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Lando Norris secures a “multi-year contract” at McLaren.
Which at least puts an end to the speculation that Merc might lure him away to replace Bottas.
Either that or McLaren get a big payout for Lando. I think that works well for McLaren they either have a very good driver for a few years or they get hefty compensation for him. Lando to Merc and Russel to McLaren maybe?
Lando to Merc and Russel to McLaren maybe?
I think a lot of people were hoping that would happen, but it really was just wishful speculation. I would love to see Lando in the Merc driving the way he is now, but, realistically, it's either Bottas or Russell in the Merc next year. Merc are ruthlessly businesslike and they aren't going to mess around when they already have two very good drivers to choose from.
We should run a pool!
Can I take the logical option of the swimming pool chicane.
I'm going all out. He won't make the start line; too many crashes in practice/quali and not enough replacement front wings.
We should run a pool!
Can I take the logical option of the swimming pool chicane.
Very logical, and clipping the front right on the barrier before ploughing in to the barrier on the exit will certainly feature, it's a long way around the circuit.
If there or Rascasse are the first spacks, then he'll be so far back that he'll have to be going the wrong way round the circuit.
I'm going to say pit exit (cos it's tight), or some proper n00b spack on that bumpy weird camber between Casino and Mirabeau (giving him the benefit of the doubt cos the 1st corner isn't really a feature in an outlap, and the run up to Casino Square is fairly benign). Unless of course there's another car starting a fast lap, in which case, red flag on the run up to Casino Square.
He has driven around Macao and Monaco in a F2 car...so in theory 1. he has experience in tight street circuits, and 2. he knows the Monaco...But as this is Mazepin, I still think he'll spin at Rascasse on his out lap of 1st practice
He has driven around Macao and Monaco in a F2 car
F1 cars are a bit wider and have a longer wheelbase, plus much more powerful and quite a bit heavier. Hopefully the F2 experience has boosted his confidence and he sticks it straight into the wall.
Lewis quali lap from 2019 just WOW!!!
Weather forecast for Monte Carlo this weekend. Cool and cloudy, not ideal for bringing one's rear tyres up to temperature quickly - a weakness that Mazepin has demonstrated everywhere TBH.
I wonder if we'll see rain?
Alonso in the wall, doesn't sound too bad though
Shame that Leclerc's gearbox has sharted itself, the Ferrari of Sainz looks pretty handy. The Gulf McLaren is pretty, but they need to be running higher than 7th and 13th. Amazingly Mazepin hasn't stuffed it yet.
I forget who explained it, but one of the drivers said some of the time gain at Monaco comes from being able to aim the car inside the apex (ie hitting the barrier) knowing that you would drift just wide enough to get round. Leclerc obviously got the memo.
I think the only question isn’t whether Mazespin crashes out it when. We should run a pool!My money is on binning it hard enough in Free Practice that he can’t qualify, i’m thinking massive tankslapper into the wall at Tabac.
Well there has indeed been a Haas in the barriers in FP3 but it was Mick Schumacher who misses out on Qualifying...
Blimey, Ferrari on pole for the first time in as long as I can recall, Hamilton is back in seventh. Ricciardo is clearly still struggling with the McLaren, he's in 12th place. The Red Bulls are split by seven places and .97sec.
Leclerc obviously got the memo.
Ahem...
I remember one commentary where Coulthard explained they would walk the circuit and work out which barriers had a post or not on the apex and flex if nudged.
I dont normally bother with Monaco but I hope it goes better than the support races this morning, both so far have had big pile ups on the first lap going up the hill after sainte devote
not looking good for Ferrari now
Yep - he's out.
Seems like Ferrari opted for the glory of pole rather than play safe and sort the rear end of the car out and take a 5 place grid drop.
That's a pity. I can understand Ferrari's thinking - this is probably their only real shot at winning a race this year so worth taking the risk.
Well Lewis's toys are being thrown out the car!! 🙂
Well Lewis’s toys are being thrown out the car!!
And in spite of that, it's still as dull as ditchwater.
It's not a classic! 🙂
Dull dull dull but that is Monaco
dreadful place dreadful race.
Post race interview, and Max can't stop smiling, fabulous!
I haven't watched the Monaco race for years, and haven't done today.
Lewis this week was bemoaning that f1 had become a billionaires playground. He doesn't realise he is the exception, it always has been a sport for the wealthy elite, and that is why Monaco is on the calendar.
Very dull. Another good race for red bull next in Bacu as their Limbo wing has maximum effect.
It wasnt that bad. lots did happen but not on the track. Very worthy podiums. A big swing in the championship and highlights the vulnerabilities of Mercedes. Maybe the development of 2021 Mercedes is not quite finished
eh ? Bottas was running comfortably in 2nd place until his mechanical
yeah bottas mechanical in the pits
and ?
Mercedes moaning about RB limbo wings should be careful
https://twitter.com/thomasmaheronf1/status/1396504875555491840
That was terrible. A race who's time has clearly passed. When the only overtake was to avoid last place, as Schumacher squeezed past Mazepin you know thinks are dire.
Yawn....
And in spite of that, it’s still as dull as ditchwater.
Dull dull dull but that is Monaco
Havent watched F1 for years, channel flicking last night and saw C4's show, my god what a boring race, was there a single overtake in the entire race?
was there a single overtake in the entire race?
Schumacher overtook Mazepin. Norris lapped Ricciardo, if that counts.
The trouble is that the drivers love driving there, the glitterati love being seen there and the corporate types love being there to schmooze and be schmoozed into doing deals. Yesterday there was a complete lack of on track action, I can't even really recall anyone being in a position to attempt a pass (Noris doesn't count and Mazepin only counts half because everyone is disappointed that he didn't launch it into the barriers). Bottas' stripped nuts and LeClerc's broken shaft provided what little entertainment there was, alongside the unusual whining noise that car #44 started making after the pit stops.
I recall talk of a new development/land reclaim in Monaco which could potentially then be incorporated into the circuit, but think there was a lot of resistance from folk whose view of the harbour/whatever would be obstructed by the new buildings.
the unusual whining noise that car #44 started making after the pit stops.
I’m a Hamilton fan but that’s quite funny 👏🏼👏🏼😂
Every year I watch the Monaco F1 race, and every year I question why I bother.
Even all the build-up & talk basically goes along the lines of 'great pedigree, virtually impossible to overtake, commitment close to the barriers, virtually impossible to overtake full-concentration, must get on pole to have any chance...did I mention virtually impossible to overtake?"
Even when the car in front is on completely destroyed tyres or has some kind of mechanical issue, faster cars still can't get past.
When the most exciting bits of the race are someone breaking down on the formation lap & someone else with a wheelnut that wouldn't come off, you know it's been a bit shit.
I remember when BBC sold out and started mainly highlights with a couple of full length races one of the races they took full length was Monaco! Who the **** decided that was a good one to take in its entirety?! If ever a race wants highlights only its this one.
It’s one of those that always seems to have the potential for great drama but almost always (ie any time it doesn’t rain) fails to deliver—especially these days, now that cars don’t fall apart anywhere near as often as they used to and everyone’s good enough to get round without sticking it in the wall. The only crashes seem to be the exit of the swimming pool during qualifying.
Remember that one of the all-time Monaco classics was 1992, the defining feature of which was a few minutes of edge-of-the-seat lack of overtaking 🙂
I watched the Porsche Super Cup that went before it. Much better racing than the F1, and the cars look amazingly planted and quick round such a tight circuit.