Max Verstappen took the lead of the race at the wet start, and maintained that until the very end. Behind him however, lots was going on due to the mixed conditions. Lewis Hamilton fought back from an error into second while Norris put McLaren on the podium for the first time this season.
It's funny, people have started throwing out facetious suggestions of other rule changes that need to happen based on the unlapping rule benefiting Lewis. These 2 are my favorite: No fastest lap if you have DRS, and DSQ if you dip a wheel over a line while on the victory lap.
This is interesting as Hamilton did not technically leave the track since turn 7 track limits were not observed (according to the race directors notes). He was technically reversing on the track. This is one of my main gripes about the variable track limits rules. The FIA should not cite the track limit in some circumstances (like this one) and not in others (when drivers leave the 'track').
No. He left the track because the track is defined by the white lines. Enforcement of drivers crossing that white line is a separate issue and doesn't alter the fact that the track is defined as the area between the white lines.
If you are more fortunate than others, build a larger table not a taller fence.
I wonder how people would have thought about the crash had it been Hamilton instead of Bottas.
Russell deserves a top drive for his talent, but I was especially not impressed him going to Bottas with that attitude and tapping on the head after the crash, especially as the crash was really a big one. The deacceleration on was heavy on the Merc, you could hear from the radio that Bottas was shaken.
I wonder how people would have thought about the crash had it been Hamilton instead of Bottas.
Russell deserves a top drive for his talent, but I was especially not impressed him going to Bottas with that attitude and tapping on the head after the crash, especially as the crash was really a big one. The deacceleration on was heavy on the Merc, you could hear from the radio that Bottas was shaken.
simple really, he was just trying to show he should be in that car instead of Bottas. It backfired spectacularly. It was also on top of him not letting Lewis pass him easily during the blue flags. He single handled ruined Merc race. (In addition to Lewis being too eager... )
I wonder how people would have thought about the crash had it been Hamilton instead of Bottas.
Russell deserves a top drive for his talent, but I was especially not impressed him going to Bottas with that attitude and tapping on the head after the crash, especially as the crash was really a big one. The deacceleration on was heavy on the Merc, you could hear from the radio that Bottas was shaken.
I was thinking exactly that. I rate George right up there with the best in the sport and is one of my favourite drivers on the grid but I think based on his reaction yesterday there is definitely an element of immaturity and lack of empathy for a fellow driver who he had no idea whether or not was hurt. Imagine if Bottas was seriously hurt and for George to do what he did...
Worry not, peeps! The matter has been dealt with. I kid you not.
Tire wear is a killer next round, that looooong right hand turn is murder on the rears.
Is the next round that track that has an insanely positive camber onto the start, finish straight? If so wouldn’t that corner be murderous to all four tyres?
It's just a really long flat out right hander. Portimao only has a little positive camber on the hairpin.
I frankly cannot wait for Zandvoort, which I think is the one you're thinking of.
Tire wear is a killer next round, that looooong right hand turn is murder on the rears.
Is the next round that track that has an insanely positive camber onto the start, finish straight? If so wouldn’t that corner be murderous to all four tyres?
It's just a really long flat out right hander. Portimao only has a little positive camber on the hairpin.
I frankly cannot wait for Zandvoort, which I think is the one you're thinking of.
I don't think tire wear is going to be a big problem next race. Most corners are mid-low speed, with no harsh curbs. After all, it's a moto(gp) friendly track.
Looks like he was a bit too impatient with the throttle, having gone onto the fully wet part of the track to avoid going over debris. Just one of those things. Lewis had it, and so did Max to a lesser degree. Conditions were really difficult.
Last edited by Shrieker on 19 Apr 2021, 23:40, edited 1 time in total.
Education is that which allows a nation free, independent, reputable life, and function as a high society; or it condemns it to captivity and poverty.
-Atatürk
Great sportsmanship from Sainz by the way on the restart. He rightfully could of taken the lead from Verstappen when he went off for a second.
Wasn't it Charles?
It was. My mistake.
Watching it live, thought he was caught napping and failed to seize the moment.
Having watched the replay a few times, I am now of the opinion that he was unsure where Max would be headed (over-correct back onto the racing line, or roll back backwards onto the racing line) , and so slowed down to avoid a possible coming together. Was he asked anything about this in the post race interviews I wonder ?
Last edited by Shrieker on 20 Apr 2021, 00:34, edited 4 times in total.
Education is that which allows a nation free, independent, reputable life, and function as a high society; or it condemns it to captivity and poverty.
-Atatürk
Watching it live, thought he was caught napping and failed to seize the moment.
Having watched the replay a few times, I am now of the opinion that he was unsure where Max would be headed (over-correct back onto the racing line, or roll back backwards onto the racing line) , and so slowed down to avoid a possible coming together. Was he asked anything about this in the post race interviews I wonder ?
But would he have been allowed to overtake the moment Max lost control or only when he went off track? Because the time he spent off track was 10 frames at 50fps ... so 0.2s ... hardly enough time to pass anyone
Max was very consistent doing 1:17 high to 1:18 low in the last 18 laps with an average laptime of 1:18.013
He could only improve to a 1:17.524 and repeated the same laptime with 1:17.526 after a slower cooldown lap of 1:18.261
That was the best he could do and it's clear that he went for the fastest lap twice.
Lewis' fastest lap of the race was a 1:16.702 which was 0.822s faster.
Hamilton had DRS and massive tow worth at least 0.6 on his fastest lap.
Depending on who you ask it's 0.4 to 0.6 ... but it def. was not worth the entire 0.822s ... so he did the fastest lap of the race without a cooldown lap after being stuck behind Norris for several laps, (ab)using the tyres trying to get close enough to have DRS and to make the overtake stick ... that just shows how well he managed the tyres in those conditions and how much pace he had even compared to Max who could nurse the tires without any pressure - however i don't believe he could have overtaken Max on track so he would have been 2nd irregardless of his little trip to the gravel.