US GP - "so proud to be part of it"

With such a dominant pole from Hamilton, I wasn't sure there would be much to watch in the race.  Pleasantly surprised but the ten minutes after the race ended were the most interesting.

The build up was very focused on Hamilton and Mercedes' triumphs and I wonder what they are now going to find to play next week, as the drivers' championship remains undecided.

When Jones announced that there was going to be a showcall, we knew we were in for a treat.  As Mr PSP predicted:...

"presenting...the backmarker...for Sauber...it's..."
"He's the man seeking to finish 21st in this 20 car race..."
"The one, the only, the legend...Wehrlein"

Then they skipped broadcasting the introductions to all the backmarkers!  Ricky Rocket was the only one who really embraced it...even Hamilton looked awkward.

And so the race started and for the first time in a long time, Mr PSP had not accidentally found out who the winner was in advance of watching.  Mainly because for the first time in a very long time, we were watching live.

The start also had a cheesy announcement: "Start your engines", which should really be: "get someone to start your engine".  It was a great start by everyone but especially Vettel, who nailed it and gave everyone hope for a thrilling race ahead.  Ricciardo added to the spice by some really aggressive driving to get past Bottas.  However, lap 6 saw DRS give the pass to Hamilton, followed ten laps later by Ricciardo bowing out.  Less rocket ship and more rocket ice lolly.

I was impressed that Stroll did manage to keep one driver behind him this race...Hartley.

The remaining action came from Raikkonen, passing Bottas, dallying with Verstappen and letting Vettel past: "Seb is now the car behind" - subtle.

Then we went to bed.

Then we watched the rest of the footage to see how and when Verstappen found out he was off the podium.  What an awkward podium room, Raikkonen just showed up and smiled and was literally handed the pink cap from Max's head.  I'm not surprised he threw it into the crowd and kept his sunnies on for the whole podium.

Hamilton asked Bolt to show him how to raise his hands in the air, then he got some shiny football boots.  I've deleted any further coverage.

US GP - Results

1. No Vices Now - 1,063*
2. Moneyball - 1,032*
3. Two World Champions, two future World Champions and, um, two other guys - 1,008*
4. Hoping for an Indian Summer - 944*
5. The Pitstop Princess - 938*
6. Evel Marque - 937*
7. Bernie is a hobbit - 920*
8. Jenson's Whinging Legacy - 888*
9. Even more hopeful - 871*
10. Burn After Racing - 785*
11. Beauty & the F1 Geek - 748*
12. BOT-RAI-PER - 624*
13. Slightly Slower Racing - 579
14. Hippy F1 - 568*

* Home track played

Japan GP - "Lovely managed race"

Well, lap 1 was quite exciting.  Ocon got to third!  Raikkonen lost places...hopefully to produce some exciting racing later on....Sainz went rallying (for his last Toro Rosso race).  We learnt twenty year olds have no fear.  And Vettel had spark plug problems...ending the hopes for any exciting racing later.

On lap 11, Ricciardo produced a great overtake.  Horner coached him: "brave it out...good boy".  That was the radio catchphrase, all the engineers were praising their "good boys" or prize whippets.

It wasn't long after that that Bottas and Hamilton swapped places.  Where do you stand?  And does it matter anymore?  Perez and Ocon geared up for a fight but were held back too.

Stroll "brought out" the third Virtual Safety Car on lap 47.  Did they do much to spice up the race?

There was some worry on lap 51 of 53 when Hamilton complained about vibrations.  I'm not sure why the team didn't message back telling him to suck it up.

At the very end, Alonso ignored blue flags to hold up Verstappen's change against Hamilton.  Now he's 59 points clear with four races left to go.  I'm really looking forward to all the "if Hamilton finishes...and if Vettel finishes..."

Finally, I think Mo Farah might have been at the race.

Japan GP - Results

1. No Vices Now - 999*
2. Moneyball - 985*
3. Two World Champions, two future World Champions and, um, two other guys - 959*
4. Torque of the Devil - 903*
5. Hoping for an Indian Summer - 893*
6. Evil Marque - 887*
7. Bernie is a hobbit - 862*
8. Jenson's Whinging Legacy - 854*
9. The Pitstop Princess - 838
10. Even more hopeful - 837*
11. Burn After Racing - 761*
12. Beauty & the F1 Geek - 703*
13. BOT-RAI-PER - 592*
14. Hippy F1 - 545*
15. Slightly Slower Racing - 518

*Home track played

Malaysia GP - Results

1. No Vices Now - 931*
2. Moneyball - 915*
3. Two World Champions, two future World Champions and, um, two other guys - 910*
4. Torque of the Devil - 846*
5. Hoping for an Indian Summer - 836*
6. Evel Marque - 834*
7. Bernie is a hobbit - 815*
8. The Pitstop Princess - 785
9. Jenson's Whinging Legacy - 780*
10. Even more hopeful - 763*
11. Burn After Racing - 699*
12. Beauty & the F1 Geek - 666*
13. BOT-RAI-PER - 549*
14. Hippy F1 - 511*
15. Slightly Slower Racing - 476

*Home track played

I SHALL BE CHASING SUBS THIS WEEK!!!

Malaysia GP - "Great start to a new decade (for you)"

It wasn't a bad race.  The start looked unpromising with Vettel at the back of the grid and Raikkonen wheeled off with a poorly motor but Verstappen overtook Hamilton on Lap 4 and it was Game On.  Gasly did a good job replacing Kvyat and there was lots of overtaking up and down the field.  Team radio keeps on giving.  Hulkenberg was told: "stopping is not an option".  That's F1 101.  Press the Red Button for Vettel's own race commentary: "Come on Alonso, I thought you were better than that."  Ricciardo was advised: "You've broken Vettel's spirit...he's run out of tyres".  Spirit and tyres being intrinsically linked.

Something went awry between Vettel and Stroll on the cool down lap, perhaps Vettel had received the surprising news that he is Driver of the Day?  He got a lift back from Wehrlein; the only way Wehrlein is going to get any TV coverage.

The podium was unsightly too.  Hamilton took his shoes off (?!) and Webber was allowed up without a suit jacket on (this is what we base podium interviewer guesses on.)

I'm not sure if this was picked up by the TV production teams but it was Verstappen's 20th birthday (which makes me feel very old) and it might have been the last race in Malaysia?