It will be a hectic start, the grid is all out of order and its not a circuit for overtaking. I predict carnage!

 

Miami? I’ll try to reserve judgement, but street circuits generally suck in comparison to purpose built racetracks.

 

This seems to more like Albert Park and is purpose-built.




Meanwhile in Italy the rain at Imola has been quite heavy over parts of the circuit and the rainfall radar predicts that light rain will linger for the first hour of the race.

 

Wild race so far. Hope Max can keep it going. Bad luck in previous Italian tours.

 

So good to see McLaren strong. Great work

 

So HAM gets bailed out by a clash between BOT and RUS...

 

Bottas doing his job as a number 2!

I blame Russell for the crash but Bottas shouldn’t even have been battling Russell.

 

Russell a little bit petulant. Dry conditions and there was enough room. Wet line and a slight turn in that straight and the rears let go. I think there was undertones of “you’re in my seat Valterie and I’m coming through”

 

Toto probably shouldn't have said much after the incident as he is implying that Russell is not allowed to pass a Mercedes.

“The whole situation should have never happened,” Wolff said. “Valtteri had a bad first 30 laps, and shouldn’t have been there. But George should have never launched into this manoeuvre, considering that the track was drying up.


“It meant taking risks, and the other car is a Mercedes in front of him. In any driver’s development, for a young driver, you must never lose this global perspective.


“So yeah, lots to learn for him I guess.”

https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/wolff-russell-lots-to-learn-f1-crash-bottas/6332955/

 

Thats a ‘stay in your lane, young pup’ if I ever seen it.

 

Cracking race. Riccardo needs to acclimatise quickly to his new team. Thoroughly trounced. So was Vettel so not a big indicator yet.

 

So was Alonso!

 

Toto is not saying Russel can’t pass a Merc, he is saying don’t crash into a Merc, it is not going to advance your career as a junior Mercedes driver hoping to get a seat with Mercedes.

 

Lando is my choice too, but I think the investment in George will keep him next in line unless he further blots his copy book.

 

Yep definitely numbered. He is just not dependable and really produces no great performances. Which maybe thats what Merc want in their number 2 but no help for Lewis more often than not - especially when he needs it.

 

Another angle of the aftermath of BOT vs RUS...

https://imgur.com/a/qHZ1HnZ

 

McLaren just sold their Woking headquarters for £170 million in a lease back deal.