|
|
Post by René on Nov 28, 2019 12:36:36 GMT
Last race of the season and not really much to play for. Although, 3rd place in the championship is still undecided between Max and Charles. And ending the season on a high is always good for morale. It will be interesting to see if Red Bull Honda’s strong form continues now we’re back on sea level. And how fast the Ferraris will be on the long straights. Mercedes has won all races here since the hybrid era started in 2014 so a bit of variation would be welcome. And then it will also be a farewell race for Robert Kubica and, more surprising, Nico Hülkenberg. As expected, Nicolas Latifi will replace Kubica at Williams. It’s not the most exciting race track but let’s hope for a good finale anyway. Bring it on!  |
|
|
|
Post by Carl on Nov 28, 2019 21:53:02 GMT
I hope all the usual suspects collectively embarrass their gold-embossed asses to allow a spectacular victory for someone more deserving. Since none of us are entered at this juncture, next best would be Nico Hulkenberg or Alexander Albon.
|
|
|
|
Post by chrisb on Nov 29, 2019 9:46:25 GMT
Autosport went onto say that this circuit is the worst place to hold the last GP of a season, something I would wholeheartedly concur with, you'd think with all those resources available to the rulers that they would make a circuit worthy of a name, some undulations wouldn't go amiss,
so Nico, thank you for all your efforts, I still feel that many years ago your career was scuppered by yet another poor Williams decision and that could have been corrected next year, but maybe it is time to move on, enjoy and have fun,
what it intriguing for me is the excitement the newer drivers are bringing, normally I would lament the retirement of the more experienced drivers but this current grid I am so enjoying the newer driver mentality that I am now hoping for some retirements, something I am not that clear as to why I feel like this
|
|
|
|
Post by René on Nov 30, 2019 11:33:15 GMT
I hope all the usual suspects collectively embarrass their gold-embossed asses to allow a spectacular victory for someone more deserving. Since none of us are entered at this juncture, next best would be Nico Hulkenberg or Alexander Albon. Nice one Carl. Yep, a surprise result after a mega clash between the top three teams would be a nice end to the season! Nico on the podium would be even better!   For now we have the usual suspects dictating the pace. Mercedes and Red Bull on equal pace in FP3 with the Ferraris a little bit behind but the red cars were on mediums instead of softs so they're likely on the same pace also. Could be a very close qualy. |
|
|
|
Post by René on Nov 30, 2019 19:20:56 GMT
Hamilton on pole, his first since the German Grand Prix! Congrats Lewis. Valtteri was second but will start last due to a PU change. So Max is second and then the Ferraris. Again a big mistake by Ferrari when they send them out too late for the second run and Leclerc ran out of time. It's really beyond me how this can happen.  |
|
|
|
Post by Carl on Dec 1, 2019 1:21:01 GMT
Thanks to the tireless advocacy of Martin Brundle, David Croft will soon have corrective surgery.
Now > 
Best case outcome >  |
|
|
|
Post by chrisb on Dec 1, 2019 10:57:27 GMT
another wonderful picture of a determined looking youngster Rene, another one 'that could have'
Carl, there is something truly pythonesque of Croft, I couldn't watch the C4 programme after about 5 minutes of unintelligent waffle - because they are moronic why do they assume people who watch F1 are as well? but then watched the highlights on utub only for Croft to send me to despair,
in MotoGP especially in Moto3 we see that miscaluculation quite often, but really it looks like a bit of a strange thing for Ferrari to do, perhaps there was an explanation but it does seem a bit rudderless,
I had not seen Lewis recently but can't help but notice how slight he has become, another veggie, however he doesn't seem to share my fondness for cake or cheese.
Bottas has not had the best of times recently so wish him well this afternoon- and the Hulk, a sad afternoon when you look back at his F1 career, did he lack the final bit of the jigsaw that makes a winner or was it yet another case wrong team wrong time, all the time -
|
|
|
|
Post by Carl on Dec 1, 2019 17:40:58 GMT
The Associated Press are fervent fans of Lewis Hamilton and dutifully report each win, attention not given to other drivers. I am a fan of more important world developments and often stumble across the headline and winner's photo while reading the online Los Angeles Times. This time the headline made clear the race was a dull procession, saving me having to listen to David Croft, who talks even more during dull races.
Hats off to Lewis Hamilton and to Mercedes, whose organizational (and technical) genius usually dominate when they've competed over the years, but there's more to recommend a series when close racing dominates.
|
|
|
|
Post by René on Dec 1, 2019 18:42:04 GMT
Ah well, that was that.
Mercedes was in a class of its own. Lewis was faultless and never challenged and had Valtteri started from second spot, it would have been a very dominant 1-2. Max drove very well and Honda really seems to have closen the gap substantially. Ferrari was so-so even if Leclerc drove a good race. I didn't understand why Charles came in for fresh tyres so early but there will surely be a good reason.
The most exciting part however was the fact the DRS was not available for a big part of the race. Much better.
|
|
|
|
Post by mikael on Dec 2, 2019 0:50:15 GMT
There are many compact words in Japanese, composed of two (originally) Chinese characters. One such word is "jitsu-ryoku", which means "true strength". It's discussable, of course, but I thought that this time, the top five drivers came home in the direct order of their true strength.
|
|
|
|
Post by charleselan on Dec 2, 2019 13:14:16 GMT
Quite mind numbing, the only good part was when the so called "DRS" failed during the early stages, we then saw how cars should be raced without this contrived contraption, shame it reappeared. If that device is F1's answer to solving the problem of overtaking and the lack of interest as a result, then we are all being conned.
Also what a terrible place to host the season finalé, but we all know money talks louder than tradition.
I missed the qualifying on Saturday which turns out as no bad thing, but then watched some idiotic piece presented by S*YF1 with Charles Leclerc "racing" Lando Norris with some sort of radio controlled vehicle. Totally absurd and a waste of the two young mens time, let alone the viewers. In it David Croft played a major role as "commentator" and in which he left me with a lasting impression of a characterised Alfred Hitchcock in side profile. The guy really needs to sort out his eating habits and pay more attention to his well being if that image is to be improved.
|
|
|
|
Post by mikael on Dec 4, 2019 13:05:38 GMT
Some interesting thoughts from Kubica:
"I remember one qualifying that I got out of the car and told a friend that in the golden times of BMW, driving like that would have given me the front row.
"But I was last, half a second from the next one," Kubica told P.... S.... newspaper.
Then one can ponder the significance of this ...
(I mean, did Kubica really loose his "edge", or has has the general level really "grown" during the ten years of Kubica's absense?)
Reference:
|
|
|
|
Post by Carl on Dec 4, 2019 17:41:51 GMT
Some interesting thoughts from Kubica:
"I remember one qualifying that I got out of the car and told a friend that in the golden times of BMW, driving like that would have given me the front row.
"But I was last, half a second from the next one," Kubica told P.... S.... newspaper.
Then one can ponder the significance of this ...
(I mean, did Kubica really loose his "edge", or has has the general level really "grown" during the ten years of Kubica's absense?)
Reference:
I wanted Robert Kubica's attempted comeback to succeed, for him to be at least competitive. He may have been a solid midfield contender but for the dismal performance of Williams, but over the course of the season he also came to realize he was not at the same level he'd been before. A severe and traumatic injury can have a lasting impact on greatness and even a 3% reduction will be clear.
|
|
|
|
Post by chrisb on Dec 4, 2019 20:33:33 GMT
I also think it gets into your head, after an injury, especially one as severe as Robert's will have a psychological effect as well as a physical one, it is a shame as Robert was one driver I really rated and was looking forward to the first Eastern European F1 champion, and was so hopeful for his comeback and was saddened when it didn't happen.
|
|
|
|
Post by charleselan on Dec 6, 2019 18:55:32 GMT
Last evening while doing a bit of surfing on YouTube via the TV I saw what I believe is termed a VLOG from a guy called Marc Preistly who I am aware of from various appearances on other media topics regarding motor sport. In this VLOG he was following up from the previous days Abu Dhabi race and giving his views about all manner of matters raised by his "followers".
The main thing that struck me was the emphasis upon Ferrari and the issues regarding its sudden down turn on performance; the fuelling issue and subsequent fine from the AD race and finally whether Sebastian Vettel was about to retire and who might replace him. The overall impression I gained from this was that there were hidden aspersions being cast as to whether Ferrari were doing anything illegal or should i say was their performance in mid season gained by duplicitous means. It was of course all conjecture on Mr Preistly's part of course but it just struck me as very loaded.
He did waffle on for some time trying to offer arguments about the merits of the fuelling issue and declarations that were made at the time. Well to me i would say that if they had done something illegal then the FIA would have dealt with it surely as we are no longer in the era where Ferrari could play the rules as was the case back in the late 1990's.
Maybe i am being too cynical here and it was all just food to feed his VLOG and followers, but it left me uneasy.
He rubbished the thought that Sebastian was about to retire however, but added that he thought Ricciardo would be a good fit as a replacement. That actually made me laugh as surely Ricciardo wouldn't want another Fizzy Drinks scenario where a faster younger team mate expose him once again.
|
|
