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Grand Prix thread VTB Russian Grand Prix 2021

Discussion in 'Formula 1' started by TopClass, Sep 23, 2021.

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Who will finish first?

Poll closed Sep 25, 2021.
  1. Lewis Hamilton

    61.5%
  2. Max Verstappen

    0 vote(s)
    0.0%
  3. Valtteri Bottas

    30.8%
  4. Sergio Perez

    0 vote(s)
    0.0%
  5. Lando Norris

    7.7%
  6. Daniel Ricciardo

    0 vote(s)
    0.0%
  7. Charles Leclerc

    0 vote(s)
    0.0%
  8. Carlos Sainz

    0 vote(s)
    0.0%
  9. Esteban Ocon

    0 vote(s)
    0.0%
  10. Any Other

    0 vote(s)
    0.0%
  1. El_Bando

    El_Bando Can't remember, where was I?
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  2. Number 1 Jasper

    Number 1 Jasper Well-Known Member

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    #62
  3. BrightLampShade

    BrightLampShade Well-Known Member
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    Well tomorrow should be fun, anything but a win for Hamilton is a failure and Verstappen really should be looking to get top 5.
    All on a green track
     
    #63
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  4. Number 1 Jasper

    Number 1 Jasper Well-Known Member

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    I can see Max getting onto the Podium .
     
    #64
  5. SgtBhaji

    SgtBhaji Well-Known Member

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    Not sure about that with two Merc and two Maccas to get around. But you never know.
     
    #65
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  6. SgtBhaji

    SgtBhaji Well-Known Member

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    Think the biggest thing for Max tomorrow is to stay out of any first lap cock ups, then start working on his way up. Too quick off the line and he might be in the knob-headery zone.
     
    #66
  7. El_Bando

    El_Bando Can't remember, where was I?
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    I can see max being too much in a hurry and crashing into someone
     
    #67
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  8. ched999uk

    ched999uk Well-Known Member

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    You mean someone crashes into Max as he never crashes into anyone :)
     
    #68
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  9. SgtBhaji

    SgtBhaji Well-Known Member

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    At this point, with Hamilton failing to make the most of qualifying, knowing Hamilton still has to take an engine penalty soon, and that the advantage is about to move in his favor, you would think/hope that this is the time he plays it smart. Top 5 tomorrow is a good result and could/should see him able to take it.

    A Lando win would be nice tomorrow. Can he do a Ricciardo?
     
    #69
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  10. SgtBhaji

    SgtBhaji Well-Known Member

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    Forget F1 tho....last race of the Indycar season tomorrow. Title decider that's just been set up beautifully in qualifying. That's where the action is at tomorrow. :)
     
    #70

  11. Justjazz

    Justjazz Well-Known Member

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    Lewis is making too many mistakes this year, if he has Long Covid he won't be feeling 100% at any race. If he hasn't then he is making uncharacteristic errors.
     
    #71
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  12. ched999uk

    ched999uk Well-Known Member

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    Definitely more mistakes than in recent years. I do wonder if it's Long Covid plus pressure as other than Rosberg he hasn't had much competition recently. He must be so frustrated with Merc that they haven't really developed the car this year just when he could be first to 8 championships. Next year could be very different if Merc get things wrong!!! Then the year after George will be putting him under serious pressure as he will have had input to the 2023 car and a years experience of the team. So I almost feel this is Lewis's best chance to get the 8th!
     
    #72
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  13. Justjazz

    Justjazz Well-Known Member

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    I agree. Lewis doesn't look sharp in his interviews. I think he is struggling and I suspect it is long covid, his exhaustion has shown the signs. His chance of a win or improved place tomorrow is not finished. Tomorrow is going to be interesting if nothing else. But it is not just Lewis, the team are not functioning 100%, from strategy to pitstops to tyres.
     
    #73
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  14. SgtBhaji

    SgtBhaji Well-Known Member

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    Is it long Covid, is it a team that struggles to deal with not winning from the front, or is it age? Hamilton is fast becoming an old man of the sport, and one thing you can always count on in F1 is that the next generation is going to come through and put the old to the sword. Could likely be a mix of all really at this time.
     
    #74
  15. Quite Possibly Raving

    Quite Possibly Raving Well-Known Member

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    Bottas taking (well, being given) some strategic new engine parts to drop him to 17th. Urgh.

    On one hand Merc and within their rights to do this and to drop Bottas down to slow down Max is a perfectly legitimate strategy. Doesn't sit right right with me though. It's a little over the line of fair sportsmanship imo. I want to see Lewis win the WDC because he outclasses Max and pumps in some brilliant victories, not because Valterri is used as a sacrificial lamb at any opportunity.

    Sigh. I suppose RB will just do the same if/when Ham takes a pen with Checo. And let's be honest, Bottas is hardly likely to slow Max down for long anyway.
     
    #75
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  16. Number 1 Jasper

    Number 1 Jasper Well-Known Member

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    Bottas must be fuming .

    I also agree that if they think Valtteri will hold up Max for long, we'll good luck with that .
     
    #76
    Last edited: Sep 26, 2021
  17. BrightLampShade

    BrightLampShade Well-Known Member
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    Just imagine if Bottas and Max collide into the first corner now.
    It's a odd move to be honest, seems overly risky unless they've seen something in the PU data. Maybe they want to test an upgrade?
     
    #77
  18. ched999uk

    ched999uk Well-Known Member

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    I wonder if they are going to put Valtteri on a harder tyre than Max to try and mess his pit stops up. As for him holding Max up - Bottas doesn't have great form in being able to do that.
    So that means Bottas has 2 fresh PU for the last 9 races and Lewis has none!!
     
    #78
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  19. ched999uk

    ched999uk Well-Known Member

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    Is anyone watching the sky piece about Bond and Aston? Lance, Seb and Martin in a db5 drifting and donuts - needless to say Lance came 3rd!
     
    #79
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  20. Viva_Giggsy

    Viva_Giggsy Well-Known Member

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    There sneak one into Hamiltons car when no-ones looking lol
     
    #80

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