No F1 thread?

[Mito Man]

I notice that Lewis hasn’t mentioned in a while how he’s really happy that Red Bull are such strong competitors as it’s good for the fans

Only hope I see for Mercedes is the long term reliability of the Honda resulting in a few DNFs. Red Bull do seem to be better in every other category though - qualifying pace, race pace, strategy, driver consistency.

Also what’s happened to Ferrari? Rumours that they were the team fiddling with tyre pressures and after the rules have been updated they’re back to nowhere.

Ricciardo looks pretty average compared to Lando. That said I don’t think he’s really impressed me in years. He was amazing at out braking everyone else in the Red Bull but he’s just looked clumsy many times doing that in other cars.

Also Alonso, he’s caught up again and better than Ocon but clearly past his best days. That magic has gone and he just seems like another slightly faster Kimi. Consistent and dull.

[John]

Hamilton signs new two year contract to stay at Mercedes.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/57680700

[DeskJockey]

Excellent news!

[John]

I wonder if that will help Bottas to keep his seat.

[jamcg]

I wonder if that will help Bottas to keep his seat.

Russell’s qualifying today should have him worried, apparently bottas’s management have been seen in the Williams garage. Doesn’t mean anything at this stage though

[duncs500]

It's there any question that GR is faster than VB anymore? I really think it boils down to team harmony and whether they want to have a driver who can possibly take points off LH.

[Gavin]

I think Toto will wait, if Perez consistently gets in front of the Mercs they might look to bring in GR for next season.

[jamcg]

The amount of mistakes crofty makes on the commentary is getting worse. Can he go shout somewhere else?

[Mito Man]

Paul Di Snoozefest not much better. Saying no damage to the cars as the slow mo shows shards of carbon flying off both cars.

[Zonda_]

Di Resta is appalling, half the time his sentences are plain gibberish!

[mr_jon]

Listen! Once noticed, can't be un-noticed. Rio Ferdinand does it too.

[GG.]

All I hear is Mee-Jum Mee-Jum Mee-Jum followed by mispronouncing every single drivers name. What a muppet.

Then again I’d ban every single commentator who says formoola one.. which is.. all of them?

To be honest I was within a whiskers distance of turning off after the cockless wonders that are the stewards gave Lando a penalty anyway.

[Gavin]

"He's went" to be fair, most of the ex drivers on the F1 show talk nonsense. Herbert and Di Resta are the worst though, like a fast show sketch almost. Rosberg, Button and Hill are leagues ahead, as is Brundle.

It is refreshing to see racing at the front between two, maybe 3, teams though.

The F3 races were absolute balls out racing though, really good.

[jamcg]

[jamcg]

So first sprint qualifying race of the year. Absolutely no idea what’s going to happen. Don’t know if they’ll be careful to keep the cars in one piece or just throw caution to the wind and build as many places as possible

[Mito Man]

Was just thinking about the usual implications. On Fridays traditionally the teams use a practice engine and gearbox which is then swapped over on Friday night to the race components - I’m guessing this can’t happen due to the time constraints and with such additional mileage the engines will be in a lower power mode across the weekend.

The sprint race seems to be little reward for the risk with only the top 3 getting points. I’m hoping it is a balls to the wall full throttle race but will a single Pirelli tyres even handle that or will be get a few frantic laps before it all settles into the same old same old.

[Rich B]

No matter how well intentioned and planned it is, the teams will immediately find a way to exploit the rules and it will turn out different to expected.

[Mito Man]

F1 made a full size mock up of next years ground effect concept car. Oddly late considering most teams are well into their design for next years cars already.

5% heavier but way stronger in crash tests.

[PaulJ]

5% heavier but way stronger in crash tests.

At 80kg that reminds me of myself... without the extra strength.

[Swervin_Mervin]

Great qualifying session! Well done both LH and GR. Great to hear the crowd roaring as GR nicked 7th (finishing 8th after the 2nd runs)