| Anyone watching the f1. 15:33 - Mar 26 with 7393 views | chrismakin |
What are your thoughts so far |  |
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| Anyone watching the f1. on 15:34 - Mar 26 with 3338 views | StokieBlue |
It's interesting but I think a lot of teams have optimised for the new rules and Mercedes haven't as their whole aero package was ruined by the new rules.
I expect it to be close for a few races until Merc figure out how to get it all working.
Should be good if it stays like this though.
SB |  | | |
| Anyone watching the f1. on 15:37 - Mar 26 with 3319 views | chrismakin |
| Anyone watching the f1. on 15:34 - Mar 26 by StokieBlue |
It's interesting but I think a lot of teams have optimised for the new rules and Mercedes haven't as their whole aero package was ruined by the new rules.
I expect it to be close for a few races until Merc figure out how to get it all working.
Should be good if it stays like this though.
SB |
Yep agree. I did wonder if that's why lewis contract talks took so long as the car in development didnt look on par to be as competitive this season.
Altho its early doors. And we have no idea what fuel loads they have etc, it's nice to see Norris up the top end. I was surprised last season it was about Russell at the end where as I've followed Norris for a while and hes a great driver. | |
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| Anyone watching the f1. on 15:40 - Mar 26 with 3305 views | MB26 |
Very interesting. I think we are all waiting for Mercedes to remove the chocks and continue their dominance but it does at this moment in time look like it's a closer field this year. Just seen on BBC Sport with 30mins to go in FP2 that the top 14 are separated by a second.
I'm a McLaren fan and signs are looking positive. I was fully expecting the team to go through a transition year with the change of engine supplier but the car has been running nicely so far both in testing and practice. I'm still not expecting anything higher than 3rd place in the constructors but a suprise win could be on the cards if a melee ensues ahead between Mercedes and Red Bull. |  | | |
| Anyone watching the f1. on 15:42 - Mar 26 with 3299 views | StokieBlue |
| Anyone watching the f1. on 15:40 - Mar 26 by MB26 |
Very interesting. I think we are all waiting for Mercedes to remove the chocks and continue their dominance but it does at this moment in time look like it's a closer field this year. Just seen on BBC Sport with 30mins to go in FP2 that the top 14 are separated by a second.
I'm a McLaren fan and signs are looking positive. I was fully expecting the team to go through a transition year with the change of engine supplier but the car has been running nicely so far both in testing and practice. I'm still not expecting anything higher than 3rd place in the constructors but a suprise win could be on the cards if a melee ensues ahead between Mercedes and Red Bull. |
The calculated estimated qualifying times put Hamilton first, Max second, Bottas third and the Norris.
That depends on a perfect lap though.
SB | | | |
| Anyone watching the f1. on 15:42 - Mar 26 with 3287 views | BelsteadCav |
I just hope there’s at least 2 evenly matched teams at the front.
It’s been boring as hell the last few years watching the Mercs dominate.
Hopefully Redbull have given Max a car he can fight Lewis with |  |
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| Anyone watching the f1. on 15:44 - Mar 26 with 3282 views | chrismakin |
| Anyone watching the f1. on 15:40 - Mar 26 by MB26 |
Very interesting. I think we are all waiting for Mercedes to remove the chocks and continue their dominance but it does at this moment in time look like it's a closer field this year. Just seen on BBC Sport with 30mins to go in FP2 that the top 14 are separated by a second.
I'm a McLaren fan and signs are looking positive. I was fully expecting the team to go through a transition year with the change of engine supplier but the car has been running nicely so far both in testing and practice. I'm still not expecting anything higher than 3rd place in the constructors but a suprise win could be on the cards if a melee ensues ahead between Mercedes and Red Bull. |
I've got Norris down for 3rd place in championship race :) there merc looks really positive.
The changes the FIA have made to the backs of the car floor does certainly at this moment look to have made a difference.
Itll be interesting to see what damage will be done to the tyres with cars being alot closer behind than before. | |
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| Anyone watching the f1. on 15:51 - Mar 26 with 3261 views | MB26 |
| Anyone watching the f1. on 15:44 - Mar 26 by chrismakin |
I've got Norris down for 3rd place in championship race :) there merc looks really positive.
The changes the FIA have made to the backs of the car floor does certainly at this moment look to have made a difference.
Itll be interesting to see what damage will be done to the tyres with cars being alot closer behind than before. |
That is very bold but I like it :) Lando had a great start to the year, he dipped in the middle (admittedly not all his fault. Mechanical DNFs and team strategy costing him at times) but he's proved on multiple occasions he's got the minerals to compete at the front end of the grid. With Ricciardo on board too, McLaren look set to make a real charge for the Top 2 next year.
Indeed, you've also got factor in that Perez, on paper, should offer more of a consistent challenge to Mercedes than either Albon or Gasly did. If you've got a top 4 with McLaren and others closing the gap, strategy and sadly team orders will become a lot more of a factor. It's shaping up to be a closer fight between Verstappen and Hamilton than previous years which is a fight we've been dying to see consistently for a long time. | | | |
| Anyone watching the f1. on 15:51 - Mar 26 with 3258 views | C_HealyIsAPleasure |
| Anyone watching the f1. on 15:42 - Mar 26 by StokieBlue |
The calculated estimated qualifying times put Hamilton first, Max second, Bottas third and the Norris.
That depends on a perfect lap though.
SB |
Have a feeling that Red Bull are holding something in reserve and Max will take pole by half a second. Nothing to base that on really other than a hunch, but thought I’d post it so I can either look really clever or silly tomorrow
Disappointed but unsurprised to see Alpine so far off the pace too, Alonso’s return looking likely to be a very damp squib sadly |  |
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| Anyone watching the f1. on 16:05 - Mar 26 with 3235 views | chrismakin |
| Anyone watching the f1. on 15:51 - Mar 26 by C_HealyIsAPleasure |
Have a feeling that Red Bull are holding something in reserve and Max will take pole by half a second. Nothing to base that on really other than a hunch, but thought I’d post it so I can either look really clever or silly tomorrow
Disappointed but unsurprised to see Alpine so far off the pace too, Alonso’s return looking likely to be a very damp squib sadly |
I didnt understand Alonso returning it's a car that wont cause any problems to the top 6.
Interesting to see the race pace runs. Ferrari looking solid too.
Overall. Although only practice. It's so far looked alot more compact time wise than ever before. | |
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| Anyone watching the f1. on 16:06 - Mar 26 with 3224 views | StokieBlue |
| Anyone watching the f1. on 16:05 - Mar 26 by chrismakin |
I didnt understand Alonso returning it's a car that wont cause any problems to the top 6.
Interesting to see the race pace runs. Ferrari looking solid too.
Overall. Although only practice. It's so far looked alot more compact time wise than ever before. |
That would mean that it'll likely still be Lewis and Max at the front but that Bottas will get badly found out and be in the pack.
SB | | | |
| Anyone watching the f1. on 16:42 - Mar 26 with 3168 views | TractorFrog |
It looks absolutely brilliant. In my opinion, 2020 was the best season in Formula 1 for a long time, and this season looks even better. Not only have Verstappen and Red Bull closed the gap to Mercedes, making it look like we could have a three-way championship fight this year between Hamilton, Bottas (who I think will be better than last year) and Verstappen, but McLaren and Ferrari look like they could be in with a shout of a couple of race wins too. Perez is also a big improvement on Albon and will hopefully win a race. I was surprised to see Sainz and Norris as the fastest Ferrari and McLaren drivers, as I rate both of their teammates higher. If Sainz is only three tenths off the top, Leclerc should be battling for pole tomorrow.
Also good to see that Alfa Romeo have improved, and Alpha Tauri too. Aston Martin and Alpine were disappointing; hopefully we won't have Alonso and Vettel battling it out for 14th place on Sunday. Haas and Williams look like they will be the new Caterham and Marussia of Formula 1 this year. It's a shame for Russell. |  |
| They'd all laugh at me if they knew what I was trying to do. To create a new strain of super-wine in half-an-hour with a fraction of nature's resources and a FOOL for an assistant. 'Bernard Black, he's mad,' they'd say, 'he's insane, he's dangerous.' Well I'll show them! I'll show them all! | | Poll: | Who should start in CM with Cajuste? |
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| Anyone watching the f1. on 16:46 - Mar 26 with 3158 views | StokieBlue |
| Anyone watching the f1. on 16:42 - Mar 26 by TractorFrog |
It looks absolutely brilliant. In my opinion, 2020 was the best season in Formula 1 for a long time, and this season looks even better. Not only have Verstappen and Red Bull closed the gap to Mercedes, making it look like we could have a three-way championship fight this year between Hamilton, Bottas (who I think will be better than last year) and Verstappen, but McLaren and Ferrari look like they could be in with a shout of a couple of race wins too. Perez is also a big improvement on Albon and will hopefully win a race. I was surprised to see Sainz and Norris as the fastest Ferrari and McLaren drivers, as I rate both of their teammates higher. If Sainz is only three tenths off the top, Leclerc should be battling for pole tomorrow.
Also good to see that Alfa Romeo have improved, and Alpha Tauri too. Aston Martin and Alpine were disappointing; hopefully we won't have Alonso and Vettel battling it out for 14th place on Sunday. Haas and Williams look like they will be the new Caterham and Marussia of Formula 1 this year. It's a shame for Russell. |
Bottas will be awful, he was already on the radio today saying that the car was undrivable whilst Hamilton just drove round with the best long pace.
He got destroyed last year and I suspect it will be even worse this year with some of the midfield moving close and fighting with him.
They should have ditched him for Russell.
I also wouldn't read too much into the times, the computer analysis still had Hamilton about 0.15 ahead of Max for qualifying pace if they both do a perfect lap.
Should still be closer than previous years though as you say unless Mercedes can master their aero issues.
SB | | | |
| Anyone watching the f1. on 17:02 - Mar 26 with 3131 views | chrismakin |
| Anyone watching the f1. on 16:46 - Mar 26 by StokieBlue |
Bottas will be awful, he was already on the radio today saying that the car was undrivable whilst Hamilton just drove round with the best long pace.
He got destroyed last year and I suspect it will be even worse this year with some of the midfield moving close and fighting with him.
They should have ditched him for Russell.
I also wouldn't read too much into the times, the computer analysis still had Hamilton about 0.15 ahead of Max for qualifying pace if they both do a perfect lap.
Should still be closer than previous years though as you say unless Mercedes can master their aero issues.
SB |
Bottas is the ideal 2nd driver. Good enough to give hamilton a push without actually threatening to be better than Hamilton.
I'm going to bookmark that this will be the championship standings end of season. Let's have yours :)
Hamilton
Verstappen
Norris
Perez
Bottas | |
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| Anyone watching the f1. on 17:05 - Mar 26 with 3126 views | StokieBlue |
| Anyone watching the f1. on 17:02 - Mar 26 by chrismakin |
Bottas is the ideal 2nd driver. Good enough to give hamilton a push without actually threatening to be better than Hamilton.
I'm going to bookmark that this will be the championship standings end of season. Let's have yours :)
Hamilton
Verstappen
Norris
Perez
Bottas |
He's not good enough to give Hamilton a push though.
He can sometimes get close in qualifying but he's always miles behind in the race, towards the end of last season he was struggling to get third.
So by your standings he's an awful second driver because they wouldn't win the constructors title with that result which is what Merc actually care about rather than Hamilton winning the individual title.
SB | | | |
| Anyone watching the f1. on 17:09 - Mar 26 with 3107 views | chrismakin |
| Anyone watching the f1. on 17:05 - Mar 26 by StokieBlue |
He's not good enough to give Hamilton a push though.
He can sometimes get close in qualifying but he's always miles behind in the race, towards the end of last season he was struggling to get third.
So by your standings he's an awful second driver because they wouldn't win the constructors title with that result which is what Merc actually care about rather than Hamilton winning the individual title.
SB |
Oooo very good point hadnt thought of that. | |
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| Anyone watching the f1. on 17:11 - Mar 26 with 3106 views | MB26 |
| Anyone watching the f1. on 17:02 - Mar 26 by chrismakin |
Bottas is the ideal 2nd driver. Good enough to give hamilton a push without actually threatening to be better than Hamilton.
I'm going to bookmark that this will be the championship standings end of season. Let's have yours :)
Hamilton
Verstappen
Norris
Perez
Bottas |
Hamilton
Verstappen
Bottas
Ricciardo
Perez
With a tight fight between Norris and Leclerc for 6th | | | |
| Anyone watching the f1. on 17:16 - Mar 26 with 3097 views | TractorFrog |
| Anyone watching the f1. on 16:46 - Mar 26 by StokieBlue |
Bottas will be awful, he was already on the radio today saying that the car was undrivable whilst Hamilton just drove round with the best long pace.
He got destroyed last year and I suspect it will be even worse this year with some of the midfield moving close and fighting with him.
They should have ditched him for Russell.
I also wouldn't read too much into the times, the computer analysis still had Hamilton about 0.15 ahead of Max for qualifying pace if they both do a perfect lap.
Should still be closer than previous years though as you say unless Mercedes can master their aero issues.
SB |
Maybe I didn’t make myself clear. I am still absolutely expecting Mercedes to be the team to beat, but I think Red Bull, and even Ferrari and McLaren, to be closer.
But I disagree with you about Bottas. He definitely does push Hamilton; just look at qualifying last year, where he was usually only a tenth off. In the races, he was unlucky, and deserved a closer points gap. Mercedes literally have the perfect driver pairing in Hamilton and Bottas. | |
| They'd all laugh at me if they knew what I was trying to do. To create a new strain of super-wine in half-an-hour with a fraction of nature's resources and a FOOL for an assistant. 'Bernard Black, he's mad,' they'd say, 'he's insane, he's dangerous.' Well I'll show them! I'll show them all! | | Poll: | Who should start in CM with Cajuste? |
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| Anyone watching the f1. on 17:26 - Mar 26 with 3077 views | StokieBlue |
| Anyone watching the f1. on 17:16 - Mar 26 by TractorFrog |
Maybe I didn’t make myself clear. I am still absolutely expecting Mercedes to be the team to beat, but I think Red Bull, and even Ferrari and McLaren, to be closer.
But I disagree with you about Bottas. He definitely does push Hamilton; just look at qualifying last year, where he was usually only a tenth off. In the races, he was unlucky, and deserved a closer points gap. Mercedes literally have the perfect driver pairing in Hamilton and Bottas. |
I agree about qualifying but disagree about races.
He wasn't unlucky, he's just not very good. Every time he is ahead of Hamilton or Max you know they are going to hunt him down, force a mistake and get past. It's happens 90% of the time. He got battered by Russell as well.
SB | | | |
| Anyone watching the f1. on 18:01 - Mar 26 with 3041 views | MB26 |
| Anyone watching the f1. on 17:26 - Mar 26 by StokieBlue |
I agree about qualifying but disagree about races.
He wasn't unlucky, he's just not very good. Every time he is ahead of Hamilton or Max you know they are going to hunt him down, force a mistake and get past. It's happens 90% of the time. He got battered by Russell as well.
SB |
Bottas is a competent but underwhelming driver. That simply doesn't cut it at the top end of the grid. Mercedes are rather fortunate that their engineering prowess has dominated over the years as it's hidden some of Bottas' flaws. He was 4th behind Vettel and Raikkonen in 2019. When there's been competition at the front end of the grid he's faded into the background.
I think his qualifying performances have ultimately saved him as it's effectively given Mercedes track position, more often than not, over its rivals. If he can be the rear gunner or at least disrupt a rivals strategy for the first stint then he's useful as Hamilton is so ruthless when ahead. | | | |
| Anyone watching the f1. on 23:12 - Mar 26 with 2886 views | BlueBadger |
It's still even duller than golf? |  |
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| Anyone watching the f1. on 08:41 - Mar 27 with 2780 views | TractorFrog |
| Anyone watching the f1. on 23:12 - Mar 26 by BlueBadger |
It's still even duller than golf? |
No, definitely not. It was really great in 2011-12, and only slightly less good in 2013-14. I will admit that 2015 was quite a dull year, but since then it has gradually improved, and 2020 was a brilliant year; the greatest for a long time in my opinion. I think people are put off by the fact that Mercedes are still dominant, but there have been plenty of cracking races these last few years. To name a few in 2020: Austria 1, Silverstone 1, Monza, Portimao, Turkey and Sakhir. We also got to revisit some great tracks like the Nurburgring and Mugello. If you don't like the dominance of Mercedes, concentrate on the midfield instead, where the battles are brilliant. But having said that, it looks like Red Bull have made a step forward this year and might even be on par with Mercedes. McLaren and Ferrari have also improved and could be in with a shout for race wins.
F1 is still the greatest sport there is, and it is definitely not duller than golf. | |
| They'd all laugh at me if they knew what I was trying to do. To create a new strain of super-wine in half-an-hour with a fraction of nature's resources and a FOOL for an assistant. 'Bernard Black, he's mad,' they'd say, 'he's insane, he's dangerous.' Well I'll show them! I'll show them all! | | Poll: | Who should start in CM with Cajuste? |
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| Anyone watching the f1. on 09:15 - Mar 27 with 2762 views | blueprint |
If Town were a F1 team who would we be? A team with success many years ago but now no hopers with zero chance of competing against the big boys. |  | | |
| Anyone watching the f1. on 09:34 - Mar 27 with 2742 views | MB26 |
| Anyone watching the f1. on 09:15 - Mar 27 by blueprint |
If Town were a F1 team who would we be? A team with success many years ago but now no hopers with zero chance of competing against the big boys. |
We are 100% Williams. Successful in the 80s and 90s, still at the front end of the grid in the early 2000s but a steady decline since then. A slight chance of revival in 2014/15 which faded away and now they have just been purchased by an American consortium with the Williams name no longer being in the paddock for the first time since the 70s.
Pinning their hopes on a young driver who is always destined for bigger and better things. | | | |
| Anyone watching the f1. on 09:47 - Mar 27 with 2715 views | TractorFrog |
| Anyone watching the f1. on 09:34 - Mar 27 by MB26 |
We are 100% Williams. Successful in the 80s and 90s, still at the front end of the grid in the early 2000s but a steady decline since then. A slight chance of revival in 2014/15 which faded away and now they have just been purchased by an American consortium with the Williams name no longer being in the paddock for the first time since the 70s.
Pinning their hopes on a young driver who is always destined for bigger and better things. |
Ha ha! Great analysis. I couldn’t agree more. | |
| They'd all laugh at me if they knew what I was trying to do. To create a new strain of super-wine in half-an-hour with a fraction of nature's resources and a FOOL for an assistant. 'Bernard Black, he's mad,' they'd say, 'he's insane, he's dangerous.' Well I'll show them! I'll show them all! | | Poll: | Who should start in CM with Cajuste? |
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| Anyone watching the f1. on 17:27 - Mar 27 with 2622 views | TractorFrog |
At least there was some positives from today. What a cracking qualifying session! | |
| They'd all laugh at me if they knew what I was trying to do. To create a new strain of super-wine in half-an-hour with a fraction of nature's resources and a FOOL for an assistant. 'Bernard Black, he's mad,' they'd say, 'he's insane, he's dangerous.' Well I'll show them! I'll show them all! | | Poll: | Who should start in CM with Cajuste? |
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