Without meaning to discredit Hamilton, the same could be said for Verstappen this weekend, and yet he never had any chance of winning the race. You can't just completely factor the car out of the equation.
F1 2020 Season
- Thread starter pauldyson1uk
- Start date
Time to find a new test track for testing. They know the track too well.
https://www.racefans.net/2020/08/16/leclerc-drove-two-laps-with-seat-belts-off-after-engine-glitch/
Leclerc is a fecking idiot who should honestly be facing a race ban for this shit. Moving the car for any distance without your seatbelt attached is beyond stupid but to drive by the pits, do a full lap at a decent pace (1:24) and only then tell your team that you undid your seatbelt is mindblowing. Ferrari deserve some stick for the fact that they told him to pit when he finally told them about it instead of saying "pull over as soon as it's safe, you utter idiot" but Leclerc needs his head testing.
Leclerc is a fecking idiot who should honestly be facing a race ban for this shit. Moving the car for any distance without your seatbelt attached is beyond stupid but to drive by the pits, do a full lap at a decent pace (1:24) and only then tell your team that you undid your seatbelt is mindblowing. Ferrari deserve some stick for the fact that they told him to pit when he finally told them about it instead of saying "pull over as soon as it's safe, you utter idiot" but Leclerc needs his head testing.
Even more mind blowing when Jules Bianchi was his godfather. Agree, he needs his testing & I'd be surprised if there isn't a fine applied.
I would suggest a lot of the criticism he gets is at the person not the driver. The preaching do as I say not as I do while living abroad and climbing the Silverstone fences draped in a flag kind of thing.
I don't particularly blame him for bettering himself but he does his image here no favours at all.
jesus! explains why he drove so slowly once he got restarted again.
Imagine if it happened again and he locked up and span off and hit the wall? he'd come flying out the car ffs.
I imagine he shit himself knowing he shouldn't have undone his belt so fast and then didn't know what to say, but by that point it was too late anyway, should have just gone straight into the pit.
Thank god nothing bad happened.
Interesting speculation here about Toto taking over as CEO of F1 in the next 1-2 years:
Grand Prix 247: Inside Line: Toto to replace Chase?.
https://www.grandprix247.com/2020/08/17/inside-line-toto-to-replace-chase/
It would explain a LOT when you listened to all the things he has said and the reconciliatory behavior that's been at display.
Grand Prix 247: Inside Line: Toto to replace Chase?.
https://www.grandprix247.com/2020/08/17/inside-line-toto-to-replace-chase/
It would explain a LOT when you listened to all the things he has said and the reconciliatory behavior that's been at display.
Flipping it on it’s head, take Hamilton out of it, and the championship is shaping up to be a cracker!
Don't you think Verstappen would run away with it? Well - I guess Bottas would provide real competition if he would be Mercedes's #1.
Only 6 points between them after 6 races. I guess Bottas might have the prime strategy more often which would probably see him gain a few more points, and maybe be sneaking it at the moment in this alternate reality.
He might not have upped his game as much trying to match Hamilton though.
Think it’d be close!
Well, certainly anything would be more interesting for the competition that the current situation!
Just started watching it now and yeah I'm gonna find myself paying much more attention to the mid-field next Sunday than I do normally.
Man-someone should tell Marko he s been talking too much lately. Kind of putting Albon down here in no uncertain terms:
GPblog.com: Red Bull on return Ricciardo: "Ways back can always be found".
https://gpblog.com/en/news/66346/red-bull-on-return-ricciardo-ways-back-can-always-be-found-.html
GPblog.com: Red Bull on return Ricciardo: "Ways back can always be found".
https://gpblog.com/en/news/66346/red-bull-on-return-ricciardo-ways-back-can-always-be-found-.html
Ric would never go back there whilst Max is about.
Turkey's Istanbul Park will host a Grand Prix for the first time since 2011 this year, after Formula 1 announced four more races have been added to the 2020 calendar.
The Turkish Grand Prix will be run on November 15, just before a back-to-back double header in Bahrain, with the Bahrain Grand Prix on November 26 followed by the Sakhir Grand Prix on December 6.
The season concluding Abu Dhabi Grand Prix will take place at the Yas Marina Circuit on December 13.
Formula 1 also confirmed that the Chinese Grand Prix, which was initially postponed earlier this year, will now not be run in 2020, bringing the current race total to 17 for the season.
A statement from Formula 1 said: "We can confirm that Turkey, Bahrain (hosting two races), and Abu Dhabi will be part of the revised season and want to express our thanks to the hard work of all our promoters and partners in making this 17-race season possible.
The Turkish Grand Prix will be run on November 15, just before a back-to-back double header in Bahrain, with the Bahrain Grand Prix on November 26 followed by the Sakhir Grand Prix on December 6.
The season concluding Abu Dhabi Grand Prix will take place at the Yas Marina Circuit on December 13.
Formula 1 also confirmed that the Chinese Grand Prix, which was initially postponed earlier this year, will now not be run in 2020, bringing the current race total to 17 for the season.
A statement from Formula 1 said: "We can confirm that Turkey, Bahrain (hosting two races), and Abu Dhabi will be part of the revised season and want to express our thanks to the hard work of all our promoters and partners in making this 17-race season possible.
Races added to the season
| 14 | November 13-15 | FORMULA 1 DHL TURKISH GRAND PRIX 2020 |
| 15 | November 27-29 | FORMULA 1 GULF AIR BAHRAIN GRAND PRIX 2020 |
| 16 | December 4-6 | FORMULA 1 ROLEX SAKHIR GRAND PRIX 2020 (Bahrain) |
| 17 | December 11 - 13 | FORMULA 1 ETIHAD AIRWAYS ABU DHABI GRAND PRIX 2020 |
Turkey is a great addition, Turn 8 easy flat in these cars though, probably DRS out of the final bit 
Dunno what the weather is like in Turkey in November, hope it's wet to make it as challenging as possible. Glad it's returned, was always one of the more exciting tracks even if Turn 8 won't be as fearsome if it's dry.
averages 15 days rain, average temp 15 degrees, could be interesting, turn 8 if wet very interesting.
So about 50% chance of rain, I'll take that.
F1 to run second Bahrain race on track's super-fast 'Outer' track
Sub-55s lap times expected for the first time in F1 history at Sakhir GP, the second leg of Bahrain's November-December double header
The layout features just 11 corners and simulations suggest it will result in lap times of below 55 seconds in qualifying and under 60s in the race.
The standard Bahrain GP circuit, which will be used as normal for the venue's first race the week before, runs to 15 corners and last year produced a pole lap of 1:27.866.
The only previous sub-60s pole lap in F1 history (58.79s) was achieved by Ferrari's Niki Lauda in the 1974 French GP at Dijon.
This should make for an exciting race.
Sub-55s lap times expected for the first time in F1 history at Sakhir GP, the second leg of Bahrain's November-December double header
The layout features just 11 corners and simulations suggest it will result in lap times of below 55 seconds in qualifying and under 60s in the race.
The standard Bahrain GP circuit, which will be used as normal for the venue's first race the week before, runs to 15 corners and last year produced a pole lap of 1:27.866.
The only previous sub-60s pole lap in F1 history (58.79s) was achieved by Ferrari's Niki Lauda in the 1974 French GP at Dijon.
This should make for an exciting race.
Hammy due a nice result round here, it's been a while. With 50% chance of rain Sunday should play into his hands, hopefully.
With 50% chance of rain Sunday should play into his hands, hopefully.Hammy due a nice result round here, it's been a while.
Which is more indicative of his ability than people realise. Spa is one of the few drivers tracks left on the grid where the drives input can make up certain deficiencies in the car. Considering Mercedes advantage for so long, 2 wins for them is kind of embarrassing for him.
I get that compared to other tracks their record might be poorer at Spa than many other tracks, but are you seriously insinuating that his ‘poor’ record round Spa indicates that he’s not someone that can get the most out of his equipment?
I’m absolutely no Hamilton fanboy (awesome driver, but a cock), but his results at Spa are as follows:
2019 - 2nd, 0.9 secs behind a cheating Ferrari
2018 - 2nd
2017 - 1st
2016 - 3rd (started 21st after a 15 grid place penalty)
2015 - 1st
2014 - Retired (after Rosberg punctured his tyre)
2013 - 3rd
2012 - Retired (after Grojean caused a clusterfeck of a crash and nearly killed Alonso)
2011 - Retired (after contact with Kobayashi, probably his fault tbf)
2010 - 1st
2009 - Retired
2008 - 3rd (finished 1st but gained a 25 second penalty demoting him)
2007 - 4th
When he’s finished the race, he’s only finished off the podium once, in his maiden year, and even then he finished 4th.
I’d argue his record is pretty decent but he’s had his fair share of bad luck, instead of driving poorly. Granted, he’s had his fair share of luck in other races though.
Im indicating that he's had a massive advantage for the last 7 years and failed to win in a lot of circumstances where he should have. Im not saying a clean sweep, but two wins is pathetic considering the car advantage he has had. Lets not beat around the bush, aside from 2018, that Mercedes has been the car to have at Spa and he's fallen short at this circuit where a drivers talent comes to the fore. Saying he's due a result in bollocks. He's not owed anything and its pretty much been his own failings as to why he hasnt won.
As an example, here is Schumachers track record
1991 - Qualifies 7th and out qualifies his team mate by a good distance
1992 - Wins
1993 - 2nd
1994 - wins but dq'd (mostly to make the title hunt competitive)
1995 - wins
1996 - wins
1997 - wins
1998 - dnf in lead while coulthard fecking around on race line in the wet;
1999 - didnt race due to leg break
2000 - 2nd (great overtake from Hakkinen);
2001 - wins
2002 - wins
2003 - no race
2004 - 2nd (title wrapped up and Raikkonen was mighty)
2005 - dnf due to Sato
2006 - no race
Highlighted in bold are the years that he had a car that was in the same position as Hamilton has had for the last 7 years. Even then 1995 was questionable that Benneton had the dominate package over Williams. So pretty much, unless he was taken out of the race, he was the quickest driver there and was either the winner or second.
I guess those 85 wins elsewhere count for nothing then.
Hmm, so out of the last 6 races (that’s when the Merc dominance began) where Hamilton has arguably had the car to beat at Spa he’s:
- DNF’d once, due to his teammate tagging his tyre
- Won twice
- Been 2nd in the last 2 years, where I’d argue that Ferrari had the quickest package at Spa (both 2018 as you say, and definitely 2019 too)
- Finished 3rd after starting 21st
For reference, since the Merc dominance began, his teammates have managed one win (when Hamilton started 21st), two 2nds, and one 3rd, 4th & 5th.
Which races do you think he should’ve won that he’s ‘pathetically failed’ at?
I would agree this this , his record is decent, 4 DNF in 5 season, is maybe the reason he is thought to have done not that well here.
The 2, 3rd finishes starting so low on the grid were excellent results, I think his Spa record is up there with the best.
Also agree with the awesome driver but a cock comment.
Belgium GP Qualifying
Q1 about to start.
Lewis and Bottas 0.8 ahead of the rest.
Seb and Leclerc are nowhere in Q1
Seb and Leclerc just make Q2 in 13th and 15th.
OUT IN Q1
Raikkonen
Grosjean
Giovinazzi
Latifi
Magnussen
OUT IN Q1
Raikkonen
Grosjean
Giovinazzi
Latifi
Magnussen
All the Ferrari powered cars at the back except one Williams. That engine saga has hit them hard.
Looks like we can’t expect Ferrari to do anything of note till 2022. It’s hard being a Man Utd ans Ferrari fan right now.
What the heck is going on with Ferrari.
The way Qualifying is going , the race will be a Mercedes 1 and 2 , for some excitement rain is needed.
Who know ? They and FIA know, but we will never know.
Good god Ferrari.
Next week is the temple of speed btw. Dreaded to think what to come for Ferrari.
Next week is the temple of speed btw. Dreaded to think what to come for Ferrari.
FFS how the Might have fallen, Seb and Leclerc out in Q2
Shocking season for them.
Shocking season for them.