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Post by Carl on Dec 7, 2020 2:18:46 GMT
Where was the Mercedes brain trust? There's been just one major change...
Has Lewis Hamilton been driving and deciding race strategy with equal brilliance for 8 years? Had he been there, would he have conducted the team to another error-free 1-2 finish, with Toto Wolff merely a mouthpiece?
Unbelievable incompetence!
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Post by charleselan on Dec 7, 2020 12:01:18 GMT
Where to begin, well I will try with this. How come MB manage to screw up in a grand manner the only time Hamilton isn't in the car. Apparently it was radio failure of some sort, but surely the bloody tyres have each driver marked on them for visual inspection.
George Russell proved quite categorically that he is indeed a champion in the making. I had a feeling he would ace the start as Valterri is not very good at that part of the operation is he, unless he manages to do what he did in Austria a few seasons back. From then on George controlled him like a person who had been in the car for several seasons, total class.
In any other era that drive would have cemented George Russell's career, especially being how he has performed in the lamentable Williams over the past two seasons. Back in the day the likes of Colin Chapman and Ken Tyrrell, as well as Ron Dennis would have moved heaven and earth to get that lad into one of their cars for 2021; but not Wolff, Oh no! In many ways this is what I hate about young drivers being tied to major backers like MB & RB.
George Russell's misfortune did lead to a real feel good scenario however and it was a delight to see Checo Perez win, and boy was that a frosty congratulatory hand shake with Stroll Snr ( on Checo's part that is). I have never been Perez's biggest fan, but he is a very decent man and a fine driver and that win was more than deserved.
Also very pleased for Esteban Ocon as well, he has taken a lot of stick this year but having to sit out 2019 did him no favours and it took a while to get back up to speed, also Daniel Ricciardo is no mean team mate. Hopoefully Esteban will build on this and give Teflonso a hard time next year.
I had to laugh at Lance Stroll's comment that he should have won but for a glitch following his pit stop, yeah right son!
Charles is taking a lot of flack for the coming together, yes it was a little ambitious but Verstappen sucked him into it by braking so early. Max's comment that it was desperate is laughable considering some of the things he has pulled, and he knows he was partly culpable. Charles knows he doesn't have a car under him that can deliver results so like Gilles all those years ago he goes for any chance or gap, you cannot knock him for that. Just look where Sebastian ended up, that is the level of that car.
Also another outstanding drive from Carlos Sainz Jnr that really should have been a podium but spoilt by a safety car and a pit stop that was ill timed. He also out performed his car all weekend. My feeling is that Ferrari will have the best driver pairing next season, the car had better be up to it!
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Post by René on Dec 7, 2020 16:39:11 GMT
Charles's action could be considered as a bit over ambitious but I agree it was laughable to hear Max of all people say it was not clever and too wild! But hey, it's all part of the game. Charles's late braking did remind of Gilles however. 
And poor Romain will not start in Abu Dhabi. Surely not the end of his F1 career he wanted but he did go out with a bang!  Hope he finds a good place for the next phase of his career like Kevin.
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Post by Carl on Dec 7, 2020 17:05:34 GMT
Heartbreak for Russell, after an outstanding performance; but heartwarming to see Perez victorious, finally. Russell's time will come. Well said. I normally turn off the broadcast when the podium is established, but I enjoyed seeing the wonderful celebration by everyone at Racing Point. A well-deserved win for their number one and the entire team. |
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Post by Carl on Dec 7, 2020 17:16:59 GMT
Beyond the first lap destruction derby and Mercedes' massive confusion when presented with both cars , the Outer Loop encouraged some fierce competition and should be considered as the primary circuit next year.
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Post by robmarsh on Dec 7, 2020 17:29:02 GMT
Beyond the first lap destruction derby and Mercedes' massive confusion when presented with both cars , the Outer Loop encouraged some fierce competition and should be considered as the primary circuit next year. I rather like f1 races on short fast circuits eg the Outer Loop, Osterreichring and Interlagos. Something about relentless pace and no room for let up. |
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Post by robmarsh on Dec 7, 2020 17:41:15 GMT
George Russell impressed me greatly. Feel really sorry for him but glad for Checo and Racing Point though I think Lance Stroll was rather churlish about the whole thing. Seb could be quite competitive next year. Given GR's ability to lead from the front and a Mercedes one/two of half a lap one wonders if Lewis Hamilton's price tag of GBP40 million is a good investment. Mercedes really shot themselves in the foot on this one-too much technology and not enough human intervention-AI or Artificial Incompetence at it's best.
A pity about Charles late lunge but F1 has no room for wilting daisies or shrinking violets so good on him for going for it and then owning up for it straight away.
The McLaren team could be quite a challenger next year with Mercedes power units.
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Post by charleselan on Dec 7, 2020 18:46:46 GMT
I am now going to nominate that the British GP be held on the Silverstone Club Circuit and then in October 2022 the European GP be brought back and run on the Brands Hatch Short Track, that will ensure everyone gets completely giddy including the spectators. Croft can then become completely orgasmic as he tries to find a GP that has had a shorter or quicker lap time  . |
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Post by charleselan on Dec 7, 2020 19:33:43 GMT
Charles's action could be considered as a bit over ambitious but I agree it was laughable to hear Max of all people say it was not clever and too wild! But hey, it's all part of the game. Charles's late braking did remind of Gilles however.
And poor Romain will not start in Abu Dhabi. Surely not the end of his F1 career he wanted but he did go out with a bang! Hope he finds a good place for the next phase of his career like Kevin.
I keep meaning to comment about Romain but get sidetracked. It would be fantastic to see him land a decent drive elsewhere which I am certain he will. He is still a very quick driver, on his day with the right set up one of the very quickest. His interview with Martin Brundle reflecting on his accident was compelling as he eloquently explained every aspect of what happened and his feelings as it unfolded. It was stomach churning listening to him describe his emotions as he felt he was going to die and how the flames would attack him. His escape from the wreck and what motivated his change of mind. May the next chapter in your career and life be a happy and rewarding one Romain. |
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Post by Carl on Dec 7, 2020 22:35:06 GMT
I am now going to nominate that the British GP be held on the Silverstone Club Circuit and then in October 2022 the European GP be brought back and run on the Brands Hatch Short Track, that will ensure everyone gets completely giddy including the spectators. Croft can then become completely orgasmic as he tries to find a GP that has had a shorter or quicker lap time . If this happens, he'll have a nervous breakdown and you'll be made a Knight. |
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Post by chrisb on Dec 8, 2020 11:44:49 GMT
watched the highlights on utub, but was forced to switch off the sound after a few minutes, I can't bear Crofty now, he used to be ok on the radio so can only assume it is the producers forcing commentators to become screaming idiots, successfuly I might add, but it offers nothing to me
I thought Charles whilst ambitious was unfortunate and wondered yet again why people close the door as they do, despite that Checo showed some class today, others less so, but then, do they care, and it was a great victory and all kudos to him for such a good drive. It would be interesting if he had no drive next year
Brilliant drive by George, given all the obstacles put in his way really showed his class, isn't it fascinating how much mileage F1 has gotten out of a pretty dominated race until they managed to snatch defeat from victory with such crass incompetence it begs the question how did you really manage that, I know what you are saying but come on, 7 world championships and you mess up like this? shows you are human I guess, but a lot of media attention - more so I suspect than Lewis's absence
I am not clear who George drives for in Abu Dhabi or in that case who he drives for next year? maybe Valteri had problems, but he just comes across as a bit self-defeated - maybe Lewis has finally drained him as he did others - don't know
Romain has launched a cookery book, no puns intended or suggested, maybe that is his next career, I understand Tonto has offered Romain a test next year, which is pretty cool but the interview I enjoyed was with his team mate - real class act,
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Post by charleselan on Dec 8, 2020 12:44:32 GMT
Totally agree Chris, those two boys are absolute class (Romain & Kevin) and F1 will be the poorer from their absence next year. Romain is a very interesting and eloquent character. I also saw a clip featuring him when he mentioned that he felt his generation of drivers lost out due to the previous one not retiring when most have in the past. He has a point if you look at it from his perspective.
If the likes of Kimi; Teflonso and Jensen had retired in their early/mid 30's then the opportunities would have been greater for the likes of Romain etc.
Kevin is a quality guy in every aspect, hard as nails on the track but such a caring and smashing guy out of the car. I hope he smashes it in the USA in the coming years and emulates Juan Pablo and Alex in Indycar for Chip Ganassi.
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Post by robmarsh on Dec 8, 2020 13:13:07 GMT
Yep I agree Chris and Charles. I was upset with Romain for an accident he called early on in his career but soon after that I saw an interview with him on TV and found him a very likeable person indeed. KMag I have always liked and I had high hopes for them and the Haas Team which unfortunately never materialised though I do wonder what they may had achieved had the 2022 cost regulation been in place already.
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Post by chrisb on Dec 9, 2020 10:38:55 GMT
I looked at the Charles incident again and maybe I am seeing this through tinted spectacles but Perez was given extra room when overtaking and a simple gesture by him and Charles would have gotten away with that move, it did remind me slightly of Gilles at Long Beach one year when he made a rather ambitious move on the opening lap and sailed up the escape road but he didn't hit anyone
John and Rob, well the thing is without the terrible accidents of yesteryears a lot of other drivers from history would have continued onwards, Stirling in particular i could have seen him racing for another 6 years - not sure JImmy would have after 68 but I am positive he would have considered it, but maybe others would have, not sure, but the likes of Renault bring Teflonso back now just seems daft - I do think Kevin was a winner and McLaren's decision was a poor one, but again he came across as a human being whose feet was on the ground, hope he is successful in the States as he deserves it, when Romain first raced in F1 I was wondering what gives here, but like you I saw the interview and thought - yea - great guy and then proved a good racer as well, hope he does well in his next step
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Post by charleselan on Dec 9, 2020 13:00:36 GMT
There is a short little film on YouTube showing Charles going to see Chec Perez and apologise for the incident and also to congratulate him on his win. How many other drivers, especially in the higher echelon, would do that.
Charles is being given a lot of stick by so called motor sport fans on the various sites. Most of course are Verstappen or Hamilton supporters who probably haven't long ceased wearing short trousers, but the bile is palpable.
Yes Charles was at fault and has admitted as much, but as others have mentioned Perez could have given far more room without inconveniencing himself any. In an instant Martin Brundle stated as much but realigned later, he need not have done so as his initial reaction was more correct.
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Hope he finds a good place for the next phase of his career like Kevin.
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