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Post by Psychotext on Nov 13, 2021 20:10:15 GMT
He has a huge advantage over most other cars though, so don't be surprised to see him finish in the top five of the sprint race. Would still be 10th for the race, sure... but all it takes is a safety car or two to put him in contention. One prediction down, prediction for an easy podium for Hamilton tomorrow yet to come... If we see a safety car then I'd bet on him winning the race. |
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Post by muddyfunster on Nov 13, 2021 20:11:46 GMT
Yeah new engine + stalling rear wing suspension trick totally working here. Complete reversal from Mexico on that front.
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Solid-SCB-
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Post by Solid-SCB- on Nov 13, 2021 20:12:53 GMT
Goes to show how badly they've fumbled this season more than anything. Since Silverstone it's looked like a rocketship pretty much everywhere other than Zandvoort and Austin/Mexico. He should have won this sprint at a canter.
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Post by damagedinc on Nov 13, 2021 21:10:32 GMT
Looking like redbull are set to launch a protest against merc for the rear wing. Is this horner being horner? Have I missed something?
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Post by muddyfunster on Nov 13, 2021 23:51:08 GMT
Haven't read that yet. Just seen that there Merc broken wing was 0.2mm off spec. Crazy how fine the margins are but I'm all for applying the rules consistently. It wasn't legal, so it had to be a DQ, like all scrutineering fails.
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Solid-SCB-
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Post by Solid-SCB- on Nov 14, 2021 0:22:24 GMT
Wait, is that another complaint about the wing, after the complaint about the wing before Friday qualifying?
It's impossible to keep up with it anymore. I really hope someone else has found a loophole next year so these 2 crybaby teams fighting for the title can suck it up and enjoy just fighting for a few points for a while. Maybe a little perspective will do them some good.
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Post by Psychotext on Nov 14, 2021 0:24:18 GMT
Wait, is that another complaint about the wing, after the complaint about the wing before Friday qualifying? It's impossible to keep up with it anymore. I really hope someone else has found a loophole next year so these 2 crybaby teams fighting for the title can suck it up and enjoy just fighting for a few points for a while. Maybe a little perspective will do them some good. Would be nice, but alas... quite unlikely. Alpine or Aston Martin, get one of the old champs back in the game! |
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Post by suicida on Nov 14, 2021 9:27:50 GMT
Sorry to interrupt all the F1 chat, but today is Valentino Rossi's last MotoGP race. 26 years in the top flight, qualified 10th in his last race. The crowd at Valencia will be a sea of yellow not doubt.
#GrazieVale
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Gruf
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Post by Gruf on Nov 14, 2021 10:04:25 GMT
I found it all a bit comical TBH. Hamilton was the only car making passes, didn't matter if the car in front had DRS or not.
It was like he was running in a class race, just very suspect. I am not buying the whole wonder driving performance, they are doing something (probably a combination of things) to gain that sort of differential to the rest of the field.
Horner said he knows what it is, but this is F1, it is not illegal until the rule makers twig what it is, and by then the championship may be over.
All eyes on F1, sure they are happy either way.
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Post by muddyfunster on Nov 14, 2021 11:17:53 GMT
In reality there are no wonder drives in F1, it's always defined by what the car and tyres are capable of. Lewis's pace was just him having easily the best package on the day, same as Max in Mexico.
I think it was just a combination of
1) fresh Merc engines can be pushed harder than new Honda's, Renault's etc but as they age they have to run much more conservatively so tail off more through their lifespan (Max raised this because RB have the data and see the pattern)
2) Merc's clever suspension trick introduced mid season to stall the rear wing really seems to work well in Brazil and it certainly looked like they have the least drag as they can maintain acceleration further down the straight.
3) the above two points have allowed them to put more downforce on the car which is why Lewis looks so good through S2
4) Red Bull underperforming in qualifying making the Merc speed look better (their gap to 3rd team was smaller than normal).
5) Red Bull's concept generates the most inherent downforce, but this makes its more draggy so although the Honda is as powerful as a middle aged Merc unit like Valteri's, their Vmax is lower and it has made it more difficult for them to pass.
It's basically the same pattern we've seen all year where a given track and conditions suit one car concept more than the other.
Track position will be key. If Max leads after lap 1 I think he'll disappear as he did seem quicker over a lap. If Bottas can keep p1 then he may struggle to pass and Bottas can possibly hold him up which will make for a fun to watch.
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Solid-SCB-
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Post by Solid-SCB- on Nov 14, 2021 11:34:43 GMT
I think it's fairly obvious with how often they are changing parts that they've simply taken the shackles off and are running the engine to its actual capability to try and win. Combined with their aero philosophy it's turned it into something they'd fire around the Large Hadron Collider in a straight line.
Bottas seems to have been the test mule for just how far they can push it with all of his changes a bit earlier on.
Seems like it holds on quite well for a race with this strategy so I honestly wouldn't be surprised if they still won the title if they can get their act together and start capitalising on their advantages instead of ballsing it up.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 14, 2021 13:47:52 GMT
Got a tear in my eye now. Rossi has been there as long as I remember and it won't be tge dame without him.
Love the Keano bit as well
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Post by suicida on Nov 14, 2021 13:59:18 GMT
Yeah it's quite emotional watching this. I'm just glad he didn't end his career barrel rolling through a gravel trap. He had a good wingman in Morbidelli for the last few laps.
26 years at that level is just incredible and he's still quick
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Post by muddyfunster on Nov 14, 2021 14:01:13 GMT
It's fast when pushed but it's also true that Merc seemingly don't have the reliability.
Other than against the dodgy Ferrari, maybe Merc haven't actually had to push their engines close to it's limits, and maybe this is why we're suddenly seeing them look vulnerable. Their usual safety margin has completely gone.
By contrast, the Honda has looked superbly reliable and I think it's only crashes that have necessitated new components for them thus far.
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Solid-SCB-
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Post by Solid-SCB- on Nov 14, 2021 17:00:30 GMT
I see Merc have now whinged about Red Bull changing their damaged rear wings ahead of the race.
I honestly feel sorry for Verstappen and Hamilton in all this. Guys are trying to win and compete and they've got a pair of overbearing dads at a football match completely taking the shine off it.
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Post by monkman5000 on Nov 14, 2021 17:02:21 GMT
Bottas needs to still be in the lead by turn 5 or I think that might be the championship over.
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Post by monkman5000 on Nov 14, 2021 17:03:53 GMT
Tits
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Solid-SCB-
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Post by Solid-SCB- on Nov 14, 2021 17:05:09 GMT
Lewis has got 2nd in the bag here I reckon. Bottaslol/Perez might just have won Max this race right there though.
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Post by monkman5000 on Nov 14, 2021 17:06:02 GMT
If Max wins the championship I think he'll be sending a large Christmas card to Finland.
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Solid-SCB-
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Post by Solid-SCB- on Nov 14, 2021 17:06:37 GMT
Fucking hell, his speed is absolutely in another stratosphere. I'd be taking a new ICE every race on this evidence.
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Solid-SCB-
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Post by Solid-SCB- on Nov 14, 2021 17:09:24 GMT
He's 3rd already! It's Bahrain 2014 stuff.
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Post by Whizzo on Nov 14, 2021 17:28:08 GMT
Don't think Perez will be able to keep Hamilton behind him for long.
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Post by starchildhypocrethes on Nov 14, 2021 17:31:41 GMT
Good job by Perez there for a bit, but Hamilton and that Merc are in beast mode today. The speed is insane.
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Post by muddyfunster on Nov 14, 2021 17:33:21 GMT
Firmly into the tyre saving phase now.
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Solid-SCB-
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Post by Solid-SCB- on Nov 14, 2021 17:33:50 GMT
This is a massacre. I've never seen speed like it. Perez did a mega job even making a 2 lap fight of that.
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Post by muddyfunster on Nov 14, 2021 17:35:18 GMT
It's reminiscent of the dodgy Ferraris at Spa that year.
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Solid-SCB-
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Post by Solid-SCB- on Nov 14, 2021 17:40:16 GMT
It really is.
I suspect it's simply a case of them basically selecting party mode or close to it for the race rather than any actual cheating, but my god.
Never expected Merc to pit so early there. Interesting.
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Solid-SCB-
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Post by Solid-SCB- on Nov 14, 2021 17:43:23 GMT
3.8 second gap gone, with traffic thrown in too. Mind boggling.
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Post by muddyfunster on Nov 14, 2021 17:57:38 GMT
Hmm interesting
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Solid-SCB-
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Post by Solid-SCB- on Nov 14, 2021 18:01:26 GMT
Wonder if they are going to try and stretch it out for a set of mediums at the end.
Oh no wait.
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