F1 2021 Season

[stevo qld]

Hamilton's woes are growing.

https://www.msn.com/en-au/sport/other/hamilton-s-f1-title-hopes-take-massive-hit/ar-AAQDGc3?ocid=msedgntp

Lewis Hamilton beat rival Max Verstappen in qualifying to take pole position for Saturday's sprint race ahead of the Brazilian Grand Prix, although an engine change means the British driver is facing a five-place grid penalty.

... the decision by Mercedes to change the engine of his car means the British driver will not start higher than sixth in Sunday's race, even if he wins the sprint.

[Kytabu]

https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/key-issues-hamilton-verstappen-investigations/6776571/

It gets even more interesting. No decision was reached on the DRS issue on Friday night, so a decision will be made on Saturday morning (so in a couple of hours). Meanwhile, Verstappen has been summoned to the stewards for breaching parc ferme rules by touching both his and Hamilton's car after qualifying.

[LG]

Hamilton DQd and Max fined.

https://wwos.nine.com.au/motorsport/f1-lewis-hamilton-disqualified-in-qualifying-max-verstappen-fined-brazilian-grand-prix/de9a2142-91ce-4417-8d54-9305350a4dad

[Kytabu]

Great drive from Hamilton to recover to fifth in the sprint. That Mercedes is super quick at the end of the pit straight. He will now start 10th after his engine penalty. He should cruise to the podium from there if he gets through the first lap. Bottas and Verstappen will probably pull too much of a gap, unless Mercedes try to use Bottas to push Verstappen back into the field.

With Verstappen scoring seven points across the three sprint qualifying races, and Hamilton just two, that could well be the difference in the title race after Abu Dhabi.

[Troy01505]

Toto can't handle defeat. Lewis was one of the best in the best car but he is on the downward spiral drivers hit once they have been on top for so long, everyone hits it but no need to cry wolf with officials or push the rule beyond the limit to combat it.

[mikeamerica84]

Toto.... cry wolf.....

Nice pun!

[skaifeman]

Toto can't handle defeat. Lewis was one of the best in the best car but he is on the downward spiral drivers hit once they have been on top for so long, everyone hits it but no need to cry wolf with officials or push the rule beyond the limit to combat it.

Seen much of Horner over the past few years? None of them can handle defeat, they have hundreds of millions of dollars sitting on their shoulders.

[sizzle]

Lewis was one of the best in the best car but he is on the downward spiral drivers hit once they have been on top for so long

glad you said was and is there!

[Kytabu]

I honestly thought that either Verstappen would stay ahead in that race or neither he nor Hamilton would finish. What a weekend of pure speed from Lewis.

[skaifeman]

Pretty crazy the change in heart over the 'racing limits,' between this Brazil and other weekends. Pretty clear Max drove out wide purposely. Seems you only get penalised if you're attacking.

Thankful that Max didn't open up the steering enough to put them both out to minimise any points deficit. It's a bloody good season!

[meha]

and in news overnight there has been the passing of Sir Frank Williams. RIP

[mikeamerica84]

and in news overnight there has been the passing of Sir Frank Williams. RIP

Hand over heart and head bowed here in SW Michigan today.

[meha]

He certainly had a huge impact on the sport for so many years.

[mikeamerica84]

Pivotal shunt in Jeddah for Max.  We'll see if they have to take on a new gearbox.

I like what Martin Brundle said on the coverage here.  It was basically, "No matter who you are pulling for between Hamilton and Verstappen, you have to feel bad for Max right now."

I lean towards it is not that you get knocked down, it is what you do about it when you get back up.

To be continued.  Man is this a great season and a great comp.  So many twists.

[Ospif1]

Well it was all going so well until Max decided to brake check another car.  Ooops.