Grand Prix thread GULF AIR BAHRAIN GRAND PRIX 2023

Nando providing the days entertainment here.

 

amazing move by zhou there. 2 places in a couple corners.

alonso

Ferrari. tyre eater.

 

Williams are doing well here.

 

2nd, 3rd and 4th teams will be interesting based on this. Obviously no one’s catching RBR, but the dynamic between those three teams following is interesting and changing as the race progresses.

 

merc disappointing there

had a go, didn't have the grunt or too draggy and fell off the Ferrari.

clearly 4th best car here.

Ferrari all over the place. clewrly have a decent concept and a decent pace but looks skittish and over using tyres.

alonso stroll

 

I wonder if Hamilton’s tyres started to drop off, because he was closing nicely to start with and then just faded back.

 

Even on fresh tyres, Leclerc was the better part of a second off the pace. Both Ferrari and Mercedes need to change over to the Red Bull concept.

Could be a while before any gets close to Max.

 

Driver Of The Day - Fernando Alonso. Welcome back to the podium

 

Could be years

 

As much as Alonso should retire? I think not for both of them.

 

St. Pete about to start for Indy... Fill yer boots folks.

 

"Should he retire" meaning "if he retires", not "i think he should retire"

Lewis is clearly still capable it just depends if he's up for what could be a multi-year rebuild or not.

Also without meaning to diminish Alonso too much. It's easier to look good in your 40s when your teammate is Lance Stroll. Retaining his advantage over Russell will be harder for Lewis.

 

Toto coming out with some interesting things. Even saying worst racing day ever! I wonder if his emotions are getting the better of him for once? He seems to be suggesting the Imola upgrade would have only been worth 0.3 sec! So they are going to switch to a different concept! Yesterday Lewis was saying that they couldn't have a plan B as the cost cap prevented it!

 

Based on that last interview with Toto, Merc upgrade by race 6 was only worth 0.3secs a lap. They need a plan b car apparently, within the budget cap? Is it worth breaking the cap?

 

I do wonder if the simmering rivalry with Red Bull and the refusal to swallow pride has narrowed their minds when designing this- it’s taken them a mighty long time to admit there’s a better concept out there.

Of course the trouble is, those who have followed that design are still, crucially, “following”, in that Red Bull (and Honda) have just done it that bit better.

Im hopeful other circuits will see a closer fight for wins- but it’s a big statement from Red Bull today.

 

Merc dominated and that was equally boring as Red Bull dominating, just that the season before last sticks in my throat. However, just need to get over it. Don't want another dominant era. Lawrenace Stroll has a 5 year plan. We need Ferrari to step up to the challenge.

 

Hats off to Alonso who got that podium in a very Alonso way (+ an untypical bit of luck).

Also to Williams who ran surprisingly well in the race, without the late race pace drop off, that has typified their performances in recent years. Very surprised how close Sargent was able to run Albon.

I think the best way to enjoy this season will be to do what the TV director did and ignore the Bulls in the near term. The 2/3/4 battle should prove entertaining for quite a while.

I think this is going to be a theme for me this year, but Norris has to be looking at both George and Carlos and thinking he could make a lot more use of those seats.

 

Yup! I wish they could make regulation changes incrementally somehow so that we can get some kind of consistent parity.

 

Not sure I would believe he could do a better job than those two but he is going to need a good drive at some point.
I can't ignore RBR but it is the only thing to do.

 

Toto says he believes the main components are ok, engine, suspension etc, as these are the same on the Aston Martin. It is therefore all in the aero, although the Aston couldn't challenge the RBR. Will it be lots of wind tunnel testing, do a look alike to the RRBR.Then his first objective must be beat Ferrari.
As for AM and a 5 year plan, that takes them to 2027 and new engines. Interesting.