Formula One ( F1 )

I don't think the reason for the increased competitiveness throughout the field has anything to do with the increased downforce generated over the years. I'm struggling to think why a spec series of lower downforce cars would not lead to improved racing. I feel like I'm missing your point.

If I had to choose between watching regular F1, or watching the current crop of F1 drivers race in a field of Caterhams, I'd much prefer the latter.

Just watched the quali side-by-side video there and the Red Bulls are noticeably pulling a gap on the Mercs on the straights. What sort of twilight zone is this? Haven't heard much on the flexi-wing chat but the new tests have come into play as far as I'm aware which makes it even more impressive.

It's a pretty dull layout to be fair

Hands up on my part, this has been a great race so far. Both at the front and in the mid-field

Calling it here, Mercedes focussing on getting Hamilton the points at the expense of Bottas' strategy calls is going to be a significant factor in them losing the WCC to Red Bull. On a related note it looks like Perez has been the driver that Red Bull have been looking for for a few seasons.

Why did they pit Leclerc for a second time?
I expected a worse race though, this one was quite entertaining til the very end!

Great win after an expensive mistake in corner 1

Questionable strategy calls are Ferrari's speciality now that they've lost their great strategists, Ross Brawn and Sebastian Vettel

Dug that race. Gotta say that F1's milkshake is bringing me to the yard the last year or so. I think the netflix docs really helped me get some context and more interest in the midfield and back runners - and it's just an interesting time with what feels like a dominant force just starting show signs of fallibility and loads of intrigue as to what the new picture will look like. there have been some cracking races too.

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Agreed. It's such a pleasant change to have intrigue and excitement in the majority of races.

I think the netflix docs really helped me get some context and more interest in the midfield and back runners

Yep yep yep

Turkey stepping in for Singapore this year, nice!

It's sad to see Ricciardo struggling so hard while Lando seems to be having a blast. Fingers crossed he will gain some positions today! Also that Russell will not drop off too far

After so many years of Merc/Hamilton domination and what I expect from the rest of the season to be a lot of Max/Red Bull domination, I really miss the German/Italian anthem combo.

Also that Russell will not drop off too far

Gutted for him, hopefully he'll get another shot at points next week. Good on Leclerc for keeping things interesting.

Given his recent luck he'll fit right in as Bottas' replacement. He drove a great race today.

Awesome drive by Leclerc too, granted he really just got back to where he should've been had he not hit Gasly! Still, it's like back in the "good ol' days" watching Ferrari and McLaren fight it out, even if it is just for 3rd place.

it's like back in the "good ol' days" watching Ferrari and McLaren fight it out

It's funny though as i can only really think of 2007/8 and being properly competitive between the two teams. Probably wrong on this but my recollection is that either team has largely dominated the seasons they've won. Perhaps 1 or 2 Schumacher seasons were not foregone conclusions but it never felt like that watching them!

There were definitely a few relatively close seasons (2/3 maybe) between Hakkinen & The Michael, and I thought there were more seasons where they were competitive with Raikkonen but that doesn't look to be the case. Probably just indicative of when you started watching (for me the late 90's)

Nerding out on this whilst sitting in a dull meeting. Mika actually retired in 2001 (second year of Schumacher/Ferrari). He did well in the first year but got smashed in 2001. Young Kimi came closest to beating him in 03.

I've watched on and off since the late eighties but was always more interested in Williams/Mclaren.

Mika actually retired took a sabbatical in 2001

I'm sure the door at McLaren is still wide open for him! ;)

I miss Hakkinen, I think it takes quite a lot for your favourite driver's main rival to be held in such high esteem, but I think among Schumacher fans pretty much universally adored.

Bit off-topic (and late to the party), but just catching up on MotoGP from the past few weeks and Marquez took an 11th consecutive victory at the German GP (on a bike that's probably 5th/6th best in the field). Absolutely ridiculous record. Also done off the back of over a year off racing due to a broken arm.

I need to catch up with motoGP - are the highlights free somewhere this year?

Marquez is an incredible rider though - the only rider I've ever seen lose the front, slide, then somehow get it back up onto the wheels!

Ahhhh spoiler alert lol. My fault for being behind, I watched the German Moto3 earlier before my non-sleeping child cancelled the rest.

@lw. ITV Hub has a rolling months worth, goes up around midweek after the race weekend.

Yeah the highlights for all 3 series is up on ITV4/ITV Hub. Having seen him struggle earlier in the season I'd written him off for any success for a while yet but there you go. His record against his teammates is just ridiculous too.

Ah sorry! I was gonna pop a spoiler warning there but figured as it was from 2 weeks or so ago anyone interested would've seen it (though to be fair, I just caught it yesterday). If it helps I got it spoiled by Honda's celebration poster for Max's and Marc's wins!