2021 Qatar Grand Prix - Losail, Nov 19-21

[NathanOlder]

Max 3, I guess for the no panels then. Bottas and Sainz will then get cleared.

If its true, then its yet again ridiculous decision where the rules are not upheld consistently. How desperate are the stewards/fia for a non hamilton championship.

[Sieper]

Very unfortunate that the Marshall started waving double yellow (and Max failing to see it). Gone front row start and Hello Mercedes front row lockout.

This will be at least an 11 point weekend for Hamilton in the most likely outcome.

[NathanOlder]

Max 3, I guess for the no panels then. Bottas and Sainz will then get cleared.

If it is 3 places and none for Bottas, it's not all too bad. Both Max and Gasly will now have the clean side of the grid. As long as Max gets a decent start, he should be up to around P3 early

1 problem is he will be surrounded by cars on the soft tyre.

[Sieper]

Max 3, I guess for the no panels then. Bottas and Sainz will then get cleared.

If its true, then its yet again ridiculous decision where the rules are not upheld consistently. How desperate are the stewards/fia for a non hamilton championship.

Not very much it seems.

[Tvetovnato]

Max 3, I guess for the no panels then. Bottas and Sainz will then get cleared.

If its true, then its yet again ridiculous decision where the rules are not upheld consistently. How desperate are the stewards/fia for a non hamilton championship.

I’ve never ever wanted to believe that the FIA favours a driver or team, and I’m still not fully there, but it is really getting harder and harder not to believe that.

[Sieper]

It’s hard to see how the penalty can be massaged down or dropped for all three drivers given the evidence of all three passing waving flags, but TBH nothing surprises me with this sport.

However, if they don’t apply the standard penalty then that tells all the drivers ‘don’t bother slowing down for yellow flags any more if you’re on an important lap.’ which is an even worse precedent than they set last week.

They screwed up, no panels lit, in a night race. That is why Bottas and Sainz will likely get out scot free. Just be happy as Max still gets 3 places, down to 5th in between guys with softs. Overtaking here will likely be very hard.

[Magicsenna_41]

Wonder if the FIA will publicise their decisions when they have seen all three drivers.

For sure they will decide after the race

[e30ernest]

I am really surprised Max got away with just 3 places. I'm starting to think there is some favoritism or some effort to keep the championship artificially exciting now.

Either way, looking forward to the race.

[Tvetovnato]

But where is the source for this?

[El Scorchio]

Yeah, it seems they tried to figure out how they could apply the smallest possible penalty but still be seen to be doing something. Any other driver….

[Sieper]

Yeah, it seems they tried to figure out how they could apply the smallest possible penalty but still be seen to be doing something. Any other driver….

Got away with driving through a yellow flag. And through a panel that was also lit yellow. Unfortunately it was on camera and the panel wasn’t so green after all.

There were no yellow panels here and this was a night race. 3 places is still a big one, especially as it will now be a Mercedes front row lock out.

[nevill3]

No official comment yet this three place grid drop is just heresay

[Restomaniac]

Something has just dawned on me.

If Verstappen is behind characters like Alonso who now know that pushing wide is allowed he may find he has a VERY long afternoon.

[KeiKo403]

https://twitter.com/SkySportsF1/status ... 25926?s=20
Don’t know how to properly share the tweet.
Craig Slater saying I can show you this still frame of a green light.

1. This was illuminated throughout all qualifying, go checked the highlights, Q1, Q2 & Q3. I only think green flags/lights are shown after a yellow/double yellow. Not all practice/qualifying/race.

2. The light is in the pit lane. It’s either the pit lane open light (although I think that’s much earlier) or the FIA weigh bridge light. Flashes a driver number to stop to be weighed, otherwise green.

[Sieper]

Something has just dawned on me.

If Verstappen is behind characters like Alonso who now know that pushing wide is allowed he may find he has a VERY long afternoon.

I agree, Like you said, characters, with an s, multiple. He is also behind a character like Hamilton who knows (see Turkey) that pushing wide is allowed. So yes, I expect a very hard race indeed.