F1 Thread

[GrndPndr]

Perhaps regrettably, Hamilton is driving this weekend:

https://www.skysports.com/f1/news/12433/12157259/lewis-hamilton-returning-to-f1-for-abu-dhabi-gp-after-negative-covid-19-tests

https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/hamilton-gets-all-clear-to-race-in-abu-dhabi-gp/4924800/?ic_source=home-page-widget&ic_medium=widget&ic_campaign=widget-22

I have yet to see any comment from Hamilton, congratulating Russell on his drive.  Has anyone seen a comment from him?

[SurelySerious]

I was looking forward to another Russell drive in the Merc. I wonder if Bottas took any notice to how well he handled it?

[GrndPndr]

12 hours ago, SurelySerious said:

I was looking forward to another Russell drive in the Merc. I wonder if Bottas took any notice to how well he handled it?

If Bottas wasn't worried about his job before, he certainly is now (no proof, of course).  It's so hard to tell with him, he is Mr. "Nonplussed."

[17D_guy]

On 12/11/2020 at 6:30 AM, GrndPndr said:

If Bottas wasn't worried about his job before, he certainly is now (no proof, of course).  It's so hard to tell with him, he is Mr. "Nonplussed."

Didn't he just get a new contract?

 

[SurelySerious]

8 minutes ago, 17D_guy said:

Didn't he just get a new contract?

 

He did, but his role seems clearly to be “good enough to finish top 3 regularly, no unnecessary risk, doesn’t complain much” but doesn’t have a killer instinct. Essentially, he’s going to get round the track competitively because Merc has a capable car and he doesn’t cause friction with Lewis...but Merc isn’t going to keep him there forever when Russell has demonstrated equal ability. 

[GrndPndr]

It's odd, to me, that no one has said 'It's the car,' when referring to Russell driving Lewis' car last week.  Not to take anything away from George, but he did essentially just step into Lewis' car and make it 'go' the same way Lewis does.

It would be an amusing turnabout to have Merc say goodbye to Lewis, and hire George.  You might say, well Lewis can go anywhere and win.  I say no.  Lewis would end up in a slower car, with another team, and be like Alonso - finishing every race in 4th or 5th or lower, and never capturing another title again.  

When was the last time we saw Lewis have to fight through the crowd to win (two seasons ago), and even that was again, in the superfast Merc.

Oh well, maybe my feelings are all hurt because Russell got several bad rolls of the dice.  Lewis' return on Sunday, really looked like the return of the same old boring.  At least Verstappen was able to convert everything for the win.   Or was it the car (Merc) again, not working properly as was claimed?

 

[N730]

Lewis' return on Sunday, really looked like the return of the same old boring.  At least Verstappen was able to convert everything for the win.   Or was it the car (Merc) again, not working properly as was claimed?
 

To be fair Abu Dhabi is always extremely boring. Something like the last 6 or 7 years, the guy on pole won the race. It's not much different for second and third either.

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[stract]

5 hours ago, N730 said:

 

 

To be fair Abu Dhabi is always extremely boring. Something like the last 6 or 7 years, the guy on pole won the race. It's not much different for second and third either.

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Same with Monaco (gasp, I said it).

George made Lewis' car fly, and that's a monumental achievement considering it wasn't built to his proportions.

[brickhistory]

Award for best looking F1 car this year goes to (envelope please):

 

Aston-Martin - love a British racing green car

Runner-up (tie)

Alpine

Mercedes (very Darth Vader-ish as they stick with the fighting racism 'cuz it's black despite still being a "Silver Arrow, but whatever...)

 

Worst is rebadged Hass which I refuse to post a pic.  Also might not last as they are really trying to skirt the "no Russian flag due to sports cheating" rule in place, but the billionaire Russian sponsor wants what he wants...

 

as an aside, I believe Kaepernik is still not been offered a spot on an F1 team or an NFL one...

Edited March 6, 2021 by brickhistory

[mightymighty]

Disappointed with Haas as well - but to be fair there clearly wasn't any American companies willing to back them either - which is disappointing in and of itself. Overall, I would rather see them in the sport than not - this is a quick/temporary fix to get through 2021 and then hopefully 2022's new rule changes will bring a better/more competitive car. More points = more money and attracts more investment. That being said - hopefully Nikita Maz is a disaster in 2022 and then they can move on from their Russian influence.  They're playing the short game to be able to play the long game in the future.

Edited March 6, 2021 by mightymighty

[N730]

Award for best looking F1 car this year goes to (envelope please):
 
Aston-Martin - love a British racing green car

Runner-up (tie)
Alpine

Mercedes (very Darth Vader-ish as they stick with the fighting racism 'cuz it's black despite still being a "Silver Arrow, but whatever...)

 
Worst is rebadged Hass which I refuse to post a pic.  Also might not last as they are really trying to skirt the "no Russian flag due to sports cheating" rule in place, but the billionaire Russian sponsor wants what he wants...
 
as an aside, I believe Kaepernik is still not been offered a spot on an F1 team or an NFL one...

100% agree. All three look great. Like you, I don't give a shit about the reasoning behind the Merc color choice, I just think the black looks awesome.

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[GrndPndr]

Related...

Aston Martin Safety/Medical Cars

[17D_guy]

Lots of good videos on the F1 youtube page from testing.

[M2]

Rest in peace, Murray Walker!
 

 

[mightymighty]

I caved and got F1 TV this year. If you have a TV that can download the app/channel it's 100% worth it.

[ClearedHot]

[billy pilgrim]

Season 3 is out on Netflix of their formula one show..

[stract]

10 hours ago, billy pilgrim said:

Season 3 is out on Netflix of their formula one show..

yeah I need to go watch it.  Binging Better Call Saul right now, lol

I still can't believe Grosjean is alive.

I think Red Bull is going to win the first race for sure.  It would not surprise me if Merc doesn't finish in the top three.

I hope Seb blows Stroll outta the water.  He's needs a good season after the last few.

 

[isuguy1234]

5 hours ago, stract said:

yeah I need to go watch it.  Binging Better Call Saul right now, lol

I still can't believe Grosjean is alive.

I think Red Bull is going to win the first race for sure.  It would not surprise me if Merc doesn't finish in the top three.

I hope Seb blows Stroll outta the water.  He's needs a good season after the last few.

 

Grosjean walking away nonetheless...no big deal!  Crazy! 

Baby Michael Schumacher begins his run this weekend.

[N730]

Now that Mazepin has made a fool of himself 2 days in a row, can we get this punk out of there? Too bad Comrade Gene Hass needs the money he's gstting from his Mazepin's dad.

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[SurelySerious]

The money talks, same with Force Point Aston Martin


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[brickhistory]

21 hours ago, N730 said:

Now that Mazepin has made a fool of himself 2 days in a row, can we get this punk out of there? Too bad Comrade Gene Hass needs the money he's gstting from his Mazepin's dad.

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I know some parents buy their kid a car, but Jeeezuz...

[GrndPndr]

7 hours ago, brickhistory said:

I know some parents buy their kid a car, but Jeeezuz...

I thought his name was Marzipan?  (I know, lots of nicknames for him already)

His losing control is awfully embarrassing.  Are the UK bookies offering odds on whether this will happen again?

[ClearedHot]

[GrndPndr]

3 minutes ago, ClearedHot said:

Subtle