2018 Hungarian Grand Prix - Hungaroring, 27-29 July

[Wynters]

Mercedes seemed to be the best car in those conditions, that's true. Hamilton basically had one opponent to beat and it was his team mate.

Hamilton had one guy to beat. Well done to him.

This is equally true for every single driver since the teams were limited to only two. Vettel wins in a Torro Rosso? Well, he only had Bourdais to beat. Well done to him. Maldonado wins in a Williams? Well, he only had to beat Bruno Senna. Well done to him. And, let's be realistic here, both their team mates crashed so, really, barely an achievement at all. Right? Certainly, no one would be stupid enough to bring these up as examples of good performances...right?

Ferrari was simply slower in these conditions. It has nothing to do with LH's abilities. Otherwise Bottas would've been 8th or so.

Kimi was very clear that pole was his for the taking but he got caught up behind another car (a Haas, I think) and that killed his chance at a final lap. Given his performance over the previous 15 mins of Q3 I see no reason to doubt him and it's not as if he constantly claims he would easily have been on Pole. The Merc drivers managed to match skill and track position, Ferrari didn't quite manage both but could easily have had pole with slightly better positioning. Regardless, makes for a far more interesting race tomorrow. Even assuming the Mercs finish lap 1 still in the same position, I expect Kimi to draw out Bottas allowing Vettel to pass both of them and attack Hamilton. Worst Vettel will finish tomorrow is 2nd and given Ferrari have generally outperformed Mercedes strategically there's every chance on a win and that's not even thinking about Ferrari getting their usual rocket starts. Hopefully, the race will be as interesting as qualifying was.

Personally, I'm disappointed the rain didn't come down at the end of Q1. It would've been an epic race to see five of the top 6 cars racing each other as they all had to carve through the entire field.

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Sainz, Raikonnen, Hamilton and Bottas all put in really excellent laps during Q3, why is it so hard for people to simply appreciate the skill on display? Why the constant need to put down the achievements of others?

[GPR-A duplicate2]

Kimi was very clear that pole was his for the taking but he got caught up behind another car (a Haas, I think) and that killed his chance at a final lap. Given his performance over the previous 15 mins of Q3 I see no reason to doubt him and it's not as if he constantly claims he would easily have been on Pole. The Merc drivers managed to match skill and track position, Ferrari didn't quite manage both but could easily have had pole with slightly better positioning.

When I first heard that comment from Kimi, I went and looked at the live timing video available on Youtube. Actually, both Hamilton and Kimi had similar type of traffic on their warm up lap. It was only how the two drivers managed the situation, was ultimately the deciding factor. While Lewis created bigger gap before going for hot lap, kimi tucked behind Grosjean.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=I19QfnKwQ9g

[Just_a_fan]

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Sainz, Raikonnen, Hamilton and Bottas all put in really excellent laps during Q3, why is it so hard for people to simply appreciate the skill on display? Why the constant need to put down the achievements of others?

It's quite simple: to admit that a driver is better than their preferred driver is to admit that they have chosen to support the wrong driver. People don't like to admit they are wrong so the outcome is to downplay the other driver. It's fan psychology, nothing more.

[Wynters]

Kimi was very clear that pole was his for the taking but he got caught up behind another car (a Haas, I think) and that killed his chance at a final lap. Given his performance over the previous 15 mins of Q3 I see no reason to doubt him and it's not as if he constantly claims he would easily have been on Pole. The Merc drivers managed to match skill and track position, Ferrari didn't quite manage both but could easily have had pole with slightly better positioning.

When I first heard that comment from Kimi, I went and looked at the live timing video available on Youtube. Actually, both Hamilton and Kimi had similar type of traffic on their warm up lap. It was only how the two drivers managed the situation, was ultimately the deciding factor. While Lewis created bigger gap before going for hot lap, kimi tucked behind Grosjean.

Thank you for the graphics, very illustrative. Kimi crossed the line with about 15 seconds left to the flag dropping, looks like he could've backed off a bit and made it work

[Sierra117]

So what I don't understand is - hot temps the Mercs are overheating their tires? because they put more energy in to them than Ferrari does. But what EXACTLY does that even mean? It's not a matter of weight right? I mean Mercedes wouldn't want the car to be heavy like a Nissan GT-R cause that would be detrimental to the car's overall performance so weight is not the reason why the Merc drives the tires hard. Is it suspension setup? As in much more stiffer in general because they don't run the rake like Ferrari and Red Bull do? Less downforce overall so they have to have more camber? I am trying to understand here. What do you guys think is the reason?

Yes, the no-rake design and harder suspension means less travel to take care of bumps and this and that, which means traction isn't quite there, which means tyres slide more, which means overheating and blistering.

This is largely true, but only limited to qualifying. In races, they have been generally faster. Unlike in 2012 and 2013, where they only had a good car for qualifying (specifically in 2013), the tyre overheating was far brutal factor in races. I have mentioned this before and I strongly believe, wherever Pirelli brings a skipped compound (US, S, M), they find it difficult to set it up, but if the compounds are are like (US, SS, S), then they are far happy. Hypersoft might be the worst case scenario for them.

Indeed, they've improved leaps and strides for race pace compared to last year. Once they find the optimal flow to the back of the car (they've only just begun tinkering with the sidepod and bargeboard area in the manner of the other teams) they should be finding more time. Shame FRIC was banned.

[Wynters]

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Sainz, Raikonnen, Hamilton and Bottas all put in really excellent laps during Q3, why is it so hard for people to simply appreciate the skill on display? Why the constant need to put down the achievements of others?

It's quite simple: to admit that a driver is better than their preferred driver is to admit that they have chosen to support the wrong driver. People don't like to admit they are wrong so the outcome is to downplay the other driver. It's fan psychology, nothing more.

Sort of a 'criticism of my driver/team choice (implied or direct) is actually criticism of me, therefore I will childishly lash out everytime anything doesn't go their way'? It would explain why so many people seem to rush on to immediately big up/downplay the performance of individuals in the immediate aftermath of a session (or incident). You see the same thing in many other areas of life, I suppose, it just seems so laughable with sports. I mean, if anything doesn't really matter it's who happens to drive in circles fastest, kicks balls into nets best, etc, etc.

[GPR-A duplicate2]

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Sainz, Raikonnen, Hamilton and Bottas all put in really excellent laps during Q3, why is it so hard for people to simply appreciate the skill on display? Why the constant need to put down the achievements of others?

It's quite simple: to admit that a driver is better than their preferred driver is to admit that they have chosen to support the wrong driver. People don't like to admit they are wrong so the outcome is to downplay the other driver. It's fan psychology, nothing more.

Sort of a 'criticism of my driver/team choice (implied or direct) is actually criticism of me, therefore I will childishly lash out everytime anything doesn't go their way'? It would explain why so many people seem to rush on to immediately big up/downplay the performance of individuals in the immediate aftermath of a session (or incident). You see the same thing in many other areas of life, I suppose, it just seems so laughable with sports. I mean, if anything doesn't really matter it's who happens to drive in circles fastest, kicks balls into nets best, etc, etc.

In general, for an individual to pick a favorite driver, it's not just the skill of that sport person that matter. That is how people end up supporting Driver A Vs Driver B. There would be other traits that become more likable than pure skills on display. With that, an individual end up supporting a driver who is slightly less gifted OR less skillful overall, but fits almost all other parameters other than pure skill and then begins the problem of fighting and supporting for that driver by showing scant disregard when the superior skills prevail.

I couldn't understand why anything else should matter while appreciating a sport person's skill superiority over the rest. Why should it matter where they come from, what lifestyle they live, what they talk and what they wear.

[Silent Storm]

Kimi was very clear that pole was his for the taking but he got caught up behind another car (a Haas, I think) and that killed his chance at a final lap. Given his performance over the previous 15 mins of Q3 I see no reason to doubt him and it's not as if he constantly claims he would easily have been on Pole. The Merc drivers managed to match skill and track position, Ferrari didn't quite manage both but could easily have had pole with slightly better positioning.

When I first heard that comment from Kimi, I went and looked at the live timing video available on Youtube. Actually, both Hamilton and Kimi had similar type of traffic on their warm up lap. It was only how the two drivers managed the situation, was ultimately the deciding factor. While Lewis created bigger gap before going for hot lap, kimi tucked behind Grosjean.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=I19QfnKwQ9g

https://image.ibb.co/k45TOo/11.png
https://image.ibb.co/dhyhio/12.png
https://image.ibb.co/jE1rb8/13.png

The thing is max slowed down a lot which meant Grosjean slowed down and basically blocked Kimi, While Hartley didn't had to slow down for anyone.

[dfegan358]

what’s the likely pit stop strategy?
Will be interesting to see how Ferrari go about trying to attack Mercedes.

Think tyres will play a very important role tomorrow with the heat. When will we find out about starting tyres for the race? Presume Hamilton, Bottas Räikkönen and Vettel will go ultra soft?

Anything can happen tomorrow as we have seen recently.

[Spoutnik]

what’s the likely pit stop strategy?
Will be interesting to see how Ferrari go about trying to attack Mercedes.

Think tyres will play a very important role tomorrow with the heat. When will we find out about starting tyres for the race? Presume Hamilton, Bottas Räikkönen and Vettel will go ultra soft?

Anything can happen tomorrow as we have seen recently.

Wouldn't surprise me if the teams goes for differents strategies for each driver.
Hamilton and Vettel = US as they need a very good start, and track position
Raikko and Bottas = S as their pace on long run was very good and they need to protect their teamates. They'll play the long game

[FrukostScones]

Kimi was very clear that pole was his for the taking but he got caught up behind another car (a Haas, I think) and that killed his chance at a final lap. Given his performance over the previous 15 mins of Q3 I see no reason to doubt him and it's not as if he constantly claims he would easily have been on Pole. The Merc drivers managed to match skill and track position, Ferrari didn't quite manage both but could easily have had pole with slightly better positioning.

When I first heard that comment from Kimi, I went and looked at the live timing video available on Youtube. Actually, both Hamilton and Kimi had similar type of traffic on their warm up lap. It was only how the two drivers managed the situation, was ultimately the deciding factor. While Lewis created bigger gap before going for hot lap, kimi tucked behind Grosjean.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=I19QfnKwQ9g

https://image.ibb.co/k45TOo/11.png
https://image.ibb.co/dhyhio/12.png
https://image.ibb.co/jE1rb8/13.png

RAI had probably time out anxiety. Team should have told him that he had a 10 sec buffer. And he could have left a much bigger gap to GRO.

[AnotherAlex]

Want to see near spiritual wet weather skills? Enjoy!

https://youtu.be/DizI6XPMtsk

Yes, Kovalainen did really well to hold it when he was tagged passing Hamilton, his team-mate.
Otherwise, as 'highlights' videos go, that was atrocious.

[Brenton]

https://youtu.be/uE7CNFsgtNM

things looking pretty treacherous out there.

Thanks. Car looks a lot more planted than the Ferraris did. Though I'd need to see more onboard footage, especially of Bottas to fairly compare. Hamilton's throttle control looks/sounds really excellent here.

Really excited for tomorrow. Bookies think it will be either Hamilton or Vettel. I'd have expected better odds for Bottas and Kimi but I suppose the logic is Hamilton should be able to stay ahead of Bottas, while Kimi's race pace has generally been mediocre and Ferrari is likely to give Vettel a better strategy. So if Ferrari is a lot faster than Merc, Vettel is the likely driver to beat them. I never really see 4th place starter being given such decent odds for winning.

Really impressive from Sainz and Gasly. How will Toro Rosso fare tomorrow? Or the Red Bulls? It's very tough to overtake so if there's a slight gap, a driver might take a big risk and go for it... will this mean Sainz gets a podium after another Ferrari-Mercedes collision? Bookies think Hulk starting 13th is likely to finish ahead of Gasly starting 6th, so there should be a lot of action through the field.

So happy that they didn't red flag this. I was beginning to think last year that rain in F1 had been all but banned. That moment Kimi was on pole, if only it stayed that way! I've never heard Crofty sound so disinterested in a driver doing a 1st place lap halfway into Q3. Would be a nice change to see Kimi on pole... maybe later this year it will happen!

[Schuttelberg]

I have always said that Sebastian is a 'confidence' driver and it looks like it's at rock bottom at the moment. He's trying to put on a brave face but I have no doubt a part of him is defeated! What he needs is a performance that restores his self belief. I just don't see it coming for now, sadly!

[Edax]

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Sainz, Raikonnen, Hamilton and Bottas all put in really excellent laps during Q3, why is it so hard for people to simply appreciate the skill on display? Why the constant need to put down the achievements of others?

It's quite simple: to admit that a driver is better than their preferred driver is to admit that they have chosen to support the wrong driver. People don't like to admit they are wrong so the outcome is to downplay the other driver. It's fan psychology, nothing more.

I think part if it is that the champions generally are not nice persons. Prost, Andretti, Piquet, Schumacher, Senna, etc etc. It takes a certain attitude to become a champion, a certain arrogance, a certain self-centeredness. That makes it very easy to dislike the person you’re not cheering for.