By markao Go To PostIf anyone comes across this image in high res…….link please thx ;)Here ya go.
And one seat less available for next season, as Antonio Giovinazzi (Ferrari jr) picks up a seat next to Kimi at Sauber
There are days in F2 he looked great, but next weekend it could be all gone, so not quite sure what to make of him. Good news is Ericsson is gone, nothing against the lad, but never was really good enough.
There are days in F2 he looked great, but next weekend it could be all gone, so not quite sure what to make of him. Good news is Ericsson is gone, nothing against the lad, but never was really good enough.
Six to go and first race in this double header is in Sochi for the FORMULA 1 2018 VTB RUSSIAN GRAND PRIX
Track is semi streettrack in and around the old Winter OS park and not one that I would miss if it disappeared, reminds me a bit of Valencia. Long straight, makes a fun start and further mostly 90 degree corners, luckily barrier close by so little bit of a challenge and definitely a one stopper.
We are now at a stage were it does not matter any more which team has the better car for which track (would say slight favourite = Ferrari), Vettel has to deliver. After the surprising win by Lewis in Singapore, Sebastian and his team now need a solid weekend that ends with them ahead of Mercedes/Lewis. Otherwise I'm afraid the momentum swing to Mercedes will make it very hard for Ferrari to recover from, even though there are enough races left to chance things around.
Two more seats are filled with both Romain and Kevin driving another season for the Haas team.
And we will have also one new face next year, fore those that missed it, Antonio Giovinazzi will drive next season for Sauber and will get some Free Practice time this weekend to get used to his new environment.
And three teams, RBR/McLaren & Toro Rosso, will take grid penalties due to engine chances. Toro Rosso with the new spec3 from Honda and the Renault powered teams take the B-Spec, with means RBR goes back to the older engine (apparently spec-c cannot handle the altitude in Mexico/Brasil.
And boy becomes men, Sunday is Max his birthday and starting from the back of the grid, should make it a fun one.
FP1
teams getting rid of the tires they do not need, Fer hypers and Merc the harder compounds.
And DannyRic having another great start:
teams getting rid of the tires they do not need, Fer hypers and Merc the harder compounds.
And DannyRic having another great start:
FP2
Mercedes bit ahead of Ferrari, but feel they have still something in hand (engine mode), so expect them to be close. RBR is bit slower but they have to start at the back anyway.
RPFI again look best of rest, surprise was Gasly................improved Honda spec-3 ? , if so happy faces at red Bull ;)
Mercedes bit ahead of Ferrari, but feel they have still something in hand (engine mode), so expect them to be close. RBR is bit slower but they have to start at the back anyway.
RPFI again look best of rest, surprise was Gasly................improved Honda spec-3 ? , if so happy faces at red Bull ;)
Yes he is back, confirmed at Toro Rosso.
Hasn't shown he deserves another shot in his previous attempts, but somehow I feel the team did their best to not support him (demotion to TR) and did like the guy, so hope he shows it this time.
Hasn't shown he deserves another shot in his previous attempts, but somehow I feel the team did their best to not support him (demotion to TR) and did like the guy, so hope he shows it this time.
FP3
Ferrari looses out in the last part of the lap to the Mercs, so they need some set-up work if they want to fight for pole.
RPFI will fight the rest of the Ferrari powered teams for best of the rest.
Ferrari looses out in the last part of the lap to the Mercs, so they need some set-up work if they want to fight for pole.
RPFI will fight the rest of the Ferrari powered teams for best of the rest.
Q1:
The usual suspects out, hartley again more than 0.6 of Gasly...........do hope TR can find someone for next season and sirotkin showing stroll what is possible with that car (in his 1st run ;) )
The usual suspects out, hartley again more than 0.6 of Gasly...........do hope TR can find someone for next season and sirotkin showing stroll what is possible with that car (in his 1st run ;) )
Q2 nobody needed to push, because the other 5 were never going to run. Renault just needed to be sure the others went out on hypers :( Merc + Fer will obviously start on the US tomorrow.
Merc pole
valteri does it again in Russia, Lewis errors in 2nd run
Ferrari no were and Magnussen pulls one out of the bag for best of the rest, curious how the Hypers will last en if Renault will be the one profiting tomorrow with their free tyre choice.
full session:
Raceday and we start early, in a few minutes.
Normally boring race, with a fun start (slipstreams), expect a lot of drivers to run wide in the slow right, as they saw it is faster in GP3/F2 and not penalised. RBR coming through the field might be fun, normally a SC fase, otherwise it is RyderCup for me. ;)
So let's hope one of the Ferrari's at least does something at the start.
Normally boring race, with a fun start (slipstreams), expect a lot of drivers to run wide in the slow right, as they saw it is faster in GP3/F2 and not penalised. RBR coming through the field might be fun, normally a SC fase, otherwise it is RyderCup for me. ;)
So let's hope one of the Ferrari's at least does something at the start.
#GOMAX
no doubt, so clear & clean for others and already top 10
Lap 8 P5 for Max, hope different tactic (tires) and a nice SC in the end can make this a more fun race.
no doubt, so clear & clean for others and already top 10
Lap 8 P5 for Max, hope different tactic (tires) and a nice SC in the end can make this a more fun race.
Bottas bending over as usual. Its simply not racing. It must be the most demeaning feeling for a driver.
By Spengo Go To PostBottas bending over as usual. Its simply not racing. It must be the most demeaning feeling for a driver.
switch:
team radio
toto: https://giant.gfycat.com/FatVariableAnnelid.webm
Merc could have just let Bottas win and spared all this post race awkwardness. Ham would still be leading with a huge margin.
Do not like to see it but understand Mercedes, silly talk about difficult race is nonsense, it was just about the WC, feel sry for Valteri.
Lewis, unless silly things happen in the remaining 5, isn't going to give this away, move on Vettel showed he has the upper hand on him.
Max great drive in the end for nothing, as his teammate finishing directly behind him and the guys in front were to quick.
Charles lonely drive, thanks to Magnussen holding the rest at bay, but good one and best of the rest.
Toto:
while it hasnt all been the drivers fault, surely ferrari have to be looking at vettal and wondering if they can do better? they've had a better car for majority of the season so really shouldnt be this far behind. I mean its not over yet but hard to see lewis not winning it this year.
By Kidjr Go To Postwhile it hasnt all been the drivers fault, surely ferrari have to be looking at vettal and wondering if they can do better? they've had a better car for majority of the season so really shouldnt be this far behind. I mean its not over yet but hard to see lewis not winning it this year.Is there currently a better driver than Hamilton?
Lewis is top tier, Vettel definitely not.
I would put Fernando & Max also on that level, rest is minimum a level below those three. If Charles keeps developing the way he has done since karting (most impressive guy with Max), I feel he also has a chance to reach that top level. And even though, as I said before, one year to early, absolutely think Ferrari has done the right thing by putting pressure on Vettel for next year. Really looking forward how that battle evolves and expect Charles on top in the last 3rd of the next season.
I would put Fernando & Max also on that level, rest is minimum a level below those three. If Charles keeps developing the way he has done since karting (most impressive guy with Max), I feel he also has a chance to reach that top level. And even though, as I said before, one year to early, absolutely think Ferrari has done the right thing by putting pressure on Vettel for next year. Really looking forward how that battle evolves and expect Charles on top in the last 3rd of the next season.
And another race-weekend, for round 17 we travel to Japan for the FORMULA 1 2018 HONDA JAPANESE GRAND PRIX at the Suzuka Circuit.
One of my favourite old school tracks, even though races on it aren't the most exiting, from the high speed 1st corner entry to the esses, the 1st Degner, Spoon and lastly 130R (hopefully they will allow DRS to be opened, otherwise it is easy flat). You need power for the last 1/2 and a front end to get through the first 1/2.
Favourites based on Silverstone/Spa should be Ferrari, but based on current form it is hard to not look at Mercedes. If Ferrari wants anything out of this season they do need to change the momentum, otherwise both championships will more or less be done. Expect RBR to be bit better than in Russia, but I'm afraid they lack the power to compete for a win, unless the Saturday is wet as expected.
At the Honda sponsored GP it will be the first time that Toro Rosso will race the Honda Spec3 aka the Ron Dennis Juwel ;), rumoured to be a 30Kw/40Hp plus. No doubt RBR and other top teams will have a close eye on the TR performance to see if RBR next year might be challenging for more than 3rd best team on the grid.
And my favourite part of the Thursday in Suzuka, the brilliant fans!! with my new best hat/helmet ever, the Ferrari Samurai hat followed by the TR with aero racks :P and some more
And almost forgot, don't forget your alarm clock ;)
I was awake for the first practice session but slept through the second.
By markao Go To PostPerfect timing.
By Spengo Go To PostHulk smash (into the wall)
Some work to get that car ready ;)
FP3:
Was tricky weather and very windy, so not sure how representative, but at least Ferrari was a little closer than yesterday.
By Spengo Go To PostMcLolren behind Williams now.no words
should feel bad for them with their history, but hard to care for the current version of McLol
Mercedes on the softs and still fastest, pack it in lads its over.......DannyRic can do the same ? :(
Light rain, to spice it up for Q3 ?
Both Toro Rosso's through, they can finally dream of power :lol: DannyRic again with Renault issues :(
And Kevin and Charles cannot improve due to slippery track and are also out.
Danniel not happy:
Both Toro Rosso's through, they can finally dream of power :lol: DannyRic again with Renault issues :(
And Kevin and Charles cannot improve due to slippery track and are also out.
Danniel not happy:
and full session:
Lewis pole , max P3 and Ferrari, specially Sebastian throwing it away (P9)
Grosjean best of the rest and Toro Rosso delivering on the Honda GP of Japan!!!
and one more, lol Ferrari, still Vettel had the track to do better on his 1st run, 2nd to wet.
Vettel Degner 2:
Kimi:
"Is it still a battle? I'm not sure"
dabs
dabs
By markao Go To PostGrosjean best of the rest and Toro Rosso delivering on the Honda GP of Japan!!!RBR Honda looks promising next year.
By markao Go To Postno wordsThey will continue to pay the price for their hubris. Best chassis in F1....lol
should feel bad for them with their history, but hard to care for the current version of McLol(