Like to see Ricciardo win today, but the last three races here haven't been won from pole. Hopefully being the only Bull up front he should be safe from the last three years issues which have been all losses due to the pitwall. Max just needs to keep his nose clean, he'd be better off out the points than having another crash, he needs to stop this trend before it gets out of control.
I think that depends how much Daddy Stroll is prepared to finance a mediocre racing career. Would he buy the team outright?
Strategy is going to be interesting today. Mercedes certainly think a 1 stop will be a struggle for them, and that the Hyper Softs might not last beyond lap 7. Meanwhile Ferrari and Red Bull have barely touched the Ultras all weekend, if at all. That's going to be unknown territory. The likely strategy is Hypers until Lap 7-10, switch to Ultras and then see what happens. The tyres might last, or there might be a safety car to help save the tyres, or allow a switch.If there's a safety car you'd imagine Merc and Ferrari would split strategies, whilst Daniel is going to have to blink first. I'm expecting an Ocon-train from 6th. Ricciardo might have the pace in the opening dozen laps to build a gap sufficient to pit and get out in front of it, but I don't think anyone else will. That's going to really hinder the others. I wonder if the Supersofts are under consideration by anyone? They'll definitely last, and even if the car behind is a second a lap quicker, it's impossible to overtake here. It'd be really interesting to see someone run long on the first stint, get an overcut and then sit on the Supers for the rest of the race, regardless of Safety Cars.
Speaking of the Supersofts, that's a perfect strategy for Max. Starting in the pitlane, he avoids all the carnage of the first corner, then (assuming no safety car) pits at the end of Lap 1 for the Supersofts. Hammer it for 5-6 laps in clean air so those running the Hypers can't pit and get out ahead of him, then run to the end. It maximises running in clean air, minimises the need for on-track overtaking.
Max is starting from the grid, surprised at that call! It gives him the biggest chance of contact, he'll be much quicker off the line than those around him. This race is damage-limitation for Max anyway, maybe Red Bull want him to prove that literally as well? Edit: Yes, I do know I'm just talking to myself...
Oh please yes rain! I've not been less interested in watching a race in a good while. I think I'm done with Monaco now, it's a procession that relies on safety cars and crashes for interest.
Don't know if it's my imagination or what but the tv images on C4HD seem amazing. Is it now being filmed in 4K and broadcast in 1080?
He’s a genius that Stroll, isn’t he? “There’s something wrong with the front of the car”. What can it be?
Bottas is having one of those races at the moment, getting well dropped. He is on a different strategy now so if luck goes his way he could be smiling.
