He didn't get it easy, but Kimi Raikkonen has finally won again, taking victory at COTA for the United States Grand Prix. The Finn had to stay cool against intense pressure from Verstappen and Hamilton in the final 10 laps, but he made no mistakes to win a tense race and his first victory of the season.
NathanOlder wrote: ↑16 Oct 2018, 11:13Or Kimi to overtake Max in the exact same way and gets away with it! causing Max to crash into Kimi on the slow down lap just like Cole TrickleRestomaniac wrote: ↑16 Oct 2018, 09:05Let’s hope they have a consistent view on leaving the track this year instead of a bendy 1 that causes ‘cringe’ in the cool down room.
And againturbof1 wrote: ↑16 Oct 2018, 17:31With Whiting afterwards approving it, saying it was only a single agressive move with no hesitation in it.NathanOlder wrote: ↑16 Oct 2018, 11:13Or Kimi to overtake Max in the exact same way and gets away with it! causing Max to crash into Kimi on the slow down lap just like Cole TrickleRestomaniac wrote: ↑16 Oct 2018, 09:05Let’s hope they have a consistent view on leaving the track this year instead of a bendy 1 that causes ‘cringe’ in the cool down room.
It was a turning point in F1 history indeed.Just_a_fan wrote: ↑16 Oct 2018, 21:44Wasn't it this girl's fault that grid girls were banned? All that tan on display...
Some curbs have been added to turn 1 as well.Ahead of this weekend's US GP, the FIA has confirmed that two major new kerbs have been fitted at the location.
The new kerbs, which are two metres long, one metre wide and 50mm high, have been installed behind the apex kerbs at Turns 16 and 17.
The FIA has also added new kerbs at the exit of Turn 1 in a bid to deter drivers from running wide there.
LOL, most drivers I see running wide at turn 1 are doing so because there is a fast moving object coming at them from inside the corner.
It's a give and take game through sector one, you can sacrifice a little on entry to some of the corners to carry more speed in the next slower corner, and finding the right balance is very difficult, especially as the race wears on and the grip levels start changing. It's a very difficult circuit in that regard, the hidden challenge is compensating for track evolution, knowing how to read conditions to get the most out of the car. I really dislike the stadium section, like yes you can take several lines, but then the exit onto the fast right hander only has 1 line you can take, a driver can make little difference there. The rest of the lap is quite good and very challenging, I really like the final few corners of the lap, it has a real Texas yee-haw vibe, because you feel you're hanging on for dear life riding some rodeo bull. That really quick left after the long right, where the apex is blind and the road slopes downward on exit, awesome corner.zibby43 wrote: ↑17 Oct 2018, 05:13Semi-OT but I've had a track day at COTA.
For those that haven't been there, the elevation change along the pit straight up into T1 is more substantial than it appears on TV. Sector 1 is challenging. You can play with some slightly different lines through a few of the corners.
That makes sense. He has to since he's starting from way out back. If you're starting on the front row there's a lot less to analyze.kptaylor wrote: ↑17 Oct 2018, 17:27The most interesting part of attending COTA was watching Alonso try a lot of different lines through turn 1. Amazing to watch him try and analyze as many options as he could so he'd be prepared for the start of the race. Didn't see any other drivers doing it to this extent.
I hope that they put big fat sausage kerb on T9 exit.subcritical71 wrote: ↑17 Oct 2018, 16:47LOL, most drivers I see running wide at turn 1 are doing so because there is a fast moving object coming at them from inside the corner.
Also, please tell me no one has seen Michael Buffer on the way to the track this year!
Last year as well. It is because of concert later. Preventing people to go off the circuit and then back onNathanOlder wrote: ↑17 Oct 2018, 18:25Just noticed that qualifying is 10pm UK time. The race 7.10pm. Was qualifying that late last year ?
Ha! Turn one already required titanic balls to pull an overtake, being such a steep climb uphill. It was something to look forward to.
Oh yeah, now I remember it. Cheers.F1NAC wrote: ↑17 Oct 2018, 18:28Last year as well. It is because of concert later. Preventing people to go off the circuit and then back onNathanOlder wrote: ↑17 Oct 2018, 18:25Just noticed that qualifying is 10pm UK time. The race 7.10pm. Was qualifying that late last year ?
Completely agree. Well said! That long right, which is essentially three consecutive high-speed right-handers (16-18), closes out the lap with some panache.godlameroso wrote: ↑17 Oct 2018, 17:12It's a give and take game through sector one, you can sacrifice a little on entry to some of the corners to carry more speed in the next slower corner, and finding the right balance is very difficult, especially as the race wears on and the grip levels start changing. It's a very difficult circuit in that regard, the hidden challenge is compensating for track evolution, knowing how to read conditions to get the most out of the car. I really dislike the stadium section, like yes you can take several lines, but then the exit onto the fast right hander only has 1 line you can take, a driver can make little difference there. The rest of the lap is quite good and very challenging, I really like the final few corners of the lap, it has a real Texas yee-haw vibe, because you feel you're hanging on for dear life riding some rodeo bull. That really quick left after the long right, where the apex is blind and the road slopes downward on exit, awesome corner.zibby43 wrote: ↑17 Oct 2018, 05:13Semi-OT but I've had a track day at COTA.
For those that haven't been there, the elevation change along the pit straight up into T1 is more substantial than it appears on TV. Sector 1 is challenging. You can play with some slightly different lines through a few of the corners.
