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.

[pgn]

Aramco - The Saudi Arabian Oil Company (formerly Arabian-American Oil Company, for those into acronyms) - and yes, many of the countries/states in that part of the world have major human rights issues, @Cleoriff - but they call the shots as they have the oil. Sadly.

[Cleoriff]

Aston Martin Cognizant F1 team have Aramco as one of their sponsors.

Black clouds of smoke could be seen over the F1 track during P1 and P2.

[pgn]

Nothing like keeping the drivers' minds focussed, eh? 🙄

I hope the pot-shots at the refinery cease for the duration of the F1 event. 

The American Oil Company, AMOCO, was sold to BP in the late 90's. ROSNEFT is the Russian state oil company - I'd say not many will have that logo on the race car anywhere...

[Cleoriff]

No Russian logo's or Drivers now. Nikita Mazapin was sacked from Haas (his father is a Russian Oligarch) The sponsor was Uralkali (a Russian Potash company) and that has been removed. Haas brought an ex F1 driver back to replace Mazapin (Kevin Magnussen) and joy of joys, that lad came 5th in the race last week. First time ever they have scored points. So we don't need the damn Russians!! 😂

[Cleoriff]

Not looking good for Mercs in P3.

[Cleoriff]

Into Qualifying and the big news is, Lewis Hamilton is out in Q1. Could only manage P16. Good grief!

His team mate managed P4.

In Q2 the race has been red flagged due to a horrendous crash where Mick Schumacher`hit the barrier at 160mph. Session delayed for 60 mins whilst they got Mick out of the car and cleared the track. Mick has been flown to hospital and the news is, no obvious injury but going for precautionary scans.

George Russell just through to Q3 as he managed 10th.

[Cleoriff]

Qualifying Jeddah

[Cleoriff]

Excellent race again.

Perez who started on pole for the first time in all of his racing career, lost position when he pitted just before the safety car came out. It dropped him down to 4th. Hamilton made up 10 places to 6th. Annoyingly he missed the pit lane entry just before a virtual safety car came out. After pitting he returned to the track in 12th. With only 9 laps to go he could only manage 10th.

The race was won by Verstappen, Leclerc 2nd, Sainz 3rd and Perez 4th.

After 2 races Driver standings-:

[Cleoriff]

Back in Australia again. First time since March 2019 due to Covid restrictions.

I recorded Practice 1. Mercedes haven't brought any upgrades , Ferrari and Red Bull have.

Practice 1 results

[Cleoriff]

Practice 2, looking grim for Mercedes.