The F1 2018 thread - #Blessed

[Pancake]

Although it wasn't the most exciting format, the 1 hot lap system we had in the mid 2000's used to provide some really mixed up and interesting grids.

Also, yes, F1 needs a tyre war (again, that's what made the same mid 00's era so interesting as it had the Bridgestone/Michelin battle which often affected overall performance).

Don't disagree that the current era would benefit from a tyre war but 01-06 (the Michelin Vs Bridgestone years) was one of the least interesting periods of F1 history! The most interesting thing was the tyres, hardly a ringing endorsement.

Love Suzuka, have a feeling the race might be a bit of a cake walk for Merc though. Hopefully Hamilton has a small problem in quali, it would be fun to see him trying to win from a bit further back.

[Vermilion]

Don't disagree that the current era would benefit from a tyre war but 01-06 (the Michelin Vs Bridgestone years) was one of the least interesting periods of F1 history! The most interesting thing was the tyres, hardly a ringing endorsement.

Funnily enough, the 05-06 seasons were actually among my favourites, 2003 was pretty decent too.

[Pancake]

03 was great yeh and 06 pretty good but 02 and 04 were two of the worst seasons ever (and I was a Schumacher fan!). Funnily enough, 3 of the 4 seasons immediately after Michelin left were fantastic: 07, 08, and 10. The cars looked and sounded great back then but the racing was shite. You could argue it was more 'pure' but for entertainment the current era is much better!

[Victor Mildew]

Suzuka

Not that I want to see accidents, but it's good to see drivers spinning and being punished for poor driving.

[Vermilion]

Funnily enough, 3 of the 4 seasons immediately after Michelin left were fantastic: 07, 08, and 10. The cars looked and sounded great back then but the racing was shite. You could argue it was more 'pure' but for entertainment the current era is much better!

07/08 are two of my all time favourites, 08 especially as we had a whole bunch of teams capable of winning races (even Renault, as although Singapore was fixed, Alonso won fair and square at Fuji).

Suzuka

Not that I want to see accidents, but it's good to see drivers spinning and being punished for poor driving.

Had there been gravel traps at Sochi, Lewis would have ended up in the tyre barrier in Q3 and been on the back foot having needed his car to be repaired.

[Robbo-92]

I agree, having gravel traps certainly makes the drivers stick to the track limits a lot more than normal as they get properly punished for going off.

[Vermilion]

I agree, having gravel traps certainly makes the drivers stick to the track limits a lot more than normal as they get properly punished for going off.

It also used to cause more DNF's (and more unpredictability as a result), as errors would see drivers beached with no way of getting back on track.

[Victor Mildew]

Rain

[Victor Mildew]

Ferrari out on a dry track on intermediates

[Victor Mildew]

Staggering how badly wrong Ferrari got that.

[Robbo-92]

Honestly, what are we even doing here?

Really though, Ferrari really chucked their drivers slim chances of a front row start with starting them on inters when it was mainly dry. Wonder if it was a team or driver choice? (I'd guess team as they both started on the inters)

[Pancake]

Drivers probably had a say but yes, looks like another mistake by the team. The race would have been more fun if Merc had made the mistake but oh well.

[captain red dog]

It was 50/50 to me. They got their drivers on the right tyres for the perfect conditions, but it was Vettel who really blew it by touching the curb at Spoon.

[Robbo-92]

Yeah Vettel did mess his chance up on his first actual run, probably not helped by the rather pointless lap on inters to start with mind but that's just making excuses. Once again Ferrari/Vettel fail to make the best of the circumstances, just as well they're not realistically in the title hunt now or I'd probably feel pretty annoyed

[Vermilion]

No point in Bottas trying to take the lead if he gets a good start, he won't be allowed to keep it anyways.

Still, at least the Honda cars are performing well.

[Jam-Master Jay]

Gonna regret waking up for this race. Hamilton already opening up a gap from Bottas.

[Jam-Master Jay]

And that's Hamilton pretty much guaranteed the WDC. Vettel

[Errkal]

Not f1 repeated but, I started watching MotoGP recently as my interest in f1 has died since the the Mercedes engine ruined it all.

Only on my second race but its much more enjoyable.

Luckily I have BT TV so it's free to watch, worth look though if you can, most EE contracts come with bt sport now.

[Robbo-92]

Seriously what on earth was Vettel thinking? Verstappen had a penalty, just wait for a decent place to try and pass him or pass him in the pits, he made plenty of moves into that corner but on cars nowhere near the level of the Red Bull so he could just easily out brake them.

Its just getting so annoying (and the story of his and Ferrari's season) that they just chuck points Mercedes and Hamilton's way, with seemingly nothing changing. The only incident I can pass over was Germany where the weather could have caught any of them out being the first driver into that corner. Rest of the year he's just not been on it enough.

However, thought it was a good race overall, Ricciardo did very well and deserved the driver of the day.

[captain red dog]

I do have a little bit of sympathy for Vettel, I do think Max turned in on him slightly. Not to mention that when there is an incident at the front, Max normally has something to do with it. Having said that, if one of the top four bodges an overtake it's usually Vettel.

Generally though I think Max is excused over aggression far too much. Vettel shouldn't have to be thinking about waiting for him to serve his penalty, just because Max is such a dangerous guy to overtake.

It does make me think though that Ferrari really should have gone with Danny Ric. Put that guy in a top car and I'm convinced he would be champion.

Anyway, Hamilton on the cusp of being only the 3rd 5 time champion and the first Brit to do so. Love him or loath him, that is bloody impressive.