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  1. #1
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    2019 French GP - Paul Ricard Circuit





    F1 steams into France in the wake of the most controversial penalty of the season. A decision taken by the stewards that effectively deprived Ferrari of their first win of the season and awarded Mercedes a race win that adds one more record to their already illustrious F1 history. Seven consecutive wins from the start of the 2019 season, presents Mercedes with a dream start to a season that seemed an up hill battle at the end of winter testing.

    Many would argue the finer points of the penalty until the end of the season and probably beyond. Whatever the case, Ferrari arrives at Paul Ricard with one of their most nightmarish start to their 2019 season. Seven races in, and no race win to their name. The Canadian GP left a sour taste in the proverbial Ferrari mouths. A painful sting that makes the French GP, a race that they must strive to win, in consolation for the two that got away.

    The Paul Ricard circuit have a layout that should place Ferrari, well in the mix and with a realistic chance of winning the race. While the long straights of this track poses a disadvantage to Mercedes, the slow corners of the track, pose an equal disadvantage to Ferrari. Hence we are in for a race where the odds are equally balanced against the two leading teams.

    It would seem the driver and the efficiency of the pit wall and crew shall make all the difference of who shall come out on top at the end of the weekend. It would be an incredible achievement if Mercedes can muster an eighth consecutive win to their 2019 season. It would also be a very popular win, if Ferrari can finally put a win on the board.

    This is also a race where it is crucial for Bottas to recover ground against Hamilton, in order to keep his championship chances alive. A Hamilton win would effectively relegate Bottas to a support role for the rest of the season.

    This weekend, all eyes shall be on Renault. Mostly to see what upgrades they bring to their home race, and how much of an improvement they have found with their engine upgrades. Anything short of being the best of the rest at the end of this race, would be seen mostly as a confirmation of a failed season for Renault.

    With Renault within touching distance of Mclaren in the constructors battle for fourth place. Mclaren needs both of their car scoring points and essentially ahead of the Renault cars this weekend, to consolidate their fourth place. The battle for fourth in the constructors championship is hotting up as Renault zeros in on Mclaren.



    Now look at these dreamy grid girls and tell the old farts at Liberty what you really think about the absence of grid girls in the F1 race weekends.
    Last edited by Nitrodaze; 19th June 2019 at 07:40.
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  2. #2
    Senior Member journeyman racer's Avatar
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    I don't think a win for Hamilton would relegate Bottas to a support role for the rest of the season. Vettel was leading the standings at this points last year, and Bottas' being behind meant his subsequent results were expendable. He's matched Hamilton this year, and Vettel is still a fair way behind. I think MB will let things go on until an obvious decision needs to be made.

    Ferrari regaining their form is bad news for Bottas and good news for Hamilton. Even if Bottas finishes ahead of Hamilton, if it's not a win, he'll only make incremental gains in Hamilton's title lead.

    As far as Renault goes. They haven't been crash hot, but are 2pts off 4th in the wcc! I don't agree with failure to meet your expectations meaning a failed season. If anything, they're maybe a 2-3 races away from having the comfort of going being more aggressive in their approach.

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    Quote Originally Posted by journeyman racer View Post
    I don't think a win for Hamilton would relegate Bottas to a support role for the rest of the season. Vettel was leading the standings at this points last year, and Bottas' being behind meant his subsequent results were expendable. He's matched Hamilton this year, and Vettel is still a fair way behind. I think MB will let things go on until an obvious decision needs to be made.

    Ferrari regaining their form is bad news for Bottas and good news for Hamilton. Even if Bottas finishes ahead of Hamilton, if it's not a win, he'll only make incremental gains in Hamilton's title lead.

    As far as Renault goes. They haven't been crash hot, but are 2pts off 4th in the wcc! I don't agree with failure to meet your expectations meaning a failed season. If anything, they're maybe a 2-3 races away from having the comfort of going being more aggressive in their approach.
    It would be great for Bottas if he is given more time to catch up to Hamilton. I have a feeling he may be on borrowed time as the Ferrari seem to be hotting up also. If a Mercedes can win this race, Bottas need to ensure he is that Mercedes, at worst in 2nd place. If Ferrari wins it, he need to aim for 2nd place also and not behind Hamilton. He has a tough gig this weekend.

    On Renault, if their upgrades fail to make significant impact on their performance this weekend, it would be a clear indication that they have drifted significantly from their planned progression for 2019. It may also be an indication that their problem is bigger than they understand, which would suggest that their ability to seize fourth on the WCC and sustain an effort to hang on to it till Abu Dhabi, may be unlikely.

    I hope they turn up with improved performance, as it would be good to see Ricciado fighting at the leading edge of the midfield and maybe giving Gasly a hard time. I also hope they give the new engine to Mclaren so that we have a proper fight for fourth and no dodgy business like we had with Haas a few seasons back.
    Last edited by Nitrodaze; 19th June 2019 at 14:34.
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  4. #4
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    It is interesting to note that all teams running the Ferrari engine are performing under expectations from winter testing. I fully expected Haas to be up there pushing the leading edge of the midfield closer to the Redbulls. At least with close to double of Mclaren's current points tally. They have struggled with tyres, brakes etc and have fallen short of their pace advantage.

    Alfa Romeo is also another surprise. Their season has been up and down really and their points tally do not reflect where most people expected them to be at the start of the season.

    The indication therefore is that, if Ferrari has found something for this race, we may well see these Ferrari customer teams make good strides too at this race. There is promise that this French GP may turn out to be very entertaining.
    Last edited by Nitrodaze; 19th June 2019 at 14:35.
    Better a witty fool than a foolish wit.
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  5. #5
    Senior Member Duncan's Avatar
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    Good Lord. What a lousy racing circuit.

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    Quote Originally Posted by Duncan View Post
    Good Lord. What a lousy racing circuit.
    Was thinking the exact same thing. How I long for Circuit de Nevers Magny-Cours! If I were to choose a GP to skip this year, it would probably be this one.
    Last edited by The Black Knight; 21st June 2019 at 22:20.

  7. Likes: Duncan (22nd June 2019)
  8. #7
    Senior Member Tazio's Avatar
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    Alright The Boss!
    May the forza be with you

  9. #8
    Senior Member truefan72's Avatar
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    Vettel messes up. Blames it on a phsntom missed upshift. Lol
    Great result for mclaren. Either Alonso is cursed or there is something about his overall persona and requirements that hampers teams in his stints at Ferrari and Mclaren. Once he leaves, the teams immediately become better.
    At least Ricciardo saved renault from embarrassment. Gasly needs to step it up. Is it him or is he getting the stepchild treatment from the tesm in favor of their golden boy.
    Stroll continues to be unworthy of an F1 seat.

  10. #9
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    What about Mclaren eh? They seem well up for the fight for 4th in the WCC. It is good to see progress at last in the Mclaren cars. This is before the new recruits even start to work their magic. Well done Mclaren!
    Better a witty fool than a foolish wit.
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  11. #10
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    Quote Originally Posted by truefan72 View Post
    Great result for mclaren. Either Alonso is cursed or there is something about his overall persona and requirements that hampers teams in his stints at Ferrari and Mclaren. Once he leaves, the teams immediately become better.
    Impatience is the hallmark of the double World champion's personality unfortunately. He seem to forget that his double world titles came from progressive developments at Renault.
    Better a witty fool than a foolish wit.
    William Shakespeare

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