F1 2024

[Batgirl]

There has been a few races more since Monaco. Just looking at the results one might think that the Canadian GP and the Spanish GP were the usual Red Bull dominance but Norris' second podium position at both really shows McLaren impressively edging closer to Red Bull.

CANADA

1. Verstappen 

2. Norris 

3. Russell 

4. Hamilton

5. Piastri

6. Alonso

7. Stroll

8. Ricciardo

9. Gasly

10. Ocon

Very bad race in Canada for Ferrari with Sainz a DNF after he and Albon clashed, both cars retired. LeClerc retired with a power unit issue.

I really wonder where Sainz will end up next year. Ocon's contract was announced as not to be renewed after he crashed into Gasly in an unsafe overtake in Monaco. The move looked ludicrous on tv replay. When a team is not doing well for the year the worst thing a driver can do for his future is take out his team mate! I really wonder how Ocon could have considered that move.

Dan Ricciardo managed to finish 8th in the Canadian GP but a 15th in the Spanish GP. I think his days are numbered at RB. I would like it if they let him finish the year with RB but Horner is such a brutal black and white decision maker even his favouritism for Daniel won't stop him replacing Ricciardo midyear.

The Canadian race was a rainy one which is far more exciting for viewers hoping for different results. Logan Sargent DNF which is often the case. Norris was disadvantaged by the safety car. A lot of overtaking by Norris and Russell against each other for second place.

Many DNFs with Perez spinning into the wall, Sainz crashed into Albon when he spun at Lap 54.

Russell managed many maneouvres this race, beating Hamilton to be third on the podium.

The Spanish race had no DNFs ! Russell lead the race passing Norris, the pole sitter and Verstappen sitting in second. It didn't last long but it was exciting. A bad pit stop of 5.3 seconds for Russell didn't help him but he really is driving like someone with more confidence in his ability and attacking far more than before. Good on you George ! I am becoming a Russell fan. He gets a lot of flack on social media but his style is his style, and he seems to not mind taking a laugh at himself these days so credit to him. 

Norris explained that his poor start cost him a possible win. Norris is so hungry for another win and I hope Austria is the next one for him!

SPAIN

1. Verstappen
2. Norris
3. Hamilton
4. Russell
5. Leclerc
6. Sainz
7. Piastri
8. Perez
9. Gasly
10. Ocon

[Gene Hunt]

https://www.instagram.com/p/C84g1HkILok

What a weekend!

[Batgirl]

Wow ! What a race to be at. Good for you.

When we all expected a Verstappen victory, it was such a surprise and it was riveting to watch the competition between Lando and Max. I was glad that I'd stayed up late to watch it live (after midnight). It was a race with a lot of penalties handed out!

There were a lot of views (and I agree) that Max blocked Lando with a ten second penalty declared at lap 68. Pity that Lando's car couldn't return to the track after pitting. So close for Oscar Piastri coming second.

I would have liked to have seen Lando pass Max and get the win but happy for George Russell to win.

Lando will certainly be striving for a win at Silverstone!

 

[Gene Hunt]

What a Quali session at Silverstone!!!    

[Batgirl]

The result at Silverstone - That win was SO due and the catch up and passing Red Bull by Mercedes and McLaren makes the rest of the season a very exciting prospect for us fans! 

   

[Del Boy]

It was a good race indeed. Glad to see the field caught up with the Red Bulls. Long may it continue.

[Batgirl]

Hungary was a race full of controversy for Red Bull and McLaren.

Why the flip did McLaren bring Lando in first when team plan was to bring Piastri in first.

They created the issue which took the shine off Piastri’s win. Imo the team radio was an embarrassment. 

I was not impressed with Lando’s response or lack of response to the initial radio messages. Of course I am a fan of Australian, Oscar Piastri and have been waiting for him to get his first win so my view is skewed by that.

Lando lost the start whereas Piastri gained it. Piastri certainly has a lot more calmness and coolness under pressure than Norris. Emotions are high in Norris. Where they progress from here in the team will be interesting. Piastri is a force that Norris can’t ignore.

Verstappen rarely let Perez pass even under team orders famously as he held a grudge against his Monaco win. There may be different personalities in racing and the desire to win becomes the only acceptable result for some drivers. Verstappen’s radio communications were brutally disrespectful to his engineer and team. He was frustrated by not being the quickest, with the undercut, and strategy.

Verstappen’s airborne fly through the air when he hit Hamilton’s car brought back memories of their old battles! This race was certainly worth watching.

Final results
1 Oscar Piastri McLaren
2 Lando Norris McLaren
3 Lewis Hamilton Mercedes
4 Charles Leclerc Ferrari
5 Max Verstappen Red Bull
6 Carlos Sainz Ferrari
7 Sergio Pérez Red Bull
8 George Russell Mercedes
9 Yuki Tsunoda RB
10 Lance Stroll Aston Martin
11 Fernando Alonso Aston Martin
12 Daniel Ricciardo RB
13 Nico Hulkenberg Haas
14 Alexander Albon Williams
15 Kevin Magnussen Haas
16 Valtteri Bottas Sauber
17 Logan Sargeant Williams
18 Esteban Ocon Alpine
19 Guanyu Zhou Sauber
20 Pierre Gasly Alpine DNF

[Gene Hunt]

I think McLaren made awful decisions in Hungary.  The pit call and the decision to force Lando to give way for Piastri when Lando was clearly the quicker driver in that part of the race. Oscar fell off the track twice trying to keep up with Lando. Bad call especially when Lando was the only realistic challenger to Verstappen for the title. Imagine he should go on to lose the title by those last points...

Verstappen has reverted to type. He's had a rocket ship since the start of the 2022 campaign and had no challenge from any driver or team for 2 and a half seasons. Now the others have caught up, he has once again reverted to dangerous driving and whining on the radio, blaming everyone but himself when he loses.

Gene.

[Batgirl]

I'm going to have to remember to check the news the day after a race to really know who won.

I watched the Belgium GP and switched off the telly thinking 'Good job George'. George Russell seems to have been improving and maturing as a driver so the win at the Belgian track wasn't unexpected.

Seeing a week later that Lewis Hamilton had been elevated from second to first and George Russell disqualified due to the car being underweight was a shock! Disappointing for Russell and I've never seen reports of an underweight car before so don't understand why this hasn't been a more regular occurrence but as it seems to be avoidable then Mercedes are at fault. Made a huge difference in points for the team.

[Batgirl]

Thrilled to hear that Alpine has announced who will replace Estaban Ocon in 2025.

It is Jack Doohan, who is currently a reserve driver. He has been part of their driver academy since 2022.

He is Australian and the son of well know former 500cc motorcycle world champion Mick Doohan.

Really glad to hear that Jack has been appointed at Alpine. I think they are a good team to start at and he will be a good steady team mate for Gasly. Nice one Jack !