aiyaaz

Interesting times and makes for a better test of Mick's credentials... https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article.breaking-kevin-magnussen-to-make-sensational-f1-return-with-haas-in-2022.7m4IFYh7gmD3ZGppbs5f88.html

Adrian Newey said in an interview after the race that on the balance of the season RBR probably had the better car. To me it also looks like the Merc was more superior in more races than the RBR was, and more points were lost by Merc due to errors (driver and team), but that would just be my opinion. What I like about Newey saying what he did, is that it gives the deserved credit to the RBR team (track and factory) for the amazing job they've done. I don't like how TP's and drivers keep trying to make like they're the underdog with a weaker car. That is why Max is such a favourite in the eyes of many. He is always first to say the car was amazing and if it was the best, he says so. That must be so lekker for a team to hear.

I feel we deserved a better ending to the season as fans, than what we got on Sunday with that weird decision from Masi. I'm thinking Masi might have some stock in Netflix...? A red flag would probably have been better if he was going to bend rules anyway. Max on softs would probably have still taken the win given how well the RB went on softs and low fuel, but having to do so against a car able to compete, not a sitting duck. Anyway it is what it is. All this post race drama is rather pointless. Lewis accepted defeat already and quite graciously it must be said, good on him. Max a deserving WDC, nobody could argue against that. Onto 2022 😁

Don't know what to make of that ending to an epic fight between those two. Max fully deserves the title as he's been the most consistent over the entire season, but he certainly rode his luck today. Max and Lewis delivered 10/10 today with the cars they had. Perez on old soft tyres defending against Lewis the way he did, was top drawer. Great season, deserving champion and passing of the guard in many ways. Let's hope next season produces another exciting battle, but hopefully involving more than just two drivers. Max WDC 😁👌🏽

I'm still going with Max for WDC, even though the momentum is now firmly with Lewis, and deservedly so. Credit where it's due, Lewis has been the driver of the latter part of this season thus far. RBR/Max shouldn't have pissed him off man...now he's just too focused! Need him to go do a few fashion shows or something, dammit, LOL. May the best man win and let's hope that it is done cleanly on track with proper racing and without mechanicals, etc. I hope the anti-climax that Murphy may have in store does not come to fruition. I predict a starting grid of Perez (1), Bottas (2), Max (3), Lewis (4)...as dumb as this prediction may sound, in the context of the season we've had, who knows...? I don't really think this will happen, but this would yield the most excitement, as the #2's leading without being able to just let #1's pass easily early on plus the strategy tossed into it would make it an epic, especially since they've made some positive changes to the track.

RIP Sir Frank Williams https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.formula1.com/en/latest/article.breaking-legendary-f1-team-boss-sir-frank-williams-dies-aged-79.mCPM4nj5n62elIhFoPhtv.html

With the grid penalty for LH, the WDC is Max's to lose. After this weekend, he'd just need to finish 2nd for the remainder of the season to seal it I think. Only DNF's can stop that really. Conditions do look like it could be wet...

I hope it pans out that way and we don't just get some team doing a "Brawn". The engines seems a lot closer going into next year, so that is a good thing. If we do see one of the big (FER/RBR/MER/MCL) teams interpret the new regs the best and pull away, at least those teams all have "alpha" drivers, i.e. no wingmen, so we'll hopefully still see some drama between P1 and P2 in the WDC.

To say that in front of all the Mexican fans out there was such a p%^ thing to do, honestly. Sergio was on the pace all weekend and in his 2nd stint had the best avg lap time until Bottas boxed for new rubber. To not give Sergio credit for just upping his game is just such poor form.

I don't like it either, but can't blame teams for limiting losses in whatever way they want. In this case, Merc took Bottas from P13 to take the fastest lap and reduce the lead RBR would take away, by 1 point. Remember RBR did the same at Silverstone, but then Perez was pulled from P10, to take the fastest lap away from HAM. All that silly-ness aside, RBR will win this WCC by just being better, because Sergio is now in the game, so it is going to be sweet to see Merc crying at the end of the year without any titles for the 1st and only time in this lopsided era. The WDC is basically in the bag. Max will cruise to it from here...he just does not know how to make mistakes anymore.

I think this might have been the best I've seen Max drive. He had to pull out a very mature, measured performance to pull that strategy off. Even Horner said afterwards to Sky that he wasn't sure Max could make it, but what a drive. Then Lewis also gave it everything and did everything he needed to. Great at T1 and only mistake was the T11 squiggle near the end, but even if he didn't slide a bit, Max would still have had it, perhaps with only a 7 tenths lead, instead of 1.something. Then the Danny VS Carlos battle was great too! Then Kimi VS Alonso too! In all, a nice strategy battle up front, with two drivers delivering what they needed to. I think Max won the WDC yesterday and it almost looks like Lewis knows it, given his facial expressions and body language after the race...

One would probably need a documentary triple the length of this one to cover all his highlights, but I think this was a really cool documentary about the GOAT. Imagine that feeling after crossing the line in Suzuka, given the state in which he joined Ferrari a few years back. To see the clips with his family and hear how he is spoken about from former colleagues with regards to his soft side was really awesome. Fierce racer on the track and amazing son/husband/father off it...MSC is the one that tops the list of legends.

Awesome race result for MCL! Apparently a 3 place grid penalty on the way for Max in Russia...

I hope we can add Lando into this to make it a trio. Lando defends on track like a bad-ass. ???? In other news: https://www.planetf1.com/news/valtteri-bottas-alfa-romeo-move-2022/

Definitely not a spectacle of a race, but the crowd was fantastic. Even though not much action up front, Max was again flawless and could fend off anything Merc threw at him. He calmly brought home the win yesterday. It is also nice that he doesn't talk much BS, like when he knows RBR have the best package, even just marginally, he'll say so. I've noticed from recent interviews that he isn't shy to say things like that and even at times agreeing with assumptions that they would be favourites for a particular weekend. This oke seems to deliver better under pressure.

Just meant that, technically a race has been completed, as explained by BaGearA, but that being only behind a safety car completing the minimum laps required for a classification. So no real "race" between cars happened, but points were awarded, according to the rules. Apart from Russell, none of the drivers seemed to agree with the points being handed out, but it is what it is...

For sure. It feels wrong to dish out racing points without a race actually taking place.

And there we have it, race ended by Masi. No surprise of course, given that conditions were getting worse. 1 VER 2 RUS 3 HAM Half points awarded and MAZ with the fastest lap, but no point of course, being outside the top 10.

Very much! Doesn't look like there'll be any real racing today, as reports are that visibility is extremely poor.

Russell making it impossible for Toto to ignore him in favour of Bottas! Lewis looked a bit concerned that George was there...maybe a bit bang for next year...? ????????????

Most former drivers and pundits putting it down to a "racing incident", but I think Danny Ric's view that Lewis simply went in too hot was probably the best view. Was difficult to watch after that crash, put a massive damper on the race for me. Max will bounce back easily and I'd be surprised if he didn't blow LH away in Hungary. He has been head and shoulders above everyone this season, and will for sure win this WDC. Also, he's much more mature now and I doubt he'll seek revenge like some suggest. All he has to do is just keep doing what he's been doing, being ultra consistent with minimal to no mistakes. On a different note, what's up with RBR boxing Perez from P10 to take a fastest lap point away from LH? Was that in retaliation or perhaps just support for Max, or are RBR just a lot more focused on the WDC than the WCC?

Great race no doubt, just also disappointed about the Norris penalty. Even Horner said that it sets the wrong precedent and should not have been a penalty given by Masi. Was just good wheel to wheel racing, with Perez coming off second best. Norris should have had P2 on merit. Hamilton broke his car and Norris would have beaten Bottas, so that P2 was taken away from him. So lekker to see him RACING the front cars though!!! Also, Russell did well to keep Alonso behind for as long as he did. His defense and positioning of the car was great, but eish, he was so close to that elusive point!

Haven't heard all of it, but he's complained about his car damage, of course. This is going to be a long and tough season for him though, as Max is not putting a foot wrong. The scary thing is that I still think Max was operating at at least this, or possibly a higher level last season already, and his peak is still ahead of him. If RBR win at Silverstone, it will be a massive statement, but also expect the excuses and "lack of pace" complaints to increase exponentially...

Yeah you're right, their race pace is nowhere near where it needs to be to genuinely challenge RBR and Merc. I just hope they allow Lando to race the front okes for a bit longer than last week instead of letting them by early on. I guess it'll depend on how well the Ferraris go.

Have to say it again...Max and Lando making F1 a "must watch" again! What a qualy! GR in Q3 as well, surely giving Toto something to think about? Two young guns going into T1...this is going to be a lekker Sunday ???? RBR 1-2...has to be...