Formula 1

Can't quite out my finger on why but I really like the Azerbaijan circuit.

Fancy Checo this afternoon.

Well, look at you. Psychic

Can't quite out my finger on why but I really like the Azerbaijan circuit.

It's a great circuit, one of my favourites in the calendar. As a track it has everything, the races are usually action packed, and the location is stunning. The complete opposite of Paul Ricard, the next race on the calendar.

Another race decided by punctures, it's happening far too often now. The teams blame the tyre supplier but in fairness, the same tyre is not designed to last for 60-70-80% of every race, especially on power circuits. It's needlessly stretching them to the absolute limit and sometimes the tyres just give way. It's not the first race it's happened, it's not the first time in Baku either, and the teams will say stopping again costs them points, but they have to ask themselves if they want the points or punctures instead.

Hamilton let him off the hook this time, but Baku was still a missed opportunity for Verstappen, as most of the next few races are Hamilton's to lose, and he needed to open up a fair gap in points from Monaco and Baku. In that respect, 25 was probably not enough.

Please take us back to Magny Cours. This track is awful.

Still, Lewis leads ahead of Max and Bottas.

Verstappen flapping a bit. ?

Verstappen flapping a bit. ?

Getting a bit angsty in that cockpit isn't he?? Loving the racy McLaren's in this race too. Ricciardo in particular excellent so far.

Incredible seeing these cars almost on three wheels through some of those corners through the sheer severity of the corners. All that load being transferred to one side of the car. Like they're going to capsize!

F**k sake Valtarri. Could have kept him behind for at least a lap or two. But no.

My word. Can Lewis somehow do this?

Has Max used up all his mediums? Lewis is maintaining that gap - is he the ultimate master of tyre management? Is Lewis going to steal the victory from Red Bull??! If he can this will be one of the finest tyre management displays. Just look at Valtarri in comparison.

Oh my word. Max is really closing in now! Over 3 laps to go!

Smooth Max. Very very smooth. What a big win for him this will be!

Feeling sick. Great race though. Strategy obviously cost Hammy but take nothing off red bull they did a great job. Considering Red Bull have the fastest car this year Hammy ran them close.

As for Bottas 

Feeling sick. Great race though. Strategy obviously cost Hammy but take nothing off red bull they did a great job. Considering Red Bull have the fastest car this year Hammy ran them close.

As for Bottas 

Piss poor attitude.

Piss poor attitude.

He knows this is his last year mate. Don't think he's bothered anymore. Russell as we both know picks his seat up next year.

What a season this is turning out to be!

Feeling sick. Great race though. Strategy obviously cost Hammy but take nothing off red bull they did a great job. Considering Red Bull have the fastest car this year Hammy ran them close.

As for Bottas 

I’m not into car racing like

But weren’t you saying last year it was nothing to do with the car and “Hammy” would win regardless ?

What a season this is turning out to be!

Even better than I anticipated.

Thought Max and the Redbulls would be good this year. Even better that Checo is doing what I hoped he would as the second driver.

I’m not into car racing like

But weren’t you saying last year it was nothing to do with the car and “Hammy” would win regardless ?

Course the car comes into it. However, Hammy still the best and only lost because of the under cut. You stick to football. 

Course the car comes into it. However, Hammy still the best and only lost because of the under cut. You stick to football. 

I will
But just so we’re clear it’s essentially who has the best car is more likely to win ? 🤷‍♂️

I will
But just so we’re clear it’s essentially who has the best car is more likely to win ? 🤷‍♂️

Not necessarily about the car, Bottas, Rosberg both partnered Lewis only for Lewis the loose the title once..

Sometimes strategy plays a far more important role, what lap to pit, when to use the undercut, when to switch tyres & the the actual pit crews too play their part…

I will
But just so we’re clear it’s essentially who has the best car is more likely to win ? 🤷‍♂️

Red Bull having Checo in the second car is now letting them attack Mercedes with two strategies.
Mercedes, matched Checo, while Max pitted early which allowed him to attack.
Once he's made the call and Mercedes don't respond then he has the upper hand.

Was great to see.
Waited a long time for a proper title race and now we've got one.
Odd that people will use that to beat Hamilton with...

What it has shown is that Mercedes need Hamilton as much as he needs them.

I will
But just so we’re clear it’s essentially who has the best car is more likely to win ? 🤷‍♂️

"Hell no " .... Hamilton has proved over the last 7 years he's the best driver on the grid when you consider his partners couldn't get near him and they drive the same car. However, if Verstappen was also at Mercs it would be hell of a lot closer. Hammy would still win but he'd be fighting all the way unlike the last 7 years.

There's no doubting though Verstappen is going to be world champion at some stage in his career. If Red Bull remain with the faster car could well be this year.

You always get a good guide on a drivers ability when you look at their No 2.. It basically tells you what you need to know. Exciting times though, especially if Hammy makes it No 8.   

Well, didn't see that coming.

The first 20 laps followed the traditional script. Hamilton winning comfortably at Paul Ricard. Then the real racing began after the first pit stops. Verstappen got revenge for Barcelona, when he was described as "hot headed" on the forum, but he kept a cool head when facing down both Mercs in front of him with clean straight forward passes, aided by DRS and fresher tyres. Bottas is racing against himself atm, and he's not winning. His hot headed rants over the radio, show that the working relationship with his team has completely broken down at this stage.

Meanwhile, in latest Mazepin news, after a weekend of his usual spins and slow mo driving, he started 18th on the grid but was overtaken by a driver on the first lap, who started in the pitlane. That's the standard of driver Haas have to work with.

In other news, crowds are coming back and the mask restrictions have been relaxed further, as somebody in the F1 health department has finally got the message that the risk of getting the virus outdoors is negligible. It's not quite to the extent of Indy Car where all masks have already been thrown away never to be seen again, but it's progress. So for the first time since December 2019, the podium ceremony at Paul Ricard was mask free and therefore watchable.

The next circuit at Zeltweg is situated in the middle of nowhere, but it's an undulating circuit that usually creates classic races. There should be multiple overtakes at the uphill hairpin, and a fair few at the long downhill corner that follows it. And with unpredictable weather in the air, anything could happen on the ground.

Lando only 8 points behind Checo in the standings is fantastic and his consistency this season so far is great to see.

Huge talent.