[ptack]

The guy who really got screwed is Ricciardo. He's like Alonso was with Honda - a great driver with a crappy car. I wonder if he too will move on. I hope Alfa can do a better job and give Kimi a chance to at least be the best of the rest. Given how consistent he's been it's quite possible that if there's some dnfs involving the top 3 teams that he could reach a podium.

[yco]

Originally Posted by ptack

The guy who really got screwed is Ricciardo. He's like Alonso was with Honda - a great driver with a crappy car. I wonder if he too will move on. I hope Alfa can do a better job and give Kimi a chance to at least be the best of the rest. Given how consistent he's been it's quite possible that if there's some dnfs involving the top 3 teams that he could reach a podium.

+1..

[Harpinc]

No other car is equal to the Mercs yet. You don't just drive off from them if they are closely competitive. I love Bottas beating Hamilton (since he is the best that ever lived..) but Mercedes just manages the space back to the others at the moment.

[EdM5]

Originally Posted by NickyC

This is sure to be the worst F1 season of all time. Even a traditionally action packed race like Baku was complete mind numbering boredom almost the entire way through. This is just getting worse.

Agreed.
However, Max has started the season better than ever before. And in recent years the RB managed to catch up with Mercedes in the 2nd part of the season. So there is still hope..

What a shame that Danny is wasting his time and talent with Renault.

[NickyC]

Originally Posted by EdM5

Agreed.
However, Max has started the season better than ever before. And in recent years the RB managed to catch up with Mercedes in the 2nd part of the season. So there is still hope..

What a shame that Danny is wasting his time and talent with Renault.

I sure hope you're right, for some reason I have the feeling that only Max can take it to Mercedes now. It's a shame he didn't get a Ferrari seat this year.

Agreed on Danny, it's terrible to watch.

[f8xdct]

Originally Posted by ptack

The guy who really got screwed is Ricciardo. He's like Alonso was with Honda - a great driver with a crappy car. I wonder if he too will move on. I hope Alfa can do a better job and give Kimi a chance to at least be the best of the rest. Given how consistent he's been it's quite possible that if there's some dnfs involving the top 3 teams that he could reach a podium.

I like him but Ricciardo doesnt look like hes making good decisions.

[yco]

Ricciardo wanted to make the same decision like Lewis did for Merc.. taking some risk and play for the big goal.. though Renault doesnt look promising at all.. but i guess the worst decision maker and problem guy was Alonso in entire 20-30 years of the grid..

[wdb]

Originally Posted by rcracin

I think Ferrari has just as good a car as Merc. Everything else at Ferrari needs work. Their strategy and drivers need work. Leclerc will get there. He’s already shown that he can. Vettel needs to figure his shit out and how to deliver.

Originally Posted by five_timer

They have 1 pole vs 3 for Merc, so they're not faster, unless someone thinks they're sandbagging quali, so they can go even slower in the race

If enough people keep saying that Ferrari have the faster car, maybe they'll convince us that this nonsensical idea is a fact.

I think Leclerc had a legitimate shot at the front row in Baku. Hamilton does not like that track, and Leclerc was quick all weekend. And let's not forget how he was heading for a win earlier in the year. Leclerc + Ferrari is the equal of MB. If not better.

[Fliplegend]

Mercedes had a huge gap to the rest when the v6 turbo hybrid era began. It's the same gap to today. They will likely have it until another major engine rule change takes place.

[NickyC]

Originally Posted by wdb

Leclerc + Ferrari is the equal of MB. If not better.

wat

[EdM5]

Originally Posted by f8xdct

I like him but Ricciardo doesnt look like hes making good decisions.

I'm still hoping to see Danny at the Scuderia one day.

[MKSixer]

Originally Posted by yco

i felt like Lewis could push more but he didnt.. Bottas is a fast guy but it ll be a really hard task to fight with a 5 times champ with one mistake he ll blow the candle away again..

and yes.. F1 TV started to suck again really.. cant understand how on earth they still couldnt manage make proper broadcast.. free practices were fine but important parts of the weekend was pain in the apple..

Originally Posted by E90SLAM

Ferrari has a capable car, but feels there's still a overall performance gap to the Mercs. They really need all the variables being right (e.g. Bahrain) to win over Merc. SF also need to work on their strategy, felt like they're too stubborn/indecisive on the decision and missed the opportunity.

If Ferrari slips more, Max and RBR is breathing down their neck.

At least the good thing about this season is Bottas is extremely strong and matching Hamilton's pace. Feels more tight than Rosberg back in 2016.

Hamilton didn't race Bottas hard, at all. He stated so himself. He had 2 or 3 opportunities to run Bottas wide in the initial laps and didn't do so. This was a coast in for the 1-2 and keep harmony in the team. I expect as the season enters Europe, normal service will resume and we will see Lewi5 begin to separate himself from Bottas in telling fashion.

I don't know if anyone has noticed in all of the argy-bargy about Ferrari but this is the best start to a Formula One season Lewis has had in my memory and possibly ever. I will check Forix to see if true. If so, this could be truly ominous.

[yco]

actually i didnt like the things Bottas said on radio after the finish line.. said something like standings look like it should be now.. Bottas ahead.. hes fast guy but not in the same league really with Lewis.. tooo assertive statement that was..

and according to Leclerc's pace.. Ferrari's car can be faster in Europe.. Vettel is not the reference anymore for Ferrari i believe.. Leclerc is..

[Pauldunlop13]

Originally Posted by dauble2k5

It does, they've usually been on ESPN 2 with re-runs on ESPN News. They have had all the practices, qualifying and the pre-race show.

Thanks for the info. I have SlingTV that I only use for watching F1. I cancel it in the off-season. But it is so buggy, it drives me nuts.

I will check out Hulu

[dtla1]

Originally Posted by ptack

The guy who really got screwed is Ricciardo. He's like Alonso was with Honda - a great driver with a crappy car. I wonder if he too will move on. I hope Alfa can do a better job and give Kimi a chance to at least be the best of the rest. Given how consistent he's been it's quite possible that if there's some dnfs involving the top 3 teams that he could reach a podium.

Maybe another win at COTA?

[dtla1]

Originally Posted by yco

actually i didnt like the things Bottas said on radio after the finish line.. said something like standings look like it should be now.. Bottas ahead.. hes fast guy but not in the same league really with Lewis.. tooo assertive statement that was..

and according to Leclerc's pace.. Ferrari's car can be faster in Europe.. Vettel is not the reference anymore for Ferrari i believe.. Leclerc is..

I think that was actually Bottas' engineer that said "Back in front, like it should be", but I would have to go back and listen to be sure. I thought Bottas said something like "ok so the standings are now-" and that's where his engineer cut in, I think, could be wrong, but I think.

[yco]

its in the beginning of the video.. really its really as cool as cucumber..

[wdb]

I think Bottas got his head screwed back on during the off season and is a different man, different driver, different everything this year. I also think Hamilton is at a point in his career where he doesn't feel the need to punt his teammate wide in Turn 1 (in Austin, cough) in order to get ahead of him.

Nico and Lewis had sparks flying between them. I don't see that with Bottas and Lewis. The season is long, and we're still early on, but at this stage I get the feeling that Lewis would be fine finishing second to Bottas in the WDC. He'll still drive for first, but not like he did against Rosberg.

[///M Power-Belgium]

Originally Posted by EdM5

I'm still hoping to see Danny at the Scuderia one day.

I wish that for Max ASAP ! Max would push through the fire with the prancing horse !

[EdM5]

Originally Posted by ///M Power-Belgium

I wish that for Max ASAP ! Max would push through the fire with the prancing horse !

Originally Posted by ///M Power-Belgium

I wish that for Max ASAP ! Max would push through the fire with the prancing horse !

Definitely!
Driver pairing Leclerc-Verstappen would be

[///M Power-Belgium]

Originally Posted by EdM5

Definitely!
Driver pairing Leclerc-Verstappen would be

Would be fire ....On the Merc tails !

Cheers my friend !

[thebishman]

Originally Posted by wdb

I think Bottas got his head screwed back on during the off season and is a different man, different driver, different everything this year. I also think Hamilton is at a point in his career where he doesn't feel the need to punt his teammate wide in Turn 1 (in Austin, cough) in order to get ahead of him.

Nico and Lewis had sparks flying between them. I don't see that with Bottas and Lewis. The season is long, and we're still early on, but at this stage I get the feeling that Lewis would be fine finishing second to Bottas in the WDC. He'll still drive for first, but not like he did against Rosberg.

Whilst Toto may make a big deal about both drivers being 'equal' in the team, make no mistake that Lewis is the star and future of the team for at least a few more years. Towards the latter part of the season all resources will be shunted Lewis's way unless Bottas is far ahead in the WDC; (doubtful).

Also, Bottas is only under contract for this year so in essence he is driving for the MB seat next year, and if he wants it he had best enable Lewis to win the WDC this year for #6, (if it is going Lewis's way and he's in a tight race with Vettel; Leclerc, etc).