Formula One ( F1 )

Merc radio:"23 seconds to the back of the pack"
H: "That's some bullshit"

(Catching up on 4+1)
Doing a standing restart given the rep of the first corner was bold

I didn't watch any F1 this weekend. Stroll in 3rd?

Also I just discovered this https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8M8P5-6yla0

Well that was eventful.

Great job from Gasly keeping his nerve under pressure. Considering Albon's season so far perhaps RB will reflect on their do or die policy. Max clearly thrives on it but others won't.

Stroll also doing a good job of proving he deserves his seat, just wish he'd reign in some of his dodgy defending of position manoeuvres.

Looks like the school run in Kensington.

What I hadn't realised is that yesterday's race was the first one that hasn't been won by a Ferrari, a Mercedes or a Red Bull since the first race of the 2013 season.

That's seven and a half seasons!

It’s like some one has tried to turn a cartoon or computer game into reality.

Such a fantastic race. Having seen endless drivers get chewed up and spat out by the red bull machine I feel so warm and fuzzy about gasly getting the win, I think it's thoroughly deserved given how well he's been driving this year. Also love seeing the guy lose his shit again like he did after Brazil last year.

I'm a big McLaren fan so I'd have loved to see Sainz win, but McLaren coming 2nd and 4th on merit is huge.

I'd watch this over F1 any day of the week.

https://www.bbc.com/sport/formula1/54063417

Fingers crossed the reverse grid (or similar) approach gets some traction. Be great to see some more wheel to wheel action going on. It's hard to believe we're at a point with F1 where drivers are saying it's too hard to overtake at Monza.

It's hard to believe we're at a point with F1 where drivers are saying it's too hard to overtake
at Monza.

But doesn't every new rule on aerodynamics promise better performance when following the car in front and therefore closer racing? But still DRS had to be introduced.

It's always seemed to me that the development of carbon brakes has reduced the potential of overtaking under braking now that 4-5g deceleration is the norm. It's probably too much of a step to ban carbon brakes, but any change to increase braking distances would be good IMHO - though increased lap times might be bad PR!

though increased lap times might be bad PR!

This is the issue I generally have with the evolution of F1. Some people want it to be the pinnacle of motorsport racing, some want it to be the pinnacle of motorsport tech. And those two things like you said are generally in opposition.

While the cars and tech are all very interesting, I'd rather have some good racing instead. If I had to choose between watching F1 drivers in F3 cars or F3 drivers in F1 cars, I know which I'd rather watch!

On the flipside I actually find the Moto3/2/GP tiers actually show better racing the higher up you get.

It's always seemed to me that the development of carbon brakes has reduced the potential of overtaking under braking now that 4-5g deceleration is the norm.

Once again though that's primarily due to aerodynamics. Without downforce, you wouldn't be able to brake that hard. Regardless of what the discs and pads are made of, braking performance is ultimately going to be limited by tyre grip.

So the Vettel move is confirmed with Perez leaving. Sucks if he doesn't get a seat for next year while drivers like Stroll and Ocon are still around.

https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article.confirmed-vettel-to-make-sensational-racing-point-switch-in-2021-as-they-re.2fFFG6zJLTZssQg9EBrA5H.html

My guess is he'll take his money to Haas or Sauber; probably the former who I assume will cut ties with at least Grosjean

Both pretty dire options at this point. Grosjean seems ripe for removal and Giovinazzi doesn't seem to be doing much (though it's hard to impress in that Alfa I guess).

Also, the Vettel announcement happening just before the 1000th GP at Ferrari's track? Top trolling there

Top trolling there

Yeah that relationship seems to have been going bad for a bit and it definitely looks like a bit of bridge burning from both sides. I've wondered if Vettel is deliberately making the car look worse than it is as well. He's also made some pretty spiteful comments over the radio towards his team.

Glickenhaus offered him a seat at Le Mans a few weeks ago. I wonder if anything will come of that?

I've wondered if Vettel is deliberately making the car look worse than it is as well.

I doubt that bit, considering he'd still be out there marketing himself for other drives. I think it's likely that the Ferrari is a bit of a dog to drive and Leclerc just has a better handle on it. Similar to Max with the Red Bull I guess.

Vettel: Announces move to Racing Point
Racing point:

1 Attachment

This whole "at this track, the kerbs define the track limits. On this track the white lines define track limits." is pretty ridiculous.

Also have they extended those green run-off sections just for F1? The cars are basically straight-lining the chicane before the final corner.

Well this is fun so far...

Blimey! Eventful!!

Bloody hell. Even if you're not a Hamilton fan, those last two laps were epic. How much time did he put into Bottas in the penultimate lap?

Slightly depressed, however, that Albon is going to celebrate his first ever podium with an early night and an early start for a media day. I appreciate the days of James Hunt celebrating any kind of finish with a case of champagne, a carton of Marlboro and at least 3 air hostesses is over, but surely a little joie de vivre is still allowed?

My memory might be failing me here, but did that not coincide with Bottas going for a fastest lap attempt followed by Hamilton going for one? So Bottas was running with no charge while Hamilton was fully deploying? I definitely recall Bottas slipping back towards Albon just prior to his fastest lap and again afterwards.

But yeah, Bottas continues to show that he can't take chances against Hamilton when they (rarely) arise.

What Mick said.

Thought Albon's engineer telling him to go after Bottas was a bit brave. Settling for third seemed much more sensible.