No F1 thread?

[Marv]

Sainz is confirmed to race for McLaren in 2019.

Poor Carlos, his career seems to keep going backwards.

[jamcg]

Conversation apparently picked up by tv cameras between Vettel and Ocon seems to confirm he’s out of a drive next year


Vettel: Next year? Still nothing?
Ocon: No.
Vettel: Will you be here [at Force India]? No?
Ocon: No, no. The seat is taken.
Vettel: Oh yeah? Who?
Ocon: Have a guess - the one who bought it!
Vettel: Yes, but the other one?
Ocon: Well, the other one [Sergio Perez] brings money.

[Orange Cola]

Bang it on the second row of the grid, get sacked. The car he's in is best of the rest and the top three teams are sorted so he's only going down the grid or out, which will compromise his career. Shit innit.

[Mito Man]

Remind me why Mclaren picked Sainz instead of Ocon?

I think Ocon told Hamilton he’s out of a seat too, as Hamilton seemed very critical of the whole situation in the press conference! The crap thing is that it looks like we will have Stroll in the sport long term and he’s just about the most unlikable human being on earth.

With Alonso going I reckon next season will have one the most lacking fields in terms of talent.

Anyway, home Hamilton has enough juice in his updated power unit to keep Vettel behind on the Kemmel straight, should be a good race either way.

[Gavin]

Mito, not to be a dick but why do you dislike Lance? Because his rich Daddy helps him out?

[NotoriousREV]

I kind of agree with Mitotwat. I’m not sure I could articulate why, but I really dislike Stroll and also Perez.

[Rich B]

Mito, not to be a dick but why do you dislike Lance? Because his rich Daddy helps him out?

[duncs500]

I know what people mean about Stroll, I don't know why I don't like him, but I don't. He doesn't come across very genuine in some way I think. If he was dynamite to watch on the track I'd be able to like him for that, but alas he has shown little entertainment wise so far.

I quite like Perez though.

If one didn't like people on the basis of their privileged upbringing that would probably rule out most of the grid though.

[Mito Man]

The way Stroll conducts himself over team radio both in the car and interviews outside the car makes him seem like a throughly unpleasant person to be around.
There’s nothing wrong with being a pay driver but after being around for a few seasons and not having made an impact to be poached by a better team - having your daddy go and buy an entire team for you to replace a much better driver is a bit fucked up morally.

[jamcg]

I think I dislike him because even with all that money he can’t sort his hair and eyebrows out

[Mito Man]

Just had a solid minute of Ham scratching his arse in the room of awkwardness

[GG.]

I was hoping he was going to wrap that towel round vettels head

[Marv]

I'm amazed that F1 manages to make a boring race out of Spa.

[duncs500]

Just caught up with it. Ferrari have done some seriously impressive work on this car, it's starting to look an absolute beast. Mercedes actually look worried for the first time in a long time.

Ferrari always have the ability to fuck it up, but you've got to back them from here.

[Orange Cola]

Just caught up with it. Ferrari have done some seriously impressive work on this car, it's starting to look an absolute beast. Mercedes actually look worried for the first time in a long time.

Ferrari always have the ability to fuck it up, but you've got to back them from here.

I think yesterday was a realisation for Mercedes that they've got an absolute mountain to climb if they want to win the championship this year. Hamilton and Wolff said they weren't worried provided they actually fix the issues with their Chassis quickly, but acknowledge that if they don't do that then Ferrari have done enough to win this year.

It is telling that Seb isn't the quickest driver on the grid, but what he does know is how to get a fast package together which can help his deficits and that's his big advantage right now. We'll never see it because Seb will always veto it but I want to see one of the other fast drivers in that car just to see how much pace the Ferrari is really capable of, we already know Kimi's car isn't the same spec.

The fuel and additional switch on the steering wheel debate is raging on, I hope someone figures out what's really going on soon.

[duncs500]

The Honda engine looked pretty respectable out there too, looks on a par with the Renault so at that rate of development might be interesting next season.

[Alex_]

Pains me to say it but McLaren are a shambles. Glad Ferrari has finally produced a great car to potentially win championships again.

[Marv]

Just caught up with it. Ferrari have done some seriously impressive work on this car, it's starting to look an absolute beast. Mercedes actually look worried for the first time in a long time.

Ferrari always have the ability to fuck it up, but you've got to back them from here.

I thought that's the theme of the season? Seems to swing towards Ferrari for a few races, then it swings to Mercedes? Ferrari overall have the slightly faster car, Mercedes have a stronger/more complete driver.

[NotoriousREV]

Pains me to say it but McLaren are a shambles. Glad Ferrari has finally produced a great car to potentially win championships again.

Do you mean Mercedes? I don’t think McLaren can be held responsible for being twatted by a Renault.

[Orange Cola]

Pains me to say it but McLaren are a shambles. Glad Ferrari has finally produced a great car to potentially win championships again.

Do you mean Mercedes? I don’t think McLaren can be held responsible for being twatted by a Renault.

I think Alex is referring to McLarens general lack of pace over all. I don't think Mercedes are a shambles but this is yet another season where their Chassis engineering is sub-par, so maybe bits are costing them.