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The Sainz one is spot on 😂
Pictures of alleged score marks
Released by Red Bull. I'd have thought if something is moving enough to make score marks (if that's what they are), you'd be able to see it moving!
Not really sure what I'm supposed to be looking at that's incriminating TBH.
Nope, me neither.
Red Bull rear wing flapping away merrily in FP3! 🤣
There is a very faint difference in the surface when zoomed in that could be interpreted as the upper part of the element flexing when at speed.
Slightly iron given the redbull flexy front wings of the past.
I'd love it to be misdirection on Mercedes part and actually another part is the cause of the speed increase.
Those marks suggest only the top few cm of wing could be moving as it ends abruptly.
There is a very faint difference in the surface when zoomed in
So that paler curved mark on the right hand "end plate"? If that is what they mean, given the size of that mark, surely you'd see that amount of flex in the rear facing camera shots?
A suggested explanation given on f1technical.net forum is that the mark is probably from when a main element with less camber is attached. There's no evidence of the top 2" of the mainplane flipping back; no crease along its span, and the circled bit would require some sort of hinge to move backwards, otherwise it'd be like trying to bend a ruler the difficult way.
Christian Horner says the advantage that Mercedes’ rear wing gives them is “hidden in the way that it operates”.
I wish he'd make his mind up. Either it's hidden, or it's so obvious it leaves score marks.
Perez out in Q2 on softs!
I wish he’d make his mind up. Either it’s hidden, or it’s so obvious it leaves score marks.
We want to protest, but about what we’re not sure, they keep beating us and it’s not fair. But ignore our flappy wing there’s nothing to see.
Max summoned to the stewards office for not slowing under double waved yellows.
I’m not seeing what Horner’s seeing TBH and you’ve probably guessed I’m no Merc fan.
A suggested explanation given on f1technical.net forum is that the mark is probably from when a main element with less camber is attached.
I’d wondered if you could alter the angle of that element (with an Allen key or the like) but a different element would be an equally good way to change settings.
The only remaining cheaty thing I can think of is if the element pivoted in some way - those scratches would then have a matching set above the element further forward. But I’m not buying it at the moment.
Meanwhile the qualifying gap 1-2 was the same as the gap 2-6. If that happens in the TdF we start asking what drugs people are on.
I assume everyone else is sandbagging.
And *apparently* Lewis wasn’t using his new engine.
I reckon Mercedes just got some fine grit wet n dry and scuffed it up just to bait Horner.
Max summoned to the stewards office for not slowing under double waved yellows.
Perfect. Say 'hi'.
🙂
.
.
Entirely unrelated to anything above, but does anyone else find the C4 website absolutely hopeless? Constantly cutting out, sometimes for a couple of minutes. Youtube for example is fine so can't be my internet. Any ideas what to do about it?
That last lap from Lewis - wow. And looking at the times Max improved on his final lap so looks to be a slam dunk penalty tomorrow I think as he was not improving much in segments 1 & 2.
As to the wing - I too really hope Merc are just winding RB up here and trying to distract them and waste time analysing stuff that just isn't there. Agree those scuff marks could not be made by the lower element as it appears in that photo unless there is something really trick going on...
Intriguing nonetheless.
So, it's clear to Max what is and isn't allowed when defending...but not to any other driver 🙄
So, it’s clear to Max what is and isn’t allowed when defending…but not to any other driver 🙄
If I was Norris after his Austria and Perez penalty I would be pretty pissed off now.
This sort of makes sense if you think of taking pole at a new circuit as a reflection of which team has the best technical understanding of their car and how to adapt it to a new circuit.
https://twitter.com/wtf1official/status/1462040538593562633
If Max gets a grid drop today he'd best make sure all his passes are on the inside. I reckon lap time deletion for Bottas and Sainz, 5 place penalty for Max. But then I thought you weren't allowed to drive another competitor off the track so what do I know?
3 place penalty is more likely
I really hope MV gets a penalty, I want to see how much Karen and co can complain like little kids about it.
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He's already had one penalty for ignoring yellow flags this year so if the rules are followed he should have a 5 place penalty, it's a sliding scale. But there is an issue with the way the yellow flag notification was flickering in and off while the marshalls were waving the flags, giving the stewards a bit of a headache.
I suppose it might come down to if drivers in front were slowing and any other indications of an issue. Carbon fibre all over the track for example!!
I don’t like thinking this, but I’m getting the feeling the authorities want MV to win this year, whether that’s just to mix things up for TV viewers after LH winning so often, or for more nefarious reasons I don’t know. I can’t help thinking this with some of the decisions made.
I don’t think MV will get a penalty because of that reason. Unfortunately. 😠
Elsewhere that's been reported as investigative testing rather than a scrutineering test, so there won't be any DQs because of these tests.
https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/fia-added-rear-wing-checks-after-qatar-f1-qualifying
Wait till the RB wings start failing next season’s additional testing. Be careful what you wish for.
Max got a three place penalty when he did the same at Mexico in 2019.
You would hope doing it again would get more of one. Although maybe that was for being a **** in the press conference
I don’t like thinking this, but I’m getting the feeling the authorities want MV to win this year, whether that’s just to mix things up for TV viewers after LH winning so often, or for more nefarious reasons I don’t know. I can’t help thinking this with some of the decisions made.
It's a popular opinion, me included. Even some of the drivers are openly hinting at it too. If it is going on then the issue the FIA/stewards/Massi has is that after Lewis' performance at Sao Paulo they will have to go full-on WWE to make it happen. It does remind me of the Ferrari years where it was virtually impossible for them to pick up a penalty, even for blatant breaches, if it goes that way then I will not be watching next year. If Lewis wins his 8th title this year then I can be happy that history is done and I can free up a lot of weekends for more bike riding and other fun stuff that doesn't treat me like an idiot.
Anyway, hopefully today's race will be interesting as a new circuit usually throws up a few curve balls for the teams.
If any driver didn't slow under double waved yellows there should be a penalty, it'll be telling depending on the verdict 🤔
Interesting. Toto has offered to send RB a rear wing to look at themselves. I wonder if they'll take him up on the offer or just continue to moan about it...
Max will get no penalty there will be some excuse by FIA, I believe the others will be treated the same to make it look fair.
Hopefully I am wrong!
If they take away his fastest lap, where would he sit on the grid?
If it is non-consequential then I wouldn't be surprised if that is what they go for.
Apparently he did improve under yellow but not sure of previous lap time, he should be with stewards 1pm local time it's currently 2.39pm and there is no news as of yet what can there be to discuss for so long. Also why is max going first to see stewards he was the last driver in?
The whole thing (no penalty for lat weeks stunt, the fallout where drivers don’t know where they stand overtaking/being overtaken on then outside and now this blatant slam dunk under yellows) absolutely stinks. I’m with reluctantjumper on this one, gonna save my time and money if they start taking the piss with the overall governance of the sport. I hope Hamilton gets his 8th WDC sealing his status as the GOAT regardless of this nonsense.
3 place drop for bottas
5 for Max:
😁
5 place penalty for Verstappen
Edit: I was too slow, yellow flags innit
I was wrong nothing unusual.
Kind of funny how the Max document needs a much longer explanation than the Bottas one.
It seems that Bottas just said "yeah I didn't see it, sorry" whereas Max tried to argue his way out of it.
Horner >>> Gasly…
“Now then Pierre - about your future in the Red Bull family. A little defensive action will help your prospects”! 🤣🤣🤣
Horner claiming it was a rogue marshall who just stuck his flags out
Red Bull AlphaTauri’d for the third race running.
Max came through 16 seconds after Gasly stopped.
If that is true Twodogs it’s a new low for Horner to suggest bias amongst the Marshalls. In every form of motor racing at every level it’s the Marshalls at trackside who you obey first and foremost.
muffin - man I new low for horner can he get an lower than he is?
The thing is that Max can and should regain 2nd place which, based on practice, is probably where they would be if he started 2nd on the grid. Heck I've even heard of people winning after having worse starting positions...
So will Max be mature enough play the long game, play it safe at the start and realise he has 10s of laps to work his way through the field or will he try to do it by the exit of Turn 1?
Horner claiming it was a rogue marshall who just stuck his flags out
Just saw his interview with the Sky crew, he really doesn't get it does he? He tried to argue that Massi should have ultimate control of the flag lights, completely ignoring that the marshalls at every post are highly trained, can react instantly to any incident and are the ones ultimate yputting their lives on the line. A marshall over on the Pistonheads forum has said categorically that if he was overruled like it seems happened on the incident in question (the electronic system was quickly showing yellow/clear/yellow/clear whilst the yellow flags were being waved) then he would refuse to marshall under those circumstances, as would a lot of his colleagues. The flags always have precedence according to the FIA and BRDC rulebook as the electronic system can fail, so a yellow flag overrules a green light, red flag overrules a yellow light etc. The only exception would be a yellow or red light with no flags being waved.
Also there's a rumour most of the paddock is calling Horner 'Karen' which suits him perfectly!
So, Hamilton starting on the medium tyre with Gasly, Alonso, and Norris starting on softs. Realistic chance of Alonso leading at the end of lap 1.
The off-track shenanigans and the annoying habit of the media of feeding off it all and bigging up the "conflict" is getting incredibly tiresome.
Red Bull being whiny little bitches about anything and everything they can possibly find, arguing every single corner and manoeuvre just sounds like the kid in the playground who'd be happy beating the other kids up for their sweets but as soon as the same happened to him, he'd be running to the teacher. Sir, Sir, he said nasty things to me!
Realistic chance of Alonso leading at the end of lap 1.
All things being equal, the Mercedes will leave the Alpine for dust won't it?
Horner is maybe doing his job in fighting for his team, but arguing against slam-dunk penalties just makes him look pathetic.
Perhaps his job is at risk? As since the 4 titles in a row for Vettel Red Bull have underperformed. And the golden era was down to Newey’s skills as a designer as Horners man-management was lacking back then too.
All things being equal, the Mercedes will leave the Alpine for dust won’t it?
Alpine on soft tyres, and the better side of the grid....(or have I got that wrong)..definitely soft tyres
If Lewis gets a good start he should be OK as the run to turn 1 isn’t too long. Yep, Alonso starting behind Lewis on the good side of the grid on Softs.
All things being equal, the Mercedes will leave the Alpine for dust won’t it?
Hamilton has Gasly next to him with Alonso in P3 and Norris in P4. Hamilton is on medium tyres, the others all on softs. It'll depend on who gets a good launch, but Hamilton knows that the points are awarded for the final lap, not the first lap so will aim to avoid trouble on lap 1. If Hamilton doesn't get a clean launch off the line, he'll probably just let Gasly and Alonso ahead for the first lap and pass them later on.
Surprised they didn’t change Max’s front wing at that stop if it is damaged. Losing half a second a lap will leave him exposed to Bottas.
Losing half a second a lap will leave him exposed to Bottas
Not any more!
Bit of a strategic cock up by Merc to be leaving Bottas out there for so long that his tyres fell to pieces.
Honestly if Bottas fell into a barrel of tits he'd come out sucking his thumb
Front left tyres...
That was all a bit dull.
Ahahahahaha...Karen's been summoned to the stewards for alleged breach of sporting regs....presumably his comment about "a rogue marshall" 😂
Very dull shame about Bottas.
Horner in full Grovel mode on Sky right now 🤣
🤣🤣🤣
Horner in full Grovel mode on Sky right now
damn...missed it..what did he say?
He basically apologised without apologising for calling the marshalls who threw the yellow flag during Q3 'rogue' and saying that Massi should have them under tighter control. He didn't day he was apologetic for the comments he made, just that he was sorry that they caused any offence. Not once did he actually apologise and say it was wrong. It was hilariously painful to watch him squirm as Button revelled in his uncomfortableness and Ted, who had just been doing a piece to camera about how naughty Horner had been, trying his best to hide while still hearing what Horner had to say.
Couldn't happen to a more deserving person 😂
He didn’t day he was apologetic for the comments he made, just that he was sorry that they caused any offence.
How very 21st century.
Some opprobrium for Christian Horner here
Laying into the opposing team is understandable but having a go at the marshalls is not ok. I'm glad he's been pulled up on this here
Does anyone else want to see those curbs at all the other race tracks too? It would def stop the drivers defining the track limits as they see fit, and it definitely added a fair bit of excitement watching Alonso nursing his tyres home to finish 3rd
No great surprise to see Coulthard referring to "a rogue steward". The FIA should ban him from attending the next race 😁
Marks out of ten for the designer of that racetrack?
No great surprise to see Coulthard
I’ve been satisfied with my one month Now TV purchase. Should get three GPs in plus I might get to see Brentford.