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I find it strange that when MV does an MV, ie miss the corner to retain position that RB management know that he's under investigation, that they don't just say "Give the position back, avoid the penalty". It would make them look like they have a pair of balls.
Why would they do that. Horner thinks he is shears right and can not blame the stewards rather than himself
Max has historically had enough of an advantage that he can make "questionable" passes and then build enough of a gap to negate any penalty that he gets. With that mindset, why give the place back if its hard to pass even though you have a quicker car?
In fact if they were truly ruthless maybe mclaren should have tried something like that at Suzuka.
It seems to be be very similar to Schumacher. Both amazing, rapid drivers. Both happy to break the rules to win.
Both have left the sport worse off with a slew of rules which weren’t needed before, but which had to be created to contain their disregard for the sport.
I’ve said for years, they every time I *try* to like Max, he finds a new way to make me regret it. Only on Saturday I found myself thinking “I may not like him, but wow, he’s fast!”. And then he acts like this the very next day.
McLaren and Oscar deserved that win. Been a McLaren fan all my life but today, Max did not deserve the win. Had he not cheated at turn 1, he may just have snatched that. I respect Max but he's a dirty driver. Acting like a brat after the race doesn't help him.
"Give the position back, avoid the penalty". It would make them look like they have a pair of balls.
These 5 second penalties are pathetic. Bring back drive through and 5 second stop go penalties. That would make them think.
Or add a lap to their race! “Missed a corner there, mate! Go round and try again”.
*And* it’d mean they’d have to fuel save for the whole race!
Or add a lap to their race! “Missed a corner there, mate! Go round and try again”.
Ooh I like that one. Like penalty loops in biathlon.
Max has historically had enough of an advantage that he can make "questionable" passes and then build enough of a gap to negate any penalty that he gets.
I thought it was the other way around. When he's got a massive advantage, 2023, he drives nicely because he can and still win. When he's under pressure, 2021, late 2024, he drives dirty because he thinks winning is more important than being fair and decent.
The irony of Verstappen complaining about someone pulling a Verstappen-esque move on him 🤣
And I suspect any other driver or team would have given the place back to attack again straight away, probably at the DRS line.
The irony of Verstappen complaining about someone pulling a Verstappen-esque move on him 🤣
And I suspect any other driver or team would have given the place back to attack again straight away, probably at the DRS line.
Of course they would. RB don’t seem capable of understanding the basic rules, or think they don’t apply to him. I th8nk he was lucky not to get the full 10 second penalty he could have got.
Glad it’s been a bit unpredictable start to the season, as I’m off to Suzuka next week. The flight and F1 ticket when I booked in September was still cheaper then going to Silverstone…So how was the trip? Expect you're either still there or still on a plane.
Sorry, I’m not on here that regularly.
Yeah I enjoyed the trip (even though it was fairly chilly), even though the race was pretty uneventful the whole atmosphere was amazing. Getting to the track was a bit of hassle (Saturday & Sunday we opted to catch the first train of the day at 05.58) but needs must. On the Friday the queues for the shuttle buses were fairly long so we decided to walk the hour or so to get there instead which meant we saw some of the town, decided to do that after the race as well as queue would’ve been horrific. Was hoping the rain would last longer on the Sunday morning, was wet for the two Porsche/Ferrari races but just about dried up in time for F1. Would definitely go back!
Took a few extra days in Japan after the race (new country to me) then visited my brother in Hong Kong on the way home.
If anyone is wondering about costs this is what it cost me:
Air China return flight from Gatwick to Nagoya £420, F1 three day ticket £130, esim 6 days £24, then for two: Hotel in Nagoya 5 nights twin room £826, limited express trains Nagoya-Shiroko £100ish, shuttle buses to track about £6 each way. Food at track very reasonably priced. I think I spent about £500 all in including food for us both plus Suzuka souvenirs etc.
Was nice in the cherry blossom season but would prefer it being a month closer to summer…
Both happy to break the rules to win.
To be fair to Max he doesn't break the rules. The rules say [essentially] make sure your front axle's ahead of the competition at the apex of the corner, and the corner's yours. So that's what he does, the rules have more to say afterwards about going off track and so forth, but mostly; get there first and you've got right of way. Max achieves that by getting off the brakes and putting his car there; guessing (almost always correctly) that the other driver will try to avoid the crash. Until other drivers start to let accidents happen, or drive like he does (as Piastri did) or the rules change, he'll carry on. It's not like any other driver can't do the same thing - As Oscar demonstrated.
get there first and you've got right of way.
There was talk last year of further clarification to that rule to specifically outlaw lunges like MV used to do, but I don't remember what the outcome was. Anyone know what the outcome was?
These 5 second penalties are pathetic. Bring back drive through and 5 second stop go penalties. That would make them think.
Agreed. 5 sec penalty for blatant cheating (zero attempt was made to actually make that corner on track) is a joke. Max is fast, but him and Horner are so hard to like with their attitude. Would have been much better racing to have given the place back just before the DRS line and immediately tried to get back round, Hammy showed how effective that was with Norris! Feels like Max needs some cumulative "you're being a dick on the corners" penalties to start stacking up.
I think Max knew that passing would be pretty much impossible so his only hope of winning was to stay ahead and hope to get away with it. If he'd given up the position, he would have finished second. If the stewards gave him a penalty, he'd finish second. Might as well take a chance on the stewards letting it go.
I do wonder whether MV would still be a dick if he moved to Mercedes - I'd like to think that TW's influence would calm him down.
Maybe he gets his 'bad attitude' from Horner who probably encourages it.
Maybe he gets his 'bad attitude' from Horner who probably encourages it
Jos Verstappen: The tough-love father convicted of assault now taking on Christian Horner
An onboard view of the new Madrid track...
https://twitter.com/autosport/status/1915691544272646275
Reserving judgement, but it looks narrow and not well suited for overtaking from this video. Also lol at the driver clouting the wall in the video.
Great, another Jeddah/Miami street circuit......
NOt another circuit where the race is over after quali. I wish F1 would go back to proper circuits where you can race rather than city centres where posing and being seen is more important than what happens on the track
Or smaller cars….there was some great passing in the f2 over the last couple of weeks since the cars are narrow enough to provide far more overtaking opportunities
NOt another circuit where the race is over after quali. I wish F1 would go back to proper circuits where you can race rather than city centres where posing and being seen is more important than what happens on the track
Like Suzuka, you mean?
I do wonder whether MV would still be a dick if he moved to Mercedes - I'd like to think that TW's influence would calm him down.
Maybe he gets his 'bad attitude' from Horner who probably encourages it.
im pretty sure it’s a family trait. I don’t recall Horner behaving like he does before the Verstappens affixed at red bull. He’s probably terrified that he’s going to get punched.
Mecachrome/Audi - that sounds very wrong - but it's happening!...
https://www.the-race.com/formula-1/alpine-f1-engine-partner-mecachrome-audi-deal/
Mecachrome/Audi - that sounds very wrong - but it's happening!...
It's a bit surprising but makes perfect sense if Renault don't have an F1 program.
BILD reporting a rumour that Checo will be at Cadillac in '26
Those rumours have been building all week. He's present at the Miami GP this weekend in the same week that a 3 year contract extension for the Mexico race was announced. Seems too much of a coincidence otherwise.
BILD reporting a rumour that Checo will be at Cadillac in '26
I think he was always considered a top candidate for that seat. They need an experienced driver to develop the car and he has a big fanbase in the region. Key thing will be who gets the second seat - will they go for a young Indycar driver as a future talent or someone experienced?
Shitting hell, Miami has been renewed until 2041.
Good sprint quali to be fair though, worth a watch
WWEEEEEETTTTTT RAAACCCCEEEE!!!
sadly this does make me think that it’s Max FTW
Also, no Leclerc - oops EDIT: not an oops, had no chance
wow
lots going on in the sprint race
and to think they’ve been talking about upping the sped limit in the pits…
Decent sprint! Going to be tight to get some of those cars ready for quali
Hmmm, was just looking back at the predictions on p.1. Don't think anybody predicted Ferrari to struggle so much. I got Williams and Lawson right at least.
I'm going with the constructors' title being a toss-up between McLaren and Ferrari and both teams having fierce intra-team battles. Red Bull have lost key technical staff and I expect them to struggle to catch up to the top two. I hope I'm wrong, but I think Lawson will struggle if the car is as difficult as this year's one so I expect Verstappen to easily beat him and maybe challenge for the drivers' title if the Ferrari and McLaren drivers take points off each other. Lawson to be demoted back to RB and replaced by Tsunoda mid-season. Same with Merc, Russell should easily beat a rookie but they will need a much more consistent car to challenge for titles. Newey won't have any input into next year's AM so they'll be treading water until 2026. Williams should improve greatly, having two top drivers should lift the team massively. My wild prediction is that they'll jump to the front of the midfield teams. Sauber, Haas, Renault, and RB will all have rookie drivers and that will be enough for Williams to jump ahead.
I thought F1 banned military fly bys?
Lando cocking this right up
Ferrari - FFS - wrecked both drivers races.
”we’ll get back to you” - you should bloody know the answer by reading the race.
Oscars showing hes WDC material again.
Great result from Albon as well
Ferrari mechanic: "Sainz behind you, 1.4 seconds"
Hamilton: "Do you want me to let him past as well?"
😅
Great race that, glad I got up early to watch before work. McLarens looking mega.
The Ferrari shitshow continues 😆 Shame though as I'd love to see Lewis doing better.
Decent race! I wonder if Lewis is regretting his move to ferrari?
Given that his total salary pot is rumoured to be around $100m/y and includes ambassadorial roles with Ferrari after his contract ends (which Mercedes wouldn’t agree to), I’m thinking that whilst it’s probably frustrating watching the Mercedes doing better, he’s likely okay with it from an “approaching retirement” point of view.
Long term, maybe. You can hear the frustration in his voice. He's clearly still got the desire to win, pay packet or not.
Long term, maybe. You can hear the frustration in his voice. He's clearly still got the desire to win, pay packet or not.
100% – he's not there just for the money, and they did look like they were getting competitive again last season, but they have gone backwards yet again.
On the bright side, “maybe have a tea break while you’re at it” stands a pretty good chance of taking the Driver Radio World Championship this year.
Doohan reportedly out.
https://www.the-race.com/formula-1/jack-doohan-alpine-f1-2025-seat-change-imola-franco-colapinto/
Doohan reportedly out.
https://www.the-race.com/formula-1/jack-doohan-alpine-f1-2025-seat-change-imola-franco-colapinto/
Think they were saying on the Race that Alpine would assess his performance after six races, so no surprise there then.
Red Bull filming at my local Tesco petrol station.
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Dunno wa gwan with the photos though....
Red Bull filming at my local Tesco petrol station.
Have they no current cars they could use!? 😀
😂
In Leeds so assuming it might have something to with Leeds United as well...
F2 driver Arvid Linvlad driving it.
It just gets better at Alpine!…
Ha ha, flav back in the paddock. Brilliant.
That's 5 TPs in 5 years I think. mad way to run a team.
So I guess that means Doohan is out and Colapinto in at Alpine then.
So, the man who received a "lifetime ban" in 2008 is going to be in charge of an F1 team again just 17 years later. Who was who said the F1 is where morals and ethics are replaced with money and power, were right on the money. What a joke. If i was Oakes I think I'd have done the same.
So I guess that means Doohan is out and Colapinto in at Alpine then.
Funny thing there is, flav is doohan's manager IIRC!
So, the man who received a "lifetime ban" in 2008 is going to be in charge of an F1 team again just 17 years later. Who was who said the F1 is where morals and ethics are replaced with money and power, were right on the money. What a joke. If i was Oakes I think I'd have done the same.
Apparently the lifetime ban was overturned by a court some time afterwards.
Also in the news yesterday was that Uncle Ben is not a fan of the cost cap and 'doesn't see the point of it'. This is the cost cap that has turned F1 teams that were worth sod-all into billion dollar companies. And created a nice closed shop that now generates more for teams and F1 than they can spend.
So yeah - no point to it as it's 'a faff' to administer.
His main gripe is probably that teams and Liberty media are getting bigger slices of the cake than the FIA.
https://apnews.com/article/f1-ben-sulayem-a6509003abc8cf260c9afa0d5d90f3ee
So, the man who received a "lifetime ban" in 2008 is going to be in charge of an F1 team again just 17 years later. Who was who said the F1 is where morals and ethics are replaced with money and power, were right on the money. What a joke. If i was Oakes I think I'd have done the same.
Hasn’t Oakes been significantly linked with the Mazepins? If so then I wouldn’t assume any sort of moral yardstick there.
I am shocked that Flav hasn’t brought calm and stability to the team, though. Shocked, I tell you.
As the old joke goes, an optimist is someone who takes their lunch to work.
A little bit of background for those - like me - who didn't know much about Colapinto before he hit F1 last season...
https://www.the-race.com/formula-1/franco-colapinto-career-long-disadvantage-now-a-huge-f1-strength/
Carlos Sainz Snr thinking of running for FIA president.
Sorry, link not working
Not sure how I feel about that. Obviously he’s a driving legend, but is there much in his CV about actually running things?
Perhaps Carlos could once again have Luis Moya as his right hand man.
I would imagine that all his CV needs to say is “1962–present: Not a total c***”.
That alone rules him out of the role, surely.
Oakes a wrong 'un? Surely that's slander?
https://www.planetf1.com/news/oliver-oakes-dubai-williams-oakes-arrested-dmitry-mazepin
Oh, right...
but is there much in his CV about actually running things
A PhD in machiavellianism is surely the primary requirement
Well, erm perhaps Flavio isn’t the dodgy one this time!
Interesting stuff, I hadn't really been following the Mazepin stuff. Is the implication that Oakes has he legged it to Dubai to avoid questioning?
Slight tangent…
Anyone got any advice for buying tickets? I need to get some grandstand tickets for a race later this year but I think they’re now only available via resellers. Never bought tickets before, Any sites that I should use or not use? Any related pearls of wisdom?
Nice little BBC thing here that's worth a scroll through on your lunch break:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/extra/v7yykmbyey/f1-at-75-by-bbc-sport-and-getty-images
I just spotted that, it's great.
I like the 60s style helmet cam.
Slight tangent…
Anyone got any advice for buying tickets? I need to get some grandstand tickets for a race later this year but I think they’re now only available via resellers. Never bought tickets before, Any sites that I should use or not use? Any related pearls of wisdom?
I got a lot of good info about Suzuka from F1destinations group on Facebook. There might be some info on there about buying used tickets.
Cheers. I’ve got tickets now 🙂 (Well… I’ve paid for tickets…) Monza, baby! Even bought a car to drive there in 😀
Nice! Where did Aston pull that performance out of!!
Cheers. I’ve got tickets now 🙂 (Well… I’ve paid for tickets…) Monza, baby! Even bought a car to drive there in 😀
Amazing! What kind of tickets and what kind of car?!
They've brought quite a a major upgrade this weekend, which Andy Cowell says predates Adrian Newey's arrival. Also surprised to see how close Stroll has got to Alonso.
And Albon sounding disappointed about qualifying seventh. Williams have come a long way! Sainz must be loving outqualifying the Ferraris
Amazing! What kind of tickets and what kind of car?!
Grandstand 8 overlooking the Rettifilo, and an MX-5. I’ll be pootling along behind my mate’s 911 🙂
Went all in by ordering a Ferrari shirt and hat as well and evidently that’s put the curse on them this weekend!
Amazing! What kind of tickets and what kind of car?!
Grandstand 8 overlooking the Rettifilo, and an MX-5. I’ll be pootling along behind my mate’s 911 🙂
Went all in by ordering a Ferrari shirt and hat as well and evidently that’s put the curse on them this weekend!
Fantastico!
Decent race today, not a max fan but that was perfect. Bit of luck with the SC timing and Oscar's long stop but still utterly owned it.