|
|
Post by René on Mar 27, 2019 15:18:48 GMT
An important weekend for Ferrari and for Formula One. Was Ferrari’s Australian Grand Prix slump a one off? Most experts seem to think so and for the sake of a good championship, let’s hope so! Red Bull Honda looked promising but they are probably not strong enough yet to challenge Mercedes for the title. This weekend will tell us a lot more what to expect for the rest of the season so fingers crossed.
|
|
|
|
Post by René on Mar 29, 2019 12:35:14 GMT
That’s more like it! FP1 with a Ferrari 1-2, a second faster than the Mercs! That’s an unbelievable gap, maybe even a bit too much when I try to be neutral. But it probably won’t stay that big I assume. But hey, things are looking much better for the Maranello team. Forza Ferrari! |
|
|
|
Post by René on Mar 29, 2019 17:45:08 GMT
Allright, same story in FP2. Ferrari is back in the game and we can be sure at least that 2019 won't be a Mercedes walkover. Good effort by The Hulk in fifth, there is obviously some potential in the Renault but Danny is still struggling. Red Bull not yet on the pace and Pierre is learning fast that life in a top team is a different game.
But the Ferraris 6/7 tenth clear of the Mercs, wow. Barcelona testing was real.
|
|
|
|
Post by chrisb on Mar 29, 2019 19:17:28 GMT
great effort by the Hulk, wondering what is happening with the Mercs, are they sandbagging or are the Ferrari's that quick? we will wait and see, although I have no memory as to what the circuit looks like, one of the more memorable ones perhaps,
I see Team Willie has resurrected the great Patrick, this is interesting, one thing is for sure no one will argue with him, so maybe they will find the answers quickly and move up where they belong
|
|
|
|
Post by René on Mar 30, 2019 16:19:19 GMT
Whoooaaaahhh!!! Front row lock-out! Goosebumps!
Forza Ferrari!!! Forza Charles!!!
|
|
|
|
Post by robmarsh on Mar 30, 2019 18:15:50 GMT
I think this could be the strongest Ferrari pairing since Mansell/Prost. Leclerc has competitive very quickly and Seb will need to raise his game quickly. Very impressed with young Charles.
|
|
|
|
Post by René on Mar 30, 2019 19:06:14 GMT
Yes agreed Rob, I am also very, very impressed with young Charles. He has been so strong all weekend and made no mistakes. Very impressive. A real challenge for Sebastian but I am sure he will up his game. But Charles is exceptional, that's for sure.
Also glad to see both McLarens in the top 10. It looks like they are moving in the right direction which is good for F1. K-mag was also strong this qualy. Gasly still has some work to do to match Max's speed but the Red Bull Honda seems no match for the Mercedes or Ferrari. Kimi solid as always and Danny Ric finally found some speed. Let's race!
|
|
|
|
Post by Carl on Mar 30, 2019 23:07:56 GMT
Valtteri Bottas, if left alone by demanding former champions, will be first by lap 10...
...and even more impressively profane after he wins.  |
|
|
|
Post by René on Mar 31, 2019 10:26:57 GMT
Valtteri Bottas, if left alone by demanding former champions, will be first by lap 10... ...and even more impressively profane after he wins. Haha, we'll see. I hope you're wrong but if he does win I will raise my glass to you Carl!   |
|
|
|
Post by chrisb on Mar 31, 2019 12:45:51 GMT
although I won't be watching the race live, thanks to the greed of the few, I will follow it and hope for a good race without dummies being throw out by, er, dummies
|
|
|
|
Post by charleselan on Mar 31, 2019 15:12:01 GMT
I was in two minds as to whether I would watch the recorded highlights on UK C4 of Qualifying last evening, but when I saw that Charles was on pole, how could I not! My prediction made at the end of last year is on course, and I have little doubt about that now. What a performance all weekend; fastest in every session and on pole by a margin. The young man is as impressive in the car as he is out of it, a new sporting hero with the right attitude which I embrace fully. No pouty bottom lip, or temper tantrum, let alone aspersions that others have got and advantage by dubious means, absolute quality is Charles. In an interview on C4 after qualification he said that he was unhappy with his performance in Australia, and that as his first drive with Ferrari at the tender age of 21 years. Rob stated earlier that he reminds him of Gilles, can't disagree with that one as I feel he is going to be the yardstick for years to come. Also good to see McLaren doing so well after all of their trials and tribulations, and pleased for Sainz Jnr as that has put a marker down for Renault and the fizzy beverage company who discarded him so flagrantly. In light of how F1 is these days I am quite relieved that most of us only get recorded highlight packages now, just like the old days so we can decide if we wish to watch or not depending on the scale of excitement and not have to waste a valuable afternoon, especially on a sunny day . Thanks for instigating this Bernie, I ever in your dept. |
|
|
|
Post by René on Mar 31, 2019 18:21:54 GMT
Wow, wow, wow, Charles Leclerc!
I cannot remember feeling so europhoric after such a disappointing race end. The Ferrari implosion was very painful but what Charles showed today, his race craft but also his behaviour after a huge disappointment was world class. Respect, monsieur Leclerc.
Lewis was also a class act today how he gave cedits to Leclerc. He knew it was a lucky win.
And what about Seb? I like him, he's fast, he has a sense of humor, he has a passion for Ferrari and I would love to see him win a title in red. But that spin was like last year. He should not make mistakes like that or otherwise he will have to accept a support role to Charles very soon...
|
|
|
|
Post by Carl on Mar 31, 2019 21:30:56 GMT
An eventful race with action galore that simply ended wrong... but with true glory reflected onto Charles Leclerc, whose domination throughout the weekend only gained third place. At a very young age, he could have collapsed head down into childish accusations of conspiracy as others have done, but instead showed true class.
In the announcers booth, true class was shown by Martin Brundle, whose patience with David Croft's silliness is admirable.
|
|
|
|
Post by chrisb on Apr 1, 2019 4:50:22 GMT
I followed the race, but I am sorry I cannot get excited at the track, I just kept thinking of scalectrix and half expected runners in the tarmac,
Impressed with McLaren, saw some glimpses of improvement at Williams and Renault, what happened to Haas? and there is Kimi - another 7 points, but last year people were saying Leclerc is the real deal, well along with some other up and comers I think he is, Seb just doesn't look like he 'is on it' at the moment and it does make you wonder why
|
|
|
|
Post by charleselan on Apr 1, 2019 11:30:12 GMT
There is a saying "out of bad things good will come", and this will surely happen for Charles Leclerc. The combination of this young man and the Ferrari looked outstanding all weekend. Getting the engine problem in the races late stages reminded me of days past when reliability played its part in many a race. Charles conduct when confronted with the problem and after the race was exemplary, as one is becoming to expect now.
Interesting to see the feeling shown between Charles and the team members before and after the race, he seems to have a good bond with Jock Clear from what I could see. Third place was poor reward for such an outstanding performance but as Martin Brundle pointed out in the post race interview, it was his first podium so some consolation. Incidentally that was an excellent interview by Martin, beautifully pitched in the circumstance.
Hats off to Lewis Hamilton also for a very good and gritty drive, and his genuine commiseration with Charles.
Other than Charles Leclerc's outstanding weekend, the drive of the day for me was Nico Hulkenberg, an absolutely stunning drive that also gained no reward.
Great performances by McLaren, absolutely certain that Sainz Jnr would have been fifth had he not tangled with Max, I have a feeling there will be a few more of those over the course of 2019. The combination of the Spaniard with Renault power will be like a red rag to a bull for Max.
Also a very good drive by Alexander Albon who gained not a single word in the UK C4 highlights program, he deserved better as it was a good performance. Although way back good to see the Williams boys in close company for the majority of the race which shows that Robert Kubica is getting up to speed. Both deserve far better machinery in which to display their talents.
As Chris mentions above another excellent drive by Kimi who outperformed the Alfa all weekend. Strange that even with the same power unit as the sister team Ferrari they were not quick on the straight, so where does the outright speed of the car from Maranello come from? Battery deployment; aero to other factors.
|
|
