2021 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Jeddah, Dec 03 - 05

[JordanMugen]

wow, this is a penalty for Hamilton for sure. Super dangerous there with Mazepin

For a FP session, that would be unusual.

It would seem sensible for the FIA to clarify that "No Unnecessarily Slow Driving" applies to the entire track as Davidson says.

[BlueCheetah66]

Has there been a Q3 session where teams decided against using the soft tyre? I vaguely remember there being talk at one race that the mediums would be faster but then when it came down to Q3 everyone was on the softest tyre.

[Big Tea]

wow, this is a penalty for Hamilton for sure. Super dangerous there with Mazepin

For a FP session, that would be unusual.

It would seem sensible for the FIA to clarify that "No Unnecessarily Slow Driving" applies to the entire track as Davidson says.

Especially as its a new venue. Massi said on the radio (as a reply) Not good at all, I will be talking to him. So I assume a bolloking at least, maybe some cash for FIA coffers too

[dans79]

wow, this is a penalty for Hamilton for sure. Super dangerous there with Mazepin

For a FP session, that would be unusual.

It would seem sensible for the FIA to clarify that "No Unnecessarily Slow Driving" applies to the entire track as Davidson says.

Especially as its a new venue. Massi said on the radio (as a reply) Not good at all, I will be talking to him. So I assume a bolloking at least, maybe some cash for FIA coffers too

Even that's unlikely, considering he also commented that Marshalls didn't put any flags out to tell either driver anything.

[ArcticWolfie]

For a FP session, that would be unusual.

It would seem sensible for the FIA to clarify that "No Unnecessarily Slow Driving" applies to the entire track as Davidson says.

Especially as its a new venue. Massi said on the radio (as a reply) Not good at all, I will be talking to him. So I assume a bolloking at least, maybe some cash for FIA coffers too

Even that's unlikely, considering he also commented that Marshalls didn't put any flags out to tell either driver anything.

It happened twice! And his engineer should've helped him and he was driving unnecessary slow for no reason.

[dans79]

Especially as its a new venue. Massi said on the radio (as a reply) Not good at all, I will be talking to him. So I assume a bolloking at least, maybe some cash for FIA coffers too

Even that's unlikely, considering he also commented that Marshalls didn't put any flags out to tell either driver anything.

It happened twice! And his engineer should've helped him and he was driving unnecessary slow for no reason.

Not according to the race directors notes!

[politburo]

Especially as its a new venue. Massi said on the radio (as a reply) Not good at all, I will be talking to him. So I assume a bolloking at least, maybe some cash for FIA coffers too

Even that's unlikely, considering he also commented that Marshalls didn't put any flags out to tell either driver anything.

It happened twice! And his engineer should've helped him and he was driving unnecessary slow for no reason.

It is not clear as to whether that applies to free practice sessions. And when there is such ambiguity there must be no penalties given, reprimand perhaps so the team can take advance notice.

[search]

Hamilton may escape without a penalty indeed, but Qualifying will surely be difficult if it really needs 3-minute outlaps/(double) cool down laps to get those softs into the right window.

Would likely also mean only one shot in Q3 (or a first one on mediums, with a quicker outlap), by the way, if cars really need to go that slow.

[politburo]

Just found it interesting the 2 protagonists both took a new gearbox. The only ones to do so this weekend, it truly is a fight to the finish now.

[Tvetovnato]

Strat 5 for Hamilton’s laps on the softs in the end, all of them. No complaints of tyres not in the window on the radio either. Feels like there is still a bit of sandbagging going on.

[politburo]

Hamilton may escape without a penalty indeed, but Qualifying will surely be difficult if it really needs 3-minute outlaps/(double) cool down laps to get those softs into the right window.

Would likely also mean only one shot in Q3 (or a first one on mediums, with a quicker outlap), by the way, if cars really need to go that slow.

Track temp dropped from ~35 deg C to ~33 deg C during that session. If should drop a bit more.

[wogx]

Is Bottas sandbagging too? His engine is a bit older than HAM's

[the poster below]

Hamilton summoned to stewards for allegedly not respecting double waved yellows, so presumably a 5 place grid drop unless they can show otherwise à la Sainz last time out.

[politburo]

Strat 5 for Hamilton’s laps on the softs in the end, all of them. No complaints of tyres not in the window on the radio either. Feels like there is still a bit of sandbagging going on.

Don't they to go Strat 2 for Q3?.

[PlatinumZealot]

Yes. Mercedes are sandbagging big-time. RedBull also sandbagging a bit too.

I still think RedBull is dialed for qualifying to stop the rocket engined car from disappearing into the Arabian night tomorrow. You need an Aladdin type of strategy to steal the win they way this track is no naorrow.