The 2018 Formula One Thread

[Switch]

This is not the first time Merc strategy has screwed Hamilton’s race.

They need to find the best F1 strategist in the world and throw a ton of cash at him.

[harrybarracuda]

Sums it up. Can't blame the stewards. Ferrari boys simply did a better job today. Maybe a different story next race.

Of course you can blame the stewards. They should have declared a safety car straight away, instead of a virtual safety car after which they realised they had fucked up because it allowed Vettel to overtake.

That is not what a VSC is for.

You can't fault Ferrari for taking advantage but it should have been a safety car from the get go.
-Or- they should fix the loophole.

[aging one]

You can't fault Ferrari for taking advantage but it should have been a safety car from the get go.
-Or- they should fix the loophole.

Or Benz should have been on the ball. Hello Mr. Wolf...

Tables turned in the first race. Last year Ferrari was the one out thought...

[Switch]

I can’t help thinking that, despite all the excuses, Mercedes actually need a back up driver for Hamilton. Just like Barrichello when he helped Schumacher win all those world titles.
Worth noting that Bottas only has a one year contract to turn things around?

[Johnny Farang]

I think the Australia result was an aberration due to the circuit. Their horsepower advantage gives the Mercedes the ability to fly past lesser cars, but they still need a a nice long straightaway to do it. Melbourne's straights were just too short for them. Even Hamilton in max engine mode couldn't even try to have a go at Vettel. Not surprising then that Bottas couldn't work his way further up the order.

Assuming no more crashes in qualifying, I'd expect to see the Finn second on the starting grid for most of the season as he was last year.

[VocalNeal]

-Or- they should fix the loophole.

I don't think there is a loop hole.

You need around 21 seconds or there abouts lead to come in for a pit-stop and still get out in the lead. But under a virtual safety car because the cars are slower on the track you can do it in 14 secs or so. Which is what Ferrari did. No loop hole just taking advantage of a situation they were presented with. Unusual for Ferrari as they usually screw up the tactics.

[klong toey]

Great to see the young man still determined to follow his dream podium finish in his come back race.

Billy Monger takes podium on racing return in British F3
In his first race since losing his lower legs last April in an F4 accident, Billy Monger finishes on the podirlin at Oulton Park.
Billy Monger has recorded a podium finish in his first race back since losing his lower legs in an accident last April, crossing the line third in the British Formula 3 season-opener at Oulton Park.Monger, 18, was left with serious injuries following an accident in a British Formula 4 race at Donington Park, resulting in the amputation of his lower legs

https://www.crash.net/open-wheel/new...-racing-return

[bsnub]

Billy Monger has recorded a podium finish in his first race back since losing his lower legs in an accident last April

Reminds me of one of my favorite drivers Alex Zanardi. He had great promise. This was a classic pass made in the corkscrew of Laguna Seca;



I miss CART it had promise back in the day until Tony George destroyed it.

[harrybarracuda]

Hamilton takes a 5 place penalty for a gearbox change.

Grid for Bahrain (remember it's a night race, 22:05 Thailand):

1. Vettel
2. Raikkonnen
3. Bottas
4. Ricciardo
And a stunning lap from Gasly in 5th for Toro Rosso.

Hammy crawled home 4th but will start in 9th.

Watching Vettel trying to work out how to get out of the car with the Halo on. Obviously still not used to it!

[Troy]

Is it a rule to use the same tyres at the stsrt that you used in practice? I noticed Hammy was on a harder tyre during the qualifiers so, with the 5 place penalty will be on a different strategy to the other front runners. It won't get him a win but maybe a podium finish.

[harrybarracuda]

Is it a rule to use the same tyres at the stsrt that you used in practice? I noticed Hammy was on a harder tyre during the qualifiers so, with the 5 place penalty will be on a different strategy to the other front runners. It won't get him a win but maybe a podium finish.

I believe it's what you finish Q2 on. He did a lap on softs but switched to U-softs at the end.

[Troy]

Ok thanks...

He'll have to earn his salary to get a result tomorrow.

[Switch]

The grid penalty was a known before they arrived. He will enjoy the racing more, especially if it rains.

Maybe a safety car will favour him this time?

[harrybarracuda]

The grid penalty was a known before they arrived. He will enjoy the racing more, especially if it rains.

Maybe a safety car will favour him this time?

That's if they use it and not the "virtual safety car".

[harrybarracuda]

Brilliant start to the race, dopey dutch kid tried to barge past Hammy and broke his tyre, Ricciardo broke down.

Hamilton up to 5th and he's on Softs, because apparently he qualified from P2 on them even though he switched to U-soft at the end of the session. Should get Gasly in short order.

The top three have a decent lead but Hamilton should end up with several laps in clear air, so not all doom and gloom.

[harrybarracuda]

And Hamilton may do a one stopper. Might make the finish interesting....

[harrybarracuda]

And Hamilton may do a one stopper. Might make the finish interesting....

Vettel pits... Bottas doesn't.... Kimi's coming in.... Team Radio for Hamilton... "Remember we are sticking to Plan A"....

[harrybarracuda]

Vettel Bottas Hamilton....
Looks like Hammy will be happy with a podium, but Bottas is chasing down Vettel....

Gasly in line for 4th in only his 7th race.

3 second gap with five laps remaining .....

Bottas has Vettel in his sights with much better grip.

[harrybarracuda]

Terrific defensive driving from Vettel to hold off Bottas.

1. Vettel
2. Bottas
3. Hamilton
4. Gassly <- Wow!

[Troy]

Good drive from Vettel, staying on those tyres was a risk that paid off.

Hamilton has to be please with a podium finish.

[harrybarracuda]

I forgot that Kimi put himself out of the race by driving over a team mechanic.

[yortyiam]

Good to see some new blood making the racing interesting. Quite an exciting race. Nice one channel 4

[bobo746]

Stoffel Vandoorne

[VocalNeal]

Gasly was the man of the race. Didn't care which of the other 4 won although it may have been Bottas' turn? Should go back to lollipop men in the pits but... he'll be back.

[bsnub]

Congrats to Vettel! Hope Ferrari continues to roll!