Norris, Leclerc, and Sainz are very close on points. Those three will be racing as hard as they can for fifth place in the driver's championship. If they think it's worth defending against Hamilton or Verstappen, they will. If they think they're better to conserve their tyres and let them past, that's what they'll do.
there’s only so much you can legally do when being lapped
When you're letting someone pass you can slam on the brakes and swerve towards them, apparently.
Horner really is an arse. He just asked Karun Chandhok, who was part of the team redesigning the circuit, "which car you're driving nowadays, as you seem to have taken out all the corners that Mercedes didn't like"
Horner really is an arse. He just asked Karun Chandhok, who was part of the team redesigning the circuit, “which car you’re driving nowadays, as you seem to have taken out all the corners that Mercedes didn’t like”
I'd love it if the measured response was "All? Not yet - but we have a few hours..." 🙂
I wonder how much of MV's "They treat me differently" is taken from the Trump playbook. Being blind re his own faults he's laying the groundwork so that if/when he drives aggressively or punts someone off the road and gets a penalty he can then cry "SEE, SEE! I said they'd treat me this way".
Horner really is an arse. He just asked Karun Chandhok, who was part of the team redesigning the circuit, “which car you’re driving nowadays, as you seem to have taken out all the corners that Mercedes didn’t like”
"Stop moaning. I'M the one called Karun, not you."
Me, I would love it if they end up going wheel-to-wheel, Max does his take-no-prisoners “driving himself off the track to take/defend a position” spiel, and Lewis just gently (and accidently, officer!) turns him into the kittie litter. 🙂
No, that way lies weeks of acrimony, accusations, appeals and so on. Plus a big split in the fan base who'll all be arguing that the other driver deserved the win.
If Max ended up in the barriers of his own accord (or in trying to pass any other driver) then that'd be different but the only way this works out cleanly is if neither driver comes within a second of the other for the whole race.
Completely agree crazy-legs, I'd rather not see anything that's even remotely debateable.
If Max did something like, stay out too long on worn tyres and suffered a puncture Karen would still somehow blame Merc for carrying on the race...
A dominant Lewis victory will be the only way to keep the conspiracy lot quiet.
for me though I’d prefer if it was REALLY OBVIOUSLY Max’s fault so I didn’t have to listen to Karen moaning
I admire your optimism thinking that this would stop Karen moaning.
No, that way lies weeks of acrimony, accusations, appeals and so on. Plus a big split in the fan base who’ll all be arguing that the other driver deserved the win.
No-one wants acrimony, I'm thinking in terms of them being alongside each other into a braking zone, Max moving over and Lewis not giving way, turning Max off the island - no lawsuits, no post-race shenanigans, stewards call a racing incident and Red Bull'll just have to suck it up. 🙂 Ain't gonna happen, I don't think - and I don't think Max will go out with the intention of trying to take Lewis out - but, a la Adelaide 94, if he's put in a situation where he has to make a snap judgement with the title at risk, I could see him making the wrong call and doing a Schumacher. I'm inclined to think it's going to be a dull race, one way or another.
How about a Renault engine failure just in front of Max so he goes off and punctures his Pirelli tyres. That'd keep Horner in orbit for weeks.
if he’s put in a situation where he has to make a snap judgement with the title at risk, I could see him making the wrong call
Agreed - imagine he qualifies fastest and is ahead in the race but with worn tyres with five laps to go, Hamilton chasing him down and about to take him in a high-speed corner, MV trying desperately to defend...
I couldn't see that scenario ending well.
“you seem to have taken out all the corners that Mercedes didn’t like”
Surely the obvious response is, “well, Max takes out all the ones he doesn’t like…”
Mercedes have backed the decision to highlight the potential consequences of dirty driving before the Formula 1 title decider in Abu Dhabi.
BBC link here https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/59612265
Wolff said: "I think with all the controversies we had in the last few races, it is very good that Michael and the FIA have come out with a reminder of what the ISC [international sporting code] stands for."
He welcomed the decision to remind the drivers "what is on and what is not on, in terms of driving standards".
Horner said: "I can see why Toto and Lewis with the disadvantages of race wins would be pushing for that, but nobody's going into the race saying it's going to end in a crash.
Erm, sorry Karen, plenty of folk are saying that it's going to end in a crash 😂
Horner said: “I can see why Toto and Lewis with the disadvantages of race wins would be pushing for that, but nobody’s going into the race saying it’s going to end in a crash.
Translation - "we've definitely discussed the possibility of ending the race with a crash".
More Whinger Spice IC1 Bell Endery Department drivel here
About MV; 'He's just a young lad living his dream...'.
Dont read before a heavy meal unless you want to see it again...
What you’ve got to remember with Max is he’s just a young lad. He’s a 24-year-old who drives with bravery, with passion, with skill, with determination, and he’s just a guy living his dream, doing his job. And he’s up against not only Lewis but a huge machine in Mercedes-Benz.
Horner referred to the prospect of Verstappen beating Hamilton to this year’s title as being akin to a "David v Goliath”
Yes Horner, and your constant moaning and whining means that the majority of us want Goliath to smack David right across the head
So deadbull are so fly by night poorly funded team with no manufacturer support from say Honda. Karen really is getting the excuses lined up and starting whinging even earlier than usual.
Rattled Bull
Is that the same David that wasn't averse to the use of a bit of gravel to achieve his aims?
allegations about his driving, about his driving style, about his driving standards have been...there's been a narrative that's been pushed to put pressure on him.
Unlike when Horner hysterically and repeatedly accused LH of being amateurish and reckless earlier in the season which is pretty much what started this whole bitch-fest.
It's just more of the same hateful shit as before. Can't wait until Rich Energy show them how a proper fizzy drinks company behaves... 🙂
Calmer practice sessions for Merc by the looks of it. Wing problems for max
Looks like they're both having problems, Hamiltons rears were overheating
Looks like they’re both having problems, Hamiltons rears were overheating
Track temps will drop for qualifying and the race. I think that will help Merc. If Red Bull have the same wing problems in qualifying and need to repair it before the race, it's guaranteed that Merc will protest if they aren't made to start from pitlane.
Hamilton has cut up Mazepin again - late contender for someone to crash into him mid-race? (Whilst being lapped of course)
I doubt Merc will protest the wing issue if they fix it in park ferme. Would look really petty that somehow they have an issue at this race but not the previous ones
More Whinger Spice IC1 Bell Endery Department drivel here
About MV; ‘He’s just a young lad living his dream…’.
crash.net? Is that a Verstappen themed newsfeed?
That's a very low drag wing that Verstappen's RB is carrying.
In FP3 they were describing it as close to Monza levels of downforce
It's gonna be close! Red Bull starting on soft tyres, Mercedes on mediums. If Verstappen is on firm like he was at the 2nd restart in Jeddah then he'll be well ahead by the first corner...
...yeah, but Lewis has his Brazil engine in. He'll let him go and take him later on in the race. Piece of piss with these straights.
And it wouldn't surprise me if Merc let Red Bull take pole so they can see where they are and don't risk getting spun with a little tag on a rear wheel at the start.
Bold strategy move from RB there, impressive stuff!
And it wouldn’t surprise me if Merc let Red Bull take pole so they can see where they are and don’t risk getting spun with a little tag on a rear wheel at the start.
That's a good shout actually, especially with Max starting on the softs.
Anywhere other than the front row is always massively more risky, you never know which mid-pack weapon is going to kick things off (it used to be easier - Grosjean)
Safest way to overtake Max is in the pits.
Hadn’t appreciated just how much bigger the 18” setup is going to be next year. Had assumed the tyre circumference would’ve been fairly close to the current setup
Safest way to overtake Max is in the pits
^ absolutely
Safest way to overtake Max is in the pits
This is my big hope for tomorrow!
Bold strategy move from RB there, impressive stuff!
Not sure it was strategic- commentary says he flat-spotted the mediums in Q2 and he has no more new mediums for the race.
I'll be honest, as much as it easy to not like RB, I do like the way they are always willing to be brave with their strategy. It's exciting to watch
Not sure it was strategic- commentary says he flat-spotted the mediums in Q2 and he has no more new mediums for the race.
I meant the tag team slipstream manouevre
A lot of boos for Lewis..he even commented on it
Nice one for Norris - 5% discount on Mercedes engines for next season if he has a little accident at the start!? 🤣🤣
