I don't actually know the rule regarding lapped cars tbf (especially murky since the Abu Dhabi fiasco). I know when lapped cars are allowed to unlap themselves the safety car normally does another full lap (which usually gives the lapped cars enough time to catch the pack) but I don't think they explicitly have to actually catch up to the pack again to get the race underway. They still have to drive to a delta right? And can't bomb it full speed...

It SHOULD be every car unlaps themselves and proceeds around the circuit to rejoin the back of the pack. If the race director deems it safe to do so he can restart the race before they catch up.

However, the safety car must do another full lap after they have unlapped themselves so they almost always catch up.

 

Yeah they can't go full pelt but can drive faster than other cars following the SC

From the amended rules published earlier this month

 

55.13 If the clerk of the course considers it safe to do so, and the message “LAPPED CARS

MAY NOW OVERTAKE” has been sent to all Competitors using the official messaging

system, all cars that have been lapped by the leader will be required to pass the cars

on the lead lap and the safety car.

This will only apply to cars that were lapped at the time they crossed the Line at the end

of the lap during which they crossed the first Safety Car line for the second time after the

safety car was deployed.

Having overtaken the cars on the lead lap and the safety car these cars should then

proceed around the track at an appropriate speed, without overtaking, and make every

effort to take up position at the back of the line of cars behind the safety car. Whilst they

are overtaking, and in order to ensure this may be carried out safely, the cars on the lead

lap must always stay on the racing line unless deviating from it is unavoidable.

Unless the clerk of the course considers the presence of the safety car is still necessary,

once the message “LAPPED CARS MAY NOW OVERTAKE” has been sent to all

Competitors using the official messaging system, the safety car will return to the pits at

the end of the following lap.

Edited March 30, 20223 yr by Severin

Las Vegas 2023 confirmed, racing Saturday night local time

I've seen a lot of negatives... But I don't actually see what's been agreed as a particularly bad track...? (at least it's not in a literal CAR PARK again 😂)

 

Yeah: it hardly looks like a challenge... But the cars going down the strip AT NIGHT (with all the glitzy lights) will look amazing, and it almost looks like a diet-Baku with the long straights/nearly 90° turns. (Actually, a better comparison... Aside from the small tighter section at the top, it's quite reminiscent of the Bahrain outer configuration [which turned out to be pretty decent!])

 

My main neg is a third US race clogging up the calendar (when Kyalami is literally waiting in the wings for a Grade 1 license/slot), which is countered by the relief that it's not in another "who gives a shit about human rights, anyway?" country *cough* most of the middle east countries/russia/china */cough* (even if this reeks of money talks, and there's certainly better places for inclusion still...)

I don't feel particularly positive about this, (especially given the rumours that Spa could be being dropped soon).

 

Yet another street circuit is unnecessary and the trackside lighting tends to hide the background anyway. Singapore has this problem where cars are passing some spectacular buildings but the cameras don't pick it up. Therefore you end up with loads of helicopter and drone shots that are less engaging. The track itself doesn't look awful but doesn't look overly inspiring from the map.

 

Besides I'd much rather see backgrounds like the stunning Styrian mountains or Ardennes forest than a gaudy tourist attraction where it looks like they forgot to take their Christmas lights down.

 

 

And yes S Africa should be top priority.

I thought there was a cap in the number of races per country, seems a bit of a stretch to allow the US to have 3 races

Last couple years have been weird cos of covid but in the past it wouldn't have happened

They had 3 races in the US in the 80s too once or twice I think. Only time it's happened since was Italy in 2020.

 

Definitely pandering but if they're all getting sell-out crowds then fair enough. Fully agree with the above that Kyalami should be the priority.

Latest 'new team' rumours suggest Porsche will tie in with Red Bull and Audi are looking to buy McLaren. Nothing on Andretti

I am totally underwhelmed by Las Vegas, totally stupid idea.

 

 

How are we finding the Albert Park changes? I am not sure losing the chicane was totally necessary but the other changes look good. Will be interesting to see if we get some more overtaking than usual as well.

Ahhhh f***sticks

 

We were looking for a solid attempt at row 2 there.

the two Spaniards very unlucky, mechanical problem for Alonso so he crashed and problem starting the car for Saenz so didn't have time for a proper final lap + his best last was not valid for like 100 meters cos of Fernando's crash

Solid performance by Leclerc. Another disaster weekend by Verstappen. Glad to see Albon finishing at P10 after 57 laps driving on the same tyres!

Edited April 10, 20223 yr by MandaliCow

Tiny hydrolics issue on Saturday turned us from 3rd place to literal last. Weekend to forget but it bodes well for the season.

Fab for Leclerq

Delighted for Leclerc! I’d really love to see him win the title this year

I would as well!! He’s a great driver and so far he is doing everything exactly right and today was a real championship winning drive. He was controlled and dominant from start to finish

Charles Leclerc has opened up quite a gap on Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton who you'd expect to be his closest rivals this year. Still very early in the season of course but it has been a brilliant start from Leclerc. George Russell is showing that he's not going to be a sideman to Hamilton either like Bottas was.

Only once has more than a 34 point lead in the standings ever been overturned (Vettel in 2012) so Leclerc is absolutely odds-on fave right now (to think he was 16/1 at the end of last season!)

 

Crazy that Red Bull had 1 retirement the whole of last season not counting crashes and they've already had 3 in 3 races this year. They've built a fast shitbox.

Best driver:

Worst driver:

Best team:

Worst team:

Best overtake:

Worst overtake:

Best moment:

Worst moment:

Best thing about the race:

Worst thing about the race:

 

And the race in a sentence: