I watched the first couple of laps and the promptly gave up. Sounds like I missed nothing of note.

 

 

Personally I’m really looking forward to the Eifel GP, mainly because it’s in the hills of Germany. In snow season.

 

They probably went halves with Ferrari

Ha! It wouldn’t surprise me

One exciting bit out of the weekend, Channel 4 F1's mash-up of Kylie Minogue 'Say Something' and the Spanish Grand Prix. Thanks Kylie.

As soon as Lewis Hamilton got pole in qualifying it was never in doubt that he would win today, when was the last time he didn't win a race from pole position?

 

It was a good day for Racing Point having both of their drivers in the top 5 and what a difference a week makes for Max Verstappen, he had a lot of arguments with the Red Bull guy on the team radio during the race.

Judging by the radio comments, the Vettel-Ferrari relationship seems very sour to say the least

It was certainly the least interesting race of the season but then it's the least interesting circuit so it's not surprising. Also I'm sure every single race so far this year they've cockteased us with rain, it's such a bore now no one gives a damn if it's raining in a water parks 40 miles south of the track...

 

this f1 bubble meant for shit then right?

 

What do you mean here? He served his sentence so he's free to go. The controversy was that he didn't isolate for a fresh 10 days from his second negative test which was a bit dodgy I suppose.

 

As soon as Lewis Hamilton got pole in qualifying it was never in doubt that he would win today, when was the last time he didn't win a race from pole position?

 

An interesting question that I looked up. It was the crazy German GP last year where he finished 9th after hitting the wall and suffering through a minute-long pit stop. Let's hope for a similar chaotic race in Germany later this year.

As a bit of fun, here's my (sort of) mid-season review of the drivers -

 

Lewis Hamilton - Either driving well within himself or has lost a bit of pace in the last 18 months, he's barely quicker than Bottas these days. I'm going with the latter option. May as well give him the title now.

 

Max Verstappen - Over-performing in a disappointing car. On current form, the best driver out there. Should be in a Merc

 

Valtteri Bottas - Can't remember a time when he did something, anything, remotely exciting. An average driver with no fight in him who shouldn't be in that Merc.

 

Charles Leclerc - Driving the arse of the worst Ferrari since 1981's disastrous car.

 

Lance Stroll - Actually starting to look like he's not out of his depth. Much improved this year.

 

Alexander Albon - You're good. That much is clear but the car is bad and frankly you're just making Verstappen look even better.

 

Lando Norris - Great first podium and a future star.

 

Sergio Perez - Always been consistently decent and scoring well this year but it's now or never career wise.

 

Carlos Sainz - Unlucky in British GP. Solid performances so far and should yield good results here and there.

 

Daniel Ricciardo - Currently making the highly rated Esteban Ocon look like a chump. The very definition of a great driver wasted in a mediocre car.

 

Sebastian Vettel - Park it and walk away. The midfield just isn't for you

 

Esteban Ocon - Potential there but must do better or the only way is down.

 

Pierre Gasly - Showing exactly why he got the Red Bull seat. One of the years standouts.

 

Nico Hulkenberg - A fun and briefly exciting cameo. There are worse drivers on the grid.

 

Antonio Giovinazzi - Slowly showing signs of promise here and there. I wouldn't be surprised if Ferrari paid off Vettel a couple of races early and gave him a race or two at the end of the year.

 

Daniil Kvyat - May have gone backwards from last year. Just about earns a place on the grid.

 

Kevin Magnussen - Has performed to his usual standards this year. Should probably consider his options for next year - outside F1

 

Kimi Raikkonen - It's time to stop. It's been great but it's time to start that amazing career in commentating alongside Brundle

 

Nicholas Latifi - Very early to judge but has done nothing to be ashamed of... but nothing especially exciting either.

 

George Russell - Has shown a genuine spark here and there. Should be in a much better car.

 

Romain Grosjean - It's gone beyond funny now. Currently driving like the villain in a 1970s road safety campaign advert.

Agree on most of it, biggest surprises probably Gasly, Norris, Russell in the quails but then in the races his car is just too bad

biggest disappointments Ocon and Albon. I'd swap in a second Gasly and Albon. And Ocon has lost his charm a bit.

Gasly had his shot at Red Bull and didn't take it. People have short memories, he was awful last season, even worse than Albon, getting lapped by Max most races. Decent driver who can't hack it at a top team. Realistically any driver who is partnered with Max at Red Bull is gonna look crap because the team are 100% behind Max and he is bloody quick. Ricciardo was the only one who put up a fight.

Gasly had his shot at Red Bull and didn't take it. People have short memories, he was awful last season, even worse than Albon, getting lapped by Max most races. Decent driver who can't hack it at a top team. Realistically any driver who is partnered with Max at Red Bull is gonna look crap because the team are 100% behind Max and he is bloody quick. Ricciardo was the only one who put up a fight.

I haven’t forgotten how poor Gasly was last season but I think the team set up didn’t suit him and the pressure got to him. He had the talent but failed to deliver.

The way he has regained his confidence after that battering has been what is impressive.

 

 

In other surprising news, Istanbul is expected to be announced on the calendar imminently

Oh yeah he's having a very impressive season but that certainly doesn't warrant a recall up to the senior team in my opinion. If it all goes horribly wrong again RBR will have such a huge egg on their face...

 

Perhaps it was a case of too big too soon like Perez at Mclaren in 2013.

 

I am totally here for Istanbul to make a reappearance, arguably THE best Tilke circuit!

I’m keen for Istanbul to come back. Not even the worst human rights record on the calendar!!

 

 

That turn 8 is magical. Can’t wait to see the current cars tackle it

How certain is Istanbul, by the way?

 

I don't want to get my hopes up too high.

I actually think it was too soon for Gasly last year and now he's matured a bit so I think a switch now would work

Final 4 races now confirmed to be in Turkey, Bahrain x2 & Abu Dhabi taking the total to 17.

 

Think that'll be that now, super excited for Turkey & today's faster cars going around Turn 8. Don't mind Bahrain (but twice might be a bit meh) but was hoping this year of all years we could have the season finale on a better circuit but never mind!

Good to see Turkey back on the calendar, Bahrain I can take that but Abu Dhabi no thanks. What is amazing about Abu Dhabi??

I have found Bahrain to be one of the more interesting races since it switched to a night race.

Good to see Turkey back on the calendar, Bahrain I can take that but Abu Dhabi no thanks. What is amazing about Abu Dhabi??

 

Don't get me wrong I'd absolutely love to visit as a fan (plus go on that Ferrari World rollercoaster :wub:) but as racing spectacle it's turgid. The only good race there has been in 12 seasons was 2012. 2010 & 2016 were only notable because of the title fights. Money talks though!

They still haven't officially cancelled Vietnam yet, which is interesting. I think they'll have to, but it's notable that they haven't

Also, it's not looking likely that they're going to do one of the Bahrain races on the 'almost oval', which is disappointing after being hyped up quite a bit...

So stoked to see this years cars tackle Istanbul!!!

 

 

Bahrain is a meh race but it’s a shame to still see the UAE on the calendar. There’s so many circuits that F1 should never revisit. Ignoring political and human rights concerns for a second (though they alone are good enough reasons) there are some really really really boring circuits on the go