2021 - Race 15 Russia [Sochi]

[F1nKS]

Last year, Max was 0.5 seconds slower on qualifying against Hamilton.

Hamilton on pole, followed by Max and then Bottas. Bottas wins the race, followed by Max and then Hamilton.

Mclarens did not do particularly do very well.

[F1nKS]

Hamilton will be questionable for the next race, not because of the last race - but he traveled to the United State and went to the Met Gala mass gathering and was not using a mask.

I won't be surprised if he comes down with Covid as the delta variant has been infecting people with the vaccine here in the U.S.. The saving grace for him might be that since he has had covid, he may be better protected.


hamilton.JPG

[F1nKS]

Based on how the teams are performing on the same tracks as last year, I am projected the following qualifying

1. Hamilton 1:32.7
2. Verstappen 1:32.7
3. Bottas 1:32.8
4. Norris 1:33.4

I give Hamilton the nod because I think the Mercedes has improved more of late and the averages washed out some.

Performance.JPG

[F1nKS]

Report that Mercedes will be introducing the 4th engine for Hamilton (timing of what race it will be brought in has not been decided).

[Fortitude]

Verstappen can take major step towards title at Sochi
Date published: September 22 2021 - Jamie Woodhouse

Should Max Verstappen once again weather the storm of a Mercedes stronghold, then his route to the World Championship will look far clearer.

https://www.planetf1.com/news/max-ve...tle-bid-sochi/


Marko assures disaster scenario won't happen again: "System has been improved".
22-09-2021 14:29
by GPblog.com

Red Bull Racing is known for their lightning fast pit stops. The team starts almost every race with the award for the fastest pit stop, but at Monza things went completely wrong. The rule change regarding the stops caused confusion, causing Max Verstappen to stop for over eleven seconds.

This caused the Dutchman to fall way back, and he ended up right next to Lewis Hamilton after he too made a poor stop - the rest is history. Helmut Marko explains what caused the confusion and that the team have taken measures to prevent a recurrence in the future.

https://www.gpblog.com/en/news/94603...-improved.html


Marko assures disaster scenario won't happen again: "System has been improved".
22-09-2021 14:29
by GPblog.com

Red Bull Racing is known for their lightning fast pit stops. The team starts almost every race with the award for the fastest pit stop, but at Monza things went completely wrong. The rule change regarding the stops caused confusion, causing Max Verstappen to stop for over eleven seconds.

This caused the Dutchman to fall way back, and he ended up right next to Lewis Hamilton after he too made a poor stop - the rest is history. Helmut Marko explains what caused the confusion and that the team have taken measures to prevent a recurrence in the future.

https://www.gpblog.com/en/news/94603...-improved.html


Verstappen title win better for the sport reckons Berger
by Ryan Wood

A Max Verstappen Formula 1 championship win would be better for the sport than another Lewis Hamilton title, reckons former F1 driver Gerhard Berger.
Berger, a ten-time grand prix winner, has applauded the title fight between Verstappen and Hamilton as “exactly what Formula 1 needs” following several years of dominance by Hamilton and Mercedes.
Wading into the clashes between the pair this year, Berger called the latest crash in Italy “a racing incident”, but welcomed the competition.

https://www.motorsportweek.com/2021/...eckons-berger/

[F1nKS]

Ferrari is coming with an upgraded engine this weekend.

[Zico]

Ferrari is coming with an upgraded engine this weekend.

Nice! Would be great for the championship if they could also get in the mix at the front.

[F1nKS]

Nice! Would be great for the championship if they could also get in the mix at the front.

Could you imagine the excitement if RBR, Mercedes, Mclaren, Ferrari, and even Williams were in the mix every week. It would be great.

[The Black Knight]

Could you imagine the excitement if RBR, Mercedes, Mclaren, Ferrari, and even Williams were in the mix every week. It would be great.

That's ultimately what to aim for but I can't see how with the current regulations that will ever be achievable. It may happen that there is a freak year at one point but that's about it.

[Nitrodaze]

Could you imagine the excitement if RBR, Mercedes, Mclaren, Ferrari, and even Williams were in the mix every week. It would be great.

That is what we expect next season. Anything short of that would mean the new regulation is a failure.