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]

QUALIFYING

Q1

Bottom 5 are out

[Cleoriff]

Q2 Bottom 5 are out

[Cleoriff]

Q3 and Race grid for tomorrow

Stewards investigating Verstappen for going too slow when Russell was on a hot lap.

[Cleoriff]

After meeting with the stewards post qualifying, Max Verstappen has lost pole and it's been given to Russell!

A very weird penalty (1 place drop) as it seems Russell was NOT on a hot lap. He also messsed up the lap regardless of Max so probably wouldn't have been so fast!

Not a good look for the new race director to look as if he is favouring a driver.

https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/verstappen-loses-qatar-gp-pole-after-one-place-grid-penalty/10678... 

[Cleoriff]

QATAR RACE.

This was a race with more penalties and safety cars than expected.
Max was past Russell within a few milliseconds of the start.
Lewis got a false start penalty of 5 seconds and then 10 seconds for speeding in the pitlane.

He also got a puncture for running over a broken mirror on track.

Sainz """"""""""""""""" for running over the same mirror. Complaints from everyone that the Race Director didn't pull out the safety car until 4 laps AFTER the mirror was reported.

Lando got a 10 seconds stop and go for going too fast under double yellows and 10 seconds for speeding under the safety car.

He was, until he had to serve these penalties, in 2nd place.

Multiple other penalties for various drivers causing crashes.

[Cleoriff]

After 13 years with Mercedes AMG F1 team, Abu Dhabi this weekend is the last time Lewis Hamilton will race for this team.

The compliments and ovations are flowing in. This will be an emotional weekend.

The 2024 F1 season concludes this weekend at the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi. It will also mark the 246th and final Grand Prix with Mercedes for Lewis Hamilton in F1.

Before the season curtain call, Toto reflects on the special partnership that comes to an end on Sunday.

After 12 incredible years, we get ready to write the final chapter in our racing story with Lewis this weekend. It has been quite a journey. When we first started working together in 2013, we couldn't have imagined what was to come.

Six Drivers' World Championships. Eight Constructors' titles. Eighty-four wins. Seventy-eight pole positions. One hundred and fifty-three podium finishes. The most successful driver and team partnership in F1 history. Many highs that we have enjoyed. Some crushing lows that we've overcome together.

Our relationship has meant so much more than just numbers and statistics, though. It is a legacy that transcends our sport, with a lasting impact beyond the racetrack. One that has strived to increase diversity in our sport. To fight for inclusion. Lewis has been the catalyst for so much of this and we have been honoured and proud to work hand-in-hand with him. That work won't stop at the end of this year. But it began because of the impetus led by Lewis.

This weekend is a celebration. A celebration of everything that we have accomplished together. Lewis' association with Mercedes goes back 26 years. Every lap of his career so far has been powered by the three-pointed star.

We will honour this unparalleled story in Abu Dhabi and across the following week as we visit Kuala Lumpur, Stuttgart, then finally Brixworth and Brackley. And honour it knowing that, while this phase of our relationship is coming to an end, Lewis will always be a part of our family.

For now, though, our full focus is on the race weekend. There is no better way to mark the end of our time together than with a strong performance on the track. The entire team is focused on adding one more highlight to the reel. We also want to end the season on the front foot.

That will help us carry momentum into the winter and onwards as we open the next chapter in our story in 2025. With George as the senior driver and Kimi as an exciting rookie talent, our future is bright. But let's end this present chapter in the right way.

Thank you, Lewis: for one final time, let's do this.

Toto

[jonsie]

I just hope they give him a car worthy of his brilliance!

[Cleoriff]

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@jonsie wrote:

I just hope they give him a car worthy of his brilliance!

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@jonsie 

It would be great . He's been so professional about keeping his mouth shut.

It's obvious his car is different to the one George is running.

Bradley Lord said after Brazil that they were no more upgrades but Lewis was testing 'small parts' for the 2025 car!! It's a bit much as he won't be racing for them next year!

Also Ted Kravitz was explaining in his Notebook section, that the new floor wasn't working so they took it off. However, the cost cap wouldn't allow them to use another new floor. George crashed with it and then it was put back on Lewis' car with these new small parts.

Meanwhile George was given the Silverstone spec car! As we all know, that's the race winning car used by Lewis.

I know they have to prioritise George as he's staying but Lewis doesn't suddenly lose the ability to race fast and win.

Well, I never thought I'd become a member of the Tifosi, but from next year, I'll be cheering Lewis on in his red Ferrari. I can't stand George. I think he's become arrogant and driven by ego. He's no team player and I doubt he'll ever become a WDC.

[jonsie]

Yes I'll be firmly in the Ferrari camp next season

It was very interesting reading about Max's opinion of George Russell

I don't particularly like Max but he has gone up a notch in my opinion of him

Maybe I'll be one of the Orange brigade?

[MI5]

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@jonsie wrote:

Maybe I'll be one of the Orange brigade?

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As long as it's papaya