That was impressive stuff from Leclerc I have to say with all that pressure, this guy is the real deal now he's got that monkey off his back in winning his first race. I do think there was an argument for a penalty for that move on Lewis as it was very similar to Vettel's on Ricciardo in Mexico 2016 which did get penalised but Ferrari have been on the wrong end of some otherwise arguable offences this season so guess it's a similar adage to football in that generally things even out over a season.

 

Speaking of Vettel it's now past the point of funny & you just feel sorry for the guy now. Totally blown out of the water by his teammate, even more so that at RBR in 2014 with Danny Ric. Never recovered mentally from Germany last year imo, his days at Ferrari are surely numbered if he can't get a win this year.

 

As for Q3, never again. Those scenes were a farce reminded me a bit of Britain 2004 Qualifying Session 1 where the teams slowed down at the finish line in order to try and get a better position before the supposed 'rain' came. This 'rain' never came.

 

Don't remember this at all! Will have to look that up. That was indeed farcical scenes at the end of Q3 this year but at least it was a funny talking point.

Between Grosjean and Hulkenberg then for the Haas drive alongside Magnussen.

Williams will use Mercedes engines in Formula 1 at least until 2025.

 

The team, already committed to Mercedes for next season, have signed a new agreement for the following five years.

Some driver confirmations for you all:

 

Romain Grosjean (somehow) retains his Haas drive alongside Magnussen. I expect more carbon fibre broken there. Grosjean is a lucky man to be still at Haas, thought Hulkenberg would go there. Now for Hulkenberg, the seat really for him would be Alfa or even a return to Williams alongside Russell although I would think that is unlikely.

 

And Robert Kubica has announced that he will leave Williams at the end of the season. I give him some due to come back to F1 after that horrific rally crash back in 2011 but he did what he could in a slow car. He's finished every race.

 

Plug alert:

 

If you get any time, please can you get part in our Greatest F1 Race.

 

http://www.buzzjack.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=225445

Not looking so rosy for Hulk now then. I'm rather perplexed Grosjean has retained his seat I must say!

 

I really have nothing but absolute admiration for Kubica. He's already an honorary champion simply by having an F1 seat this season, an inspiration to anyone. Russell will be a star of the future but I am SO glad Kubica got that (almost certain to be) solitary point for Williams this season, itself a miraculous achievement.

what? how did Grosjean do that? he must have sponsors cos otherwise I can't see how the worst drive in the history of F1 can have a seat again and again

@1175038978204082176

@1175397783018397696

what? how did Grosjean do that? he must have sponsors cos otherwise I can't see how the worst drive in the history of F1 can have a seat again and again

Andrea De Cesaris says 'Hi'

Ricciardo will start from the pit lane

Andrea De Cesaris says 'Hi'

 

Al Pease would be my shout! The only driver ever to be black flagged for 'driving too slowly'

 

 

^really? when was that? cannot recall

^really? when was that? cannot recall

1969 Canadian Grand Prix, was 22 laps down.

Al Pease would be my shout! The only driver ever to be black flagged for 'driving too slowly'

I must admit I was unaware of that.

 

I went for De Cesaris though because, despite him being quick at times, he was almost incapable of not crashing, and managed to have a 14 year F1 career.

Yes in fairness it's a bit different to compare a one-off flop to someone who unfathomably managed to have a (relatively) sustained career despite such shortfalls!

 

If we're using the latter as a barometer then Adrian Campos is a good shout. He actually managed to last more than season and only finished in 2 out of his 17 starts!

crazy race

didn't like it that much and think it was all a bit unfair for leclerq

 

It wasn't one of the better ones this season that's for sure. All a bit chess-like at the start and the 3 safety cars all came much too late when the race had already been won. Danny Ric at least provided the on-track entertainment.

 

I initially thought Ferrari fixed it for Vettel to win to give him some confidence back but looking at it again he was under more pressure to get back out after the stop within the appearing gap than Leclerc so it did make sense for him to pit. It was just unlucky for Leclerc but even moreso for Lewis. Merc were definitely banking on one of those safety cars being those 7 laps he led! Would have been genius had it worked but hey they aren't gonna win every race.

 

First time Ferrari have won 3 on the bounce since 2008 and the first time ever we've had 3 straight races in the hybrid era without Merc winning. Possibly, just possibly, the balance is shifting. Just a shame it's come when both titles are already over.

Missed that team radio regarding Leclerc. Channel 4 didn't show that.

Giovanazzi was apparently the first driver since Bottas in a Williams in 2015 to have led a lap that was not driving for Red Bull, Ferrari or Mercedes.

I heard them say that in the commentary but wasn't Lance Stroll leading for a bit in that crazy German GP this year? I'm guessing he didn't actually *cross* the line on any lap whilst in first but a part of me thinks they forgot about that even happening!