The season has finally begun. I am curious to see how the teams do in this first session.
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The season has finally begun. I am curious to see how the teams do in this first session.
Way too early to get into any conclusion. Just a wild guess, that the qualy would be tight enough!
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The black and pink Mercedes seem to have the edge so far. Red Bull and Alfa Tauri rather disappointing, as are Alfa and Haas. Ferrari and Renault better than expected. But of course, we only have seen free practice thus far.
I was surprised to see the Red Bulls not just off the pace, but also seeming to have some handling issues. And I was kind of glad to see the Pink Panthers in front of them.
As for some of the others that I took notice of this morning: Williams, still kind of pitiful. Haas, still kind of pitiful. Ferrari, looking like a small golf ball lost in tall grass. Mercedes, if anything, I'd say they're holding back a bit - which is kinda scary!
Wow do I hate that Mercedes color scheme. I like how McLaren is doing and am surprised how well Racing Point are. I am disappointed that Haas look the same as last season.
I really like the color scheme. Even more so what it represents. but The car looks badass imoQuote:
Originally Posted by N. Jones
Agreed. Along with Hamilton's black helmet. It's like watching Batman out on track. The purple lining inside the helmet is great too.Quote:
Originally Posted by truefan72
If he becomes the greatest grand prix driver of all time this using with all of this as the backdrop, it will certainly do wonders to the BLM movement.
*Ruby*
P.S - If you haven't yet. Be sure to check out my novel. Found in the links on my Signature.
I’m sick of Hamilton’s nonsense now. He’s one of the most privileged, richest drivers ever in the sport and he’s on about inequality and a movement that has shown nothing but racist intent towards white people and violence across the globe over the last couple of weeks. He can f**k right off. I hope Bottas destroys him, the utter hypocrite.Quote:
Originally Posted by RubyDragon949
Bottas did a Rosberg on him today anyway. Delighted.
You actually came on here to say this?Quote:
Originally Posted by The Black Knight
SMH. Just proves what he and BLM are fighting for.
To miss the point so far an in such a vile manner says more about you than Hamilton or any other person with a platform who chooses to lend their voice to a real and sobering reality.
I never thought I would block you TBK (the irony in the name) but this is just an awful tone deaf post.
oh well...
Buddy you are so far off the mark on this one. It is surprising that you do not understand the issue and what is being communicated. To call it racism against white people is just the height of ignorance.Quote:
Originally Posted by The Black Knight
Bottas has started the season well. That pole lap was something very special. A new lap record no less. In a bizzare season such as this, can he mount an upset?
yup, Bottas isn't messing about to start the season. Anything can happen. The race should be interesting. I'm more worried about Verstappen at p3 trying to do something bonkers at the start.
also, kudos to Norris. What an excellent p4. Alob did very well in P5 and a strong showing by ricciardo in p10 who felt he could have done better in Q3.
Can't wait for the race!
The Mercedes PR stunt works. I was a rabid racist but the black cars have convinced me to turn away from my wicked ways. I hope Hamilton can manage to destroy the lives of the drivers that don't follow him in his empty gestures (e.g. kneeling).
I refuse to believe the validity of TBK's post. There must be some sort of reverse psychology thing going on?
I think Bottas has reached a point where even the most cynical and dispirited fans can acknowledge that he can beat Hamilton on merit. But as with the case after last year's Aus GP, it's about how often he can do it.
When both MB are on the front row. Almost always it doesn't matter who gets pole, but who's first after the first few corners.
another useless post. I simply don't understand how some folks think here. They simply don't get it and worse yet, feel so entitled and comfortable to share their misguided and tone deaf thoughts. Be part of the solution not the problem. SMHQuote:
Originally Posted by Big Ben
Hamilton penalized for disobeying the yellow flags in Q3 and will now start from P5. So that puts Lando Norris up to P3.
Not a fan of the penalty at all. Either it shouldn't have been given or it's too lenient.Quote:
Originally Posted by gm99
If you're going to give a penalty for ignoring a yellow flag, it probably should be sterner, or maybe have that laptime deleted as they do for track limits. It doesn't feel right that ignoring a yellow flags only drops you from P2 to P5 while at least Sainz and Ricciardo got mugged over the flag, with the former going down from P3 to P8. With such a close midfield, this is a terrible precedent IMO because when a single tenth can be worth several places on the grid, it's going to be definitely worth it to just ignore the flag, go flat out, improve a couple of places while everyone else can't put together a decent lap and then just lose three places.
We had the very same conversation at the beginning of last years and some forum members were certain that it was going to be Bottas' year and that he'd mount a credible challenge, only for their predictions to fall apart a couple of races into the season. So far history shows that Bottas can show glimpses of speed occasionally, but there's nothing to suggest that he'll keep the level of excellence that Hamilton does deliver consistently.Quote:
Originally Posted by Nitrodaze
Beating your teammate to pole by 0.012 seconds in just one race doesn't magically turn you into a championship contender, especially when your second lap was a mess that could have meant floor damage or even putting the car in the wall.
Verstapenn is now out of contention for this weird season's contention. But Albon is suddenly once again being placed at the deepend of carrying the redbull hopes for the championship win once again.
Poor Verstappen.
Ferrari's race pace is downright embarassing.
This is the sort of season that can allow Bottas to steal a title. He has started well which he needs to do to have half a chance. But Hamilton has made is way to 2nd. Damage limitation.Quote:
Originally Posted by N4D13
I am impressed with Bottas this season. He is beginning to be consistent.
Now there's Renault punishing Ricciardo for signing up with McLaren. :p
It is looking like reliability is lower than we have seen for a few seasons now. They are dropping like flies it seem.
How can you measure consistency when we're not even halfway through the first race of the season?Quote:
Originally Posted by Nitrodaze
Safety car has brought Hamilton well into contention. Bottas now has a real fight on his hand.
Well he has started two seasons strongly consecutively. That is consistent. That is a good indication that he may have built on his level from last year. Which suggests that he may do better this season.Quote:
Originally Posted by gm99
In my definition, consistent is not just starting a season strongly, but to maintain that level throughout the season.Quote:
Originally Posted by Nitrodaze
Welkl he has started two seasons strong consecutively. That is consistent.Quote:
Originally Posted by gm99
That is Bottas's aspiration this season. But we shall see if he can be consistent through a season.Quote:
Originally Posted by gm99
Is Mercedes going to impose team orders. Hamilton is reeling in Bottas at the mo.
They have turned down the engines it seems. They are keeping station.
The fact that they've turned down the engines doesn't mean that they can't race IMO - just that they're allowed to as long as they keep an eye on the engine, which is a perfectly reasonable decision from Mercedes considering that their closest challenger is now 6 seconds behind.Quote:
Originally Posted by Nitrodaze
He is right up his gearbox now. Are they going to let them fight each other.
Let's face it, I don't think Hamilton, a six-time WDC, would obey an order to hold station anyway. Not in the first race of the season anyway. So it's a bit of a moot question IMO.Quote:
Originally Posted by Nitrodaze
Both Mercedes may drop out with gearbox failure. Albon may win this race yet hehe.
Safety car
George Russell's Williams and the other Haas of Grosjean bows out of the race.
If Mercedes lose this race is because once again they are trying too hard to orchestrate the race.
Bottas is struggling on those hard tyres, can he keep it in front after the safety car pulls in. Albon has new tyres, he could be a treat.Quote:
Originally Posted by truefan72
darn right!Quote:
Originally Posted by truefan72