2016 United States Grand Prix - COTA, 21-23 October

[basti313]

Anybody else noticed how many drivers didn't respect track limits? Especially off turn 11 and 19.

Sure. Media reported, that they got a "drive everywhere" by Charlie in the drivers meeting as you do not gain an advantage by running wide on COTA.

Gain against what? Grass or gravel?

Gain advantage usually means position or laptime. I do not think you can blame the drivers for the point, that there is no more gravel.

Just imagine if it was Rosberg or Verstappen who had made that Alonso-move yesterday. They'd get an instant drive through.

Sarcasm? You picked the two people that have gotten away with the most indescretions!

I see your point with Ves. But Rosberg gained the most "bad overtaking penalties" of all drivers this season, didn't he?

[Kiril Varbanov]

That was a nice race, with some good wheel to wheel battles. Alonso is clearly my Driver of the day, however f1.com handed it to a driver who retired. I guess they haven't quite figured how Internet works.
https://twitter.com/Kiril_Varbanov/stat ... 3179082752 Nevertheless, the season is over. I hope for some two or three battles until the end.

[Manoah2u]

I think it depends mostly on how Lewis' start will go. If it's flawless and better than nico, then I think Lewis will sail away and the game is on for Nico vs the RedBulls.

True...but I have my doubts, that the Bulls are fast enough.

Also depends on how good Nico's start is and how good RIC and VES' starts are. If RIC gets away well, then he'll definately try to overtake Nico in the first corner,

Nico is on the inside. There is not much chance for P3 to attack P2 if P2 is not compromised by a slow P1 so that P3 can take the outside line. I do not think this will happen.

Lewis seems a lot better shaped up so it's looking to be a fairly interesting race, though i have a feeling that after a
lap of 5 to 10, it'll be a borefest untill the last laps.

Why do you think Lewis is in good shape? In Q he had one good (perfect) lap. This lap was the only difference to Ros. I rather expect a close formation flight to a 1/2.

I assume after watching the race, you'll come back on the claims?

Lewis totally dominated that race, and Ric jumped perfectly in between.
Ric came from P3 perfectly into P2. If VES' didnt cause that safety car, then he would have surely been 2nd and perhaps even breathed in the neck of Lewis.

BTW, i'll be honest here, I think there were signs of Rosberg's 'stability' cracking under the building pressure - must say though i feel like there are some reporters - Ted Kravitz to name one - that are out to 'aid' to that pressure. the Pre-qually interview was a little cheeky to be honest and seemed to not fall into the likes of Nico - can't blame him there though.
Also, his attitude was slightly 'not amused' at the end of the race. He also made 'often' braking errors during the race.

He was hugely helped by the VSC, there is no way he would have been p2 if it wasn't for the VSC. RB was too strong. Incredible bad luck that it was his own teammate that caused that very VSC.

Apart from all that though;

STELLAR drive from Alonso. That was awesome. Driver of the day for me - Sainz held up pretty well too.

Also, again Ferrari FAIL once again. I can't believe what's going on there. It's rather embarrasing, really. they need to fix their game. it's absolutely shameful and a bit offensive that a team like Ferrari is making such a mess of things.

Stupid mistake by Max , though there was clearly something wrong so it wouldn't have mattered anyway. I believe it was the gearbox in the end.

Magnussen once again being completely snoozefest, as was Palmer.

Things that stood out for me today:

1) Alonso's driving like a boss.
2) Lewis back in form and winning
3) Massa doing rather well apart from the usual whining.

4) the rest was forgettable.

[iotar__]

I missed that, Verstappen's pitstop: "It is something totally unusual," said team boss Christian Horner. "He just arrived in the pitlane and said 'I am in the pitlane'.

Slow in Q, lost position at the start, dead slow in the first stint, didn't do anything on quicker tyres in 2nd, wasted softs, went for an unscheduled pitstop to stick a fork in this race so in 4 words:
DRIVER OF THE DAY
or: "A transmission failure may have halted his progress midway through the Austin race, but his charging drive up until that point was enough to earn him your nod for the third round in a row."

Is Red Bull buying those votes or are F1 fans mostly brain-dead reddit type people?

[nokivasara]

VES the driver of the day huh, fried his tires chasing Rosberg, came in to the pits uncalled and retired soon after. Well, he was busy allright, but come on
He does drive well under pressure though, he doesn't brake too late or miss the exits, making it hard to get past. There's no need for him to move under braking or drive people off the track, he just haven't realized that yet.

What I liked most about ALO vs MAS was the fact that it wasn't a DRS overtake but a superfast reaction to Massa's wide line. Alonso saw a gap and went for it, after that it was more down to Massa giving way for it to work, which he didn't so they touched. Tough but fair, I'd say.
It looked like he didn't see Alonso before it was too late.

What I didn't like was how Sauber played out their strategy cards, perhaps ERI would have finished even furter back if they'd pitted him but we never know.
Another strange strategy was played out from Ferrari with Kimis tires. I think he would have had a miserable day even without that wheel incident.

[basti313]

I think it depends mostly on how Lewis' start will go. If it's flawless and better than nico, then I think Lewis will sail away and the game is on for Nico vs the RedBulls.

True...but I have my doubts, that the Bulls are fast enough.

Also depends on how good Nico's start is and how good RIC and VES' starts are. If RIC gets away well, then he'll definately try to overtake Nico in the first corner,

Nico is on the inside. There is not much chance for P3 to attack P2 if P2 is not compromised by a slow P1 so that P3 can take the outside line. I do not think this will happen.

Lewis seems a lot better shaped up so it's looking to be a fairly interesting race, though i have a feeling that after a
lap of 5 to 10, it'll be a borefest untill the last laps.

Why do you think Lewis is in good shape? In Q he had one good (perfect) lap. This lap was the only difference to Ros. I rather expect a close formation flight to a 1/2.

I assume after watching the race, you'll come back on the claims?

Sure.
I was completely wrong on the start. Ros surprised me with going for the outside. I guess he wanted to get rid of any possibility for contact. As Ric went for the inside, it is no surprise, that he ended up in front of Rosberg.
The pace is like I expected it. Once in clean air the Mercs were in a league of their own. And I did not see a pace difference between Ros and Ham once they were both in clean air.
That Ros was not able to attack Ric shows me what happens if the Mercs are 1-2 after the start...boredom. No way for Ros to attack Ham or the other way round. I expect the same for Mexico.

[Vasconia]

BTW, i'll be honest here, I think there were signs of Rosberg's 'stability' cracking under the building pressure - must say though i feel like there are some reporters - Ted Kravitz to name one - that are out to 'aid' to that pressure. the Pre-qually interview was a little cheeky to be honest and seemed to not fall into the likes of Nico - can't blame him there though.
Also, his attitude was slightly 'not amused' at the end of the race. He also made 'often' braking errors during the race.

He was hugely helped by the VSC, there is no way he would have been p2 if it wasn't for the VSC. RB was too strong. Incredible bad luck that it was his own teammate that caused that very VSC.

I didnt see anything particularly wrong with Nico. He did a good job in qualy, his start was just ok, too cautious IMO but nothing more. And we all know that he isnt the best overtaker out there. His pace would have been enough good to overtake Ricciardo even without the VSC because Daniel suffered a Little bit more on later laps. The VSC obviously made thing much easier for Nico, though.

[ThumbsUp]

Why are most people so harsh on Verstappen? He did nothing wrong in the race up until his second stop, he said that for his first stint he had to much front wing and after his first stop he was the fastest on track and after his second stop he was even fast on the mediums. He didn't moved under braking or pushed others off track.. Without his own call for the stop he "would've/could've" challange for 2nd or 3rd...

About the DOTD, the system doesn't work. It would only work if you can vote after the race or they should apply rules for it that the DOTD should need to finish the race and if not the award goes to the next inline. For me Alonso was DOTD.

Cheers

[foxmulder_ms]

I still dont understand why Ferrai did not take free ~10 seconds by pitting Raikkonnen during the VSC??? Yes sure it was like 4-5 laps earlier than they planned but they could have used the free 10 seconds gain..!

[Unc1eM0nty]

Ironic that the Virtual Safety Car caused by one Red Bull totally messed up their strategy for the other, I was looking forward to seeing the Riccardo v Rosberg battle come to a head in the final stint, we was robbed

Its a pet hate of mine watching a crippled car limp round a track getting in everyone's way, whats the point - did he not fancy the walk back ?
There were loads of places he could have parked it that were totally off line but leaves it on the outside or a corner.

[Fifty]

Alonso fans amaze me. Wether he comes in last, gains positions due to retirements ahead or drives like a jack arse...they claim he is a superstar and claim any faults on the car or others.

I think his race with Massa showed two over the hill drivers having a good time and were pretty evenly matched (as I think they are and think they both need to retire). Any old washed up driver can drive hard for 5 turns each of 4-5 laps... do it every lap and then your in your prime.

I am shocked by Alonso not getting a penalty. Truly shocked.

Alas...F1, FIA and FOM really need Honda to not only stay but expand in the sport.

Can't have them be a one team engine manufacturer, or worse, leave and join FE along every other major manufacturer.

What will be funny about that last comment is how all the Alonso nut swingers will come out and say how there is no way those listed organizations would do anything scrupulous like I have suggested, yet have themselves complained and accused that very thing in regards to the Merc duo, or the Vers incidents etc etc etc..

[nokivasara]

Alas...F1, FIA and FOM really need Honda to not only stay but expand in the sport.

Can't have them be a one team engine manufacturer, or worse, leave and join FE along every other major manufacturer.

The sad truth is that racing is secondary in F1. It's all about money and politics. We'll soon see a brasilian driver in a top-midfield-car, not because of his merits or talent but because of politics. That's reality.


Maybe Nasr deserves his FI seat if he ends up there but since Bernie quite openly supports that it means that we'll never know.

[proteus]

What the sport needs are atleast 2 independent engine manufacturers with resources and wish to make good engines. U cant expect that 11 teams will have only 4 suppliers. What sport needs are privateers and not only manufacturers. As long as F1 will be monopolized by corporations, it wont be anything special. And aparently that is not going to stop.

[Jester Maroc]

Why are most people so harsh on Verstappen? He did nothing wrong in the race up until his second stop, he said that for his first stint he had to much front wing and after his first stop he was the fastest on track and after his second stop he was even fast on the mediums. He didn't moved under braking or pushed others off track.. Without his own call for the stop he "would've/could've" challange for 2nd or 3rd...

About the DOTD, the system doesn't work. It would only work if you can vote after the race or they should apply rules for it that the DOTD should need to finish the race and if not the award goes to the next inline. For me Alonso was DOTD.

Cheers

Are you Dutch?

[PlatinumZealot]

It has gone under peoples' radar. Did anyone else but me notice that Vettel yet again caused another turn 1 collision?