Motorsport

Seems an odd admission to say he's not as good as Max.

That's my interpretation. Lando was ahead going into the corner, entered at the correct speed to cruise around the corner (unlike Max) yet Max simply wouldn't let him drive through the corner, and in doing so went fully off the track, dangerously forcing Lando off the track in the process.

I don't know how you could interpret it any other way. At best Max accidentally took the corner too fast, and at worst he purposely drove Lando off the track, but either way Lando did nothing wrong. He was right to keep the place.

Logically, ethically, sportingly, you are right but given the stewards deemed Lando to be the overtaking on the outside, they applied their (stupid) rules correctly. Lando clearly had a moment where he could've braked more and stayed on. 

Retrospectively upholding the appeal by deciding that Max was the overtaker gives the stewards an excuse to officiate better without rewriting rules mid season but the rewrite is what needs to happen.

The fundamental problem is using who was ahead at the apex as the 'winner' of the corner. As written it's essentially impossible for anyone to overtake on the outside if the driver on the inside has no obligation to make the exit.

However I don't think the rules are totally without merit, they just need tweaking. It bothers me that the usual suspects are using this as an opportunity to claim we don't need regulations. The whole reason they were brought in is that the Maldonado's, Max's, Massa's, Magnusson's (actually maybe it it's an Ma... thing) of F1 were overly aggressive and ignoring the unwritten racing conventions. So no, we can't just let you sort it out yourselves like bullies in a playground.

I don't really understand why there needs to be any tolerance of forcing another driver off.  As is repeatedly pointed out, we don't have this problem at Monaco or Singapore (much). Nor did it ever really used to be a thing when cars were death traps and gravel was present beyond the curb.  The racing wasn't worse.

I'd suggest:

1) if someone is significantly alongside (50%, maybe 75%, would need testing) at corner entry (i.e. the point of turn in) they are entitled to a cars width at the exit.
2) no lasting advantage from going off track regardless of whether you are attacking or defending, which includes failing to lose a position.
3) if asked, yield the place within 1 lap or incur a 10s penalty (some leniancy if opponent then pits or retires before you can comply)

Will still be subjective where 'turn in' actually is and what constitutes lasting advantage but the stewards can call that using the telemetry (maybe use an average of qualifying laps to set a reference for racing line, if by eye proves insufficient).

This will certainly make it harder to get an overtaking move 'done' but isn't that good?  It will mean both cars exiting a corner side by side heading to the subsequent corner with a similar obligation to leave space.  i.e. clean, respectful racing

I just don't get why the stewards aren't listening to the Internet?!?!?!

Stewards rejected McLaren's appeal on the grounds their wasn't any new information and refused to even engage with their argument. Fair play to McLaren for trying, they've at least drawn a lot of attention to flaws in the regs.

But essentially we're left hoping for Red Bull reliability issues to have a WDC fight.

Surely a bit mental that Norris missed FP1 so Pato O’Ward could have a go?

Just seems like more ‘happy to be here’ attitude from McLaren unless it was completely contractual and unavoidable.

I can’t see for a minute Verstappen would miss any running if 57 points behind so someone else can have some running time.

Just seen this article on the Race so it seems they actually could have put O'Ward in Piastri's car.

www.the-race.com/formula-1/every-rookie-to-drive-in-fp1-in-f1-2024/

Piastri will have to sit out FP1 in Vegas, Sao Paolo, Qatar or Abu Dhabi. I'd guess it'll be Qatar.

Please, someone put Perez out of his misery.

My son agrees. I totally forgot about it, but he reminded me.

Took a while for them to call it. We thought it was obvious.

Brilliant lap from Sainz.

Same pecking order as Texas on quite a different track which suggests Ferrari are on top and Red Bull really are back.

Not helpful for McLaren. WCC also looking doubtful now.

I didn't understand Red Bull letting him go, nevermind Ferrari.

Obviously Hamilton brings a uniquely massive chunk of marketing clout, so money is realistically the answer.

Maybe Hamilton will prove us wrong. I rate him as potentially the best in my life time but he's past his prime and I'm far from convinced he's better than Sainz any more.

I'm concerned Leclerc will humble him.

Nah, Merc don't help themselves by screwing Hamilton. Pretty sure his relative drop off is the natural consequence of reaching the end of the line.

I just think it's a combination of soft factors: Hamilton is getting old, he won't be privy to all technical data, he's probably not as motivated as he could be, Merc will give Russell the best parts, and Russell is bloody good.

Hamilton's not yet close to checking out as much as Alonso did in 2018. Remember him cutting the chicane in Abu Dhabi on three consecutive laps?

On a different topic, good to see racing rules will now be reviewed at the Qatar GP. Seems like they did listen to the internet

Seriously though, it shows the power of a driver/team has to highlight racing reg issues. If Lando had given the place back or McLaren not kept it in the media spotlight by appealing I suspect the FIA would not be acting.