Legend2TL

https://www.espn.com/f1/story/_/id/4...special-remark

I agree with Vowles, a good driver but not a special driver.


https://lastwordonsports.com/motorsp...ose-to-dating/

not sure how to take this comment ​​​​​​​

F-C

What do you think about the likelihood that Verstappen won't win the championship this year? I think it's pretty slim. No one driver is consistently winning enough to eat away at the points lead.

00TL-P3.2

I think it's great he's being more consistently challenged, but both MCL drivers are taking points, with neither being given preference, so that makes it tougher to overhaul the WDC.
Now, WCC, I think McLaren could take it, with again, both drivers consistently getting bigger points & Perez not adding nearly as much to the tally.

My guess would be:
WDC: MV
WCC: MCL

F-C

That's my prediction as well.

Legend2TL

WDC : Max
WCC : McLaren

Norris must be wondering about letting Oscar through for the win after his undercut at Hungary GP. The silly papaya rules don't make sense now for Norris when his race engineer told him he would need Oscar in the future for winning a WDC.
Smartest move made by McLaren executives was promoting Andrea Stella as TP, which led to alot of reshuffling of technical staff in the past year but they've finally came up with a decent chassis especially with the MB power unit. It's became less popular to have non-engineers in the TP role, it's good to see a engineer have success in that role again.

00TL-P3.2

I saw some comments about MCL making the wrong call to not swap LN ahead of OP at Monza, for the sake of the WDC.
IMO, OP earned that 2nd place with a great drive.

A challenge for the MCL pitwall, having 2 drivers at a similar level of competitiveness.

civicdrivr

iTrader: (9)

OP did earn that second place but the points race in the WDC should decide that, and IMO MCL should have swapped the cars. They still get the same amount of points in the WCC, but their lead driver (LN) get that much closer to MV.

civicdrivr

iTrader: (9)

As Buxton said in his surprisingly pointed commentary after the race, MCL may not have this chance next year. They need to capitalize now.

Chief F1 Fan

I saw an article this morning that said Piastri may have a "#1 clause" in his contract indicating he does not have to give way to Lando if he takes a leading position in a race. That would explain why there wasn't a swap

Legend2TL

Norris would be 10 points closer to Max (52 instead of the current 62) with Italy and Hungary reversed. If McLaren wanna win both titles there's good reason to enforce team orders.

00TL-P3.2

Fair point, unless, like said, OP has a clause saying he isn't required to comply with position swaps.
OP definitely seems the more aggressive driver, but they're probably the strongest pair on the grid, IMO, with the Ferrari & Mercedes boys being just behind on pair strength.

Legend2TL

It's official Newey joining Aston Martin

https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/a...5FX1KiLDqWRV4C

civicdrivr

iTrader: (9)

Yep. Clarkson was right when he hinted back at the British GP that Newey was house hunting in Oxfordshire, not Maranello.
​​​​​​
There's still some crazy (at this time) rumors that Max might jump to AM too. That could be interesting, but I don't see that happening.

F-C

Coincidence that Red Bull's form started to dip after Newey announced he was leaving?

Whose a better teammate for Verstappen? Perez or Stroll the Lesser?

Legend2TL

I may be wrong but despite Aston Martin having Newey, Andy Cowell, Bob Bell, and Dan Fellows I have a gut feeling it won't work out in the long run for AM.

Chief F1 Fan

Not at all-Newey was precluded from top level meetings by Hoerner/Marko after he announced his departure in the hopes of preventing Newey from taking future plans/secrets to his next team. He therefore was cut out from development and combined with RBR's development percentage (wind tunnel primarily) usage.

civicdrivr

iTrader: (9)

I agree, but I would like to think that they'd at least regularly be competing for podiums.

I'd love for Papa Stroll to push his son into sports cars so a real racer could fill the seat and help develop the car. That's what they're sorely missing.

F-C

I get the feeling that Newey and Alonso will be retired in 2 years.

Legend2TL



civicdrivr

iTrader: (9)

I don't put any blame on either driver. One car moved slightly but there was still a bunch of space for the other to do the same. And most of the cars tend to drift slightly that direction anyway on that stretch. I was really upset to see it happen though, both had driven a phenomenal race.

F-C

Really entertaining race. Great drive by Piastri.

Looking at the replay of the incident, I did not see any turning of the wheel by Sainz with the in-cockpit camera, so I can't blame him. Still have not seen a replay from inside Perez's cockpit. Unless Sainz was driving straight but pointing diagonally out of the exit, but there is no evidence of that.

civicdrivr

iTrader: (9)

Sainz said he drifted to the left, but that's the line.

F-C

https://www.grandprix.com/news/lawso...singapore.html

Lawson to take over Ricciardo's seat beginning in Singapore?

civicdrivr

iTrader: (9)

Damn - the story I read Monday was that DR had Singapore to prove his worth. I would like to see Lawson get another shot though.

Yumcha

LEGO announces close partnership with F1: https://brickset.com/article/113686/...with-formula-1

Shart...there goes my $$$.

00TL-P3.2

I've been seeing more F1 models on the shelves, from the little Speed Champions, pull-back models, and the bigger sets like the Senna, MB & MCL units.

Yumcha

If they continue the large-scale F1 carts...Ferrari, RB, or AM...TAKE MY MONEY!

00TL-P3.2

Except, no money

Legend2TL

50 minute technical talk by Pat Symonds on F1 power units getting to 50% power efficiency. Excellent engineering talk on F1 engines

F-C

I wonder if there will be a LEGO F1 video game. That would be epic.

F-C

Ricciardo confirmed for Singapore, but it may be his last race.

00TL-P3.2

More 'flexi' wings? McLaren tiny DRS-like flex in the upper flap

F-C

Interesting if such a small aero piece can make such a big difference. Brilliant idea though.

00TL-P3.2

A tenth or two on a straight like Baku, when leading [as mentioned in the video] could be what kept OP ahead of CL.
They seemed to think it wouldn't be as effective on a true high-speed track like Monza, though.

Legend2TL

R J Poseidon 6

Dude I'll miss Dani Ric

00TL-P3.2

Sky commentary mentioned that it Norris wins every race & sprint, and get the FL point; and Max finishes 2nd. They'll start the last race level on points.
Knowing that, I think it skews the WDC to Max a bit more than Norris.

thoiboi

I’m going to need more wall space….

Legend2TL

Legend2TL

The best scoring driver in the last nine races has been Oscar Piastri with 156 points. McLaren have the best driver lineup of all the current teams, definitely worth the legal fight to get him over going to Alpine