Formula 1 2021 Season Discussion

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Red Bull's Max Verstappen took a dominant victory in the Mexico City Grand Prix to strengthen his chances of a first world championship.

Verstappen's title rival Lewis Hamilton was second, the Mercedes driver holding off a charge from Verstappen's team-mate Sergio Perez in the closing laps.

Perez was on Hamilton's tail on the last lap but was not able to pass.

Verstappen's ninth win in 2021 gives him a 19-point lead with four races and a total of 107 points remaining.

Hamilton's team-mate Valtteri Bottas deprived the Dutchman of the point for fastest lap on the final tour.

One of the most imposing victories of the year therefore puts Verstappen in a commanding position in the championship.

And a one-three finish moved Red Bull to just one point behind Mercedes in the constructors' championship.

 

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Lewis Hamilton has been given a five-place penalty at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix for exceeding the permitted number of engine parts.

He was fastest for Mercedes in first practice, 0.367 seconds ahead of title rival Max Verstappen's Red Bull.

But the penalty is a blow to Hamilton's hopes in the championship.

Hamilton trails Verstappen by 19 points before this weekend's Brazilian race, with a maximum of 107 available over the remaining four races.

Mercedes have taken a fifth internal combustion engine at Interlagos, when only three are permitted for the season. This triggers an automatic five-place penalty.

The grid drop will apply in Sunday's Grand Prix, not the 'sprint' qualifying race that will take place on Saturday to set the grid for the main event.

This is the third and final running of the new 'sprint' format this year. Friday qualifying sets positions for the 'sprint' in Sao Paulo, which is at 19:00 GMT.

That gives Hamilton the opportunity to try to bank the three points available for victory in the 'sprint', before fighting back and trying to limit the damage Verstappen can inflict in the main grand prix.

Hamilton spent much of the only practice session before Friday's qualifying complaining about the behaviour of his Mercedes, especially that the front was bouncing.

But after trailing Verstappen on his first lap on soft tyres, Hamilton edged ahead of the Red Bull on his second and then stretched further ahead on a third lap on the same set of tyres.

Verstappen did only one flying lap on the soft tyres, so their times may not be directly comparable.

Verstappen's team-mate Sergio Perez was third fastest, ahead of Hamilton's Mercedes partner Valtteri Bottas.

Alpha Tauri's Pierre Gasly, fresh from a strong fourth place in Mexico last weekend, was fifth fastest, ahead of the Ferraris of Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc, and the Alpines of Esteban Ocon and Fernando Alonso, who did not use the 'soft' tyre during the session. Lance Stroll's Aston Martin completed the top 10.

McLaren's Lando Norris was 15th fastest, also having not run the soft tyres, and Williams driver George Russell was 18th

BBC

 

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Max Verstappen fined €50,000 for touching and examining the rear wing of Hamilton's car after qualifying at the São Paulo Grand Prix.

 

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Lewis Hamilton has been disqualified from qualifying at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix for a technical infringement on his Mercedes car.

The rear wing on his Mercedes was found to contravene rules after he set pole position for Saturday's 'sprint' event.

It means Hamilton will start the 'sprint' from last place, with title rival Max Verstappen on pole.

In a separate verdict, Verstappen was fined 50,000 euros for touching Hamilton's car after qualifying.

That fine equates to £42,700.

The decision to penalise Hamilton is a potentially major blow to his title hopes as the season heads towards its climax.

Hamilton trails Verstappen by 19 points in the world championship with four races and a maximum of 107 points available.

The Briton also has a five-place grid penalty for the main grand prix after Mercedes fitted a new engine to his car. It was his fifth of the season, when the maximum allowed is three.

If Verstappen scores at least five points more than Hamilton this weekend, the Dutchman will be able to finish second behind the seven-time champion at all three remaining races and still win his first world title.

The 'sprint' - a short race about one third the distance of a grand prix - sets the grid for Sunday's main event and awards a small number of points to the top three.

There are three points for the winner of the sprint, two for the driver in second and one for third.

What was wrong with Hamilton's car?
Hamilton's car was referred to the stewards after he had set a fastest lap that was 0.438 seconds quicker than Verstappen in Friday's qualifying session.

The move came after Red Bull lodged a complaint with governing body the FIA about Hamilton's rear wing.

Officials inspected the wing and found that it did not comply with the rules regarding the maximum gap between its two elements when the DRS overtaking aid was deployed.

The DRS operates the upper flap of the rear wing, lifting it up on specified parts of the lap to reduce drag and increase straight-line speed.

The gap was measured to be larger at the outer sections of the wing than the maximum permitted distance of 85mm.

Mercedes argued that the design was intended to meet the rules, and the stewards said they were "satisfied that the design meets the intent of the regulation" and there was "no question… of any intent to exceed the maximum dimension either by action or design".

It was clear, the stewards said, that the extra gap was caused by additional play in either the DRS activator or pivots, "or some combination or other fault with the mechanism or incorrect assembly of parts".

The stewards accepted Mercedes' argument that the problem was that "something [had] gone wrong" but ruled that Hamilton had to be disqualified because the parts did not comply with the rules.

Why was Verstappen punished?
Verstappen's offence occurred when he went over to look at Hamilton's car after qualifying, when the two had pulled up in what is known as parc ferme, because Red Bull had questions about the Mercedes' rear wing.

Stewards said it was clear "that there was insignificant force when Verstappen touched the wing".

And they added that Verstappen's actions had "no bearing" on the problem with Hamilton's wing.

The stewards accepted that it had "become a habit of drivers to touch cars after qualifying and races" - a point Verstappen made to them.

But they added: "This general tendency has been seen as mostly harmless and so has not been uniformly policed.

"Nevertheless, it is a breach of the parc ferme regulation and has significant potential to cause harm."

The stewards added that further similar offences "may incur different penalties".

LINK: https://www.bbc.com/sport/formula1/59276919

 

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Lewis Hamilton passed title rival Max Verstappen after an intense battle to take one of his greatest victories and win the Sao Paulo Grand Prix.

Hamilton took the lead with 12 laps to go after fighting up from 10th place on the grid and cut Verstappen's advantage in the championship to 14 points.

His move on Verstappen came 11 laps after the Dutchman forced him off track when Hamilton made another attempt.

His victory came after starting 20th and last for Saturday's 'sprint' event.

It was a gripping conclusion to a weekend of bitterness and rancour between the two teams contesting the championship, and controversy both on and off the track.

The 101st victory of Hamilton's career sent a powerful message of intent and is a potentially critical moment in the championship.

Had Verstappen held Hamilton off, he would have been able to finish second behind the Mercedes driver at the three remaining races in Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Abu Dhabi and still win the title.

Now, the title race is wide open and the two head to the Middle East with everything to play for.

What a performance from Hamilton
It was a remarkable drive from Hamilton, who had spoken on Saturday of being "devastated" when he found out that morning that he had been disqualified from qualifying for a rear wing infringement - after Red Bull had complained about the wing and asked the FIA to investigate - and would start from the back of the grid for the short sprint event rather than pole position.

Hamilton and Mercedes felt hard done by, feeling that governing body the FIA had unfairly changed the way they deal with broken parts on cars, and the decision seems to have fuelled Hamilton's desire.

After a superb performance in the 'sprint', in which Hamilton climbed up from 20th and last to finish fifth, the seven-time champion had to start the grand prix 10th because of a five-place grid penalty for taking a fifth engine, when only three are allowed per season.

The two penalties meant Hamilton effectively had a 25-place grid penalty, but he came through for a spectacular victory.

A win looked unlikely, despite Hamilton's startling pace in the sprint, but he set off with that clearly in his sights.

Hamilton was up to sixth at the end of the first lap, fourth behind team-mate Valtteri Bottas after three laps, and then third behind the two Red Bulls of Verstappen and Sergio Perez after the Finn was ordered to let him through the next time around.

After a safety car, Hamilton chased Perez and passed for second at Turn One on lap 19 and then set about Verstappen.

Through two sets of pit stops, there was debate over the radio at Mercedes between the drivers and the team as to whether they had made the right strategy choices, but it meant Verstappen and Hamilton had a straight fight over the final 27 laps, the Mercedes driver with a three-lap tyre wear advantage.

Hamilton made his first attempt to pass Verstappen on lap 48, with 23 to go, and the move ended in controversy,

Hamilton was ahead on the outside as they entered the corner, but Verstappen launched up the inside and forced the Mercedes wide and both left the track.

The stewards looked into the incident but decided no investigation was necessary, much to the annoyance of Mercedes, who felt Verstappen had broken the rule that forbids drivers from forcing a rival off the track.

After that, Hamilton bided his time, giving his tyres some breathing space, and then attacked again, and 11 laps later was back on Verstappen's tail.

He forced the Dutchman to defend into Turn One, which slowed the Red Bull's exit, and this time Hamilton was closer still as they entered the back straight.

Verstappen defended to the inside, but Hamilton's over-speed took him past the Red Bull before the braking zone and he squeezed to the inside so his rival could not defend.

https://www.bbc.com/sport/formula1/59284292

 

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Lewis Hamilton passed title rival Max Verstappen after an intense battle to take one of his greatest victories and win the Sao Paulo Grand Prix.

Hamilton took the lead with 12 laps to go after fighting up from 10th place on the grid and cut Verstappen's advantage in the championship to 14 points.

His move on Verstappen came 11 laps after the Dutchman forced him off track when Hamilton made another attempt.

His victory came after starting 20th and last for Saturday's 'sprint' event.

It was a gripping conclusion to a weekend of bitterness and rancour between the two teams contesting the championship, and controversy both on and off the track.

The 101st victory of Hamilton's career sent a powerful message of intent and is a potentially critical moment in the championship.

Had Verstappen held Hamilton off, he would have been able to finish second behind the Mercedes driver at the three remaining races in Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Abu Dhabi and still win the title.

Now, the title race is wide open and the two head to the Middle East with everything to play for.

What a performance from Hamilton
It was a remarkable drive from Hamilton, who had spoken on Saturday of being "devastated" when he found out that morning that he had been disqualified from qualifying for a rear wing infringement - after Red Bull had complained about the wing and asked the FIA to investigate - and would start from the back of the grid for the short sprint event rather than pole position.

Hamilton and Mercedes felt hard done by, feeling that governing body the FIA had unfairly changed the way they deal with broken parts on cars, and the decision seems to have fuelled Hamilton's desire.

After a superb performance in the 'sprint', in which Hamilton climbed up from 20th and last to finish fifth, the seven-time champion had to start the grand prix 10th because of a five-place grid penalty for taking a fifth engine, when only three are allowed per season.

The two penalties meant Hamilton effectively had a 25-place grid penalty, but he came through for a spectacular victory.

A win looked unlikely, despite Hamilton's startling pace in the sprint, but he set off with that clearly in his sights.

Hamilton was up to sixth at the end of the first lap, fourth behind team-mate Valtteri Bottas after three laps, and then third behind the two Red Bulls of Verstappen and Sergio Perez after the Finn was ordered to let him through the next time around.

After a safety car, Hamilton chased Perez and passed for second at Turn One on lap 19 and then set about Verstappen.

Through two sets of pit stops, there was debate over the radio at Mercedes between the drivers and the team as to whether they had made the right strategy choices, but it meant Verstappen and Hamilton had a straight fight over the final 27 laps, the Mercedes driver with a three-lap tyre wear advantage.

Hamilton made his first attempt to pass Verstappen on lap 48, with 23 to go, and the move ended in controversy,

Hamilton was ahead on the outside as they entered the corner, but Verstappen launched up the inside and forced the Mercedes wide and both left the track.

The stewards looked into the incident but decided no investigation was necessary, much to the annoyance of Mercedes, who felt Verstappen had broken the rule that forbids drivers from forcing a rival off the track.

After that, Hamilton bided his time, giving his tyres some breathing space, and then attacked again, and 11 laps later was back on Verstappen's tail.

He forced the Dutchman to defend into Turn One, which slowed the Red Bull's exit, and this time Hamilton was closer still as they entered the back straight.

Verstappen defended to the inside, but Hamilton's over-speed took him past the Red Bull before the braking zone and he squeezed to the inside so his rival could not defend.

https://www.bbc.com/sport/formula1/59284292

 

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Lewis Hamilton passed title rival Max Verstappen after an intense battle to take one of his greatest victories and win the Sao Paulo Grand Prix.

Hamilton took the lead with 12 laps to go after fighting up from 10th place on the grid and cut Verstappen's advantage in the championship to 14 points.

His move on Verstappen came 11 laps after the Dutchman forced him off track when Hamilton made another attempt.

His victory came after starting 20th and last for Saturday's 'sprint' event.

It was a gripping conclusion to a weekend of bitterness and rancour between the two teams contesting the championship, and controversy both on and off the track.

The 101st victory of Hamilton's career sent a powerful message of intent and is a potentially critical moment in the championship.

Had Verstappen held Hamilton off, he would have been able to finish second behind the Mercedes driver at the three remaining races in Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Abu Dhabi and still win the title.

Now, the title race is wide open and the two head to the Middle East with everything to play for.

What a performance from Hamilton
It was a remarkable drive from Hamilton, who had spoken on Saturday of being "devastated" when he found out that morning that he had been disqualified from qualifying for a rear wing infringement - after Red Bull had complained about the wing and asked the FIA to investigate - and would start from the back of the grid for the short sprint event rather than pole position.

Hamilton and Mercedes felt hard done by, feeling that governing body the FIA had unfairly changed the way they deal with broken parts on cars, and the decision seems to have fuelled Hamilton's desire.

After a superb performance in the 'sprint', in which Hamilton climbed up from 20th and last to finish fifth, the seven-time champion had to start the grand prix 10th because of a five-place grid penalty for taking a fifth engine, when only three are allowed per season.

The two penalties meant Hamilton effectively had a 25-place grid penalty, but he came through for a spectacular victory.

A win looked unlikely, despite Hamilton's startling pace in the sprint, but he set off with that clearly in his sights.

Hamilton was up to sixth at the end of the first lap, fourth behind team-mate Valtteri Bottas after three laps, and then third behind the two Red Bulls of Verstappen and Sergio Perez after the Finn was ordered to let him through the next time around.

After a safety car, Hamilton chased Perez and passed for second at Turn One on lap 19 and then set about Verstappen.

Through two sets of pit stops, there was debate over the radio at Mercedes between the drivers and the team as to whether they had made the right strategy choices, but it meant Verstappen and Hamilton had a straight fight over the final 27 laps, the Mercedes driver with a three-lap tyre wear advantage.

Hamilton made his first attempt to pass Verstappen on lap 48, with 23 to go, and the move ended in controversy,

Hamilton was ahead on the outside as they entered the corner, but Verstappen launched up the inside and forced the Mercedes wide and both left the track.

The stewards looked into the incident but decided no investigation was necessary, much to the annoyance of Mercedes, who felt Verstappen had broken the rule that forbids drivers from forcing a rival off the track.

After that, Hamilton bided his time, giving his tyres some breathing space, and then attacked again, and 11 laps later was back on Verstappen's tail.

He forced the Dutchman to defend into Turn One, which slowed the Red Bull's exit, and this time Hamilton was closer still as they entered the back straight.

Verstappen defended to the inside, but Hamilton's over-speed took him past the Red Bull before the braking zone and he squeezed to the inside so his rival could not defend.

https://www.bbc.com/sport/formula1/59284292

Am not sure a driver has ever won with such odds stacked against him, surely Sir Lewis is the GOAT

 

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Mercedes have asked for a review of the decision not to penalise Red Bull's Max Verstappen for forcing Lewis Hamilton wide in the Sao Paulo Grand Prix.

The incident on lap 48 of the race was "noted" by the stewards but no investigation was carried out.

Mercedes have lodged a "right of review" after new evidence emerged that was not available at the time.

This is believed to be on-board camera footage which officials did not have during the race but emerged on Tuesday.

If the right of review is accepted and it is decided Verstappen should be penalised, a range of penalties could be applied, for example a five-second penalty added to his race time, or a grid penalty at a subsequent race.

Sources said Red Bull were surprised Mercedes have gone through with the protest as they felt that the on-board camera from Verstappen's car supported the original view of race director Michael Masi that it was hard racing with both cars going deep and braking very late.

The incident happened as Hamilton was trying to pass his title rival for the lead.

Hamilton's Mercedes was alongside and partially ahead of Verstappen's Red Bull on the outside approaching Turn Four.

As they entered the corner, Verstappen ran wide, Hamilton took avoiding action and both cars ran off the track.

Hamilton passed Verstappen for the lead later in the race and went on to win, cutting the Dutchman's lead to 14 points with three races to go, starting in Qatar this weekend.

The sporting code of governing body the FIA says: "Manoeuvres liable to hinder other drivers, such as deliberate crowding of a car beyond the edge of the track or any other abnormal change of direction, are strictly prohibited. Any driver who appears guilty of any of the above offences will be reported to the stewards."

Mercedes F1 team principal Toto Wolff said after the race that it was "laughable" Verstappen had not been penalised for the incident.

Wolff described it as "really wrong defence from Max", adding: "Lewis just managed it even more brilliantly by avoiding the contact and ending the race that way. But that was just over the line. It should have been a five-second penalty at least."

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner said: "It was two guys racing hard. There was no contact. They both ran wide. I thought the stewards made the right decision.

"It would have been hard to penalise two drivers fighting for a world championship. It was firm but fair racing. They both ran deep."

Verstappen said: "I braked a bit later to try to keep the position and the tyres were already a bit worn so I was already on the edge of grip.

"I was already not fully on the apex so then it's a safer way of just running a bit wide there. So in a way I was of course happy that the stewards decided that we could just keep on racing because I think the racing in general was really good."

At the British Grand Prix in July, Hamilton was given a 10-second penalty for causing a collision with Verstappen in an incident that has some parallels with the one at Interlagos.

In that one, Hamilton was trying to overtake on the inside of Copse corner.

He ran wide at the apex, just as Verstappen did in Brazil, but Verstappen did not take avoiding action as Hamilton did at Interlagos, they collided and the Red Bull crashed.

Hamilton went on to fight back from his penalty to win the race.

Will Red Bull protest?
The weekend in Brazil was soured by controversy between the two title-contending teams.

Red Bull made several visits to the FIA claiming that there was something illegal about Hamilton's rear wing that was giving the Mercedes a performance advantage on the straights.

This led to the investigation that ended with Hamilton being disqualified from qualifying when his wing was found not to be in compliance with the regulations - although in a different way than the one Red Bull had believed.

Verstappen said the team believed the Mercedes wing was flexing backwards on the straights.

Red Bull say they are monitoring the situation regarding the Mercedes rear wing but currently have no plans to lodge an appeal.

https://www.bbc.com/sport/formula1/59310486

 

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Mercedes have asked for a review of the decision not to penalise Red Bull's Max Verstappen for forcing Lewis Hamilton wide in the Sao Paulo Grand Prix.

The incident on lap 48 of the race was "noted" by the stewards but no investigation was carried out.

Mercedes have lodged a "right of review" after new evidence emerged that was not available at the time.

This is believed to be on-board camera footage which officials did not have during the race but emerged on Tuesday.

If the right of review is accepted and it is decided Verstappen should be penalised, a range of penalties could be applied, for example a five-second penalty added to his race time, or a grid penalty at a subsequent race.

Sources said Red Bull were surprised Mercedes have gone through with the protest as they felt that the on-board camera from Verstappen's car supported the original view of race director Michael Masi that it was hard racing with both cars going deep and braking very late.

The incident happened as Hamilton was trying to pass his title rival for the lead.

Hamilton's Mercedes was alongside and partially ahead of Verstappen's Red Bull on the outside approaching Turn Four.

As they entered the corner, Verstappen ran wide, Hamilton took avoiding action and both cars ran off the track.

Hamilton passed Verstappen for the lead later in the race and went on to win, cutting the Dutchman's lead to 14 points with three races to go, starting in Qatar this weekend.

The sporting code of governing body the FIA says: "Manoeuvres liable to hinder other drivers, such as deliberate crowding of a car beyond the edge of the track or any other abnormal change of direction, are strictly prohibited. Any driver who appears guilty of any of the above offences will be reported to the stewards."

Mercedes F1 team principal Toto Wolff said after the race that it was "laughable" Verstappen had not been penalised for the incident.

Wolff described it as "really wrong defence from Max", adding: "Lewis just managed it even more brilliantly by avoiding the contact and ending the race that way. But that was just over the line. It should have been a five-second penalty at least."

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner said: "It was two guys racing hard. There was no contact. They both ran wide. I thought the stewards made the right decision.

"It would have been hard to penalise two drivers fighting for a world championship. It was firm but fair racing. They both ran deep."

Verstappen said: "I braked a bit later to try to keep the position and the tyres were already a bit worn so I was already on the edge of grip.

"I was already not fully on the apex so then it's a safer way of just running a bit wide there. So in a way I was of course happy that the stewards decided that we could just keep on racing because I think the racing in general was really good."

At the British Grand Prix in July, Hamilton was given a 10-second penalty for causing a collision with Verstappen in an incident that has some parallels with the one at Interlagos.

In that one, Hamilton was trying to overtake on the inside of Copse corner.

He ran wide at the apex, just as Verstappen did in Brazil, but Verstappen did not take avoiding action as Hamilton did at Interlagos, they collided and the Red Bull crashed.

Hamilton went on to fight back from his penalty to win the race.

Will Red Bull protest?
The weekend in Brazil was soured by controversy between the two title-contending teams.

Red Bull made several visits to the FIA claiming that there was something illegal about Hamilton's rear wing that was giving the Mercedes a performance advantage on the straights.

This led to the investigation that ended with Hamilton being disqualified from qualifying when his wing was found not to be in compliance with the regulations - although in a different way than the one Red Bull had believed.

Verstappen said the team believed the Mercedes wing was flexing backwards on the straights.

Red Bull say they are monitoring the situation regarding the Mercedes rear wing but currently have no plans to lodge an appeal.

https://www.bbc.com/sport/formula1/59310486

Not shocking anymore the stuff RB get away with, but the GOAT overcame that to with the unprecedented win in Brazil before his massive following there

 

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Stewards decide not to reopen the case into Max Verstappen's defensive driving at Interlagos after ruling new video evidence not "significant" to lead to prospect of a different decision; Mercedes say they expected result, but wanted to make point of "principle" and start discussion.

Sao Paulo GP stewards have dismissed Mercedes' request to have the decision not to investigate Max Verstappen's defence against Lewis Hamilton last Sunday reviewed.

A hearing featuring both teams took place on the opening day of the Qatar GP weekend and deliberations stretched into Friday, but stewards ruled that, while video footage released from on-board Max Verstappen's car on Tuesday was duly a 'new' and 'relevant' element in the case it did not satisfy the third criteria of also being 'significant'.

"The stewards determine that the footage shows nothing exceptional that is particularly different from the other angles that were available to them at the time," read the verdict.

Friday's verdict means the result of last Sunday's race now definitively stands, with Verstappen leading Hamilton by 14 points with three rounds to go.

The lap-48 incident was 'noted' by Race Control but, after assessing the initial replays and angles available at the time during the race, they viewed it did not warrant further investigation for any possible penalty.

Hamilton won the race anyway after overtaking Verstappen 11 laps after the Turn Four controversy but any in-race penalty could have had an impact on whether he finished second or not.

Horner and Wolff react to stewards' verdict
Somewhat theatrically, the stewards' verdict on the matter was finally delivered while the Red Bull and Mercedes team bosses were sitting next to each other in what was already proving a tense team principals' press conference amid an increasingly acrimonious title fight.

"I was surprised at the hearing in the first place," said Red Bull's Christian Horner to Sky F1 a later interview.

"We saw many incidents at Turn Four both in the sprint race and the actual grand prix that there was absolutely no action with.

"It was just two drivers obviously just outbraking themselves. If Lewis would have been smart he would have gone for the cut-back like Checo [Perez] did on Valtteri [Bottas]. The good thing is the book's closed on it and it's full focus on this weekend."

Mercedes boss Toto Wolff already said before the news was delivered that he was not expecting anything to change because of their challenge and, giving his response to the formal verdict, then said: "I think we always knew this was not going to go anywhere.

"We weren't sure whether it was going to stop at that stage, there is no right of review, or whether the review was rejected. That's fine but it's more the principle. Should there be decisions on that case? What is the interpretation of the stewards to such incidents. Now you have to move on and do the best possible job in this race and the next one."

Wolff added: "What have we achieved? I think we have achieved a public discussion around it because I see a risk that we will see it happening in the next races, it could well end up in the stewards' room or the court room if people aren't happy with how it is being raced out there."

What did Max and Lewis say about the incident?
Speaking while their respective teams were meeting with the stewards on Thursday, Verstappen and Hamilton each had their say on the events of last Sunday in their respective media sessions:

Verstappen: "As a driver, we know exactly what we can or cannot do in the car. We were fighting hard, braking late into the corner, the tyres are hot, and if I had turned more abrupt to the left you'd just spin off the track.

"That's why we are the drivers. We try to control the car."

Hamilton: "We've looked at it and have a different viewpoint naturally now, but I'm just putting all my energy into setting up the car and making sure I'm in the right headspace this weekend."

https://www.skysports.com/f1/news/1...est-to-stewards-over-incident-in-sao-paulo-gp

 

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Red Bull threaten own protest over Mercedes rear wing as controversy continues in F1 title battle

Red Bull are readying an F1 protest of their own against fierce rivals Mercedes, with team boss Christian Horner claiming the world champions are utilising a "hidden" way of boosting their straight-line speed.

A close and increasingly contentious title battle is playing out on and off the track between Red Bull and Mercedes, who had a line finally drawn under the Brazil incident between Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton on Friday as stewards denied the Silver Arrows their right of review.

But the drama is still continuing in Qatar with the revelation from Horner that Red Bull are planning to protest Mercedes' car.

Red Bull, who are ahead in the drivers' standings but behind in the team, believe Mercedes' rear wing has "score marks" on it, enabling them to reduce drag, even when their DRS is closed, to increase top speed.

"Make no bones about it, if we see it on the car here it will be protested," Horner told Sky F1, with Red Bull having already raised questions to the FIA about the wing amid Hamilton's big speed advantage over Verstappen.

Horner added that he didn't think Mercedes would use that rear wing in Qatar and that a protest was perhaps more likely for 2021's final two rounds, where there is a "massive dependency on straight-line speed".

"It's probably less of a factor here, than particularly Jeddah and Abu Dhabi," he said. "But you could have a situation like in Brazil where the car is quite literally unraceable."

https://www.skysports.com/f1/news/1...g-as-controversy-continues-in-f1-title-battle

 

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Lewis Hamilton set a blistering pace to take pole position for the Qatar Grand Prix by nearly half a second.

Red Bull's Max Verstappen, 14 points ahead of Hamilton in the title race, was 0.455 seconds behind in second.

Hamilton's team-mate Valtteri Bottas was third, 0.196secs behind Verstappen with Alpha Tauri's Pierre Gasly fourth ahead of Alpine's Fernando Alonso.

Verstappen's team-mate Sergio Perez was only 11th, putting Red Bull at a strategic disadvantage for the race.

With Bottas up with Hamilton at the front, Mercedes can try to pincer Verstappen on race strategy in a race, by forcing him to stop at a time that is not optimal. It is hard to cover two cars on strategy when a team only has one.

McLaren's Lando Norris was sixth from Ferrari's Carlos Sainz.

The second Alpha Tauri of Yuki Tsunoda was eighth, and Alpine's Esteban Ocon and Aston Martin's Sebastian Vettel completing the top 10.

Hamilton was quickest on both runs in the final top 10 shoot-out, just under 0.2secs ahead on the first run despite running wide in Turn One and making a mistake in Turn Two.

His final lap, though, was a beauty and Verstappen and Bottas had no answer.

Hamilton said: "Yesterday was a really difficult day for me. Thursday and Friday I wasn't feeling too well - I had a bit of stomach ache.

"I was off [the pace] yesterday so really had to dig deep. I was here 'til midnight working late.

"We found a lot of areas I could improve, made some changes for final practice and it seemed to work.

"You have to try and carry that through into qualifying. We didn't have any traffic and that last lap was beautiful. This track is amazing to drive - all medium and fast corners."

Verstappen said: "Just lacking a bit of pace. It has been just a bit more tricky for us again in qualifying, you could even see that - Checo [Perez] is not even in Q3 so you can see were are struggling a bit more than normal. Still second, so it is all to play for still."

The championship remains finely poised, with victories of critical importance for both contenders.

If Verstappen wins, he would extend his points lead out to close to a clear win with only two races remaining, a deficit Hamilton would find tough to close.

But if Hamilton wins for the second week in a row after his magnificent drive in Brazil last weekend - in which he started the sprint race on Saturday from pole and overtook a total of 25 cars over one and a third grand prix distances to win - then the gap would be something between six to eight points.

That means Hamilton cannot afford a clash on track with Verstappen.

Overtaking is expected to be difficult around a track that is populated mainly by fast corners, so the battle for the lead down to Turn One, and then pit-stop strategy will be critical.

Hamilton said: "Being such a fast circuit I don't think it will be the easiest of circuits to follow at but it's also not massively degrading the tyres."

Bottas, who said he had lost the balance of the car after looking so fast in Friday practice, said he was confident Mercedes could work the strategy to their advantage with two cars against one.

BBC

 

[Firebat]

Qatar GP: Max Verstappen to meet with F1 stewards ahead of race over alleged yellow flags rules breach

F1 title leader Max Verstappen's front-row starting position at the Qatar GP is under threat after he was summoned to meet with F1 stewards ahead of Sunday's race for allegedly failing to slow for yellow flags on his final lap of qualifying.

The Red Bull driver, who leads the championship by 14 points, qualified second behind a dominant Lewis Hamilton but will now head to see the stewards at 10am UK time. The race is at 2pm live on Sky Sports F1.

Verstappen would almost certainly receive a grid penalty were the stewards to rule against him.

On the final laps of Q3, AlphaTauri's Pierre Gasly stopped on the inside of the pit straight after his front tyre punctured.

Mercedes' Valtteri Bottas (third on the grid) and Ferrari's Carlos Sainz (seventh) have also been summoned ahead of the race for allegedly not respecting single-waved yellows on their final attempts.

Verstappen was the last driver on track in the session and improved on his final lap to consolidate his second place on the grid.

"Not respecting double waved yellow flags," said the stewards of the alleged offence when issuing the summons to Verstappen on Saturday night, nearly three hours after the incident in question.

https://www.skysports.com/f1/news/1...f-race-over-alleged-yellow-flags-rules-breach

 

[MenInG]

F1 title leader Max Verstappen has been handed a five-place grid penalty for the Qatar GP and will start today's race from seventh.

 

[Last Monetarist]

Lewis Hamilton wins the Qatar GP with Max Verstappen taking second and Fernando Alonso finishing third.

 

[Firebat]

Qatar GP: Lewis Hamilton roaring back in F1 title fight as Mercedes say: 'They woke up the lion'

Lewis Hamilton said he's "loving" the pressure and demands of 2021's championship battle after gaining more ground on Max Verstappen at the Qatar GP, with Mercedes boss Toto Wolff claiming recent controversy has "woken up the lion".

Hamilton is now just eight points behind Verstappen heading into the season's crucial final two races after dominating on Sunday, securing back-to-back victories for the first time since early May.

It has been a significant turnaround in a little over a week for Hamilton, who was on the back foot back in Brazil after a qualifying disqualification. But amidst that setback, and the on- and off-track drama between Mercedes and Red Bull, Hamilton has outscored Verstappen by 13 points in seven days.

"Lewis is totally in the zone," Mercedes boss Toto Wolff told Sky F1. "They woke up the lion in Interlagos on that Saturday and you see that."

Hamilton followed up his Saturday qualifying disqualification in Brazil with a comeback from 20th to fifth in the Sprint race, before recovering from 10th to win Sunday's Grand Prix. In Qatar, it was a perfect weekend with his biggest pole of the season preceding one of his most comfortable wins.

"The last two weeks have been fantastic, just amazing," admitted Hamilton. "But there's no time for celebration, I'll be back with the team already again next week and training tomorrow, stay on it, heads down.

"I don't have too much emotion other than being driven right now, but it's just amazing to be able to close so many points in the last two races which has been important. [Red Bull are] obviously still very fast as you could see today with their fastest lap and both their cars getting past pretty much everyone quite easily. So we've still got our work cut out."

Asked about the title battle and his bid for an historic eight crown, Hamilton added: "I'm loving it. I love the close battle, the pressure, the demands it puts on you and the whole team.

"So I thoroughly enjoyed it but these next two races need even better performance, so we'll be bringing our 'triple A' game for those ones."

The season finishes with back-to-back races in Saudi Arabia and Abu Dhabi.

https://www.skysports.com/f1/news/2...e-fight-as-mercedes-say-they-woke-up-the-lion

 

[Firebat]

Qatar GP: Max Verstappen says he 'never gets presents' from F1 stewards after penalty as he focuses on final races

Max Verstappen says Red Bull will focus on trying to come back stronger to hit back against Mercedes at next week's Saudi Arabian GP after a second successive defeat by Lewis Hamilton.

Meanwhile, the Dutchman said "I never get presents from them" in reference to the stewards after he was handed a five-place grid penalty ahead of Sunday's race for failing to slow sufficiently for double-waved yellow flags at the end of qualifying.

Impressively recovering to second place in the race behind runaway winner Lewis Hamilton and now holding an advantage of just eight points ahead of his Mercedes driver with 52 to play for over the season's concluding double-header, Verstappen said: "It's exciting.

"I would of course have liked to make it a bigger gap, but when you don't have the pace, it's impossible to do that, so we'll just try to be better, and come back strong, especially in Saudi on the street track, and then yeah, we'll see in Abu Dhabi."

Asked how he felt about the penalty, Verstappen told Sky Sports F1: "No surprises there. I knew already last night.

"I never get presents from them so it's ok.

"But in the end once I knew I was starting seventh I was just very motivated to move ahead and that's exactly what we did.

"We had a good first lap and then after five laps we were second again. Then I just tried to keep the gap small which we did throughout the whole race so they couldn't do an extra stop.

"It gave me the fastest lap at the end, so I was definitely happy with that."

Asked if he felt hard done by in regards to the stewards, the Dutchman replied: "I don't want to talk about it too much because I don't want to give anyone the pleasure to talk about it even more. But it's of course not great."

The extra point Verstappen gained for the race's fastest lap meant he left Qatar with a slightly larger points lead than he would otherwise have done for just finishing second.

https://www.skysports.com/f1/news/3...ds-after-penalty-as-he-focuses-on-final-races

 

[MenInG]

Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya will continue to host the Spanish Grand Prix until 2026

 

[Sidilicious]

Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya will continue to host the Spanish Grand Prix until 2026

disappointing. one of the worst circuits along with Yas marinas.

 

[Hassaan HS]

Lewis Hamilton: 'Not my choice' to race at Saudi Arabian Grand Prix

Lewis Hamilton says he is not comfortable racing in Saudi Arabia this weekend as a result of the country's human rights record.

Saudi Arabia is hosting its inaugural race on a new street track in the coastal city of Jeddah, the first in a long-term contract.

Hamilton said: "Do I feel comfortable here? I wouldn't say I do. But it's not my choice to be here. The sport has taken a choice to be here.

"And whether it's right or wrong, while we are here, it's important we do try to raise awareness."

'You have to be the smarter one' - Hamilton on Verstappen & beating school bullies
Verstappen has the points, Hamilton the faster car - F1 title set for thrilling finale

F1's decision to race in Saudi Arabia has been criticised by human rights groups.

Amnesty International has said Saudi's record is "extremely troubling" and that the race is being used to "sports-wash" the country's reputation.

Hamilton said he would again be wearing the helmet he wore at the last race in Qatar, which is painted with the rainbow flag in support of LGBTQ+ rights.

He described the situation for LGBTQ+ people in Saudi Arabia, where homosexuality is prohibited and punishable by flogging and imprisonment, as "pretty terrifying".

And in referring to the decision in 2018 to end the ban on women being able to drive, he said: "There are changes that need to be made. For example, women's rights of being allowed to drive since 2018. It is how they are policed. Are they really [allowed], in effect? Why are there women still in prison from driving many years ago? There is a lot of change that needs to happen and I think our sport needs to do more."

Four-time champion Sebastian Vettel, who has also expressed his concern on human rights issues this season, organised a karting event for women on Thursday in Jeddah.

The Aston Martin driver said: "I was thinking of what I can do. In general, we have so much focus on negative examples when it comes to shortcomings of certain countries in regards to human rights and other things."

Vettel said he "was trying to pass on some of my experiences in life and on track to do something together to grow their confidence" and said he had been "inspired" by the women who attended the event.

He added: "It's true obviously if we look through a western-European lens there are lot of things that should be improved and have to be addressed. But it's also true some things are changing and for those people it makes a big difference.

"It's clear some things aren't going the way they should but that's our point of view. It's also probably true that things take time and it's progress."The championship picture

Hamilton heads into the final two races of the season eight points behind title rival Max Verstappen of Red Bull.

The Dutchman can clinch the title this weekend if results go his way.

But Hamilton said he felt in good shape for the challenges of Jeddah and the final race in Abu Dhabi a week later.

He said: "I am more relaxed than I've ever been. I have been around a long time. I remember how it was [with] my first championship, even my second and third... the sleepless nights.

"Now I am a lot more sure about myself and have applied myself better than ever before. I can't change the past - all I can do is prepare 100% for what's ahead of me and I am sure I have."

Hamilton has won the last two races in Brazil and Qatar to reduce what was a 19-point lead for Verstappen after the Dutchman won last month's Mexican Grand Prix.

Hamilton's Mercedes team have said they believe the 36-year-old has found a new level since then, which helped him produce one of his defining performances at the Brazilian Grand Prix, where he won after starting the sprint qualifying session from the back of the grid.

Hamilton said: "I don't believe I have gone to another level. Maybe I tapped into something different in Brazil. Maybe I haven't been there before, I don't know.

"I definitely have in my career, but I like to think I have been delivering well all year."

The key, he said, to their recent performances had been work done by the whole Mercedes team: "How to get more out of the team, and every individual in the team. I like to think that all of us have [found another level], not just me. And that's what's been needed."

Verstappen said there would be no change in his approach.

"Like I have done all season," he said. "There is no change. It's a new track. We have to learn the track and I just focus on the weekend to try to be as competitive as I can be.

"We're very motivated. A track like this creates new and different opportunities. Hopefully it will be an exciting weekend and I hope we are going be competitive but it's a bit too early to say at the moment. On the simulator it's a very fast track so [I'm] looking forward to seeing it in real life."

Verstappen said that whether he wins or loses, Red Bull will have had a good season to reduce the large performance advantage Mercedes had last year.

"It has just been a great year for us," Verstappen said. "We have had some good moments and it's been more enjoyable. Last year was pretty boring for me. I was pretty much third all the time. It is not how you like to race but it sometimes happens when one team is very dominant.

"We really turned it around well this year. We improved the car and to be in it to the end of the season is very impressive from our side.

"I will try to keep enjoying myself in the last two races. It doesn't matter where we end up. We have had a really, really good season as a team."
A Covid positive at Williams

Williams team principal and chief executive officer Jost Capito will not attend the race after testing positive for Covid-19 while still in the UK.

The team is carrying stickers on its cars as a tribute to their founder Sir Frank Williams, who died aged 79 on Sunday.

Via : https://www.bbc.com/sport/formula1/59511709

 

[James]

Interesting “principled” stance called out there by Lewis.

 

[James]

<b>BBC: Lewis Hamilton fastest in Saudi Arabian Grand Prix first practice.</b>

Lewis Hamilton led title rival Max Verstappen of Red Bull by a tiny margin in first practice at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.

The Mercedes driver ended up just 0.056 seconds clear of Verstappen after the first running on the spectacularly fast new Jeddah Corniche street circuit.

Hamilton's team-mate Valtteri Bottas was 0.223secs off the pace, and declared the track "cool".

Verstappen leads Hamilton by eight points with two races remaining.

The championship fight hangs in the balance, but in the context of each driver's title hopes, it is more important for Hamilton to win in Saudi Arabia than Verstappen.

If Verstappen beats Hamilton, the Mercedes driver would need the Dutchman to hit trouble in the the final race in Abu Dhabi to overhaul him, whereas Verstappen can afford to finish second behind Hamilton in Jeddah and still be more or less level on points.

Verstappen made a blistering start to the session, well clear of the rest of the drivers for the first quarter of the session after quickly getting up to speed. But Mercedes upped their pace as the session went on to supplant him.

Verstappen was a couple of 10ths off Hamilton until a run right at the end of the session closed him up to his rival.

Pierre Gasly's Alpha Tauri was fourth quickest, ahead of the Alfa Romeo of Antonio Giovinazzi, the Ferraris of Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc, McLaren's Daniel Ricciardo, Alpine's Fernando Alonso and the Aston Martin of Sebastian Vettel.

The session was incident-free, perhaps a surprise given the track is so fast and there is limited run-off area, but the drivers were finding their way between the walls and minimising risk.

The second session, in which drivers will simulate qualifying and race pace, starts at 17:00 GMT and will be held under lights after night has fallen in Saudi Arabia.

 

[James]

<b>Red Bull’s Max Verstappen set the pace in final practice at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix while title rival Lewis Hamilton struggled to make his tyres work to their optimum.</b>

Verstappen was 0.214 seconds quicker than his title rival, but the Dutchman set a couple of quick laps on the soft tyre while Hamilton’s best time was set on the medium.

Hamilton could not improve on the soft tyre at the end of the session; indeed he was 0.3secs slower on it than he had been on the hard earlier on.

All teams seem to be struggling to optimise the soft tyre - normally the quickest over one lap - around the fast and demanding new Jeddah Corniche circuit.

Verstappen leads Hamilton by eight points heading into the penultimate race of the season and the stakes are high for both.

If Verstappen beats Hamilton in Jeddah, his points lead will extend to at least 14 and he will be a strong favourite to clinch the title in Abu Dhabi next weekend.

But if Hamilton beats Verstappen, there will be almost nothing between them heading to the final race.

Verstappen can clinch the title on Sunday if results go his way, but it would require him to win and Hamilton to hit trouble and finish in an abnormal position outside the top five.

As usual, the two title contenders are in a league of their own.

Red Bull’s Sergio Perez was third fastest, 0.529secs off the pace, ahead of the Alpha Tauris of Yuki Tsunoda and Pierre Gasly, the second Mercedes of Valtteri Bottas and then the Ferraris of Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz.

Hamilton had a couple of sketchy moments with traffic, once holding up Gasly into Turn One, and then shortly afterwards causing Haas driver Nikita Mazepin to take avoiding action at high speed as he came across Hamilton dawdling on the line through the fast Turns Seven and Eight, which have a blind entry.

Hamilton complained to race engineer Peter Bonnington that he had not warned him Mazepin was coming.

Race director Michael Masi told Haas that the incident was “not great” and that he would deal with it directly with Mercedes.

That suggests Hamilton will escape any form of punishment for the misunderstanding.

But the moment did underline the concerns drivers have been expressing about traffic around a track which is super-quick but where a lot of the corners have blind entries.

 

[MenInG]

Hamilton takes pole at the Jeddah F1

 

[MenInG]

<div style="width: 100%; height: 0px; position: relative; padding-bottom: 100.000%;"><iframe src="https://streamable.com/e/jxakiu" frameborder="0" width="100%" height="100%" allowfullscreen style="width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute;"></iframe></div>


Max Verstappen hits the barriers &#55357;&#56485;

@LewisHamilton takes pole &#55356;&#57286;

An extraordinary finish to qualifying in Jeddah &#55357;&#56878;

 

[transparent opacity]

Lewis Hamilton wins thrilling Saudi Arabian Grand Prix

Lewis Hamilton beat Max Verstappen in a chaotic and controversial Saudi Arabian Grand Prix to set up a winner-takes all championship finale in Abu Dhabi next weekend.

The race was stopped twice, featured three starts and an extraordinary series of events between the title contenders in one of the most dramatic grands prix in years.

Hamilton won despite crashing into the back of Verstappen at one point during a race in which the Dutchman twice had to cede a position to the Mercedes driver he had gained illegally.

And it ended with the two drivers tied on points heading into the last race of the season.

So much happened in the course of the race that it was hard to keep up, as the advantage swung wildly back and forth between Hamilton and Verstappen.

But in the defining moment, Verstappen was ordered to hand the lead to Hamilton because he had held on to it by forcing the seven-time champion off the track at Turn One with 13 laps to go.

But it did not happen immediately. Red Bull were told to hand the lead to Hamilton. Verstappen slowed to do so on the run to the last corner, and Hamilton ran into the back of him and damaged his front wing.

They continued with Verstappen in the lead, until the Dutchman did finally hand over the lead six laps later.

The nature of Verstappen's conduct will revive debate about whether it is fair for him to drive in the way he does, always refusing to back down in wheel-to-wheel incidents, even when other drivers would recognise that their rival had won the corner.

https://www.bbc.com/sport/formula1/59542213

 

[The_KING]

<div style="width: 100%; height: 0px; position: relative; padding-bottom: 100.000%;"><iframe src="https://streamable.com/e/jxakiu" frameborder="0" width="100%" height="100%" allowfullscreen style="width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute;"></iframe></div>


Max Verstappen hits the barriers ��

@LewisHamilton takes pole ��

An extraordinary finish to qualifying in Jeddah ��

I honestly can't stand this woke fool Hamiltan. He should keep this LGBT agenda out of our Muslim countries. We don't need that in our countries.

 

[cricketjoshila]

I honestly can't stand this woke fool Hamiltan. He should keep this LGBT agenda out of our Muslim countries. We don't need that in our countries.

While there are a lot of things about Hamilton thats not likeable, standing for LGBTQ community isnt one of them.

 

[The_KING]

While there are a lot of things about Hamilton thats not likeable, standing for LGBTQ community isnt one of them.

He can stand for LGBTQ community while in the UK. Don't bring that LGBTQ agenda to Muslim countries. Simple as that.

 

[cricketjoshila]

He can stand for LGBTQ community while in the UK. Don't bring that LGBTQ agenda to Muslim countries. Simple as that.

Will you be ok if the non muslims ask muslims too keep islamic issues out of UK?

 

[shaz619]

Lewis Hamilton wins thrilling Saudi Arabian Grand Prix

Lewis Hamilton beat Max Verstappen in a chaotic and controversial Saudi Arabian Grand Prix to set up a winner-takes all championship finale in Abu Dhabi next weekend.

The race was stopped twice, featured three starts and an extraordinary series of events between the title contenders in one of the most dramatic grands prix in years.

Hamilton won despite crashing into the back of Verstappen at one point during a race in which the Dutchman twice had to cede a position to the Mercedes driver he had gained illegally.

And it ended with the two drivers tied on points heading into the last race of the season.

So much happened in the course of the race that it was hard to keep up, as the advantage swung wildly back and forth between Hamilton and Verstappen.

But in the defining moment, Verstappen was ordered to hand the lead to Hamilton because he had held on to it by forcing the seven-time champion off the track at Turn One with 13 laps to go.

But it did not happen immediately. Red Bull were told to hand the lead to Hamilton. Verstappen slowed to do so on the run to the last corner, and Hamilton ran into the back of him and damaged his front wing.

They continued with Verstappen in the lead, until the Dutchman did finally hand over the lead six laps later.

The nature of Verstappen's conduct will revive debate about whether it is fair for him to drive in the way he does, always refusing to back down in wheel-to-wheel incidents, even when other drivers would recognise that their rival had won the corner.

https://www.bbc.com/sport/formula1/59542213

The Greatest Of All Time

 

[The_KING]

Will you be ok if the non muslims ask muslims too keep islamic issues out of UK?

If the Muslims were forcing non Muslims in the UK to accept Muslim values and live according to them, then you will have a point. This guy Hamilton want us Muslims to change the law of the Muslim counrties.

 

[James]

I honestly can't stand this woke fool Hamiltan. He should keep this LGBT agenda out of our Muslim countries. We don't need that in our countries.

He can stand for LGBTQ community while in the UK. Don't bring that LGBTQ agenda to Muslim countries. Simple as that.

Freedom of expression on Hamilton’s part.

It’s just a helmet.

 

[cricketjoshila]

If the Muslims were forcing non Muslims in the UK to accept Muslim values and live according to them, then you will have a point. This guy Hamilton want us Muslims to change the law of the Muslim counrties.

Dont muslims in many non muslim majority countries ask for halal food to be served in school? So e ask for prayer time on fridays?

I understand that religion doesn't sanction LGBTQ rights, all Hamilton did os support LGBTQ rights, he isnt saying SA has to grant them.

 

[MenInG]

Haas driver Nikita Mazepin testing positive for Covid-19 will not have a "wider impact" on the title-deciding Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, says Formula 1.

The 22-year-old Russian will not race after returning the result on-site, with a re-test also positive.

"Mazepin is experiencing mild symptoms and is now isolating in accordance with Covid-19 protocols," said Formula 1.

Mazepin was due to start the race - a title decider between Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen - in 20th position.

 

[MenInG]

Hamilton takes lead from Verstappen off line; pair nearly collide battling for lead

 

[SpiritOf1903]

Hamilton got political so Abu Dhabi pulled orange shirts out and robbed him!

 

[James]

Max takes it!

 

[pakistani pride]

Max proved he is the best all season. Amazing job to beat Merc.

 

[Last Monetarist]

Breaking: Mercedes lodge protest with the FIA

 

[pakistani pride]

Breaking: Mercedes lodge protest with the FIA

They can protest what they want, nothing will change.

 

[Technics 1210]

Freedom of expression on Hamilton’s part.

It’s just a helmet.

It’s not just a helmet, it’s symbolism.

 

[Technics 1210]

I honestly can't stand this woke fool Hamiltan. He should keep this LGBT agenda out of our Muslim countries. We don't need that in our countries.

Agree, further more keep it out of sports altogether.

So glad he lost.

 

[James]

Agree, further more keep it out of sports altogether.

So glad he lost.

I supported Moeen Ali when he wore Free Palestine wristbands in the cricket, interested in your view on this.

 

[Technics 1210]

I supported Moeen Ali when he wore Free Palestine wristbands in the cricket, interested in your view on this.

I disagreed with Moeen Ali. My view is keep politics out of sport.

I play video games and watch sports and movies so I can escape from the politics and nonsense that is rammed down our throats on a daily basis for the purpose of votes.

Sports, movies, gaming - are escapism for me.

 

[James]

I disagreed with Moeen Ali. My view is keep politics out of sport.

I play video games and watch sports and movies so I can escape from the politics and nonsense that is rammed down our throats on a daily basis for the purpose of votes.

Sports, movies, gaming - are escapism for me.

Ok

 

[pakistani pride]

I disagreed with Moeen Ali. My view is keep politics out of sport.

I play video games and watch sports and movies so I can escape from the politics and nonsense that is rammed down our throats on a daily basis for the purpose of votes.

Sports, movies, gaming - are escapism for me.

Well said!

 

[MenInG]

The FIA, Formula 1's governing body, has said it will conduct an "analysis and clarification exercise" into the controversial events at the end of the Abu Dhabi GP - acknowledging fallout from Sunday's race is currently "tarnishing the image of the Championship".

 

[The_KING]

Agree, further more keep it out of sports altogether.

So glad he lost.

Same. And it's sweet that he lost in the manner that he did.

 

[The_KING]

Agree, further more keep it out of sports altogether.

So glad he lost.

Same. And it's sweet that he lost in the manner that he did.

 

[James]

The FIA, Formula 1's governing body, has said it will conduct an "analysis and clarification exercise" into the controversial events at the end of the Abu Dhabi GP - acknowledging fallout from Sunday's race is currently "tarnishing the image of the Championship".

Looks like the results/standings won’t change now though.

 

[MenInG]

Nico Rosberg believes F1's sporting regulations need to be tightened up after the on-track controversies of the 2021 season.

While the world title fight between Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton finished on a highly-contentious note around Safety Car procedures, there were also debates all through the year about what constituted fair racing and how drivers could act in wheel-to-wheel battles.

Rosberg, the 2016 world champion turned Sky Sports F1 pundit, believes newly-elected FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem and his team have "an opportunity" to make changes.

"The sport needs to make progress," Rosberg told Sky Sports News.

"It starts even with all the overtaking, the wheel-to-wheel action.

"The FIA needs to tighten all that up so that we don't have all these discussions.

2016 Formula 1 world champion Nico Rosberg says the FIA needs to tighten up the sport's rules, and reflects on the controversial end to this year's title fight.

"It would be better for the sport if it was much easier to understand. Also in wheel-to-wheel racing; who is now right and wrong, what needs to be done. A quick decision is made, and we go on.

"We need to get rid of all these discussions, that's important."

In one of his final acts in office last week, outgoing president Jean Todt committed the FIA to conducting a full analysis into what happened in Abu Dhabi and, together with teams and drivers, drawing lessons that could be learned for change from 2022.

Mercedes, hugely angered by the sequences of events that led to the world title being wrenched from Hamilton's grasp on the final lap, have said they will hold the FIA "to account" on ensuring changes are made for the good of the sport.

"Why I am optimistic is that most stakeholders in the sport will share my frustration on the decisions that have been made throughout the year," said Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff.

"Everyone who is a racer, you guys, us, knows what happened.

Mercedes boss Toto Wolff says he and seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton are disillusioned and the driver will never get over what happened on the final lap in Abu Dhabi.

"So nevertheless, I have confidence because we will all be pulling on the same rope in the same direction.

"The teams, and I have had feedback from the teams, and from the drivers. I had assurances from [FIA secretary general of Motor Sport] Peter Bayer and Stefano [Domenicali, F1 president] that in the next weeks and months we will close the gaps that have opened up more and more over the last few years."

SKY

 

[Firebat]

Zak Brown: McLaren boss says no sprint events in 2022 a possibility

Formula 1 is in danger of not having any sprint events this year as a result of a stand-off over money, says McLaren boss Zak Brown.

F1 had an agreement in principle from the teams to increase the number of sprints from three to six in 2022.

But eight out of 10 teams need to agree on details to secure the sprints, and some are holding out for more money.

Brown said F1 "might not" find a way out of the impasse, adding: "That would be unfortunate."

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/60036659