The 2019 Formula One Thread

[harrybarracuda]

Party mode works for Mercedes again:

Q3 Results (Classification):

1. Valtteri Bottas Mercedes 1:31.547
2. Lewis Hamilton Mercedes +0.023
3. Sebastian Vettel Ferrari +0.301
4. Charles Leclerc Ferrari +0.318
5. Max Verstappen Red Bull Racing +0.542
6. Pierre Gasly Red Bull Racing +1.383
7. Daniel Ricciardo Renault +1.411
8. Nico Hulkenberg Renault +1.415
9. Kevin Magnussen Haas No time
10. Romain Grosjean Haas No time

[harrybarracuda]

A few snippets. Race starts at 13:10 Thailand.

KEEP AN EYE ON
-Starting tyres. Both Ferraris and Mercedes, as well as the Red Bull of Max Verstappen will start on medium tyres, having used them to set their best Q2 times.

- Mixed strategies. The frontrunners will be using what’s theoretically only the second-fastest strategy, which could have an interesting effect.

- The front-left tyre. This is the one that’s most stressed around the track.

[bsnub]

It is now clear that Mercedes has been engaged in deception about their cars speed since spring testing and Ferrari took the bait hook line and sinker.

[Switch]

You would expect Hamilton to make a big effort to pass Bottas as early as possible. Whoever ends up in second place will be fending off Ferrari on that long straight, while the leader disappears into the horizon.

Unless they all fuck the start up?

[harrybarracuda]

It is now clear that Mercedes has been engaged in deception about their cars speed since spring testing and Ferrari took the bait hook line and sinker.

Then how do you explain how they battered Mercedes in Bahrain and would have pissed the race but for a technical fault?

They have a straight line speed advantage in race conditions and won't be too bothered about not having pole at that track.

Tyre management will be key.

[bsnub]

You would expect Hamilton to make a big effort to pass Bottas as early as possible.

Hamilton is not a fast driver and he will never match up with the true champions. Nico Rossberg outpaced him and won a championship and Bottas can do the same. The fact is that Hamilton is a shit driver who has been coddled.

[harrybarracuda]

Hamilton is not a fast driver and he will never match up with the true champions. Nico Rossberg outpaced him and won a championship and Bottas can do the same. The fact is that Hamilton is a shit driver who has been coddled.

Have a pint of bitter with your sour grapes snubby.

The only reason Nico won is that his mechanics sabotaged Hamilton's car.

[harrybarracuda]

From t'interweb.

"Good to see the Thai driver Alex Albon getting into the Songkran spirit."

[harrybarracuda]

Race starting now.

[harrybarracuda]

Great start from Lewis but Lando gets a little love tap and his race is probably fucked.

Virtual Safety car out on lap 1.

[harrybarracuda]

Oooh and Leclerc got the jump on Grumpy as well.

[harrybarracuda]

Stat of the day.

Pursuit – Second on the all-time list for wins, podiums and world titles, 5-time @F1 World Champion and #ChineseGP race leader Lewis Hamilton has now joined Michael Schumacher to become only the second driver in #Formula1 history to surpass 4,000 career laps led.

[harrybarracuda]

Hulkenburg and the hapless Renault retire again.

Mad Max nearly gets Grumpy on the undercut but the hun is too wily for that.

[harrybarracuda]

All gambling on that hard tyre lasting 32 laps.

[harrybarracuda]

And Ferrari fucked up because now Vettel is third, Mad Max behind him and a frustrated Leclerc in 5th.

[harrybarracuda]

Leclerc now on "Plan B".... a two stopper?

[harrybarracuda]

Marvellous.

[harrybarracuda]

Just for snubby

[bsnub]

Another shit boring race. I feel sorry for Leclerc who was once again screwed by dumb team orders. Not only did they cost Leclerc a shot at second place but they hurt themselves. Idiots.

[Norton]

Unless another team can catch up to Benz, it is going to be a boring season.

[Switch]

Unless another team can catch up to Benz, it is going to be a boring season.

Interesting dynamic at work there.
Rosbergs year was a one off. Bottas is a changed man this year, not content to play number 2 to Hamilton.

Instead of Vettel and Ferrari pushing him on, it’s now his team mate who is the bigger threat.

Ferrari have taken a huge gamble with Leclerc. I don’t think they expected him to be so close so quickly. It could still be an interesting season ahead, even though Mercedes seem to be on top now, it’s not guaranteed to stay that way.

[Bettyboo]

Hamilton, winning year after year, with an equal number 2 driver, able to race (to a certain extent...) unlike Vettel's number two who must stay behind, has to really perform year after year to keep winning - that's not easy to maintain the focus and speed. He is not my favourite driver, he whinges more than I'd like, but he is the number 1 driver on the grid and has been for many seasons. Vettel had a faster car last year, but fuked up time after time...

[harrybarracuda]

I do believe Pierre Gasly got the bonus point for fastest lap of the race.

Well done that man.

[Troy]

Hamilton is not a fast driver and he will never match up with the true champions. Nico Rossberg outpaced him and won a championship and Bottas can do the same. The fact is that Hamilton is a shit driver who has been coddled.

Clearly you know nothing about F1 or the skills Hamilton possesses. You made a similar comment last year and Hamilton pulled a rabbit to make you look stupid. You should have learnt from that.

[harrybarracuda]

Clearly you know nothing about F1 or the skills Hamilton possesses. You made a similar comment last year and Hamilton pulled a rabbit to make you look stupid. You should have learnt from that.

Oh don't mind him, he's one of those Ferrari muppets. He claims he knows about Formula 1 from "working in catering at Goodwood".