The F1 Thread

[Paddingtonwolf]

Already in the hoping for rain mode, or Max is just going to disappear a minute up the road.

 

[The Bear]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1665356280481869826

Easily the dullest race of season so far.

 

[Kenny]

After a lovely 1-2 in the extended P2 yesterday could be a tough quali for Merc.
In P3 they struggled for grip in the rain. With tomorrow set to be dry they have gone for a set up to maximise the race but its stopping them getting proper grip in the wet. Quali could be a wet one.

 

[PuntsWolf]

Albon chucking fastest sectors in on softs and others still staying out on inters for another 2 laps knowing it was going to rain and this was you’re only opportunity.

Merc/Lewis getting away with murder making the shit call but being better than the others on the Inter. Lewis even asked asked and they said no which was bizarre

 

[Kenny]

Good 2 laps in Q3 then the red flag and more rain ended further fun.
Hulkenburg with 2nd spot but would expect him to tumble down the orde4 tomorrow.

Max has won it so all about the other podium spots i guess.

 

[Kenny]

Hulk might be denied 2nd. Called to the Stewards as he might have set his time after the red flag was shown.

 

[jlo]

Hulk might be denied 2nd. Called to the Stewards as he might have set his time after the red flag was shown.

3 place grid pen. Crossed the line in time fine, but didn't slow sufficiently under the red flag when heading into the pits

 

[Kenny]

Dozy fook!

 

[The Bear]

Sainz was lucky to only get penalised once for impeding. He coasted into that final corner a few times with barely enough room for cars to go round him.

 

[jlo]

The fact that this thread is dead after a prime time Sunday race when it's raining outside says it all. Yawn.

 

[PuntsWolf]

Felt it had potential to be good but never happened.

 

[Kenny]

Max was always running away with it. Could do with engine blowing or something but good the gap wasn't 30 odd seconds, even if he is in cruise mode.

Shame Lewis and Alonso couldn't have a proper fight and then a stupidly long DRS train ruined the rest of the field really.

Nice of George to slam his car into the wall.
Albon did well to nab P7
Perez will probably be fired into the Sun by Red Bull. In the best car by an absolute mile and he is struggling to get close to the Ferrari's

 

[PuntsWolf]

Who do we reckon goes to Red Bull? Will they even try an attract a top driver (is there a salary cap/is driver wages included in the limit?) or just a younger driver with more potential?

 

[Kenny]

Perez was out of line to what they normally do. Used to seeing a promotion from their baby team.
The team is set up for Max so it is a genuine 2nd driver seat but with that car you have got to be on the podium every time Max is unless the engine blows up or someone takes you out.

 

[The Bear]

If I was LeClerc I'd be looking for a way to replace Perez or Hamilton. Ferrari is just shite nowadays.

 

[Kenny]

Don't see anyone with a desire to be a No1 driver going to Red Bull.

Merc have already said LeClerc is on their list to replace Hamilton but it looks like he is sticking around for a while.

 

[jlo]

Yuki would be in with a very good shout, though doubt they do another mid season swap with a current driver. More like Danny Ric gets a drive if they want to do anything at all this year. We know Horner still really likes Albon, but don't see him returned to RB colours.

They've got some decent young drivers in F2. I reckon it does go to Yuki in 2024, and they bring two up into AlphaTauri (or the 1 guy in America, Herta?)

 

[Paddingtonwolf]

Red Bull need a fast reliable wing man to consistently bring the second car home just behind Max and compliantly move out of the way if Max needs it. Screams Bottas of five years ago.

 

[Kenny]

Sprint weekend so Quali for the main race on now

Perez in 15th as his laps in Q2 deleted for track limits
Russell also out in Q2

 

[Law's Bus]

Terrifying accident for Simon Pagenaud in IndyCar practice - complete brake failure led to him launching over the grass, landing in the gravel trap and rolling probably 8 or 9 times. It's one of the scariest bits of footage I've seen for a long time.

Fortunately he walked away from it during a weekend that a young Formula Regional driver wasn't so lucky at Spa.