The 2018 Formula One Thread

[harrybarracuda]

I'd say something like, but it's akin to Saudi rush hour traffic.

[Switch]

Fernando Alonso described his drive in the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, in which he took a badly damaged McLaren to a seventh-place finish, as "one of the best races of my life".
Only now, though, can it be revealed exactly how good a performance it was.
The Spaniard slipped under the radar in the immediate aftermath of the race in Baku, probably because events at the front were so dramatic.
But Alonso's afternoon also deserves exploring.
BBC Sport was given exclusive access to the two-time champion's car at the McLaren factory as it arrived back from Baku and can reveal the extent of the damage and the effect on its performance.
Alonso himself was shown photographs of the damage to his car on Monday, and said on Twitter: "Now I have no doubt. It was an unrepeatable race."
It's not the first time the two-time world champion has talked up his own performances since joining McLaren and being saddled with an uncompetitive car. Without judging the other occasions, though, this time it was undoubtedly justified.
Racing director Eric Boullier, who showed me around the car, said the Spaniard's performance was "a mega race. What he did is unbelievable."

[Troy]

Easy one-two for Mercedes in the Spanish GP.
Hamilton cruising and Ferrari losing out on pit strategy this time.

[Switch]

On to Monaco then. It’s a great leveler of a place for F1 drivers.

Almost certain that Mercedes and Ferrari will qualify at the front, but the winner will be the one who can demonstrate skill and vision behind all that technology. Assuming he can avoid Grosjean and Verstappen of course.

[harrybarracuda]

On to Monaco then. It’s a great leveler of a place for F1 drivers.

Almost certain that Mercedes and Ferrari will qualify at the front, but the winner will be the one who can demonstrate skill and vision behind all that technology. Assuming he can avoid Grosjean and Verstappen of course.

The winner will be the one that gets pole and can run to the end.

Great to see Mercedes finally sorting out the car.

Missed the race. Was Max's crash his fault again or the other bloke?

[Troy]

Crashtappen mistake led to him losing part of his front wing. He still managed to stay ahead of Vettel though so he can be useful.

[Switch]

The winner will be the one that gets pole and can run to the end.

Great to see Mercedes finally sorting out the car.

Missed the race. Was Max's crash his fault again or the other bloke?

we all know what an oddity the Monaco circuit is, and why it stays in the calendar.
All the cars are designed for much longer, faster and wider circuits with plenty of run off areas. That means the car has to be specially adapted to run successfully there. It must be a nightmare for the engineers.
Take Hamilton and Vettel out of the equation and it would be a much more interesting race. I would then enjoy an Alonso/Verstappen tussle worthy of the sport.

[harrybarracuda]

we all know what an oddity the Monaco circuit is, and why it stays in the calendar.
All the cars are designed for much longer, faster and wider circuits with plenty of run off areas. That means the car has to be specially adapted to run successfully there. It must be a nightmare for the engineers.
Take Hamilton and Vettel out of the equation and it would be a much more interesting race. I would then enjoy an Alonso/Verstappen tussle worthy of the sport.

Alonso?

He's shite.

But Verstappen will probably crash again.

[Switch]

Alonso?

He's shite.

But Verstappen will probably crash again.

Alonso is a class act Harry, wringing the best out of an overhyped chassis, with only minor engine improvements over last year. The lack of horsepower is negated by a slow narrow street circuit which brings him closer to the front.
I like Verstappen. He behaves like a senior, just barging through the field when, in reality, he’s still a child. A very talented one, unlike Grosjean.

[VocalNeal]

That means the car has to be specially adapted to run successfully there

Set up for mechanical grip rather than aero-optimized.

[Switch]

Set up for mechanical grip rather than aero-optimized.

Same same but not different.
Stuff the don’t have to worry about too much on other circuits.

[Troy]

The Red Bull has the shortest wheelbase of the top three cars. Ferrari lengthened their's for 2018 but still shorter than Mercedes. I would expect that difference to show at Monaco, if anywhere. Hamilton will have his work cut out to win but could still make the podium. It all depends on how aggressive the Red Bull drivers are towards each other.

[Switch]

*Sadly it wiprobably depend on some numpty amateur overestimating his ability, and disrupting qualifying.

Surprise Alonso was so far back yesterday.

[harrybarracuda]

90 minutes to P1.

[harrybarracuda]

Well as expected the Red Bulls are showing well, Ricc 1 and Looney 2 after FP2 with Vettel, Hamilton, Raikkonen and Bottas behind them.

[harrybarracuda]

The Red Bulls still set the pace in FP3 but Max put his car in the wall. No surprise there.

If he gets on the front row with Ricciardo we might get a really early safety car.

What to look for during qualifying? Keep your eyes peeled for the tyres the teams will bolt on for Q2. If the fastest cars can make it through that session and into Q3 on the more durable, purple ultrasoft rubber, rather than the more rapid pink-walled hypersofts, that should give them the ideal strategy for the race, providing that weather doesn’t play a part. And as for pole? It’s looking set to be a Red Bull bun fight around the Principality… if Verstappen’s car can be fixed in time, that is.

Quali in 10 mins.

[harrybarracuda]

Correction, Quali in an hour (20:00 Thailand).

[harrybarracuda]

Sounds like Max may not make it.

Qualifying on now.

[harrybarracuda]

No, gearbox change for Max, he'll be at the back somewhere.

[aging one]

thanks for the alert harry. Reddit comes through again. Max is at the back or in the pits. Ricciardo on pole and fast.

[harrybarracuda]

thanks for the alert harry. Reddit comes through again. Max is at the back or in the pits. Ricciardo on pole and fast.

He's not on pole yet, Vettel is only 2/10ths behind after Q2.

Hamilton 2/10ths after that.

Although I'm not sure how much more Mercedes have got for Q3.

[harrybarracuda]

Wow that Red Bull loves this track. Ricc's been breaking the track record all day.

[harrybarracuda]

Almost half a second clear of the competition:

1. Ricc
2. Vett
3. Ham
4. Rai
5. Bot


Max will be kicking himself at throwing away a podium; I wonder who he'll take out trying to get there?

[Troy]

Crashtappen is at least consistent. How long will Red Bull put up with him? Hamilton did well to get on the second row. It is a tough track and only takes a small mistake to ruin your day.

[harrybarracuda]

Crashtappen is at least consistent. How long will Red Bull put up with him? Hamilton did well to get on the second row. It is a tough track and only takes a small mistake to ruin your day.

It's <300m to the first corner. I can't imagine Vettel backing off.

Should make for an interesting start.