The Formula 1 Thread

[Rocksuperstar]

This could be a good weekend for McLaren, but I don't think they're catching Ferrari in the constructors.

 

[SargeantMeatCurtains]

I don’t think qualifying really tells us much about what is going to happen tomorrow.

Max got pole because he received a tow from Perez but he also needs to start the race on softs, which should really allow him to build a decent lead ahead of Hamilton from P1 however he will have to pit significantly earlier than Hamilton and potentially more than once.

It’ll be interesting to see what happens.

 

[Yid-ol]

Didn't see Q3 as had to drop wife and oldest kid at the panto. Did Hamilton make mistakes or is max now just quicker? Didn't look like it would be max on pole most practices!

Or as above just got a good tow from cars

 

[SargeantMeatCurtains]

Didn't see Q3 as had to drop wife and oldest kid at the panto. Did Hamilton make mistakes or is max now just quicker? Didn't look like it would be max on pole most practices!

Or as above just got a good tow from cars

Perez gave Max a tow

 

[Oh Teddy Teddy]

Bottas in sixth for a clear view of the Red Bulls as he barrels into the first corner?

Excellent qual from Red Bull, worked a great. I’d still favour Lewis if he can hang on to second on the first corner, but Max will block him off immediately.

 

[Yid-ol]

Bottas in sixth for a clear view of the Red Bulls as he barrels into the first corner?

Excellent qual from Red Bull, worked a great. I’d still favour Lewis if he can hang on to second on the first corner, but Max will block him off immediately.

Max I feel will need to slow down to block Hamilton into the first corner, those soft tyres will get him away easily.

 

[Wick3d]

Even with a tow I don't think Ham would have gotten pole unless Max made another mistake. Ham clearly has the better car overall so it will be interesting to see how the race pans out. Red Bull being forced into their current tyre strategy might play into Mercs hands. Overcut is on the table for Mercs, especially if they don't fuck up the strat for once

 

[beats1]

Its Honda's last official race in F1, in a winner takes all championship fight

Its funny because Honda is fighting their former Honda team for the world championship, in which after years of building a team for the future, they left only for the de-badged Honda car to be crowned winner the next season before being brought out by Mercedes

Full Circle

 

[Rocksuperstar]

Its Honda's last official race in F1, in a winner takes all championship fight

Its funny because Honda is fighting their former Honda team for the world championship, in which after years of building a team for the future, they left only for the de-badged Honda car to be crowned winner the next season before being brought out by Mercedes

Full Circle

I lose track of which teams become what - I remember Honda becoming Brawn, then somehow Brawn become Mercedes Petronas, but what are Force India now? It's a bit mental really, each time is a new team, we just look at the journey of the hardware for some reason.

 

[Rocksuperstar]

Watching the replay of qualifying, the soft tyres look like they really pick up an advantage in the 2nd & 3rd sectors, that first sector seems to be a bit of a tie looking at who did what, if Hamilton can get in front off the line then we could have a real ding dong - I'm really, really looking forward to this race.

 

[dagraham]

Lost interest in F1 about a decade ago ( maybe more actually), but after hearing about the shenanigans in the last race I watched the highlights.

Watched qualifying today and am now really looking forward to tomorrow’s race.

 

[Bluto Blutarsky]

Watching the replay of qualifying, the soft tyres look like they really pick up an advantage in the 2nd & 3rd sectors, that first sector seems to be a bit of a tie looking at who did what, if Hamilton can get in front off the line then we could have a real ding dong - I'm really, really looking forward to this race.

I can’t see any way, other than a Max disaster start, for Lewis to get a jump on Max at the start. Softs will have the better grip at the start.


But, I also don’t think this will matter.

Tire strategy, pit stops, and safety cars will decide the race tomorrow more than any on-track racing.

 

[Tucker]

I can’t see any way, other than a Max disaster start, for Lewis to get a jump on Max at the start. Softs will have the better grip at the start.


But, I also don’t think this will matter.

Tire strategy, pit stops, and safety cars will decide the race tomorrow more than any on-track racing.

The last thing Hamilton should do is try and get into a duel with Verstappen. He’ll 100% take him out.

 

[Trix]

Do people not think it's a hell of a gamble Red Bull starting on the soft tyres?

 

[Bluto Blutarsky]

Do people not think it's a hell of a gamble Red Bull starting on the soft tyres?

Yes and no.

Red Bull value track position. Starting on softs gave them the best chance to lead the race early - even if Max did not get pole.

Obviously this puts them on a different tire strategy than Mercedes - but a safety car, or a red flag situation in the early laps, would effectively negate any Mercedes advantage of being able to go longer on the mediums.

So, I think its more of a calculated risk, similar to leaving Max out during the safety car last week.

 

[Tucker]

Do people not think it's a hell of a gamble Red Bull starting on the soft tyres?

I think they were kind of forced down that tactic as Verstappen ruined a set of tyres in qualifying. Horner seemed to be playing it cool when asked about it.

 

[Bluto Blutarsky]

I think they were kind of forced down that tactic as Verstappen ruined a set of tyres in qualifying. Horner seemed to be playing it cool when asked about it.

Its funny - because I think that was their strategy all along - and used the flat spot as a reason.

I was more surprised that Mercedes opted to take more life out of their Mediums by having Lewis run another (faster) quali lap on them, in addition to the cool down, and warm up laps.

 

[Tucker]

Its funny - because I think that was their strategy all along - and used the flat spot as a reason.

I was more surprised that Mercedes opted to take more life out of their Mediums by having Lewis run another (faster) quali lap on them, in addition to the cool down, and warm up laps.

Could have been, but it’s a gamble. Though they do kind of need to gamble on something this weekend to try and counter Mercedes faster pace.

 

[Wick3d]

Do people not think it's a hell of a gamble Red Bull starting on the soft tyres?

They had no choice. The tires you get the fastest lap with in Q2 is the one you start with. He was on mediums like Ham, but had a flat spot develop as he locked up. It forced Red Bull into the soft tire strat, which caused the rest of the teams to respond as well. It might work in their favour but it really depends on the start. Everyone bar the Mercs are on softs in the top 10. If anyone manages to overtake Ham at the beginning, then I can see a Red Bull win and Max being champion. If Ham sticks to Max, then the one stop is on. For Max, I think he will defo have to do 2 stops, so the overcut is on. Should be a good race.

 

[Gb160]

I can’t see any way, other than a Max disaster start, for Lewis to get a jump on Max at the start. Softs will have the better grip at the start.


But, I also don’t think this will matter.

Tire strategy, pit stops, and safety cars will decide the race tomorrow more than any on-track racing.

Yeah, Lewis will play the long game...I think if he bides his time an opportunity will come, just stay as close behind Max as possible.