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]

Qualifying

Hamilton (who has a back of the grid penalty) only went out in Q3 to give his team mate a tow.

After all the penalties are taken into consideration, this is the final grid

[pgn]

Nailbiter tomorrow then 👍

[Cleoriff]

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@pgn wrote:

Identical screenshots for P1 and P2?

Uncanny 🙃😂

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Yes, that's the problem when I use snipping tool correctly but post P2 twice 😂😂

[Cleoriff]

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@pgn wrote:

Nailbiter tomorrow then 👍

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Yes, but not expecting Lewis to do much from 19th 😂

[Cleoriff]

Well Lewis went from 19th on the grid to 5th, so not too bad. The race finished behind the safety car when Ricciardo's car broke down on track.

Max won (from 7th) and Leclerc was 2nd. The Ferrari fans were devastated.

[jonsie]

Why is it that every safety car over the last couple of seasons just happen to have benefitted Max?

Another race ruined today....

[Cleoriff]

Although today's SC (however boring) was handled correctly. Last year in Abu Dhabi it was NOT!!

Personally I think they should have red flagged the race, cleared Ricciardo's car away and who knows?

[Cleoriff]

After a 3 week break (as we cancelled Russia) this weekend it's Singapore. One of my favourite tracks. Where Lewis Hamilton did the most magnificent pole lap in 2018. (Still spoken about today)

I love the track as it's a night street race. Fast and dangerous, surrounded by safety barriers

Practice 1

For the first time this season,  Lewis topped the leader-board. ABOUT TIME!!😂

[pgn]

Looks impressive @Cleoriff - the big wheel in the middle, and the tall buildings outside the track... Wow!

And Lewis at the top already 👍

[Cleoriff]

@pgn

I know you don't follow it but if you have Sky F1 you should just flick over in about 30 mins for P2, when it's really dark but lit up with white and blue lights, Magnificent 😂

Good job Singapore doesn't have an energy crisis. lol.