That was an interesting session, cannot remember so many laps in Q1. Shame it dried out so quickly, let's hope one of those other thunderstorms hit the track.......yeah I know ;)
Both Force India's out this weekend is not good and poor Stoffel and lucky DannyRic it did not started to rain again, because those softs needed more temp.
this is fun !
Vettel with right call, Max/Lewis/Kimi just ok..
DannyRic on the wrong side again if it stays this wet, same for Hulk/Fernando
1st to hit something...............Lance:
Kimi
Vettel with right call, Max/Lewis/Kimi just ok..
DannyRic on the wrong side again if it stays this wet, same for Hulk/Fernando
1st to hit something...............Lance:
Kimi
Vettel with the right call made others look silly, strange people like Fernando/Hulk/DannyRic got caught out by it, normally very good, but probably just wrong timing :(
Yeah and Ricciardo's side of the garage, or the team, or whoever was responsible for those choices, they managed to fuck this one up two sessions in a row. It's actually incredible.
Lewis !!!
Merc 1-2 and Vettel just behind Kimi
Sainz mega and Max terrible, new set was worse than on previous wet tire set :(
Fernando !!!
full session:
If you’ve ever ridden a motorcycle in the rain, you know it’s damn hard to see anything with water all over your eye shield. I can’t imagine driving something like this competitively in these conditions.
Ugh so I've seen that in the dry Ferrari are 4 10ths up in sector alone. If its dry tomorrow merc do not make it to the first corner with the lead.
By Kidjr Go To PostUgh so I've seen that in the dry Ferrari are 4 10ths up in sector alone. If its dry tomorrow merc do not make it to the first corner with the lead.At the start they will all run optimised settings for the 1st lap. Having said that, it is one of the longest runs to the 1st corner and the Ferrari is slightly better at this since 4/5 races.
Think the heat could be a bigger problem for the Mercedes guys as they were overheating their rear tires far more than the Ferrari did. Would be good for the race if some can manage their tires better than others, because overtaking here is seriously hard and we might be looking at a procession after the first two laps.
By Punished Go To PostKimi lost a ton of time.
Those two fast laps by Valteri and stop from Vettel could be big in the outcome of this race, as Vettel's pace is determined by Valteri for now.
LEWIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIS mega weekend on track were they did not expect to beat Ferrari, helped by his teammate, dominant win. Sebastian limits loss, but still another loss.
Gasly showing that the Honda engine is extremely good at (slow speed) traction out of corners and after Bahrain another extremely good race (and pace) .
full result:
Did not see this move coming and hard to understand. Must be looking beyond 2020 or realises that he will always be in the shadow of Max at RBR, but cannot see it being good in the next 2 years, unless Ferrari finally decided to get rid of Kimi and give Charles another 2 years of development.
By Punished Go To PostStroll-led consortium saves Force India
link: motorsport.com
if it wasn't for jr, this would be a good thing, but it is a shame one of the two current drivers probably will have to go :(
In this interview Horner indicated Ricciardo was running from a battle with Verstappen he knew he couldn’t win.
“It’s a great shame he’s chosen to leave the team, but I guess in his mind he’s felt that after five years he needs a new challenge.”
“He’s chosen to join the Renault team he feels are in the ascendancy. He knows the Renault product very well from all the time he’s spent with us. And I can’t help but feel he wants to be a leading role perhaps in a smaller environment.
“The competition between he and Max is intense. Max is growing stronger and stronger and I think Daniel has decided the timing is right for him to check out and try something else …
“He said he wanted a change. You look at the rational reasons for that, it’s hard to understand.
“I think it comes back to wanting to take on, in his words, a new challenge. But he sees Max growing and growing in terms of speed and strength and he doesn’t want to play a support role … not that they’re in any way treated any different.”
McLaren confirms Fernando Alonso decision: Fernando will not race in Formula 1 in 2019
Not the biggest surprise as you could see that Fernando was not going to fight in the midfield for another year. was shocked to be remembered that his last WC title was in 2006. Mega talented and probably on talent deserved a few more titles/wins, but his behaviour of track has probably cost him a good seat in his later years.
Will miss him, even though his comments in the last few years were kind of annoying a bit to often for my liking.
Curious what they will do with that seat, cannot see them put two inexperienced drivers in there (Stofffel / Lando), so curious who will pick up the second seat (Perez/Magnussen back, Sainz?)
not unexpected, but do not rate him as much as others seem to do. Given the choices McLaren had, they did need someone with some years of expierences, it reflects their current status as once a top team.
Curious if they put Norris next to him, or give Stoffel another year to prove him and have a benchmark to see if Carlos is any good.
to no ones surprise after Sainz joined McLaren
wonder if he is up to it., the pressure of it is on different level than running at Toro Rosso, advantage no one is coming through from the RBR jnrs.
wonder if he is up to it., the pressure of it is on different level than running at Toro Rosso, advantage no one is coming through from the RBR jnrs.
By Spengo Go To PostWho is going to drive for Toro Rosso then?Yeah that's the interesting question, as RBR does not have any Jr on the books that has enough license points. so
- Pull a Verstappen and sign a rookie up for the reminder of one of the support series (F2/F3), but problem with that is I cannot see anyone not under contract with an other team and being good enough (Albon maybe, but feel he is just not good enough, just below top).
- Japanese driver if any have enough points to please Honda, but non of them is good enough imo
- Get one of the other teams Jr drivers, maybe Norris in a exchange for a "shorter gardening leave" for James Key (who leaves TR for McLaren). But my guess is that McLaren would rather keep Lando
- Call back one of the old guard RBR boys like they did with Hartley, so Vergne/Buemi. But would they leave Formula E for a TR contract, could be if they doubt Gasly is good enough (so RBR contract possible in 1-2 years)
- Ignore for once RBR jrs/drivers and go with one of the current F1 guys that will be out of a seat, Ocon/Vandoorne might be available.
Right now your guess is as good as mine, as I have no idea to whom they are leaning.
Summer brake is finally over and we are going to one of the most beautiful places on the calender, the circuit of Spa-Francorshamps in the Belgium Ardennes for the FORMULA 1 2018 JOHNNIE WALKER BELGIAN GRAND PRIX.
With Eau Rouge - Raidillon easy flat-out the track unfortunately has become a very low downforce, cannot wait to see the RBR Monza (probably) rear wing), power track, at least the 25 seconds full from La Source. Will make the middle sector more challenging and curious if any of them can take Pouhon flat-out this year. Normally Mercedes track, but with improved Ferrari power I tend to give it to them, but will come down to low downforce efficiency.
Lot happened over the summer, so lets catch up on the 3 main events for those that missed them. First DannyRic needed new scenery, so he will drive for Renault next year so he can watch Peirre Gasly, will take over at RBR, pass him by in his old seat, not sure if that's the scenery he really wants :( Still hard time fully understanding, guess you do not want to be seen as a nr2 for to long, we will see how if works out in 2021. Also curious if Pierre has the mental strength, he's old enough or even one better, older than Max :P, to deal with the pressure of a top team (mate).
Second, Fernando finally had enough of driving around without a top seat and will try something new in 2019, leaves F1. His seat at McLaren will be taken over by an other Spaniard, namely Carlos Sainz. Second driver hasn't been confirmed yet, but with Lando Norris getting the chance in a few FP sessions, 1st one in Spa, it looks over for Stoffel :(
And thirdly Force India and it financial troubles of it's now former owner Mallya. Team has been taken over, at least all it's assets, by a consortium led by daddy Stroll. Because license wasn't up for sale, hold back by Indian banks who want money from Mallya, the team has been entered to the championship as a new team. Means new name, or partial due to rules about changing them, Racing Point Force India F1 and loss of points from old team. Will no doubt cost millions, but guess if you are that rich, who cares about a few more or less. New team, new drivers? That is probably a question that will answered in Monza, but it could be that Lance moves this season and kicks Ocon out of his seat, but do not know how legally the driver contracts are seen, part of assets or not.
Never know for sure in the Ardennes, but it looks to be a cold and mostly dry weekend (little rain Sat morning), FP1 starts at 11.00 (CET) tomorrow morning, lots to talk about for the commentators ;)
FP1
Vettel quickest for the 1st time, but Mercedes guys in 2nd stint on the slower mediums. Max quicker than Vettel in 1st sector, tells you that they are racing with almost no wing ;)
And DannyRic engine issues and only one fast lap, something about Karma ;)
And both Fer& Merc use their final new engine (specs), means back of the grid for Bottas as he already used all 3.
Vettel quickest for the 1st time, but Mercedes guys in 2nd stint on the slower mediums. Max quicker than Vettel in 1st sector, tells you that they are racing with almost no wing ;)
And DannyRic engine issues and only one fast lap, something about Karma ;)
And both Fer& Merc use their final new engine (specs), means back of the grid for Bottas as he already used all 3.
FP2
Sebastian had some errors in his first two attempts on de SS tire and best of the grip was gone, so he will be there or there about. Ferrari looked faster than Merc in long runs and RBR is 3/5 tenths behind the Ferrari, P5/6 looks best result for them.
No clue what possessed Perez, but for the rest midfield looked close, Renault maybe best on the longer runs.
Sebastian had some errors in his first two attempts on de SS tire and best of the grip was gone, so he will be there or there about. Ferrari looked faster than Merc in long runs and RBR is 3/5 tenths behind the Ferrari, P5/6 looks best result for them.
No clue what possessed Perez, but for the rest midfield looked close, Renault maybe best on the longer runs.