Brazilian Grand Prix - Interlagos

[René]

Indeed Mikael, it was a legendary drive. His car control in the wet is phenomenal, comparable to Senna at Donington or Schumacher in Barcelona. And sure, he was lucky with the red flag and the silly rule that you’re allowed to change tyres but that doesn’t take anything away from this performance. 

I do struggle with his personality now and then and his complaining in the race about Leclerc not leaving him a car’s width was laughable (certainly in the light of his dive bombs in Austin and Mexico) but again, the sheer driving demonstration was one for the history books. 

Let’s also not forget the great drives from the Alpine boys. Ocon was already flying in qualifying and Gasly also did a super job to go from 13th to 3rd. The Alpine was definitely a good car to have in the wet. 



Lando Norris is super fast but not (yet) on championship level. Too many mistakes and not decisive enough.

[mikael]

Interesting development, that the GP drivers unite, all as one, in a direct "counter attack" on the so-called President of the FIA.

The open letter:

GPDA statement regarding driver misconduct

"As is the case with every sport, competitors must abide by the referee's decision, whether they like it or not, indeed whether they agree with it or not. This is how sport works. The drivers (our members) are no different and fully understand that.

"Our members are professional drivers, racing in Formula 1, the pinnacle of international motorsport. They are the gladiators and every racing weekend they put on a great show for the fans.

"With regards to swearing, there is a difference between swearing intended to insult others and more casual swearing, such as you might use to describe bad weather or indeed an inanimate object such as an F1 car, or driving situation.

"We urge the FIA President to also consider his own tone and language when talking to our member drivers, or indeed about them, whether in a public forum or otherwise. Further, our members are adults, they do not need to be given instructions via the media about matters as trivial as wearing of jewellery and underpants.

"The GPDA has, on countless occasions, expressed its view that driver monetary fines are not appropriate for our sport. For the past three years, we have called upon the FIA President to share the details and strategy regarding how the FIA's financial fines are allocated and where the funds are spent. We have also relayed our concerns about the negative image financial fines bring to the sport. We once again request that the FIA President provides financial transparency and direct, open dialogue with us. All stakeholders (FIA, F1, the teams and the GPDA) should jointly determine how and where the money is spent for the benefit of our sport.

"The GPDA wishes to collaborate in a constructive way with all the stakeholders, including the FIA President, in order to promote our great sport for the benefit of everyone who works in it, pays for it, watches it, and indeed loves it. We are playing our part."

"Best regards,

"The Directors and Chairman of the GPDA on behalf of the Grand Prix Drivers."

Sources:

www.the-race.com/formula-1/f1-drivers-publish-statement-against-fia-swearing-clampdown/

www.the-race.com/formula-1/f1-drivers-uniting-against-fia-president-ben-sulayem-nowhere-to-hide/

[René]

Uprising, rebellion! Kyalami 1982!

MBS has the tact and finesse of a concrete block. He could have handled all this very differently and then no one would have talked about it anymore. Incapable. 

[Carl]

Almost all gladiators were slaves, although the most successful could be wealthy sex symbols. One nagging question yet to be answered is whose undies did they wear, their own or the sexy briefs thrown at them?

The main uncertainty is whose inflated ego will prevail, the childish president or the childish gladiators

[robmarsh]

Nov 7, 2024 18:58:39 GMT René said:

Uprising, rebellion! Kyalami 1982!

MBS has the tact and finesse of a concrete block. He could have handled all this very differently and then no one would have talked about it anymore. Incapable. 

I think he comes from a culture where adult men reign supreme and are not open to discussion from anybody he considers underlings.

[chrisb]

sadly so Rob, in a world consumed by greed what else do we expect, just look at the players in the premier league in Football and their comments vs the money people - as a famous native American saying ends with, one day they will realise they can't eat money 

[mikael]

So now, most of the pressure is off the shoulders of Verstappen; it will demand a "catastrophe" to make him loose his fourth World Championship. The pressure on Norris is likewise relieved, in a way; it is well-nigh impossible for him now to take the point-lead. 

But one that must be under a huge pressure is Bottas, although his contract will now not be renewed. To just imagine that he, so far, has failed to score one single point ... a driver who has been runner-up in the World Championship twice.

Is the Sauber of the present season really that terrible/impossible?

Surprisingly, the Chinese teammate of Bottas has actually been closer to scoring points this season; but still, zero points for Sauber so far!

[René]

Agreed Mikael, the championship is only Max's to lose. 

And regarding Valtteri Bottas, I read he will return to Mercedes as their test and reserve driver. That seems like a sensible move for both parties. It would be nice though if he could at least score a point for Sauber before he leaves. But the car is rubbish so that won't be easy.

We know what Valtteri can do with a competitive car, like most of drivers on the grid could.