I would like to see Kubica hopefully get a chance to have a seat in F1 again for next year.

 

I would too!!

 

Renault have since revealed that they only made a "very very minor" change to the wheel to accomodate Kubica's injury. They also said they never had a worry about his pace (but that he was as rapid as they had expected he would be. He was v.quick) but the thing they were all more concerned about was the endurance aspect but he went above and way beyond Renault and Kubica's own expectations and hopes

 

The way Renault are talking it doesn't sound like he will replace Palmer this year but he could be lined up for a 2018 drive and that'd be magnificent. I'd love to see him back in team bumblebee

Again it would be an remarkable comeback from him. He is an inspiration to any future drivers out there, that you don't give up on your dream in being a racing driver despite an career-threatening injury.

 

 

 

I agree! It really would be. It'd be such a great moment for sport in general to see him back in the sport competing. Even if it's just a year.

 

Hulk and Kubica would be a bloody good driver line up (as much as I'd love nando to drive for us again)

Surely Palmer's seat will be replaced mid season following his performance?

The provisional 2018 Calendar was released yesterday:

 

25 March: Australia (Melbourne)

8 April: China (Shanghai)

15 April: Bahrain (Sakhir)

29 April: Azerbaijan (Baku)

13 May: Spain (Barcelona)

27 May: Monaco

10 June: Canada (Montreal)

24 June: France (Paul Ricard)

1 July: Austria (Spielberg)

8 July: Great Britain (Silverstone)

22 July: Germany (Hockenheim)

29 July: Hungary (Budapest)

26 August: Belgium (Spa-Francorchamps)

2 September: Italy (Monza)

16 September: Singapore

30 September: Russia (Sochi)

7 October: Japan (Suzuka)

21 October: USA (Austin, TX)

28 October: Mexico (Mexico City)

11 November: Brazil (Sao Paulo)

25 November: Abu Dhabi (Yas Marina

 

 

Seriously what the hell with a triple header. 3 races back-to-back and yet the season will finishes near the end of November.

Monisha Klatenbourne has apparently parted ways with Sauber!!! :o

I don't think Ocon would have got past Ricciardo but it was poor from Perez to not allow him the chance, likelihood is he would have been let back past anyway but he should have yielded, he had nothing to lose really as he was never gonna keep Seb behind him.

 

Yeah I'm happy for Stroll to get some points, especially at his home race. Pretty good GP overall!

And back to Baku we go. A pointless venue for a Grand Prix. Where would we see Azerbaijan and F1 in the same sentence, with the old fossil Bernie who decided to put a Grand Prix together with a $70 million per year deal.

 

The first race was so boring apart from Hamilton crashing in qualifying haha.

 

 

And once again it is the so-called 'Special One' he thinks he refers himself to on pole with Bottas on the front row.

 

It's hope there is at least some crashes in the race in an otherwise uninspiring circuit.

 

 

what an eventful race! ia with ricciardo that i would have bet money on this NOT happening but i'm so glad it did with ricciardo poll, bottas coming back from last and stroll getting his first ever podium. brilliant finish. gutted for max once again with the engine failure. he's the king of the overtake and with so many safety cars deployed could have easily been a 1 2 for red bull 😟

It's hope there is at least some crashes in the race in an otherwise uninspiring circuit.

 

Wrong about the uninspiring circuit, what a crazy Grand Prix that was probably the most craziest since the 2011 Canadian Grand Prix.

 

Fantastic to see Ricciardo win and a great comeback from Bottas from a lap down although helped by safety cars to finish second. And well done to Stroll who came third who get his cool to finish third.

 

If Force India hadn't collided, Ocon could have even won the race.

 

I think with Hamilton and Vettel, Vettel lunging into Hamilton was dangerous. Both incidents were dangerous indeed. Quite right that Vettel got a penalty but surely Hamilton should have got an penalty for brake testing. An very controversial incident. I'll be interested what people made of this incident.

 

 

I really liked this track when it appeared last year, and everything pointed towards a great race but that wasn't the case. Thankfully it delivered this year and then some! Agreed this could join the Canada 2011s in terms of most memorable grand prix ever, time will tell. Can't wait for our return to Baku next April!

 

I'm exhausted after watching it, such a roller coaster. Sad for Force India a potential double podium in the end was ruined but glad Ocon clawed back some points. Very pleased for Stroll, very impressive!

Of all the Grand Prix weekends to go on bloody holiday!!!! Thought I was safe as last years was pure shit. Am looking forward to catching up with this one when am back home

It's worth the watch for definite.

Oh my days. What. A. Race. Haven't been so hooked throughout ones entirety for many, many months. Agreed with the Canada 2011 comparisons but also the 2 Hungarian ones in 2014 & 2015 spring to mind.

 

Elated for Danny :cheer: has a knack of winning the lotteries, was a shame for Lewis to lose out due to something like a headrest not being fitted but I'm just glad the victory was passed onto Ric.

 

As for Vettel, what an absolute disgrace he was. Very arguable indeed as to whether he was brake-tested, it's always the leading car that dictates the pace once the safety car pulls in & Seb simply misjudged it completely, I've seen him drive even slower than that back in the RBR days when he was out in front. To then go & channel his inner-Schumi and have the nerve to question why he got the penalty, what a twat.

 

Elsewhere it's a shame for Max with all these retirements, he'd have been on for the victory himself today had everything else remained as it were. And those Force Indias dammit! Another who had a great chance would have been Perez, long overdue a win he is.

 

Of all the Grand Prix weekends to go on bloody holiday!!!! Thought I was safe as last years was pure shit. Am looking forward to catching up with this one when am back home

 

Tell me about it! Reminds me of when I was away in 2012 as well for the Valencia GP which was historically awful but that year was a thriller.

 

And breathe.

I've only seen a replay of that incident on the FIA highlights but it looks like Vettel is completely in the wrong. Had he not been a child and done the nudge (which as a hater of Hamilton I did enjoy seeing some instant karma come his way, shame it didn't break his suspension tbh) I think there could have been an argument for driving at an unsafe speed behind the safety car but he didn't slow down. He just crawled through the corner and then didn't accelerate hoping to back the pack into each other as they cornered because he's a complete knobend (I probably would have done the same but I'm a bit of a knobend when I get super competitive).

 

Vettel could have argued that he was expecting him to accelerate out of the corner and not got a penalty for running into him. But he undid his moral high ground with his nudge.

 

FIA Data says Hamilton didn't brake and he did same as last safety car restart in exact same spot so as much as it makes me vom to type this, he is in the right.

https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/f1-vette...ari-924519/?s=1

 

He was in the wrong but if they ban Vettel for a race and that makes the difference in the championship I think that might destroy the credibility of the Sport. It will look like they sabotaged Vettel to coronate Hamilton.

Yes, Vettel shouldn't have done what he had but he doesn't need to be punished any further. If he gets a ban for it, it would damage the credibility of the sport. Events like this should be settled on the day of the race at least. He got an 10-second penalty for it. He's got the penalty points on his licence.

 

Look at Maldonado's swipe at Hamilton back in Spa 2011, he got an five-place grid penalty for that. For taking a swipe on the approach to Eau Rouge.

Whilst I wouldn't like to see a race ban given to him, they have to look at this particular matter more seriously. He was already in their bad books for openly swearing at Charlie Whiting at Mexico last year & warned him then any more trouble and there could be further repercussions.

 

And compare his move to Schumi at Jerez 97, he was disqualified from the entire championship never mind just the next race. OK that was at race speed but the intention appeared to be of a similar nature. I personally think the 10 place stop-go was just about enough however, I think the main reason it appeared not so harsh to some was the fact that he ultimately finished ahead of Lewis due to his freak issue. Had that not happened Vettel would have lost the lead in the title race & most people would have been like "well, that stop-go was punishment enough".

 

He gotta be a good boy at Austria though or the race ban will be unavoidable.