[Gator_86_951]

On the way the Japanese are handling COVID, I find it sort of weird. I understand a lot about Japanese culture having worked with them for nearly 15 years, having lived there six months, and been in country probably totally a years worth of my 40 years - so like 2.5% percent.

They are always super cautious about stuff like this. But, then their health care system is totally brutal. Like if you have terminal cancer, unlike here, they just send you home with a kiss on the forehead. Weird.

[Multi21]

^^ That is strange about their health care system. I've always admired the Japanese culture but am no way as intimate about them as you are having lived there.

Rumors are Qatar will possible make it's way onto the F1 calendar to fill in for one of these lost races. Don't think COTA will take up a 2nd slot. Rumblings about Indy especially with their new road course are making the rounds, but doubt it would be FIA approved in time.

Moving on, one of the most anticipated venues of the year is just a few days away at SPA!!!! Love this track and hope that weather can play a part in it as well.

Spa is followed by the Dutch GP with it's high banked section and then MONZA! A great 3 race stretch in front of us.

[Scott at Team Harco]

Planning my rain dance for Spa.

The Dutch fans will be quite the spectacle. I might even watch the rebroadcast if Max wins...

[Multi21]

F1's biggest loud mouth is under investigation for insider trading leading to a very healthy profit....

https://f1i.com/news/415313-wolff-repor ... ading.html

[fast_freddy]

F1's biggest loud mouth is under investigation for insider trading leading to a very healthy profit....

https://f1i.com/news/415313-wolff-repor ... ading.html

Boy, Mercedes lives in your "kitchen". Does it bother you it's rent free?

[Multi21]

F1's biggest loud mouth is under investigation for insider trading leading to a very healthy profit....

https://f1i.com/news/415313-wolff-repor ... ading.html

Boy, Mercedes lives in your "kitchen". Does it bother you it's rent free?

Is that all you got to say Fred, com'on man, you're slipping? You know plain as day what this is and if it was an SEC investigation it would be big news. Ironic how the Germans authorities conveniently washed their hands of it saying it was a UK matter so they don't have to be the bad guys in the face of Daimler. Toto has been talking about stepping down during the past year and perhaps this had something to do with it. Don't know how the UK will handle this, but the SEC put Martha Steward in prison for less, perhaps Toto can gift them an AMG and walk away free with the UK authorities.

[SeanR]

If he was a member of the government it would not only be legal, but encouraged. Honestly don't care about this one way or the other.

[Multi21]

If he was a member of the government it would not only be legal, but encouraged. Honestly don't care about this one way or the other.

The reason I put it up is because it could affect the Mercedes F1 team principal standing if:

1. The UK authorities have any teeth like the SEC in the US.

2. Mercedes doesn't want a high profile member of their company, which just happens to be in the media every 2 seconds involved in a possible criminal investigation.

[SeanR]

If he was a member of the government it would not only be legal, but encouraged. Honestly don't care about this one way or the other.

The reason I put it up is because it could affect the Mercedes F1 team principal standing if:

1. The UK authorities have any teeth like the SEC in the US.

2. Mercedes doesn't want a high profile member of their company, which just happens to be in the media every 2 seconds involved in a possible criminal investigation.

Oh I know. I wasn't trying to disparage you for posting it. When I read about it this morning I just shook my head.

[fast_freddy]

F1's biggest loud mouth is under investigation for insider trading leading to a very healthy profit....

https://f1i.com/news/415313-wolff-repor ... ading.html

Boy, Mercedes lives in your "kitchen". Does it bother you it's rent free?

Is that all you got to say Fred, com'on man, you're slipping? You know plain as day what this is and if it was an SEC investigation it would be big news. Ironic how the Germans authorities conveniently washed their hands of it saying it was a UK matter so they don't have to be the bad guys in the face of Daimler. Toto has been talking about stepping down during the past year and perhaps this had something to do with it. Don't know how the UK will handle this, but the SEC put Martha Steward in prison for less, perhaps Toto can gift them an AMG and walk away free with the UK authorities.

Slipping? Nahhhhhh. I just don't give a shit. Martha? Her, her family and I have a "history". My mentor from childhood dated "Marty" in HS (we all grew up in Nutley, NJ) and didn't speak too highly of her (said she was a gold digger - surprise surprise and dated largely because they were Pollacks and their parents were friends) and only that she was a hot piece of ass. Her mother taught five of my six siblings in grammar school, she was a delightful lady who I spoke with often (she lived across the street from a good friend). I also played a lot of "pond hockey" with her little brother Frank. The piece de resistance was that her broker was the older brother of a friend of mine who rented a share from me at my place in Quogue, NY summer of 1988, His family was uber wealthy and descended from Croatian Royalty and his mother was a world renowned surgeon. He was a very odd duck but had a slew of super wealthy Euro-trash clients, undoubtedly cleaning up ill gotten moolah. He was grossing around $10mm/year in the mid-late 90's. When this all went down I called him and said, it's called a stop limit order you big dummy. His response was I don't think it's a good idea to talk about it (before he was convicted). Money isn't an issue for Peter Bacanovic, yet he's incessantly grabbing for more. He;s very connected and leverages it. In the end, all Martha had to do was apologize, ask how much she owed them to make it go away and be done. Hubris....

[JustBud]

Alonso's visor cam.....

[Scott at Team Harco]

That was interesting. Row 1 for tomorrow's race is wild (well - except for Max). Too bad for Norris, he could have been in the first two rows (if not pole).

Hoping for a little wet weather for tomorrow, as well. Maybe a little less than today...

[SeanR]

My favorite track strikes again. I really feel for Norris but he wasn't holding a % back on his runs. Good for Russel for sure, will make for an interesting race tomorrow.

[Multi21]

RUSSELL!!!! I look forward to him pairing against Hamilton like a fat kid looks forward to cake He's done more with less for 3 years and it's his time.

Feel for Lando and being P1 in Q1 and Q2 was impressive, but he's got to dial it back for those changing conditions. He'll have to start from pit lane and I believe that's his 3rd engine which is now ruined. Correct me I've I'm wrong, he qualified 10th, but if he takes the new engine and penalty now and starts from pit lane, he wouldn't have to take the penalty for next weekend. Is that right?

The wet conditions are supposed to continue for tomorrow!

[Gator_86_951]

I think the technical term for what Russell did in that tractor is crikey mazes. Holy Smokes!

[TRAKCAR]

Hopefully Russel won’t punt Max of the track to het the contract from Mercedes but he certainly won’t be difficult to Hamilton. If he does, hats off again to Russel.

Still waiting, these soft cocks should hold the race next door at the kart track. Let’s go!!

[Crisis]

Hoping for a little wet weather for tomorrow, as well. Maybe a little less than today...

I was of the same mind. Wet track makes for a fun race to watch.
This one isn’t happening. 2 laps for half points and that’s going to be it. Disappointing but understandable. Still a podium for Russell, even with a huge asterisk beside it.

[Scott at Team Harco]

Hoping for a little wet weather for tomorrow, as well. Maybe a little less than today...

I was of the same mind. Wet track makes for a fun race to watch.
This one isn’t happening. 2 laps for half points and that’s going to be it. Disappointing but understandable. Still a podium for Russell, even with a huge asterisk beside it.

I thought that was what I just heard. Why wouldn't they try again tomorrow? That's silly.

[Crisis]

I heard someone on the broadcast saying that having a race next weekend factored into the decision, as it pushed them too tight to be ready for it.

[Scott at Team Harco]

I heard someone on the broadcast saying that having a race next weekend factored into the decision, as it pushed them too tight to be ready for it.

Next week's race is in Holland. Travel time is less than a day. It's not like moving from one continent to another.

[SeanR]

I can't believe I was able to avoid all the spoilers and spent every hour watching it rain.

image.png

[David993S]

I heard someone on the broadcast saying that having a race next weekend factored into the decision, as it pushed them too tight to be ready for it.

Next week's race is in Holland. Travel time is less than a day. It's not like moving from one continent to another.

Scott, I heard the announcers say it takes a day and a half to disassemble everything and a day and a half to set it all up again. With the travel time to Zandvoort teams were concerned about having enough time to be ready for practice.
Sounds plausible.
Hell, it used to take me all day just to set up my EZ-up canopy and unload my 20 ft. enclosed trailer.

[SeanR]

Found this funny. I know why they do what they do though.

image.png

[Scott at Team Harco]

I heard someone on the broadcast saying that having a race next weekend factored into the decision, as it pushed them too tight to be ready for it.

Next week's race is in Holland. Travel time is less than a day. It's not like moving from one continent to another.

Scott, I heard the announcers say it takes a day and a half to disassemble everything and a day and a half to set it all up again. With the travel time to Zandvoort teams were concerned about having enough time to be ready for practice.
Sounds plausible.
Hell, it used to take me all day just to set up my EZ-up canopy and unload my 20 ft. enclosed trailer.

I get it. I'm just disappointed. I was hoping for a real race, at one of my favorite F1 circuits.

[linderpat]

Yeah, a shitty finish. I know it’s frustrating for the drivers too. I just rewatched Rush last week, and watching today made me think about that famous rain race where Nikki crashed. Right thing to not run in that weather

[Crisis]

^^^^ Exactly. A big part of me wanted them to race and see an exciting/frightening race. But then I also thought of Rush and thought “who am I to ask them to risk their lives while I sit on my couch?”

[Gator_86_951]

They were not prepared for this, but I get how it all went down. At the end of this, nobody wants to see a significant incident, especially at Eau Rouge. We have had enough of those throughout the years and the longer time goes on that we don't have a fatality in the sport the better off everybody is.

I will say when I saw Lando's shunt that was a little alarming, but only at first. You knew immediately he would be fine. To think, only a few years ago people were bemoaning the halo as somehow destroying the sport. We have seen time and time again how important that halo is, and the same with the HANS devices.

Hopefully next week provides some good racing in the dunes!

[David993S]

It was an unfortunate situation, but I understand the decision. I've raced Formula Cars in the rain and believe me it's no fun.
I feel bad for the fans. I hope the all get a refund.
But there is a silver lining........Hamilton was furious with the decision/outcome as it brought Max within 3 points. Keeping my fingers crossed for a good result for Max at Zandvoort.

[SeanR]

Love it.

[Crisis]

Had a discussion with someone at work today and had to admit that the 90 minutes of PGA golf I watched yesterday (last 3 holes of regulation and a 6 hole playoff) was far more exciting than yesterday's F1 race. Don't think that's often said.

[Multi21]

It's done. Kimi just announced his retirement at the end of this year. They broke the mold with him

George Russell to pair with Hamilton and Bottas to Alfa.

[amdavid]

[Multi21]

LOL, the irony is that he actually thinks he looks GOOD but looks more like a hobbit.

[JustBud]

"I am going to call him Noah, when he came up behind (the cars just parted)". (made hand motions instead of actually saying that)

the race I was watching Max always passed the slower car right before a DRS zone and then Lewis would get the benefit of an open wing while Max had no DRS.

I hope Max wins this championship and then GR crushes it next year on the Merc.

Could you imagine hearing James say, "Lewis, it's James, abort the fastest lap. George needs the point for the championship."

I'll leave this here....

[Crisis]

If there's something to whine about, Lewis will whine about. Hell, even if there's nothing to whine about, he'll still whine.

Even with very few position changes, other than Perez's charge through the field, it was still a fairly entertaining race. Still really enjoy watching Alonso. The sport will be poorer for it when he packs it in.

[Gator_86_951]

Did MAX putting on a clinic have anything to do with climate change according to Lewis?

[SeanR]

Looks like Valterri signed with Alpha so expect the news of George going to Mercedes very soon. So that leaves an open seat at Williams and I do hope Albon gets a seat there.

[Gator_86_951]

Me too. Albon deserves that seat and to be raced so hard. LOL.

Bigger question is who takes Antonio’s seat if he gets the boot at alpha.

[Scott at Team Harco]

In-car video of one of Max's laps in FP1.

[JustBud]

I saw somewhere Toto is a bit miffed about Albon heading to Williams.... something about a Red Bull driver in a Mercedes team......

If the Mercs become dominant again with the new cars, I desperately hope GR pulls a Nico and beats Hammilocks for the WDC next year.

I hope Giovanazzi gets another year. He is driving his tail off trying to keep his job. Somebody needs to take Mazepins place.....

[David993S]

Mercedes has signed Russell. I hope he gives Hamilton more than he can handle next year. Will he out-qualify him on a fairly regular basis? One can hope.

[Erik Lange]

They were not prepared for this, but I get how it all went down. At the end of this, nobody wants to see a significant incident, especially at Eau Rouge. We have had enough of those throughout the years and the longer time goes on that we don't have a fatality in the sport the better off everybody is.

I will say when I saw Lando's shunt that was a little alarming, but only at first. You knew immediately he would be fine. To think, only a few years ago people were bemoaning the halo as somehow destroying the sport. We have seen time and time again how important that halo is, and the same with the HANS devices.

Hopefully next week provides some good racing in the dunes!

Nyck DeVries. He's clearly the best driver out there right now that is not in F1.

[JustBud]

Mercedes has signed Russell. I hope he gives Hamilton more than he can handle next year. Will he out-qualify him on a fairly regular basis? One can hope.

Captain Hairdo is going to have his hands full next year..... with Bottas he could get that little extra to nip him in qualifying. With George it may be a different story.

[Multi21]

Rumors swirling that Giovanazzi may be out of Alfa. It's too bad as I think he's done a good job and should continue. War of words between Schumacher and Mazespin as Mick says the relationship is unrepairable. Hard to believe he would say something like that regarding a teammate he will have to race with for at least another 1.5 years. Schumacher's move to Alfa as a Ferrari junior driver may be forthcoming.

[linderpat]

In-car video of one of Max's laps in FP1.

Jeezus, it's like there is Max, then there is everyone else. He goes past F1 cars in full throat throttle like they are standing still! As someone who is an occassional weekend warrior in PCA HPDE, that video just boggles the mind. I watch it and try to keep my eyes up, look for flags, look at instruments and watch for other cars, all at the same time like you do in DE. At those speeds, it is almost unfathomable.

[Scott at Team Harco]

In-car video of one of Max's laps in FP1.

Jeezus, it's like there is Max, then there is everyone else. He goes past F1 cars in full throat throttle like they are standing still! As someone who is an occassional weekend warrior in PCA HPDE, that video just boggles the mind. I watch it and try to keep my eyes up, look for flags, look at instruments and watch for other cars, all at the same time like you do in DE. At those speeds, it is almost unfathomable.

They are actually close to standing still. Max is on a hot lap and the guys he blows past, are charging their batteries/ cooling down and preparing to get on-it when they get near the last turn. Your point is still valid - Max is at the top of the heap right now. Refreshing difference from the same old stuff of the past few years.

[linderpat]

Ah, thank you. I went back after my post and kindof figured that out too But damn, even when I watch the race he does nearly that with the slower guys at the back of the pack.

[Multi21]

RBR has released Alex Albon so he can race with Williams. Toto played hardball and got his way.

So now it seems the seats are in place for 2022 with the exception of 1 and that's if Antonio Giovanazzi will retain his seat at Alfa Romeo or not.

[Gator_86_951]

Nice to see Bottas get the pole. But, compared to Russell, I am not sure he has demonstrated the bone fides to keep that seat. Looking forward to next year with Russell.

[Multi21]

When we used to race 2 stroke 125cc Rotax karts, a refreshed engine would be appx. .4-.7 faster per lap faster. I suspect Bottas' advantage this weekend in qualifying and the Sprint race was due to that fresh engine. The interesting thing is going to be when and where both Max and Hamilton have to take their engine penalty later in the year as the broadcasters fully expect neither one to go the rest of the campaign with their current engines.

Tomorrow will be an interesting start with Max, Lando and Leclerc on the clean side of the track while RIC and Ham will be on the dirty side.