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Post by René on Nov 3, 2021 14:51:09 GMT
With five races to go the countdown has really begun. Since the return to Mexico City in 2015, Lewis and Max have both won here twice (and Nico Rosberg once in ’15) and again there will not be much between them with maybe a slight advantage for Red Bull in the high altitude conditions. The eyes of the world will be on the two title candidates but the eyes of Mexico will be on Sergio Pérez for sure who, for the first time in his career, will drive an F1 car on home soil which is capable of winning the race. A podium finish must be the minimum for the Mexican.
The battle for third between Ferrari and McLaren seems to have moved in Ferrari’s favor. The latest PU upgrade in the red cars combined with some aerodynamic tweaks have been serious improvements and I wouldn’t be surprised if they could actually challenge for a podium finish. The Mexican Grand Prix is race 1 of a so-called triple header with only one week between the races; Mexico>Brazil>Qatar. Bring it on!  |
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Post by mikael on Nov 3, 2021 16:12:45 GMT
Ref. the photo from the 1967 Mexican Grand Prix: the laissez-faire attitude regarding the behavior of the spectators continues to fascinate and send shivers down the spine at the same time ...
In Robert Daley's "Cars at Speed" (1961) there is a narration about similar conditions by races in Argentina in the early post-war years.
1961 original
2007 reissue
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Post by René on Nov 3, 2021 16:52:05 GMT
Ref. the photo from the 1967 Mexican Grand Prix: the laissez-faire attitude regarding the behavior of the spectators continues to fascinate and send shivers down the spine at the same time ...
It's fascinating and totally unimaginable these days. But imagine that you are the man in the red sweater on the right. He must have had a fantastic view of the fast approaching cars! I am sure he often told his grandchildren about this event. And maybe those grandkids will visit the race this weekend! Isn't that a nice thought ...  |
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Post by chrisb on Nov 3, 2021 17:28:14 GMT
If memory serves that is one of the tamer pictures of crowds at Mexico I seem to recollect pictures of people on the hairpin inches away from the track but what beautiful cars they were
I am going for Checca to win and wouldn’t that be something else if he did unless of course he isn’t allowed to which may not be the fizzy drinks wisest move
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Post by charleselan on Nov 3, 2021 18:27:27 GMT
I think it was one hell of a lot worse in 1970 when the drivers refused to race at first but were cajoled into racing with a promise that the crowd would be moved back, which they did very temporarily.
For my part I hope that Max gets himself into an even stronger position this weekend. Yes it would be brilliant if Checo were to win on home ground but that will not happen unless Max has a problem.
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Post by René on Nov 6, 2021 11:09:25 GMT
For my part I hope that Max gets himself into an even stronger position this weekend. Yes it would be brilliant if Checo were to win on home ground but that will not happen unless Max has a problem. There is a lot of talk about the 'what if Checo is leading Max' situation. It would be heartbreaking if he had to make way but as you said, that will probably only happen if Max has a problem. But maybe racing at home does give him wings... Max's solution was simple though: "I just need to stay ahead of him, then there's no discussion".  But it has happened before. Remember Brazil 2007? Felipe actually gave up a home win so Kimi could win the title. And Felipe was the faster man.
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Post by chrisb on Nov 7, 2021 10:55:22 GMT
and Valteri is on pole! that made me smile, and yup, I would expect a 'Lewis is faster' call at some stage or a delayed pit stop perhaps, we can't really say too much about it as it has been happening for so many years, I mean Mike won in 1958 courtesy of Phil moving over, the same in 64 with Lorenzo moving over for John, oops bit of a theme here Rene....I am sure Lotus must have done this in the past but struggling to remember when or who, did McLaren do that? ooh my poor old memory....  in saying that I think Max's response is about right - if I am in front then the subject is irrelevant - I would still like Checo to win but F1 is far too serious for that to happen |
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Post by René on Nov 7, 2021 13:43:51 GMT
and Valteri is on pole! that made me smile, and yup, I would expect a 'Lewis is faster' call at some stage or a delayed pit stop perhaps, we can't really say too much about it as it has been happening for so many years, I mean Mike won in 1958 courtesy of Phil moving over, the same in 64 with Lorenzo moving over for John, oops bit of a theme here Rene....I am sure Lotus must have done this in the past but struggling to remember when or who, did McLaren do that? ooh my poor old memory.... in saying that I think Max's response is about right - if I am in front then the subject is irrelevant - I would still like Checo to win but F1 is far too serious for that to happen Chris, team orders are always a subject for debate. Personally, I don't have an issue with it as long as it is done at the right moment in time. Moving over for a team mate who can win the title makes a lot of sense to me but doing it too early in the season like the Barrichello>Schumacher swap or indeed Massa>Alonso is not the right way, I agree. But it's not a Ferrari thing per se. There have always been team orders and all teams have used them. I remember the 1978 Dutch Grand Prix where it was very clear that Ronnie was faster than Mario but was not allowed to pass.
Oh and yes, great to see Valtteri on pole! But quite a surprise Mercedes still had in store! That must have hurt at Red Bull.
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Post by Carl on Nov 8, 2021 1:52:15 GMT
I was surprised to find Formula One on ABC, which extended the broadcast to four hours, but ended up enjoying the pre-race festivities more than the relatively ordinary race itself. The entertainment put on by Mexico City was wonderful, not always approaching high levels but full of wonder. I smiled broadly when Anthony Davidson, Martin Brundle and Jenson Button, exchanging views inside the former baseball stadium, were almost drowned out by a black-clad hombre crouching nearby with microphone and sound system of his own. I laughed out loud soon afterward when a drill team of uniformed police on motorcycles approached in formation and rode slowly right at the three Sky stalwarts to ensure television coverage for themselves. It was good to see Martin Brundle back again doing the gridwalk, which included a repeat of his encounter in Austin with a very large woman called Megan Thee Stallion, her massive bodyguard in front clearing the way and snide toadie behind who told Brundle how to behave in the presence of greatness. It's now the rule that, although celebrities are still allowed on the grid so common folk can genuflect or kiss their rearends, henceforth their bodyguards and toadies are not. The highpoint of the pre-race programming was the excellent interview of Valtteri Bottas by Karun Chandhok focusing on a side-by side comparison of his fast qualifying lap with that of Max Verstappen, a corner by corner analysis during which a lot of information was conveyed. After that fantastic smorgasbord, few motor races could compete... |
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Post by charleselan on Nov 8, 2021 10:22:31 GMT
Well having just written about half my comment I somehow closed the RRT tab in my browser and have lost the whole thing  . So will keep this short(er). Brilliant drive by Max yet again making the most of his machinery just as his main opponent has done over the past six or seven years. Such a great occasion for the Mexican's and Checo gave them plenty to shout about with a very good drive that should have resulted in second place but as others found getting behind someone who you are faster than means damn all with these current aero dependent trucks, especially if that car has more straight line speed. Another stunning drive by Pierre Gasly, and good drives by the two Ferrari lads but hampered by cars that although improving are not worthy of their pilots capabilities. Sebastian was a solid and steady drive in a car that is a shadow of its MB replica from 2020, and Kimi drove superbly in the Alfa Romeo. I tuned into S*YF1 as Martin Brundle had begun his grid walk which was better that the last one by some margin as he interviewed some folk of interest. Not into the celebrity thing but thought the guy with the Oscar was a decent chap and his handler at the end made a brilliant comment regarding the rude twerp from Austin. Also good to see George Russell and Pierre Gasly give interviews on the grid, shame others feel that they are "too focused" to do so. I have to say that I felt that Hamilton's remarks post race were shameful in respect of Checo having such a good car he was able to put him (Hamilton) under a bit of pressure. He tried to then make amends by saying that Perez had driven a great race, but unfortunately the damage was done. Narcissism isn't a good look, but graciousness is. |
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Post by Carl on Nov 8, 2021 19:09:21 GMT
I had never heard of the clearly talented Travon Free, very impressive in his interview, whose quick witted associate made Martin Brundle laugh in appreciation of real cleverness.
Lewis Hamilton always trips over his massive ego and may still resent not having been named a saint.
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Post by chrisb on Nov 9, 2021 16:14:52 GMT
yes Rene, we always have, even non Ferrari teams! pre-war there was a scandal wasn't there with Achille Varzi being 'allowed to win' unbeknown to him and was it Hans Stuck who was saluted as the true winner which destroyed Varzi for years -
And of course Williams were equally at fault in 1981 with Lole and Jones, I share your sentiments exactly Rene if it meant the WDC then yeah, but what happened to Reubens and Felipe was just wrong, in saying that I would always prefer Max's sentiments that if he is out front there isn't a problem,
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Post by mikael on Nov 10, 2021 7:29:03 GMT
I have only watched the summary (on the official F1 page); but Verstappen's 2021 campaign is certainly impressive so far. With nine victories (to Hamilton's five), and with just four races to go, it really looks good for him.
Still, it would not be a bad thing if the Championship goes right down to the wire.
Speaking of "going down to the wire", the ending of the 1984 125cc motocross World Championship is probably the most "crazy" ending of an otherwise very successful World Championship campaign I've ever heard about.
Here is a short narration of this, from "Dirtrider.net":
Corrado Maddii in 1984
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Post by René on Nov 10, 2021 12:23:31 GMT
I enjoyed the race, even if Ferrari was not really in the game. Max was sublime again and the world title would be very deserved. He has nine wins so Lewis must win the remaining four races to draw equal. In the end, it's the man with the most points who deserves the title but Max is the man of the season whatever the outcome will be.
Brilliant drive again from Pierre. He would really deserve a seat in a top team but unfortunately there is no place for the coming years.
Nice to see the Mexican party exploding after Checo's podium finish. Well deserved and he is feeling better at home in the Red Bull race by race but he should have finished second with that car. But at the same time, it also shows how good Hamilton's drive was.
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Post by mikael on Nov 11, 2021 16:23:05 GMT
I'm quite interested in seeing whether Honda will change their plans for next year or not. After such a successful season, to oblige to deliver unbranded engines to Red Bull and then to continue developing and servicing them ... borders on sheer madness (on the surface, at least ...).
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