oh my Max got his first pole in ages but now gets a penalty and Russell has it

They've penalised Max with a 1 place grid drop, for something no other driver has been punished for before AND thrown him a point on his license. All this despite George not being on a flyer himself. knowing Max was there and was going slow because of Alonso being there too and then accelerating to manufacture the situation.

 

You have to say George has played the game very well here (but he should drop the innocent angel act) and that this will add fuel to the anti-Verstappen bias claims.

 

 

Additionally, there were over 40 instances of drivers going too slowly during the sessions, involving 17 drivers yet only three were investigated - Tsunoda, Perez and Verstappen. Only one driver received any kind of punishment.

 

And how they managed to issue a sporting penalty for a non-sporting 'infringement' AND deem it dangerous driving is beyond a joke.

 

Verstappen seems to be getting the same sort of treatment that Senna did.

As far as Russell goes... I wouldn't sit with my back to him.

Edited December 1, 2024Dec 1 by Severin

Max has done plenty of unseemingly tactics he can’t complain about Russell if anything it’s a nice change from Lando being afraid to ever out Max, Max

Yeah Max has never EVER had questionable decisions go his way...

I haven't seen any mention of Verstappen complaining but it would be understandable given the other 16 drivers had no similar penalties.

And when you consider the exact same thing happened between Lawson and Tsunoda last week.

 

All drivers get lucky or unlucky with stewards to some degree. It's more that it appears Russell has contrived to get Verstappen punished that seems off.

This race is a joke

Agreed on that one, whoever this new race director is it won't be long before they're given the hook too. Weirdly absorbing to watch mind.

 

 

Doohan in for Abu Dhabi apparently..

Ted Kravitz has just confirmed Ocon has run his last race for Alpine. He's been freed to run a test for Haas.

So there was so much to unpack in that crazy race, but seemingly ignoring a stray wing mirror on purpose to allow it to be inevitably run over causing 2 drivers completely avoidable punctures was quite the standout moment.

 

Then the harshest penalty I've ever seen for a yellow flag infringement, part of me thinks they did that just to manufacture a small interest in the constructors championship for the final race. Plus the multiple inconsistent penalties for track limits and collisions, all coming after a brand new penalty they invented for Max post-qualifying. Did I miss anything? :lol:

Edited December 1, 2024Dec 1 by Dobbo

Lando's penalty may seem harsh but it is the standard punishment for the crime - Raikonnen in 2017, and Mazipin and Latifi in 2021 all received the same 10 second stop-go penalties for failing to slow under double yellows.

Unfortunately, not seeing them isn't an excuse.

 

That there wasn't a SC or VSC is wrong but in this case not the issue

Alpine has confirmed that Jack Doohan will make his Formula 1 debut for the team in the season-closing Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

Perez gone then at the end of the season.

Has it been officially confirmed. I've seen stuff saying Lawson for the 2nd seat, but to me it should be Yuki

they should buy Sanz off Williams, and Williams keep Colapinto

although Colapinto seems to have lost it already after. promising start

Has it been officially confirmed. I've seen stuff saying Lawson for the 2nd seat, but to me it should be Yuki

 

Nothing official but it's pretty much everywhere. I feel Lawson hasn't really done enough to deserve the seat, they were probably hoping he'd jump straight in and outperform Yuki which hasn't happened at all.

 

they should buy Sanz off Williams, and Williams keep Colapinto

although Colapinto seems to have lost it already after. promising start

 

In any normal scenario Sainz would be the logical choice but there's clearly some history and bad blood there between him/Max and their dads from when they were together at Toro Rosso.

 

Colapinto has totally blown his chances with his recent results.

I do wonder how good a move to Red Bull would be for any of them individually, it's hard to imagine anyone putting in quite the performance level of Perez in the last 6 months, but also don't see any of their realistic replacements getting anywhere near to being competitive with Max.

 

I think they probably were hoping Lawson would come in and beat Tsunoda. Tsunoda probably is their best option, but that's not saying much. There's a reason why he's never been seen as being in realistic contention for the main team, as mid as mid-tier drivers get.

If Red Bull lack the faith in Tsunoda, Lawson, Hadjar and Iwasa, then they'll look elsewhere.

 

It would take a lot of peacemaking (and cash) to convince Sainz or Verstappen to agree to Carlos joining.

 

Colapinto raised a few imoressed glances and it would be unfair to write him off on the back of a pair of difficult races. Crashing at a soaking Brazil is no shame when far more experienced drivers did the same and a cold and slippery Vegas track is also a tricky one. Yesterday wasn't his fault at all. But frankly if you're not convinced by Tsunoda then Colapinto isn't your man.

 

That leaves three obvious candidates - Magnussen, Bottas and Zhou. All are available and two come with bags of experience and all three are likely to be willing to play second fiddle just for a chance in that car.

 

If it's not Tsunoda (my preferred choice) I'd definitely consider Bottas myself. He won't set the world alight but he will be a solid backup and keep the seat warm while you decide. He certainly won't do worse than Checo has this year and he'd probably have done enought to challenge for or win them the Constructors.

Would Hadjar or Iwasa, take Yuki/Liam's seat at RB next year if that were to happen?

With both Red Bull and Mercedes out of contention heading into the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, a team other than those two will win the Constructors' Championship for the first time since Brawn GP in 2009