[M5Rick]

Originally Posted by ///M Power-Belgium

My friend , I thought lip fillers are a girl-thing ?

I heard it can be usefull as well...

That's what I thought..the times must be a changin' !

[fiveohwblow]

Originally Posted by M5theonlyone

Not bad looking is it the Alpine, Ricci may have blown it again by jumping into another team with a detuned Merc engine.

Mclaren and it’s culture offer much more than just the power unit. If I were a driver, my consideration set would not be exclusive to who currently has the best of this or that. While important, other factors matter and that is why we saw them third in the constructors this year and will continue to see progress. Leadership matters.

[M5Rick]

Originally Posted by fiveohwblow

Mclaren and it’s culture offer much more than just the power unit. If I were a driver, my consideration set would not be exclusive to who currently has the best of this or that. While important, other factors matter and that is why we saw them third in the constructors this year and will continue to see progress. Leadership matters.

It worked out like that for them. Taking a weak Ferrari into account McLaren had some open door advantages to move up.

[M5Rick]

It tough times,Lando the receptionist

[Autobacs]

Very interesting how Ferrari and McLaren will stack up against each other in 2021. As much as the allure of Ferrari is understandable for Carlos, I think McLaren will have more of an upside with the Merc engines.

[yco]

Originally Posted by M5theonlyone

It tough times,Lando the receptionist

Landoooo..

[3798j]

Originally Posted by 3798j

Futures (BOVADA) $100:

WDC

HAM -$250
VER +$500
BOT +$550
PER +$1400
LEC +$2500
RUS +$3300
SAI +$6600
RIC +$6600
ALO +$6600
NOR +$6600
VET +$6600

Money being placed on George Russell has now dropped the payoff on a $100 bet from $3300 down to $1600...it's obvious that there are those that believe he could be the guy.

[SenorFunkyPants]

Originally Posted by 3798j

Money being placed on George Russell has now dropped the payoff on a $100 bet from $3300 down to $1600...it's obvious that there are those that believe he could be the guy.

I wouldn't be making a bet on Russell.
Jim Ratcliffe is worth some £15 billion...his isn't going to let Hamilton go because he is asking to have the same salary as last year.
Hamilton is way more of a certainty of winning the DWC in the Merc than Russell.
Ratcliffe could find any wages shortfall down the back of sofa.

[M3_WC]

Originally Posted by SenorFunkyPants

Hamilton is way more of a certainty of winning the DWC in the Merc than Russell.

Merc is winning no matter what. With or without Lewis.

[M5Rick]

Is it wise putting heaps of money on HAM,I'm not an enthusiastic gambling man but what if he doesn't race.

[SenorFunkyPants]

Originally Posted by M5theonlyone

Is it wise putting heaps of money on HAM,I'm not an enthusiastic gambling man but what if he doesn't race.

I wouldn't...just because the odds are poor.
An outside bet on Leclerc might be better...regardless of what you might think of him...he did manage some surprising results last season and Ferrari pulling a winning car out of the bag is not impossible.

[M5Rick]

Originally Posted by SenorFunkyPants

I wouldn't...just because the odds are poor.
An outside bet on Leclerc might be better...regardless of what you might think of him...he did manage some surprising results last season and Ferrari pulling a winning car out of the bag is not impossible.

Nope,I'll have tenner on Max.

[MKSixer]

Originally Posted by M3_WC

Merc is winning no matter what. With or without Lewis.

2017 and 2018 would beg to differ with you.

[MJE60]

Originally Posted by M5theonlyone

Is it wise putting heaps of money on HAM,I'm not an enthusiastic gambling man but what if he doesn't race.

HAM is definitely racing in 2021, delay is purely about contract length and not financials. HAM only wants to commit to 1 season whereas team are looking for two. The team want continuity and experience to carry them over major rule/regulation changes for 2022. If anyone can handle and get the best out of new “higher ground effect” cars it will be HAM but 2022 will not be the certainty for Mercedes AMG Petronius that is 2021. I think HAM will not be happy retiring other than as world champion.

[M5Rick]

Originally Posted by MJE60

HAM is definitely racing in 2021, delay is purely about contract length and not financials. HAM only wants to commit to 1 season whereas team are looking for two. The team want continuity and experience to carry them over major rule/regulation changes for 2022. If anyone can handle and get the best out of new “higher ground effect” cars it will be HAM but 2022 will not be the certainty for Mercedes AMG Petronius that is 2021. I think HAM will not be happy retiring other than as world champion.

A few are saying that but we'll see, some other factors also playing there that are not so obvious at first.

[MJE60]

Originally Posted by M5theonlyone

A few are saying that but we'll see, some other factors also playing there that are not so obvious at first.

You are right, time will tell but HAM has been in full pre-season training and ramping up preparations, so he thinks he will be racing.

[M3_WC]

Originally Posted by MKSixer

2017 and 2018 would beg to differ with you.

We are getting a repeat of cars/rules from last season. Merc will win period. Whether it is Bottas, Hamilton, or Russel. It is signed, sealed and delivered.

[MJE60]

Originally Posted by M3_WC

We are getting a repeat of cars/rules from last season. Merc will win period. Whether it is Bottas, Hamilton, or Russel. It is signed, sealed and delivered.

I agree, 2021 cars are a minor evolution from 2020 and Merc stopped development/upgrades of the 2020 car early last season in order to concentrate on 2021 platform. This truth is that Red Bull, crowing that their car closed the gap in 2020, will struggle because like the previous two seasons Merc were already concentrating on following season. This is why 2022 changes are a big deal.

I disagree that Merc can put anyone in their cars and still win the championship. Bottas was beaten regularly, HAM was not. HAM has outperformed all of his team mates, even Nico (who IMO only won season because HAM car had unusually high mechanical failure rate that season, indeed statistically HAM power unit parts failed more than other Merc engines on the grid combined, a coincidence?).

Finally I am not impressed with Red Bull tactics, Christian Horner (man of repeated protests) pushing for fuel flow rate restrictions for Merc because other engines are less capable is woke BS (yeh, we should all get to win otherwise it’s not fair). To emphasise the stupidity of picking on merc engine fuel flow, well it’s the last thing Williams need in 2021. The fact is F1 should be about the best, the fastest and most challenging, whereas it has been heading down the route of tyre management, micro-management by track officials , fuel management and for some teams ego management. A handicap system turns f1 into a farce, why invest, design or strive if it results in performance restrictions. Losing Honda is a shame, especially as their engine finally started delivering but Red Bull whining will not protect their investment.

[M5Rick]

Originally Posted by MJE60

I agree, 2021 cars are a minor evolution from 2020 and Merc stopped development/upgrades of the 2020 car early last season in order to concentrate on 2021 platform. This truth is that Red Bull, crowing that their car closed the gap in 2020, will struggle because like the previous two seasons Merc were already concentrating on following season. This is why 2022 changes are a big deal.

I disagree that Merc can put anyone in their cars and still win the championship. Bottas was beaten regularly, HAM was not. HAM has outperformed all of his team mates, even Nico (who IMO only won season because HAM car had unusually high mechanical failure rate that season, indeed statistically HAM power unit parts failed more than other Merc engines on the grid combined, a coincidence?).

Finally I am not impressed with Red Bull tactics, Christian Horner (man of repeated protests) pushing for fuel flow rate restrictions for Merc because other engines are less capable is woke BS (yeh, we should all get to win otherwise it’s not fair). The fact is F1 should be about the best, the fastest and most challenging, whereas it has been heading down the route of tyre management, micro-management by track officials , fuel management and for some teams ego management. Losing Honda is a shame, especially as their engine finally started delivering but Red Bull whining will not protect their investment.

You're talking rubbish,Russell not only beat BOT but in the same situation HAM would have to give way or have a collision which BOT avoided. I doubt the strange tyre mix up and subsequent screw in a new tyre (the tyre was never shown) or whatever would have happened if HAM had not got covid of which he said he tested positive as well as Wolff just now who apparently had no symptoms. Welcome to F1.

[MKSixer]

Originally Posted by MJE60

I agree, 2021 cars are a minor evolution from 2020 and Merc stopped development/upgrades of the 2020 car early last season in order to concentrate on 2021 platform. This truth is that Red Bull, crowing that their car closed the gap in 2020, will struggle because like the previous two seasons Merc were already concentrating on following season. This is why 2022 changes are a big deal.

I disagree that Merc can put anyone in their cars and still win the championship. Bottas was beaten regularly, HAM was not. HAM has outperformed all of his team mates, even Nico (who IMO only won season because HAM car had unusually high mechanical failure rate that season, indeed statistically HAM power unit parts failed more than other Merc engines on the grid combined, a coincidence?).

Finally I am not impressed with Red Bull tactics, Christian Horner (man of repeated protests) pushing for fuel flow rate restrictions for Merc because other engines are less capable is woke BS (yeh, we should all get to win otherwise it’s not fair). To emphasise the stupidity of picking on merc engine fuel flow, well it’s the last thing Williams need in 2021. The fact is F1 should be about the best, the fastest and most challenging, whereas it has been heading down the route of tyre management, micro-management by track officials , fuel management and for some teams ego management. A handicap system turns f1 into a farce, why invest, design or strive if it results in performance restrictions. Losing Honda is a shame, especially as their engine finally started delivering but Red Bull whining will not protect their investment.

Great post.

Especially the last 2 paragraphs. You will kick over an ant pile from two RB Fan Bois and a few others in the, "it's the car camp." The cognitive gymnastics required to deny that Sir Lewis is only a champion because of the car requires ignoring all of the McLaren data vs. his team mates. Further, if the performance displayed in Turkey 2020 doesn't convince anyone of his prowess, they have no objectivity.

[MKSixer]

Originally Posted by M5theonlyone

You're talking rubbish,Russell not only beat BOT but in the same situation HAM would have to give way or have a collision which BOT avoided. I doubt the strange tyre mix up and subsequent screw in a new tyre (the tyre was never shown) or whatever would have happened if HAM had not got covid of which he said he tested positive as well as Wolff just now who apparently had no symptoms. Welcome to F1.

.

[///M Power-Belgium]

Originally Posted by MKSixer

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