General Sports Thread

Mercedes look like they've got the pace this weekend. Early days but promising signs for Lewis.

 

Oops Max, flat spot on your race tyres.

 

Hmm, both Red Bulls start on the softs then.

 

What difference will Max being on soft tyres have on the race with Lewis on medium?
Is the game plan to get away from Lewis and change tyres early?

 

It does look likely that Hamilton will be on pole so, assuming that's the case, Max will get better grip off the line. But he needs be on the front row ideally.

 

Would soft tyres make a two stop strategy more likely and medium a one stop?

 

Nah, both one stop. Max will just have to pit earlier for hards.

 

Incredible lap by Max. Wow.

 

Suspect everyone will two stop. Rears get hot and wobbly here.

 

Well that worked a treat for Red Bull.

 

Perfect for a dramatic race!

 

Extraordinary lap. Lewis was never going to beat that.

 

TBH not that fussed that Max is on pole. Chances are he would have taken the lead off the line anyway. It's all about strategy now.

 

Fair play to Max, even with the slipstream that was a storming lap.

 

Yep. Was potentially going to beat it next lap too. He was majorly on it.

 

Question is now do Red Bull have the race pace? They will have to pit earlier than Mercedes so Lewis will have fresher tyres at the end of the race.

 

Who knows. Certainly will be interesting.

 

The good news for Lewis is that he won’t have a banzai dive into the first corner from Max…

 

Partly why I'm not too fussed with Max on pole. Max will be getting a better start off the line so by being P2 he should get away safely. If Max has a bad get away however....

 

Or if Perez gets a fast start and can’t avoid rear ending Lewis