FORMULA 1 2024

[Cleoriff]

So breaking news before the start of the 2024 season:

Lewis Hamilton appears to be making a move to Ferrari for the 2025 season

A major shock as he signed a two year contract with Mercedes last season. So whether it was one year with an opt out clause for 2025 is anyone's guess.

This seems to be anything but a silly season rumour!

MOTORSPORT: HAMILTON TO FERRARI 

SKY NEWS: HAMILTON TO FERRARI FOR 2025 

A lot more news happening but I'll post that later. For now, I need to go and have a lie down 😂

NB As Charles Leclerc has just signed a contract extension with Ferrari, it looks as if Lewis would be replacing Carlos Sainz.

It won't be a popular move. Also, not sure how Mercedes will handle that news THIS year as Lewis is driving for them until the end of 2024.

Will they put all their eggs in George Russells basket? (Hamilton came 3rd in the drivers championship last year and Russell came 8th)

Questions Questions!!🤔

[Cleoriff]

Sprint Race 24 laps

Oscar led from lap 1 and swapped positions with Norris to give him the extra point.

Sprint Races score for the top 8.

Hulkenberg's car developed a fault 2 laps from the end so a Virtual Safety car was called which means reduction of speed by 40%.

We had a last lap dash when the lights went green.

Max being investigated by stewards for an 'infringement' under the VSC.

He is already taking a 5 place grid drop in the race for an engine change.

Next up today is Qualifying.

[Cleoriff]

QUALIFYING CANCELLED!

Unfortunately a massive rainstorm hit Sao Paolo and after 3hrs the FIA cancelled Qualifying.

They are going to try and run it tomorrow morning at 9am. However rain is forecast for tomorrow as well so we have to watch Sky Sports news to see what's happening.

There is no rule set if Qualy is cancelled tomorrow.

In other words we have no idea what the RACE grid positions would be.

Oh well, try again tomorrow!!

[Cleoriff]

Weather dependent: New times for tomorrow

Fingers crossed for the rain stopping!

[jonsie]

A little rain would be good at racetime....

[Cleoriff]

QUALIFYING

The revised Qualy time took place at 10.30am this morning.

It was still raining and 5 cars crashed out. Both Williams, both Astons and Sainz for Ferrari.

Multiple red flags and it's just finished. A lot of queries as to why it took 40 seconds to throw the red flag when someone crashed on a very dangerous part of the grid. It allowed some drivers to finish their lap and others weren't given chance to finish theirs.

Also, some questionable yellow flag delays

The grid will be changed for later on today.

Max will start 17th with his engine penalty. Some of the crashed cars will be a pitlane start

[Cleoriff]

PS, Lewis went out in Q1 after having his first good laptime deleted.

He said, 'This car is undriveable'. 😂

It was a shock as he is considered to be one of the best wet weather drivers on the grid.

[Cleoriff]

Albon wont be racing. Williams can't fix his car in time.

Sainz is the only one (so far) to be starting from the pitlane.

[jonsie]

Carnage out there and Red Bull tactics again superior to the rest

So many investigations going on so heaven knows what will happen to the result after the stewards have done their deliberations....

[Cleoriff]

RACE BRAZIL

These are the current standings. However, it could all change after all the penalties are investigated. Stroll crashed on the way to the grid and they aborted the start. Unfortunately the first 4 didn't understand that and started a second formation lap.

The Two Mercedes drivers are to be investigated as their mechanics adjusted tyre pressure whilst the wheels were on and the cars were on the grid.

Piastri has a 10 second penalty for causing a collision.

Hulkenberg disqualified after the marshalls helped him back on the grid.

Sainz and Colapinto crashed during the race.

Great drive from Max to go from 17th to win the race. Mind you, he didn't pit when there was a VSC, (unlike Russell and Lando.) 2 laps later the race was red flagged, Max and the two Alpine drivers pitted under the red flag.

All investigations after the race!

[Cleoriff]

Very late last night, the penalties were announced.

The two drivers who broke the rules re the Aborted Start ie Norris and Russell, were fined $5000 dollars.

Tsunado and Lawson, who followed them weren't penalised. The stewards also reprimanded both Brits stating that Russell, the drivers representative, SHOULD know the rules about aborted starts

$5000 penalty given to Mercedes for adjusting Tyre Pressure on both cars whilst tyres on cars in grid position.

https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/norris-russell-fined-and-reprimanded-for-aborted-start-chaos-in-b...