Well, that’s the championship most likely. I have no idea how a wing is in spec before qualifying and then not afterwards, but it is what it is. smh

If no one has touched it other than Max how do you blame Mercedes. Its absurd on the surface. Rules apply but there was no ill intent proven at all.

I don’t think Max did anything that would cause it to go out of spec. It looked like he was measuring something. the parts are probably fatigued so they may have come out of spec after the session.

Lewis's sprint however, that was truly a sprint! Able to overcome the DRS train!

The touching fine is a bit stupid, but the rules were so established already that was on Max not paying attention.



Both front runner teams did their jobs today, although Checo came up a tad short of perfect.
Lewis' run was part balls because he still has the keep the car intact for tomorrow, but yeah the performance gap between MB and everyone else who isn't Red Bull is a bit disturbing.

I am 100% for the fine. If the cars are in Parc Ferme, only the driver/team of the car should be allowed to touch it for getting out of the car and cooling it down. It should 100% be enforced, otherwise you will have drivers tampering with rivals’ cars.

The FIA should have never ignored what was going on in the past. Part of this is clearly in their lane.

Mercedes: Hamilton’s wing failed tests by just 0.2mm
By:
Jonathan Noble
Nov 13, 2021, 4:43 PM
Mercedes has revealed that Lewis Hamilton’s disqualification from qualifying at Formula 1’s Brazilian Grand Prix was triggered by his DRS failing tests by just 0.2 millimetres.

WOW, that wouldn't take much of a touch to cause that.

I hope Hamilton just sends it and puts on one hell of a show. I know I would be pissed and be hell bent on just winning it anyways. I would either win it or crash trying.

He put on a show today in the sprint. It looked like 2007!

Saw that. He's got more and with a longer race he can get back to the front.

The other POV, aside from the so called "great drive" is that there were drivers who seemingly did not put much of a fight to hold Lews off and did not put much of a defense. Even Norris who did wonders in Turkey keeping him at bay didn't put comparable effort. Yes, there were really good overtakes but man, some let themselves be dispatched too quick. Feels like they knew they'd be ahead of him on the grid on race day anyway.

Its called fighting your race and saving tires. Norris said he will not hold up LH today in the race to make sure he keeps good tires he will need later. Smart driving.

What a drive!!! What a race!!!

yea, it was a fun race to watch.... enjoyed, now it the rest can be like that too...

Told ya Hamilton was going to put on a show. I knew it. When things look like chit he has the ability to dig deep and get it done.

I'm pulling for Max, and in all fairness I felt like the grid was making way for him as well when he had to start back in Turkey(?).

The engine is a real eyebrow raiser for me. Mercedes was down 40 seconds to RB in Mexico, now they could gain how many places and finish ahead by 10 seconds. Makes me wonder how fast these things degrade to the point a fresh unit warrants such a difference in performance.

https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/wo...hable/6782269/

Wolff: Decision not to penalise Verstappen for Turn 4 move "laughable"
By:
Luke Smith
Co-author:
Jonathan Noble
Nov 14, 2021, 3:22 PM
Toto Wolff believes the decision not to penalise Max Verstappen for his Turn 4 defence against Formula 1 title rival Lewis Hamilton was “laughable”.

Verstappen found himself in a wheel-to-wheel battle with Hamilton after the Mercedes driver managed to recover from 10th place on the grid to sit second behind his Red Bull rival.

Hamilton managed to catch Verstappen and line up a pass on lap 48 around the outside at Turn 4, only for both drivers to run off-track under braking.

Hamilton called the move “crazy” over the radio, but while the stewards noted the incident, they opted against an investigation.

Verstappen would ultimately lose out to Hamilton after being passed at the same corner 11 laps later, seeing his championship lead fall to 14 points with three races to go.

Speaking to the written media after the race, Mercedes F1 boss Wolff noted how the “whole weekend went against us” amid the various stewards’ decisions, notably Hamilton’s exclusion from qualifying on Friday.

“We had a broken part on our rear wing which we couldn’t look at, couldn’t analyse, failed the test, and after disqualified, very harsh,” Wolff said.

“And then you see on the Red Bull repairs, three times in a row on a rear wing whilst being in parc ferme with no consequence.

“That’s one thing, and obviously that really peaked with the decision in the race, which was, I mean, really wrong defence from Max, absolutely an inch over the limit, but he needed to do that to defend.

“Lewis just managed it even more brilliantly by avoiding the contact and end the race that way.

“But that was just over the line, it should have been a five-second penalty at least. Probably Max knew that. Just brushing it under the carpet, it’s just the tip of the iceberg.

“It’s just laughable.”

It marked another setback for Mercedes in its fight against Red Bull over the Brazil weekend, having seen Hamilton get excluded from qualifying after the DRS on his rear wing failed a post-session technical check.

Talking about the Turn 4 move after the race, Hamilton said he “knew that was the decision they would come to, whether it was right or wrong”, but that he didn’t want to get into whether it was fair or not, saying: “It doesn’t really matter, I got the result I needed.”

Asked by Autosport what he thought the decision would have been had Hamilton made the move on Verstappen, Wolff said: “I don’t want to claim anything on the stewards.

“I think they have a difficult life anyway. And they are only there to lose, whatever decision they take, one team is going to be grumpy. In that respect, I don’t want to be in this chair.

“But in a certain way, when you’re taking punches all weekend, and then you have such a situation on top of everything, you’re just losing faith in a way.”


Wolff said that while he was all in favour of hard racing between drivers, the rules had to be applied consistently.

"Whatever is in the director’s notes, we’re going to accept,” Wolff said.

“I’m also OK if the director’s notes are going to be shredded and we just race hard like we did today, fine.

“But if the director’s notes say that you cannot push anybody off the track in Mexico, and then obviously that’s valid here too, and then you’re actually being driven off the track, it’s just not very consistent.

“My discussion with the race director was not broadcasted, but my reaction was. We feel we’ll discuss it behind closed doors.”

Max went way over the line. Thank goodness Hamilton was ready for his BS. It's like he knew it was going to happen.

The AMG PU is notorious for not performing well at extreme altitudes. They made strides to improve it, but the Honda turbos perform better in that environment. I think it is related to how their compressors don't need to spin as fast to make good power at lower altitudes, which gives them room to increase turbine speeds.

On top of that, Mercedes has always had an extreme advantage with a new power unit, but Bottas could not take advantage of it before. Now the next part is speculation: it is possible now Mercedes has fixed their reliability problem, they are now able to run the engines at a higher power output. I believe the ICE that was fitted to Lewis’s car was the first one with the new fix (maybe it’s Valtteri's current engine). Combine that with the aero efficiency gains from the collapsible suspension, you get the straight-line speed we saw this weekend. I think there will be some drop in performance as the races go on, but no one knows if that’s the case now the ICE fix is in place.

In short, I think it has more to do with them now being able to run the power unit at a more aggressive level. As long as they select the same mode for qualifying and the race, it is legal.

Max did what he had to do and showed he's is own racer and won't make things easy. Unlike MB driver #2 who is pretty much the Moses of motor racing. BTW, Lewis can thank DRS and a new PU. Onto the next race.

LOL, too funny.

:icon18:

Max is full of himself and his arrogance has reached new heights not only in his words but his actions. He left Sergio hanging. If he would have kept Sergio in DRS range they may have had a better chance of staying out front. Max and his followers complain anytime Max is squeezed by Lewis but it is just racing when he does it. At the start of the race Bottas squeezed him slightly and Max gave him a full dose. Max also got away with making more than a double move by weaving all over the track to keep Lewis behind him and, then when told about the warning, in typical form he made a smart *** response.

The stewarts have been inconsistent all year so that is my biggest complaint. The rules are not equally enforced regardless of weather it is Max or Lewis, they pretty much have sucked it hard all season long.

I also find it hilarious that many of the orange army are singing the same old song. Lewis can only win if he has a faster car. Well, what is up with Max then. The world championship should have been decided since, pretty much up to now he has had the fastest car on grid!

The next three races are going to be exciting when or lose for either of the two front runners!

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Now folks see the difference from a boy who made himself a man and one who had everything given to him. That is why Lewis is such a force to be reckoned with. Mentally, he has had to be very very tough. Max, well, he whines like a little bitch. I rest my case.
Send it Hamilton, just send it.

Grid drop his a--. He said it was the tires lol. Max the liar. Shocked I know lol

https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/me...ident/6788474/

Mercedes asks for right to review over Verstappen/Hamilton Brazil incident
By:
Jonathan Noble
Nov 16, 2021, 10:47 AM
Mercedes has asked the FIA for a right to review over Max Verstappen’s driving at Formula 1’s Brazilian Grand Prix, following the appearance of new onboard footage.
Mercedes asks for right to review over Verstappen/Hamilton Brazil incident

Just hours after F1 released images of the way Verstappen drifted wide at Turn 4 on lap 48 of the Interlagos race to push Hamilton wide, the world champion team has revealed it is taking the matter further.

In a short statement published on social media, Mercedes stated: “The Mercedes-AMG Petronas team confirmed that we have today requested a Right of Review under Article 14.1.1 of the International Sporting Code, in relation to the Turn 4 incident between Car 44 and Car 33 on lap 48 of the 2021 Brazilian Grand Prix, on the basis of new evidence unavailable to the Stewards at the time of their decision.”

The rules of right of review are clear, and require that competitors bring ‘a significant and relevant new element’ that was ‘unavailable to the parties seeking the review at the time of the decision concerned.’

Mercedes will first have to prove that a new element has been discovered, and this should be straightforward with the onboard footage from Verstappen’s car.

It emerged on the Sunday night in Brazil, after the FIA decided not to investigate the Verstappen/Hamilton incident, that race control had not had access to the forward facing onboard camera from Verstappen’s car.

F1’s current technology limits just one live feed off each car and, at the time of the incident, Verstappen’s Red Bull was broadcasting its rear facing onboard.
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing RB16B, battles with Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes W12

The front-facing camera footage was only available to download after the race, and that was finally made public by F1 on Tuesday.

F1 race director Michael Masi said in Brazil that the governing body had also requested the video, as he conceded it could be a ‘smoking gun’ in offering fresh insight.


“Could be, absolutely. Possibly,” he said.

“But no, we didn't have access to it. And obviously, it's being downloaded. And once the commercial rights holder supplies it, we'll have a look."

While there was no formal published documentation from the FIA stewards on the Verstappen/Hamilton incident, as an investigation was ruled out by race control, the rule book is clear that the stewards do have to make a decision when incidents are ‘noted’ in this case.

Under Article 47.1 of F1’s Sporting Regulations, it states: “The Race Director may report any on-track incident or suspected breach of these Sporting Regulations or the Code (an “Incident”) to the stewards. After review it shall be at the discretion of the stewards to decide whether or not to proceed with an investigation.”

The decision by Mercedes to push on with a right to review comes in the wake of Mercedes boss Toto Wolff admitting after the Brazil race of a new hardline attitude.

Having been frustrated with the FIA’s decision to exclude Lewis Hamilton from qualifying over a DRS issue, he was annoyed that Verstappen was not even investigated.

"I think we've just had many, many punches in the face this weekend with decisions that could have swung either side, against us or for us,” he said.

"When always the decisions swing against you, it's just something that I'm just angry about, and I will defend my team, my drivers to what comes.

"I've always been very diplomatic in how I discuss things. But diplomacy has ended today."

Should the FIA accept that Verstappen was in breach of the sporting rules with his driving, then it is possible that it could hand down a time-penalty for the Brazil race or impose a grid drop for the next event in Qatar.

Rule are rules right?! Haha

This is going to be very interesting.

In terms of history - seems most efforts like this via Mercedes are not successful. The problem is it should have been done immediately during the race. They were able to judge LH at Silverstone. This was much less chaotic as an event. PATHETIC. FIRE MASI

LOL, did you not comprehend what was said (just kidding). There was no way to protest until the video that shows Max's hands and his diving inputs until today.

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Yes but they were so happy to give the verdict without the most critical angle.

FIA = INCONSISTENCY!!!!! :facepalm:

Agreed and they should reverse their decision and give Max a three place grid penalty at Qatar.

I know people want to compare this incident with Silverstone but they are not the same. In that case although Lewis ran wide and missed the apex Max also didn't lift and turned in on Lewis. They were both at fault and suffered the consequences.

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Max just needed to THINK about something LONG TERM but gave into his bully boy ego and crossed over into LH. He DESERVED his kiss with the wall.

Deserved fully.

LH took the high road and simply passed Max later in Brazil. Max NEVER learns. He has not learned since he RUINED 2 cars in Baku including his team mate Ricci, WHO WARNED the idiots on the PitWall before Max MOVED under BRAKING LOL.

Rich, entitled and a total idiot. Thats Max - oh he is talented yes. He is so less complete than many other drivers. I give him about as much emotional IQ and Intelligence as Stroll has.

LMAO! Enough said...mic drop!!!

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https://www.ferrari.com/en-EN/formul...x-2021-preview

Losail 17 November 2021
The final triple-header of the season ends at what is a brand new venue for Formula 1. After Mexico and Brazil, Scuderia Ferrari Mission Winnow now heads for Qatar, on the coast of the Arabian Peninsula, also bordering Saudi Arabia and the Persian Gulf. It will be the first time a Grand Prix has been held here. Qatar covers an area of just over 11,500 square kilometres, with a population of 2,800,000.

The track. The track only took a year to build, thanks to a workforce of around a thousand, at a cost of 58 million US dollars. It was inaugurated in 2004, staging that year’s MotoGP, the first such race to be held at night as from 2007, when a powerful 3600 floodlight system was installed. It is 5.380 kilometres in length, with the main straight measuring 1.068 kilometres. The track is surrounded by artificial grass to prevent sand blowing onto it from the surrounding desert. The first corner is very important, as it requires very heavy braking before a quick section where it is important to carry speed before braking for turn 4, which marks the start of a section with more corners. A hairpin at turn 6 is the slowest point on the track and leads into the most technical part of the circuit. The complex of corners 12, 13 and 14 is taken as one turn, similar to the famous turn 8 at Istanbul Park. Turn 15 is a fairly quick right-hander before the final braking point on the lap. Here there is more than one possible line, which means overtaking is a possibility.

Circuit video https://motorsport.tv/embed/WoxFs3y1...tional-circuit

I feel like this may be a "fun to drive" but not a "fun to watch" track.

I'm already looking ahead to Jeddah - where they will need a safety car behind the paving machines as they finish the track during FP and quali!!!!

LOL talking trash for F1 lol :) Wait until I Stroll rant lol :) :happydance:

You do mean Stoll! LMAO

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https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/f1...sical/6794214/

F1 drivers expect fast Qatar track to be “physical”
By: Adam Cooper
Nov 18, 2021, 4:25 AM
Formula 1 drivers who have tried the Losail track in team simulators expect the Qatar GP venue to be challenging and tough physically.

Of those on the current grid, only Sergio Perez and Nikita Mazepin have previously raced at the track, in GP2 Asia and the MRF Challenge respectively.

Others have had to fit visits to factories and sim running around the current busy race schedule, and have only recently had the opportunity to sample Losail.

A high downforce set-up and a series of quick sweeping corners are expected to provide the drivers with a challenge.

“It's a pretty fast track,” said Lando Norris when asked by Autosport. “Not many big braking zones or anything, so it's probably going to be quite a physical one.

“I don't know how the racing or anything is going to be, I've got no idea just yet. But quite a fun track from what it looks like.”

“It is going to be a very high speed track,” said Pierre Gasly. “It is difficult to compare with any other track that we’ve been to, so it is going to be a challenge.

“Driving it in the simulator and driving-wise it seems really exciting. In terms of racing it is quite high speed and a lot of long corners, high yaw corners, so it might be difficult to follow, but we will see.

“It is probably going to be quite physical in terms of G and the minimum speed in the corners is pretty high.

“But Sao Paulo is always really difficult as well as it is anti-clockwise. When you have a triple-header the neck is still stiff from the first race and all the way through, so I think we’ll fine to Abu Dhabi.”

George Russell also acknowledged the circuit’s fast nature.

“It’s quite an enjoyable track to be honest,” said the Williams driver. “Very fast, sweeping, high downforce, a long straight as well. So I think there'll be some good racing.”