Formula 1

[Saddlesoap]

Would love to see Lando on the podium tomorrow. Hopefully Hamilton/Bottas/Verstappen can have a nice crash and take themselves out. Albon will do an Albon and bottle it. Lando wins, Sainz gets a podium so they can have one last special moment together. And like Gasly can get third.

Well, I can live with hopeless optimism.

I like your optimism

Don't really mind if Max gets a podium, but really don't want Merc up there. (Although I do have Lewis on my Fantasy team.... and I need s good score to beat my husband )

 

[Poptart]

I've never particularly warmed to Alonso. I've only got into F1 in the past 5 years, but moreso in the past 2, do didn't see him at his best. Just comes across as too arrogant.

I've never warmed to him either.

 

[StephenTJackson]

I've never particularly warmed to Alonso. I've only got into F1 in the past 5 years, but moreso in the past 2, do didn't see him at his best. Just comes across as too arrogant.

Yes! This! His attitude is appalling. And there is a reason all the teams have such a toxic vibe when he is there. McLaren especially suffered with him. They bent over for him and honestly he was awful. He poisoned the relationship with Honda, not McLaren. They were being diplomatic until the very end. And Alonso screwed himself for Indy500 because Honda then refused to let Alonso drive a Honda powered car, which was the better engine in IndyCar. He's just toxic.

 

[Pop!91]

Definitely think that Hamilton has come back too quickly, everyone at Merc seemed to be resigned to the fact that Lewis wouldn’t be back this season as he was symptomatic,

So something is definitely going on behind the scenes, whether that’s Lewis that forced himself back, or Merc that didn’t want another race with George - he did show up Bottas last week!

I will never believe that a team will ever jeopardise their drivers, but let’s just say, I think Toto was relieved when George got his puncture - those are some difficult questions to answer if the driver you looked over for next season wins first time in the car!

Saying all that - prepared to go and see Lewis win today. Being ‘under the weather’ and ‘still not 100%’ and going on to win, is just the self-hype that Lewis likes to do! - watch the fan boys fawn over him for it!

 

[Bubblesdahling]

Hoping for a good result from the Mclarens today, especially Lando We should have started Lewis Bingo at the start of the season.
"I've got no grip"
"The rears are gone"
"It's understeering in turn 4"
"I just wanna thank you all, you've been amazing"
"Wow, I'm so humbled"
You get the picture....
Did anyone listen to sky f1's comments on Marzipan(I can't bring myself to call him by his proper name the bleep)? They were very in favour of harsh penalties for him and did hint about Daddy's billions playing a part in whether he stays or goes.

 

[StephenTJackson]

Interestingly the FIA published an updated entry list for next year, Hamilton is listed as confirmed for Mercedes even though as far as we know no contract has yet been signed. Just leaving the Red Bull and Alpha Tauri second seats up for grabs.

Hamilton definitely running scared from Russell I think. Toto is running scared from making the mistake of resigning Bottas by encouraging him in qualifying etc. Bottas is aware he is now officially on borrowed time if Hamilton is staying longer term.

The excuse Mercedes came out with for the pit stop shambles last week seems like rit. During a radio communication from the pitwall to pit crews Russell tried to radio in and it got interrupted and ended up messing up the message to the pit crew for which tyres first. Seems dodgy to me.

 

[so_u_thinkimskinnyyy]

Interestingly the FIA published an updated entry list for next year, Hamilton is listed as confirmed for Mercedes even though as far as we know no contract has yet been signed. Just leaving the Red Bull and Alpha Tauri second seats up for grabs.

Hamilton definitely running scared from Russell I think. Toto is running scared from making the mistake of resigning Bottas by encouraging him in qualifying etc. Bottas is aware he is now officially on borrowed time if Hamilton is staying longer term.

The excuse Mercedes came out with for the pit stop shambles last week seems like rit. During a radio communication from the pitwall to pit crews Russell tried to radio in and it got interrupted and ended up messing up the message to the pit crew for which tyres first. Seems dodgy to me.

i noticed that too, pretty much hamilton confirmed then. i really do hope george gets a seat so hamilton can really get a run for his money.

the whole covid situation just seems off to me. i can’t understand why he’s so hush hush about how it was. no full answer about how he was and condone “wasn’t good” he’s miraculously made a full recovery. considering how intense of a sport it is and how demanding it is on your body, i’m really surprised he’s back (if he even had it)

 

[conrea37]

I have a theory that Hamilton is leaving and he wanted to do his last race.
I do doubt it but I can hope. I don’t like domination

 

[Bubblesdahling]

I do wonder if Lewis will last the race due to not being 100% after covid?

 

[StephenTJackson]

I have a theory that Hamilton is leaving and he wanted to do his last race.
I do doubt it but I can hope. I don’t like domination

I wouldn't mind him retiring. But I don't understand why he wouldn't do even one more season, even if he wasn't really motivated, just to get an 8th title and have that most titles record for himself outright.

 

[Poptart]

I think Mercedes should think about all the people they have had to make redundant this year and give George the drive instead of paying Lewis 40/50 million a year.

 

[Reverend]

Interestingly the FIA published an updated entry list for next year, Hamilton is listed as confirmed for Mercedes even though as far as we know no contract has yet been signed. Just leaving the Red Bull and Alpha Tauri second seats up for grabs.

Hamilton definitely running scared from Russell I think. Toto is running scared from making the mistake of resigning Bottas by encouraging him in qualifying etc. Bottas is aware he is now officially on borrowed time if Hamilton is staying longer term.

The excuse Mercedes came out with for the pit stop shambles last week seems like rit. During a radio communication from the pitwall to pit crews Russell tried to radio in and it got interrupted and ended up messing up the message to the pit crew for which tyres first. Seems dodgy to me.

F1 journalist Joe Sward has said not to put too much against the fact the drivers are on next years entry list. They don't have to be officially confirmed before the thursday of the first race.

 

[Bubblesdahling]

Awww Carlando

 

[Saddlesoap]

I doubt Lewis is retiring. He'll want to go for the 8 titles.
We will hear the tyres are gone, no power, don't feel well but will come through and win.

 

[Pop!91]

I do think it’s suspicious nothing has been confirmed yet with Lewis.

I remember back in the day when Seb’s contracts at RBR were always under the spotlight, they use to say it’ll be sorted when the title is wrapped up, and it would be pretty much confirmed a couple of days after Seb got the title.

Lewis and Merc sealed their titles weeks ago, and were a shoe-in long before that, surely if it was straightforward it would be done now!

There’s definitely an issue with money and/or contract length...oooh to be a fly on that wall!

 

[StephenTJackson]

Well this is boring. After such a great season, turning up to processional Abu Dhabi is always a major disappointment.

 

[so_u_thinkimskinnyyy]

Well this is boring. After such a great season, turning up to processional Abu Dhabi is always a major disappointment.

agree, they need to find a better place for the final race

 

[StephenTJackson]

agree, they need to find a better place for the final race

Definitely. I know Abu Dhabi pay Megabucks to get the prestige of hosting the season finale, but it is an utterly rit race. They either need to change the season finale location or make major changes to the track to promote better racing.

God I hope the 2022 regs work and cars can race closer together.

Hamilton: Bono, tyres are still fine.

 

[Roundhouses]

Definitely. I know Abu Dhabi pay Megabucks to get the prestige of hosting the season finale, but it is an utterly rit race. They either need to change the season finale location or make major changes to the track to promote better racing.

God I hope the 2022 regs work and cars can race closer together.

Hamilton: Bono, tyres are still fine.

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Well said. Everyone knows it’s boring, always is, something like for the past 6 years the top 3 have always been in the same order as qualifying top 3.

Also - I liked Hamilton’s reference to it possibly being a boring race in his post race interview! He seems to have a good understanding of fans’ mindset

 

[StephenTJackson]

Anyone else think Hamilton looked absolutely ducked on the podium, like properly exhausted. Just goes to show he wasn't 100% ready to come back racing.

It was a pretty subdued podium full stop I thought, but Hamilton especially looked like he was hanging on to consciousness.