Formula 1

Glad some of the changes have come about. Starting to look forward to the new season now after feeling very angry about how the last race was handled.

Ferrari's new car is looking good. I hope they'll win some races this year. Williams new one also looking smart, hope they are a bit more competitive this year. Hope it isn't a two horse race again.

 

My take is that the main issue is not the fact LH was robbed by a decision to ignore the rules in Abu Dhabi resulting in a reversal of what should have been the WDC. It is the fact that throughout the season MV was allowed to flout the rule regarding leaving sufficient space on the outside when he came charging up the inside at hairpins with no intention and/or possibilty of making the corner without running his opponent off the track. It is (was) his 'modus operandi' which stewards and Masi seemed to exclusively allow MV to go unchecked. This is one of the main complaints other drivers had when they had the meeting to "seek clarification".

It remains to be seen if that will change this season or MV will continue with his aggressive and dangerous tactic. (For those calling out LH for doing the same he in fact did no such thing). Taking a left hander on the outside and then exiting the right hander (now on the inside) allows the driver to take the racing line on exit provided the opponent is not alongside. Taking the racing line allow him to use all track when exiting and the opponent should yield (The oft quoted Silverstone 'incident' stewards decision was IMO farcical since there was two or three car widths space on the outside when contact occurred and MV clearly turned in). Only those ignorant of F1 rules and racing or anti LH/pro MV persist with the 'LH was fully to blame' argument.

My other concern is the Masi apologists mitigating his inconsistent decision making throughout the season (although that does not explain the erratic and inexplicable decisions made by the stewards which has nearly added fuel to the conspiracy theorists) by stating he was "under pressure".
The man was appointed as race director. He has years of experience in the World of motor sports. He , presumably, was well versed and knows the rule book inside out. To add to that, Charlie Whiting was never so inconsistent and stewards under his watch seemed to apply the penalties more evenly. If he could not take the pressure he should have been removed or at the very least, put on probation and given support.
The signs were there quite early on in the season. I am sorry but if the likes of team managers were getting on my case I would have diplomatically tole them to 'f**k off' . The latest release of the conversation between him and Christian Horner was, frankly an embarrassment and an indictment of Masi's suitability for the role.

It is a mystery how that alone did not result in a clear statement within a couple of days that Masi was relieved of his role as RD. An analogy is a Premiership referee changing a decision after being subjected to pressure surrounded by players or even just the team captain.

The media have done their best to try and mitigate his appalling decisions muddying the waters . Even the rule re MVs momentary overtake under SC was reinterpreted since they stated the SC car lights were out. The rule clearly states NO overtaking or passing is allowed until the timing line is crossed. They should/could have imposed a 5 second penalty on MV which would have got them out of the media storm they created. Instead they pig-headedly tried to ride out the storm hoping it would go away and tried to protect Masi and justify the outcome. Most fair minded people and particularly long standing knowledgeable race fans saw through that.

 

Agree As per my long post above, the answer is a strong character like Charlie Whiting making the important calls was with a support person to act as a buffer who handles the team managers and some other more routine decision making -liasing with stewards etc. On track incidents and penalties need to be quicker IMO and far fewer 'incidents will be investigated after the race' calls.

 

I see Red Bull are starting to piss and moan already about Mercedes' new innovation. Christian Horner already moaning before the season has begun, you'd think he'd be happy with the result last year and just keep his mouth shut.

Adrian Newey (a legend in F1, don't get me wrong) has made a career out of pushing the regs to the maximum, so takes the piss a bit when another team outsmarts them.

Hope Ferrari and McLaren drop Red Bull down the pecking order- doubt it.

 

Best one for me was an article/interview where he said Masi had been scapegoated and had been bullied by Toto Wolff and Mercedes... Yeah right! The most worrying thing was when asked about Verstappen's agressive driving style he shrugged it off also saying in a poll, MV had been voted most popular driver (suspect it was probably influence by thousands of newbie Dutch Verstappen fans who know jack sh*t about the rules and etiquette of driving in F1. In fairness, the stewards last season did not help matters. IF MV carries on like he did last season I suspect there will be fireworks.

I really dislike CH (and I do not usually judge people I have never met) but he comes across as more than just playing a political game and more of a complete tw*t! With his current attitude I think it will just reinforce MV's belief he is doing nothing wrong.

 

I doubt I'll watch any/much of it this year.

I just can't put effort into watching a sport where such blatant cheating was undertaken by officials to gerrymander the result they wanted and was then covered up by the sports body itself.

 

I'm off to Imola next month .......... never been to a GP before - looking forward to it.

 

I felt like this and I admit to a degree I still do but going to give it a go again this year. If what happened last year continues I may have to walk away from it.

 

Id love to go to one! Very envious. My bucket list would be:

Monaco
Imola or Monza
Spa
Silverstone
COTA

 

Good call!

 

I’m looking forward to the season, possibly more than any recent seasons.

Saw that about Horner earlier and I agree with the general consensus on here. Even his voice annoys me in interviews. I’d like to see a Ferrari and Mercedes battle this year.

 

to be honest mate, that would be cheaper than two days at Imola!!

 

Same. Ricciardo is my favourite on the grid so I’d love for him to be up there fighting for podiums.

McLaren had quite a way to go but I suppose new regs can shake the field up. The first race weekend will certainly be interesting.

 

https://m.skybet.com/formula-1/bahrain-gp/event/28977165

Hamilton boosted to 10/3 to get on the podium. He's the best driver, got a great car and is only 5th on the grid. It is more than possible especially if he gets some luck.

 

I’ve gone for it but 1-4 are significantly faster. You are hoping for some reliability issues or Verstsppen barging two of them off the track.

 

In comparison to the Ferrari and Red Bull, I’m not sure he has a great car at the minute. Maybe in race conditions it might be a bit better but I still think maybe a bit short. Who knows though, anything can happen in the race.

 

All that time they had over the winter to say the Verstappen/Hamilton incident was wrong and they leave it to just before qualifying of the first race. Well, at least they admitted it was an error now. Forever be a tainted a championship for Max, in my opinion.

In regards to today, I hope Leclerc is ready for turn 1 because you just know that Verstappen will send the biggest divebomb down the inside, regardless whether Leclerc is even defending it or not. Be nice to see some red Ferraris on the podium. Hopefully Lewis can push towards the podium but I’m not sure. A lot of work to do for the driver I always root for (Ricciardo), looks like McLaren are nowhere at this early stage.