Formula One 2022

[Cleoriff]

This is the year of the change to regulations and a new look for F1 cars. According to the FIA, 'it's to level the playing field'. I'm not happy with that, it's killing innovation and turning an elite sport into F2.

I may be wrong but that needs to be proved.

Anyway the 'confirmed' calendar is here.

In other news, various sports articles are showing concern that Lewis Hamilton has maintained a social media blackout since the fiasco of Abu Dhabi.

Depending on your point of view, this race was 'nearly' won by Hamilton who was 12 seconds ahead of Verstappen until 5 laps from the end when a crash by Latifi brought out a safety car. The race director who was being harangued by Toto Wolff (Mercedes manager) and Christian Horner (Red Bull manager), made some very controversial decisions in order to 'get one lap of racing'.

The outcome was, Verstappen won the race and his first championship.

Hamilton who was within 5 laps of an historical 8th WDC, behaved with utmost dignity at race end. Congratulated Verstappen and Horner. Was interviewed by Jenson Button and refused to be drawn on any comment regarding the controversy. Stood on the podium and continued to go through the motions of the celebration.

Since then nothing has been heard from him.

According to his brother Nicholas 'Lewis is fine. He's having a break Social Media can be a very toxic place'.

Further rumour is Hamilton was the one who stopped Mercedes from taking this case to the F1 Court of Appeal, which was their intention after their appeal was dismissed by the FIA in Abu Dhabi.

Anyway roll on February when the cars are revealed and March when testing begins.

[Cleoriff]

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@jonsie wrote:

Any grid penalty for Lewis @Cleoriff ?

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Nothing heard so far @jonsie  The car was running well today.

P2

[Cleoriff]

P3

[Cleoriff]

Qualy

Very interesting. Max just on pole. Then Max's team mate Perez 'conveniently' crashed out, stopping the remaining 6 drivers from doing a hot lap and Lewis was flying! So Lewis ended up 4th.

[pgn]

Oops. 😖 More bleeps on Mercedes' team radio, I read 😱 

[jonsie]

The idiots that released Tsunoda twice from the pits want banning for the two races

It was looking like being a good scrap with Max having to pit again then catch Lewis

There again I think allowing changes of tyres during safety cars or VSC's shouldn't be allowed at all

Robbed Lewis of the championship last season and possibly his first win this season

Feeling disgusted....!

[Cleoriff]

I don't blame Lewis for his rant. He was lead driver of the Mercedes team all race long. Great strategy from the team until Mercedes went for a wander around the Ferrari strategy office!! There was a possibility of a win for Lewis if they'd left Russell where he was as a rear gunner. Suddenly the rookie (not thinking of the TEAM at all) demands to go on softs , so instead of being told to stay out, in he comes, overtakes Lewis then leaves Lewis out to dry to be overtaken by Leclerc..

Also think there was something fishy about Yuki Tsunado from the RBR's sister team (Alfa Tauri) parking his car on track after telling his team there was something wrong with it, pitting twice and being told there was nothing wrong with it...then bringing out the VSC.

Oh and for all that Russell got no where near Max!

[Cleoriff]

Monza this weekend (The Temple Of Speed) and many take grid penalties

The confirmed grid penalties so far for this weekend:

Max Verstappen (5 places), Sergio Perez (10 places), Carlos Sainz (25 places), Valtteri Bottas (15 places),

Lewis Hamilton + Yuki Tsunoda (back of the grid)

Nick de Vries replaces Alex Albon who has appendicitis.

Practice 1.

Practice 2

Just about to start Practice 3.

[pgn]

Identical screenshots for P1 and P2?

Uncanny 🙃😂

[Cleoriff]

Practice 3.

[pgn]

Oops. 😢