Formula 1 - 2019 Season. Anyone Going to Follow?

[Ozzy the dog]

Originally Posted by Brucebubs

Shades of 2014 occurring for Vettel when Daniel Ricciardo first joined Red Bull and finished the season in 3rd with 3 race wins and 8 podiums ... only I don't read that much into it because I'm sure Red Bull knew Vettel was leaving so all team focus shifted to new boy Ricciardo ... which makes Leclerc's driving even more impressive because he's clearly beating the higher paid #1 Ferrari driver!

Ferrari appear to have blinkers on. The world can see Leclerc continues to outpace Vettel yet they still engineer the tactics to allow Vettel to get in front whenever there is a chance. They have done this several times this season, it's almost as if they are trying to avoid the embarrassment of their $3.5m driver beating their $45m driver.

LeClerc is learning that, whilst it might be a driver's dream to drive a Ferrari, if you don't go there as number one driver you have to be prepared to be smacked in the face by team antics if ever you dare try to step out of the number two's shoes.

[Brucebubs]

Originally Posted by Ozzy the dog

Ferrari appear to have blinkers on. The world can see Leclerc continues to outpace Vettel yet they still engineer the tactics to allow Vettel to get in front whenever there is a chance. They have done this several times this season, it's almost as if they are trying to avoid the embarrassment of their $3.5m driver beating their $45m driver.

LeClerc is learning that, whilst it might be a driver's dream to drive a Ferrari, if you don't go there as number one driver you have to be prepared to be smacked in the face by team antics if ever you dare try to step out of the number two's shoes.

Well that certainly rings true looking at the Singapore results!
Strange how Vettel gained the lead after Leclerc's pit stop.

[Brucebubs]

... and he's done it again!
Leclerc on pole for Russian GP.

Hopefully Ferrari will let him win.

[Jeff Scott]

Originally Posted by Brucebubs

... and he's done it again!
Leclerc on pole for Russian GP.

Hopefully Ferrari will let him win.

HEADLINES: Victory snatched from LeClerc thanks to Safety Car!

[AX17609]

World order has been restored.

[Silly Moustache]

Originally Posted by Ozzy the dog

Ferrari appear to have blinkers on. The world can see Leclerc continues to outpace Vettel yet they still engineer the tactics to allow Vettel to get in front whenever there is a chance. They have done this several times this season, it's almost as if they are trying to avoid the embarrassment of their $3.5m driver beating their $45m driver.

LeClerc is learning that, whilst it might be a driver's dream to drive a Ferrari, if you don't go there as number one driver you have to be prepared to be smacked in the face by team antics if ever you dare try to step out of the number two's shoes.

Ozzy the dog speaketh truth.

And they tried it again, effectively having a team conference during the first few laps.

It's not that Mercedes won the race, more that Ferrari lost it.

I watched new Ferrari team boss Mattia Binotto pensively considering his future.

[Ozzy the dog]

Mercedes took a bit of a gamble this weekend. They knew they would not keep any position they might get in qualifying so went with the medium tyre in the hope they could go long enough to benefit from a safety car after Ferrari had pitted on the soft tyre. It paid off and Mercedes technical director, James Allison, made me smile when he described the fact the safety car was brought out by Vettel's breakdown - as "deliciously ironic".

Originally Posted by Silly Moustache

I watched new Ferrari team boss Mattia Binotto pensively considering his future.

Every week my wife says Binotto reminds her of Wally, as in 'Where's Wally' (or Where's Waldo outside UK). Perhaps he can go and hide in a crowd somewhere for a bit.

[Jeff Scott]

I hope Typhoon Haggis doesn't mess things up too much.

[Silurian]

Originally Posted by Jeff Scott

I hope Typhoon Haggis doesn't mess things up too much.

Yes, it has the potential to be offaly destructive.

[Silly Moustache]

Rather weird that the race was run and the Rugby world cup was played in Japan whilst some parts were suffering terrible flooding.

Race was won by Mercs securing the team title, Leclerc ran Verstappen of the track and was advised to stay out with a badly damaged front wing throwing dangerous bits into Hamiltons face, breaking off one of his mirrors.

Tricky track, fast but som difficult corners - including the "spoon" (?) funny, I thought they preferred chopsticks there ?

[Jeff Scott]

Originally Posted by Silly Moustache

...the "spoon" (?) funny, I thought they preferred chopsticks there ?

Hard to drink soup with chopsticks.

[Ozzy the dog]

The way I understood it, Ferrari told Leclerc to come in for new wing but in discussing the reason why, Leclerc missed the pit entry and stayed out. He then stayed out a couple of laps longer before coming in for the wing.

Later in the race Ferrari did the odd Leclerc decision thingy again when they told him to come in for fresh tyres at the end to get the fastest lap. He was far enough ahead for a 'free' pit stop but knowing he was under investigation and possibly facing a time penalty they decided to give away that time buffer for a chance at one point for the fastest lap.

As it turned out, he couldn't get clear track to get the lap so didn't get the point. But then the stewards gave him a 5 second penalty for causing a collision with Max and a further 10 second penalty for not coming in to replace the dangerous front wing. As a result, in going for one extra point, Ferrari lost a place and lost two points. Had they left him out he would have had enough lead over following traffic to absorb the 15 second penalty.

[Jeff Scott]

Shame, for Verstappen.

Yeah, for LeClerc!

[Silly Moustache]

Originally Posted by Jeff Scott

Shame, for Verstappen.

Yeah, for LeClerc!

I agree.

Mad Max got penalised even thought he'd earned pole.
I know these guys are expected to be superhuman, but how far did he need to go after Bottas' crash to the end of the lap.

Then he did get shunted by Hamilton, destroying his offside rear.

Oh well, that's F1.

Some remarkable wheel change fumbles - that's NOT F1.

I bet Vettel is worried about Le Clerc's performance!

[Jeff Scott]

I was really surprised at all the botched pit stops, too. Maybe, it was the thin Mexican air?

Bottas did quite well considering his car was a "patch job" as had been commented on. Too bad he couldn't get past both Vettel and Hamilton to win. Regardless, it was a very actioned packed race, throughout.