Official 2021 Bahrain Grand Prix Thread ***SPOILERS***
Discussion
F20CN16 said:
RichB said:
snotrag said:
SmoothCriminal said:
The teams logos next to the drivers names are rather annoying especially when they're such rubbish definition and get half cut off when the times come up.
I much prefer those little icons to those tiny stripes of colour (about 4 slightly different shades of blue, or course) they use during the race!kiseca said:
If you took Hamilton out of F1 completely, and put someone like Taki Inoue (the cartoon version, I'm sure he's actually a much better driver than he gives himself credit for even compared to other professionals) in the other Merc to keep the car out of the way, then to date Bottas would be a double world champion from his four attempts, Seb would have 6 titles to his credit.
Other than that, it's wild speculation, but giving Bottas's 50% success rate of beating everyone but his team mate so far, considering Max wasn't far off beating him last year and how much closer the Red Bulls look in the extremely brief comparison we've had this year, I wouldn't put money on Bottas being the 2020 world champion. I'd probably back Max.
Getting back to reality, with Hamilton in the Merc seat, I'm still quite doubtful that he's all set for his 8th title. He's getting on, he's had 7, we don't know if Covid had any lingering effects still - clearly he was hurting in that last race but that is more likely just getting back to fitness... and Max is hungry, fast, a proven winner and while not as consistent as Lewis, he's more consistent than he was. And the Red Bull looks more competitive. So I'm 50/50 and I wouldn't be surprised if this turns out to be Max's year.
When Ricciardo joined Renault it took him 4 or 5 races to get up to speed in the car - Hulk had the measure of him at first but once he got comfortable - or his team had learnt how to adjust the car to his strengths - he got the upper hand. Hence it's possible that pattern will repeat this year, and unless he's miles off of Norris, I wouldn't read too much into his performance in the first quarter or even first half of this season.
When Schumacher came back, at his age and with his time away, I thought there's no way a driver is making a successful comeback under those conditions, but if anyone can, it's Schumacher. Well, he didn't really make it happen, though I think the lack of testing and the joke tyres of the time both undermined two of his biggest strengths - his ability to run consistent laps in the race at qualifying pace (which would now just melt his tyres) and his work ethic and commitment to testing.
I feel similar about Alonso. He's been away for a long time, he's not as old as Schumi was (or maybe I'm wrong) but he's definitely old enough to be a retired successful F1 driver, and he's entering a so-so car with limited opportunities for development. I don't think many drivers could do this and get back on their old pace, but if anyone can, it's Alonso.... and he doesn't have such big changes in the sport to deal with as Schumacher had to.
Agreed with all the comments. Bottas is as good as Button who was a WDC. The pressure being Hamilton's team mate is a difficult pressure for any world class F1 driver to take.Other than that, it's wild speculation, but giving Bottas's 50% success rate of beating everyone but his team mate so far, considering Max wasn't far off beating him last year and how much closer the Red Bulls look in the extremely brief comparison we've had this year, I wouldn't put money on Bottas being the 2020 world champion. I'd probably back Max.
Getting back to reality, with Hamilton in the Merc seat, I'm still quite doubtful that he's all set for his 8th title. He's getting on, he's had 7, we don't know if Covid had any lingering effects still - clearly he was hurting in that last race but that is more likely just getting back to fitness... and Max is hungry, fast, a proven winner and while not as consistent as Lewis, he's more consistent than he was. And the Red Bull looks more competitive. So I'm 50/50 and I wouldn't be surprised if this turns out to be Max's year.
When Ricciardo joined Renault it took him 4 or 5 races to get up to speed in the car - Hulk had the measure of him at first but once he got comfortable - or his team had learnt how to adjust the car to his strengths - he got the upper hand. Hence it's possible that pattern will repeat this year, and unless he's miles off of Norris, I wouldn't read too much into his performance in the first quarter or even first half of this season.
When Schumacher came back, at his age and with his time away, I thought there's no way a driver is making a successful comeback under those conditions, but if anyone can, it's Schumacher. Well, he didn't really make it happen, though I think the lack of testing and the joke tyres of the time both undermined two of his biggest strengths - his ability to run consistent laps in the race at qualifying pace (which would now just melt his tyres) and his work ethic and commitment to testing.
I feel similar about Alonso. He's been away for a long time, he's not as old as Schumi was (or maybe I'm wrong) but he's definitely old enough to be a retired successful F1 driver, and he's entering a so-so car with limited opportunities for development. I don't think many drivers could do this and get back on their old pace, but if anyone can, it's Alonso.... and he doesn't have such big changes in the sport to deal with as Schumacher had to.
Edited by kiseca on Friday 26th March 11:02
Alonso is coming back for the same reason as Mansell and Schumacher. It's that itch. That need to get back in an F1 driving seat!
Karen Horner 
Big Nanas said:
How long before Alonso starts whining 
Have we got a book running on it?!
He must know we're all expectating it so he'll probably play nice for a little while rather than live up to his stereotype... Have we got a book running on it?!But at some point he's going crack I'm sure
In fairness he like most of us could probably figure out alpine weren't likely to be all that potent this season - but did anyone expect them to be so far back? Yet to see if they really are as far back as they appear, but it definitely doesn't look promising..
minghis said:
I'm confused - isn't Alpine the new name for Renault, and on that basis shouldn't they be having the relative pace of last year's car?
Yes.. but relative to the rest of the grid they don't appear to have done nearly enough to counter the new regs that came in this season.Net effect: they've moved down the order.
JonChalk said:
TheDeuce said:
I'm feeling pretty confident on my prediction regards Alpine - they're seemingly not in the midfield mix at all. Still early days I know but not looking good for them
Nope, it looks like Alpine > Williams > Haas for the bottom 3.DanielSan said:
A lot of conclusions being made from FP1 at one of the tracks where FP1 is even less representative of pace than usual. F1 is well and truly back!
What conclusions have been made other than alpine are clearly struggling?I think so far the threads been fairly level headed actually.
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