F1 2021: New season discussion and chat

[JohnStarr]

FIA confirm 14 positive Covid cases days before Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen shootout​

THE FIA has confirmed 14 positive Covid cases just days before the ultimate showdown at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.​

An F1 statement said: “The FIA and F1 can today confirm that at the 2021 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, between Monday 29th November and Sunday 5th December, 7,501 tests for COVID-19 were performed on drivers, teams and personnel.

“Of these, 14 people tested positive"#AbuDhabiGP.”

The F1 world is still processing the chaotic events of the inaugural grand prix in Saudi Arabia, with Hamilton coming out on top to win his third straight race and move level on points with Verstappen in the drivers' standings.

FIA confirm 14 positive Covid cases days before Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

THE FIA has confirmed 14 positive Covid cases just days before the ultimate showdown at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

www.express.co.uk

Russell to replace Hamilton for the final race, and THIS time wins his first of many GPs, whilst Versteppen ends second and wins the WDC.

 

[Dave]

Russell to replace Hamilton for the final race, and THIS time wins his first of many GPs, whilst Versteppen ends second and wins the WDC.

Or

Verstappen tests positive and can't race, Hamilton finishes tenth and wins the championship by 1 point, Jos, Horner and the pink Helmet cry so much they cause a new oasis in the desert.

 

[Yats]

Or

Verstappen tests positive and can't race, Hamilton finishes tenth and wins the championship by 1 point, Jos, Horner and the pink Helmet cry so much they cause a new oasis in the desert.

Please don’t give me hope!

 

[Willie Trombone]

Verstappen explains why he skipped podium celebrations after Saudi Arabian GP

Max Verstappen was labelled a 'bad sportsman' after opting not to take part in the podium celebrations. The Red Bull driver finished second behind Lewis Hamilton at the Saudi Arabian GP.

www.mirror.co.uk

Verstappen was labelled a ‘bad sportsman’ by some after leaving the podium before celebrating, and explained why he decided not to take part.
Speaking to Sky Sports, he said: “Because there was no champagne. It wasn’t fun.”

*edit* oh dear... Abu Dhabi doesn't do champange

 

[quovadis]

Speaking to Sky Sports, he said: “Because there was no champagne. It wasn’t fun.”

Max showing maturity way beyond his years

 

[Archer]

An interesting circumstance
If VER had not gone deep into T1 at the first restart, BOT would most likely have collided with him. In the screenshot below you can see BOT locking up both front wheels and fighting the steering wheel to maintain control (he is steering to the right even though he is already close to the wall). Imagine if we had had another bowling incident, I would have had to wear multiple tinfoil hats to deal with it!

 

[Craig_]

An interesting circumstance
If VER had not gone deep into T1 at the first restart, BOT would most likely have collided with him. In the screenshot below you can see BOT locking up both front wheels and fighting the steering wheel to maintain control (he is steering to the right even though he is already close to the wall). Imagine if we had had another bowling incident, I would have had to wear multiple tinfoil hats to deal with it!

View attachment 1209016

Thankfully that didn't happen, the Dutch army would've had a meltdown of epic proportions.

 

[Speedster]

Mazepin should've just cancelled Ham when he got the chance. That would've solved everyone's problems. Ham fans could moan like there's no tomorrow, Maz could immortalize himself and Max would win the title. Ergo, everyone gets what they want.

 

[Naks]

Old vs new Abu Dhabi track layout

 

[BadBoyGP]

Wtf the worst redesign

 

[Naks]

Wtf the worst redesign

there should be more overtaking opportunities at both redesigned corners, watch the first on-board laps:

https://streamable.com/t2k4ht

 

[Hamster]

So next year the broadcasting rights in the Netherlands (and I guess many parts of Europe) are moving from Ziggo to Viaplay. It is a Nordic company who has bought all the broadcasting rights for everything (Bundesliga, Premier League, F1 etc).

Anyway, their presenter line up for the Dutch:

Formule 1-team Viaplay in Nederland​

Amber Brantsen	Presentator
Nelson Valkenburg	Commentator
Melroy Heemskerk	Co-commentator
Tom Coronel	Studio-analist
Giedo van der Garde	Studio-analist
Christijan Albers	Studio-analist
Stephane Kox	Verslaggever in de paddock
Mika Hakkinen	Internationale expert
David Coulthard	Internationale expert
Tom Kristensen	Internationale expert

That's a lot of ex-F1 and other racing drivers and Stephane Kox is.. well we'll all be watching the paddock walks etc. from now on.

 

[thestaggy]

So next year the broadcasting rights in the Netherlands (and I guess many parts of Europe) are moving from Ziggo to Viaplay. It is a Nordic company who has bought all the broadcasting rights for everything (Bundesliga, Premier League, F1 etc).

Anyway, their presenter line up for the Dutch:

Formule 1-team Viaplay in Nederland​

Amber Brantsen	Presentator
Nelson Valkenburg	Commentator
Melroy Heemskerk	Co-commentator
Tom Coronel	Studio-analist
Giedo van der Garde	Studio-analist
Christijan Albers	Studio-analist
Stephane Kox	Verslaggever in de paddock
Mika Hakkinen	Internationale expert
David Coulthard	Internationale expert
Tom Kristensen	Internationale expert

That's a lot of ex-F1 and other racing drivers and Stephane Kox is.. well we'll all be watching the paddock walks etc. from now on.

 

[Dave]

I suppose the anti-Hamilton crowd will still want to argue the point...

Red Bull chief apologises over initial view of Max Verstappen-Lewis Hamilton incident

The Red Bull chief claims his team “were not treated the same” as rivals Mercedes

www.independent.co.uk

Red Bull chief Helmut Marko has apologised and admitted he was wrong to suggest that Max Verstappen did not brake in front of Lewis Hamilton at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.

The controversial and dramatic incident between the Formula One title rivals occurred when Verstappen was ordered to give his lead of the race back to Hamilton after pushing the Mercedes wide following an attack from the seven-time world champion.

“At the time of the television interview, I passed on exactly the information I had previously received from the engineers,” Marko told F1 Insider.

“They obviously weren’t right, so I’m sorry.”

 

[Speedster]

I suppose the anti-Hamilton crowd will still want to argue the point...

Red Bull chief apologises over initial view of Max Verstappen-Lewis Hamilton incident

The Red Bull chief claims his team “were not treated the same” as rivals Mercedes

www.independent.co.uk

Red Bull chief Helmut Marko has apologised and admitted he was wrong to suggest that Max Verstappen did not brake in front of Lewis Hamilton at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.

The controversial and dramatic incident between the Formula One title rivals occurred when Verstappen was ordered to give his lead of the race back to Hamilton after pushing the Mercedes wide following an attack from the seven-time world champion.

“At the time of the television interview, I passed on exactly the information I had previously received from the engineers,” Marko told F1 Insider.

“They obviously weren’t right, so I’m sorry.”

You're the only one who thinks that anyone thinks he didn't brake

 

[Speedster]

Hehe

 

[Gramps66]

At least Max doesn't need a nanny at his side all the time like a certain 36 yr old "Sir".

 

[BadBoyGP]

I wonder what all the extreme hammy fans gona do when he retires, or if merc is not so dominate in the next formula

 

[upup]

At least Max doesn't need a nanny at his side all the time like a certain 36 yr old "Sir".

And that kick bike

 

[Dave]

At least Max doesn't need a nanny at his side all the time like a certain 36 yr old "Sir".

I hate to break it to you, but she just happens to be the most recognised, all the drivers have a trainer/physio/coach.

Although an integral part of Team Hamilton, Angela is employed by Hintsa Performance, and seconded to the driver. She's one of over a dozen Hintsa-appointed 'minders' in the paddock, all charged with keeping their drivers in top condition: mentally, physically and psychologically. "

The F1 ‘minders’ who help drivers unlock their performance | RaceFans – Bach Thien

www.bachthien.com

Meet Max Verstappen's inner circle

Natural speed and sublime race craft have taken Max Verstappen to the top in F1, but to become a genuine title contender requires a whole lot more...

www.redbull.com