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Post by René on Oct 21, 2021 18:09:16 GMT
Back in the US after a one year absence at the Circuit of the Americas. Race one of an American trilogy with the Mexican and Brazilian Grand Prix to follow. After that the circus will travel to the Middle East for the season finale. A 1-2 for Mercedes in 2019 and Max on P3 but it could be very close this time. The championship is slowly drawing to a close so every race will be exciting for that reason alone. A mistake or a DNF could be very costly. It will also be interesting to see where Ferrari is compared to McLaren. The Scuderia seemed to have made a step with the new PU’s installed for both drivers now. Maybe also more news on the Andretti/Alfa Romeo saga. Will Colton Herta and Pato O’Ward be present? Let’s hope for a good race in the US of A! |
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Post by robmarsh on Oct 21, 2021 19:16:16 GMT
I really hope the Red Bull is closer to Mercedes than the last couple of races. Apparently Adrian Newey has been hors de combat due to some injuries received in a motorcycle crash and whilst not fully fit is back at work. He has discovered some set-up issues which he hopes to sort out this weekend.
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Post by René on Oct 23, 2021 17:21:58 GMT
Tension rises nicely between Max and Lewis. Did any of you see the drag race between the two in FP2? Max wasn't impressed calling Lewis a stupid idiot.  I see another clash between them happening very soon.  |
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Post by Carl on Oct 23, 2021 17:54:59 GMT
Tension rises nicely between Max and Lewis. Did any of you see the drag race between the two in FP2? Max wasn't impressed calling Lewis a stupid idiot. I see another clash between them happening very soon. I wouldn't want to sit next to either on a plane. Any conversation would be all about one and nonexistant with the other.
In a less than honorable way, I hope both revert to their primitive natures (Hamilton looks a punk in the photograph) and Mad Max finds reason and opportunity to punt his antagonist into the boondocks.
I want to hear the immortal whine once more: "He hit me! He hit me!!"  
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Post by Carl on Oct 24, 2021 4:29:36 GMT
Qualifying in Austin was unusually exciting because of the close championship and the return of a great circuit. Martin Brundle had only superlatives for the fast esses following Turn 1 and other sections as well. It should be a great race if Verstappen and Hamilton stay close and fight hard. It's been a while since I fist-pumped anyone's fast lap, but Max Verstappen was awesome. I hope to be in Austin next year and climb the tower with Fay Wray under my arm. While most Mexicans start the day with an egg dish, tortillas and beans, David Croft raved about his breakfast "tay-co" (pronounced tah-co), possibly left over from room service the night before.  ¡Qué idiota! |
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Post by René on Oct 24, 2021 13:05:52 GMT
Qualifying in Austin was unusually exciting because of the close championship and the return of a great circuit. Martin Brundle had only superlatives for the fast esses following Turn 1 and other sections as well. It should be a great race if Verstappen and Hamilton stay close and fight hard. It's been a while since I fist-pumped anyone's fast lap, but Max Verstappen was awesome. I hopr to be in Austin next year and climb the tower with Fay Wray under my arm. While most Mexicans start the day with an egg dish, tortillas and beans, David Croft raved about his breakfast "tay-co" (pronounced tah-co), possibly left over from room service the night before. ¡Qué idiota!
Max's pole lap was awesome. Sergio seemed to have the upper hand but when it really mattered Max had that little extra that differentiates the great from the good. Lewis also has that (even if it wasn't enough this time) and Charles also has it. Not a big Max fan but boy he can drive.
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Post by chrisb on Oct 24, 2021 14:16:56 GMT
Carl, I don't know if you are aware of Fay's autobiography's title? if not it's called 'On the other hand'
I see Seb is raging at the Russian bloke Marzipan is it? and I did watch the brief highlights and wondered at one stage if I was watching a computer game, but these beasts are just so quick and ground hugging, I won't be taking odds for a Max/Lewis incident and smile resignedly as yet again F1 ego's force any issues - oh well good publicity I wonder
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Post by Carl on Oct 24, 2021 17:15:46 GMT
Carl, I don't know if you are aware of Fay's autobiography's title? if not it's called 'On the other hand' I see Seb is raging at the Russian bloke Marzipan is it? and I did watch the brief highlights and wondered at one stage if I was watching a computer game, but these beasts are just so quick and ground hugging, I won't be taking odds for a Max/Lewis incident and smile resignedly as yet again F1 ego's force any issues - oh well good publicity I wonder A great title, Chris, and I hadn't known. The entitled son of a corrupt Russian billionaire oligarch belongs in a candy store alongside other marzipan concoctions. Little nikita never seems aware that he's done something dangerous and idiotic. |
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Post by Carl on Oct 25, 2021 1:16:54 GMT
During an extended doldrum all sails went slack and all focus was on pit strategy, where wind is thought to originate, but thankfully the race was headed for real excitement after final pitstops. I really thought Lewis Hamilton would catch and pass Max Verstappen at the very end, but the Dutch demon reached deep into his skill set, as great athletes can, to deny Hamilton DRS and pull away to win by about one second. Also impressive were Daniel Ricciardo and Charles Leclerc. Less impressive was bernie ecclestone's machiavellian intrigue soon after the circuit was built that forced track founder and co-designer Tavo Hellmund out, like a babe in the woods attacked by wolves. George Lucas has always been a race fan and used to hang out at Riverside Raceway. I fast-forwarded almost the first 90 minutes and may have missed a few other celebrities, but one is enough. Deposits are already being taken for next year's Grand Prix. Austin would be a good place for the Racers of the Round Table to convene in 2022. |
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Post by robmarsh on Oct 25, 2021 8:06:58 GMT
Talking of celebs, Ben Stiller was there with his son and he talked to Martin Brundle during the grid walk. He came across as a real fan and not a celeb at all. Same can't be said for some rap star and her bodyguards nor Serena Williams. Sad that. I had to chuckle though when one of the rap stars minders, accolytes, sycofants (take your pick) said to Martin after he had spoken to said rap artist, you can't do that and Martins quick reply was I can, I just did.
Rory Mcillroy also came across as a fan and not a celeb as did one of the basket ball players.
I enjoyed the race, pretty tense and some excellent drives as mentioned by Carl above. The Ferrari/Mclaren battle was quite fraught at times. Excellent.
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Post by charleselan on Oct 25, 2021 11:33:04 GMT
Not a fan of this track I am afraid guys, it looks like a tarmac knickerbocker glory from most angles even if it has some challenging corners. I also thought that S*KF1's rekindled "grid walk" was an abject embarrassment, who gives a fly fig about some so called celebrity and what they have to say, or not as was the case yesterday. I got half way through that and then switched to the Swiss SRF transmission which has none of the hyperbolic lunacy of Croft, who I am certain must be sitting on a bed of drawing pins.
I thought Max drove brilliantly and was amazed at how much quicker Hamilton was towards the end, later to be revealed that the RB cars had shredded their tyres. I was impressed all weekend by Checo who has now gone down his own route with setting up the car, unfortunately he was compromised in the race by not having a working drinks bottle and in that heat must have been pretty tough. The poor guy looked absolutely drained at the end of the race as a result.
Yet again Charles drove an outstanding race but hardly got a mention let alone a glimpse of him in action. I have grave worries that Ferrari will ever give the boy a car in which to allow him to show just how good he is in comparison with Max and SLH.
Teflonso was hilarious; first trying to get Kimi penalised after pushing him off track and being miffed that Kimi kept his foot in and overtook him. He then followed this up with a move on Antonio that would have made even Daniel Ricciardo's eyes bleed; and then after out-braking the Italian, and himself, attempted to use the huge run off area covered in a Potpourri of colour to overtake his prey. I cannot believe that Fernando is stupid enough to think the two manoeuvres were anything like similar.
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Post by robmarsh on Oct 25, 2021 12:46:58 GMT
Actually Charles I meant to add in my post that despite my reporting of the grid walk I am also sad that the grid walk is back, I find it all rather inane. I much preferred it when Martin was digging around on the grid and filming the cars close up. One could feel the drama building up then as the cold air compressors were blowing, the mechanics were doing last minute checks and the general air of suppressed energy was coming through the screen. Much more dramatic than some celeb who usually has no idea what they are looking at or why.
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Post by Carl on Oct 25, 2021 17:12:38 GMT
Talking of celebs, Ben Stiller was there with his son and he talked to Martin Brundle during the grid walk. He came across as a real fan and not a celeb at all. Same can't be said for some rap star and her bodyguards nor Serena Williams. Sad that. I had to chuckle though when one of the rap stars minders, accolytes, sycofants (take your pick) said to Martin after he had spoken to said rap artist, you can't do that and Martins quick reply was I can, I just did. Rory Mcillroy also came across as a fan and not a celeb as did one of the basket ball players. I enjoyed the race, pretty tense and some excellent drives as mentioned by Carl above. The Ferrari/Mclaren battle was quite fraught at times. Excellent. I've heard the name and she was very pleasant, but her toadie was an ass. The salient point about rap is that it rhymes with crap, but to each their own...
Rupert Murdoch has blocked the 38 second encounter!
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Post by charleselan on Oct 25, 2021 17:51:39 GMT
Actually Charles I meant to add in my post that despite my reporting of the grid walk I am also sad that the grid walk is back, I find it all rather inane. I much preferred it when Martin was digging around on the grid and filming the cars close up. One could feel the drama building up then as the cold air compressors were blowing, the mechanics were doing last minute checks and the general air of suppressed energy was coming through the screen. Much more dramatic than some celeb who usually has no idea what they are looking at or why. Quite Rob, that is what a grid walk should be about. Can't imagine that the prelude to a football (soccer) match in the UK would involve a former premier league player interviewing some half baked pop star or some dewy eyed film actor. It is crass and meaningless and disparages F1 and the real fans of the sport. I do not doubt that some of these celebrities are motor sport fans like Ben Stiller and George Lucas but why should they have priority in being on the grid, a place that young fan would give anything to be able to do. I am not certain in my recollection here but I think it was in the initial grid walk that Brundle did a good and short bit on the rear end of a Mercedes Benz car and how it lowered down at high speed. That as you mention is what they should doing. re- Checo Perez, I understand that not only did his drinks system fail but he was extremely unwell which makes his performance most creditable. |
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Post by Carl on Oct 25, 2021 18:02:42 GMT
Actually Charles I meant to add in my post that despite my reporting of the grid walk I am also sad that the grid walk is back, I find it all rather inane. I much preferred it when Martin was digging around on the grid and filming the cars close up. One could feel the drama building up then as the cold air compressors were blowing, the mechanics were doing last minute checks and the general air of suppressed energy was coming through the screen. Much more dramatic than some celeb who usually has no idea what they are looking at or why. I think the same producers who apparently encourage the idiotic giddiness of David Croft most likely also encourage the emphasis on celebrities, who should not be allowed anywhere beyond their deluxe private suites. |
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I see another clash between them happening very soon. 
¡Qué idiota!
