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Post by René on Jun 3, 2021 14:30:59 GMT
A unique track, the Baku City Circuit with the super long straight and the twisty part through the old city. Not a bad track and arguably one of Tilke’s best... The long straight will surely suit the Mercedes powered cars best but Honda won’t be far off. The Ferrari powered cars could struggle here but maybe Charles and Carlos can make up time in the slow part. Main focus will of course be on the title battle between Max and Lewis but the fight for third between McLaren and Ferrari will be fierce again. The safety car and a bit of chaos is a certainlty here so anything can happen!  |
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Post by charleselan on Jun 3, 2021 15:32:34 GMT
I am going for Charles, but is more a case of wanting him to win rather than thinking he will, just doesn't have the car under him right now. When he does then look out! Carlos is saying that he thinks Lando Norris will be very strong this weekend, could he spring a real surprise with Mercedes power. Young Norris isn't shy is he  . |
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Post by Carl on Jun 3, 2021 21:36:16 GMT
It's long overdue for Valtteri Bottas to vindicate Mika Hakkinen's faith in his countryman. Patriotism can go only so far and a younger Finn may soon come along to outshine his elders...
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Post by charleselan on Jun 3, 2021 21:52:11 GMT
It's long overdue for Valtteri Bottas to vindicate Mika Hakkinen's faith in his countryman. Patriotism can go only so far and a younger Finn may soon come along to outshine his elders... Carl, I have a feeling that with a little bit of practice Mika would blow the doors off his younger countryman  . Valtteri is a good lad but not at the very top flight; Mika Hakkinen was a true great in my opinion. However having said that i would be absolutely delighted if he managed to beat Hamilton a few times this year, it would be a feel good scenario. JC |
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Post by Carl on Jun 3, 2021 22:43:49 GMT
It's long overdue for Valtteri Bottas to vindicate Mika Hakkinen's faith in his countryman. Patriotism can go only so far and a younger Finn may soon come along to outshine his elders... Carl, I have a feeling that with a little bit of practice Mika would blow the doors off his younger countryman . Valtteri is a good lad but not at the very top flight; Mika Hakkinen was a true great in my opinion. However having said that i would be absolutely delighted if he managed to beat Hamilton a few times this year, it would be a feel good scenario. JC Yes, hope springs eternal that the meek shall occasionally inherit the top step. |
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Post by René on Jun 4, 2021 9:52:59 GMT
Interesting first session with a very fast Red Bull and Ferrari and Mercedes not yet up to speed. Of course still early days but Ferrari have definitely made a step. Leclerc said yesterday that he believed Monaco was probably a one off but they look strong here, they really do.  1. Verstappen, Red Bull 2. Leclerc, Ferrari 3. Sainz, Ferrari 4. Perez, Red Bull 5. Ricciardo, McLaren 6. Gasly, AlphaTauri 7. Hamilton, Mercedes 8. Norris, McLaren 9. Alonso, Alpine 10. Bottas, Mercedes Mazepin is not F1 worthy. I don’t know how he gathered enough points for his super license but he’s not up to it. |
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Post by chrisb on Jun 4, 2021 16:08:31 GMT
I have gone for Norris, on the basis as it is whom I would like to win, I doubt if he will but wouldn't it be great to see McLaren back on the top step,
Bottas's seat must be questionable now, I am not sure how he can justify retaining the drive, there are so many young guns with more potential who would do well there
if Mick Schumacher is being geared up for a Ferrari drive who do they drop?
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Post by René on Jun 4, 2021 16:52:21 GMT
Same picture in FP2. And what’s wrong with Mercedes? Silly mistake by Charles when he damaged the front wing on a fast lap. Is he feeling some pressure from his Spanish teammate?  Chris, Mick Schumacher might go to Ferrari in a few years time but not in the next two, three years. If he develops well probably first to Alfa. |
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Post by charleselan on Jun 4, 2021 17:05:09 GMT
Yes, disappointed that Charles touched the wall again, but he is trying hard, maybe a bit too much and needs JYS to give him a little advice, let it come to you lad! Carlos certainly has "really got on with things at Ferrari" as the great DSJ would say, no whinging about not being used to the car. I see someone in the latest Motorsport magazine likened Charles & Carlos to Jody & Gilles . The Marzipan Kid should be no where near a F1 car René. Not sure how Mick Schumacher fits into a Ferrari future as anyone with any sense should see that for many years Charles & Carlos are the future of Maranello. Mick has made a sound debut but he isn't in the same league as the current two incumbents. |
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Post by René on Jun 5, 2021 13:47:12 GMT
Oh yes, pole position! Forza Leclerc!
Chaotic qualy with lots of crashes but what a lap from Charles. He actually had a few oversteer moments but also a tow from Lewis in the last sector.
Lewis saved the day for Mercedes and a very unhappy Max. And great qualy for Pierre! All the ingredients for a great race!
Hairy moment for Sainz to avoid Yuki!
1. Leclerc, Ferrari
2. Hamilton, Mercedes
3. Verstappen, Red Bull
4. Gasly, AlphaTauri
5. Sainz, Ferrari
6. Norris, McLaren
7. Perez, Red Bull
8. Tsunoda, AlphaTauri
9. Alonso, Alpine
10. Bottas, Mercedes
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Post by charleselan on Jun 5, 2021 15:35:07 GMT
Well that has made my weekend, Charles may not win tomorrow but getting pole was an outstanding effort, of course it was all down to getting that slipstream. However you have to drive the car in the first place, and that is what Charles did.
Absolute carnage throughout, this place is unforgiving if a mistake is made and that is how it should be. Unlucky for Sebastian who I think would have made it into Q3 but at least he has a free choice on tyres for the race start. Ricciardo really is all at sea and it seems the faster Norris goes the more it accentuates his poor season.
Another very fine performance from Pierre Gasly who is turning into a superb driver, still undervalued by the Fizzy management, I wonder why. Maybe they do not like being proved wrong, or having someone who has the determination to sort himself out and come good.
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Post by chrisb on Jun 6, 2021 6:26:19 GMT
I managed to watch it, albeit with the sound turned off, the first corner is going to be fun, but well done Charles, hopefully this will see the resurgence of Ferrari, however I would still like to see McLaren win,
thanks Rene, I think what was crossing my mind at the time was Haas no longer being in F1 and what would Mick and Ferrari do then,
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Post by robmarsh on Jun 6, 2021 18:52:04 GMT
Nice result for F1. Very happy for the three podium winners. Charles maximised the car's potential. Feel sorry for Max as he hadn't done anything wrong. Second "rookie" mistake by LH this season so the pressure must be telling. Tonto wasn't very supportive, payback for LH comments after Monaco maybe. Seems the pressure is getting to the Mercs. Good drive by Lando and once again he outshone his more illustrious teammate. Bottas was nowhere. This season is really shining a spotlight on some areas. My jury is still out on Yuki Tsunoda. On results to date he definitely isn't as good as he thinks he is and Ross Brawn thinks he is.
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Post by mikael on Jun 6, 2021 19:17:38 GMT
Wasn't it the case that Hamilton just had no brakes whatsoever after the restart? Looking at the smoke that came out from them, I imagine they were just "gone" when he needed them at the first corner. (I must say that I haven't watched any post-race interviews ...)
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Post by René on Jun 6, 2021 20:10:06 GMT
Yep, another ‘feel good’ podium. But heartbreak for Max as he drove a faultless perfect race. He deserved to win but that is racing. Luckily he was okay and that also goes for Lance, those were high speed crashes that could have ended a lot worse. Checo saved the day for Red Bull and his win was well deserved.
Great to see a happy Seb up there and Pierre shows time after time he is a top driver.
Ferrari’s race pace is very far off their one lap pace! Maybe exaggerated by Charles’s qualifying brilliance but still some work to do there.
Lewis’s lock up after the restart apparently was a result of a switch he accidently hit that changed the break balance… whatever. Mercedes under pressure suddenly looks vulnerable.
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. Valtteri is a good lad but not at the very top flight; Mika Hakkinen was a true great in my opinion. However having said that i would be absolutely delighted if he managed to beat Hamilton a few times this year, it would be a feel good scenario.
