F1 2021 Round 7 : French GP (Paul Ricard)

Gaoth Laidir · 20-06-2021 7:19pm

JeffKenna wrote: »

I think they wanted to see if Perez got a time penalty for the overtake. An investigation message came up so that's the only logic I could see.

That's what Toto said to Sky after the race anyway.

MadYaker · 20-06-2021 7:22pm

Gaoth Laidir wrote: »

That's what Toto said to Sky after the race anyway.

That's bollox they left him out to try and slow down verstappen at the expense of his own race, he should have told them he was pitting for new tyres and fc*k what his engineer was saying.

20-06-2021 7:26pm

murphyebass wrote: »

George looks like he could give Hamilton a run for his money but they don’t want Rosberg V2 or worse, as in George could be better than Rosberg.

Exactly.

RunningFlyer · 20-06-2021 7:30pm

jv2000 wrote: »

I really enjoyed that race but was officially worried when Hamilton did his usual "these tyres are almost gone" routine. I thought he was definitely going to win when he said that. Still don't know why they didn't pit Bottas for a shot at fastest lap. It is now very clear Mercedes have no respect for Bottas, they hav have completely given up hiding it.

Thought the same re Lewis. Delighted Max did the job, relatively easy at that.

Also was wondering about Bottas not coming in for fastest lap - in my head I thought the team wanted him in but he stayed out as a f*** you back to them!

El_Duderino 09 · 20-06-2021 7:56pm

murphyebass wrote: »

He’s an average driver so he would suit that team alright.

George looks like he could give Hamilton a run for his money but they don’t want Rosberg V2 or worse, as in George could be better than Rosberg.

It’s a shame cause I’d love to see Hamilton actually pushed to see how he’d hold up to actual in team competition. Right now it’s his team and until he leaves Bottas is the ideal 2nd driver.

Perez was a fantastic get for RB and I reckon he could step up to Max in time. Already showing promise. Bottas will never get to that level.

I’m also impressed at how delusional Bottas is in thinking he can compete in the Merc. He’s shown time and time again he is good in qualy but just bottles it come race day.

Edit.. today may not have been his fault but that’s one in how many drives over his time in a Merc.

All that said I’m sure he sleeps well at night on a bed of money.

The money will help after he retires or moves to another team.

Really doubt aperwz will step up to Max. But with that said, Bottas has beaten Lewis in straight fights a few times and as you say, he's average. So maybe an average driver like Perez could beat Max a few times a season too.

He's shown no signs of beating Max so far this season. Been miles off in quali. Baku was the first time he was only marginally slower than Max. Maybe in time he will be faster than Max a couple of times a season. But I'm sure you'll agree that, like Bottas beating Lewis a couple of times a season, that wouldn't make him more than average.

tanko · 20-06-2021 8:29pm

jv2000 wrote: »

I really enjoyed that race but was officially worried when Hamilton did his usual "these tyres are almost gone" routine. I thought he was definitely going to win when he said that. Still don't know why they didn't pit Bottas for a shot at fastest lap. It is now very clear Mercedes have no respect for Bottas, they hav have completely given up hiding it.

Bottas doesn’t deserve any respect, every time a driver comes up behind him he makes a mistake within a few seconds and the other car overtakes.
He’s been stealing a good living at Mercedes for years.
If i was him i’d keep my mouth shut and realize how lucky i was to be in that car.

ednwireland · 20-06-2021 8:32pm

bottas made himself no 2

MadYaker · 20-06-2021 8:37pm

ednwireland wrote: »

bottas made himself no 2

From various radio messages and interviews it would appear that he doesn’t consider himself a number 2 which is a bit odd

Captain_Crash · 20-06-2021 8:42pm

MadYaker wrote: »

That's bollox they left him out to try and slow down verstappen at the expense of his own race, he should have told them he was pitting for new tyres and fc*k what his engineer was saying.

They were talking about at the end of the face after Perez has passed him! His day was over and there was a 51 second gap back to Norris, so logic says pit and have a go at the extra point for fastest lap, but Toto said Perez was under investigation so they gambled that he’d get a time penalty putting Bottas into P3 instead.

AMKC · 20-06-2021 8:43pm

Well that was a mostly boring race with not a whole lot happening anywhere. Delighted that Mercedes fecked up there Stategy do and that Red Bul got there right and Max won. So well done to Red Bull and to Max the Dominator.

petes · 20-06-2021 8:48pm

AMKC wrote: »

Well that was a mostly boring race with not a whole lot happening anywhere.

Did you watch the same race as the rest of us?

El_Duderino 09 · 20-06-2021 9:00pm

MadYaker wrote: »

From various radio messages and interviews it would appear that he doesn’t consider himself a number 2 which is a bit odd

If his contract doesn't say he's a no.2 then he's dead right to object to being treated as a no.2. But of course it makes sense for Mercedes to use him as a no.2.

Also, Ben Edwards is a really good commentator. He comes a cross as a sound man and has a really easy way about him, while also being so enthusiastic about the racing. He was excellent on the radio today.

Harika · 20-06-2021 9:08pm

Toto said they didn`t box Bottas for fastest lap as they speculated Perez might get a 5 second penalty

Gaoth Laidir · 20-06-2021 9:10pm

tanko wrote: »

Bottas doesn’t deserve any respect, every time a driver comes up behind him he makes a mistake within a few seconds and the other car overtakes.
He’s been stealing a good living at Mercedes for years.
If i was him i’d keep my mouth shut and realize how lucky i was to be in that car.

The exact same mistake that Lewis did too today.

SCOOP 64 · 20-06-2021 9:13pm

Gaoth Laidir wrote: »

The exact same mistake that Lewis did too today.

what mistake was that?

Gaoth Laidir · 20-06-2021 9:14pm

SCOOP 64 wrote: »

what mistake was that?

When max passed him straight away. No defence was put up by Lewis either. You can argue that Max would have passed both of them without delay anyway.

SCOOP 64 · 20-06-2021 9:17pm

Gaoth Laidir wrote: »

When max passed him straight away. No defence was put up by Lewis either. You can argue that Max would have passed both of them without delay anyway.

i thought the pass was due to fresher tyres didn't see the mistake.

Burkie1203 · 20-06-2021 9:24pm

El_Duderino 09 wrote: »

The money will help after he retires or moves to another team.

Really doubt aperwz will step up to Max. But with that said, Bottas has beaten Lewis in straight fights a few times and as you say, he's average. So maybe an average driver like Perez could beat Max a few times a season too.

He's shown no signs of beating Max so far this season. Been miles off in quali. Baku was the first time he was only marginally slower than Max. Maybe in time he will be faster than Max a couple of times a season. But I'm sure you'll agree that, like Bottas beating Lewis a couple of times a season, that wouldn't make him more than average.

Average deiver Perez made a one stop strategy, work today. Only 6 seconds behind 7 time world champ on the same strategy

MadYaker · 20-06-2021 9:28pm

It's great to see 2 evenly matched teams duking it out, can't wait for next weekend. Nice to see Danny Ric back in more usual form.

Checo's tire management was so good that I'm starting to think Pirelli should hire him as an advisor or something because he's the only driver who was able to get anywhere near what they said the tires should do.

Top Dog · 20-06-2021 9:31pm

El_Duderino 09 wrote: »

Really doubt aperwz will step up to Max. But with that said, Bottas has beaten Lewis in straight fights a few times and as you say, he's average. So maybe an average driver like Perez could beat Max a few times a season too.

He's shown no signs of beating Max so far this season. Been miles off in quali. Baku was the first time he was only marginally slower than Max. Maybe in time he will be faster than Max a couple of times a season. But I'm sure you'll agree that, like Bottas beating Lewis a couple of times a season, that wouldn't make him more than average.

Someone please make it stop?

Don't think I've ever put someone on ignore before, but I just can't cope anymore :eek:

Gaoth Laidir · 20-06-2021 9:35pm

SCOOP 64 wrote: »

i thought the pass was due to fresher tyres didn't see the mistake.

Rosberg did, enough to call Lewis soft and shout at him to "Close the damn door". He left it wide open for Max. So he may not have locked up but still didn't defend his position properly, which amounts to the same thing.

RunningFlyer · 20-06-2021 9:50pm

What was the Perez Bottas investigation anyway? Didn’t see a replay and missed all the post-race analysis etc

El_Duderino 09 · 20-06-2021 9:58pm

Burkie1203 wrote: »

Average deiver Perez made a one stop strategy, work today. Only 6 seconds behind 7 time world champ on the same strategy

Sure, perez is good at looking after tyres. If I show you an example of Bottas, for example, being only 6 seconds behind Lewis, what does that tell you about Bottas?

El_Duderino 09 · 20-06-2021 10:01pm

Top Dog wrote: »

Someone please make it stop?

Don't think I've ever put someone on ignore before, but I just can't cope anymore :eek:

Lol. OK. Sorry. Perez is great. Shur he's only great, a little trooper. Didn't mean to upset you that much.

How does chatting about drivers cause that much upset?

flazio · 20-06-2021 10:06pm

RunningFlyer wrote: »

What was the Perez Bottas investigation anyway? Didn’t see a replay and missed all the post-race analysis etc

Perez ran wide after overtaking Bottas so may have exceeded track limits to overtake. Was deemed to have had the move done before going wide so no further action.
I think that was the real reason Bottas didn't pit for fastest lap, had Perez been handed a penalty Bottas might have been in range for a podium.

20-06-2021 10:17pm

Harika wrote: »

Toto said they didn`t box Bottas for fastest lap as they speculated Perez might get a 5 second penalty

And he wound up 5.8 seconds behind him.

McFly85 · 20-06-2021 10:24pm

I think if we’re here in 4 years with max having a few titles and Perez still there winning the odd race then yeah, you could say he’s average.

Right now though, he’s progressing very nicely indeed. He’s doing exactly what RB need by having the 2nd car right in the mix. Without him giving RB the option to block in the Mercs strategy by going long we would have had a boring race today, so for that alone I’m thankful!

Also, he’s at a team that will be happy to let him fight it out with Max for the title if he shows he can, one thing Bottas doesn’t have. Interesting times ahead!

El_Duderino 09 · 20-06-2021 10:44pm

Great result for Russell today finishing 12th. That must pit Williams back up to 9th in the championship.

the_pen_turner · 20-06-2021 10:46pm

what happened to ferrari . they had a disaster of a race. charles in 16 is pathetic.

Burkie1203 · 20-06-2021 10:55pm

El_Duderino 09 wrote: »

Sure, perez is good at looking after tyres. If I show you an example of Bottas, for example, being only 6 seconds behind Lewis, what does that tell you about Bottas?

2 wins
12 podiums
Nearly 800 career points
4 fastest laps.

That's a stellar career given most of that is with midfield teams in an era dominated by two teams. Labelling the guy average is total bullsh1t.

muckwarrior · 20-06-2021 10:59pm

To the people who don't think Perez is average: please list the drivers you think wouldn't have a chance of beating him over the course of a season.

PsychoPete · 20-06-2021 11:10pm

Red bull is all about Verstappen, all red bull want is a driver that won't challenge Max and is good enough to get podiums, try win the constructors and I think they've found that with Checo

murphyebass · 20-06-2021 11:26pm

PsychoPete wrote: »

Red bull is all about Verstappen, all red bull want is a driver that won't challenge Max and is good enough to get podiums, try win the constructors and I think they've found that with Checo

Checo is in his infancy with the team and seems to have a faaar better handle on that RB car than the last couple of drivers.

I’d say he is there as a number two but I think he’ll have a chance to challenge Max when he’s had time to hone in his knowledge of the car etc..

Looks promising so far to me anyway

Zookey123 · 21-06-2021 12:22am

muckwarrior wrote: »

To the people who don't think Perez is average: please list the drivers you think wouldn't have a chance of beating him over the course of a season.

Silly question really. How can anyone possibly answer that? there are so many variables involved. We can only judge him on what he has actually done in his career which is a great deal more than most.

Frank Bullitt · 21-06-2021 4:54am

What a bloody race.

RB pulled a fast one there. Great championship...FINALLY!

Frank Bullitt · 21-06-2021 5:07am

petes wrote: »

Did you watch the same race as the rest of us?

Harika · 21-06-2021 7:01am

Time to mention the hidden heroes:
Vettel for his tyre safeing performance
Stroll for cruising through the field to tenth.
Norris for bettering himself to 5

BrentMused · 21-06-2021 10:52am

Harika wrote: »

Time to mention the hidden heroes:
Vettel for his tyre safeing performance
Stroll for cruising through the field to tenth.
Norris for bettering himself to 5

Feel like I say it after every race at this stage, but Gasly deserves a shout here too.

His consistency in outperforming what is really a midfield car is unreal at this point.

Zookey123 · 21-06-2021 10:57am

BrentMused wrote: »

Feel like I say it after every race at this stage, but Gasly deserves a shout here too.

His consistency in outperforming what is really a midfield car is unreal at this point.

I agree he has been great this season however I would say in this race he had the fourth best car on the grid so he finished about where you would expect. Yuki needs to up his game. Being paired with Gasly in your rookie season is a tough task and we know AT won't give him more than a season to prove himself. Needs to stop making silly mistakes in Quali.

klose · 21-06-2021 10:59am

I know alpha tauris job is to really see if any red bull juniors are ready to make the step up but I wonder are they regretting not having kvyat again this season.

Dont be at yourself · 21-06-2021 11:02am

Tsunoda really need to sort himself out -- these big smashes are proving very costly. Wouldn't be surprised to see Albon back in if he doesn't start delivering with consistency.

SureYWouldntYa · 21-06-2021 11:09am

the_pen_turner wrote: »

what happened to ferrari . they had a disaster of a race. charles in 16 is pathetic.

They just absolutely cook their tyres

The car is probably 3rd/4th for pace but if their tyres cant stay solid for long enough they'll fall back and start a race for 4th with Alpine/Alpha Tauri/Aston Martin

Joeface · 21-06-2021 11:18am

The Alpha Tauri is probably on par with the Mclaren , It is a very capable car and Gasly gets the most out it .I think it was Spa last year they said the figured out the front end and since then it has be to the front of the grid /midfield
It is not using Last years parts like its predecessors when Torro Rosso , current Honda engine and Redbull rear means it has similar capabilities .Tsunoda probably needs to just wind it back a bit , Aiming for Q3 all the time is a bit of a rush to the head. much steadier pace he might be more consistent . after 7 races he should be comfortable with the car so It just control of the head for future races.

For the Ferrari , Tires are an issue but more so for Leclerc he just eats tyres ( it is his weakness) . Sainz is able to get more/further with similar pace . The car is better that what the turned up with last year so a good step forward but I would place it behind both the Mclaren and the Alpha Tauri overall for the season.

Busi_Girl08 · 21-06-2021 11:28am

Am I right in thinking this was the first race this season without any DNFs or retirements?

Burkie1203 · 21-06-2021 11:31am

Busi_Girl08 wrote: »

Am I right in thinking this was the first race this season without any DNFs or retirements?

Think they said on comms it was first time in 20 years

El_Duderino 09 · 21-06-2021 11:35am

Frank Bullitt wrote: »

What a bloody race.

RB pulled a fast one there. Great championship...FINALLY!

Listening to an interesting opinion about about the pit strategy. They're saying that whichever driver was in second in at the first pitstop would have probably done the undercut and whoever was in first would probably have maintained track position. Probably true.

Max was a full 3 seconds behind Lewis when he pitted. The effectiveness of the undercut was a big surprise to everyone so whoever was in first would have prioritised track position. Max probably walloped his hard tyres to achieve the undercut so that made the second stop much more likely so they choose the second pitstop. I think Max only spent 14 laps on the hard tyre which is shorter than both the other stints on the medium tyre which were 18 and 21 laps in length. So he probably painted himself into a corner by battering the tyres to achieve the undercut.

jv2000 · 21-06-2021 11:41am

It was a really interesting strategy but for me it was the absolute faith that Red Bull had in Max that was the best part. If they had waited 1 or 2 laps later he may not have ever passed Hamilton, simply just run out of time like Bahrain. Also if Bottas made a bigger nuisance of himself or a non-compliant backmarker then Hamilton would have won. This strategy was down to very fine margins so I don't even think it was linked to the life being gone in the hard tyres, more so the window that allowed Verstappen to put on mediums and catch Hamilton. Amazing.

Inquitus · 21-06-2021 12:43pm

El_Duderino 09 wrote: »

Max was a full 3 seconds behind Lewis when he pitted. The effectiveness of the undercut was a big surprise to everyone so whoever was in first would have prioritised track position.

At that point in the race we had already seen Leclerc jump the 2 McLarens with the undercut, so there was clear evidence it was powerful, Merc should have bought Lewis in the next lap and he would have come out in front, waiting that additional lap was stupid in the extreme!

SureYWouldntYa · 21-06-2021 1:09pm

Inquitus wrote: »

At that point in the race we had already seen Leclerc jump the 2 McLarens with the undercut, so there was clear evidence it was powerful, Merc should have bought Lewis in the next lap and he would have come out in front, waiting that additional lap was stupid in the extreme!

Max was 3 seconds clear when he pitted iirc

So if he was behind Hamilton when pitting, he would have had another 4 seconds or so to make up at the very least, which would have been tight doing since Max only got him on the 2nd last lap with the way it played out

LollipopJimmy · 21-06-2021 1:45pm

SureYWouldntYa wrote: »

Max was 3 seconds clear when he pitted iirc

So if he was behind Hamilton when pitting, he would have had another 4 seconds or so to make up at the very least, which would have been tight doing since Max only got him on the 2nd last lap with the way it played out

Admittedly I only watched the highlights but I suspect Max held on to a bit of tyre until the end too, he seemed to be 5 seconds or so behind for an age then pedaled on.

What was the investigation between Bottas and Perez for? It didn't say on the highlights nor did they mention an outcome

F1 2021 Round 7 : French GP (Paul Ricard)

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