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Post by René on Mar 28, 2022 13:43:50 GMT
The racing between Leclerc and Verstappen has a completely different dynamic as it had between Verstappen and Hamilton. It's obvious the cars make for better close racing (which is a huge improvement) but somehow there also seems to be more respect between these two. They know each other of course from the karting days and know how good the other one is.
Last year we were made to believe we were witnessing the best year ever but the promised big fight between Lewis and Max actually never happened. When there was a direct dual, they crashed or pushed eachother off the track. Max was too aggressive and Lewis seemed frustrated at times.
If the fight between Charles and Max remains this clean when the stakes get higher remains to be seen but for now I am loving it. Disappointed that Charles lost the race in the end but it's still a very good result and Max also deserved it. Sergio was unlucky but I doubt if he was able to keep up with Max and Charles at the end of the race. Carlos is not there yet but coming closer. He was also a bit unlucky with the safety car. Perez should have given him the position back immediately.
This Ferrari team under Mattia Binotto and the Leclerc-Sainz pairing seems stronger to me than the best Vettel years under Arrivabene.
Also a strong drive from George Russell. But that was apparently the maximum result for that Merc. The gap to the leading teams is bigger than Ferrari's deficit last year.
Next up Melbourne, Australia. Given the charactaristics of the Ferrari and the Red Bull, this should be a Ferrari track. But it's too close to call for sure.
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Post by René on Mar 28, 2022 13:49:27 GMT
what I was not impressed by was Max's constant flow of supposed Charles's infringements - thought that was crass and beneath a champion Yes I agree, that was a bit annoying und unnecessary. I can imagine you're full of adrenaline and maybe saying or thinking some rude things or wrong accusations but he shouldn't make a habit of that. I sometimes wonder how Nigel Mansell would have sounded back in the day if they had radio communication like this...  |
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Post by charleselan on Mar 28, 2022 14:43:28 GMT
Taking away the location of the event and its venue it was a cracking race with a building climax that was enthralling. Unfortunate that Charles did not win but with the discrepancy in top speed he didn't really stand much chance in the end, once he had schooled Max in where to overtake and not. Max of course drove very well but as Chris & René mention above his constant bleating about what he saw as transgressions became childishly annoying and did nothing to enhance his reputation, quite pathetic in fact.
However that aside what a joy to watch the two lads race that hard and fair, and with due respect for each other, just loved the little waves they gave each other on the slowing down lap and the fact that they were seen chatting enthusiastically about it in Parc Fermé.
It was very unfortunate for Checo who I believe would have prevailed, he had the pace and he would have kept his tyres in good shape for late in the race, but if he continues this form his day will come. Carlos was close but as he says the change in the cars this year has created a problem for him in adapting to the new machines, he will get there no doubt about that and then he will be a factor.
George Russell was outstanding here and carried the team in a car that is way off; Lewis Hamilton who drove very soundly in the previous race looked like a guy who should have retired at the end of last year. The odd thing is that although the Mercedes Benz is not a good car at present it still made easy work of the lower order when Hamilton worked his way up the placings.
Kevin was again hugely impressive, even more so considering that he had never driven at that place before and had so little practice time due to car issues, on top of that he really suffered with neck fatigue due to his late call up to the team.
Disappointing for Alonso who looked to be on for a good result, but Alpine really need to sort their drivers out as that early race scrap did neither any favours.
I have read this morning that Ferrari think there is some merit in Red Bull's thinking regarding backing off the downforce and getting more straight line speed, look out.
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Post by robmarsh on Mar 28, 2022 16:16:58 GMT
Well, I enjoyed that race though would have been happier if Charles won but Max took advantage of the things that fell his way. As you say Rene we have probably seen more actual wheel to wheel racing this year between the top two challengers than the whole of last year. Long may it last. Charles seems much more of a thinking driver than Max as that it is now two races in a row that he has out thought Max as to where to overtake. Ferrari and Charles give me the impression that they are so well sorted at the moment that they have time and capacity to think further ahead. Checo could have had this race but Ferrari suckered him into an early stop that worked against him. Charles actually alluded to it in one of the post race interviews.
A good drive by Russell considering Mercedes so called problems, Lewis seemed to be in one of his mental slumps and clearly didn't want to be in Saudi Arabia but I am sure it is only temporary otherwise he could be heading for a year like Jody Scheckter had in 1980. I must say I am enjoying watching Mercedes struggle even if it is just because I don't have to watch Toto pontificating and over-egging it on TV all the time.
Bottas was going pretty well in the Alfa until his retirement and I think he may beat the Mercs a few times this year.
Agree with you John re the Alpines, they got in each other's way.
Riciardio's foray to McLaren is not giving him the success he was looking for. Personally I have always thought he has been a bit hyped up wrt to his ultimate ability.
Glad to see Mick Schumacher escape such a high impact accident and good to see KMag driving in the top half of the field. He deserves the opportunity and it is just reward for his tremendous resilience in the past giving what he had to drive.
Looking forward to Australia and as you said Rene may the racing between the top two carry on in the same vein as so far. I could not face another season like the one last year between Red Bull and Mercedes. It was way too intense and too acrimonious for my enjoyment.
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Post by René on Mar 30, 2022 22:05:56 GMT
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Post by mikael on Apr 1, 2022 17:46:15 GMT
Well, I need to subscribe to a channel with good commentary to be able to continue enjoying contemporary F1, perhaps RTL's sports channel. As to the commentary of David Croft (as used by the official F1 site), then I have, I need to say, gone from being just annoyed to have become completely allergic to him ... Just the eternal nursery rhyme-like "and it's lights out and away we go" is too much. This is also the start signal to himself, to a stream of words, screamed out, which continues until he's completely short of breath; then one of the other speakers takes over. Needles to say, engine sounds cannot be heard at all. Simply unwatchable ...
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Post by Carl on Apr 1, 2022 18:23:54 GMT
Well, I need to subscribe to a channel with good commentary to be able to continue enjoying contemporary F1, perhaps RTL's sports channel. As to the commentary of David Croft (as used by the official F1 site), then I have, I need to say, gone from being just annoyed to have become completely allergic to him ... Just the eternal nursery rhyme-like "and it's lights out and away we go" is too much. This is also the start signal to himself, to a stream of words, screamed out, which continues until he's completely short of breath; then one of the other speakers takes over. Needles to say, engine sounds cannot be heard at all. Simply unwatchable ... Totally agree! By having a childish idiot anchoring the broadcast, the network reveals their opinion of the viewers. Leigh Diffey is only somewhat better on NBCSports Indycar broadcasts. Clearly, the networks assume we are all stupid. |
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Post by René on Apr 1, 2022 19:13:10 GMT
I watch the races now on Viaplay who bought the F1 rights in the Netherlands from Ziggo for the coming years. A completely new team and commentators. Not perfect but a lot better than the Ziggo team so I’m quite happy. I thought about the official F1 tv but glad I didn’t.
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