F1 2021 SEASON: NEWS - RUMOURS

Thanks Mr B . That is my point ref Australia . They keep locking down but they are lagging far behind in actual vaccinations. My sister in laws son works out there and he said people are getting very frustrated .

 

I think this is becoming a larger problem for many countries, no exit strategy. Ironically those who have done best to keep Covid out are now most at risk as there's no natural immunity to go alongside the Vacines.

The world has spent 18 months instilling the fear of God into everyone about Covid and now need to try and convince them it's safe to come out. All whilst trying to stop the window lickers from coughing down each others throats having last washed their hands in November.

 

Theres exit strategy and theres business strategy.

New Zealand and Australia are hacked round as examples of how to deal with the thing but in reality they have failed. They have failed to secure the vaccines and get the programs done.

On the other hand we have acted slowly 3 times, caused massive death rates but then jumped early, taken the middling vaccine that is less effective and used it rapidly at the outset (but have hit quite a wall now in getting it complete)

We have less serious cases due to vaccinations but huge case numbers and are deciding to throw the whole thing wide open and will indulge in a massive frenzy of propagandist freedom day rubbish then wonder why things are bad in a couple of months.

The only way to really go is to get the vaccination programs properly done and drive sensible opening based on it. A lot of stupid things were closed unnecessarily during lockdown imo. They were closed to stop people using public transport imo nothing else.

Most of europe seems.more interested in maximising summer holidays income than public health or what happens in September and October.

England will greatly enjoy Wimbledon and the euros but the price by the end will be high.

 

Thanks. I am grateful to the NHS. The staff are amazing.

 

I don't know whether this counts as news, but it could signal some thrills 'n' spills for the rest of the season...

Lewis Hamilton will 'not bail out any more' says Mercedes F1 boss Toto Wolff

https://www.bbc.com/sport/formula1/58677987

Only downside is the inevitable escalation in Horner being Horner.

 

I also saw Lewis commented on the stress of winning your first world championship and suggesting the cracks are showing in Max. Max pooh poohed it by saying Lewis doesn't know him.

Is Lewis facing more stress going for the first driver ever to be WDC 8 times or Max winning his first? I think Lewis has the greater weight on his shoulders.

If Lewis wants the 8th he has got to take the attitude of not backing out. If Max wants to be the best ever he has to consider winning 8 out the next 12 titles, a tall order with the young talent on the grid.

 

Max is driving very well and handling the pressure very well. I think his only weakness is his bosses, if he didn't have the likes of Horner, Marko and his dad behind him then I think he'd already be unstoppable by now.

What few weaknesses he actually does have are not being addressed as its always someone else's fault.

 

Hamiltons chances of winning more WDCs are far lower than Verstappen getting one WDC.

 

After today I'd say it's 80/20% to Verstappen on winning this year's crown.

 

Think it's going to take something going spectacularly wrong now for Max to not take it. Probably me picking him in the poll.

 

Think it’s super tight. Mexico he should win by miles at that altitude, and Brazil he should be in good shape IF it goes ahead.

Street circuits I believe will be super tight but Merc favourites in Saudi.

 

Part of me wondered if it was all a ploy by Mercedes to trick Red Bull into sinking resources into this year. But its looking ever more like Red Bull have the better car with a driver who has been untouchable at almost every race.

 

Racing in Qatar this year and then from 2023 on the permanent calendar.

Running a respect campaign on one hand.

Taking human rights atrocity $$$ on the other.

Welcome to Corporate.

makes you sick.

 

#WeRaceAsOne

 

As long as the money is there!!!!

 

I think Lewis will fight hard but I agree the momentum is with Max. Lewis is content with what he has achieved which is why he can openly applaud Lando. He won't praise Max as he is the main challenger. I am convinced Lewis is realistic about this year and his prospects. He has achieved more than he expected in his career. I do think he is less than 100% due to long covid.
Next year is another story but George will be there.
Whatever the outcome I am going to enjoy the racing and can not compalin about the ability of the Formula to entertain us this year.
Yes, the chances that Max gets his first WDC are greater than Lewis getting his eigth, this year.

 

Well the racing gods have been throwing spanners left and right to make sure it's stayed close...so who knows what they still have in store.

 

I agree about RBR , I wonder if they have pumped money in to give max a real crack at the championship in case there were any release clauses in his contract ?

It is his to lose imho , but stranger things have happened . I’m just glad we are this far in and it’s still a good ish battle .

Next year could be fun as well !

 

I think how the teams have chosen to develop or not develop this year's car vs next years is the story behind this season's championship. Do Red Bull sense an opportunity to grab a championship with Max while Merc might be more concerned about next year, and do they damage themselves in the longer term if they do this. It's a difficult line to tread.