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Post by Carl on Jul 21, 2018 7:00:58 GMT
I'd really enjoy someone deserving winning their first Grand Prix. It would have to be an old-style all expectations down the drain total surprise that would give the mainframes of the top teams heat stroke and do wonders for the sport.
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Post by Jamie on Jul 21, 2018 7:09:39 GMT
Good call Carl.......I vote Hulkenberg 👍
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Post by robmarsh on Jul 21, 2018 7:35:05 GMT
I’m unashamedly hoping for a Merc win here to keep the back and forth going a little longer. Ferrari will be strong though, they don’t usually show their hand on Fridays so we'll see....... Red Bull victory is a possibility as well and it’s good that the result at each round is far from a foregone conclusion this year 👍 It’s telling that I’m very disappointed there is no F2 round in Germany though 😡 I am still hoping for a Ferrari victory in both of the next two races so they go into the summer break with a big lead. I will then enjoy watching Merc implode like Ferrari did last year trying to catch up. At any time in history prior to 2014 I would have liked Merc to do well but for some reason, and I can't put my finger on it, the team has left me cold, apart from Nico Rosberg. I, too was disappointed there was no F2 this weekend but they wii be back in Hungary. I am enjoying F2 and getting to know the drivers and not having a favourite makes it all the more fun to watch.
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Post by René on Jul 21, 2018 12:14:18 GMT
Hi guys, Here’s a quick live and wet greeting from the Hockenheimring! Cheers! Attachments:
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Post by charleselan on Jul 21, 2018 14:19:51 GMT
The most obvious freedom during Free Practice 2 was that of David Croft's mouth. Why are drama queens chosen to announce motorsport? This is a worldwide phenomenon that makes sense only if racing fans are as stupid as the network executives are ignorant about their audience.
The commentary in the announcers' booth was insipid throughout, making Formula One seem dull. Martin Brundle is outstanding, but even he is affected by the anesthetizing David Croft and Paul Di Resta. I was glad I had taped the session and could fast forward into fresh air at times.
Leigh Diffey, who announces IndyCar on NBC Sports Channel, is better organized and informed but just as melodramatic and annoying. His colleagues, Townsend Bell and Paul Tracy, somehow remain calm when he goes hyperbolic and it would be nice if the mute button could target individuals. Great comment Carl. As you may remember this commentary thing is a bit of a "Hobby Horse" for me, as commentators and "expert's" are not what they were. Croft and his predecessor Jonathan Legard were pretty reasonable when commentating for BBC radio broadcasts but unfortunately have not migrated well to the television role. Croft was one that I felt could do the job, but your likeness to a "Drama Queen" is pretty much spot on, he also seems to think he is some kind of expert and a F1 celebrity, sadly the guy is delusional. As we have mentioned many times previously Ben Edwards (UK C4 FTV) was very good in the old Eurosport days with the absolutely excellent John Watson alongside. However with Coulthard sat beside him he is now pretty abysmal and hugely excitable and too much of a "fan boy". Many moons ago Leigh Diffey was the World Superbike commentator for Eurosport and briefly the BBC (when that organisation attempted to cash in on Carl Forarty's success). He was excellent in those days, being knowledgeable and very balanced in his comments. I suppose commentary is a personal thing in so many ways, but these guys just do not do it for me, and have ruined my pleasure in what is a rapidly dwindling interest. Don't get me started on the MotoGP commentary, and presentation, by UK BT Sport. The previously mentioned Eurosport British Superbike team are the only lot that keep me sane. JC
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Post by René on Jul 21, 2018 20:34:07 GMT
Hockenheim update. My brother-in-law Raymond and I left this morning at 5 from my place and we parked the car at 8.30 at the Hockenheim parking so a 3 1/2 hours drive. It was a very enjoyable drive in Raymond’s new Porsche 718 (he’s a banker... sorry ). I was allowed to have a go and managed to do 225km/h for a short moment but it was very crowded with slow holiday traffic. But what a fantastic car to drive! Anyways, wonderful atmosphere here despite the grey weather and the Hockenheim stadium section is really great for watching. There is so much to see, it’s almost like a football stadium. We have very good seats and some really nice guys sitting next to us. Two guys from Denmark, a father and son of which the father has been following F1 for ages and for his son this was the first time so he was super excited. Also an elderly German guy who is into classic racing and he told me all about his 1974 Alfa GTV Bertone. Great stuff! Qualyfying was exciting. Whooaaah, Forza Ferrari! Interesting to see here that almost none of the Germans support Mercedes (with the exception of the Mercedes employees on the Merc grandstand) but they all support Vettel. He is of course a home boy, born and raised only a half hour drive from Hockenheim. But still, almost no cheers for Mercedes, only for Vettel. A lot of support also for Max who did another outstanding job. Good qualy also for Haas and especially Kevin which is nice for our new Danish friends. Looking forward to tomorrow! Cheerio.
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Post by charleselan on Jul 21, 2018 20:52:40 GMT
Great "Update" René and so pleased to hear that you and your brother in law are having such a good time. The three and half hour drive must have had some high spots even if everywhere in Europe right now is blighted by holiday traffic; "Black Saturday" here in France. I won't mention bankers and Porsche 718's . Sebastian looked very quick indeed and yet again Kimi seemed to get finger trouble when it mattered; shame as he was as quick as Vettel during the rest of qualification. Not surprised the Germans are not cheering MB, but seeing as they are only financially backed by Germans and the team is ostensibly English, no surprise. The Mighty Hamilton's theatrics were Mansellesque, and hugely amusing, nothing like paying homage to ones stricken car. He would have gained more points however if he had adopted the John Cleese character and beaten the car with a nearby branch. Forza Ferrari.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 21, 2018 22:05:31 GMT
Thank you all guys. And for those who are also planning a break or holiday (it's holiday season after all), have fun! Enjoy your break Rene, but just be aware that your hemisphereist outlook causes huge offence to us here in the southern hemisphere, where its winter and a long way from holiday season..... ;-)
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Post by Deleted on Jul 21, 2018 22:18:48 GMT
Hockenheim update. Qualyfying was exciting. Whooaaah, Forza Ferrari! Interesting to see here that almost none of the Germans support Mercedes (with the exception of the Mercedes employees on the Merc grandstand) but they all support Vettel. He is of course a home boy, born and raised only a half hour drive from Hockenheim. But still, almost no cheers for Mercedes, only for Vettel. A lot of support also for Max who did another outstanding job. Good qualy also for Haas and especially Kevin which is nice for our new Danish friends. Looking forward to tomorrow! Cheerio. Great stuff Rene, I'd be interested to hear more about the attitude of the German fans towards Mercedes. Is there a perception that its a British Team, or that they want to see an end to the domination, or something entirely different? Enjoy the weekend, I'm hoping for a rain affected race, but hope you stay dry in the stands (localised rainfall - just on the circuit).
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Post by Deleted on Jul 21, 2018 22:27:12 GMT
Anyone know, or prepared to speculate, how much Hamilton was the architect of his qualifying problems? Keeping it pinned over the kerbs looked like a bit of a rash / frustrated move, and very hard on the car.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 21, 2018 23:05:45 GMT
On the theme of the Sky commentators were getting hyped up. When Le Clerc topped the FP3 times Croft, Lazenby and Hill were going, "remember where you were the day LeClerc won his first FP session, this is the next F1 champion in the making". Completely ignoring the fact that until the last lap, the session was headed by Sirotkin in a Williams, and LeClerc's team mate in the other Sauber was a fraction of a sec behind him. Does that mean Sirotkin, Ericsson are also probable future world champions? Nah, didn't think so....
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Post by Deleted on Jul 21, 2018 23:09:39 GMT
The Mighty Hamilton's theatrics were Mansellesque, and hugely amusing, nothing like paying homage to ones stricken car. He would have gained more points however if he had adopted the John Cleese character and beaten the car with a nearby branch. Love it! :-)
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Post by Carl on Jul 22, 2018 0:41:55 GMT
Anyone know, or prepared to speculate, how much Hamilton was the architect of his qualifying problems? Keeping it pinned over the kerbs looked like a bit of a rash / frustrated move, and very hard on the car. According to Martin Brundle, the damage to his car was caused by Hamilton not backing off and running roughshod over the entire length of the second curb (kerb).
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Post by Carl on Jul 22, 2018 1:15:57 GMT
Many relatives are blessings, but not all...
My brother-in-law is a wanker who drives an old pick-up and constantly wants to borrow money. He would assume that Hockenheim is a pawn shop transaction.
We all hope the German Grand Prix will be a highlight of the season. One Mercedes and one Red Bull starting at the back will add drama to what should be a great race.
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Post by Carl on Jul 22, 2018 1:45:46 GMT
Great "Update" René and so pleased to hear that you and your brother in law are having such a good time. The three and half hour drive must have had some high spots even if everywhere in Europe right now is blighted by holiday traffic; "Black Saturday" here in France. I won't mention bankers and Porsche 718's . Sebastian looked very quick indeed and yet again Kimi seemed to get finger trouble when it mattered; shame as he was as quick as Vettel during the rest of qualification. Not surprised the Germans are not cheering MB, but seeing as they are only financially backed by Germans and the team is ostensibly English, no surprise. The Mighty Hamilton's theatrics were Mansellesque, and hugely amusing, nothing like paying homage to ones stricken car. He would have gained more points however if he had adopted the John Cleese character and beaten the car with a nearby branch. Forza Ferrari. Had he beaten his car after he broke it, his legacy would be equal parts laughter and laurels. He disregarded warnings of complete engine failure and returned to the Mercedes garage at least as unhinged as Basil Fawlty...
Great observation, John Charles!
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