Poll: Official 2023 Singapore Grand Prix Thread - Marina Bay Street Circuit - Round 16

[chrismscotland]

Do we think Leclercs star is fading a little ? Feels like Sainz has the better of him at this moment in time and in terms of strategy it doesn't feel like Ferrari treat him as the number 1 drive and future of the team.

I think Leclerc is way over-rated to be honest - although its clear this season he's a bit fed up.

 

[chrismscotland]

RB borrowed Ferrari’s Big Book Of Stupid for the race.

Perez certainly did, not sure that can be levelled at Verstappen. They couldn't have pitted with the early safety car or they would have been running around on wheel rims at the end of the race.

 

[chrismscotland]

I think Aston's mid season factory move is taking a toll on their mid season development - they were no-where this weekend, totally out developed by McLaren and Mercedes as the season has wore on

 

[chrismscotland]

How did Max escape penalty by the way? Stopping at the end of the live pit lane in quali, crawling around the track at walking pace, not meeting minimum time and then impeding massively and ruining someone's lap (can't remember who).

He didn't escape penalty - he was reprimanded and Red Bull fined.

The first one (Pit lane) he was reprimanded for, the second one (Tsunoda) Red Bull were fined $5000 for not communicating that Tsunoda was approaching, the final one (Sargeant) the stewards accepted the explanation that any movement left or right could have resulted in a collision are there were cars all around - Sargeant also told the stewards that he didn't believe that Max was at fault and that he could have got passed him.

 

[chrismscotland]

Fixed that last one for you

Think hamilton is showing his class, sitting 3rd in the championship only 43 points behind a red bull when only really having 3rd or 4th fastest car all season

Honestly - don't ever edit my stuff again to post utter ********

What possible motive does Sergeant driving for the very Mercedes linked Williams Team have to help out Red Bull?

 

[chrismscotland]

I think Merc cooked their tyres hunting down the Ferrari's and Norris - another few laps and Sainz/Norris would probably have been on rims too but the sheer speed at which Mercedes were going to catch up can't have been good for the longevity of the rubber.

 

[chrismscotland]

Extremely telling that Alpha Tauri sent no representative to argue their case for being impeded though. It’s time the FIA insisted the team be sold as it’s now abundantly clear, if it wasn’t enough already, that they’re Red Bull 2.0 and can’t or won’t act independently.

I mean they are Red Bull 2.0 - owned by the same company, why would you expect them to act independently?

 

[chrismscotland]

George has embarrassed himself this season. He's become much more unlikeable than when he was the underdog at Williams and seemed more content and grateful of the chance to compete. At Merc, he's made some weird statements/remarks and his behaviour has changed. He is highlighting that it's not just about being quick, something Max is now much more mature with now. It's about picking your moments and remaining calm and focussed. He buckles under pressure and often during battle comes off worse.

I thought Lewis was very mature. He clearly caught George and had more pace and was being held up. George kept on claiming he had the pace all race sat behind Carlos, but when it came to making a move and attacking, he couldn't. Lewis could have had a moan about being let through but instead, "George needs to get the pace up if he can" I thought was pretty tame and respectful given the situation. Lewis could have had a proper attack and nabbed at least second there. George is over trying at times and has become desperate.

Where George is in the championship is not awful given the issues they had this season, but then you look at Hamilton sitting 3rd in often the 4th fastest car. All weekend George was on top in pace over Lewis overall, until that final stint on mediums where the maturity of a 7 time champ shone through imo. That's the difference between Lewis, Max, Alonso and the rest imo.

I've always thought Russell had a bit of an arrogant streak, probably because despite being in a Williams he was always the "anointed" Merc driver, and I gave him the benefit of the doubt as a young driver doing a good job in a crap car.

But now at times it feels like he's a bit too big for his boots, compared to other young drivers of a similar era like Norris, Albon or even Piastri who all seem far more likeable and humble.

He needs to prove himself, at this point I don't see him being a nailed on replacement for Hamilton as Merc No 1 when he does retire, I've seen little in his F1 career to suggest so far that he's not a Rosberg, Bottas or Barrichello, a very quick, good driver - but not on the level of Hamilton, Alonso or Verstappen.

I think it's makes a mockery that MV didn't get a penalty for the YT block.

It was clearly a block. I thought one of the new aims was to make f1 rules more consistent. This was a clear case of that not being true.



I believe Russell has dropped. A bit this year. Hamilton is the more rounded driver. And yes, more likeable now too.

I have to agree on Hamilton, I've never been a big fan of his at all but I feel he's got older and wiser now and certainly comes across better than he did before, and certainly better than his team-mate.

 

[chrismscotland]

Not sure why the commentators thought merc were likely winners at the end. At peak tyre life they weren't closing in fast enough. And we know how hard it is to overtake.

Glad they tried. It was Worth it. (if Russell didn't bin it)

I thought Crofty was going to have to change his trousers at one point with the excitement.....

 

[chrismscotland]

Yeh. It really looked like in that last stint in Singapore, Lewis managed to not only be faster, but also manage the tyres better (although in some respects those go hand in hand as you get into the stint) than George. I think George over cooked them on the first few laps and went hell for leather trying to catch the pack. By the time he did, his tyres were starting to go, and he not only lost his shot at Norris/Sainz but looked very vulnerable to Lewis as well.

Russell probably thought he was safe enough if he did cook the tyres, likely expecting that Lewis would stay put behind him (had he not barrelled into the wall)