F1

[Jackflash]

The new season has already given Merc a substantial lead, reliability being Ferrari's problem once again. If Ferrari can get on top of this I see Ferrari new boy Charles Leclerc giving Hamilton a run for his money this season, and possibly taking the Ferrari No1 spot off Vettel. Early days yet, but I feel reliability will decide the championship with Mercedes being flawless at the moment.

 

[ivoralljack]

Yes, Leclerc looks quick and looks nailed on to be WC in years to come. Vettel has his hands full to remain #1 for Ferrari and if Leclerc is given his head he will give Hamilton a run for his money - providing, as you say, Ferrari can get a reliable car out there. They certainly have the pace.

 

[Yankee_Jack]

There is a F1 Fantasy League. I have created a private league for Swanselona.

Here's the URL: F1 Fantasy

Here's the code: ccaa46a228

Starts with Spain on Sunday.

 

[ivoralljack]

Done.

 

[Jackflash]

Done

 

[Yankee_Jack]

Done

I don't see you in the Swanselona league ... did you create your team yet

 

[ivoralljack]

Yes, done my team and entered the code you gave.

 

[Jackflash]

I don't see you in the Swanselona league ... did you create your team yet

Does entering the code automatically put you into the Swanselona league ? Yes, I have selected a team, I am registered on the site.
Just gone back onto the site, think I've sorted it now.

 

[Yankee_Jack]

Monte Carlo this weekend. City track. very tight curves and limited room in lots of places. Not Hamilton's best track.

 

[Jackflash]

Mercedes seem to have the edge on Ferrari with pace having a 1-2 in practice, Hamilton just having the edge on Bottas, who is rapidly gaining ground on his team mate. Difficult circuit with very few passing places. If Mercedes get a 1-2 pole then they can make the race a procession.

 

[Jackflash]

Another 1 - 2 front row for Mercedes, Hamilton nicking pole from Bottas by the tiniest of margins in the final Qually lap. Ferrari once again making a strategic error that dropped Leclerc down to 15th place. Vettel once again proving to be erratic when he hasn't got the quickest car and crashing out.
Baring mechanicals Merc have the 1-2 finish in the bag. It's almost an impossibility to pass on this circuit, plus with one or the other Merc riding shotgun. I would imagine there are team orders in place not to attempt passing.

 

[CroJack]

It's almost an impossibility to pass on this circuit, plus with one or the other Merc riding shotgun. I would imagine there are team orders in place not to attempt passing.

It's going to be a boring race unless one of the them tries something crazy.

 

[Jackflash]

It's going to be a boring race unless one of the them tries something crazy.

Wouldn't surprise me if Bottas gets a jump on Hamilton when the lights go out, normally his starts are better, but I would expect team orders to be, whoever is first into turn one that's the way it stays.
Think the only hope of entertainment will be the battle for third place on the rostrum

 

[Jackflash]

Leclerc not at all happy with his Ferrari team is demanding explanations for their massive error of judgement which sent him to the back of the field.
Leclerc was beginning to look a threat for this race,gradually getting up to speed in the qualifiers,to be quickest in the third.
We've not seen the last of him this season by far. To date he could have possibly had two wins under his belt,and neither no fault of his. He was leading in Bahrain when his engine gave up. Given reliability, I don't think his maiden F1 win is far away.

 

[ivoralljack]

Think he and Bottas will be challenging Lewis hard along with Max in the future. Possibly Vettel's career running out of steam. Would like to see more emerging British talent.

 

[Jackflash]

Think he and Bottas will be challenging Lewis hard along with Max in the future. Possibly Vettel's career running out of steam. Would like to see more emerging British talent.

I think Lando Norris will be a name to watch. At 19 yrs old he's been promoted from reserve driver to team driver at McLaren alongside Spaniard Carlos Sainz Jnr. Although not with a race winning team pretty sure he'll enhance their chances in the lower order.

 

[CroJack]

I think Lando Norris will be a name to watch. At 19 yrs old he's been promoted from reserve driver to team driver at McLaren alongside Spaniard Carlos Sainz Jnr. Although not with a race winning team pretty sure he'll enhance their chances in the lower order.

Bur what Norris is doing during this race is questionable. He is just cruising around and slowing down obviously wanting to 'fix' the race for Sainz. I don't like it.

 

[Jackflash]

Bur what Norris is doing during this race is questionable. He is just cruising around and slowing down obviously wanting to 'fix' the race for Sainz. I don't like it.

But once again are we looking at team orders, When Norris got promoted as a team driver he's on record as saying, " The first thing you have to do is be quicker than your team mate." At this stage I would think constructors points are more valuable to McLaren. I don't think you can really class his drive as "just cruising around" when drivers like Perez, Hulkenburge, Raikkonen, Kubica, finished behind him.

 

[Jackflash]

Monaco lived up to it's reputation today, with every overtaking attempt for the lead ending in contact.

 

[ivoralljack]

Thought Lewis drove a fine race nursing his tyres as he had to. Of course he was helped by his superior engine power on the straights together with the notoriously tight track that is Monaco. But he did a good job. Thought the 5 second penalty for Max was extremely lenient given the impact (literally) his manoevre had on Bottas' race. Have to wonder if the powers that be were trying to even out Mercedes' superiority.