The Official Formula One Thread!

[walds11]

French GP tomorrow fellas I’m watching practice session #3 live on ESPN right now.

[Gentleman8]

Much respect for young Charles Leclerc!
Put the fellow in a Ferrari and let's see what happens.

[goin camping]

The grid is set. Now, will there be rain for the race?

BTW, very happy they are in France. France and Germany really should be on every years race calendar.

[Gentleman8]

Originally Posted by goin camping

The grid is set. Now, will there be rain for the race?
BTW, very happy they are in France. France and Germany really should be on every years race calendar.

Agreed but greedy Bernie didn't care about fans.

[texasmade]

McLaren are a train wreck. No more hiding behind a weak Honda engine. It’s clear that the car was garbage the past 3 seasons with or without Honda. I wouldn’t be surprised if RB were still competitive next year with an under powered Honda PU.

[Rolex Essex]

Originally Posted by texasmade

McLaren are a train wreck. No more hiding behind a weak Honda engine. It’s clear that the car was garbage the past 3 seasons with or without Honda. I wouldn’t be surprised if RB were still competitive next year with an under powered Honda PU.

They were crap since the hybrid PU first started as they used Mercedes PU in the first season before switching to Honda.
They’ve finished 5th in the constructors in 2014 way behind Williams.

[TickTopia]

Originally Posted by Gentleman8

Much respect for young Charles Leclerc!
Put the fellow in a Ferrari and let's see what happens.

I agree. It wouldn't be out of the question when you consider Kimi's sub-par performance this season...

[walds11]

Not the most exciting race, but enjoyable to watch. Lots of incidents. F1 TV, app and social media coverage is amazing.

Hamilton takes the championship lead back

Kimi podium P3

[goin camping]

Sure enjoyed that race!

Lots of excitement at the beginning and lots going on throughout the race too.

[Zakalwe]

The penalty system really isn’t right.

I get that Vettel didn’t shunt Bottas deliberately, but it was another example of Seb making a misjudgement when under pressure at the start of a race. Not only did he wreck Bottas’ race, the “penalty” he incurred had absolutely no impact on his own race since by the time he took it he was 40 seconds up on the guy behind.

The stewards seem reluctant to slap the drivers with stop-go penalties, which would’ve been deserved in this case and would’ve actually punished Vettel for his error.

[TickTopia]

Originally Posted by Zakalwe

The penalty system really isn’t right.

I get that Vettel didn’t shunt Bottas deliberately, but it was another example of Seb making a misjudgement when under pressure at the start of a race. Not only did he wreck Bottas’ race, the “penalty” he incurred had absolutely no impact on his race since by the time he took it he was 40 seconds up on the guy behind.

The stewards seem reluctant to slap the drivers with stop-go penalties, which would’ve been deserved in this case and would’ve actually punished Vettel for his error.

A stop-go penalty was well deserved and should've been enforced. Overall a fantastic race with plenty of action.

[goin camping]

Originally Posted by Zakalwe

The penalty system really isn’t right.

I get that Vettel didn’t shunt Bottas deliberately, but it was another example of Seb making a misjudgement when under pressure at the start of a race. Not only did he wreck Bottas’ race, the “penalty” he incurred had absolutely no impact on his own race since by the time he took it he was 40 seconds up on the guy behind.

The stewards seem reluctant to slap the drivers with stop-go penalties, which would’ve been deserved in this case and would’ve actually punished Vettel for his error.

Agree. You can see how punitive adding seconds to a pit stop are when you remember Vettel rear ending and then pulling alongside Hamilton and bumping him again earlier this year. Didn't bother Vettels race at all either time.

[texasmade]

Max is driving much better now. Maybe getting rid of his normal entourage is finally settling him down.

[Gentleman8]

Soul searching at McLaren, Force India, Williams..

[Dr.Brian]

There’s no way Alonso stays with them for another year unless they offer him a ridiculous 1 year bonus. As for Mercedes big come back, I’m not convinced. Look at what Seb did today. I’m not sure how Seb can drive like that and Kimi is stuck in 3rd. I don’t think he’ll be in a red car next year. Maybe at Williams or with Felipe in Formula E.

[goin camping]

Originally Posted by Dr.Brian

There’s no way Alonso stays with them for another year unless they offer him a ridiculous 1 year bonus. As for Mercedes big come back, I’m not convinced. Look at what Seb did today. I’m not sure how Seb can drive like that and Kimi is stuck in 3rd. I don’t think he’ll be in a red car next year. Maybe at Williams or with Felipe in Formula E.

Kimi and Bottas always seem to qualify better than they race.

Like you I wonder how long they will keep Kimi and how long Alonzo will stay.

Alonzo is a tough one to place. He is of course gifted as all get out but a team player or worse a second banana? I just can't see it nor do I see a contender team that needs a #1 driver. I think he is stuck.

[Lol-x]

McLaren has a very poor car, I can't see Alonso staying with that team any longer.

Kimmi must be on his last year, he hasn't won a race since 2013.

Bottas is just boring, and filling the space.

I can't see Ricciardo having the opportunity to go to Mercedes or Ferrari next year, so unless he wants a total grab for big cash, it seems he is better off staying at Red Bull.

[texasmade]

Only way I can see Ricciardo going to Mercedes is if they don’t win the WCC or WDC.

[Lol-x]

Originally Posted by texasmade

Only way I can see Ricciardo going to Mercedes is if they don’t win the WCC or WDC.

Hamilton will be driving champ this year...that is getting more certain by the day.

Botas is performing reasonably well and fits into the No. 2 slot pretty well. Hamilton has not resigned as yet, but to me that is a given, he will stay where he is winning and making big bucks.

Apparently McLaren has offered Ricciardo big dollars to join their team, but given the poor results, I can't see Ricciardo leaving Red Bull to go with a team that is performing so poorly.

[Zakalwe]

Agree Ricciardo will be staying at RB. I’m sure he’d prefer to leave for a Ferrari or Merc because Helmut Marko has made it pretty clear Max is his boy and Danny doesn’t want to be a number 2. But no way does he go to Ferrari, a team that historically has a lead driver and number 2 and Vettel likely has number 1 status written into his contract. LeClerc will be in Kimi’s seat next year. Merc don’t want any repeat of the ballaches that occurred when Rosberg was challenging Hamilton so they’re happy with a steady, reliable driver like Bottas who won’t make any waves so expect the Merc line-up to be unchanged next year.

[jatco]

It was a pretty good race overall except for the carnage at the start but that's not the first time or last,- always that chance when everyone is vying for positions.
We'll see what happens with RB when they switch to Honda power next year. Kimi will be around for a while longer. He's the only retired F1 driver who returned to the sport who has shown he's still competitive.
Good race from Max, a runaway for Hamilton and his 1st French GP win.
Tough break for Bottas and Vettel should have been hit for more than 5secs, imo.

[V25V]

F1 is just terrible now, it is sad.

The Indy Car race however at RA..... it was fantastic.

[base924]

Haas: smallest budget ifaik, but most bang for the buck at the moment (best of the rest)

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[Gentleman8]

Originally Posted by base924

Haas: smallest budget ifaik, but most bang for the buck at the moment (best of the rest)

Hmm I don't know about that. They are currently 7th and it's unlikely that they would finish ahead of Renault and McLaren. This year Haas with be battling with Force India for the 6th position.

[base924]

Originally Posted by Gentleman8

Hmm I don't know about that. They are currently 7th and it's unlikely that they would finish ahead of Renault and McLaren. This year Haas with be battling with Force India for the 6th position.

Well the qualification today speaks for itself: McLaren and Renault is clearly behind Haas at the moment.

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[Gentleman8]

Originally Posted by base924

Well the qualification today speaks for itself: McLaren and Renault is clearly behind Haas at the moment.

Today yes, because the track at Spielberg is a particularly power hungry circuit with long straits and they do have a Ferrari engine. That doesn't mean they have a better car than all the other teams except the top 3. You really think that they will finish 4th in the rankings this season??

[base924]

Originally Posted by Gentleman8

Today yes, because the track at Spielberg is a particularly power hungry circuit with long straits and they do have a Ferrari engine. That doesn't mean they have a better car than all the other teams except the top 3. You really think that they will finish 4th in the rankings this season??

Yes, I do believe they are best of the rest. I only stated at the moment though. Remember that in Australia they had 4th and 5th until the mechanics blew it. They would have been in front of Renault. Coming into Silverstone, a track similar to Austria, I believe they will have a good shot at 7th and 8th position, thus closing the gap... I think it is amazing what the team has done considering their budget.
If they can keep up the development along with Renault they will smash them
Grosjean is a beast in qualification and Magnussen, now in 7th overall, is riding on the wave of succes. Four top six finishes in last eight races I believe.

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[Rolex Essex]

What a bad race for Mercedes lol.
No doubt Hamilton will be back in Force in Silverstone.

[jatco]

Originally Posted by The Nail Tech

What a bad race for Mercedes lol.
No doubt Hamilton will be back in Force in Silverstone.

This is true. Things would've been a lot different if they didn't have their problems...unusual..!!
Of course Hamilton/Mercedes will be back in force for his home GP.
Kudos to Max for the win...
It was a good race this weekend. Let's see how Silverstone pans out.

[watchbowl]

Originally Posted by jatco

This is true. Things would've been a lot different if they didn't have their problems...unusual..!!

Of course Hamilton/Mercedes will be back in force for his home GP.

Kudos to Max for the win...

It was a good race this weekend. Let's see how Silverstone pans out.

Hopefully they will be strong at Silverstone but unsure how that will translate with the track temps since it’s so hot in the uk right now. Hopefully their car will return to being bulletproof