OV9

Not sure how we went from “the 2026 rules are so bad that the cars will be changing down a few gears on the straights” to now potentially hitting 250 mph. Or it’s Toto just saying things to further entice Max…

That about sums it up

Seeing the retirees depressed in the sand dunes of despair was quite something
And you just know Leclerc is trying to gain some composure and calm otherwise he will murder the Ferrari strategists.

I like Hadjar. He’ll probably be in the Red Bull next year and unemployed by Easter.

Makes alonsos comments that max in a vcarb would be fighting the mclarens seem credible

This plus the Canada crash could well have decided the championship for Oscar.

Will take a heck of a swing for Lando to pull it back now.

Bottas and Checo for Cadillac in 2026. Two number one drivers then?

JonMad wrote: Mon Sep 01, 2025 3:59 pm Bottas and Checo for Cadillac in 2026. Two number one drivers then?

Surely two number two?

Mito Man wrote: Mon Sep 01, 2025 4:09 pm

JonMad wrote: Mon Sep 01, 2025 3:59 pm Bottas and Checo for Cadillac in 2026. Two number one drivers then?

Surely two number two?

Suddenly got a lot more respect for him

Norris is cursed

Strange reaction from the gun man, just sat staring at the strange flashing lights on his gun until the wheelman tapped him on the shoulder.

Didn’t really like the position swapping either, but you can see why they wanted to do it.

I think Brundle had it right, Norris would have stopped first but gave it up to help Piastri against Leclerc. He didn't have to do that, and was shafted through no fault of his own. Yes, he could have gone first and still had a bad pitstop but he would also have had an undercut to potentially put it right. Conversely if he had forced Piastri to take the second stop and that one was the dud, Piastri could have finished 4th. It was the right thing to do and they had agreed with Norris that Piastri wouldn't be allowed to use the advantage to get ahead.

Norris was slightly quicker than Piastri and deserved to finish ahead. Happily, also slightly helps keep the championship interesting.

I think Oscar would have been better off keeping his mouth shut on the place swap "It's not like Hungary..." No-one really cares, just do the swap and reinforced the give absolutely no fucks attitude because he's just faster.

It is funny that the drivers have time to engage in basically gossip as they're blitzing about at insane speed.

My 2c.

RobYob wrote: Mon Sep 08, 2025 6:48 am It is funny that the drivers have time to engage in basically gossip as they're blitzing about at insane speed.

Because Monza. (Which definitely doesn’t imply that it’s a crap track- it’s just an element).

RobYob wrote: Mon Sep 08, 2025 6:48 am because he's just faster.

I'm not sure I agree. I think he's mentally stronger / more consistent, and that's why he's ahead. On pure speed if anything Norris might just edge it IMO.

Looks like McLaren had an agreement that slow stops were just a part of racing which is why that got awkward. Under their own pre agreed rules they shouldn’t have switched. Also judging by Max’s mocking reaction that’s a pretty standard team rule.

Agree that Lando was faster this weekend though.

Can’t really find videos to back up thinking but it feels like it’s always the front left that’s slow on the McLaren on the rare occasions they get it wrong. Maybe it’s just due to more clockwise circuits and more heating on that axle.

Just a slow stop would have been part of racing, but Lando also offered to give up first stop to allow his team mate to cover off the Ferrari with the proviso that there wouldn’t be an undercut on him, so was kind of agreed that Oscar shouldn’t benefit through the pit sequence, even if that wasn’t the same as “slow stops don’t count” part of their equal fight agreement.

Hammo hasn't had a podium (so far) this year. Quite some years since he's been in that position.....

Obviously aided by a car with a serious aerodynamic flaw, as highlighted by his sprint race followed by disqualification. Car only works when it’s flat to the floor but then you wear the skid blocks so it has to be raised which cocks everything up

Max having some fun..