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This was fun
But on a softer tyre than perez – not clear if that actually helped Hamilton over a full lap though, but (with respect to perez) we know that verstappen would be a few tenths quicker too.
Ant was saying on Sky it looked like the rears had gone before the end of the lap on Lewis’s car.
C5 is basically too soft for this circuit and C3 will be the soft for the race. Merc had no new C4s left to do a run on those which Ant felt would be better as they’d last a lap.
But, you know, just testing! 🤣🤣
Yep, nice to see a glimmer of hope tho!
How about Honda to buy Alpha Tauri?
Anyone seen any more about Lando punching walls at McLaren. Saw something in Twitter but can’t remember who posted it now!
EDIT: Found it - Will Buxton he’s back-tracking now!…
https://twitter.com/wbuxtonofficial/status/1629755259693195265?s=12&t=2TTcaRY0HXvYTZW3jWJ9LA
Lando punching walls at McLaren
Can see his frustration as presumably he signed such a long contract in anticipation of them making progress. He needs to be careful punching walls though, or there might be 2 teams after Vettel next weekend!
How about Honda to buy Alpha Tauri?
It's not for sale.
It’s not for sale.
officially
If it was for sale, Michael Andretti would have bought it.
If Red Bull agreed to sell it to him. They’ll not do so unless there’s more in it for them than money. Such as an agreement that RB get to propose drivers, or that the buyer will use RB Powertrain engines. Mercedes as a works team have arguably done as well as RB in terms of nurturing talent and have done so without a b-team, but leveraging the engine supplier route. RB might take a similar approach.
Such as an agreement that RB get to propose drivers, or that the buyer will use RB Powertrain engines.
Can't see Honda buying a team on condition they run Ford engines, let alone that they agree to running Ford development drivers. If Red Bull want to sell it, they aren't going to be able to keep running it as their B team.
If it was for sale, Michael Andretti would have bought it.
Andretti won't be in F1 - he's all talk.
WTF is up with F1 today - we thought Miami was bad. Seems they aren't after fans in the US, just celebs and influencers who want to be seen without any of that pesky noise in the background...
https://www.racefans.net/2023/02/28/no-support-races-at-formula-1s-las-vegas-grand-prix/
If anyone is looking for someone new to follow - this guy posts some fantastic old and new F1 and motorsport photos...
https://twitter.com/NetoDemetriou
Any more info on Stroll's injury?
I saw an article yesterday saying the rumour is that he's broken both wrists. If that's true, he won't be back in the car any time soon, will he? 6 weeks min, I would have thought?
Will be a bit embarrassing/awkward if Drugovich gets a few races under his belt & shows him up.
Not sure that Arsula Undress's driving suit would meet modern standards.
Any more info on Stroll’s injury?
Hes been in the simulator, so its not overly serious.
Guessing the decision will be if hes recovered enough to do a full race distance.
The second seat next to Alonso is going to be a poised chalice, as almost everyone else is going to look very average.
Good to hear Jennie Gow on Chequered Flag podcast (albeit v briefly)
It was, although it sounds like it's a long road to recovery for her. Fingers crossed it's quicker - I think she's an excellent presenter; I listen to the 5live race broadcasts all the time as a non Sky person...
After FP2 there are 8 cars all within about a little under a 10th of each other. This time last year there were 4 cars within a second
Let’s hope that gets replicated in the race
Let’s hope that gets replicated in the race
I know practice times don't mean anything, but I would love to see that FP2 order as the starting grid.
'Nando (nearly) matched max in his long run, obviously you don't know fuel etc but it's looking good for them
Chew
Hes been in the simulator, so its not overly serious.
Guessing the decision will be if hes recovered enough to do a full race distance.
He was having to take different lines today in fp2 because his hands were hurting
1.9s covering the whole field!
Edit: 1 tiny mistake and you’re out in Q 1/2, could be interesting
I know practice times don’t mean anything
From FP2 it seems that the long run pace of redbull will make it a race for 3rd - but I'd love to see Nando getting in the mix.
thepurist
Full MemberI know practice times don’t mean anything
From FP2 it seems that the long run pace of redbull will make it a race for 3rd – but I’d love to see Nando getting in the mix.
Alonso was only 0.02 back from max!
Alonso was only 0.02 back from max
Benson reckoned he was under fuelled compared to the red bulls and he did a strange run pattern. I really hope that pace is representative though - would love to see Nando with his elbows out against max.
get Drugovich back in there!
There’s a time limit for being able to get out of the car isn’t there? Can’t remember what it is but was discussed a lot when the halo came in. Doesn’t look like he’d be able to pass it from those photos
I can think of nothing worse than a Verstappen/Alonso battle all season...can't stand either of them. I know Alonso is supposed to be one of the greats, but to me he's a backstabbing, conniving, cheaty git - (There's no way he wasn't 100% complicit in "crashgate")
I can think of nothing worse than a Verstappen/Alonso battle all season…can’t stand either of them. I know Alonso is supposed to be one of the greats, but to me he’s a backstabbing, conniving, cheaty git – (There’s no way he wasn’t 100% complicit in “crashgate”)
Its a duel destined for a crash and a punch up. I haven't caught up yet, about to settle in for Beer and highlights.
There’s a time limit for being able to get out of the car isn’t there? Can’t remember what it is but was discussed a lot when the halo came in. Doesn’t look like he’d be able to pass it from those photos
There is - he passed the test before FP1 started. Seems he should be tested again immediately after as well as he’s clearly struggling.
He’s not done too many laps today either. Missed most of FP1.
Just finishing off Drive to Survive. Horner really is a weapons grade bell end! He’s got Boris Johnson levels of both entitlement and casting himself in the role of the victim.
Boo hoo, poor me
I just can’t watch DTS anymore - but it’s not aimed at old fart F1 fans like me!
Anyone here use F1TV to watch races? I know you can’t stream live but was wondering how quickly they’re available to view afterwards?
the-muffin-man
Full Member
I just can’t watch DTS anymore – but it’s not aimed at old fart F1 fans like me!
Right at the beginning of the series Toto says that DTS is as much a documentary as Top Gun. Fair play for them leaving that in, which also tells you it’s not to be taken seriously
Must admit I'm struggling with DtS this time round....seems a bit samey so far (tho I did LOL at Steiner being interviewed saying he would to hug the whole paddock, but interviewer thought he said "f*** the whole paddock".
Yeah, Horner is a complete and utter cock
Yeah, Horner is a complete and utter cock
He and Alonso seem to be vying for the role of pantomime villain. I can't figure out whether Horner has thrown out all semblance of dignity to ham it up for Netflix or he really is a complete tosser.
Thing is, take Horner and Verstappen out of the equation and you have to admire Red Bull as a team as their implementation is superb and their in race strategy is usually audacious and invariably successful
Anyone here use F1TV to watch races? I know you can’t stream live but was wondering how quickly they’re available to view afterwards?
I did towards the end of the 2021 season but not last year. Can't remember what the lag was BUT you might be able to use a VPN to pretend your in a country which allows streaming...
you have to admire Red Bull as a team as their implementation is superb and their in race strategy is usually audacious and invariably successful
Yep agreed. Tho Helmet is a tosser too 😂
Anyone watched Lucky (the ecclestone biopic thing)...whatever you think of Bernie, it's a good watch, IMHO
I can think of nothing worse than a Verstappen/Alonso battle all season…can’t stand either of them. I know Alonso is supposed to be one of the greats, but to me he’s a backstabbing, conniving, cheaty git – (There’s no way he wasn’t 100% complicit in “crashgate”)
could give Pérez a good chance then if these 2 spend the season taking each other out
I can think of little better than watching Alonso vs. Max. I think only Russel would be more likely to give as much as he got from Max.
Unfortunately, I think Hamilton is now doomed. Verstappen’s great skill over the past few years is that he’s fast everywhere, even in traffic. The same cannot be said of Hamilton. George is actually faster in traffic and the Mercedes IS going to be in traffic.
LeClerc is also fast, but more error prone than the others, or seems so, but that could also be that the Ferrari was never quite 100% right last year.
It looks like it could be a good season.
Verstappen’s great skill over the past few years is that he’s fast everywhere, even in traffic. The same cannot be said of Hamilton. George is actually faster in traffic and the Mercedes IS going to be in traffic.
Really, Hamilton's not good in traffic?
That was when he had a car that was substantially faster than everything around it. It was referred to as the rocket engine.
In a car that’s only marginally faster, Verstappen is much better at getting and staying close and then making the overtake.
He lined up alongside Michael Schumacher (and Ralf) and Jos Verstappen and has now raced against both those drivers' sons. The Red Bull catering budget is probably close to the entire budget for the Minardi team back then.
https://twitter.com/F1/status/1631975349931192326
even in traffic. The same cannot be said of Hamilton
Not really sure what this based on...didn't he go from last to first in a sprint race year before last?
That was the same weekend, the same engine, same circumstances and the fact that both of you have used THAT as an (the?) example kind of reinforces my point.
Hamilton didn't win 100 races without being able to race in traffic. Yes, he's won those in cars that have been very fast, but so have nearly all champions, Verstappen included. The Brazil race is just one example of Hamilton really pulling out an amazing performance when he's put under pressure. That's not the only time he's raced his way back through the pack.
kind of reinforces my point.
Well, that's one way of looking at it 😂
Sure, but how many of Hamilton's victories over the last 8 years have been won from the the front row of the grid? Almost all. His recent experience of wheel to wheel racing was against Max and in those, he was often schooled by MV, especially when strategies were similar and machinery seemingly equal.
Sure, Max is more aggressive and occasionally (perhaps more than occasionally) reckless, but he’s a racer, unrelenting, uncaring, completely selfish. If there’s even half a chance, MV will take it an hope. LH won’t, he’s more sympathetic to the car, he doesn’t want to collide. Max likely doesn’t want o collide either, but will risk it if it gets him ahead. I really don’t think LH will.
Sure, Max is more aggressive and occasionally (perhaps more than occasionally) reckless, but he’s a racer, unrelenting, uncaring, completely selfish. If there’s even half a chance, MV will take it an hope. LH won’t, he’s more sympathetic to the car, he doesn’t want to collide.
Exactly. Max is impetuous and reckless, he takes silly chances. Hamilton knows that you win championships by collecting points and not doing stupid things. Hamilton will get his elbows out and go wheel to wheel when he needs to, but he's very strategic about when he does that. Silverstone 2021 is a great example of Max charging in without thinking.
Less than a second between the top 18 on the grid in Q1. This could be an awesome season….
Hmm, it looks like Redbull might’ve just lit the fires…may not be as close as it seemed.
All of them are just lighting the pilot light - full beans is for Q3! 🤣
It’ll be in the 29’s then.
We’re already ~0.5sec quicker than last years pole lap.
Merc have either found something or Lewis & George were acting well yesterday. The cats are really amongst the pidgeons with the general view is that Merc may have the faster long run pace, and Max unhappy with that in testing.
If Ferrari can be more reliable and Aston getting in the mix, could be exciting times!
For the techy among us this guy is providing some excellent analysis…
https://twitter.com/f1dataanalysis?s=21&t=EQoHg-RGok071Fjc15ZHKw
The one thing that Merc and Ferrari couldn’t hide was their degradation. Both teams had massive deg compared to RB and AM. That’s going to be a strategy issue.
Well - as expected but at least the gaps aren’t massive.
Fair play to Stroll. Only 0.5s behind Alonso in the state he’s in and having not done any driving of the car until this weekend.
Also to Norris for dragging that McLaren to P11. He needs to start team shopping ASAP. RB? Mercedes?
Also to Norris for dragging that McLaren to P11. He needs to start team shopping ASAP. RB? Mercedes?
My guess is that whoever's running the Audi program has Norris's phone number on his autodial list.
Enjoyed that and looking forward to the new season.
My guess is that whoever’s running the Audi program has Norris’s phone number on his autodial list.
That would be, the ex-McLaren, Mr Seidl. Would be very surprised if he’s not heading that way when his contract runs out
Enjoyed that and looking forward to the new season.
Me too - as long as no one runs away with it I don't care who is champion. A three way fight at the last race would be perfect! 🙂
Change is a coming...
Enjoying advert free channel 4 coverage! All kinds of technical issues for them during this coverage!
I watched the highlights on YouTube — I can’t bear Caultrad.
I don't see Norris joining Audi, that would be out of the frying pan and into the fire for him.
Sauber have never done anything at all and I don't see it been any different for the influx of Audi money. When Sauber was BMW and they did nothing, then you had Toyota as well, both based on the continent, both with huge budgets. Basing the team outside of the UK is a massive problem when trying to recruit the best brains in the business who mostly reside in the UK.
Yeah, if Norris doesn't land a RB, Ferrari or Mercedes* drive next his career is wasted IMHO
* subject to them sorting themselves out which I assume they will...
When Hamilton left McLaren to join Merc, it seemed like a risky move - McLaren were still considered a top team, Merc were rebuilding after Honda left. Ferrari might claw their way back to the top, they might not. Same with Merc. In 10 years time, it's quite possible that Audi will be what Merc and Red Bull are now. Impossible to know.
How good hs this so far!?
OK - ominous for the season.
I was just contemplating a nap to be honest! 🤣
Williams will be happy.
Alpine and McLaren look like they are in for a very tough season.
Lucky for Lance Stroll that Alonso is an easygoing, forgiving guy who won't mind his teammate running into him on the first lap.
Albon and Botta having solid days.
For a guy with a broken wrist Stroll is doing a damn fine job though.
Ferrari being Ferrari! ☹️
But could be podium for Alonso! 🙂
Alonso bring entertainment back into F1.
Oh No - we’ve now got to watch Karen say it wasn’t easy and both cars had issues! 😱🤣
Great drive by nando
And again - LH gets stuck, where FA gets passed.
I really hope that Aston Martin can develop the car and take the fight to RB otherwise this is actually going to be quite a boring season.
What has happened to McLaren?
Zak Brown happened - they’ve got a marketing man in charge not a racing guy. He’s got fingers in too many pies too.