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Formula One

I know where people are coming from when they criticise Hamilton for claiming to be green while being in F1, but at least he's doing a lot to try to raise awareness and help.

No matter what you think of him, he's at least using his position to try to do some good. He's in a very unique influential position to be able to at least somewhat steer F1 in a greener direction.

Not directed at anyone on here - but I wonder if people be happier if he just gave up on it all because he's an F1 driver?
 
I did some research into Hamilton over the past few days and to be honest, I was wrong. I am still not his biggest fan, but I am willing to put myself out there and say I was wrong.

In other news, the FIA have rejected Mercedes appeal
 
P1 which is a complete waste of time.

P2 was a bit more interesting, but we have seen it before were Mercedes sand bag more than others in free practice.

Qual is going to be interesting. I still feel Mercedes have the upper hand, but we shall find out tomorrow.

The most important thing to remember, is that Mercedes lost the right to review the decision not to investigate the issue. The stewards could of made the wrong decision in Brazil, but we will never know.

I think a warning would be the way to go, if there had been contact, then it would of been a 5 second penalty for Max. If Max did it a second time, 5 second penalty. Gives a little bit of room for the drivers to get their elbows out, but stops it occurring every lap.
 
@IanB i get the impression that Lewis in particular is holding back. It looks like a poker game atm and Lewis is holding all the cards
 
Not the best of races yesterday, although maybe a bit more overtaking than initially expected. Completely dominant performance from Hamilton, hopefully that can continue in to the final couple of races.

The yellow flag grid penatlies were a little harsh, but a yellow flag is a yellow flag. Found it highly amusing to hear Verstappen moaning after the race that he never gets any presents from the FIA (he has seemingly already forgotten his present of no penalty last weekend, and free points for a "race win" in Belgium). Brillaint first few laps from him though to get back in to P2.

Really happy to see Alonso back on the podium. The VSC at the end perhaps saved him (and his front left tyre).
 
The problem with saying Brazil was great, and Qatar was not the best of races is that it supports the argument that we should have reverse grids, because the artificial overtaking makes the race more exciting. If Lewis had not had the penalty at Brazil, he would of comfortably won the race, like he did at Qatar.

I enjoyed the Qatar race, plenty of overtaking and action in the midfield, but Lewis was just to quick for Max.

Bit of a silly move by Christian to call out the Marshalls in the yellow flag incident, and glad the FIA pulled him up on it, and he has gone to say sorry to the Marshall. The Marshalls give up their time for free, they are volunteers, and without them we would not be racing. I don't think the penalties made any difference to the race outcome.

Great drive by Alonso, and the VSC probably saved him. Amazing that we are still seeing tyres blow out with the hardest compound available. Mercedes were just silly keeping Bottas out for as long, but I guess there logic was to block Verstappen from pitting again. The gap Lewis had, was just so big nothing RedBull did would of closed it. The only thing that surprised me was that Max managed to set a faster race lap before the VSC, so maybe Lewis was saving his tyres for the last few laps, and the VSC blocked him from going for it?

Come the end of the season, there is going to be so many ifs and buts. If Lewis had not hit Max at Silverstone, If Max had not hit Lewis at Monza, if there was no points for Sprint Qualifying but at least all those issues are settled, the teams and drivers know what they have to do in the last two races, so while we can enjoy discussing them all, I think who ever wins will be a worthy winner.

My biggest concern is RedBull put in an appeal against Mercedes after the last race. What ever happens, it is a bad look for the sport. Clearly what ever RedBull feel Mercedes were doing, they did not think they were doing it this weekend, I am not aware of any appeals, so hopefully its just RedBull trying to put pressure on Mercedes.
 
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So the reason RedBull did not protest Mercedes this weekend, is because Mercedes ran the high downforce wing, which does not flex, but next weekend they will be using the low downforce wing which does flex (TBC whether it is very clever engineering and within the rules, or over the line and breaking the rules). So expect to see a RedBull protest in two weeks time.

Also, reading an article today which quotes Bottas as stating he is running a different spec car to Lewis, which might explain why he was so off Lewis pace this weekend, even with Lewis using an older engine. Lewis will be using the new engine for the next two races, which they can run at 100% as it only has to do two more events.
 
Baring any crashes I think Lewis has got this

I'm not so sure. I really hope so, but if Max wins one of these last two races then it's likely the title is his (assuming he does not have a DNF in the other). On paper they might be Mercedes tracks but it has not always turned on that way this season, and who knows what Red Bull have up their sleaves in terms of potential upgrades.
 
I'm not so sure. I really hope so, but if Max wins one of these last two races then it's likely the title is his (assuming he does not have a DNF in the other). On paper they might be Mercedes tracks but it has not always turned on that way this season, and who knows what Red Bull have up their sleaves in terms of potential upgrades.
For me Max blew his chance with some silly decisions - he should have already got the title in the bag tbh.
 
The possible outcomes to put Verstappen as champion in the next race:

260048410_2298733310283638_4964157169505843512_n.jpg
 
The possible outcomes to put Verstappen as champion in the next race:

260048410_2298733310283638_4964157169505843512_n.jpg

That's a lot of pressure for Lewis if things don't go his way in 2 races. Sure he's probably favourites to win both but as @Rob wrote, it doesn't always equate to what happens on track and a badly timed safety car can always ruin your race. If he wins this year, not only will it be his record title but one that should silence most of his critics. He's had a proper rival, who for the most part has had the better car and his fair share of luck this year. Love him or loathe him, there's no denying he's one of the best drivers out there. (This coming from a suffering tifosi :D)

It would be really interesting what happens if Perez/Bottas ends up taking out Hamilton/Verstappen.

I wonder if Mercedes is strong in Qualifying in the next 2 races they might take a last minute engine replace. More likely for the final race if Max outscores Hamilton at Saudi, with not much to lose going into Abu Dhabi.

Hopefully its all done on the track and not in the pits or mechanical failure.
 
F1 is IF backwards :)

Lewis is the favourite according the the bookies, and there is a reason they have so much money.

Lewis has his new engine for the last two races, the straight line speed of the Mercedes is superior to RedBull. If Mercedes are in front, I dont see how a RedBull will be able to overtake. I can see a Mercedes overtaking a RedBull.

But anything can happen, which is why we will be watching.

For me Max blew his chance with some silly decisions - he should have already got the title in the bag tbh.
I am trying to think of something Max has done wrong, which has cost him this championship. I would say that both drivers are probably balanced on luck. Lewis has had a few Red Flags save him, Max has been taken out by a Mercedes twice. Max could of kept his place at the 1st race, and built up a lead, but Max could also of got a penalty at Brazil. Max got lucky at Spa, or unlucky if you think he would of won the race had it been run. His incident with Lewis at Monza benefited him more than Lewis. Max has got more points from Sprint Qual.

If anything, you could argue Lewis should have a 17 point lead if it was not for his mistake at Baku with the brake balance.

Its been a fantastic season, and its a shame is has to finished. Without wanting to get to excited, 2022 could be even better.
 
If Max takes the championship by being ahead when covid restrictions prevent the season being completed that'll be a hugely disappointing conclusion to the season. Fingers crossed they keep the show on the road...
 
RIP Sir Frank
It was your cars that got me into the sport, with Hill and Vileneuve….

damn I hope Williams become competitive again next season! Truly great name.
 
That seems a bit of a weird deal (Although the sensationalism of it being 'Lewis Hamiltons team' rather than just Mercedes)

I have watched a few of the videos around the Saudi track and I am expecting a few DNFs and crashes over the weekend, looks very tight for overtaking too
 
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