And lando just snuck through in 15th in Q1.
A well-timed red flag at the end there and I think we could’ve had Lando & Max 16th and 17th, which would’ve been fun
Edit: actually not really, I guess Max would’ve improved on 12th in Q2
And Stroll with a red flag puts both RBR cars out.
Max in 12… so will start 17th with the engine penalty.
A lot of risky overtaking on what will seemingly be a damp or wet track in a few hours.
Norris and Russell get screwed by their own teams…. Both furious they weren’t allowed to make the call to stay out
Down to 15 drivers. Still 29 laps left for a few more yellow and red flags…
What a disappointing result
Great day out for Alpine team but Russell (especially) and Norris must really be ruing their tactical error
Perez continuing his “form”
Have to think that’s the championship wrapped up again though. Baring a DNF from Max, can’t see them being able to catchup
The title fight is over. Norris isn’t making up an average of 21 points per race weekend from here, especially with the kind of scrappy drive that Norris had in this race. The strategy misstep also did not help.
On days like these, I much prefer the alternate championship. At least I can say Alpine got a one-two! Wouldn’t have imagined that being possible after their awful start to the season.
2 Likes
Yep time to get rid of the McLaren team orders. At least it’s only cost Oscar a sprint win, not a race win.
Verstappen also showed his humour in the presser.
“I have a quick question here I mean I appreciate all of you being here but I don’t see any British press- they had to run to the airport or they don’t know where the press conference is?”
Oscar giving up the lead in the sprint was a logical decision though. He left it way too late which was silly, but considering Lando is the only one that can realistically win, it’s the correct decision.
What a weak drive from Lando. Gave up positions at every start. Errors. And then was a whiny bitch post race. The kid doesn’t have it.
And an Alpine double podium, just as we all predicted.
Especially considering how close they and Williams were in the Constructors at the start of Qualifying.
It would’ve been a great race between the 4 drivers if Albon and Colapinto didn’t bin it in qualifying. The Williams looked just as fast as the Alpine.
Here’s a random one…
Travelling to Melbourne for work yesterday, I was wearing a Hesketh Racing tshirt. Going through security, an older English bloke points to it and says “those were the days”.
As I’m repacking my laptop he came up to chat some more, and tells me he once drove a Hesketh F1 car at Brands Hatch. Thinking he was just a rich guy who did it for fun, I asked how that came about, and what level he raced at.
He shows me a photo of him in the Hesketh driving ahead of Niki Lauda and then hands me this sticker and says “Google my name and you’ll find out who you just met”. (To be clear, not with a hint of arrogance)
Very nice bloke, not a fan of modern F1, wish I could’ve chatted longer about those days.
8 Likes
Jack Doohan is making his F1 racing debut this weekend as Alpine have released Esteban Ocon early.
The real Driver’s Championship may be over but the Alternate Championship isn’t! Norris’ dubious penalty in Qatar means there’s ten points between Lando Norris (409) and Charles Leclerc (399). A second place for Norris will do the business, even if Leclerc wins and gets the fastest lap.
I also love how stupid shit like Norris giving the sprint win to Piastri can potentially decide the Drivers title here!
PS: Valtteri Bottas finally broke his point(s) duck for the season by finishing tenth in Qatar, so everyone has finally scored at least one point
Piastri just the 4th driver tohsv ever finished every single lap in a season
1 Like
Perez has been let go
Perez, 34, is expected to be replaced by 22-year-old New Zealander Liam Lawson, in a promotion from the sister Racing Bulls team.
Still think Ricciardo would have been a better option in that second seat. Out of all the possible options available that is.