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Post by Carl on Jun 7, 2021 0:32:55 GMT
I like the abundant challenges of Baku, a combination of superfast straights and super tight confines elsewhere. Some random thoughts: The catastrophic tyre failures, Verstappen's after Pirelli's reassurances, are inexcusable and F1 needs to redo its entire approach. The restart, after so long a delay, was more exciting than the previous 49 laps. With tyre and pitstop strategy irrelevant, the no quarter given flat-out sprint to the finish was awesome. With David Croft's focus drifting over the Caspian Sea and Paul di Resta talking so fast he must have been paid by the syllable, Anthony Davidson's was the only calm voice.
Seven of nine people seen on a balcony were staring at 5 X 3 screens, oblivious to the others and maybe the race, fixated by their experience on social media. The brave new world is here. Has Mercedes finally broken the spirit of Valtteri Bottas now that he's joined Hamilton's blonde assistant in carrying his water? I altered my predicted winner after the race ended because Valtteri had no chance. |
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Post by robmarsh on Jun 7, 2021 7:37:01 GMT
Merc have a switch called the "magic brake" that pushes the brake bias to the very front so they can warm up the brakes and hence the tyres under the safety car. If you look at the picture of the second start you will see the Mercs brakes were smoking quite a lot after the lap to the grid under the safety car. LH switched it off on the grid but apparently knocked it back on whilst jostling for position for the first corner and thus putting all the bias back to the front which caused the lock up. Driver error or finger trouble as Toto said. Something akin to Mansell switching his car off whilst waving to the crowd before then of the 1991 Canadian GP.
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Post by robmarsh on Jun 7, 2021 7:43:27 GMT
With David Croft's focus drifting over the Caspian Sea and Paul di Resta talking so fast he must have been paid by the syllable, Anthony Davidson's was the only calm voice.
...and the only sensible one. Pauly Dee comes across as over critical of the drivers especially given his F1 career. A bit like Yuki Tsunoda telling his race engineer to shut up. He doesn't have the same standing, after 5 GPs, that Kimi did when he told his team that he knew what he was doing. I think Valteri's days at Merc are numbered. His GP was sacrificed on Saturday afternoon when he had to give LH a tow during qualifying. Also his car was set up differently with a different wing, not so bendy, that made it slower. Not sure if that was by choice or not. |
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Post by charleselan on Jun 7, 2021 10:02:38 GMT
That was eventful and as you guys have mentioned above a feel good podium. Very unfortunate for Max as he had driven faultlessly from what I could see, however these things happen. So pleased for Checo who seems to have worked out the car at last and was very strong all weekend, perfect really as it failed after he crossed the finish line which at on time was the ultimate in race car design.
My mind went into conspiracy mode during the pit stops as Checo had an amazing in lap and I am certain would have come out in front of Max had they not mysteriously performed a slow stop for him, around one or two seconds longer than Max, umm!
Absolutely delighted for Sebastian who drove a flawless race and looked like the old Vettel, attacked when needed and was inch perfect when he did. I was hoping he would be able to get up onto the tail of Hamilton at one stage as that would have been shear bliss if he had drafted by.
The tyre failures are a saga that will go on I feel with lots of finger pointing. I am not convinced by Pirelli saying it was down to debris that cut the tyres. They claim Hamilton also had a cut in the same rear left but surely when it is debris that is random as small bits of razor sharp carbon fibre do not stay in the same place, or are they suggesting it was pure coincidence. If it were a fixed object like brushing a guard rail then yes you can attribute the failure to that. Interestingly the Pirelli guys were very quick to cover up the wrecked cars tyres with red sheets in an effort to stop photos being taken.
It could also be due to the set up of the cars and even the pressures which I know are controlled but there are factors that can affect those by design or accident.
Interestingly Masi is saying that he had the option to restart the race after the red flag as the rules allow that. These darn rules change by the day, for it wasn't so long ago that if a race was red flagged after the race had been longer than a determined amount of time it was declared at that moment. The short two lap sprint was rather stupid in concept but at least it brought about a certain amount of drama and some brief excitement.
It was pretty obvious that Hamilton's MB was in some sort of trouble with all of the smoke emanating from all four wheels, at last MB appears to have been too clever for its own good and their star driver also "cocked up" big time. The other driver was absolutely nowhere all race which does not auger well for his continued presence in the team after 2021.
Charles has said that he lost the lead to Lewis Hamilton due to him having to take a short cut in avoidance of a branch on the track and that he slowed as he did not wish to get a penalty for the short cut. This allowed Lewis to get close enough to draft past and once in his dirty air the Ferrari was not so good and he fell prey to those behind. As Rob says he got the most out of that car, and probably more; Carlos made a few mistakes which is unusual for him but the restart allowed him to get into the points.
I watched via the Swiss SRF provider as I cannot stomach the whiney "Pauly Dee", he and Croft between them are more than a sane person can take. However I did switch to S*KF1 after Max's accident as I wanted to get more info from an English speaking provider as my German isn't that complete. I agree Rob in that De Resta is very critical of other drivers which is somewhat ironic considering his towering success as a F1 driver, but he was a bit of a Prima Donna according to some sources when he was in F1. Ant Davidson saves the day for them on more than one occasion.
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Post by charleselan on Jun 8, 2021 17:03:54 GMT
I see that Horner & Tonto are continuing their hand bags at dawn spat. As a good friend of mine would say "neither party spoiled".
Personally I cannot stand either of the two; Tonto is a really dislikable individual who makes me switch the feed off when ever he shows his face and Horner is an unctuous little man with a nasty streak. Always remember Jensen Button putting him in his place once when he said something sort of jokey but spiteful about Jensen, to which the very quick reply came "tell me Christain did you ever make it to F1 as a driver".
Neither are fit to fill the shoes of Ron Dennis or Frank Williams, let alone the likes of Ken Tyrrell or Colin Chapman.
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Post by mikael on Jun 8, 2021 19:54:16 GMT
I find it curious that both (Messrs Horner & Wolff) "pump iron", apparently - and not just a little (at the driver's training facilities, one would guess). Not the typical busy-administrator-look for neither of them; but good for them they can find the time.
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Post by Carl on Jun 8, 2021 21:55:33 GMT
I find it curious that both (Messrs Horner & Wolff) "pump iron", apparently - and not just a little (at the driver's training facilities, one would guess). Not the typical busy-administrator-look for neither of them; but good for them they can find the time. Toto and Horner conceivably can clear their desks and assign subordinates to do the work, leaving time for the gym and handbag combat with each other.  |
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Post by René on Jun 11, 2021 10:25:56 GMT
I find it curious that both (Messrs Horner & Wolff) "pump iron", apparently - and not just a little (at the driver's training facilities, one would guess). Not the typical busy-administrator-look for neither of them; but good for them they can find the time. Toto and Horner conceivably can clear their desks and assign subordinates to do the work, leaving time for the gym and handbag combat with each other. Yes, and as Wolfie & Hornie fight it out with their handbags Ferrari makes another step and wipes the floor with both of them!
Leclerc: "If you look at the pace, we were not very far from Mercedes and Red Bull with the hard tyres in the middle of the race, so there are many positive things. Having said that, we can't be happy with this fourth, because we are here to win. But we are giving everything and I'm sure that victories will come soon."  |
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Post by charleselan on Jun 11, 2021 15:26:39 GMT
Interesting to see that Ferrari have had quite a reshuffle of team personnel over the past month, but without the dramas that normally are associated with such moves.
If Charles thinks that they are getting close then one had better believe it to be the case, hopefully we will see some Maranello victories before the 2021 season ends. The current two protagonists need someone to put a shot across their bows, and the supine motor sport media need to be made to realise that there is more than Lewis & Max at the very top of the tree.
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Post by René on Jun 11, 2021 20:48:47 GMT
Interesting to see that Ferrari have had quite a reshuffle of team personnel over the past month, but without the dramas that normally are associated with such moves. If Charles thinks that they are getting close then one had better believe it to be the case, hopefully we will see some Maranello victories before the 2021 season ends. The current two protagonists need someone to put a shot across their bows, and the supine motor sport media need to be made to realise that there is more than Lewis & Max at the very top of the tree. Yep, a lot going on at Ferrari behind the scenes. Not only a new CEO, Benedetto Vigna who’s a high profile figure in the tech world but they’re also very active with their young driver academy, supporting women and more diversity in motorsport and supporting young engineering talent in various programs. They’ve been chosen as best company to work for in Italy for the second year in a row. Ferrari is moving with the times (yes, that will also mean an electric Ferrari soon) which is a good thing. Forza! |
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Post by charleselan on Jun 12, 2021 17:00:57 GMT
I have read that Max is saying that he would be winning in Lewis' car, so definitely trying to wind him up. It will also be adding the Tonto's mental problems as he seems to be having a bit of a breakdown at present, obviously missing Niki who would have put some backbone into him. He is suffering and has even now apologised to Valterri for accusing him of causing the wheel nut saga at Monaco, which was one of the most absurd outbursts I have read in years. He also has George Russell saying he wants his future assured by mid summer and before the break, that is going to be a good one . Also we have the Fizzy Drinks emporium buying up many of his tech guys which must hurt, although he rather brazenly says that it will have no effect, Yeh! right. |
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Post by chrisb on Jun 13, 2021 7:40:04 GMT
Tonto seems to be one of those personalities who thrive in success but struggle otherwise, it does make you wonder if the Mercedes board are considering if he is the right person for the job- specialists are mercenary to a point and I would think a lot of MB technicians have been lured by the lolly and yet I cannot believe that is the only reason people leave,
Another thought is that all these negative comments about Lewis from the likes of Max are also making MB wonder if they don't need him anymore, it's happened before and loyalty isn't always a factor in F1
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