You do have to give Verstappen credit, yes he has the best car but Perez who is a decent driver can't elevate it beyond other teams in the way he does.
I would ask if they do have the same car, I'm not so sure. You also have to remember the preferential treatment that he received yesterday to get him back in front of Perez without having to overtake him.
Even for an entertaining Grand Prix, there was still no jeopardy regarding the winner. And even when there looked like there would be some, Red Bull made sure there wasn’t by pitting Max first.
During a bored afternoon I looked at the results so far this season and then wiped Max from existence, bumping anyone finishing behind him (ie everyone in most races) up one place. If you do that it's quite an enthralling season, with three drivers realistically fighting for the title. Ferrari are still shit though...
Driver
Points
Perez
225
Alonso
207
Hamilton
193
Russell
115
Leclerc
115
Sainz
109
Norris
99
Stroll
58
Ocon
48
Gasly
45
Piastri
41
Albon
24
Bottas
10
Tsunoda
9
Hulkenberg
8
Zhou
8
Magnussen
4
Sargeant
1
De Vries
0
Ricciardo
0
Might be a bit off due to bonus points for fastest laps, which I've ignored where Max got the point as I couldn't be arsed to look up the next fastest lap, but you get the picture!
Hamilton and Russell have been re-signed by Mercedes until 2025
Not surprised really, seems like the 2024/5 season will be the next big round robin of drivers, both Ferraris, A Red Bull etc so Mercedes wanting to lock them both in for that is sensible.
Imagine we'll see Hamilton sticking around until 2026 at the latest, what with the new regs
Yeah I expect one year of the new regs and then all things being equal either Kimi Antonelli being ready or a cheeky move for Lando if Mclaren haven't sorted themselves out.
Shock of the day Bortoleto wins the F3 Championship.
While sitting in his car in the pit lane, following a red flag caused by his teammate's crash. 10 minutes left on the clock but session not restarted due to time constraints.
Two additional points for F2 championship leader, Theo Pourchaire, as he takes pole ahead of Bearman. Championship 3rd and 4th, Iwasa and Doohan, qualify outside the top ten, while Vesti, 2nd in the championship, qualifies 8th.
Definitely think that a red flag in FP should stop the clock until the track is clear. They lose so much time learning about the track and the car it could be considered a safety issue. FP2 today was ridiculous.
Definitely think that a red flag in FP should stop the clock until the track is clear. They lose so much time learning about the track and the car it could be considered a safety issue. FP2 today was ridiculous.
They run to a really tight schedule and can't afford to stop in free practice.
Definitely think that a red flag in FP should stop the clock until the track is clear. They lose so much time learning about the track and the car it could be considered a safety issue. FP2 today was ridiculous.
They run to a really tight schedule and can't afford to stop in free practice.
I'd have thought they could allow a 1.5 hour maximum window. So no stoppages and over in 1 hour but can be extended if red flags. If it was agreed in advance I'm sure they could do it. Only for FP1 and FP2 though. FP3 too close to quailfying.
Definitely think that a red flag in FP should stop the clock until the track is clear. They lose so much time learning about the track and the car it could be considered a safety issue. FP2 today was ridiculous.
They run to a really tight schedule and can't afford to stop in free practice.
I'd have thought they could allow a 1.5 hour maximum window. So no stoppages and over in 1 hour but can be extended if red flags. If it was agreed in advance I'm sure they could do it. Only for FP1 and FP2 though. FP3 too close to quailfying.
It's probably all down to TV coverage, whereas in qualifying and the race the TV companies build in a contingency because they want to cover it.
Big call from Mercedes... Just read that Antonelli will be going straight to F2 next season, wonder if we'll be seeing him and Bearman at Prema
I didn't expect that but it's a huge call , they must have a long term plan for Antonelli. Williams obviously have Franco Colapinto,Zak O'Sullivan (unconvinced by some of his racecraft wheel to wheel) and Luke Browning of their own academy + Vesti with Merc links. 2025 could be fascinating.
Big call from Mercedes... Just read that Antonelli will be going straight to F2 next season, wonder if we'll be seeing him and Bearman at Prema
I didn't expect that but it's a huge call , they must have a long term plan for Antonelli. Williams obviously have Franco Colapinto,Zak O'Sullivan (unconvinced by some of his racecraft wheel to wheel) and Luke Browning of their own academy + Vesti with Merc links. 2025 could be fascinating.
Be stunning if he wins F2 next year as imagine that Merc would prefer it if he does two years - Once that's done, he could well step straight into the seat left by Hamilton.
Big call from Mercedes... Just read that Antonelli will be going straight to F2 next season, wonder if we'll be seeing him and Bearman at Prema
I didn't expect that but it's a huge call , they must have a long term plan for Antonelli. Williams obviously have Franco Colapinto,Zak O'Sullivan (unconvinced by some of his racecraft wheel to wheel) and Luke Browning of their own academy + Vesti with Merc links. 2025 could be fascinating.
Be stunning if he wins F2 next year as imagine that Merc would prefer it if he does two years - Once that's done, he could well step straight into the seat left by Hamilton.
Can see it being Martins Vs Bearman Vs Antonelli Vs Bortoleto for the title.
Big call from Mercedes... Just read that Antonelli will be going straight to F2 next season, wonder if we'll be seeing him and Bearman at Prema
I didn't expect that but it's a huge call , they must have a long term plan for Antonelli. Williams obviously have Franco Colapinto,Zak O'Sullivan (unconvinced by some of his racecraft wheel to wheel) and Luke Browning of their own academy + Vesti with Merc links. 2025 could be fascinating.
Be stunning if he wins F2 next year as imagine that Merc would prefer it if he does two years - Once that's done, he could well step straight into the seat left by Hamilton.
Can see it being Martins Vs Bearman Vs Antonelli Vs Bortoleto for the title.
Throw Doohan in there as well - Bortoleto will be an interesting one, to see if he can replicate the consistency.
Just be nice to see Nissany done... That wont happen though
Comments
You also have to remember the preferential treatment that he received yesterday to get him back in front of Perez without having to overtake him.
Just need to sort out wet weather running when it comes to the extremes to make races like that even better.
Might be a bit off due to bonus points for fastest laps, which I've ignored where Max got the point as I couldn't be arsed to look up the next fastest lap, but you get the picture!
Yeah I expect one year of the new regs and then all things being equal either Kimi Antonelli being ready or a cheeky move for Lando if Mclaren haven't sorted themselves out.
Championship 3rd and 4th, Iwasa and Doohan, qualify outside the top ten, while Vesti, 2nd in the championship, qualifies 8th.
I didn't expect that but it's a huge call , they must have a long term plan for Antonelli. Williams obviously have Franco Colapinto,Zak O'Sullivan (unconvinced by some of his racecraft wheel to wheel) and Luke Browning of their own academy + Vesti with Merc links. 2025 could be fascinating.
Can see it being Martins Vs Bearman Vs Antonelli Vs Bortoleto for the title.
Just be nice to see Nissany done... That wont happen though