The Official Formula 1 Racing Thread

[Supafly]

_____________Bottas
--------------- ---------------
---Vettel____|------------------|--Raikkönen
--------------------------------------------------
|__________________________________|

It really WAS a fantastic race. This seaon just got even more amazing

 

[dpantski]

I seem to recall the commentators saying there were 0 overtakes during the race (discounting the start I guess), it would have been interesting if the race was a few laps longer and we could've seen if Vettel had a shot at passing Bottas.

 

[Ivy Adams]

I personally have never been a fan of Sochi. It's sooooo boring to me. The only one that might trump it is Azerbaijan. Not a single overtake after the first lap and not too much strategy needed when everyone is on a one stop race. This race was won by the pit crews, in my opinion. Bottas had a great start and was able to hold on- but there was no excitement anywhere on the track until the very end... and if Ferrari's pit stops were under 3 seconds, Vettel would have caught up to him.

In other news, I have NEVER been to a F1 race before and I have my mind set on going to COTA this year! I hope I get to gooooooo

 

[Supafly]

I agree, the russian and the aserbadjian gps are rather stupid. And, well, they are hosted by tyrant countries.

Cannot wait for Silverstone, Spa, etc. And Monza!!!

 

[The Identifier]

I wouldn't go as far as Supa to call it a great race given the distinct lack of overtakes but I wasn't too fussed because I was rooting for Valtteri and was pleased to see him get his first win. He is great around Sochi - something which hadn't gone unnoticed by myself which is why I backed him on a bet. Made relatively modest gains out of it but I was genuinely pleased for him and not myself... though I would have been if my 'pole AND the win' bet had come off as well

Not often a race goes by where you don't hear/or see of Max Verstappen, but that was symptomatic of the race - nobody overtook anyone. Even though I think (hope) this was a bit of a one-off race in terms of the lack of action, Red Bull don't quite seem up to the pace. They are pinning their hopes on an upgrade at the Spanish GP to make some ground up.

I agree with Ivy in that the Russian circuit isn't the best. I would say it is only a slight improvement on the Valencia street circuit.

As for McLaren/Honda... what a joke. Seriously. It just doesn't get any better does it? When Button replaces Alonso at the Monaco GP he will be lucky if he even gets to race a lap without it breaking down!

 

[Ivy Adams]

Did you guys see the news that Sauber is going to have Honda engines next year? :suicide:

 

[Supafly]

A terrible move, I think, unless Honda has a brand new engine in the making that is a LOT different than the present one

 

[larss]

Sauber are betting on having works engines will be better than Ferrari customer engines which are always a year behind.

I think that Honda will be up to spec by next year and this may turn out to be a very good move from Sauber.

 

[dpantski]

I'm guessing Sauber are also hoping that McLaren ditch Honda and move back to Mercedes power and get the best that Honda can give. Also since Honda aren't in a strong position right now I imagine its a lot cheaper for them to buy from Honda than Ferrari.

However Honda have had a few years of development under their belts and are still way behind the competition, I don't see any reason that suggests they will be on engine parity next year. Renault power is looking pretty decent at the moment even if Red Bull haven't been able to match Merc and Ferrari.

 

[Ivy Adams]

RACE WEEKEND! GO MAX!

 

[Chopper3000]

Spanish GP qualifying - Nice one Lewis.

 

[Supafly]

Looks like it's going to be a great race!

Spanish GP Qualifying: Lewis Hamilton beats Sebastian Vettel to pole
Hamilton and Mercedes back on pole as late lock-up leaves Ferrari's Vettel second; Alonso produces lap of qualifying to take shock seventh for McLaren; Race starts at 1pm on Sunday on Sky F1

...

Spanish GP Qualifying results

Q3
1. Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes, 1:19.149
2. Sebastian Vettel, Ferrari, +0.051
3. Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes, +0.224
4. Kimi Raikkonen, Ferrari, +0.290
5. Max Verstappen, Red Bull, +0.557
6. Daniel Ricciardo, Red Bull, +1.026
7. Fernando Alonso, McLaren, +1.899
8. Sergio Perez, ***** India, +1.921
9. Felipe Massa, Williams, +2.093
10. Esteban Ocon, ***** India, +2.123

...

http://www.skysports.com/f1/news/12...lewis-hamilton-beats-sebastian-vettel-to-pole

 

[Supafly]

Here are some Highlights from Qualifying in Barcelona

 

[larss]

What. A. Race.

 

[Ivy Adams]

I was so sad when Max crashed out but that little boy who cried over Raikkonen and then got to meet him made it all worth it Great race!

 

[larss]

I was so sad when Max crashed out but that little boy who cried over Raikkonen and then got to meet him made it all worth it Great race!

That was really nice of Kimi. The little lad will never forget that day.

 

[Rey C.]

I was happy to hear that no one from FOM/Liberty encouraged Ferrari to do that. Apparently they found that little *** on their own. :hatsoff: That's something that that *** will remember for the rest of his life.

And what a drive by Lewis! After he lost on the start, I figured that Vettel would disappear into the distance. On race pace, that Ferrari is so fast this year! But we ended up with a great race.

 

[The Identifier]

I'm a bit late with my Spanish GP review but I'll get it done before Monaco truly gets started...

Really good race. It peaked a little too soon for my liking, as once Lewis got past Vettel it was game over - but the build-up to it was fantastic. Good to see the racing at the front where it should be and us not focussing on the scrap for 10th place or whatever.

Shame that Red Bull are so far off the pace. They might be the third best team but they are miles behind Mercedes and Ferrari. Not having Verstappen in a competitive car seems like a waste (although it would help if he didn't get wiped out at the first corner)

That was a truly fantastic moment re: Kimi and the little boy by the way.

Alonso pulled up some trees to get the McLaren 7th on the grid. He qualified 5th for Indy as well so it will be interesting to see how he gets on this weekend.

The season has been a great spectacle so far but you would have to assume that whoever gets pole in Monaco will win the race. It would take another pitstop blunder which has actually happened for the last two years funnily enough to cost the leading driver the race win.

 

[Supafly]

The madness that is the yearly Monaco Grand Prix has begun with the Free Practice. Looks like Ferrari is way ahead of the game

 

[Supafly]

... on a side note :1orglaugh