Official 2020 Sakhir Grand Prix 2020 Thread **SPOILERS**

[TheDeuce]

antspants said:

kiseca said:

Are we even sure they changed it? Did their instagrams ever mention their team names or did the Express just make that up to get a story?

On the Reddit thread somebody posted a link to yesterday there were links to older IG bios with team names, but like I said it didn't seem obvious when they were changed. It's a non-story and if it has only just happened I wouldn't put it past the Merc social media team to have had a bit of fun stirring up the conspiracy theorists, I've been enjoying their Twitter feed this season.

That plus the fact it makes no sense. Next season is a rinse and repeat of this season... So why would they fundamentally change what worked so powerfully this season

Russell in for 22. Bottas already in for 21. That's the reality

(You can tell it's reality because it makes sense and is plausible - the more exciting stories are what we call 'dreams').

[CanAm]

Europa Jon said:

CanAm said:

Rubbish. Donald Trump had full blown Covid-19 and he said it was nothing. He was out on the golf course in no time at all; probably running marathons too.

Ah, but did he really have it, if was it a publicity stunt to a) get sympathy votes? or
b) demonstrate his strength and health by beating it in record time?

I don't believe a word I say, nevermind Trump!

[DonkeyApple]

ch37 said:

North West Tom said:

Pretty naive to think Lewis (and all top athletes/stars for that matter) isn't in control of his socials. You think his team of industry experts lashed out at Helmut Marko for his unverified quotes about BLM? Or what about that time his social media team reposted an anti-vax video? Also, I'm guessing they purposely make spelling mistakes to make it seem more believable?

What is more likely, is that he will have his pre-scheduled sponsored/partnership posts that someone else will create every once in a while. He has free rein to post as he wishes, however there'll be someone at Merc (or maybe externally) that will keep an eye on it and let him know if he should delete something.

Absolutely this, I'm actually stunned that anyone who follows Lewis (or indeed George, Alex, Lando etc) would think it's fully under 'corporate' control.

Lewis clearly has 'team' posts (a range of race images a couple of hours after a race, for example) but by and large his stream is quite clearly updated by himself when he feels like it.

It's not naive when he has a specific company, Project 44 years hat exists to run all his stuff. Obviously, he will have access just as other high profile people do but there is a paid team to manage everything. Hence why any decision to remain silent will have been a corporate one ultimately between Marc Hynes and Lewis.

The naivety would be to ever think that a big corporate brand such as LH doesn't have a team of professionals or an agency to handle their social media activity alongside all other aspects of the public persona they want to project and their brand.

[HustleRussell]

kiseca said:

HustleRussell said:

The Moose said:

Dr Interceptor said:

Lewis just tweeted a video... said he's back training and is aiming to race at Abu Dhabi.

Not being racist at all, but he looked a bit pale, he didn't look well at all to me.

https://twitter.com/LewisHamilton/status/133631368...

Looks like the lighting to me. Agreed he didn't look/sound good though.

He's not above playing it up a bit though is he.

I always find it funny how he huffs and puffs down the radio when he wants everybody to know he's working super hard, then you hear Albon and he sounds like somebody's just woken him up from a nap.

If Hamilton thinks he's back in the car this weekend he will love the "defeats covid and wins race in same week" storyline. He is constantly trying to convince us that he's an underdog character who triumphs against adversity.

Kimi also always sounds like he's on the edge of a meltdown. Is he playing it up too?

Schumacher was singled out for sounding so calm on the radio, meaning Albon's the exception, not the norm. And maybe Albon's calm and relaxed because he's cruising around half a second off the pace that the car is capable of.

You're talking about their voices. I'm talking about the fact that hamilton holds the radio button and respires heavily down the radio to communicate the message that he's working hard. I have noticed him doing it especially since the bigger tyres were brought in.

The Moose said:

Remind me where Albon is in the standings vs Lewis?

Heck, remind me where he is in relation to his team mate?

I think you've got the wrong end of the stick.

I can't be the only one who has noticed this about Hamilton? He acts it up! He is possibly the only(?) driver who can be heard noticeably respiring heavily on the team radio, normally when he's just done a quick lap, or Bono is asking him to push and he wants Bono to know he is already pushing etc etc. He is undoubtedly a very fit driver, so considering that other possibly less fit drivers don't do it, I've always though it is some weird breathing technique, or more likely be just does it to communicate the message / create the impression that he's working super hard.

[FourWheelDrift]

Ricciardo always sounds like he has a cold (blocked nose) on the team radio.

[swisstoni]

HustleRussell said:

kiseca said:

HustleRussell said:

The Moose said:

Dr Interceptor said:

Lewis just tweeted a video... said he's back training and is aiming to race at Abu Dhabi.

Not being racist at all, but he looked a bit pale, he didn't look well at all to me.

https://twitter.com/LewisHamilton/status/133631368...

Looks like the lighting to me. Agreed he didn't look/sound good though.

He's not above playing it up a bit though is he.

I always find it funny how he huffs and puffs down the radio when he wants everybody to know he's working super hard, then you hear Albon and he sounds like somebody's just woken him up from a nap.

If Hamilton thinks he's back in the car this weekend he will love the "defeats covid and wins race in same week" storyline. He is constantly trying to convince us that he's an underdog character who triumphs against adversity.

Kimi also always sounds like he's on the edge of a meltdown. Is he playing it up too?

Schumacher was singled out for sounding so calm on the radio, meaning Albon's the exception, not the norm. And maybe Albon's calm and relaxed because he's cruising around half a second off the pace that the car is capable of.

You're talking about their voices. I'm talking about the fact that hamilton holds the radio button and respires heavily down the radio to communicate the message that he's working hard. I have noticed him doing it especially since the bigger tyres were brought in.

The Moose said:

Remind me where Albon is in the standings vs Lewis?

Heck, remind me where he is in relation to his team mate?

I think you've got the wrong end of the stick.

I can't be the only one who has noticed this about Hamilton? He acts it up! He is possibly the only(?) driver who can be heard noticeably respiring heavily on the team radio, normally when he's just done a quick lap, or Bono is asking him to push and he wants Bono to know he is already pushing etc etc. He is undoubtedly a very fit driver, so considering that other possibly less fit drivers don't do it, I've always though it is some weird breathing technique, or more likely be just does it to communicate the message / create the impression that he's working super hard.

So he’s giving us a pantomime as well.
What an entertainer!

[HighwayStar]

HustleRussell said:

kiseca said:

HustleRussell said:

The Moose said:

Dr Interceptor said:

Lewis just tweeted a video... said he's back training and is aiming to race at Abu Dhabi.

Not being racist at all, but he looked a bit pale, he didn't look well at all to me.

https://twitter.com/LewisHamilton/status/133631368...

Looks like the lighting to me. Agreed he didn't look/sound good though.

He's not above playing it up a bit though is he.

I always find it funny how he huffs and puffs down the radio when he wants everybody to know he's working super hard, then you hear Albon and he sounds like somebody's just woken him up from a nap.

If Hamilton thinks he's back in the car this weekend he will love the "defeats covid and wins race in same week" storyline. He is constantly trying to convince us that he's an underdog character who triumphs against adversity.

Kimi also always sounds like he's on the edge of a meltdown. Is he playing it up too?

Schumacher was singled out for sounding so calm on the radio, meaning Albon's the exception, not the norm. And maybe Albon's calm and relaxed because he's cruising around half a second off the pace that the car is capable of.

You're talking about their voices. I'm talking about the fact that hamilton holds the radio button and respires heavily down the radio to communicate the message that he's working hard. I have noticed him doing it especially since the bigger tyres were brought in.

The Moose said:

Remind me where Albon is in the standings vs Lewis?

Heck, remind me where he is in relation to his team mate?

I think you've got the wrong end of the stick.

I can't be the only one who has noticed this about Hamilton? He acts it up! He is possibly the only(?) driver who can be heard noticeably respiring heavily on the team radio, normally when he's just done a quick lap, or Bono is asking him to push and he wants Bono to know he is already pushing etc etc. He is undoubtedly a very fit driver, so considering that other possibly less fit drivers don't do it, I've always though it is some weird breathing technique, or more likely be just does it to communicate the message / create the impression that he's working super hard.

Seriously!!! Creating an impression!!!?? Wow... sounds like case of too much thinking.

[CanAm]

swisstoni said:

So he’s giving us a pantomime as well.
What an entertainer!

Oh no he isn't

(somebody had to do it)

[SturdyHSV]

HustleRussell said:

or more likely be just does it to communicate the message / create the impression that he's working super hard.

If that is the case then presumably one can nly conclude that he finds the whole thing so easy and untaxing that he can spend the race contemplating not only the race strategy, but also the best way to create the impression that he's working hard in order to... make it look like it's not as easy for him as it thus is?

In which case, more respect to the man is surely due for having the spare capacity to also play his part in a fairly exciting episode of the Archers whilst also winning most of the races.

As for the team radio messages, and my apologies those of you who do in fact sit and listen to all of them for all of the drivers, but presumably they only broadcast the 'interesting' ones that create a narrative or suite a particular storyline. Thus Kimi's radio messages are only played when he's pissed off and shouting something at his engineer, Max's are only played when he's swearing, Sainz's are only played when he's singing a funny song etc.

[SpudLink]

CanAm said:

swisstoni said:

So he’s giving us a pantomime as well.
What an entertainer!

Oh no he isn't

(somebody had to do it)

Lewis: “Has anyone seen Valtteri?”

Audience: ... no, it’s too easy

[anonymous-user]

swisstoni said:

So he’s giving us a pantomime as well.
What an entertainer!

He's a lightweight compared to Mansell in this respect.

[HustleRussell]

HighwayStar said:

Seriously!!! Creating an impression!!!?? Wow... sounds like case of too much thinking.

I cannot believe that I appear to be the only person to have picked up on this?

[anonymous-user]

HustleRussell said:

I cannot believe that I appear to be the only person to have picked up on this?

Maybe he prefers a very tight harness so he doesn't move in the seat and feels everything the car is doing. If you have ever been in a 6 point harness that is as tight as you can get them, it's not easy to breath.

[geeks]

HustleRussell said:

HighwayStar said:

Seriously!!! Creating an impression!!!?? Wow... sounds like case of too much thinking.

I cannot believe that I appear to be the only person to have picked up on this?

If it helps I have noticed this too. I just always assumed it was crappy mic placement in his helmet or he is just a mouth breather when in the car, I know I am lol.

Vettel always sounds like he has a boiled sweet in his mouth on the radio as well.

[SturdyHSV]

jsf said:

HustleRussell said:

I cannot believe that I appear to be the only person to have picked up on this?

Maybe he prefers a very tight harness so he doesn't move in the seat and feels everything the car is doing. If you have ever been in a 6 point harness that is as tight as you can get them, it's not easy to breath.

Maybe as his voice isn't particularly deep or well projected they put the helmet mic right in front of his mouth or something and it picks up more of the breathing?

Maybe he takes deep breaths to keep himself calm or he finds it helps him concentrate?

Maybe he's stressed in these situations and is breathing more heavily?

Or indeed, maybe he's just putting on a show to make it seem like he's struggling for the benefit of nobody and keeps this in mind whilst racing.

I have noticed the heavy breathing a few times HR, but didn't give much thought to it though tbh beyond it being a bit unusual.

[HighwayStar]

HustleRussell said:

HighwayStar said:

Seriously!!! Creating an impression!!!?? Wow... sounds like case of too much thinking.

I cannot believe that I appear to be the only person to have picked up on this?

It’s your interpretation... doesn’t make it so. Of course it doesn’t mean you’re categorically wrong either... I just don’t agree. You’ve decided it’s all for effect. Why would he do that.. as has been pointed out already, it’s that easy for him, while on it... keeping his car on the track, preserving his tyres, in race strategy, thinking through a pit call and decided it’s not the best idea, this is what I’m going do... all the while maybe trying to get the lead or keep it while keeping Max at bay. While all that is going on he needs to give the impression that he as actually working for it? Hence ‘seriously!’
Maybe he is is, y’know, actually pushing hard and why Bottas doesn’t generally get near him in races?

All this reminds me of Andretti’s quote...
“ If everything seems under control, you're just not going fast enough.”

[paulguitar]

jsf said:

swisstoni said:

So he’s giving us a pantomime as well.
What an entertainer!

He's a lightweight compared to Mansell in this respect.

I will never forget Paul Newman's answer to being asked what he thought of Nigel:

'He is, and I don't say this lightly, a very fine actor'.

[kiseca]

paulguitar said:

jsf said:

swisstoni said:

So he’s giving us a pantomime as well.
What an entertainer!

He's a lightweight compared to Mansell in this respect.

I will never forget Paul Newman's answer to being asked what he thought of Nigel:

'He is, and I don't say this lightly, a very fine actor'.

[MDMetal]

HighwayStar said:

HustleRussell said:

HighwayStar said:

Seriously!!! Creating an impression!!!?? Wow... sounds like case of too much thinking.

I cannot believe that I appear to be the only person to have picked up on this?

It’s your interpretation... doesn’t make it so. Of course it doesn’t mean you’re categorically wrong either... I just don’t agree. You’ve decided it’s all for effect. Why would he do that.. as has been pointed out already, it’s that easy for him, while on it... keeping his car on the track, preserving his tyres, in race strategy, thinking through a pit call and decided it’s not the best idea, this is what I’m going do... all the while maybe trying to get the lead or keep it while keeping Max at bay. While all that is going on he needs to give the impression that he as actually working for it? Hence ‘seriously!’
Maybe he is is, y’know, actually pushing hard and why Bottas doesn’t generally get near him in races?

All this reminds me of Andretti’s quote...
“ If everything seems under control, you're just not going fast enough.”

He only needs to go faster than the car behind...

I've no clue if he "hams" it up (see what I did?) he clearly romps off most weeks and bags a win. Maybe he does read things and feels that he does need to make a point that it's not the car it's him. George has clearly answered some questions while creating others. Bottas isn't the worst driver on the grid, he's below Rosberg thats clear and it took Nico a hell of a lot of effort to beat Lewis and since then Lewis has doubled down. Neither George or Bottas have had enough F1 team mates to draw comparrisons, it seems reasonably clear george could beat the buttons of the world in the same car. Can he beat the Alonso's and Hamiltons? Who knows.

[kiseca]

MDMetal said:

HighwayStar said:

HustleRussell said:

HighwayStar said:

Seriously!!! Creating an impression!!!?? Wow... sounds like case of too much thinking.

I cannot believe that I appear to be the only person to have picked up on this?

It’s your interpretation... doesn’t make it so. Of course it doesn’t mean you’re categorically wrong either... I just don’t agree. You’ve decided it’s all for effect. Why would he do that.. as has been pointed out already, it’s that easy for him, while on it... keeping his car on the track, preserving his tyres, in race strategy, thinking through a pit call and decided it’s not the best idea, this is what I’m going do... all the while maybe trying to get the lead or keep it while keeping Max at bay. While all that is going on he needs to give the impression that he as actually working for it? Hence ‘seriously!’
Maybe he is is, y’know, actually pushing hard and why Bottas doesn’t generally get near him in races?

All this reminds me of Andretti’s quote...
“ If everything seems under control, you're just not going fast enough.”

He only needs to go faster than the car behind...

I've no clue if he "hams" it up (see what I did?) he clearly romps off most weeks and bags a win. Maybe he does read things and feels that he does need to make a point that it's not the car it's him. George has clearly answered some questions while creating others. Bottas isn't the worst driver on the grid, he's below Rosberg thats clear and it took Nico a hell of a lot of effort to beat Lewis and since then Lewis has doubled down. Neither George or Bottas have had enough F1 team mates to draw comparrisons, it seems reasonably clear george could beat the buttons of the world in the same car. Can he beat the Alonso's and Hamiltons? Who knows.

What would make this point more clearly? Lewis destroying Bottas in the same car and huffing and wheezing like it's his absolute most, or Lewis destroying Bottas in the same car while he has one hand in his pocket, the other giving a high five and he's whistling Alanis Morissette tunes to Bono on the team radio?