Formula One 2021.

[Cleoriff]

So the new season will start in March and Australia was planned as usual to be the opening track. Now it looks set to be cancelled. (March 21st)

I have heard via someone who lives in Australia that although Covid related, nothing to do with that per se. More due to the fact, they are not prepared to run it without spectators. It's a street circuit and they make millions from the fans and ticket prices.

I'm inclined to agree with that. The Covid Bubble teams have put in place seemed to work well, 3 drivers out of 20 catching a mild dose and 3 team staff...

https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/formula-1-season-opener-in-australia-set-for-postponement/4935595... 

It means that the Bahrain Grand Prix scheduled for 28 March now looks poised to become the 2021 season opener.

[Anonymous]

@Cleoriff No I did't hear that from Verstappen but he does get shirty far too easily though doesn't he, lol.

I think Norris is too good a driver to mess up the start for others, but it will be interesting to see what happens at the start with Norris in second position. 

[Cleoriff]

Mercedes better pull their socks up. You would have thought they should have done better on the day they announce LH has signed for another two years. I felt gutted for him when the camera cut to him after Qualy and he was still in the car with his head in his hands.

[Cleoriff]

WELL!! Never seen a race with so many penalties ! Lando was running 2nd, came together with Perez and  given 5 seconds and still managed to get into 3rd. Lewis was up in 2nd at one time and his tyres were dropping off.  Pit stop made no difference. Bottas was given permission to race LH and passed him.

Another stop for him to get fastest lap. Missed out on that, it went to Max. So LH is now 32 points ahead of Lewis.

[Cleoriff]

[Anonymous]

@Cleoriff The first two penalties (Norris on Perez and then Perez on Leclerc) were unjustified and just racing incidents imo, but the third one (Perez on Leclerc) was a penalty imo, Perez moves to the right and pushes him off in quite dangerous way imo. But the whole penalty thing makes no sense even if they were all justified: The first penalty of 5 seconds given to Norris was less of a time penalty then what he actually gained, and if Perez was guilty of one 5 second penalty, then surely a second offence in the same race should be more strictly dealt with than just another 5 second penalty. With all the penalties and apparent shoving of track, Hamilton manages to damage his car by just going over a sausage kerb! - It's just not going to be his year, and anyway Verstappen was miles faster all weekend.

[Cleoriff]

They were handing out penalties like sweeties @Anonymous

Norris didnt touch Perez in the first incident. I've watched it 3 times lol. However, it's always  the same when Derek Warwick or Mika Salo are in the steward box.

Red Bull brought upgrades to Austria so I'm not surprised Max was 'miles faster'.

Apparently Merc are getting some upgrades for Silverstone when they start that stupid sprint race to decide who  gets pole!!

As for Hamilton, yes he damaged his floor by going over the sausage kerbs but other drivers did the same and sustained no damage. According to James Allison it wasn't just going over the kerbs which caused floor damage.

Pleased Merc gave Bottas the go ahead to overtake LH. Should shut up the haters who say LH would never be given the team order to let Bottas through.

Also great to hear LH say Norris was a great driver, over the radio for all to hear.

Yes I agree it looks as if it's Max's year as he is 32 point ahead. However in 2018 Hamilton was 40 points down to Vettel and went on to win after the summer break....

[Anonymous]

@Cleoriff Yeah you're right about the Penalties and Warwick, it's always the same with him - It's like because he is a steward he thinks he has to be seen to be doing something every race. I just read that in all, there were seven penalties handed out during the race and 11 drivers were summoned to the stewards after the race! 

I remember that in 2018 with Vettel, but I can't see that happening this year with Verstappen.

[Cleoriff]

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@Anonymous wrote:

@Cleoriff Yeah you're right about the Penalties and Warwick, it's always the same with him - It's like because he is a steward he thinks he has to be seen to be doing something every race. I just read that in all, there were seven penalties handed out during the race and 11 drivers were summoned to the stewards after the race! 

I remember that in 2018 with Vettel, but I can't see that happening this year with Verstappen.

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No, me neither if honest @Anonymous. Seb went to pieces when LH was chasing him down and made a lot of spinning mistakes. Max is a different 'kettle of fish' and he would carry on fighting. I don't think it will be long before those two come together in a crash. 

[Anonymous]

@Cleoriff Australia is off again this year, but still another scheduled 11 races to go, still a long way to go then really... 

Maybe if Hamillton can get a couple of wins together he could still have a chance, but needs to get them fast, but it's the consistancy he needs more than anything. I just hope he has a good home race at Silverstone.

Looking forward to Zandvoort early September, awesome track - Be great if Hamillton could get a win there on Verstappens home ground.  

[Cleoriff]

Didn't realise Australia had been cancelled (again) I've not been on F1 social media today. Damn that's one race less for Hamilton to catch up! Fingers crossed for Silverstone then!