2002 was the year before I started following F1 religiously so I can't comment on how I felt at the time but I can't personally see how at this stage it was better then. I've watched some clips of the infamous Austrian GP that year and Schumacher was leading the standings by 27 points after only round 6. That's absolutely ridiculous (would be the equivalent of Hamilton currently leading by nearly 70 points although I'm aware the points system is rather different now). The title that year was also over with 6 races left to go, there's no chance that would happen now even if it was Hamilton/Bottas 1-2s all the way from here.

 

Ferrari could very easily have won 2 maybe 3 races this year. No one else barely got a look in 2002. Hamilton does has a very strong chance of matching Schumi's record of standing on the podium at every single race however!

Formula E boss with his view on F1:

 

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/48790669

 

 

2002 was the year before I started following F1 religiously so I can't comment on how I felt at the time but I can't personally see how at this stage it was better then. I've watched some clips of the infamous Austrian GP that year and Schumacher was leading the standings by 27 points after only round 6. That's absolutely ridiculous (would be the equivalent of Hamilton currently leading by nearly 70 points although I'm aware the points system is rather different now). The title that year was also over with 6 races left to go, there's no chance that would happen now even if it was Hamilton/Bottas 1-2s all the way from here.

 

Ferrari could very easily have won 2 maybe 3 races this year. No one else barely got a look in 2002. Hamilton does has a very strong chance of matching Schumi's record of standing on the podium at every single race however!

I agree the stats are depressing and many of the results were but the perspective and expectation is the difference. In 2002 initially there was still plenty of goodwill towards Ferrari’s resurgence and Schumacher in general. With Häkkinen retired he was finally back on top. Nobody minded too much initially. Montoya was quite exciting and a potential rival and other teams were actually winning races.

Austria was horrible because it was so unjust and so blatant and there was rightly anger. Does anyone really care when. Bottas cedes the position lately? Doesn’t feel the same.

Two of the key factors though are reliability (these there’s rarely more than 3 -4 cars out) and the clear team heirarchy. Merc, Ferrari, RB, Renault, McLaren/Haas, no-one cares. In 2002 if nothing else you never knew who would finish behind Schumacher. This year they all finish and it’s pretty good easy to guess the order to a high degree

 

That’s why it’s duller. And that’s without going into DRS and why it’s killing racing

 

 

Oh yeah a Ferrari had been dominant for 1 season. Merc have been for 4 years

Edited June 27, 20196 yr by Severin

The opening practice sessions in Austria had more drama than France, Canada (except for the post-race), Monaco, Spain, Azerbaijan, China, Australia put together.

 

 

The annual threat to the British Grand Prix has serviced again:

 

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/48806595

 

 

Merc only 2nd & 4th? What kind of alternate universe have I woken up into today?

Hamilton has been demoted to fifth for impeding Kimi

 

 

Great front row now and it'll be interesting to see how Hamilton responds to a challenge other than seeing how quickly he can lap Kubica.

 

 

Part of me me worries Norris will outbrake himself, collect both Leclerc and Verstappen, and the 2 Mercs will be out in front after the first corner

Edited June 29, 20196 yr by Severin

Austria just threw up an old school proper Grand Prix. Best race in years.

 

As far as that overtake goes Verstappen had the line and was ahead. No investigation needed imho

However you would be feeling pretty aggrieved as a Ferrari fan with Vettel getting penalised in Canada but Max not there.

 

Not a penalty for me. It wasn't too dissimilar to Hamilton vs. Rosberg 3 years ago in that Max didn't begin to turn right until half way across the track. The difference here though is that Max was on full lock (whereas Rosberg was half-hearted) so it was hard but ultimately fair racing. Tough on Charles to lose a second would-be debut victory in the closing laps once again!

 

And yes Austria is a great, proper, old-school track so no surprise we got an exciting race. Fewer car parks like Paul Ricard & more Austrias/Canadas please.

Pretty sure the stewards decision is taking so long because they're trying to work out how they can make Hamilton the winner

Verstappen keeps the win. That was probably one of his best drives. A thriller that was. Feel for Leclerc but he will win a race soon. Some good overtakes. Nothing shown in the midfield on Channel 4 highlights after showing the opening 7 laps.

 

And Gasly was lapped....

amazing race

good Verstappen wasn't penalised, nothing wrong about what he did

 

quite disappointing for Hamilton, not sure what happened there

 

great for Sanz & Norris

Indeed^ a lot of deserved plaudits for Norris but a big shout-out to Sainz Jr charging all the way up to 8th from 19th on the grid, went largely unnoticed!

 

Gasly being lapped despite being ahead of Max after turn 1 is an absolute embarrassment...

Is it true that Kubica was given Driver Of The Day somewhere?

Yes it actually is! I'm guessing it was a pity vote but I'm amazed there was that much of a percentage that went along with it ahead of the more traditionalist voters.

Gasly is driving very very poorly, Im amazed he's not been replaced yet... I know it's not easy being compared to Verstappen but they're not even close

 

 

Last year Red Bull had arguably the best driver pairing on the grid. This year... not so much. Max is probably driving as well as, if not better than Lewis and without him the team might be right back in the midfield

Last year Red Bull had arguably the best driver pairing on the grid. This year... not so much. Max is probably driving as well as, if not better than Lewis and without him the team might be right back in the midfield

i wonder if it's cos of ric leaving they've finally had an excuse / chance to actually prioritise max a bit more than they were (while pretending not to) last yr

The 2020 Formula 1 season will start on 15 March with the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne.

 

The 25th race in Melbourne, which first hosted the sport in 1996, will mark the start of F1's 70th anniversary year.

 

F1 chairman Chase Carey said: "The Albert Park circuit is one of the most popular on the calendar. There is no better place to start the 2020 season."

 

The date, the same weekend as the start of last season, was announced without any further details of the calendar.

Carlos Sainz and Lando Norris will remain the driver line-up for McLaren for the 2020 Formula 1 season, the team have confirmed.