The car no doubtly helps, but last year, both Ferrari drivers and the Red Bull driver (Max) beat Bottas so the car last year certainly wasn't "destroying the field". The driving of Lewis put pressure on his challenger, Vettel, and caused him to make mistakes. I'm not a F1 historian but I bet the previous world championship drivers all raced in very competitive cars. Has there ever been a driver who won a world championship with what was clearly otherwise a poor car?
F1 2019 season
- Thread starter Santi_Mesut_Alexis_87
- Start date
The car no doubtly helps, but last year, both Ferrari drivers and the Red Bull driver (Max) beat Bottas so the car last year certainly wasn't "destroying the field". The driving of Lewis put pressure on his challenger, Vettel, and caused him to make mistakes. I'm not a F1 historian but I bet the previous world championship drivers all raced in very competitive cars. Has there ever been a driver who won a world championship with what was clearly otherwise a poor car?
Only to folks who didn't watch the 80s and 90s.
I personally think this era is vastly overrated quality wise. Lets not beat around the bush, Schumacher Senior is arguably the Goat and his brother is not a slouch. JPM was prodigy and won Indy Car when it was not quite F1, but had a decent list of talent. Then add Raikkonen, Alonso, Hakkinen (even DC), Damon etc. In fact, I would say the period between 96 to 2001 was the Strongest in F1 history. Nearly every team aside from Minardi had a driver capable of winning races (even the likes of Tyrell and Prost).
Currently F1 has a couple of F2 champions, Lewis and Sebastian...
Pretty much this. There used to be an era when other teams could win. The last 10 years most of the times it's been 1 team on top, sometimes 2... It's much easier to win in that scenario.
Well, it's not about winning with a poor car, it's more about winning when having a competition. I agree about last year's championship. He was excellent.
Closest in the last 30 years has been Prost and Schumacher both in Ferrari's. Prior to that, probably Hunt in the McLaren.
In four wheeled motorsports on track, it is far harder to win in a poor car because until it rains, there is far less driver input then say motorcycling where a rider can ride around the deficiencies of the bikes (see Casey Stoner on Ducati etc).
I believe that is the obvious issue with F1. Driver input is virtually null and void these days if the driver wants to push, he's punished by tyres that dont last. If a driver makes a mistake and doesn't even make contact with another driver, he's punished unfairly (see Vettel in Canada). If he pretty much does anything that falls within a question of the officials, you'd expect a penalty. Its absolute bullshit and that feckwit ant davidson doesn't want to bring back refuelling...
Last edited:
Ferrari and Red Bull outpaced Mercedes in final practice for the German GP in a surprise timesheet ahead of qualifying, despite cooler weather arriving at Hockenheim.
The impressive Charles Leclerc, the fastest man in the oppressive heat of Friday, led the way again in P3, this time from Max Verstappen by 0.168s with a best lap of 1:12.380.
Both Mercedes drivers finished half a second off the pace and were unusually split on the timesheet by Haas' Kevin Magnussen.
Despite expectations that a drop in temperatures of around 10 degrees compared to Friday would play into Mercedes' hands, Valtteri Bottas was fourth and Lewis Hamilton sixth.
The impressive Charles Leclerc, the fastest man in the oppressive heat of Friday, led the way again in P3, this time from Max Verstappen by 0.168s with a best lap of 1:12.380.
Both Mercedes drivers finished half a second off the pace and were unusually split on the timesheet by Haas' Kevin Magnussen.
Despite expectations that a drop in temperatures of around 10 degrees compared to Friday would play into Mercedes' hands, Valtteri Bottas was fourth and Lewis Hamilton sixth.
So basically Mercedes in line for another 1-2 in qualifying. Nice.
Not so sure , both cars had problems Bottas has software problems and Lewis looks a bit ragged.
60% chance of rain today.
Seb in trouble , not out for Q1 yet and might not make it.
Leclerc setting the pass in Q1 , Lewis struggling
Holy crap c'mon Lewis
Seb out in Q1 , did not even set a time , Lewis has found some speed.
Out in Q1 go:
Norris
Albon
Russell
Kubica
Vettel
Norris
Albon
Russell
Kubica
Vettel
Is this the beginning of the end for Seb.
Sky are reporting that Seb had Turbo failure.
Seb will need something, in his home race to get something , SC or maybe rain.
I still dont 100% rule him out of getting on the podium bit it will be hard.
Seb will need something, in his home race to get something , SC or maybe rain.
I still dont 100% rule him out of getting on the podium bit it will be hard.
nah , he is just having poor luck
OUT IN Q2
Giovinazzi
Magnussen
Ricciardo
Kvyat
Stroll
Giovinazzi
Magnussen
Ricciardo
Kvyat
Stroll
Just 0.033s splits Hulkenberg in eighth and Ricciardo in 13th...
Leclerc with a turbo problem now ? Sky seem to think he has a problem.
Hamilton is flying in Q3 with 1.11.767.
Ferrari is having a shocker , both cars out.
Seb starts 20th and Leclerc start in 10th.
Rain is a high possibility on Sunday, but Lewis is fantastic in the rain , going to be hard to get anything from this weekend.
Rain is a high possibility on Sunday, but Lewis is fantastic in the rain , going to be hard to get anything from this weekend.
Never doubt Ferrari to find new ways to disappoint you.
No surprise there then. Max may seoerste the Mercs yet, but it's never too far from a Merc 1-2, this year at least.
You would think with Binotto at the helm this sort of problems wouldn't come out. Shocking year for Ferrari.
I wonder how Santi is doing 
....or delight, either way, a feck up of a season. Poor Ferrari.
It depends on what's wrong. If he needs to change anything major it could come with penalties.
I miss him on days like these.I wonder how Santi is doing
Lewis on pole, but a fortunate one, with Seb and Leclerc both running , dont think he would have been pole, but you take what you are given.
Well done Lewis.
The race is looking like a cracker , Seb 20th will be running hard , Leclerc in 10th and Lewis and Max will battle it out in turn 1.
Well done Lewis.
The race is looking like a cracker , Seb 20th will be running hard , Leclerc in 10th and Lewis and Max will battle it out in turn 1.
yeah never thought of that.
Peak Ferrari there.
Q3 RESULT
1. Lewis Hamilton - 1.11.767
2. Max Verstappen - +0.346
3. Valtteri Bottas - +0.362
4. Pierre Gasly - +0.755
5. Kimi Raikkonen - +0.771
6. Romain Grosjean - +1.084
7. Carlos Sainz - +1.130
8. Sergio Perez - +1.298
9. Nico Hulkenberg - +1.359
10. Charles Leclerc - No Time
1. Lewis Hamilton - 1.11.767
2. Max Verstappen - +0.346
3. Valtteri Bottas - +0.362
4. Pierre Gasly - +0.755
5. Kimi Raikkonen - +0.771
6. Romain Grosjean - +1.084
7. Carlos Sainz - +1.130
8. Sergio Perez - +1.298
9. Nico Hulkenberg - +1.359
10. Charles Leclerc - No Time
Ffs Ferrari, just leave F1..... amazing how this of all teams just keeps fecking it up.
Their car is very quick but in the main they have failed dismally to capitalise on their speed.
Meanwhile, Mercedes carry on grinding out results and wearing the opposition down with their consistency.
Their car is anything but quick. The engine is the only part that is better than the Mercedes and Red Bull. The rest is wayy behind.
The Ferrari is quick and they are pushing Mercedes hard to maintain their superiority.
They have chosen to have a higher top speed but it does look like Mercedes has better cornering and traction.
Red Bull have made big improvements recently and have probably edged in front of Ferrari.
Only those that fall for PR believe the Ferrari is anywhere as quick as the mercedes in a race this year.