Motorsports Thread

[Reynard]

RB are running less down force, so they're 6 or 7 kmh up on the straights. Its mainly a fairly fast circuit, and they're relying on Max's talent to manage the fast corners with the lower down force.

That should also make it easier on the tyres. If he can get away clean and keep clear for the first lap I think he may do it, but with weather and track condition variables thrown in id hesitate to forecast this one myself. Any of the top 4 qualifier are in with a chance tomorrow, and theyre all race winners so far this year. It could be spicy.

Personally, I think RB are playing Russian Roulette with a low downforce set-up given the forecast - the old "win or crash" thing. If it stays dry, they *may* pull it off, and everyone will be saying they're genius. If it's wet, the car just simply won't have the grip, and Max could end up decorating the scenery in quite a big way.

I guess, being so far back in the championship they've nothing to lose by trying something a bit crazy.

 

[Drago]

Indeed. ChristIm Horny intimated as much when interviewed after quali.

 

[Reynard]

Indeed. ChristIm Horny intimated as much when interviewed after quali.

I didn't hear / see that. But it tracks.

It's not Monza, or the old Hockenheim, where you can get away with as skinny a rear wing as you dare, because the corners there are all fiddly and mickey-mousey. Well, maybe apart from the Parabolica...

 

[ebikeerwidnes]

First corner should be interesting
they seem ot have stopped just giving Max room at corners


after that Max has the top speed
but less grip so he might have trouble with the car sliding in corners and messing up the surface

so he may need more tyres

and in the wet - who knows
especially with Ferrari tyre decisions this year!

so - basically - Lando or Oscar?

 

[Drago]

Looking at the weather here 10 miles from the circuit I think theyre all going to have grip problems. Even if the heavy rain passes the surface will be greener than a new sailor on his first North Sea deployment.

 

[Drago]

Why does Hamilton speak with that appalling fake murican accent in interviews, yet uses his normal accent on the team radio? I suspect it's because he's a prat.

 

[AndyRM]

Accent fluidity is a thing, most people who live international lives do it.

Great race I thought, and pleased to see Hulk on the podium.

 

[Drago]

Accent fluidity is a thing, most people who live international lives do it.

So two hours before the race he has a daft accent, and during the race it disappeared?

I still maintain its because hes a prat.

 

[AndyRM]

So two hours before the race he has a daft accent, and during the race it disappeared?

I still maintain its because hes a prat.

Yep, like I said, it's a thing.

I don't think he's a prat, and it didn't detract from easily the best race of the season so far.

 

[Drago]

I know it's a thing.

But I this case I believe Hamilton puts it on for the media and at other times, such as when he's busy driving a race and doesn't have the spare bandwidth with which to play games, uses his real accent.

This sort of daft behaviour is nothing to do with his racing ability, and I never suggested it was.

 

[gbb]

From someone who's become bored with F1 after a lifetime of love of it...that was a good race.
Unpredictability was the key, something that's largely ironed or engineered out of the sport.
Hamilton struggling on the rain, he used to relish that.
Vertsappen struggling with balance, RB not having their own way as they used.
Lovely to see Hulkenberg thoroughly deserve a podium, his first.
I'm sat wondering what have RB and Mercedes done, Tsunoda and Antonelli simply not performing in such lofty teams ?

A really good race, the first I've watched from beginning to end in a very long time

 

[Drago]

It was a good race indeed.

Actually felt a bit sorry for Max, he'd done a heroic job wrestling the RB and keeping as high a position as he had until Piastri...

And I felt a bit sorry for Piastri. The penalty was unjustified, a bit of 6 of 1, half a dozen of the other, but there it is. Wishing it away won't change anything.

Fair play to Norris. You gotta be in it to win it and by keeping in the game he was ready to exploit the situation when Piastri muffed up. Within spitting distance of the championship lead now.

Nice work from the Hulk, an underrated driver who never had the machinery his talent deserves.

And boy, Alonso wasn't happy with his teams strategic calls! If they could get a numpty like Stroll up to 6th at one point with strategic calls then why couldn't they get he, the mighty Fernando Alonso, up there as well? That was the message between the lines of the terse exchanges with the pit wall.

 

[classic33]

Norris just been injured in the pit lane.