The gap from VER to the rest of the qualifiers suggests more of 2023. The race for 2-6 might be entertaining, but I think the 2024 WDC has already been decided.

It appears Mercedes is prioritizing George over Lewis now, or am I jumping to conclusions?

I mean, it wouldn’t be surprising since Lewis is a lame duck, so to speak

I think its too early for that... just depends on the weekend with those two..
Lewis was on top yesterday, wasn't his day today...

Let's see how the race goes...

maybe, but this was the only time that Max was on top this weekend, thou the important time to be on top...
The concern for me is race pace... which might mean the more for Max.
It will be interesting to see how it plays out Saturday....

Yeah… Maybe Ferrari will race smarter this year and Mercedes will have good race pace. I would also like to see Checo be more consistent and fighting for wins.

HAAS is in the top ten on the grid. I wonder if they can keep it there and not use up the tires.

well, same old same old
started out exciting for 2nd to 10th,
but it all just fell apart...
Max in front by 14+ seconds again...
HANS look good, but have to look at the replay to see why he feel back at the start

I think the only thing that can derail RB is Jos at this point.

That would be nice...
there is still something not right with Horner situation...

The highlights were Ferrari on Ferrari action, and the interview with Guenther after the race. Sky dropped the ball in not engaging him, but I guess they figure they will get him for free?
Their commentators seemed to still be on holiday for most of the weekend. Or maybe they fell asleep when they realized that this was just an appendix to the 2023 season???
Not sure about Merc's problems - Russell explained it away that they chose too aggressive (low cooling) a body for this race. But ambient temps were very low, and what they gain in reliable power with more openings, they will pay for in part with higher drag. So, not sure where they truly sit.
Bottas sure has trouble with wheel nuts during pit stops! He's going to get a complex.
This time I don't think the Turn 1 shenanigans were Stroll's fault - refreshing to say that, as a Canadian. He actually had a decent race, though nothing to write home about. Fernando seemed very passive - practically waiving drivers past. Not so much team VISA RB or whatever they are called now. Bad team orders, or was the radio message to let Ricciardo through maybe delayed (was actually a few laps earlier???).

Now we know why Hamilton bailed on them. I would have too. LOL

But I’m sure he’s hoping Ferrari cleans up their act a bit too :tup: Let’s see how it plays out this year

Mercedes straight line speed is still one of the slowest on the grid. They have drag galore in their aero.

Yes. That would be nice. Unlikley, however.
I wonder if Lewis will bring people with him? Got to think that the key ones will have a period for "gardening leave" in their contracts, though.

Meanwhile, the only Italian that Lewis will need is: "Ehi amico, mi stanno cedendo le gomme." ("Hey man, my tires are going off"). :icon17:

Well if Max was not driving, I think it would be a fun race tomorrow.
Everyone close in qualifying, but Max out in front by .319.
Impressive...
also why is it so hard to find news about the F1 Academy, looks like L.Block was doing ok, not sure what happen in the race....
Also Berman, was impressive in the call up to Ferrari. Qualifying 11th. He was on the Pole for the F2 race, but will not race because of doing F1.

Another Red Bull 1-2.
but the race was interesting
Berman - sub for Ferrari @ 18 years old, finish 7th with 6 points, excellent drive
Norris/Hamilton on there gamble of not pitting on the safety car, made it interesting fighting each other and going after Berman.
K. Mag, holding up the field from 12th back to make sure that the Hulk had enough time for a pit stop and stayed 10th, HAAS first points

K.Mag got 20 seconds in penalties that looked questionable or not worth the 20.
Norris how he got away with a false start?

so if we throw away the first 3 cars, it was an interesting race//

This was literally the same way I looked at the race, other than being surprised Leclerc's car didn't explode.

Ollie had himself a day. GJ m8

Have not check FP2 yet for Australia , but I watch FP1, very interesting that the top 7or8 car were withing a tenth of a second of each other....

Brutal, for Sargent, with Williams giving his car to Albon.
No spare, no confidence in Sargent, team is a mess..
Yet they said no to Andretti. hmmm a mixed up world in F1
and is Haas right now in better shape than williams?

News Flash:
Carlos Sainz to race with Logan Sargeant's appendix this weekend.

I’m on the same page as you. Williams, Haas and Alpine all recently struggling with funds and the ability to compete. Yet Andretti and the millions from Cadillac (GM, right?) are not good enough? Uh, :ugh2:


Still looking forward to what happens this weekend.

interesting qualification
Max is Max, able to do what Hamilton use to do, turn it on when needed...
Not expecting much difference in the race, Max should win, would be nice to see him not...
Thou I think its time for Ricardo should go, but Lawson back in
Its not the car Ricardo, its you.

From hospital bed to P1. Carlos Sainz gets the job done! :driving:

Thanks to some help from Max and Redbull :tiphat:

Watched the race and I was a bit surprised, that is was a bit boring.
Yes, there was some excitement, but I was quite surprise as to the gaps..
HAAS two cars in the points
RB Tsunoda getting 7th after Alonso penalty
Now Alonso penalty, which had nothing to do with Russel crash, makes no sense, He is known for doing things like this. Not sure wear F1 is going.

Thou I know one thing, with all the changes, the race really does not allow a log of passing. Towards the end it was HAAS over Albon, and Perez for a bit. Then Russell chasing Alosno and another crash. Whether he was distracted by Alosno or not. Not sure about him.

Perez, was doing well and then what happened. Not sure if there is anyone that RB can be if no 1 goes out, no 2 can win the race...

Ricardo, starting to make excuses and wants the car change to his tastes.
Little concern about this. Seems that RB has some similar with the McLaren he could not get to his liking.

Tsunoda is not having any problems. Hmmm

His reputation precedes him…

If you are also a fan of MotoGP, then by the end of 2024 you will be watching a second Liberty Media property. They announced that they will complete their purchase of majority control of Dorna Sports later this year.

Sorry, no. I realize it is April 1, but this is not a joke.

https://www.bbc.com/sport/motorsport/68707565

From Racer Magazine
“It was obviously a bit of a strange situation,” said Russell. “[I was] totally caught by surprise. I was looking at the steering wheel making a switch change in the straight, and when I looked up, I was in Fernando's gearbox and it was too late. Then the next thing I know, I'm in the wall.

Distracted driving, I would say...

So Russell freaked out and caused his own crash? Wild

I figured all along that he was looking at himself in the mirror!

He was unable to see Fernando harvesting for 100m more on that corner than t he previous laps. Sorry, but that isn't Fernando's fault and never was.

Stewards muffed that call.

I have no doubt that Fernando was playing with George, but I don't think there was any intent to cause him to crash or drive through his wake - just to back George off while getting a better exit from T6 for himself. But that's called "racing". Anyone on the grid would consider that as an option, but now they have to consult the rule book and radio a lawyer first!

Sucks to be Williams rn

"Why can't you join us on holiday?"

"I have to rebuild a chassis in hopes so we don't end up rock bottom in the classification"


Then fast forward to Japan.

still 0 points
still a chassis to repair

Very nearly two - Sargeant went off in practice and at the same spot (I think) in the race. Either of those could have been costly.

"um, is it alright if we sit the next few races out while we rebuild our cars?"

At least Albon's wasn't his fault - Ricciardo really screwed that up. Lets look left and turn right. Hmmm.

very smart man, makes a great point on indycar

https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/in...0bcuLhg.Vbb5eh

And NASCAR shot itself in the foot too. But they have more issues than just the car :ugh2:

Great read

OK, just how do you leave the best cars and drivers in the sport behind by over a second a lap? Mind boggling.

Adrian Newey + MAX
that's how its done..

Max is definitely in The Zone right now. Just when you think (hope/pray) it may be a closer race, you’re not surprised by the end of it.

Well, if Newey departs, and can go to another team right away (is not contractually obliged to take a certain period of "gardening leave", and doesn't want to just depart the sport altogether), and if whatever team he chooses still has enough budget cap and wind tunnel time left to do something about their 2025 car, then we may see a new champion next year. But I think 2024 is in the bag and Red Bull may be far enough ahead with Max (and the remainder of Newey's team) that they can coast through the final year of this car and remain in the lead. But Newey's departure would be a real blow to the new rules 2026 car. Too bad we have to wait almost 2 years for more excitement on track! 2024 will be known as the year where what happened off the track eclipsed the competition by a long shot.

Someone who I work with has 2 3-day passes for Miami this weekend that he needs to sell due to a personal problem.

Section N13, Row 8 (wherever that puts you - I don't know).

He is advertising them in various places, so they could be gone at any time.

Asking total CDN $1,200 for the pair, for all 3 days.

If you are interested, PM me with your preferred contact method and I will put you in touch with him.

He's legit.