F1 2021, what a season

[Caddo]

What a year for F1, shame they are changing the regs so the cashed up teams can surge forward again.

The racing is the best since the start of the hybrid engine era. 

Some encouraging comments from McLaren guru re Aussie Dan, https://www.speedcafe.com/2021/08/03/mclaren-details-exactly-why-ricciardo-has-struggled/

But Dan's results vs Norris still a long way behind, Norris 3rd on 113 pts vs Dan 50 pts in 8th. 

Watching Hamilton battle cleanly with Alonso lap after lap in Hungary was brilliant.

Hungary overall was a race that had everything, worth watching if you haven't seen it. 

 

[Shaynus]

It is history repeating itself again.

New regs result in a wide spread of performance so people complain and the regs get changed. The problem is, that takes time, and by the time the regs change (again) the teams performances will have converged resulting in close racing and then people say "why are we changing the rules when the racing is so close?"

Rinse and repeat

[manimmal]

The morning after a grand prix i typically ask my wife who she thinks won, she normally gets it right without any viewing. For the entire hybrid era she only needs one name, and the years preceeding? Just one name. The problem is predictability up front, and in my years as a 'fan' it always has been. Sure some years you get two teams and drivers competing for glory, but not too often. It sure is nice to get a good race every now and then, but money and politics quickly nip those shenanigans in the bud.

Maybe make the races later so nobody in the southern hemisphere who works daytime hours can watch too, that'd be perfect. I rarely catch races live now as they're on late and generally send me to sleep quicker than the supercars.

[Caddo]

Liberty Media would love those comments after paying $4 billion + for F1  Oh well, it's good to have a chat, I'm interested in other's views. 

Agree Hamilton Mercedes have dominated hybrid era, just like some other driver/team combos in the past, but they have generally raced much cleaner on track. Hamilton is bloody brilliant in combat without making mistakes or resorting to unsporting tactics. Mercedes haven't been caught out for many technical faults off track. I appreciate that. 

Hoping the new rules will allow car design to race closely without overheating and tyre degradation, Would be good to get rid of DRS altogether, it is a simulation of an overtake. 

I'll still be watching even if it is a constant cycle of evolution. Nothing in this sport comes easy - Ferrari's lack of results despite all their finances and resources are a prime example.

Cheers

[Shaynus]

I agree. I will keep watching for the drama both on and off the track. The last couple of seasons have produced some stonking races and this season's title fight is a ripper. You couldn't write a better script!

I have the utmost respect for Hamilton, great - and fair (can't be said about all the "greats") on the track and seems to conduct himself very well off track too.

If you look past the dominance of (one of) the Mercedes drivers, the upper to lower mid pack battles have been fascinating and hard fought.

The triple headers in the 2nd 1/2 of the year after the summer break will prove a huge challenge of endurance for all team members, not just the drivers.

[Caddo]

Same as Shaynus, really looking forward to the second half of this year's calendar. The mid pack teams are so close and competitive.

In previous years' championship charge, Hamilton was behind in the first half, but surged home in the second half to win.

RedBull have bridged the gap to Merc, but in my view, Max is generally less clean in combat than Lewis.

Have seen Lewis back off in combat with Max many times, to Lewis detriment!!! Would like to see a mid field racer push Max off an apex dearly!!!

Overall though, gotta appreciate the light of F1, with so much dark in the world at the moment. 

 

[Vinno]

What do you guys think of the qualifying race a few weeks ago? I liked the format as we had more action, qualifying, qualifying race and main race. 

Still hoping Dan comes good but I am not convinced he can come back? I think he had the speed, was faster than all team mates previously and until the second half of his last season also had the better of Verstappen although Verstappen was as fast. If Dan comes back he has another 4 years at least.

Now he is maturing Verstappen is coming good though but still makes some crazy moves. But it has been good seeing him and Hamilton battling although Bottas really stuffed up at the last race. At least we got to see a new winner. 

I love F1 and hoping Piastri is the one to step up for us from F2 so we have another Aussie in the mix. 

[Shaynus]

Not too sure if the new qualifying format. Not against it, just like to see a bit more of it. I think doing it 3 times this year is a good "toe in the water"

I'm hoping the new car rules next year provide a good circuit breaker for Dan, I can't see him making a quantum leap improvement for the rest of this year.

Piastre looks the goods, I hope the cards fall favourably for him in the future. Mick Doohan's lad (F3) has some potential too

[Caddo]

Great to see some young Aussie's progressing into Single seater's main game.

I really liked the quali race Vince, would like to see a few more to get a gauge on how well they work at different circuits. 

[mtpanorama]

It has been a week, am I allowed to say well done to Daniel Ricciardo for his win at Monza yet.

 

Edited September 20, 2021 by mtpanorama

[Vinno]

1 hour ago, mtpanorama said:

It has been a week, am I allowed to say well done to Daniel Ricciardo for his win at Monza yet.

 

Yeah it was a top win eh. Just goes to show why they need the rule changes though. It really does seem that whoever gets in front on most tracks can run away.

His race strategy was great though and being in front meant he could get the best run onto the main straight with the best DRS zone so the tow meant nothing. Faultless drive let’s just hope he keeps it up.

The previous race shows what a pig of a car it is though, terrible on the direction changes and undulations there. Maybe Mclaren will start listening to him on making it more drivable. 

[Peter Gunn]

One of my favourite tracks is Monza and i remember last year the Mclaren running well there and after the sprint race predicted Dan could win it and he duly did so i had brekkie in bed cooked by the missus for a change.

Lucky enough to see the race on the box and as soon as he jumped Max at the start i knew it was on , watching both Mclarens they were fast and stable and there was nothing either Max or Lewis could do to get past them , even if Max and Lewis didn't play silly buggers there was no way they would have made any differance to the 1-2 finish.

Only driver who might have got to them was Bottas but his tyres were gone at the end , and also there was more speed left in the Mclaren Dan setting fastest lap on the last lap , really impressed with both of therm and Lando is a very mature guy , so all in all a great day for the whole team.

Next up Russia and we will see how the Mclaren goes there , both drivers are driving very well now so it,s all to play for.

[Caddo]

Shame about the last lap debacle to end the season and decide the championship. 

Seems rules can be bent for drama. Glad it's not my $145 million invested in F1, when the goal posts are moved mid race.  

Like him or not, and most don't, regardless, Hamilton was robbed in that race.......

No surprise, Helmut Marko threatens RedBull leaving F1 again , unless he gets his way against the [legitimate] Mercedes protest. 

Many saying what a brilliant finish to the season, for mine a massive let down, has made F1 a joke.

Weekend racers wouldn't accept losing under the same circumstances.