Russia GP - "P1 and P2 for the Silver Arrows...that's exactly what we needed"

It was every teachers' disaster for Anthony Davidson pre-race, his smartboard failed.

Francesco Bernoulli has been on and on at me to mention the hilarity that is Lewis Hamilton riding around the paddock on his scooter at every race.  Scooter mentioned.  Will we mention that he doesn't wear a helmet either?

For the first half of the race, there was a virtual argument on the radio between Vettel and LeClerc over who should be given the lead of the race.  It turned out that it wasn't Ferrari's to give away, as they  made a poor pit stop strategy.  Vettel was straight out with a KERS problem too.

Something broke on Russell's car, which sent him into the barrier.  Williams decided to retire Kubica's car, just in case.  It would look bad if you were the one to finally finish the Pole off.

It was another race where Bottas trundled around behind Hamilton.  It makes you wonder why Mercedes didn't roll the dice and try someone else for the next season.

A mediocre race all in all.

Russia GP - Results

1. Evel Marque - 877*
2. PickedInAHurry - 836*
3. Je suis Charlie - 800
4. BottHaas - 790*
5. The Hope Fulls - 770*
6. Jack the Lad - 643
7. The Pitstop Princess - 625*
8. Hippy F1 - 571*
9. Ferrari Rocher - 505
10. Francesco Bernoulli - 405*

* Home track played

Singapore GP - "One and two for Ferrari...awesome job"

Singapore lends itself to controversy and this year was no different.  Was Ricciardo's qualifying disqualification too dramatic?  Should just his lap have been wiped?  Then Vettel overtook the pole-sitter and race-leader (and his team-mate) LeClerc using the undercut.  Through taking the preferable pit stop strategy, Vettel was able to overtake his team-mate off the track.  Was Vettel gifted the race by Ferrari trying to woo him into staying for another season, or to appease him or was it a mistake by the recent rookie?

There wasn't really much racing in the race.  Ricciardo punctured himself on Giovannizi's car.   Not long after Russell was pushed into the wall by Grosjean, thus ending an excellent finishing record for Williams.  Close to the end Kvyat took out Raikkonen, bringing out the third, long Safety Car.  We did fast-forward through a lot of this race.

Overall, what did LeClerc expect from Ferrari?  He was initially angry but quickly kept it in check to explain what a good result it was for the team.  Let's hope he can race again in Russia.

Singapore GP - Results

1. Evel Marque - 830*
2. PickedInAHurry - 798*
3. Je suis Charlie - 755
4. BottHaas - 754*
5. The Hope Fulls - 728*
6. Jack the Lad - 620*
7. The Pitstop Princess - 601*
8. Hippy F1 - 520*
9. Ferrari Rocher - 468
10. Francesco Bernoulli - 399*

* Home track played

Italy GP - "Yes yes yes"

At the end of Q2, there was a rush of cars.  Just like the olden days.  Raikkonen went from hero to zero during it.  Then Q1 drew to a conclusion and the cars went out in a rush and most of them didn't get round in time to carry out a qualifying lap.  I've never seen anything like it.  Well done LeClerc and Sainz for realising that they needed to get a hurry on.

Vettel gave an interview post-qualifying, which gave the sense that a battle between him and LeClerc is brewing.

On to the race, LeClerc played the start very well, giving an inch and taking a mile.  Vettel spun (on nothing), sending Stroll into a spin when he re-entered the track (poorly), who then sent Gasly off when he re-entered the track (poorly).  This was Lap 7.  By Lap 12 they were sitting out 10 second stop go penalties.  I think they got off very lightly given that the same penalty was given to Raikkonen by starting on the incorrect tyres.

There was a good mid-race battle between Hamilton and LeClerc, the latter was even given a black and white flag for it.  I thought the black and white flag was for the end of the race but Brundle cleared things up, it means: "Your driving is unacceptable".

More drama, was yet to come.  Sainz left the pits without a wheel nut on Lap 28.  LeClerc went wide on Lap 36 but no one was close enough to capitalise on it.  Finally, on Lap 42 Hamilton went through the chicane, giving second place to Bottas.  It made me wonder why Mercedes didn't roll the die with Bottas' seat.

It finished with LeClerc in first place and Vettel in 14th.  We've heard Seb roll out a few Italian phrases over the radio and to the crowd but LeClerc took the biscuit and did the thing we've all been waiting for a driver to do for a long time and speak to the crowd in their own language.  Vettel is leaving Ferrari, mark my words.

In other news, it was good to see a resurgence from Renault and Hamilton give a really good interview discussing what the strong points for Mercedes were technically.

Italy GP - Results

1. Evel Marque - 749*
2. PickedInAHurry - 732*
3. BottHaas - 699*
4. The Hope Fulls - 695*
5. Je suis Charlie - 674
6. Jack the Lad - 555
7. The Pitstop Princess - 538*
8. Hippy F1 - 493*
9. Ferrari Rocher - 433
10. Francesco Bernoulli - 373*

* Hometrack played

Belgium GP - "a dream come true anyway"

The promise of a great race is always present at Spa...everyone tried their best to line one up during qualifying.  Kubica caught fire and Giovanizzi brought out the red flag.  Raikkonen sustained a leg injury through some sort of naughtiness and Hamilton crashed in FP3.  LeClerc secured pole and Russell took a Williams to the giddy heights of 14th on the grid.

Apart from the tragic events earlier in the weekend, all the elements were there (apart from the threat of rain) for an epic race, hopefully with LeClerc finally winning a race.

The lights went off and, after the first lap, what followed was not that memorable.  With Verstappen out on Lap 1, we looked elsewhere in the top 6 for the battle.  Vettel ran wide and let Hamilton through but even with this error, he easily caught him up and retook the place.  Ferrari looked strong and even a bit of tyre-strategy-jeopardy couldn't reignite the race.

Vettel let LeClerc by on Lap 26, roughly half way through the race.  I am adding this to my list of reasons why he will retire at the end of the year.  A few laps later, Hamilton overtook him.

Norris was the surprise star of the race despite LeClerc winning and it was a shame when he and Giovannizi went off on the last lap.

It's pleasing to have another race winner on the grid....but will we be regretting all this when he dominates for the next five years?

Belgium GP - Results

1. Evel Marque - 712*
2. PickedInAHurry - 685*
3. BottHaas - 666*
4. The Hope Fulls - 665*
5. Je suis Charlie - 616
6. Jack the Lad - 521
7. The Pitstop Princess - 514
8. Hippy F1 - 456*
9= Ferrari Rocher - 365
9= Francesco Bernoulli - 365*

* Home track played