F1

[Jackflash]

This weekends race at Qatar will probably generate a little more interest from a needle point of view.
1st practice today with Verstappen being quickest, and Hamilton coming 4th, albeit by just three quarters of a second.
Toto Wolff's explanation for the loose rear wing was down to two nuts and bolts coming loose in qualifying is quite laughable, is he saying all dimensions are not rechecked before the race. It was replicating the banned effect of what was called the 'Limbo wing' which leaned back on straight line driving dumping a load of drag.
Toto Wolff has just been informed that their application to have the race incident re-looked at has been refused, and refused to comment on the fact the race was won on an illegal engine, only to say they were penalised to the back of the grid due to it.
Obviously Verstappen, being behind Hamilton could see the wing movement, and was penalised for touching it at the end of the race.
When those lights go out the gloves are off and it becomes dog eat dog, providing the cars are running to F1 spec.

 

[ivoralljack]

A comfortable win for Hamilton today; Max second with fastest lap takes an 8 point lead into the penultimate race. Brewing up nicely.

 

[Jackflash]

A comfortable win for Hamilton today; Max second with fastest lap takes an 8 point lead into the penultimate race. Brewing up nicely.

Yes. It's a pity Verstappen ha such a poor qualifying grid position, it would have made for a better race.
Having said that due to the punctures it wouldn't surprise me if team orders went out to drivers to nurse the L/hand front tyres on the numerous short R/hand turns.
Did Pirelli get it wrong in their assessment of a new circuit, or was it as some claimed high curbs? both would contribute to the damage, for me it was excessive tyre peeling on the short turns taking into account a new circuit aide by the circuit heat I noted in all the punctured cases the tyres were still on the rims.

 

[Jackflash]

Sad news that Sir Frank Williams has passed away, he always had my admiration for actively controlling his race team from a wheel chair since the mid 1980's due to a car accident.
I also remembering at the time him making a bold statement "Whoever sits in my car will become world champion, This proved to be true with Mansell and Hill. R.I.P. Frank.

 

[Yankee_Jack]

One race left, all square on points after a race where Max was full of dirty tricks and was penalized 5 seconds for one incident.

It all comes down to one race for the drivers' championship, as Mercedes won the constructors' over the weekend.

 

[ivoralljack]

One race left, all square on points after a race where Max was full of dirty tricks and was penalized 5 seconds for one incident.

I believe he got another ten seconds for a different incident as well. In my mind there's no doubt he's a dirty driver; at best a bully boy who relies on other drivers to give way when he 'threatens' them. I read as much from a respected F1 journo with the same opinion. But I have to ask why? He's an incredibly talented driver who doubtless will go on to win multiple world titles. He has the skill, and the car, to win fairly and there's no need to drive in the kamikaze way he does. He should grow up.

For this reason, I hope that Lewis will win the next race to secure his eighth title. Some of his drives this season have been phenomenal, particularly in the light of Max's aggression and his fastest lap yesterday with a damaged wing was superb, But he has to be aware that Verstappen will win the title if both cars fail to finish as MV has one more race win on count back should they finish equal on points.

Personally, I feel that that is the reason, so far, that Max has been so aggressive when going wheel to wheel with Lewis. Being ahead on points has been a huge advantage for him because if both cars crash then he retains the same points lead with one less race to run. Lewis has had to be extra cautious and has often given way in a fight because he would be the loser if both drivers are taken out.

I just hope that the final race is won fairly with no dirty tricks, We all know that, in the past, drivers have deliberately taken out a rival to ensure they win. I hope we see no such tactics next week. May the best man on the day win the race and the title.

 

[Yankee_Jack]

Time for Bottas to step up and ensure a Mercedes 1+2 on the grid and then interfere with MV thereafter. Car 44 given the initial lead is uncatchable providing the pit bosses manage the tire changes correctly. In fact a parting gift from Bottas would be to take out MV especially at the start going into turn 1.

 

[ivoralljack]

Perez could do the same to Hamilton - if he gets the chance. Come to that, MV wins the title if he takes out Lewis even if he goes out himself. I hope the stewards will be watching carefully for any foul play of this kind and deduct points from any driver found guilty of it. And that includes Hamilton, so I'm not being biased.

 

[Behindthegoal]

I suppose it’s impossible that someone might die from these proposed tactics?

 

[Yankee_Jack]

I suppose it’s impossible that someone might die from these proposed tactics?

don’t know about the next circuit, but there wasn’t a lot of margin for error in the last one. There’s always the possibility that something bad will happen at any time, which makes the risks Max is taking a tad irritating. Hamilton is keeping it calm on the outside but I’m sure there is a festering FU building up in the Mercedes camp.

 

[ivoralljack]

I suppose it’s impossible that someone might die from these proposed tactics?

Unfortunately it's far from impossible. It's a far safer sport nowadays but it was pretty lethal when I was growing up when many top drivers lost their lives.

don’t know about the next circuit, but there wasn’t a lot of margin for error in the last one. There’s always the possibility that something bad will happen at any time, which makes the risks Max is taking a tad irritating. Hamilton is keeping it calm on the outside but I’m sure there is a festering FU building up in the Mercedes camp.

Hamilton will be racing under a tremendous handicap given the type of driver that Verstappen is. MV can go for broke with impunity knowing that he wins the title in the event of them both not finishing. Lewis will have to rein in his natural inclination to fight because I'm sure he believes that Max will deliberately take them both out if he has to. Am I being unfair? I think not. Better judges than I have already expressed the same concern. Think Schumacher and Damon Hill or Senna and Prost. In both cases calculated dirty driving to win the title. Hamilton beware.

I make no secret of my favouring Hamilton. It's not just because he's British. I believe that he's earned the right to be regarded as the GOAT, which would be confirmed by his 8th title, because he and his family never had it easy. Unlike Max who was born into a privileged F1 environment as the son of former F1 driver Jos, Lewis came from a broken home. I believe his parents were divorced when he was two years old. His father then gave up his full time job to take four part-time jobs that earned him more money and also gave him the flexibility to support Lewis in his ambition to succeed in F1.

This dedication and sacrifice is something I applaud and I believe that Lewis deserves every good thing he achieves from his sport. His success vindicates his dad's decision to back his son and I would love to see them come out on top next weekend. Can't stand Lewis's fashion sense though.

 

[Yankee_Jack]

Unfortunately it's far from impossible. It's a far safer sport nowadays but it was pretty lethal when I was growing up when many top drivers lost their lives. ...

I still remember the day Jim Clark died hitting a tree at the side of the track in a second tier race back in the 60's. It was announced on Saturday afternoon Grandstand on BBC shortly after it happened.

 

[ivoralljack]

Damon Hill, Johnny Herbert and Martin Brundle have all publicly criticised Verstappen's style of driving.

Lewis Hamilton 'very wary' of Max Verstappen as Damon Hill weighs in after Saudi Arabia GP (msn.com)

Let's hope there'll be no skullduggery on the day.

 

[ivoralljack]

Jaques Villeneuve has slammed this season's F1 title fight for turning into a "Hollywood show". Referring to the last race he said: 'It wasn't F1, it was rental karting....... do we want sport and good F1? Or do we just want a Hollywood show?'

Most people know who to blame for this state of affairs and, imo, it isn't Hamilton. Meanwhile, ex-F1 driver Martin Brundle claims Verstappen must stop his aggressive tactics or risk earning a bad reputation. He said:
"Max has been playing the game given that, with his points advantage, HAMILTON CAN'T AFFORD TO HAVE AN ACCIDENT. Even now despite being absolutely level on points going into the final round that remains the case, given that he has a 9-8 victory tally should there be a count-back. Such is Max's car control and cunning, he's sometimes able to pull off the audacious moves and leave a margin of doubt as to whether it's hard racing or simply a professional foul outside of the regulations.
'I'm in awe of his driving skills and racing nous but it saddens me that he's resorting to such tactics - he's better than that. For all his outwardly carefree attitude, it will be such a shame if his legacy is to be labelled as an unfair driver.'

So there we have it. Brundle and JV are just two of the many ex-drivers and pundits who have expressed similar sentiments. Most people accept that MV is a superb driver but many of them also know that he is a bully who bends the rules to his own advantage whenever he can. For my part, I'll have no problem in congratulating him should he win next Sunday PROVIDING it has been done fairly and within the rules. The world is watching, Max. Behave!

 

[The Blobster]

A leopard can't change its spots , I expect carnage and recriminations !

 

[ivoralljack]

Interesting. MV has been warned that a points deduction can be imposed if considered necessary. I wonder why?


Formula One race director Michael Masi has warned Max Verstappen that the stewards have the power to “disqualify a competitor or dock championship points” ahead of this weekend’s championship-deciding race in Abu Dhabi.

After a series of flashpoints during Lewis Hamilton’s victory in Saudi Arabia last week, the Briton and Verstappen head to the Hermann Tilke designed Yas Marina Circuit level on points.

However, if neither driver finishes the Saudi GP, Verstappen will win the championship courtesy of his superior number of race wins this season, prompting speculation that the Dutchman could even deliberately attempt to cause a crash.

I hope that nothing will come of this and the race will be fairly won by the better driver/team on the day.

 

[Yankee_Jack]

But clearly the F1 people suspect trouble afoot and are attempting to circumvent the victory by mutual demise tactic. This is going to make the circuit and driving through overtakes and corners even more nerve wracking.

 

[Jackflash]

Points deduction or added seconds to ones race time has always been a ruling in motorsport and will surely apply with what's at stake. Going to be a case of who can contain the red mist for the duration, if you see a gap do you go for it or not, no time for thinking about it. One thing is for certain, and that's whoever is leading are going to make themselves big on the circuit, for both it's the last throw of the dice, this, with what's at stake will be enough to bring out the red mist in whoever is running second.

 

[Yankee_Jack]

Verstappen snatched pole position from Hamilton through some interesting aerodynamic assistance from Perez.

Max Verstappen took a crushing pole position – with the help of a tow from Red Bull team mate Sergio Perez – to seize the advantage over rival Lewis Hamilton for the title-deciding Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
The Dutchman clocked a brilliant 1m22.109s on his first run to take a 10th pole position of the season, with Hamilton 0.371s off the pace to end up second with Lando Norris a surprise third place.
Red Bull sent Perez out on track first in Q3, ahead of Verstappen, with the Mexican towing Verstappen down the long straight before bailing out of the way before Turn 9 and sacrificing his own lap.
Verstappen made the most of the boost to slot into provisional pole, with Hamilton locking up at the hairpin and ending up nearly half a second adrift.

Hamilton has to stay within a second of Verstappen until DRS kicks-in …. A challenge since MV is starting on softs.

 

[ivoralljack]

Great drive from MV to snatch pole. Gonna be a very interesting race.