Official 2023 Saudi Arabia Grand Prix Thread ***SPOILERS***

[Sandpit Steve]

kambites said:

Has there been any news on what caused Stroll's retirement?

“A sudden loss of harvesting”, according to the team. Might have thought it was an MGU-K failure, which quickly leads to a brake failure. His front brakes ended up covered in fire extinguishant.

[ChocolateFrog]

The main story that seems to be developing is the fight against AM and Merc.

AM have the faster car, Merc have a better driver pairing.

If Ferrari can sort their st out (doubtful) it could be a decent 3 way battle for 2nd in the constructors.

[Jonny_]

Sandpit Steve said:

I know it’s said every time this happens, but you’d think the stewards would have been able to hand Alonso his penalty, before the actual podium ceremony! As it was, he got interviewed, stood up there, received his trophy, sprayed whatever is they spray, then left the dais to be told he actually finished 4th. So now all the world’s newspapers will have to run with the story of the penalty, to explain why the pictures of the post-race ceremony don’t line up with the result.

Yep, absolutely st from the stewards, it's not as though his penalty was served right at the very end of the race!

As an aside, the tribal sniping on this thread is getting annoying as fk, knock it off chaps, or at least have a separate thread for it...

[usn90]

Can’t help but feel that there was nothing wrong with Max’s car, just a face saving exercise becuase he couldn’t close the gap

[RichB]

Sandpit Steve said:

I know it’s said every time this happens, but you’d think the stewards would have been able to hand Alonso his penalty, before the actual podium ceremony! As it was, he got interviewed, stood up there, received his trophy, sprayed whatever is they spray, then left the dais to be told he actually finished 4th. So now all the world’s newspapers will have to run with the story of the penalty, to explain why the pictures of the post-race ceremony don’t line up with the result.

There should be a policy that no ceremony happens until any outstanding investigations are complete. That would put pressure on the stewards to get their arses in gear. Frankly there's no reason why they couldn't have made that decision 10-15 mins before the end of the race.It's laziness.

[Teddy Lop]

GiantCardboardPlato said:

‘Driveshaft’ was being used very deliberately there, code word?

He did labour the word a bit didn't he? The f1tv commentary thought it odd, that a diver should have no idea. Didn't seem to scare him off setting fastest lap at the end either, which is odd if you think the cars on the edge of expiring.

Why did he go to the pitlane instead of the grid with the other podium places after the race ?

Anyway nice for Perez, but I expect RB will make sure things are in the right order over the season.

And just in case youd forgotten, the stewards have decided to remind us the event is really all about them and their incompetence one more.

[GMT13]

There'll be no more speculation on if Max can win every single race at least, but can Red Bull? Wonder what odds you'd get on that

[Jon_Bmw]

A few things from a Ham fan;

I think we can put the cost cap to one side now (as I am sure they must be in the 2022 cost cap), they just built a phenomenal car. The margin they have I don't believe is down to the amount they broke the cost cap by. I think what they analysed from previous rule cars, and have managed to execute, is the absolute two best traits in this era;

1) -super low tyre Deg (from excellent downforce)
2) -amazingly high top speed with superb DRS implementation.

I'm very interested to see how they have done it, it's very impressive.

If the car gets out in front, item 1 is the savour, if the car ends up mid pack item 2 saves it.

Max is very dominant in that team and his 1 lap speed is next level, but fair play to Checo for keeping the gap today. I think that all F1 fans (RB & others) will have to satisfy themselves on the Aston, Merc, Ferrari battle what we will have to look forward to.

[NRS]

usn90 said:

Can’t help but feel that there was nothing wrong with Max’s car, just a face saving exercise becuase he couldn’t close the gap

You could hear a whine when he came on the radio.

[RichB]

Teddy Lop said:

<clip> And just in case you'd forgotten, the stewards have decided to remind us the event is really all about them and their incompetence one more.

[moffspeed]

A word out for 2 of the rookies.

I guess we knew that Piastri would be something special but Sargeant was, in my mind, a question of “let’s see”.

Very solid race by both today, matching the pace of NOR & ALB and no major mistakes. Seriously impressive.

[epom]

Great win for Perez. Hope his 3 wheeled car will be quick at the next round.

[StRemy]

ChocolateFrog said:

The main story that seems to be developing is the fight against AM and Merc.

AM have the faster car, Merc have a better driver pairing.

If Ferrari can sort their st out (doubtful) it could be a decent 3 way battle for 2nd in the constructors.

Don’t think any of the Merc drivers is any better than a fortysomething FA tbh.

[Diderot]

Deesee said:

RichB said:

Deesee said:

Go on then, what's funny?

Big celebration with his old team.. he's still very well regarded and respected there.

Very nice touch that - sportsmanship.

Great race by Perez - well controlled. Alonso - brilliant drive - so fantastic to see him back up at the sharp end. Max was unstoppable, but he was also patient and measured, mature drive. Lewis, hopefully he’ll get comfortable in the car, and he needs to as Russell looks stronger right now.

It was another entertaining race overall. But bloody hell, McLaren is seemingly limping from one race to another so far sadly; Lando was not helped by the mediums falling off towards the end (Lewis was the same v Russell.); let’s hope they improve soon. Piastri and Sergeant acquitted themselves very well indeed - far better than those they replaced (not difficult). But Lando needs to get the hell out of there and soon.

[Stan the Bat]

NRS said:

usn90 said:

Can’t help but feel that there was nothing wrong with Max’s car, just a face saving exercise becuase he couldn’t close the gap

You could hear a whine when he came on the radio.

Ooooh.

[usn90]

NRS said:

usn90 said:

Can’t help but feel that there was nothing wrong with Max’s car, just a face saving exercise becuase he couldn’t close the gap

You could hear a whine when he came on the radio.

Could you actually?

I take it back then if so

Or is that a pun lol

[86]

Not much entertainment again and the FIA does it’s best to spoil what there is. Plus throw in a safety car that wasn’t needed. Two races both pants

[Sandpit Steve]

RichB said:

Sandpit Steve said:

I know it’s said every time this happens, but you’d think the stewards would have been able to hand Alonso his penalty, before the actual podium ceremony! As it was, he got interviewed, stood up there, received his trophy, sprayed whatever is they spray, then left the dais to be told he actually finished 4th. So now all the world’s newspapers will have to run with the story of the penalty, to explain why the pictures of the post-race ceremony don’t line up with the result.

There should be a policy that no ceremony happens until any outstanding investigations are complete. That would put pressure on the stewards to get their arses in gear. Frankly there's no reason why they couldn't have made that decision 10-15 mins before the end of the race.It's laziness.

Well quite. Mercedes seemed to know something was up, about 10m before the end of the race. They should have had Lewis push hard too, they should have known the penalty would be 10s and Lewis was close to that gap.

[Diderot]

Oh and looks like Fred got a penalty. Shame.

[cgt2]

Spanish mate just told me De La Rosa says AM is appealing the penalty