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!!🤔

[jonsie]

Hamilton taken out at the first corner by Verstappen...or vice versa 😂

[Cleoriff]

I think Lewis will be doiing the rain dance overnight @jonsie. When they interviewed him he said 'he knew when the rain started he had a chance' He is a great wet weather driver.

Sprint race gives points and sets the grid for qualifying..

[jonsie]

Yes Lewis has had some memorable drives in the rain when all around him the others were struggling for traction and grip

So yes, bring on the deluge from the skies!

[Cleoriff]

SPRINT Race.

19 laps of great racing. Hamilton took the lead from Norris on the first lap. Lovely to see Lewis lead a race (if only for 8 laps of 19)

A few punctures towards the end. Lewis hung onto 2nd. What a race!

The first 8 are given points from 8 down to 1.

[Cleoriff]

QUALIFYING Q1

After doing so well in the Sprint Hamilton in OUT in Q1

Also the home hero Zhou is out. Ah well onto Q2 !

[pgn]

Moves are afoot, methinks 🤐

[Cleoriff]

QUALY 2

Bottom five are out.

Sainz crashed and took front wing off. Drove it back to pits and the fixed it ready for him to Qualify 3rd in the 2nd sector!

[Cleoriff]

QUALY 3 / GRID FOR RACE TOMORROW.

[Cleoriff]

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@pgn wrote:

Moves are afoot, methinks 🤐

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@pgn 

According to Lewis, both cars had different set ups.

Anyone who studies Mercedes boss, Toto Wolffs face when Lewis does well, will know it's completely different this year. No joy shown (as seen for every other year) There is no reaction at all.

In fairness though, I've just heard LH had a real snap of oversteer on his last flying lap which lost him 6/10ths THAT was enough to put him into 5th. So his own fault really.

[pgn]

The scowl, yes, that makes sense - but the driver has to make the best of what he is given, assuming the team are in to win... So if they give him second best car, then perhaps a bit of oversteer is called for: "give the better driver the better car if you want better results"?