Poll: Austrian Grand Prix 2021, Spielberg - Race 9/23
- Thread starter Shimmy
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Soldato
Like the British fans cheered when Rosberg retired from the Silverstone race a few years ago? Like the British fans when Vettel retired similarly? Don't pretend it's anti-Hamilton, it happens everywhere
Soldato
I see that sense of grievance is still ready and waiting to bubble to the surface of the Hamilton fans on here
The last time we saw this on the regular was when Rosberg was beating him to the '16 title and suddenly it was because Rosberg was a cheat and the team were against Lewis and nobody likes Rosberg and...
Soldato
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Amazing lap from Lando!!! fantastic stuff, looking at the times he & Max were in their own league - in a McLaren as well is impressive.
I think Mercedes car is the issue this year, Hamilton isn't 100% on it, 99.5 maybe, I think they got comfy winning & perhaps didnt put as much into the car as they should have - thinking with the rule changes next year they will just 'roll with it' - where as other teams saw the rule changes as a chance this year to put in 110% & now its paying off - Red bull obviously ahead, but others are also keeping pace on the Merc.
Unless Lewis can find some fire and Merc really work on what they have, Max has it this year - I think Lewis signed up for 2 more years so he can bag an 8th title, perhaps Merc put all their effort into next years car ?
I think Mercedes car is the issue this year, Hamilton isn't 100% on it, 99.5 maybe, I think they got comfy winning & perhaps didnt put as much into the car as they should have - thinking with the rule changes next year they will just 'roll with it' - where as other teams saw the rule changes as a chance this year to put in 110% & now its paying off - Red bull obviously ahead, but others are also keeping pace on the Merc.
Unless Lewis can find some fire and Merc really work on what they have, Max has it this year - I think Lewis signed up for 2 more years so he can bag an 8th title, perhaps Merc put all their effort into next years car ?
Qually wasnt bad apart from the inevitability of Maxine on poll... but wow.. Lando.... incredible job and wow .. George on the mediums in Q3 on pace. British fans will be well served when Lewis does eventually retire (?!).
Must be a hard season for Danny Ricc and Nicky Latifi (who must be praying George goes to Merc soon!)
Must be a hard season for Danny Ricc and Nicky Latifi (who must be praying George goes to Merc soon!)
Latifi probably knows why he's in the sport. It's DR who must be hurting. He's always thought he was In the better 7-8/10 group. And he was. He's the driver I'm most bemused about.
Ocon.. He was never as good as those few good races.. Expected
Hamilton... Car just isn't good enough.. Expected
Max.. Good car great driver... Expepected
Known that this season Russell and norris are on the up amazing result but not unexpected
Alonso.. He's now up to speed and blapping Ocon... Amazing turn around but probably expected.
Ferrari having a few great races.. Nothing unusual there. Those tracks are very different
DR.. Near the back in a car capable of 2nd? Completely bemused
DR is the only surprise in the grid.
I am salivating over Hamilton vs Russell. I mean Hamilton has to beat him. If he doesn't it's gonna fuel the haters. And there are a lot of them.
I don't support any drivers so it's quite interesting seeing some of these scenarios play out
The rules changes for this year affecting rake have had a massive impact on Mercedes and Aston Martin. This isnt to do with Mercedes lack of investment, the rules were changed specifically to upset their car design. Red Bull et-al didn't have to change their car design for this year,Mercedes did.
Never in a million years would we have expected a Mclaren to outperform a Mercedes in quali on raw pace this year.
me too.. Danny Ricc is a great driver and surprising to see his troubles.
Also very much looking forward to George vs Lewis... I really rate George (and of course Lewis) so should be a titanic battle, unless George were signed with a "#2 contract" to learn from Lewis... which I hope wouldnt happen
Haha it's funny isn't it. I used to hate Vettel but he has grown on me over the last year or two. A bit. I think we always saw he was not quite as good a racer as some of the other competitors and that's what was annoying as he was a bit of a "win from the front only" type of driver. I think part of the hatred really was more Redbull through Christian Horner though. I despise that moaning little ***** and how much he loves the sound of his own voice.
I think if Valteri keeps on cruising in just behind Lewis in quali and races, there isn't really a need to rock the boat at Merc. They have a nice balance there that works for them so I don't think George's seat is a given at all.
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If merc don't take him soon, someone else will.
Soldato
Sky asked him the question yesterday about next season, he played it with a fairly straight bat and gave a diplomatic answer about how he trusts Mercedes. Also said he'd be in a car with a Mercedes engine next season.
Considering there is 4 Merc powered teams and 2 of them I can't see a seat (McLaren are locked in with who they have and Aston aren't dumping Vettel or Stroll!) that leaves him where he is or the works team.
To be honest if Mercedes don't come through with a seat next season I think he's stuck at Williams again, the other teams which would be an upgrade for him aren't going to be looking for anyone next season.
Considering there is 4 Merc powered teams and 2 of them I can't see a seat (McLaren are locked in with who they have and Aston aren't dumping Vettel or Stroll!) that leaves him where he is or the works team.
To be honest if Mercedes don't come through with a seat next season I think he's stuck at Williams again, the other teams which would be an upgrade for him aren't going to be looking for anyone next season.
Soldato
Max with his army of fans 
Who? Probably Aston Martin is the best seat that is feasible... or Williams... Ferrari or Red Bull teams won't cos Merc manage him....and Macca have Danny and Lando on long contracts
Seb is a very funny and dare I say, educated sounding, man. Very personable... But much like I dont want to forgive Mazepin's many "crimes", I still cringe inwardly at the mention of "Multi 21" and how he shafted Mark Webber so many times.
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I don't know, but anyone who invested in an underperforming driver might be tempted - how would Mclaren feel if Lando continues getting podiums while DR struggles to get to Q2 - they couldn't bare a non performing driver for too long. Maybe RB will scoop him up over Perez - Russell and Max would be an explosive pair - and it would remove Russell as an assett from Merc.
There aren't any super obvious paths - really I think Bottas is going to be gone; all he brings at the moment is no threat to Lewis - doesn't hold up the RB's, but paradoxically doesn't make it easy for his team mate.
Soldato
Russell's car is ****** 
How can one person be so unlucky?
Williams now saying it looks ok..
How can one person be so unlucky?
Williams now saying it looks ok..
Man of Honour
Horner said yesterday that they would be "sitting down" with Perez so sounds like he's staying for 2022; I can't see McLaren sacking DR at the end of the season either even if he doesn't "click" with the car this year
The reality is that if Merc don't take Russell he's got very very few other options next year other than to stay at Williams
Agreed, DR won’t be sacked or leave just because he can’t get in with this years car.
Associate
I would love to hear Paul’s insight on the grid at the minute but the people at Sky doing the sound mix think that the sounds of generators running is far more important.
Soldato
Interesting anthem..