Open Wheel Racing 2021, anyone there to watch?

[Russell Jaslow]

man…Hamilton a half second better than Verstappen…is REd Bull sandbagging?

There was speculation that both Red Bull and Ferrari did not turn up their engines in practice.

[Spartanforlife4]

The Horner story may not be over… a Google drive doc was sent to hundreds of journalists that supposedly contains the evidence of the investigation.

[Whalers]

The Horner story may not be over… a Google drive doc was sent to hundreds of journalists that supposedly contains the evidence of the investigation.

That drop isnt evidence. They already looked into this and "found no evidence". There is no there, there and nobody knows who the "Big Guy" is, so stop asking. Most importantly 51 former drivers, team principals and FIA officials signed a letter saying that this is just Russian Disinformation and Bernie Ecc is a stooge of Putin.

Sincerely, Kepler

[MichVandal]

Yeah, it’s kind of crazy. Is Audi actually going to move for complete control of Sauber? Just last week there were rumors that due to a key officer leaving they might pull back. It must be a fun time to be a motor sports journalist!

re: Horner….i hope there wasn’t a payoff to make the situation go away…although I suppose if that were the case Ford would be squawking.

man…Hamilton a half second better than Verstappen…is REd Bull sandbagging?

The Race did a small thing about VW a few months ago, wondering why F1 continues to try to get them in spite of them not being part of F1 since the 30’s. VW has expressed “interest” and pulled back countless times- and this appears to be that, again. When Andretti got GMs backing to race.

I may not support Mike, but it’s clear he wants to be part of F1 while VW can’t commit.

[Spartanforlife4]

Didn't realize the first two weeks were Saturday races this year. And after qualifying it's same old same old. Verstappen takes the pole by a wide margin.

[Russell Jaslow]

Didn't realize the first two weeks were Saturday races this year. And after qualifying it's same old same old. Verstappen takes the pole by a wide margin.

I got the feeling Ferrari messed up Q3 which prevented them from having a shot.

In any case, it will come down to whether Ferrari cured their race pace issue and if Mercedes has something there that they seem to think they do. Because they can gang up on Verstappen since once again Perez is not there to protect Max.

EDIT: Considering Leclerc's time in Q2 would have won pole, it certainly appears something went wrong in Q3.

[Kepler]

Quali delta, by team:

6 Aston Martin
6 Mercedes
5 Haas
5 Williams
4 Red Bull
2 Ferrari
1 Alpine
1 McLaren
1 Sauber

[MichVandal]

Based on those last 20 laps, this season is over already. Both Red Bulls were fast over the last tire change on a track that is rough on tires. Neither slowed at all. This is very bad for fans.

[Spartanforlife4]

Max was up 4 seconds after 5 laps. And there's still 23 more races.

[Russell Jaslow]

Based on those last 20 laps, this season is over already. Both Red Bulls were fast over the last tire change on a track that is rough on tires. Neither slowed at all. This is very bad for fans.

Compounded by the other teams having problems -- overheating, braking issues, steering wheel problems -- and falling flat on their designs (Aston Martin, maybe McLaren, definitely Alpine).

[MichVandal]

Compounded by the other teams having problems -- overheating, braking issues, steering wheel problems -- and falling flat on their designs (Aston Martin, maybe McLaren, definitely Alpine).

McLaren wasn’t nearly as bad as Alpine.

[Russell Jaslow]

McLaren wasn’t nearly as bad as Alpine.

Nobody was nearly as bad as Alpine. :-)

My goodness, last row in qualifying and the last two finishing spots amongst cars who didn't lose a lap from issues.

[Kepler]

Based on those last 20 laps, this season is over already. Both Red Bulls were fast over the last tire change on a track that is rough on tires. Neither slowed at all. This is very bad for fans.

F1 reddit is suicidal. They think racing is dead. Predicting 50% viewership loss by the end of the season.

How soon until the FIA finds something "wrong" with the Red Bull cars? Or will they just let Max win every race by 22 seconds?

[MichVandal]

F1 reddit is suicidal. They think racing is dead. Predicting 50% viewership loss by the end of the season.

How soon until the FIA finds something "wrong" with the Red Bull cars? Or will they just let Max win every race by 22 seconds?

The Horner situation may take care of it. Apparently, Jos Verstappen has demanded that Horner step down. I doubt the irony of that demand has been recognized.

But if Horner goes, apparently Newey does as well.

[Spartanforlife4]

F1 reddit is suicidal. They think racing is dead. Predicting 50% viewership loss by the end of the season.

How soon until the FIA finds something "wrong" with the Red Bull cars? Or will they just let Max win every race by 22 seconds?

I had that thought yesterday. They had a perfect storm of DTS and the 2021 season to increase viewers. But who is going to stick around as a casual if it’s going to be predetermined? The race was over at turn 1 yesterday.