Being a fan of Ferrari since the Alesi/Berger days I'm ecstatic that we might finally have a fast enough car to compete regularly at the front again, especially as Leclerc and Sainz are 2 of the nicest guys in F1. I'm also glad the cars seem to be able to follow so easily, some of the racing in the rear of the field looked like lower formula racing with all the chopping and changing
Felt bad for Perez but wish I could’ve seen Horner’s face. Leclerc is my favourite driver based on personality and I don’t especially dislike Ferrari so was a satisfying outcome.
Thought it was a good race and early signs are the new refs are having at least some of the desired effect in terms of allowing closer racing. Lots of overtakes up and down the order and it felt fairly organic.
Jeddah will be very interesting, last years race was so utterly chaotic it was hard to judge if it's actually a circuit that can produce good racing. Apparently there's been a few alterations to the first and last sector to open it up a bit so there's less chance of a pile up like the one that took out Perez and Russell.
I'd love to see a repeat of yesterday, I don't think anyone will have anything super major on the upgrade front until Imola so unfortunately that will be another painful weekend for the McLaren's.
It is very fast for a street circuit and has different characteristics so it will be interesting. On paper, it seems to favour Red Bull but in reality nobody knows. What is an added dimension is the design of the cars being so new. With limited testing and budgets, we may be seeing the teams who have got on top of things earliest rather than ones who will dominate through the season. Mercedes are saying they think they have a lot of pace in their car when they have sorted out their issues, But will they?
The other interesting thing is what seems to have gone in the Red Bull cars is the fuel pump. Now that is one of the standard parts for all teams, so they can't solve it with a re-design of the part, so they are going to have to understand what may have caused the issue. Fuel related or mechanical. And they don't have a lot of time to do that before the next race. This could be a big issue for them going forwards. Ferrari seem to be in great shape in comparrison.
The Red Bull was quick in a straight line yesterday, but the Ferrari pulled away after turn 4 and in turns 11 and 12, which were longer high speed corners, so I actually think they might have a decent car for Jeddah.
I find it interesting that the 2 team that talked up the new regs as being something that will help them climb the ranks, McLaren and Aston Martin, seem to be the worst 2 teams right now
Surprised that Max didnt wait and pass Leclerc on the second DRS yesterday, instead of getting him on the main straight - Charles apparently said in an interview after the race that he was deliberately letting Max past down the straight as knew he'd get the position back each time.
The Red Bull was quick in a straight line yesterday, but the Ferrari pulled away after turn 4 and in turns 11 and 12, which were longer high speed corners, so I actually think they might have a decent car for Jeddah.
I find it interesting that the 2 team that talked up the new regs as being something that will help them climb the ranks, McLaren and Aston Martin, seem to be the worst 2 teams right now
I think we can be sure the Merc will be horrific in Jeddah.... all that high speed porpoising...... the amount of downforce that car will generate round the fast sweeps - Russell and Hamilton will be implanted in the tarmac by the end of lap one.
Surprised that Max didnt wait and pass Leclerc on the second DRS yesterday, instead of getting him on the main straight - Charles apparently said in an interview after the race that he was deliberately letting Max past down the straight as knew he'd get the position back each time.
He's not patient enough yet, too gung ho. Just wants the lead. That race craft will come in time with more experience.
Look at Lewis in Brazil last year, initially struggled as he was getting too close into the last two corners. Adjusted his style then breezed past everyone on that final straight. The engine obviously helped but he still changed his approach and set himself up to be in optimal position.
The consequences of them not going ahead with the race would be pretty hairy I imagine.
A few years ago WWE ran an event from Saudi Arabia and there was a dispute about payment. So WWE actually had the local transmission of the broadcast switch off temporarily as a negotiation tactic.
The outcome of just that alone was that the entire roster and crew were held on their plane on the tarmac for hours, surrounded by military soldiers. A pretty scary situation to be in for those involved.
God knows how they’d react if the Grand Prix was completely cancelled. It wouldn’t be pretty.
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I'd love to see a repeat of yesterday, I don't think anyone will have anything super major on the upgrade front until Imola so unfortunately that will be another painful weekend for the McLaren's.
The other interesting thing is what seems to have gone in the Red Bull cars is the fuel pump. Now that is one of the standard parts for all teams, so they can't solve it with a re-design of the part, so they are going to have to understand what may have caused the issue. Fuel related or mechanical. And they don't have a lot of time to do that before the next race. This could be a big issue for them going forwards. Ferrari seem to be in great shape in comparrison.
I find it interesting that the 2 team that talked up the new regs as being something that will help them climb the ranks, McLaren and Aston Martin, seem to be the worst 2 teams right now
Look at Lewis in Brazil last year, initially struggled as he was getting too close into the last two corners. Adjusted his style then breezed past everyone on that final straight. The engine obviously helped but he still changed his approach and set himself up to be in optimal position.
Sounds like Vettel hasnt yet produced a negative test, so looks like he'll be back in Australia
Either that or he's seeing how poor the Aston Martin is, and is drawing lines on his LFT
As F1 bosses have had meetings with all Drivers and Team Principles
Hope that the Russian GP sue Formula One for cancelling their event, when the Saudi GP is allowed to go ahead.
The attack happened during FP1 which was about 3:30pm - It took nearly two hours to get everyone together???
Shame that Seb Vettel isnt there, would love to hear his thoughts
Wouldnt surprise me if the meeting with the CEO was to remind them they're contractually obliged to race.
This doesn't surprise me
On a completely unrelated note, aren't Saudi Aramco, the global sponsorship partner of F1, the ones that own the depot that got hit?
Indeed they are! And Aston Martin title sponsor.
The Team Principles have recently gone back into the meeting themselves
Sounds to me as though the Drivers dont want to be involved in this farce, and will need some persuasion.
I mean his reputation precedes him, but that team really is full of utter cockwombles isn’t it
F1 is destroying its reputation what with the fiasco at Abu Dhabi, and now this!!
A few years ago WWE ran an event from Saudi Arabia and there was a dispute about payment. So WWE actually had the local transmission of the broadcast switch off temporarily as a negotiation tactic.
The outcome of just that alone was that the entire roster and crew were held on their plane on the tarmac for hours, surrounded by military soldiers. A pretty scary situation to be in for those involved.
God knows how they’d react if the Grand Prix was completely cancelled. It wouldn’t be pretty.
As Hamilton said 'cash is king'.
George Russell on the other hand is currently sitting in P4