I know it's only practice, but some big dollar superstars looking a bit overpaid from this list.
https://twitter.com/F1/status/1375478716856418309
Andrew Benson reckons Ham and Ver are neck and neck on long run pace, but they thing Ham has his engine turned down. I think he said that Norris is way off on long run pace, but I might have misheard.
The Merc weakness in testing was rear end instability. They seem to have dealt with that, but now have an understeering car.
https://the-race.com/formula-1/the-first-signs-that-mercedes-is-solving-its-main-weakness/
Merc and Hamilton have a history of looking weak on Friday and then looking like geniuses on Sunday. The Honda engine looks like the real deal on power, but my money is on Merc being able to turn it up when they need to without blowing shit up.
Interesting to see Vettel already faster than Stroll – I would expect that to be a sign of things to come?
Depends how you read that I suppose, I looked at it and thought 'Stroll's only a tenth off a four-times world champ' Vettel will be a good benchmark to judge him against, Perez is good but he only had one year against a top-class driver, I hope he can take the fight to Verstappen
There’s plenty of speculation that Mclaren have done a “Braun” and come up with a rear diffuser concept different to everyone else within the new aero regs
That’s not speculation, there are photos and videos of it all over the place. Unclear at this moment the level of improvement it makes, certainly not a double of blown diffuser level though
Interesting times. Fully expect Hamilton to be closer to Verstappen in qualifying. Lando and the McLaren still seem like a wildcard until then, but if last year’s season start was anything to go by you’d be unwise to bet against Lando’s pace, especially if that diffuser is as trick as it might be.
Remains to be seen how close Ricciardo and Perez get. But then Perez has never been a qualifier, he’s very much Mr Sunday.
I’m already inching forward in my seat to see turn 4 on lap 1 of the race. There’s gonna be a wing or two lost there.
Verstappen on Pole, Hamilton second, Norris third.
Turn 4 on lap 1 of the race, Hamilton throws it up the inside of Verstappen, who turns in, wipes them both out and Norris takes the lead, which he never relinquishes on his way to his first win?
Not impossible, though I’m not sure Hamilton would go all-in on lap 1 of the season. Plus if there’s an incident like that at the sharp end then my money’s on Perez. Norris could very well be in the mix either way, though…
Okay, so the conditions at Bahrain today were apparently quite windy, historically something that has not been good for McLaren so it's clear that they've made strides here, as have Red Bull who have a car that's both fast and can be leaned on. The weather might explain why Aston were so far back?
On outright quali pace McLaren look good, but I suspect their race pace is a somewhat different story. I don't think they'll be bothering Merc or RB just yet, but strategy calls have been McLaren's strong point since Siedl was appointed.
think mercs will be pleased. I doubt we've seen the anything like full grunt from that motor yet.
Ha ha, Mazepin spins on his first qualifying lap.
Vettel booted in Q1!
Ha ha, Mazepin spins on his first qualifying lap.
And the second - couldn't happen to a nicer bloke.
The Alfa Tauri is a little rocket.
oops redbull hiccup
How long before Gasly is back in the A Team?
If I was Gasley, TBH I'm not sure I'd be in a huge rush, I think I'd rather be fast and happy at AT than in the poisoned chalice that seems to be the 2nd seat at RB.
Props to Vertsappen though, what a drive! Purple in every sector, fastest across the speed trap...perfect start
What a great start to the season. I’m a massive Lewis fan but this gives a chance to see him rise to the challenge and there are so many other stories to be played out over 2021. 👍🏼
How long before Gasly is back in the A Team
Don’t think he will be. Think his next move (if there is one) will be out of the ‘family’, his choice too.
Oof, unlucky for Vettel and Ocon having to slow for Mazepin - who managed to spin twice during Q1. It's a real shock seeing Perez knocked out in Q2 and how bloody quick is the Alpha Tauri? That's a fast car on merit, would love to see Gasly bring home a lot of points tomorrow.
The other surprise is Leclerc's qualifying pace in the Ferrari.
After Mazepin skipped the queue to overtake Vettel (not sure about Ocon) on their warmup lap. Really does seem like a great guy
After Mazepin skipped the queue to overtake Vettel (not sure about Ocon) on their warmup lap. Really does seem like a great guy
Such a nice bloke out of the car though.
No, wait...
Eight tenths is quite a gap to Schumacher too
My mate who loved Ferrari passed away last night, then Channel 4 started with Murray 🥲. That nearly finished me. He’d have loved to see Ferrari improving again.
looks like we’ll have a good season based on that qualifying
Loved Steve Jones quip on C4 when talking about the 2021 driver lineup: "More change than Guenther Steiner's swear jar..."and Steiner walking past on camera "bleep bleep bleep..."
My favourite bit from drive to survive, Guenther was asked if he wanted a brolly to provide shade from the sun. ‘An umbrella? **** off!’
Is it me, or is the new Channel 4 commentator a bit "Smashey and Nicey"?!
No not just you. Typical slightly over enthusiastic delivery. Good job Billy and DC are there.
I thought the same about the new guy, sounded very radio style. Billy does such a good job for someone so young, really going to miss Ben Edwards.
I thought he sounded like a DJ too. I dont known who he is, whether he's done much commentating before? It is quite annoying but he's new so hopefully just need to give him some time to lose the nerves and get used to it all.
One of the annoying things for me (in life, not just F1 coverage) is overly loud and excitable obnoxiousity.
Don't know why there is suddenly a need to get far far too over excited. David Croft in particular has to be turned off at most starts which is a shame as the action is usually great.
Suppose the late great Murray Walker is proof that it's always gone on but today they seem to over do it just that bit too much so it appears plain shouty rather than passionate.
"He's looking down from above" ffs who are these idiots.
LOL the worst band ever playing a dreadful tune!!!
ooops
well he made three corners! completely untouched!
LOL
Ha ha!
Nice new Safety Car, very smart.
Lol, booted the throttle and binned it all by himself.
Will become a familiar sight, I reckon...
Pure class!! Certainly living up to his new name - Mazespin! 🤣🤣
😀
Who wants to start hasMazepincrashedtoday.com then?
Mazepin has spun again! He's completely out of his depth in F1 - wonder whether his father will pull the plug on his seat if he doesn't become competitive soon?
Mazepin has spun again!
He crashed out on the 3rd corner of Lap 1. It was the other Haas that spun in the same spot.
Car problem?
why are they expecting Lewis to do anything foolish this early in the season ?
No - team problem. They’ve followed the money and Gene Haas seemingly has zero interest in F1 now.
merc motor looks like it's got a lot of grunt
God this is great.
Great to see McLaren doing well and getting the better of Ferrari .
Does Verstappen and redbull have the mentality to deal with setbacks? Lewis and Merceddes have demonstrated over the past few years if 1 or 2 races don't go to plan, they trust each other to just go again the next race.
loving vettel, sainz and alonso scrapping. imagine mazespin doing all that without touching the other cars, great racing
think Lewis has gone into doing "just enough" mode.
Botas also closing up.
This is a cracking race!!
Botas also closing up.
Messed up pit stop has put paid to that.
This is a cracking race!!
Indeed, best F1 for many a year.
verstappen going to go for softs ?
nope
Se Vettel back to form blaming everyone else for his mistakes. Ocon was in the right!
Indeed, best F1 for many a year.
nah, its an interesting "chess match" for strategy, but the front runners havn't been wheel to wheel for much of the race.
Vettel ****ing up and blaming his victim, carrying on his Ferrari form.
end game of this chess match looking interesting though.....
Can Max manage to not crash into Lewis?
Brilliant last few laps.
wow wow wow!!!! simply the best
**** yeah!!!!
I am a bit disappointed that the "track limits" rule made him give the place back, when Lewis had been off track there for half the race. It just doesn't sit right to me.
Hamilton showing who’s the best! Older tyres but still held him off!
Lewis had been off track there for half the race.
Did he pass somebody off the track? If you do that, you are required to give the place back.
Mega, mega race!!! 🏎🏎🏁🏁
There’s a difference between track limits when lapping alone and finishing an overtake off the track.
As Brundle just said, the rule is you don't don't gain an advantage by leaving the track, he was doing so and it allowed him to be quicker in that corner, he gained an advantage and that is against the rules.
This isn't an anti Hamilton rant, I am much happier for Hamilton to win, but that isn't fair to me.
when Lewis had been off track there for half the race. It just doesn’t sit right to me.
They were taking in the commentary about "lasting advantage" it will be interesting to see if RB were told, or acted ahead of the race stewards in anticipation of being told. Does anyone know?
Nice drive from Checo too - Albon could not have done that.
That, was awesome!
Both drivers told about track limits earlier in the race, its all fair. Lewis showing why he's 7 x World Champ, Bottas showing why he's always second fiddle.
And this was a weak track for Mercedes, the season may will be on fire from here on...
But lets not forget the action down the order, great racing with the petulant Vettel doing what he does when his patience is tested, and Mazipam getting everything he deserves.
MSP - the fault lies with the stewards - the drivers will do anything for an advantage until told not too.
Great race! There was a radio message from RB to Max telling him to go off there as Merc were, then a couple of laps later race control told Merc to stop it - despite the fact that the pre-event notes said it was only being penalised in free practice and qualifying.
I suspect the sideways dig at Merc came back to bite RB in the end.
Verstappen classy as ever "why did you make me give it back, I could have pulled 5 seconds"
Just watching the footage of Mazespin, he's offline, sees Schumacher scooting off to his right and tries to bury the throttle on cool tyres. You'd have thought that he'd have figured that one out after Friday and Saturday's incidents.
Have to feel for Verstappen, losing the lead after pitting from the front. Ferrari's season isn't going to be the write off that most of us were anticipating, they're genuine contenders for third. Classy fourth place for Norris and points for Tsunoda on his debut too.
I'll bet that Ricciardo isn't having any second thoughts about leaving Alpine.
the fault lies with the stewards
I agree, but the rules are the rules, the stewards notes are just a reminder, they don't change the laws of the game. I think that RB told Verstappen over the radio so that the stewards would take a look at merc, ironic that they themselves then suffered for it.
It will be interesting to see how RB react, will it be hissy fits all round, or will they do a merc and just be confident they can get the points back over the next races.
Posted at 17:0317:03
Team radio - Red Bull to Verstappen
Red Bull: "Max, Lewis and Valtteri are using the exit at Turn Four. Feel free to do this until we are told not to."
Verstappen: "Yeah how is that legal, man? The whole weekend we couldn't do it!"
Posted at 17:1217:12
Team radio - Mercedes to Hamilton
Mercedes: 'Lewis, we are getting warnings about track limits at Turn Four, so just tidy that up."
Hamilton: "There was no track limits?!"
Mercedes: "Yeah copy that Lewis but we're getting the messages from race control."
Hamilton: "I've been doing the same thing all race. Xxxx"
Mercedes: "Yeah, they're getting a bit bumpy about it now."
think lewis was right a few more laps on the mediums in the middle stint would have made his job a bit easier.