[Blindside_137]

Originally Posted by Killed by Death

Change LEC to Unreliability*

[TheBingoBalls]

This was very similar to Abu Dhabi last year. VER could get close, primarily with the help of the safety cars, but there was no passing LEC. If there were no incidents, LEC would be way ahead of everyone and it wouldn't even be close. Even with the safety car restart error, LEC maintained that 1.2 second lead and eventually increased it to 5 seconds shortly after.

Assuming the Ferrari errors, this should be their/LEC season to lose.

[M5Rick]

Oh well at least Max again was the only one, again, challenging Lec and nearly got the lead at restart.
I suspect something could have dislodged when Max's car was being worked on when on the grid, quite a few parts were being swapped around, the list as posted by Artemis earlier on.

[Artemis]

Originally Posted by irunalot

Somehow Merc is second in the constructors championship.

Actually, although it's a flattering result for Merc-AMG to be second in WCC and WDC (RUS) after three races (considering how their W13 car is performing), that's motorsport. Reaping benefits in a fair way due to errors or misfortune of competitors, is part of the game. It's up to teams and drivers to avoid car reliability issues, strategy mistakes and pilot errors.

Merc-AMG hanging on with Ferrari and Red Bull in the points, will make the 2022 season more spicy. If also McLaren manages to further improve, this season could become very interesting. Please no more boring snoozefest seasons as happened several times in the past with the Schumacher (Ferrari), Vettel (Red Bull days) and Hamilton (Merc-AMG) domination era. Several teams and pilots now fighting for gold for WCC and WDC, keeps them all focused race-by-race, offering suspense and entertainment.

Merc-AMG will start facing a dilemma though. As VER is the designated #1 driver of the Red Bull team and as LEC will now be internally confirmed as #1 driver of the Ferrari team for this season (if that would not have happened yet), Merc-AMG will have to make up its mind whether they stick to the plan to keep RUS 'shackled' as HAM wingman. RUS is new generation WDC material: he oozes with talent and continues to do impressive MacGyver stuff with the material given. While HAM seems to struggle with car and focus.

Decisions, decisions: hearing the UK and German anthems playing on podiums in 2022 for HAM or for RUS ? P3 today, no team orders to move over for HAM and second in WDC standings will further boost RUS's confidence. BOT used to be the perfect wingman for HAM, but RUS is of a different calibre. IMHO if Merc-AMG still wants to have a realistic chance to get a WDC podium in the final standings at the end of the 2022 season, it will need to invert the HAM-RUS pecking order soon. Every point counts and no team orders for RUS today could be an omen for HAM that the powers that be at Merc-AMG either start to shift the pecking order paradigm or sent him a clear warning that he must give them full taste for the 40+ million pay.

[minn19]

Originally Posted by Artemis

Great result for LEC: pole position, victory, fastest lap, Driver Of The Day, leading all laps. Well-deserved and good to see him increasing the gap in the WDC standings.

Also a nice result for RUS. Glad that he didn't get team orders in the final laps to let slower HAM pass. The sherpa was quicker than the master. Looks like HAM was fishing for getting a pass when complaining in the ultimate laps over the on-board radio that he felt being "put into a difficult position". Mercedes-AMG apparently didn't rain on RUS's parade to celebrate P3 on the podium. Possibly it starts to dawn at Merc-AMG that 'young warrior' RUS will keep outperforming 'old warrior' HAM. True that HAM has all those records and vast experience, but it's 2022 now and it looks like HAM's age starts to take its toll (impact his performance). His position at the top of the pecking order has toppled.

Possibly, changes on VER's car in Parc Fermé ahead of the race could explain his DNF. He radioed "I smell some weird fluid" and was ordered to switch off the car.

Attachment 2856228

I'm glad as well that MB didn't give in and let HAM pass. But three races in and RUS beat him by 2-3 seconds today...............but a bit early for such grand conclusions no? RUS is obviously the future but I'd be surprised if HAM is done just yet.

[minn19]

Congrats to LEC, hope Carlos can rebound and get it together.

I feel really bad for VER, couldn't happen to a nicer guy/team and their fans. Karma maybe with all of the shit talking? I love how Christian has to get a dig in whenever he can to MB/in the post race interview. In response to a question about reliability saying he'd rather try to fix a fast car with reliability issues than a slower reliable car. Uh Christian, you are behind the slower reliable car and obviously vastly behind the faster reliable car in the standings. Again very early though..................

Very nice to McLaren's resurgence this weekend.

[Artemis]

Originally Posted by minn19

in response to a question about reliability saying he'd rather try to fix a fast car with reliability issues than a slower reliable car. Uh christian, you are behind the slower reliable car and obviously vastly behind the faster reliable car in the standings. Again very early though..................

[///M Power-Belgium]

Originally Posted by M5Rick

Looking more like a possible fuel supply issue with Max's car, a burst pipe or union with some flames seen there.

Watched the race 'twice ..

• The start => The Mercedes launch control was bullet fast !

• Lap 12 => Max's left front tyre was already completely gone by extreme graining and he locked up more than once !

• Lap 14 => Charlie pulled already a 5.5 sec. gap vs MAX .

• Lap 19 => Checo's tyres are also gone .

• Lap 22 => Charlie + HAM in pit

• Lap 23 => MAX pulled the fastest lap .

• Lap 24 => SEB crashed by going like crazy over the curbs (beginners mistake) followed by a SC situation.

• Lap 32 and 33 => Charlie pulled the fastest laps !

• Lap 37 => Great move from Checo while he overtook Russell for P3 .

• Lap 38 => Once again the fastest lap was for MAX.

• Lap 39 => MAX smelled something strange in the car like fuel .
Suddenly the HONDA PU was in smoke ,and quickly followed by his second 'DNF in just 3 races !
Bad luck , and once again he is losing crucial WDC points so early in this season .
Meanwhile It's confirmed by Red Bull => MAX got a big fuel leak !
IMO .The whole situation was actually dangerous !
Probably later more about MAX's DNF ...

• Lap 50 => Charlie pulled the fastest lap ...Again !
Few moments later Charlie's request was : Can I go for the fastest lap again ?
From the pit : No ! No ! Just keep your pace like this , you already have the fastest lap .
Charlie : Ohhh..That's OK. OK guys !
Imagine how fast the '22 Ferrari actually is !

• Lap 55 => HAM : You guys put me in a very difficult situation !?!?

• LAP 57 => Checo over the onboard radio : Hey guys ! Are you still awake ?

• My thoughts :

Mercedes has improved a lot ! Russell pulled a great race with P3 !
Checo was the best driver in this race with P2 ..

Looks like Sainz is driving with a second hand Ferrari PU ..
No doubt : Charlie's Ferrari PU is a lot stronger !

I think , the Ferrari superfast PU is "Untouchable" for the rest of this season !
MAX pulled one attempt to overtake Charlie . But this time it wasn't even close !
The Ferrari was even faster in this race . It's very clear : Ferrari build a '22 WDC car !
Actually they can't lose ..
Congrats for Ferrari and Charlie !!!

[Bubbles]

Originally Posted by F87source

What I'm noticing is how fast the Ferrari is, literally after the safety car restart despite Charles botching that horrendously he put a 1.5 second gap between him and max in 1 lap thats insane. Carlos definitely can't take the pressure of being in a championship battle, it sucks to say but this really does show who the number 1 at Ferrari is.


Another thing I noticed was mercedes finished 5 seconds behind redbull despite Perez having over 10 laps of clean air to build a gap. The Mercedes is getting faster with no upgrades, and with redbull dnfing and 1 Ferrari failing to finish it really does buy Merc more time to get their shit together. And when they get their shit together and can swing with RB and Ferrari, I think they'll have an advantage over redbull because of their superior reliability.


Next I'm noticing McLaren is getting alot faster so good on them, and Williams finished in the points too. So maybe the merc Pu isn't an issue, it was just the trash aero with the customer teams. Albon did do a good job after getting dqed in quali to finish where he did. 57 laps on the hard tire is pretty impressive.


Redbull have major issues with their Pu and that has to be fixed or else it's over for them.

This race is likely an outliner as far as pace but Ferrari is a complete package that leclerc can drive consistently fast. The car seems very sorted for version A.

Stroll unhinged caused a traffic jam by weaving and forcing cars off track. This guy is driving desperate and careless.

Sainz tried too much too soon, officially the #2 driver given points. He doesn’t seem to handle pressure very well

Hamilton gave his team a nasty message “you guys put me in a really difficult position.” Hamilton misses Bottas.

Russell got lucky but drove well. Merc is not too far of the pace.

Redbull is fragile this year or attempting to keep up with Leclerc is breaking the car.

DRS remained off too long after the first safety car. Not sure why.

[GuidoK]

Originally Posted by ///M Power-Belgium

• Lap 37 => Great move from Checo while he overtook Russell for P3 .

Actually I thought how Checo overtook HAM was more spectacular (and the best move of the race).
Around the outside (and without DRS that was!)

Thats pretty much the motorsport equivalent of a Panna (I think Nutmeg is the proper english word?)

[Bubbles]

Originally Posted by ///M Power-Belgium

Watched the race 'twice ..

• The start => The Mercedes launch control was bullet fast !

• Lap 12 => Max's left front tyre was already completely gone by extreme graining and he locked up more than once !

• Lap 14 => Charlie pulled already a 5.5 sec. gap vs MAX .

• Lap 19 => Checo's tyres are also gone .

• Lap 22 => Charlie + HAM in pit

• Lap 23 => MAX pulled the fastest lap .

• Lap 24 => SEB crashed by going like crazy over the curbs (beginners mistake) followed by a SC situation.

• Lap 32 and 33 => Charlie pulled the fastest laps !

• Lap 37 => Great move from Checo while he overtook Russell for P3 .

• Lap 38 => Once again the fastest lap was for MAX.

• Lap 39 => MAX smelled something strange in the car like fuel .
Suddenly the HONDA PU was in smoke ,and quickly followed by his second 'DNF in just 3 races !
Bad luck , and once again he is losing crucial WDC points so early in this season .
Meanwhile It's confirmed by Red Bull => MAX got a big fuel leak !
IMO .The whole situation was actually dangerous !
Probably later more about MAX's DNF ...

• Lap 50 => Charlie pulled the fastest lap ...Again !
Few moments later Charlie's request was : Can I go for the fastest lap again ?
From the pit : No ! No ! Just keep your pace like this , you already have the fastest lap .
Charlie : Ohhh..That's OK. OK guys !
Imagine how fast the '22 Ferrari actually is !

• Lap 55 => HAM : You guys put me in a very difficult situation !?!?

• LAP 57 => Checo over the onboard radio : Hey guys ! Are you still awake ?

• My thoughts :

Mercedes has improved a lot ! Russell pulled a great race with P3 !
Checo was the best driver in this race with P2 ..

Looks like Sainz is driving with a second hand Ferrari PU ..
No doubt : Charlie's Ferrari PU is a lot stronger !

I think , the Ferrari superfast PU is "Untouchable" for the rest of this season !
MAX pulled one attempt to overtake Charlie . But this time it wasn't even close !
The Ferrari was even faster in this race . It's very clear : Ferrari build a '22 WDC car !
Actually they can't lose ..
Congrats for Ferrari and Charlie !!!

Ferrari PU is incredible and leclerc is driving like the consistent Max ‘21. Fastest lap discussion was funny, leclerc sounded like he was sitting in his gaming room. The PU gps data indicates a power upgrade from the Saudi PU.

Perez and Albon drove great races. Aston Martin is the only team with no points. Money can buy opportunity but not necessarily success.

Stroll should have a race ban for driving like an idiot all weekend.

Nando had the best quote. “Who is in the Alpha Tauri....[Gasly..engineer] why doesn’t he overtake the Aston...what is he waiting for?”

[///M Power-Belgium]

Originally Posted by GuidoK

Actually I thought how Checo overtook HAM was more spectacular (and the best move of the race).
Around the outside (and without DRS that was!)

Thats pretty much the motorsport equivalent of a Panna (I think Nutmeg is the proper english word?)

Yeah . That move was great as well !
Nutmeg = Nootmuskaat

Ferrari didn't show everything 'yet ! => https://scuderiafans.com/ferrari-to-...ish-gp-report/

[M5Rick]

Originally Posted by ///M Power-Belgium

Watched the race 'twice ..

• The start => The Mercedes launch control was bullet fast !

• Lap 12 => Max's left front tyre was already completely gone by extreme graining and he locked up more than once !

• Lap 14 => Charlie pulled already a 5.5 sec. gap vs MAX .

• Lap 19 => Checo's tyres are also gone .

• Lap 22 => Charlie + HAM in pit

• Lap 23 => MAX pulled the fastest lap .

• Lap 24 => SEB crashed by going like crazy over the curbs (beginners mistake) followed by a SC situation.

• Lap 32 and 33 => Charlie pulled the fastest laps !

• Lap 37 => Great move from Checo while he overtook Russell for P3 .

• Lap 38 => Once again the fastest lap was for MAX.

• Lap 39 => MAX smelled something strange in the car like fuel .
Suddenly the HONDA PU was in smoke ,and quickly followed by his second 'DNF in just 3 races !
Bad luck , and once again he is losing crucial WDC points so early in this season .
Meanwhile It's confirmed by Red Bull => MAX got a big fuel leak !
IMO .The whole situation was actually dangerous !
Probably later more about MAX's DNF ...

• Lap 50 => Charlie pulled the fastest lap ...Again !
Few moments later Charlie's request was : Can I go for the fastest lap again ?
From the pit : No ! No ! Just keep your pace like this , you already have the fastest lap .
Charlie : Ohhh..That's OK. OK guys !
Imagine how fast the '22 Ferrari actually is !

• Lap 55 => HAM : You guys put me in a very difficult situation !?!?

• LAP 57 => Checo over the onboard radio : Hey guys ! Are you still awake ?

• My thoughts :

Mercedes has improved a lot ! Russell pulled a great race with P3 !
Checo was the best driver in this race with P2 ..

Looks like Sainz is driving with a second hand Ferrari PU ..
No doubt : Charlie's Ferrari PU is a lot stronger !

I think , the Ferrari superfast PU is "Untouchable" for the rest of this season !
MAX pulled one attempt to overtake Charlie . But this time it wasn't even close !
The Ferrari was even faster in this race . It's very clear : Ferrari build a '22 WDC car !
Actually they can't lose ..
Congrats for Ferrari and Charlie !!!

I watched it and no matter, every race is a new challenge. Max's car will be sorted and Checo's ran like a train hauling in Russ and Ham with ease after losing out earlier.

[Artemis]

Originally Posted by Bubbles

Hamilton gave his team a nasty message “you guys put me in a really difficult position.” Hamilton misses Bottas.

I feared that HAM would openly solicit to give RUS a team order to let him pass. And then there was that radio message in lap 54/58: "You guys put me in a really difficult position". But no code language pitwall message followed for RUS (such as for example "engine temp high" or "manage tires to make it to the end") or openly (Silverstone 2021 lap 40/52: "OK Valtteri, we invert the cars into turn 15 in this lap").

After the race HAM "explained" his radio message:
https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/a...DA8l1VKb2.html

Listen to what RUS says from 01:16 to 01:49. Sounds to me that he didn't want to get "Bottas'ed" today after his close combat battle with PER:

[M5Rick]

Originally Posted by Bubbles

Ferrari PU is incredible and leclerc is driving like the consistent Max ‘21. Fastest lap discussion was funny, leclerc sounded like he was sitting in his gaming room. The PU gps data indicates a power upgrade from the Saudi PU.

Perez and Albion drove great races. Aston Martin is the only team with no points. Money can buy opportunity but not necessarily success.

Stroll should have a race ban for driving like an idiot all weekend.

Nando had the best quote. “Who is in the Alpha Tauri....[Gasely..engineer] why doesn’t he overtake the Aston...what is he waiting for?”

Lec questioning himself about the FL was weird, he had it already but had some doubts

[M5Rick]

Once bitten twice shy is Sainz now. He is angry for sure and won't take this lying down, he'll want some answers why he's getting sidelined all of a sudden but won't get any change from Binotto.

[Artemis]

Originally Posted by M5Rick

Lec questioning himself about the FL was weird, he had it already but had some doubts

No, LEC considered the option that someone else would pit in the final laps to get fastest lap. Albon pitted on lap 57/58 because he had to (he was still sitting on his original set of hard tires since race start, so had no choice to avoid DSQ). He did not get fastest lap.

Gap between HAM and NOR was almost 25 sec, so HAM could have pitted for softs in the final laps. But that would have been a risk to lose track position (P4). And very likely to no avail for HAM as LEC bettered his fastest lap time in the final lap (58/58).

ALO got second fastest lap in 57/58.

[Artemis]

Originally Posted by M5Rick

Once bitten twice shy is Sainz now. He is angry for sure and won't take this lying down, he'll want some answers why he's getting sidelined all of a sudden but won't get any change from Binotto.

SAI explained: hard tires to start is a disadvantage, steering wheel issue / anti-stall, pilot error:
https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/a...olEso53eB.html

[M5Rick]

Originally Posted by Artemis

No, LEC considered the option that someone else would pit in the final laps to get fastest lap. Albon pitted on lap 57/58 because he had to (he was still sitting on his original set of hard tires since race start, so had no choice to avoid DSQ). He did not get fastest lap.

Gap between HAM and NOR was almost 25 sec, so HAM could have pitted for softs in the final laps. But that would have been a risk to lose track position (P4). And very likely to no avail for HAM as LEC bettered his fastest lap time in the final lap (58/58).

ALO got second fastest lap in 57/58.

It was doubtful anyone would beat Lec's FL with what was left after the retirements hence my amusement at his reaction.

[M5Rick]

Originally Posted by Artemis

SAI explained: hard tires to start is a disadvantage, steering wheel issue / anti-stall, pilot error:
https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/a...olEso53eB.html

For sure the culmination of Sainz's disaster weekend was seing the red mist and entering that turn far too fast out of frustration.

[///M Power-Belgium]

Originally Posted by GuidoK

Actually I thought how Checo overtook HAM was more spectacular (and the best move of the race).
Around the outside (and without DRS that was!)

Thats pretty much the motorsport equivalent of a Panna (I think Nutmeg is the proper english word?)

Originally Posted by M5Rick

I watched it and no matter, every race is a new challenge. Max's car will be sorted and Checo's ran like a train hauling in Russ and Ham with ease after losing out earlier.

Originally Posted by Artemis

SAI explained: hard tires to start is a disadvantage, steering wheel issue / anti-stall, pilot error:
https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/a...olEso53eB.html

Hopefully , this is (some) good news => https://www.gpblog.com/nl/nieuws/108...overleefd.html

[Artemis]

Originally Posted by M5Rick

It was doubtful anyone would beat Lec's FL with what was left after the retirements hence my amusement at his reaction.

I agree. It was a display of power, almost like: "Wait, I'm having fun here. Do you mind if I crush them all one more time or do we call it a day ?" - "Nah Charles, we're good for today" - and then LEC sets fastest lap again, this time in the final lap of the race...

As commented:

Originally Posted by Bubbles

Fastest lap discussion was funny, leclerc sounded like he was sitting in his gaming room. The PU gps data indicates a power upgrade from the Saudi PU.