2021 Formula 1 Season!!!

[Charrison]

I am late to the party due to a sister's wedding this past wknd but WOW. Just watched the replay after managing to stay off the internet since Sun morning so I couldn't see the results.
Phenomenal race- what a great circuit! Pretty refreshing after Monaco to have an awesome street course with places to pass.
Like ya'll have said- Pirelli has some explaining to do and no way they can lean on the "debris" excuse, which they already have. Scary crashes.
Great finish and you have to respect Hamilton for the dive bomb move. That's a move you make trying to win your first championship, not your 8th. Mad respect. Good for Perez and always cool to see some surprises. Alonso had a great run (I knew you were smiling watching Gasley in the final laps, Rover!).
All in all a darn good show.

[Landrover]

Originally Posted by Charrison

I am late to the party due to a sister's wedding this past wknd but WOW. Just watched the replay after managing to stay off the internet since Sun morning so I couldn't see the results.
Phenomenal race- what a great circuit! Pretty refreshing after Monaco to have an awesome street course with places to pass.
Like ya'll have said- Pirelli has some explaining to do and no way they can lean on the "debris" excuse, which they already have. Scary crashes.
Great finish and you have to respect Hamilton for the dive bomb move. That's a move you make trying to win your first championship, not your 8th. Mad respect. Good for Perez and always cool to see some surprises. Alonso had a great run (I knew you were smiling watching Gasley in the final laps, Rover!).
All in all a darn good show.

The wife and I were looking at videos of Baku last nite on YouTube!!! Just beautiful scenery......and the Tur hunting in the Caspian Mountains would be a plus after the race weekend.....lol!!! Gasly is on a mission and proving he is truly a young gun to keep your eye on!!!

Sent from my SM-N986U using Tapatalk

[TexanDuke]

Originally Posted by Landrover

The wife and I were looking at videos of Baku last nite on YouTube!!! Just beautiful scenery......and the Tur hunting in the Caspian Mountains would be a plus after the race weekend.....lol!!! Gasly is on a mission and proving he is truly a young gun to keep your eye on!!!

Sent from my SM-N986U using Tapatalk

I am all aboard on the Gasly train. Kid is TALENTED. Making great strides on a team many consider our equivalent of a “minor league” squad


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Box-R]

Agreed on that Baku circuit. Wow, what a L-O-N-G straight ! I always enjoy this race and would also like to see it live some day.
Anyone got a clue why Bottas who has the same car is almost always outrun by Hamilton? Even Russell, on his one and only Mercedes drive, was outrunning Bottas who has YEARS of experience over him. Bottas should be dropped from the Merc team.
Feel bad for Max, but glad Louis didn't score either.

[TexanDuke]

Originally Posted by Box-R

Agreed on that Baku circuit. Wow, what a L-O-N-G straight ! I always enjoy this race and would also like to see it live some day.
Anyone got a clue why Bottas who has the same car is almost always outrun by Hamilton? Even Russell, on his one and only Mercedes drive, was outrunning Bottas who has YEARS of experience over him. Bottas should be dropped from the Merc team.
Feel bad for Max, but glad Louis didn't score either.

I always think of it in terms of asset allocation... Hamilton is the breadwinner and will receive research/parts/tweaks what have you first. Bottas is on the the team to block and distract for Hamilton and I do believe they build his car around it as that’s what the team coaches him to do.

I could be wrong but this is what I’ve gleaned from following


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Wall_Hanger]

Originally Posted by TexanDuke

I always think of it in terms of asset allocation... Hamilton is the breadwinner and will receive research/parts/tweaks what have you first. Bottas is on the the team to block and distract for Hamilton and I do believe they build his car around it as that’s what the team coaches him to do.

I could be wrong but this is what I’ve gleaned from following


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

He has a good bit of say in his own setup. I would think they want both drivers in the points as much as possible as it creates more value to the team than just one blocking and one on podium and on days that Hamilton is lacking or wrecks, they’ll want him to earn points on his own. I really think 2nd seat drivers who have dominant 1st seat teammates get mentally fatigued by the stress and start to fail. Gasly is a good example of that I think. I was freaking pumped to see him place at Baku.

Side note, Baku is definitely on my list of in person races. Home of the Caspian derby and great architecture plus a jam up race, hard to beat!

[Landrover]

Originally Posted by Wall_Hanger

He has a good bit of say in his own setup. I would think they want both drivers in the points as much as possible as it creates more value to the team than just one blocking and one on podium and on days that Hamilton is lacking or wrecks, they’ll want him to earn points on his own. I really think 2nd seat drivers who have dominant 1st seat teammates get mentally fatigued by the stress and start to fail. Gasly is a good example of that I think. I was freaking pumped to see him place at Baku.

Side note, Baku is definitely on my list of in person races. Home of the Caspian derby and great architecture plus a jam up race, hard to beat!

I agree on the mental side of Bottas......and YES, expectations are points.....every race. He did not deaux well in qualifying either, but I won't discount him as of now. His body language shows signs of defeat, but I think he is one helluva driver. For that type of cash he may want to put his ego aside for a few more seasons as Hamilton is outta there in 3 or less.
Also, Azerbaijan is the home of Tur.......sling some arrows!!!

Sent from my SM-N986U using Tapatalk

[Wall_Hanger]

Originally Posted by Landrover

I agree on the mental side of Bottas......and YES, expectations are points.....every race. He did not deaux well in qualifying either, but I won't discount him as of now. His body language shows signs of defeat, but I think he is one helluva driver. For that type of cash he may want to put his ego aside for a few more seasons as Hamilton is outta there in 3 or less.
Also, Azerbaijan is the home of Tur.......sling some arrows!!!

Sent from my SM-N986U using Tapatalk

Exactly. The teams make the most money with points. Having a single driver that crushes it versus two quality drivers who are in the points for the team is a losing proposition.

I think Bottas is as well but I see him making dumb mistakes trying to be another Hamilton. When he has opportunities for points, or to beat Hamilton, he often ends up pushing too hard and either wrecking, losing pace or making dumb mistakes and losing opportunities for points.

[F1addict]

I like Bottas as well, but we know he’s not at the same level as Hamilton. He’s a good “team player” with Hamilton. I don’t see him staying at Mercedes once Lewis moves on.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

[Wall_Hanger]

Originally Posted by F1addict

I like Bottas as well, but we know he’s not at the same level as Hamilton. He’s a good “team player” with Hamilton. I don’t see him staying at Mercedes once Lewis moves on.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

My sense as well. He is good in that he allows Hamilton to be the showpiece without too much butt hurt but no doubt in my mind he wants points. I think it could be good to get out of his shadow at a new team and maybe he can find his mojo.

[F1addict]

Originally Posted by Wall_Hanger

My sense as well. He is good in that he allows Hamilton to be the showpiece without too much butt hurt but no doubt in my mind he wants points. I think it could be good to get out of his shadow at a new team and maybe he can find his mojo.

I agree with you 100%!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

[Landrover]

I'm thinking Hamilton will be around 2 or 3 more seasons as he has many other interests. George Russell will step up to Mercedes by all indicators. Why wouldn't Valterri stick around? I would. A premier team, being paid royally, they will be contenders for another decade. I know he is a Top 5 driver but throwing the baby out with the bathwater because you are a role player ain't a bad gig. Heck, I would ride the bench (pitwall) to be a part of that Silver Arrow Team!

Sent from my SM-N986U using Tapatalk

[Landrover]

Did yall see Bennitto got canned as the principal at Ferrari???
Also, another shakeup at Williams! The 1st quarter adjustments are BIG but neither of those I saw coming.

Sent from my SM-N986U using Tapatalk

[F1addict]

Originally Posted by Landrover

I'm thinking Hamilton will be around 2 or 3 more seasons as he has many other interests. George Russell will step up to Mercedes by all indicators. Why wouldn't Valterri stick around? I would. A premier team, being paid royally, they will be contenders for another decade. I know he is a Top 5 driver but throwing the baby out with the bathwater because you are a role player ain't a bad gig. Heck, I would ride the bench (pitwall) to be a part of that Silver Arrow Team!

Sent from my SM-N986U using Tapatalk

I agree that we will see George Russell at Mercedes after Lewis leaves.

[F1addict]

Originally Posted by Landrover

Did yall see Bennitto got canned as the principal at Ferrari???
Also, another shakeup at Williams! The 1st quarter adjustments are BIG but neither of those I saw coming.

Sent from my SM-N986U using Tapatalk

I read about the shake up at Williams, but the Bennitto story is news to me. Do you have a link? I didn’t see anything on the couple of F1 news sites I frequent.

[DaveC]

To be truthful, I feel sorry for Williams and Haas- all four cars seem to be stacked together at the bottom of the pack minus the DNFr's.
They might not finish there, but back of the pack is where they seem to always be.

FWIW, I haven't been following long, just an observation from someone trying to wrap his head around what he's watching- besides fast cars going fastly .

[Wall_Hanger]

[Landrover]

Originally Posted by F1addict

I read about the shake up at Williams, but the Bennitto story is news to me. Do you have a link? I didn’t see anything on the couple of F1 news sites I frequent.

Heck!!!! I don't see nothing. Just a bunch of old speculation stories about his future....but nothing this week. I have no idea where I saw it but it came across my phone. I could have misread it as it seemed strange news since they are running better.

Sent from my SM-N986U using Tapatalk

[F1addict]

Originally Posted by Landrover

Heck!!!! I don't see nothing. Just a bunch of old speculation stories about his future....but nothing this week. I have no idea where I saw it but it came across my phone. I could have misread it as it seemed strange news since they are running better.

Sent from my SM-N986U using Tapatalk

I think that was a fake story that made the rounds a couple of months ago.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

[Wall_Hanger]

Grosjean looking to test for Mercedes is a little different. I guess the move with Russell isn't as locked as people originally thought it might be.

[SC-001]

Looks like Magnussen found himself a ride for this weekend https://racer.com/2021/06/16/magnuss...-road-america/

[F1addict]

I started listening to an F1 podcast (Shift F1) a couple months ago, and so far seems to be pretty good. It comes out on Wednesdays, and they’ll do a pre-race overview the week before, and a post race break down the week after. They also cover a little bit of IndyCar and other series (which I mostly fast forward through).

Always less than an hour and great information.

Every once in a while I’ll listen to Formula 1’s own podcast - Beyond The Grid. Sometimes they have interesting interviews. A couple weeks ago they had Yuki Tsunoda and it was a good listen. I really like him.

Anybody have any other F1 podcasts / YouTube channels that are worth checking out?

[F1addict]

Verstappen quickest in Free Practice 2, followed by Bottas. Very interesting that Hamilton and Bottas swapped chassis for this race, and now Bottas is quicker…. I know that the chassis should be identical, but I’m not so sure in this case. It will be interesting to Hamilton’s progress over the weekend.

[Landrover]

I enjoyed it also. Bottas has some amazing P times and even Q times......then crap tends to hit him. Tomorrow will be another level however and hopefully he holds serve.
I'm on the direct from F1 app and web pages. I will see if I can check out one u mentioned.
Sent from my SM-N986U using Tapatalk

[Scubasteveo]

Binotto is stepping away per the attached article. they don't say when, but it has been planned since March.

https://www.planetf1.com/news/mattia...rari-pit-wall/

[F1addict]

Originally Posted by Scubasteveo

Binotto is stepping away per the attached article. they don't say when, but it has been planned since March.

https://www.planetf1.com/news/mattia...rari-pit-wall/

Ferrari definitely goes through top brass pretty quick.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

[F1addict]

Another great / exciting qualifying session! Hopefully tomorrow’s race is the same.

Gasly starting 6th! Hope he has a great race as well.

[Wall_Hanger]

Great racing today. Much better than I expected for this tract and love to see the various strategies. I wish Seb would have boxed earlier and had the chance to finish stronger. I think Toto probably got an ear full from VB after and rightly so. Gasley had a good race too and both mcclaren drivers were pushing today.

[Landrover]

Originally Posted by Scubasteveo

Binotto is stepping away per the attached article. they don't say when, but it has been planned since March.

https://www.planetf1.com/news/mattia...rari-pit-wall/

Whew!!!! I was telling my wife that maybe i had a dream that I saw that somewhere. She knows between bowhunting and F1 that I am a total nutcase......lol!

Originally Posted by Wall_Hanger

Great racing today. Much better than I expected for this tract and love to see the various strategies. I wish Seb would have boxed earlier and had the chance to finish stronger. I think Toto probably got an ear full from VB after and rightly so. Gasley had a good race too and both mcclaren drivers were pushing today.

One helluva day!!! Strategies were incredible.......some worked great......obviously others NOT SOOOO MUCH! If they keep this up this may very well be the most competitive season in years for F1. I am loving it and chomping at the bit for the next time the grid is laid out.

[Charrison]

Great race! Usually Mercedes is the one with the great strategy so nice to see it switched for once. Love this battle- best season in years, IMO.

[F1addict]

I completely agree! This is shaping up to be one of the best seasons I can remember.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

[sotx]

Great race only one Kraut car on the podium and not P1. Good race.

[F1addict]

Very excited about tomorrow’s race. Great performance in Qualifying from Verstappen (1st), Norris (3rd), Gasly (6th) and Russell (10th).

First time in quite a while I’ve seen a Williams start 10th on the grid. Go Russell!! Go Norris!!

[Wall_Hanger]

Originally Posted by F1addict

Very excited about tomorrow’s race. Great performance in Qualifying from Verstappen (1st), Norris (3rd), Gasly (6th) and Russell (10th).

First time in quite a while I’ve seen a Williams start 10th on the grid. Go Russell!! Go Norris!!

I am excited to see some of the younger drivers doing well and like Gasly starting well too. I am not sold on Yuki's penalty or Bottas' for that matter. Yuki's engineer should have been letting him know that VB was coming up on him long before that but at least from my seat he went well outside the racing line in that corner to give VB the road. That is just part of quali.

[TexanDuke]

Hate the penalties for the guys just trying to get out of the paddock, you know that’s not their intention. I understand safety protocol but I seriously doubt Bottas is trying to hurt someone out the gate….

Per the usual I’ll pull for Ferrari (not a great outlook) and Gasly. It’s a neat track, funny to hear Verstappen describe it as a track with not many corners, but a lot of corners.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Kingfisher789]

You know between Gasly and the kid from Japan Ferrari doesn’t stand a chance somedays...

[Artos]

If you missed the moto gp race check out the speed of fabio the flying frenchman on the yamaha...it's like both of them were on steroids.

[DaveC]

Originally Posted by Artos

If you missed the moto gp race check out the speed of fabio the flying frenchman on the yamaha...it's like both of them were on steroids.

Can’t wait to watch.

Sometimes it seems he’s got an extra 20hp and everyone else is just racing for 2nd.
I’m a Yamaha fan mostly because it’s what’s in the garage, not a World Gp bike by any means, but not my Viking either. .




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Wall_Hanger]

Not the most exciting race but it was truly incredible to see Verstappen hand 15s on Hamilton and Bottas. He was really in the zone and I think that lead is in excess of the lead Hamilton won by last year. Part of me really enjoys seeing a bit of humble pie come Hamilton's way but all drivers have their stint in the light before fading. I certainly don't think Lewis is "fading" but I would say he is having to actually compete more this year and he seems to have lost some of his previous edge in gritty competitions. Perez has really stepped up too and if not for the disappointing pit I think he was solidly in 3rd. He made up 13s in something like 9 laps, he was on a mission and had he been given another lap or two I think he would have had Bottas.

[F1addict]

Perez was so close to Bottas at the end of the race. If he only had another lap or two.

It was a shame about Russell’s car. He stood a really good chance of scoring points.

Ricciardo needs to pick up his pace and start finishing closer to Norris if they’re going to beat Ferrari for third place in the WCC.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

[Wall_Hanger]

Originally Posted by F1addict

Perez was so close to Bottas at the end of the race. If he only had another lap or two.

It was a shame about Russell’s car. He stood a really good chance of scoring points.

Ricciardo needs to pick up his pace and start finishing closer to Norris if they’re going to beat Ferrari for third place in the WCC.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

Ricciardo needs to pick up his pace if he wants to keep his seat as a premier driver. Norris has really been showing him up and if he hadn't pulled back would had tried to stay in the hunt with Hamilton in the front of the race. Stroll continues to impress me as a mid pack driver/car and is consistently doing better than Vettel.

[TexanDuke]

Originally Posted by Wall_Hanger

Ricciardo needs to pick up his pace if he wants to keep his seat as a premier driver. Norris has really been showing him up and if he hadn't pulled back would had tried to stay in the hunt with Hamilton in the front of the race. Stroll continues to impress me as a mid pack driver/car and is consistently doing better than Vettel.

I agree with all of this!

I too felt bad for Russell… I read a few articles about him possibly replacing Bottas at Mercedes next year. I don’t know how reliable they are though


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[F1addict]

I expect to see Russell at Mercedes within a few years.

I agree about Stroll. I’ve been impressed with him this year, and even last year. He’s growing into the role nicely.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

[Charrison]

Originally Posted by F1addict

I expect to see Russell at Mercedes within a few years.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

I expect this sooner rather than later. Bottas looks frustrated and Russell is really fast when he has decent equipment.
My man Alonso was sporty yesterday- tough break for Gasly right at the start.
Will be interesting to see how Mercedes reacts this weekend after Max handed it to them yesterday.

[Wall_Hanger]

Originally Posted by Charrison

I expect this sooner rather than later. Bottas looks frustrated and Russell is really fast when he has decent equipment.
My man Alonso was sporty yesterday- tough break for Gasly right at the start.
Will be interesting to see how Mercedes reacts this weekend after Max handed it to them yesterday.

I was really shocked that they didn't find any fault in LecLerc for the incident with Gasly and then when he did more or less the same thing to Räikkönen I though surely they would give him a time penalty. As much as I don't care for Ferrari right now, their drivers drove the wheels off last weekend and LecLerc.

[Dale Moser]

I watched the race yesterday because there was nothing else on, and that was the most boring race I’ve ever seen. Absolutely awful.

I took my son to Boyd Raceway dirt track Friday night, and the I-Stock heat race was more intriguing than anything F1 had to offer yesterday.

Those announcers were losing their mind on the last lap, while the leader was 30 seconds ahead of 2nd, and it was 10 seconds or so behind that to 3rd. I don’t remember any close race for a spot in the top 10.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Wall_Hanger]

Originally Posted by Dale Moser

I watched the race yesterday because there was nothing else on, and that was the most boring race I’ve ever seen. Absolutely awful.

I took my son to Boyd Raceway dirt track Friday night, and the I-Stock heat race was more intriguing than anything F1 had to offer yesterday.

Those announcers were losing their mind on the last lap, while the leader was 30 seconds ahead of 2nd, and it was 10 seconds or so behind that to 3rd. I don’t remember any close race for a spot in the top 10.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Well the intriguing part, if you want to call it that, was that 1st place beat 2nd by the largest margin ever recorded on that track. Verstappen was only 30s up because Hamilton pitted to grab new tires with one lap remaining to see if he could get the fasted lap which he did. In F1, if you have the fastest lap and finish in the top 10 you receive a bonus point so Lewis picked up an additional point even though the leader added 15s to his lead. After Max jumped so soundly into the pole position, the race got pretty boring. If Gasly had been in the mix and Checo's pit had gone better I think there would have been more to watch in the 2-6 positions. For me F1 is more strategy and points based that other forms of racing and sometimes that makes it a little boring. The French Grans Prix is usually the boring one and it turned out to be quite the race.

[Charrison]

Originally Posted by Dale Moser

I watched the race yesterday because there was nothing else on, and that was the most boring race I’ve ever seen. Absolutely awful.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Fair point. Definitely more strategic racing than other forms and only 2-3 teams have a real shot to win but the technology, speed and skill of the drivers is highest in the world. And when it goes wrong, it can REALLY go wrong.
NASCAR for me has become unwatchable. Those cookie-cutter tracks are nap inducing and very little strategy comes into play most races. And I hate the manufactured cautions.
Now Eldora this past wknd was pretty cool tho!

[Wall_Hanger]

Originally Posted by Charrison

Fair point. Definitely more strategic racing than other forms and only 2-3 teams have a real shot to win but the technology, speed and skill of the drivers is highest in the world. And when it goes wrong, it can REALLY go wrong.
NASCAR for me has become unwatchable. Those cookie-cutter tracks are nap inducing and very little strategy comes into play most races. And I hate the manufactured cautions.
Now Eldora this past wknd was pretty cool tho!

We had a Paddock box for the COTA race and that was really fun to watch. I would like to do a super speedway eventually but for me, F1 is far more enjoyable but I follow closely enough to know the issues the teams are struggling with and watch race to race to see their changes to become more competitive and from that perspective you can watch the drama unfold. Its a very high stakes game with a lot to learn and take in. Tsunoda seems to be finding his groove and after listening to his interview on Shift (i think) I have a bit more appreciation for him. Very young driver trying to knock the jitters and get comfortable in his seat.

[F1addict]

Originally Posted by Wall_Hanger

We had a Paddock box for the COTA race and that was really fun to watch. I would like to do a super speedway eventually but for me, F1 is far more enjoyable but I follow closely enough to know the issues the teams are struggling with and watch race to race to see their changes to become more competitive and from that perspective you can watch the drama unfold. Its a very high stakes game with a lot to learn and take in. Tsunoda seems to be finding his groove and after listening to his interview on Shift (i think) I have a bit more appreciation for him. Very young driver trying to knock the jitters and get comfortable in his seat.

Yes, that was a great interview with Yuki! I didn’t realize that he’s quite the foodie.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro