F1 2021

[evilwebby]

This is an outstanding F1 season so far.

4 races, and they have all been decided by tiny margins where the driver has made the difference.

A long way to go. Historically you would say that Monaco is track where Red Bull should be the team to beat, however we have to remember that a lot of that may be because of they way they designed their cars in 2014-2019 to suit high downforce circuits because they couldn't compete on power circuits. Now they are gunning for the championship they need to produce a more rounded package that is also highly aero efficient on the fast tracks.

 

[Dom1878]

Don't really think it was excellent strategy by Mercedes, everything they did was fairly predictable. I'd say this was Red Bulls loss more than Mercedes victory. They pulled the gun way too soon - and as we know from last season, Mercedes normally react to 2nd place as opposed to make the first move....shame Red Bull didn't do the same. They really don't know how to lead a Grand Prix. That said - taking nothing away from Mercedes, flawless performance from them.

Add to that, this GP highlighted why Red Bull need a second driver. Bottas did a great job in 3rd place, essentially stopping Red Bull from pitting once they realised they made a colossal mistake. Had Perez been higher in the mix, Mercedes wouldn't have been given that freedom...

...Also think this GP highlighted the issues with Bottas. For him to pit on fresh tyres and not make up ground on Verstappen was fairly shocking.

 

[Lapeno77]

Mazepin at Monaco could be interesting. Although it might be in everyone's best interests if he catches Covid or misses his flight or something.

 

[The binman chronicles]

Mazepin at Monaco could be interesting. Although it might be in everyone's best interests if he catches Covid or misses his flight or something.

They'll only have one spare chassis, he'll have gone through the parts bin by FP2.

 

[Dom1878]

Mazepin at Monaco could be interesting. Although it might be in everyone's best interests if he catches Covid or misses his flight or something.

I reckon he'll cause a red flag in the race to be honest. May make monaco interesting!

 

[Wizard]

I reckon he'll cause a red flag in the race to be honest. May make monaco interesting!

His blanking of blue flags could make it interesting given how narrow the track is.

Needs to be binned but we know it will never happen given his dad saved the team.

 

[Philw]

I wonder if Ham will be thinking about a Hungary 2019 like call

Still think Ham has the chance to try a 2 stopper, coming in around lap 44

Good call. Like others really thought Merc had blown it by not bringing Lewis in the lap after Max, but it turned out ok in the end. Still think they could have just pitted and gained track position, then see what RB could do about it.

Don’t rate Bottas but at least he’s nearly always there in third to help with strategy.

Perez has been nowhere to be seen in a few races so far. Verstappen badly needs some back up.

Alex Albon likes this...

 

[Dom1878]

His blanking of blue flags could make it interesting given how narrow the track is.

Needs to be binned but we know it will never happen given his dad saved the team.

I still find it bizarre he has an issue with blue flags. Not because of the blue flags themselves, but surely any car behind him is lapping him...it’s not difficult to know to just let everyone past.

 

[longers]

Mazepin didn't actually do anything wrong with regard to blue flags this race. The audio you heard of Toto was him demanding race director show blue flags to Mazepin, as soon as they were shown to him he moved out of the way.




The audio made it seem like Hamilton was getting badly held up but as you can see from the video Mazepin did nothing wrong in this case. I think it was just a tense Toto making sure there would be no issues once Hamilton got close.

 

[The binman chronicles]

Mazepin didn't actually do anything wrong with regard to blue flags this race. The audio you heard of Toto was him demanding race director show blue flags to Mazepin, as soon as they were shown to him he moved out of the way.




The audio made it seem like Hamilton was getting badly held up but as you can see from the video Mazepin did nothing wrong in this case. I think it was just a tense Toto making sure there would be no issues once Hamilton got close.

Could it be Toto complaining that they didn't show the blue flags early enough? I would have thought the first one should have been at the chicane at the end of the lap and perhaps Hamilton radioed in to question it.

 

[longers]

Could it be Toto complaining that they didn't show the blue flags early enough? I would have thought the first one should have been at the chicane at the end of the lap and perhaps Hamilton radioed in to question it.

Could be although looking at the footage it’s a pretty big gap at all times which is quite surprising given the pace difference between them. Some people have suggested Hamilton couldn’t close the gap quicker because of aero wash out but I find that hard to believe given how quick he closed the gap to far faster cars during the race.

Bit of an odd one given this was during Hamilton’s fastest stint of the race and Mazepin is the slowest driver in the slowest car. Maybe he was just avoiding the dirty air until Toto had sorted it out with Masi... although that seems a bit odd/unlikely as well.

 

[evilwebby]

I'm quite surprised there wasn't more said from the F1 press following LCH's comments on the Red Bull rear wing.. but this may hamper RBR a little

Formula 1 clamps down on flexible rear wings after Lewis Hamilton's Red Bull claim

Formula 1's governing body launches a clampdown on flexible rear wings amid suspicions some teams are bending the rules.

www.bbc.co.uk

 

[Vic Vinegar]

Tory sport

 

[longers]

Tory sport

Who cares, its a sport... not an election.

Our manager Carlo dodges taxes like a Tory, no one seems to care.

 

[longers]

Comparison of the rear wing flex on Merc and Red Bull




Alpines flexes quite a lot as well apparently