F1

[Jackflash]

Vettel takes his first pole and Ferrari's second in the Canadian GP, this is a circuit that compliments Ferrari's straight line speed with its long straights a problem Mercedes have always been aware of. Wouldn't be surprised to see Ferrari take a one two here with Leclerk also very much on the pace.
Hamilton aint going to give up without a fight and will be pretty sure to make the podium. Bottas had a stinker, spun, and put in some very bad qualifying times to start back in sixth.
Hamilton is well aware that Vettel has been prone to pressure in the last few races and will probably do his utmost to force him into an error. We should be in for a very good race,this circuit brings the best out in a driver. also DRS could be a major factor.

 

[Yankee_Jack]

Vettel loses on the track penalty. Tough loss and he is ranting over it. An appeal is pending.

 

[ivoralljack]

In the circumstances I thought the penalty was harsh and that Vettel deserved the win. Tough call on him.

 

[Jackflash]

It happened once again, Vettel unable to take the pressure of Hamilton sitting on his gearbox. I thought it was rather a harsh decision by the stewards, more of just a race incident, I don't think there was anything malicious in the move, pure instinct to get back on the circuit as soon as possible. Having said that Vettel brought that situation to bare on himself by carrying too much speed into turn three, whereas a calmer head would have told him that he had the upper hand speed wise out of the turn.

 

[Jackflash]

Mercedes once again have a front row lockout for the French GP.
Hamilton takes pole with Bottas along side him. Hamilton setting a new lap record for the Paul Ricard circuit. Vettel only being able to achieve 7th place.
Pit stops will play a big part as most teams will attempt a one stop race, as a pit stop on this circuit takes 23seconds.

 

[ivoralljack]

Going to be an interesting race with Ferrari faster in a straight line but the Mercs quicker in the corners. Providing Hamilton minds his work he should win but Mercedes are prone to the odd lapse in decision making such as choice of tyres etc.

 

[Jackflash]

It would seem that pressure on Vettel is becoming three way, apart from the pressure Hamilton & Bottas are putting on him it would seem the pressure of his ever improving team mate Leclerc is also adding to it, looks like he feels there are three he now has to beat in qualifying.Hence pressure putting him back in a 7th grid place. I would be surprised if he kept his seat at Ferrari next season.
Wouldn't be surprised if he didn't finish the race. Red mist could well be his downfall. He's beginning to lose his grip on the sport, and really its a shame as he's a great driver, but does allow the pressure to get to him.

 

[ivoralljack]

Good summation of where Vettel seems to be at right now. In a sport where the tightest of fractions count, Vettel has just lost that tiny edge that he needs to beat the others. As you say, JF, dealing with pressure has always been the chink in his armour even when at his best.

 

[Jackflash]

There's always been a saying among F1 drivers, "If you see a gap and don't go for it then you don't deserve to win". All well and good back in the day, but the pace on todays cars means a situation can change in a split second, and I get the feeling Vettel may push his luck on a half chance.

 

[ivoralljack]

Routine win for Hamilton (his 79th) and looking good for the title again. Pleasing to see young Norris up the field.

 

[Jackflash]

Routine win for Hamilton (his 79th) and looking good for the title again. Pleasing to see young Norris up the field.

Yes, run of the mill race for Hamilton, as you say Ivor, a good result for young Norris, he worked hard at the end to try and keep his 7th position but not to be. Having said that there were a lot of 'happenings' on the last lap,with cars going off and returning to the circuit. There's a stewards enquiry on it and will take a lot more decisive decisions than normal due to last weeks Canadian incident.

 

[Yankee_Jack]

Whatever the cause, driver or equipment, the Mercedes team is appearing to be untouchable without weather or technical trouble or yellow car intervention.

 

[Jackflash]

Whatever the cause, driver or equipment, the Mercedes team is appearing to be untouchable without weather or technical trouble or yellow car intervention.

Yes,Mecedes seem to have it right in all departments, reliability was a strongpoint in last years success, and also so far this year.They also seem to have the two most level headed drivers in Hamilton & Bottas. Prone to some slightly wrong pit stop decision making on times, but consistency proving to be their main weapon, and of course 100% team effort.

 

[Jackflash]

Looks like Mercedes once again have the pace for the British GP at Silverstone, being quickest overall in todays second practice. Once again Leclerc being the quickest in the Ferrari camp.
I get the feeling this is going to be quite a tight race, with Red Bull starting to make inroads back into contention.
Can't quite agree with Hamilton being critical of the GP having to share Sunday with the Cricket World Cup and Wimbledon, sport is sport and his claim the GP should hog the limelight seems a little egotistical
They'll all be a sell-out so...….

 

[Jackflash]

Congratulations to Hamilton on his sixth and record win at Silverstone. A race that hinted times are changing as other teams are closing in on the pace.
Once again the attention turns to Vettel, Verstappen having made the textbook overtaking maneuver on him once again brought the red mist element from Vettel, carrying too much pace into the turn once again. Seems the Ferrari days that gave Vettel almost continued pole are gone,whereas he had a clear field ahead of him for the entire race, a situation he could handle,but a different ball game for him now.

 

[ivoralljack]

Lewis had some luck via the safety car and Le Clerc's overtake was superb. Only saw snatches because I was switching between cars, tennis and cricket!

 

[Jackflash]

Chaotic end to todays qualifying in the German GP. Both Ferrari's out with mechanicals, Leclerc looked odds on for a front row start, then a turbo problem reduced him to 10th. Then previously Vettel had problems which put him at the back of the grid on his home event.
Red Bull would now seem to be the only challengers to Mercedes now, securing second and forth on the grid with Hamilton on pole and Bottas third.
Having said that , Hamilton came from 14th place to win this event last year.

 

[Yankee_Jack]

Anything can happen tomorrow if the weather interferes.

 

[Jackflash]

Anything can happen tomorrow if the weather interferes.

Agreed Yankee, as the Red Bull pace has progressed over the months Mercedes have to show them every bit as much respect as they did Ferrari. If Ferrari have sorted Le clerks problems then it wouldn't be too surprising to see him make the podium. Its a bit of a shame for Vettel, for once he is blameless for his grid position and being his home event.

 

[Jackflash]

Red Bull are now saying the car is out performing the engine, the progress they have made is all down to handling and traction in the turns. Verstappen complained of a lack of throttle response coming out of the turns,there was almost a second delay between flooring the pedal and engine response.It appears the engine tech is now too slow to respond to the traction tech. Honda is now the smallest engine in F1, I would think they'll soldier on this season, but with a new engine next season I think we'll find Red Bull are back.