|
|
Post by mikael on Apr 19, 2021 11:59:02 GMT
Interesting to notice that Russell's left front wheel hit Bottas's "halo" so hard, apparently, that the carbon fibre layer was knocked off (just to the left of the "Crowdstrike" sticker.).
(Photo from MSM)
|
|
|
|
Post by mikael on Apr 19, 2021 15:50:11 GMT
Interesting, actually, with the discussions about the use of reverse (that seem to be going on "anywhere", also in connection with Mark Hughes' "mini-report"/retrospect at MSM).
But from a logical point of view you could say that, since the cars are equipped with a reverse gear, and since it's illegal to use it in the pits (as stated directly in the regulations), then it must be legal to use it somewhere else - at least in some situations; otherwise the cars would simply not have a reverse gear.
|
|
|
|
Post by Carl on Apr 19, 2021 16:08:27 GMT
Rob, I totally agree that internal politics at Mercedes exacerbated what happened approaching the first chicane and suspect the machiavellian tonto has been playing with his drivers' psyches like Enzo Ferrari always did. The race was chaotic and boring, an unusual combination, with tyres and drivers both inadequate to the conditions. I sometimes enjoy chaos, but not today. While unimpressive today, Daniel Ricciardo does not deserve to have his name diminished by the likes of "Pauly Dee" and "Teddy Kraven" as though he was a child.
Cheers, Carl
Carl I was listening to the Channel 4 commentary of DC and some other chap so was spared the likes of croft and kravitz. I have recorded the race so will watch it in full when I return home. My pleasure at seeing Norris beat Ric was because I really like Norris and many people think Ric will put him in the shade so when it's the other way round it proves that Norris is not to bad a  driver and that is nice to see. Personally I have never rated Ric in the top four drivers, he is very good but not that good. He has only won in a Red Bull and there Max had the better of him at a time when Max was the less experienced of the two. I wish I could listen to Channel 4 and be done with David Croft. I should have saved my father's shortwave radio.
Lando Norris is clearly faster than Daniel Ricciardo, whose early promise has peaked. Also to his credit, Norris doesn't drink champagne from smelly driving shoes. Although the Sky commentators would say "Danny Ric" is affectionate, his name is not that difficult to pronounce and he deserves better than the diminutive nickname. |
|
|
|
Post by René on Apr 19, 2021 16:59:19 GMT
Interesting, actually, with the discussions about the use of reverse (that seem to be going on "anywhere", also in connection with Mark Hughes' "mini-report"/retrospect at MSM).
But from a logical point of view you could say that, since the cars are equipped with a reverse gear, and since it's illegal to use it in the pits (as stated directly in the regulations), then it must be legal to use it somewhere else - at least in some situations; otherwise the cars would simply not have a reverse gear.
Hamilton's reversing is explained quite clearly on Autosport and why it wasn't illegal: www.autosport.com/f1/news/explained-why-hamilton-didnt-break-f1s-rules-for-reversing-on-track/6344972/ |
|
|
|
Post by René on Apr 19, 2021 17:05:55 GMT
Carl I was listening to the Channel 4 commentary of DC and some other chap so was spared the likes of croft and kravitz. I have recorded the race so will watch it in full when I return home. My pleasure at seeing Norris beat Ric was because I really like Norris and many people think Ric will put him in the shade so when it's the other way round it proves that Norris is not to bad a driver and that is nice to see. Personally I have never rated Ric in the top four drivers, he is very good but not that good. He has only won in a Red Bull and there Max had the better of him at a time when Max was the less experienced of the two. I wish I could listen to Channel 4 and be done with David Croft. I should have saved my father's shortwave radio.
Lando Norris is clearly faster than Daniel Ricciardo, whose early promise has peaked. Also to his credit, Norris doesn't drink champagne from smelly driving shoes. Although the Sky commentators would say "Danny Ric" is affectionate, his name is not that difficult to pronounce and he deserves better than the diminutive nickname. Time will tell if Lando is really faster than Daniel. I believe all the drivers who changed team need some time to adjust to get the maximum out of the car. You don't just jump from one car into another without adjustment time in these high tech modern beasts. You might think Russell did it in the Merc but we shouldn't forget he's a Mercedes test driver who did zillions of miles in the Merc sim. But Lando is very fast, no question. I agree about the smelly shoe..  |
|
|
|
Post by charleselan on Apr 19, 2021 18:01:02 GMT
This "Danny Ric" thing on S*YF1 is childishly stupid especially when it is spouted by the whiny voiced "Pauly Dee" (brilliant Carl), thank goodness we were spared his whining this weekend.
I would never place Daniel Ricciardo in the very top flight, he made much of his name with his dive bomb overtakes that the Red Bull allowed him to do, and the compliance of other drivers who were keen to avoid an accident in the circumstance. Yes he can produce some strong race performances but i do not believe he will get on top of Lando Norris who is a very real talent.
In his formative years I thought that Lando was overhyped but soon changed my mind in his first F1 season, and last year paired with Carlos he was superb, little doubt in my mind that he could handle Ricciardo. If you observe Norris he displays all the attributes that are needed out of the car, forget the cheeky chappy face he will not bow to Verstappen or Hamilton and knows it! I understand your comment René about drivers needing time to settle into a new environment, but have to disagree and will use Carlos Sainz as an example, he has room to improve with time in the car but he isn't half a second off from Charles is he.
On another footing three drivers complained over the weekend of not "trusting the rear" of their cars; Bottas; Vettel and Alonso. None of these guys produced anything like good performances all weekend and their respective team mates bettered them, interesting.
|
|
|
|
Post by Carl on Apr 19, 2021 19:36:14 GMT
Never successful predicting the race winner, I may just vote for myself as the "someone else".
As the most unlikely winner of a Grand Prix, I am certain to enjoy the attentions of the Hawaiian Tropic ladies.
|
|
|
|
Post by chrisb on Apr 20, 2021 6:54:17 GMT
what a difference a circuit makes, I do find the presenter on C4 irritating but in no way am I in the slightest biased as when Lee does the presenting it is of course wonderful, that was quite a race, a combination of a good circuit and rain will always present an opportunity for such, some drove very well, some less so, I used to ask Mark H who he felt was his driver of the day and bless him he used to reply and sometimes explain why he felt so, so who was the driver of the day?
I watched the Russell/Bottas incident and although George has now apologised to Valteri I am not convinced by MB's assertions and would have seen many a star driver attempting the same overtake with possibly the same result, I am just relived that no one was seriously injured.
Daniel is a good driver, whether or not he meets the hype that others surround him with is open to debate, I was interested when the team asked him to move over for Norris and got left behind, I do think it does take some time to settle in to a new team, I once asked Niall MacKenzie such a question and he spoke of how difficult it is getting used to new ways of working, new mechanics/ engineers let alone the machine and how the characteristics don't suit how you like to drive/ ride and how you have to either adapt to the new machine or visa versa, so i will give Dan the benefit of a doubt for the moment and see how the season develops
|
|
|
|
Post by robmarsh on Apr 20, 2021 7:16:57 GMT
I saw George's apology and good on him for doing so. I think the stewards ruled it a racing incident and that is good enough for me. I didn't have a problem with the attempt he made, most self respecting drivers would have. It was a more realistic attempt than Jody Scheckter at Silverstone in 1973 and Alex Albon had nearly all four wheels on the grass at Spa in 2019. My apportionment of more blame to George than Valteri was that it was George's car that lost control in very tricky conditions, that's all. The whole thing is a big learning experience for George, especially the corporate politics at Mercedes and from his manager and I am sure he will emerge all the stronger for it.
|
|
|
|
Post by charleselan on Apr 20, 2021 11:34:46 GMT
I see that Lewis has sent George a supportive "PM" so that wraps that up nicely for MB, or to be more accurate Tonto. I hope Lewis was reflecting on the fact that some years ago he tried to pull a similar move on his team mate in Montreal and the guy in front was the one being blamed for not seeing him in the huge amount of spray.
|
|
|
|
Post by charleselan on Apr 20, 2021 18:31:23 GMT
Just a mischievous addition to the above. The thought came to me that George Russell will now have to spend yet another season tugging around in a less than competitive car as penance and Lewis' position will be safe as his loyal wingman will have an extension to his contract for 2022.
Of course by the end of '22 it will then be sorry George we are signing Verstappen to replace the retiring knight, make your own arrangements.
It was reported yesterday that Wolff had said it is not acceptable to challenge one of his cars and cause an accident as that meant with the cost cap they were unable to produce the updates they had planned. Remember folks you must not challenge a Mercedes Benz as any coming together is unacceptable.
Wolff's selective memory seems to have been put on overdrive for I seem to recall that his favoured one made some pretty big gaffs in his formative years including the one with Jensen in Montreal; I also haven't yet seen Russell run into the back of another driver while waiting at the red light in the pit lane also in Montreal. But hey George has a lot to learn.
|
|
|
|
Post by chrisb on Apr 21, 2021 20:11:09 GMT
i have always believed you find out the measure of the person when things aren't going well for you/ them, i am wondering what we have found out recently?
There has been very little mention of Seb recently -almost as if he is just below the radar and will either settle in and do well or be quietly replaced by the Hulk and one wonders what that would like for Seb,
|
|
|
|
Post by René on Apr 24, 2021 10:39:00 GMT
Some interesting comments from former F1 champions on the Bottas-Russell clash. Jacques Villeneuve (always a strong opinion ) said the following:
"I don't quite understand Toto Wolff, why did he blame Russell for the collision with Bottas? Bottas knew very well that he was about to be overtaken by his potential successor, which is why he risked a serious accident with his move to the right. It showed how tense Bottas is in the second race of the season. And it won't get any better. He's just too slow." Source: Grandprix.com And Alan Jones (always a strong opinion ) said: "Toto Wolff leads the Mercedes team and he has the right to criticize George Russell and express his disappointment and so on. But to say now that you will eventually drive whatever, I think it's all kind of stupid. What pissed me off a little bit was that Toto said this, that, and that, and if he's not careful he will end up driving a Renault sedan or something. I know he is a reserve driver for Mercedes and Mercedes supplies engines to Williams, but if I were George Russell I would just say, 'Shut up, I'm driving for Williams, not you!' There are too many outside influences from all directions," Jones grumbles. "It all comes down to who has the best psychiatrist." Source: RaceXpress. In other words, Toto and Valtteri, stop wining!  |
|
|
|
Post by mikael on Apr 24, 2021 15:18:21 GMT
The comments, and the opinion, of Villeneuve are always interesting, I think, since, in many cases, he has "been there" himself - he really has tried a bit of everything in motorsport. Also, he dares to say what others barely dare to think, and he usually has a point.
|
|
|
|
Post by chrisb on Apr 25, 2021 8:36:13 GMT
I would totally agree Mikael, he has always been open about his views and he is someone who really has been 'there'
|
|
driver and that is nice to see. Personally I have never rated Ric in the top four drivers, he is very good but not that good. He has only won in a Red Bull and there Max had the better of him at a time when Max was the less experienced of the two. 
