

I wouldn't mind a race with Hamilton in fifth and Seb in ninth. It would be entertaining as they both sought to improve. Hamiltons drive from right at the back after one or two corners at Silverstone last summer was exhilarating to witness.

 

[Kenny]

Forgot about the hundreds of penalties. Ridiculous so many teams getting them after just 9 races.

It's a clear block but his cut across the track might save him plus Kimi got through Q1 so didnt mess up his race.

 

[Paddingtonwolf]

We'll see. Quite clear that the Ferrari is the class of the field this weekend. I expect Leclerc to win by a big margin. Lots of fun and games to be had behind though.

 

[jlo]

I missed this session, so Norris could start 4th potentially?

 

[Paddingtonwolf]

If Hamilton gets a penalty then yes. The McLaren is soooooo much better this year. Alonso must be fuming.

 

[Kenny]

We'll see. Quite clear that the Ferrari is the class of the field this weekend. I expect Leclerc to win by a big margin. Lots of fun and games to be had behind though.

Big gamble by Ferrari going for starting on the softs though. Presume they expected to lock out the front row and then limit the tyres going off by having not a great amount of dirty air ahead of them. If Leclerc holds the lead he should win well but Seb down the grid on the softs could ruin his race before its began. He will be hoping for a safety car very early on I reckon

 

[Paddingtonwolf]

Maybe Ferrari actually might have to support Leclerc this time as Seb is completely compromised.

Yeah, that'll happen...

"I am faster"

"Seb - he is leading and you are in seventh"

 

[Kenny]

3 place grid penalty for Lewis. Down to 5th he goes

 

[Paddingtonwolf]

That's fine with Seb still behind him.

 

[Kenny]

That's fine with Seb still behind him.

and Bottas just ahead of him. Charles will be very nervy with Max alongside him on the front row though. If Lewis finishes ahead of Bottas & Seb then a good weekend in the bag.

 

[Kenny]

BBC saying due to the odd way the FIA work out penalties Hamilton will start 4th.

His punishment is applied first, so Max, Bottas & Kev Mag all jump up a spot. Then the penalties for engine parts/gear boxes are done so Kev Mag falls to 10th and Lewis moves up a spot to 4th

 

[Paddingtonwolf]

Okaaaaayyyyy

That's a bit weird.

He will be right behind Bottas on the line then.

 

[Paddingtonwolf]

Verstappen is insanely quick in this stint. He could win this

 

[Paddingtonwolf]

The duel between Leclerc and Verstappen is fucking brilliant stuff.

 

[Kenny]

2 fingers to those who spent hours moaning about F1 last week.

What a race (although the stewards looking at the contact between Max and Charles)

Failry miserable race for Lewis. Car not coping with the heat and then he damaged his front wing hitting the corners hard and that lost him a top 3 finish. Not much lost in the title race though, so he gets away with a shit day

 

[Paddingtonwolf]

Absolutely stunning stuff by Verstappen. Great win. Although the stewards are looking at the overtake.