1. Two World Champions, two future World Champions and, um, two other guys - 753*
2. No Vices Now - 729*
3= Bernie is a hobbit - 682*
3= Evel Marque - 682*
5. Hoping for an Indian Summer - 675*
6. The Pitstop Princess - 633
7. Torque of the Devil - 630
8. Moneyball - 624
9. Even more hopeful - 590*
10. Jenson's Whinging Legacy - 544
11. Burn After Racing - 523*
12. Beauty & the F1 Geek - 495
13. BOT-RAI-PER - 482*
14. Hippy F1 - 416*
15. Slightly Slower Racing - 398
*Home track played
Thursday, 31 August 2017
Belgium GP - "..."
No winning radio transmission from Hamilton and not much to say from me. When did Belgium become disappointing?
This year the track really suffered from "Curse of the Home Race" with honorary Belgian Verstappen going out on Lap 8 and genuine Belgian Van Doorne starting right at the back of the grid. How can a land that gave the world chips with mayonnaise be so cruel?
It turned it's attention to Raikkonen on Lap 16 with a ten second penalty, depriving us poor spectators of yet more action: "What do you mean? It was at the side of the road!" Alonso decided that we should no longer enjoy his team radio: "No more radio for the rest of the race."
Force India drivers did their best to spice up the race, with Race Control "noting" their childish spats. Vettel's attempt to give the race a little drama by having a slow second pit stop, did nothing but hand the race to Hamilton. My drive of the day goes to Ricciardo, who at least overtook Bottas and Raikkonen.
The analysis of the race has given me more to comment on than the race. Webber believed it to have been: "an absolutely amazing display from the top three drivers". What? Of driving unchallenged? Hamilton answered his first podium question with the usual: "The crowd have been amazing." Followed by some controversial (?) "Irish orange" stuff. His second question was answered with something about: "Dreams do come true." And to think that some people might want to hear about his racing? Ricciardo got the biggest cheers, which is well justified. Bottas got a review from his boss of: "performance not good." Well, he's been resigned for next year, so he's probably resting on his laurels now.
Raikkonen has also been resigned for next season. Which cements for me that he has some sort of incriminating information about someone high up in Ferrari.
This year the track really suffered from "Curse of the Home Race" with honorary Belgian Verstappen going out on Lap 8 and genuine Belgian Van Doorne starting right at the back of the grid. How can a land that gave the world chips with mayonnaise be so cruel?
It turned it's attention to Raikkonen on Lap 16 with a ten second penalty, depriving us poor spectators of yet more action: "What do you mean? It was at the side of the road!" Alonso decided that we should no longer enjoy his team radio: "No more radio for the rest of the race."
Force India drivers did their best to spice up the race, with Race Control "noting" their childish spats. Vettel's attempt to give the race a little drama by having a slow second pit stop, did nothing but hand the race to Hamilton. My drive of the day goes to Ricciardo, who at least overtook Bottas and Raikkonen.
The analysis of the race has given me more to comment on than the race. Webber believed it to have been: "an absolutely amazing display from the top three drivers". What? Of driving unchallenged? Hamilton answered his first podium question with the usual: "The crowd have been amazing." Followed by some controversial (?) "Irish orange" stuff. His second question was answered with something about: "Dreams do come true." And to think that some people might want to hear about his racing? Ricciardo got the biggest cheers, which is well justified. Bottas got a review from his boss of: "performance not good." Well, he's been resigned for next year, so he's probably resting on his laurels now.
Raikkonen has also been resigned for next season. Which cements for me that he has some sort of incriminating information about someone high up in Ferrari.
Thursday, 3 August 2017
Hungary GP - "nice drive"
Martin Brundle falls ill; Paul Di Resta is promoted. Felipe Massa falls ill; Paul Di Resta is promoted. Paul Di Resta is promoted; Anthony Davidson is promoted.
Not the only promotions this race...McLaren locked out the fourth row in qualifying!
At the start of the race, Ricciardo radioed in: "someone hit me". Yes, your team mate. Crofty observed of the start: "Di Resta let everyone get away ahead of him." How kind. Soon after, Renault are on the radio to Hulkenberg: "Jo is slower than you". He was very kind not to reply. Why hadn't we heard from Hamilton? His radio was broken, a mercy to all. Kimi "leave me alone" Raikkonen was all over team radio too.
Team orders were out in force this weekend, although no one labelled them as such. Both Mercedes and Renault played them, with Ferrari choosing not to. Although would Raikkonen have his contract renewed if he overtook Vettel? (Mr PSP wonders.)
With eight laps to go Di Resta retired. Having never driven the car before. This begs the question, why Williams didn't employ their test driver? Or give their reserve driver track time before?
As the procession was nearly over, a couple of interesting points arose. Was Hamilton going to give third place back to Bottas as promised? He did. Who would score fastest lap? Alonso!
What have we learnt from this race weekend? That Raikkonen's Finnish fans all speak English.
Not the only promotions this race...McLaren locked out the fourth row in qualifying!
At the start of the race, Ricciardo radioed in: "someone hit me". Yes, your team mate. Crofty observed of the start: "Di Resta let everyone get away ahead of him." How kind. Soon after, Renault are on the radio to Hulkenberg: "Jo is slower than you". He was very kind not to reply. Why hadn't we heard from Hamilton? His radio was broken, a mercy to all. Kimi "leave me alone" Raikkonen was all over team radio too.
Team orders were out in force this weekend, although no one labelled them as such. Both Mercedes and Renault played them, with Ferrari choosing not to. Although would Raikkonen have his contract renewed if he overtook Vettel? (Mr PSP wonders.)
With eight laps to go Di Resta retired. Having never driven the car before. This begs the question, why Williams didn't employ their test driver? Or give their reserve driver track time before?
As the procession was nearly over, a couple of interesting points arose. Was Hamilton going to give third place back to Bottas as promised? He did. Who would score fastest lap? Alonso!
What have we learnt from this race weekend? That Raikkonen's Finnish fans all speak English.
Hungary GP - Results
1. Two World Champions, two future World Champions and, um, two other guys - 708*
2. No Vices Now - 685*
3. Bernie is a Hobbit - 634*
4. Evel Marque - 629*
5= Hoping for an Indian Summer - 585
5= Torque of the Devil - 585
7. The Pitstop Princess - 580
8. Moneyball - 574
9. Even more hopeful - 563*
10. Jenson's Whinging Legacy - 517
11. BOT-RAI-PER - 453*
12. Beauty & the F1 Geek - 447
13. Burn After Racing - 443
14. Hippy F1 - 401*
15. Slightly Slower Racing - 383
*Home track played
2. No Vices Now - 685*
3. Bernie is a Hobbit - 634*
4. Evel Marque - 629*
5= Hoping for an Indian Summer - 585
5= Torque of the Devil - 585
7. The Pitstop Princess - 580
8. Moneyball - 574
9. Even more hopeful - 563*
10. Jenson's Whinging Legacy - 517
11. BOT-RAI-PER - 453*
12. Beauty & the F1 Geek - 447
13. Burn After Racing - 443
14. Hippy F1 - 401*
15. Slightly Slower Racing - 383
*Home track played
Thursday, 20 July 2017
British GP - "Lovely job"
It's July, it's the British Grand Prix, it's time to find the keys to the crypt and drag out Murray Walker. Talking of "blast from the past": Louise Goodman!
Qualifying for this race was just as interesting as the race really. Red Bull's problem with reliability continues to dog them; they can't even get both cars through Q1 (it says a lot when Horner predicts Vettel or Hamilton to win). The huge cheer from the crowd as Alonso made pole in Q1 was brilliant too.
There was much excitement as Cars 3 was trailed in the paddock, although it had petered out by the time Owen Wilson took to the podium.
There were other disappointments. Bedward said: "You have to feel for Palmer. He doesn't have all the upgrades Hulkenberg has." or the skills. Both Toro Rosso cars went out on lap 2. I'm sure this would have been big news if they were further up the pit lane and excited montages about "The Rivalry" compiled but who gets worked up about Kvyat these days?
One of the enjoyable parts of the race isn't what you saw but what you heard. The crowd cheering is great and there was some good radio too. From Bottas': "minimal talking" to Grosjean's "so stupid, unbelievable" at his own mistake.
It got more confusing towards the end. Raikkonen's tyre shredding three laps from the end avoided any awkwardness when he would have been asked to move over for Vettel. Then Vettel punctured his tyre, just as he passed the pit lane entrance. Still, it's tight at the top and I think we're set for some more close racing this season...
Qualifying for this race was just as interesting as the race really. Red Bull's problem with reliability continues to dog them; they can't even get both cars through Q1 (it says a lot when Horner predicts Vettel or Hamilton to win). The huge cheer from the crowd as Alonso made pole in Q1 was brilliant too.
There was much excitement as Cars 3 was trailed in the paddock, although it had petered out by the time Owen Wilson took to the podium.
There were other disappointments. Bedward said: "You have to feel for Palmer. He doesn't have all the upgrades Hulkenberg has." or the skills. Both Toro Rosso cars went out on lap 2. I'm sure this would have been big news if they were further up the pit lane and excited montages about "The Rivalry" compiled but who gets worked up about Kvyat these days?
One of the enjoyable parts of the race isn't what you saw but what you heard. The crowd cheering is great and there was some good radio too. From Bottas': "minimal talking" to Grosjean's "so stupid, unbelievable" at his own mistake.
It got more confusing towards the end. Raikkonen's tyre shredding three laps from the end avoided any awkwardness when he would have been asked to move over for Vettel. Then Vettel punctured his tyre, just as he passed the pit lane entrance. Still, it's tight at the top and I think we're set for some more close racing this season...
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