The Official 2016 USA Grand Prix Thread **Spoilers**

[NM62]

Dr Z said:

Adrian W said:

How can you feel robbed when hamiltons lap was the fastest ever

Was following it in live timing. Hamilton had been quick in the first sector all weekend. Rosberg's best had been in the final sector. During the final run it was very very close between the Merc drivers.

Hamilton put in a tremendous first sector on his final run, nearly three tenths quicker than Rosberg. Then Rosberg put in a purple second sector-- already Hamilton was slower than Rosberg around there. It was brilliantly poised at that point.

If Rosberg could have replicated his best final sector from his other run in which he was 2 tenths quicker than Hamilton, the gap would have been in the hundreds than tenths. As it was, Rosberg couldn't match his best and Hamilton too barely improved in the final sector. If the tyres had held on, we could have seen a more thrilling battle between the Merc drivers.

It is like the old school quali tyres as someone said above. However, it shows that the SuperSofts were not a good tyre for this track. If you take too much out of it on the high speed stuff (as Hamilton did on his final run) you're struggling in the next two sectors. Ricciardo will have a tough job in the first stint today if the conditions remained like yesterday. Some cloud cover will be welcome for him.

Me too - don't know about you, but the live timing app is always a couple of seconds ahead of the "live" feed from SKY.

so by the time my head as registered what's happening it's on the screen.

I thought Rosberg was going to do it after his sector 2 and given his previous sector 3.

Looking forward to the race and hope that Ricciardo can get amongst (between) the Mercs

[iandc]

Is there something unusual about this track as all the cars, but especially the Macs, sounded awful. Even worse than normal and that is saying something. If my road car sounded like that I wouldn't drive it to the shops!

[Jonnny]

Did any see Stoffel and Paul DiResta interview on the push bikes eating taco, when the dog jumped on them? That was pretty funny.

[Dr Z]

NM62 said:

Me too - don't know about you, but the live timing app is always a couple of seconds ahead of the "live" feed from SKY.

so by the time my head as registered what's happening it's on the screen.

I thought Rosberg was going to do it after his sector 2 and given his previous sector 3.

Looking forward to the race and hope that Ricciardo can get amongst (between) the Mercs

Was out and about so didn't see the live Sky coverage, but yes I have found it lags a bit behind too. The mobile F1 app has built-in live commentary streaming from BBC 5live which syncs well with the live timing, so I use that when I'm out.

[NM62]

Dr Z said:

NM62 said:

Me too - don't know about you, but the live timing app is always a couple of seconds ahead of the "live" feed from SKY.

so by the time my head as registered what's happening it's on the screen.

I thought Rosberg was going to do it after his sector 2 and given his previous sector 3.

Looking forward to the race and hope that Ricciardo can get amongst (between) the Mercs

Was out and about so didn't see the live Sky coverage, but yes I have found it lags a bit behind too. The mobile F1 app has built-in live commentary streaming from BBC 5live which syncs well with the live timing, so I use that when I'm out.

Not used it when out as I am usually sitting comfortably

The Commentary is good but I use the APP as a companion (or Crofty replacement) to the SKY commentary team - you can tell he is watching the same information sometimes but still messes it up BUT I can see now why he does.

I find it adds a new dimension to watching the race live but to the detriment of this thread (real multi tasking).

For less than £1 per race it's a no brainer ( no affiliation to the app BTW ).

As for the Stoffel Van Doorne / Paul DiResta taco with the over friendly dog - comedy gold - really looking forward to seeing what Stoffel can do (still gutted it's JB that's given way though).

[LaurasOtherHalf]

Jonnny said:

Did any see Stoffel and Paul DiResta interview on the push bikes eating taco, when the dog jumped on them? That was pretty funny.

Not as funny as PdR beating him in the sprint.

[Smollet]

NM62 said:

As for the Stoffel Van Doorne / Paul DiResta taco with the over friendly dog - comedy gold - really looking forward to seeing what Stoffel can do (still gutted it's JB that's given way though).

Although he cleaned up in GP2 he hasn't exactly set the world alight in Japan so I'm firmly on the fence re what he can do in an F1 car and yes I know he scored a point on his first and so far only race but that was more fortune being on his side than out and out ability imgo.

[wevster]

I can see the start and first corner deciding the race again.

I hope Nico and Lewis don't clash again.

[rubystone]

Smollet said:

Although he cleaned up in GP2 he hasn't exactly set the world alight in Japan so I'm firmly on the fence re what he can do in an F1 car and yes I know he scored a point on his first and so far only race but that was more fortune being on his side than out and out ability imgo.

Yes agree totally. Early season races are where a reliable package can earn points. Haas are a case in point.

[Sylvaforever]

ffs just checked out C4 airing time.

At least we get Mexico live :

[TheInternet]

wevster said:

I can see the start and first corner deciding the race again.

I hope Nico and Lewis don't clash again.

I predict another poor start from LH prior to him choosing to go massively off track at T1 to stay out of trouble.

I also predict that prediction to be wrong.

[ClockworkCupcake]

wevster said:

I hope Nico and Lewis don't clash again.

Lewis has everything to lose if they do - he's already in the position that Nico only needs to come 2nd in the 4 remaining races to win the WDC.

[HustleRussell]

sirtyro said:

hairyben said:

Whats maxs black armband for?

Redbull is 50% owned by a family in Thailand & they are mourning the King

I thought it might be the anniversary of Marco Simoncelli

[Ahonen]

rubystone said:

Smollet said:

Although he cleaned up in GP2 he hasn't exactly set the world alight in Japan so I'm firmly on the fence re what he can do in an F1 car and yes I know he scored a point on his first and so far only race but that was more fortune being on his side than out and out ability imgo.

Yes agree totally. Early season races are where a reliable package can earn points. Haas are a case in point.

Vandoorne is the real deal, no question. All those I know who've worked with him are very, very impressed.

[VolvoT5]

ClockworkCupcake said:

Lewis has everything to lose if they do - he's already in the position that Nico only needs to come 2nd in the 4 remaining races to win the WDC.

I think Nico would love it if they both crash out a couple of times over the next few races... that is probably the easiest way for him to win the title. Of course he can't make a deliberate move to crash into Lewis because he would get penalised, but if Lewis tries to give him the chop into the first corner he can certainly afford to just 'clumsily' stick his nose into Lewis's tyres or simply not take evasive action if a scenario should unfold.

[FreiWild]

Rosberg's starting on the inside for turn 1, right? I can imagine some late braking and squeezing Hamilton to the outside.

[Adrian W]

VolvoT5 said:

I think Nico would love it if they both crash out a couple of times over the next few races... that is probably the easiest way for him to win the title. Of course he can't make a deliberate move to crash into Lewis because he would get penalised, but if Lewis tries to give him the chop into the first corner he can certainly afford to just 'clumsily' stick his nose into Lewis's tyres or simply not take evasive action if a scenario should unfold.

Something far more fundamental, he might get hurt!

It's funny they everyone seems to forget this with F1

[Dr Z]

Having looked at Ricciardo's long runs from FP2, he seemed to have really good pace and managed to keep the Super Softs alive for longer than any one. I'm hoping he can make it work in the race.

The Merc that gets caught in the RB trap, is losing a chunk of points to the other. A good start is therefore, critical.

[VolvoT5]

This interview with Hamilton is very cringe worthy... doesn't come across very well here.

[jb2410]

VolvoT5 said:

This interview with Hamilton is very cringe worthy... doesn't come across very well here.

I actually thought the opposite, seen far worse from him in the past.