F1 Racing Point Belgium GP Thread

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First topic message reminder :

Imagine it'll all be temp like most street circuits

[Guest]

Sergio Perez tops the time sheet in FP1.

Wolff negotiating hard for Ocon to remain at FI, using the Mercedes deal on engines & gearbox as leverage. Perez could end back at McLaren, and take his sponsorship too.

[Nathaniel Jacobs]

I'd bring back Vergne before whatever's left of Kvyats confidence

I don't see JEV really considering a Toro Rosso comeback without the possibility of a future Red Bull seat which is unlikely

[Fernando]

Marcus Ericcson with a massive accident in P2 barrel rolled down the pit straight.

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Drs didn't close

[Nathaniel Jacobs]

Vettel spins at Parabolica and glances the barriers. Seems to have cracked his rear wing. These Ferrari's look insanely fast

[Guest]

Delighted for Kimi. Haha hear Vettel’s radio

Raikkonen pole, Vettel second, and Hamilton in third. 1 tenth between them all.

Expect Vettel to do Kimi into turn 1 tomorrow.

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Bottas miles off

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Not entirely sure what Magnusson expected when he decided to overtake Alonso who was clearly warming his tyres just before the last corner. If he holds back and waits there's no issue

[Nathaniel Jacobs]

Not quite sure what was Vettel grievance tbh. Ferrari have locked the front row and providing they get away clean it's highly likely they should win.

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Think he was more annoyed at himself, scruffy lap

[CaledonianCraig]

I await the radio call on the formation lap to Kimi: 'Seb is faster than you.'

[Guest]

Yesssss Vettel is off. Hamilton was not at fault.

That’s a unsafe release for Ferrari/Vettel

[Nathaniel Jacobs]

Hamilton cheating. Mentally weak

[Born Slippy]

There doesn’t appear to have been any further reference to Vettel’s unsafe release?

[Guest]

That’s what I’m thinking. Mercedes looking strong at the end of this stint

[Nathaniel Jacobs]

Bottas showing his worth. Second driver

[Nathaniel Jacobs]

Another amateur move by Bottas

[Born Slippy]

Another amateur move by Bottas

Shocking driving from Verstappen. Would be surprised if he gets away with that.

[Born Slippy]

Brilliant overtake from Lewis.

[Guest]

Hamilton takes the lead

[Born Slippy]

5 second penalty for Verstappen - Vettel should get him now.

[Nathaniel Jacobs]

Hamilton luck is incredible. Three fluke wins in 4 races

[Guest]

Incredible win for Hamilton, in the backyard of the tifosi. Perfectly executed, and aggressive strategy from Merc today.

Absolute punch in the stomach for Ferrari today, but sums them up, not being able to capitalise on having the best package. Probably regret yesterday’s strategy, and allowing Kimi the tow.

Hamilton extends WDC to 30 points

[CaledonianCraig]

Great win for Hamilton in a car not with the pace of the Ferrari. Vettel involved in another collision when the pressure is on. How many times have we seen that now? Good to see Williams finally win a point in tenth.

[Guest]

Vettel involved in another collision when the pressure is on. How many times have we seen that now?

As the pundits have stated, if this was the same Vettel that drove the RB, he’d be comfortably leading the WDC right now. Significant errors in Austria practice, France, Hockenheim, Baku, and now today, are costing him and Ferrari dearly.

As for the unsafe release, it was a slam dunk. It wasn’t given as a penalty because it’s Monza, and Sauber (surprise, surprise), didn’t make a complaint.

[Nathaniel Jacobs]

Eventually Hamilton's luck will run out, people forget he actually lost to someone like Rosberg.

[CaledonianCraig]

Vettel involved in another collision when the pressure is on. How many times have we seen that now?

As the pundits have stated, if this was the same Vettel that drove the RB, he’d be comfortably leading the WDC right now. Significant errors in Austria practice, France, Hockenheim, Baku, and now today, are costing him and Ferrari dearly.

As for the unsafe release, it was a slam dunk. It wasn’t given as a penalty because it’s Monza, and Sauber (surprise, surprise), didn’t make a complaint.

The start of the Singapore Grand Prix last year springs to mind immediately.

[Nathaniel Jacobs]

Grosjean disqualified for having an illegal element is the floor of his Haas. The appeal was lodged by Renault as such Sirotkin earns his first point in F1

[Guest]

Racing Point Force India up to seventh in the WCC, thanks to that disqualification. Ocon & Perez to remain at FI for Singapore.

McLaren have confirmed that Stoffel Vandoorne will be leaving the team at the end of the season

Various sources claiming LeClerc to Ferrari in 2019 is back on. Sky pundits stated this yesterday too. More importantly, this is a shot at Vettel. Stories circulating that the Ferrari hierarchy have been somewhat disappointed in Vettel’s performance, and this move is seen not only as a way of giving him a kick up the backside, but to take away the comfort of Kimi by his side.

[Nathaniel Jacobs]

Stoffel Vandoorne will leave McLaren at the end of 2018

[Nathaniel Jacobs]

Haas have appealed Grosjean's disqualification

[Nathaniel Jacobs]

McLaren announced Lando Norris as Carlos Sainz Jr's partner for 2019.

[dyrewolfe]

Eventually Hamilton's luck will run out, people forget he actually lost to someone like Rosberg.

Largely due to reliability issues. You have a very selective memory.

Also how do you call it luck when he can pull off amazing moves like he did in this race? The mind boggles.

Vettel once again shows he lacks the true racer's killer instinct, preferring to control races from the front, or rely on his team out-strategising the opposition. Kimi gave Seb an object lesson in how to fight against Hamilton. Just a shame his tyres gave up the ghost at the end.

Quite honestly I was hoping Kimi would win this one. Wrung every ounce of speed out of his car in quali and had a brilliant, if all too brief, duel with Hamilton at the start of the race. Might well have had the top step of the podium if Ferrari had done a better job with their pit & tyre strategies.

Seb showed once again that when it comes to high pressure, wheel to wheel racing, he is distinctly second, or even third best, behind Hamilton & Raikkonen. Decent recovery drive, but this was a race Ferrari were supposed to have dominated. Another result like this and Seb might have to kiss goodbye to his title hopes.

Superlative drive by Hamilton. Seb gave him a tiny window of opportunity and he maximised it. The Mercs also seemed to mange their tyres better, which helped him drive home his advantage once he took the lead.

Somebody really needs to give Verstappen a good slap. Not respecting track limits, pushing other drivers off the track and he whines like a spoilt child when he finally gets a (rather lenient IMO) penalty. You can have all the talent in the world, but if you're going to act like a jerk, then fail to understand why you're being punished, you have some serious issues. Golden Boy is going to end up with a tarnished reputation if he keeps this up.

Force India continuing their phoenix-like ascent with another double points finish. Amazing to think they woudl be 4th in the constructors standings, if they hadn't had their previous points wiped out.

Biggest shock of the day has to be Williams getting both cars in the points. Is this the start of better things, or just a flukey blip?

[dyrewolfe]

Racing Point Force India up to seventh in the WCC, thanks to that disqualification. Ocon & Perez to remain at FI for Singapore.

McLaren have confirmed that Stoffel Vandoorne will be leaving the team at the end of the season

Various sources claiming LeClerc to Ferrari in 2019 is back on. Sky pundits stated this yesterday too. More importantly, this is a shot at Vettel. Stories circulating that the Ferrari hierarchy have been somewhat disappointed in Vettel’s performance, and this move is seen not only as a way of giving him a kick up the backside, but to take away the comfort of Kimi by his side.

Would love to see what Leclerc could do in a Ferrari, but why would it give Vettel a kick up the backside? Okay his buddy Kimi would be gone, but his position in the team would be unaffected. If they brought in another potential #1 driver I could see him getting nervous.

As far as McLaren are concerned, they are such a mess right now, I've pretty much lost all interest in them. Alonso was the only reason I was bothered about them at all (hoping for some kind of miraculous resurrection). Sainz could do a decent job as lead driver, but his potential will be severely curtailed, unless the design team get their act together. Norris I guess will just be there for the experience and to see if he can handle F1 cars in race conditions.

You can understand Willimas' woes, to an extent, as they are scratching around for sponsors and working on a very small budget. McLaren are bankrolled by the freaking Bahrain national bank (or at least they are majority shareholders). They're not exactly short of funds I imagine.

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Stoffel to TR makes probably too much sense to happen

[Fernando]

I expect to see Stoffel replace Leclerc at Sauber if he heads to Ferrari tbh since their team principal been after him a while now.

[Nathaniel Jacobs]

Pat Fry has returned to McLaren as engineering director. McLaren lost a bargaining chip when they announced Vandoorne will be leaving as Red Bull no longer need to trade Vandoorne for James Key.

[Nathaniel Jacobs]

I expect to see Stoffel replace Leclerc at Sauber if he heads to Ferrari tbh since their team principal been after him a while now.

Ferrari picks one driver at Sauber so if LeClerc joins the Scuderia, Giovinazzi will take that seat.

[No name Bertie]

Ferrari should have got a penalty for an unsafe release - clearly collusion occurring on Ferrari's home track.  

Vettel has a touch of the Schumacher about him - he has shown that he is prepared to "bump" into other cars - this season it has paid off in some races but not in other races.  Not sure who is the most "aggressive" racer on track - Verstappen or Vettel?  Probably Verstappen.  I think with Vettel he just doesn't compromise - and that's why he is far ahead of Raikkonen.

[Guest]

Making some good acquisitions are McLaren. James Key and Pat Fry should start to turn that mess around, and they might be able to wake Peter Prodromou up, and get him delivering too.

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Kimis extensions are usually announced at Monza, now being reported LeClercs deal is done

[Nathaniel Jacobs]

Red Bull won't be offering Ocon a seat at Toro Rosso

[No name Bertie]

Kimis extensions are usually announced at Monza, now being reported LeClercs deal is done

Once it becomes official, I guess Kimi can begin to drive for "himself" - and become less of a "wingman" for Vettel.  That said, Vettel does seem to be consistently faster and more aggressive than Kimi.  But Vettel is also more prone to colliding with walls and other cars.

[Guest]

Ocon’s ties with Mercedes, working against him. Williams, or nothing.

As for Ferrari, a sea change, seeing as Kimi looked to be certain to be confirmed, just a month or so ago. Given they have had the best package for the majority of the season, it’s probably a recent realisation, that being behind in both championships is unacceptable, and that Ferrari have now lost confidence in this partnership

[dyrewolfe]

Rumours that Raikkonen could be off to Sauber (switch with Leclerc?) and offered part ownership of the team to sweeten the deal.

In contrast the Tifosi have got a petition going to keep the Kimster at Ferrari (20,000 signatures to date).

Toro Rosso confirmed they're still Red Bull's B / sister team. Next season both cars will share the same rear end, including power unit, gearbox and suspension.

[Nathaniel Jacobs]

Ferrari just confirmed Kimi will leave and Kimi confirmed he has signed a two year deal with Sauber

[Guest]

Makes sense from RB. Going to be behind the eight ball with that PU, so increasing co-operation and data with TR will be essential. Expect Kvyat in that TR.

LeClerc confirmed at Ferrari. Doubtful Kimi sees out that two-year driving stint, but it’s a nice sweetener they’ve offered him with part-ownership.

[Nathaniel Jacobs]

I can envisage a situation where Vettel leaves Ferrari and F1 at the end of 2019, to be replaced by Mick Schumacher

[CaledonianCraig]

Rumours that Raikkonen could be off to Sauber (switch with Leclerc?) and offered part ownership of the team to sweeten the deal.

So that deal is confirmed now.

I am in two minds about it. Okay it frees up Kimi to go racing for himself full-blooded instead of playing rear gunner and wonder if he will take up the part ownership offer. If he does it could be interesting seeing what impact he can have. However, Sauber are a junior Ferrari side so he will still be moving over to make way for Ferrari and therein lies the problem with F1. It should be every man for himself and not cliques all over the place as we currently have. Ferrari having Sauber and Haas in their back pockets so effectively kept at a level they won't endanger Ferrari. Mercedes are the same with Force India and before that also McLaren. And then we have Red Bull with Torro Rosso at their beckk and call should their cars be racing each other.

Oh for the day when it will be purely every team and every driver strictly for themselves. Oh well I can but dream.

[Nathaniel Jacobs]

Craig the only way you'll get your vision of pure racing is by the removal of all independent teams and factory teams only permitted to one team. Essentially you'd need 10 manufacturers as to stop this factory team/b team/c team power grab

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