so in a way Hamilton is lucky there's a sprint, he can still improve from last

although starting besides Mazepin has to be scary :D

 

 

Anything more than that for Max would have been scandalous

 

 

 

Interesting to see if the result of the last race that wing was used in is now also called into question. Open and shut DQ, Defo explains the sudden speed gain they found

Interesting to see if the result of the last race that wing was used in is now also called into question. Open and shut DQ, Defo explains the sudden speed gain they found

 

 

Every car is scrutinised for this after every session, so there's no question over previous results.

 

It was checked and found legal before the session but somehow became illegal since then. Most likely the preparation was rushed and a nut or something wasn't tight enough or it became loose under duress during qualifying.

 

It definitely gave them and advantage but Hamilton's new engine will be a factor too. Plus the cooler temperature they had yesterday suits Mercedes

Cheats never prosper, Mercedes.

Every car is scrutinised for this after every session, so there's no question over previous results.

 

It was checked and found legal before the session but somehow became illegal since then. Most likely the preparation was rushed and a nut or something wasn't tight enough or it became loose under duress during qualifying.

 

It definitely gave them and advantage but Hamilton's new engine will be a factor too. Plus the cooler temperature they had yesterday suits Mercedes

Aaahhhh interesting. Because they suddenly found a similar amount of time in quali in Mexico too and then couldn’t touch the Red Bull in the race when they couldn’t use the DRS. Does make you wonder if they fiddled a Flexi wing that enhances DRS and it broke a little yesterday and they got caught.

 

Yeah the engine change helps. Heard that the Merc loses more power per km than any of the other three engines which is quite interesting

That was probably the best drive from Hamilton so far this season. 15 places in 24 laps is impressive under any circumstances

wow how did Sanz manage to hold Perez!

 

the spring id definitely too long, should be called mini-race :) wish it was just 5 laps tbh

Should be 10 laps this sprint race.

I agree. 24 laps ain’t a sprint.

 

They should all be given the same tyre, a special sprint tyre that’s designed to be pushed and pushed hard for the whole sprint, DRS should be able to be used at will and let’s get rid of the limits on the engine like fuel flow. An increase in fuel flow has a corresponding penalty of increase in fuel and thus car weight and it would be interesting to see strategy mixes of high fuel burn vs a more economical position with more battery deployment. Viewers should be able to see the fuel flow rates and the drivers should be able to change it at will via the steering wheel. Ban on radio comms except for emergencies

 

Let’s see a no holds barred proper sprint scrap and reverse the grid so we have something spicy to watch. As much as i wouldn’t piss on the guy if he was on fire, sir dickhead proved the merit of the sprint when you have a pacey car at the back of the grid. His performance is flattered by having a car vastly better than anyone on the grid beyond Red Bull and a fresh new engine vs everyone’s worn units but as much as I was willing for him to get taken out by mazepin at corner one he did put on a show with some good overtakes. You could see him actually work out and then deploy repeatedly a different line (and of course draining the battery) through sector 3 to give him a higher corner out speed at the bottom of the hill which made his DRS effective enough to pass cars also with DRS

The day they introduce reverse grids is the day I will switch off.

 

F1 always was and always should be, an absolute meritocracy, reverse grids are anathema to that. Thankfully, when last mooted all the teams shut down the idea very quickly. It's bad enough that we have to put up with DRS and gimmicks like the sprint as it is without destroying the essence of the sport too. F1 doesn't need anything like that. All it needs is for the cars to be able to run close together. Something they managed for over 50 years. Hopefully the new regs next year will fix a lot of the current problems

Not so classy Mazepin, chewing gum during the national anthem.

Bottas blotting his copybook there on the first lap.

SC plays into HAM's hand to reduce the gap.

Lewis gaining 7 places in about 6 laps though, that's quite something in the race. At this early stage I don't think the safety car will play that much into anyone's hands as it's unlikely to be massively affecting anyone's strategy. If Lewis is genuinely quicker then he'd get them during the stops - if not then the Red Bulls should manage to stay ahead.

 

Norris is the one who has gained which I'm happy about - even if there's still a massive battle ahead to get any points.

That man’s luck at Brazil knows no bounds.

 

Still haven’t forgiven Timo cunting Glock

What was that strategy meant to be?

 

 

 

Max and Lewis are almost where they were before the stops anyway.

Not clever Max – Lewis clearly has the car to beat you. Don’t get a penalty and lose more points.

No investigation necessary good.

Mercedes (Meadows): "So crowding off track and gaining an unfair advantage, and no action necessary?"

 

Masi: "Ron having looked it all complete, it was one of those, and had a good look at it, that's why we've gone for no investigation"

Hamilton passes Verstappen for the lead of the race.