The Official 2018 Azerbaijan Grand Prix Thread **SPOILERS**

[Vocal Minority]

Well in the last two GPs the consensus of opinion has been 'we'll see what Mercedes are made of now' - and in both races we haven't seen them open up the can of woop ass. Ok they went well at Albert Park, but I think you can chalk that up to Hamilton's affinity with the place as much as anything.

I think people have held the 'Mercedes are unequivocally the best' for so long, they are loathe to change their opinion.

I am not saying they won't come good. However, with the best will in the world to Dr Z and their very well written reasoning about sector 2 in particular....we have seen these predictions before this term.

The pressure is on Mercedes - as said above, this could be a (relative) win drought for them coming up - and Hamilton is also under pressure, as if he doesn't have a win soon I can see him getting into one of his form gullies - because when things aren't all looking up, he can go a bit....insular.

Either way - looking at the evidence presented so far this year, and disregarding what we 'know' (our long held opinions) - I'd put my money on red.

[Dr Z]

Vocal Minority said:

I think people have held the 'Mercedes are unequivocally the best' for so long, they are loathe to change their opinion.

I am not saying they won't come good. However, with the best will in the world to Dr Z and their very well written reasoning about sector 2 in particular....we have seen these predictions before this term.

Fair enough, we'll see when the cars hit the track. If Ferrari can win this one in a straight fight, they'll become firm favourites for the title in my view.

So far they've been going about it the right way.

[stevesingo]

ELUSIVEJIM said:

Who is he trying to kid.

Doesn't seem to like it when he is hitting the table with his fist.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/43879519

Politics.

Merc don't want a big change in rules and this is Toto's attempt at saying it is not needed. "Hey look everyone, we are having a really close season".

For three teams at least.

[majordad]

watching this

[Deesee]

Thanks Dr Z, superb posting here (and also super some insight too), personally I love the FIA link...

Thanks

[GCH]

Hopefully vettel can drive in a straight line this year....

[slipstream 1985]

Vocal Minority said:

Well in the last two GPs the consensus of opinion has been 'we'll see what Mercedes are made of now' - and in both races we haven't seen them open up the can of woop ass. Ok they went well at Albert Park, but I think you can chalk that up to Hamilton's affinity with the place as much as anything.

I think people have held the 'Mercedes are unequivocally the best' for so long, they are loathe to change their opinion.

I am not saying they won't come good. However, with the best will in the world to Dr Z and their very well written reasoning about sector 2 in particular....we have seen these predictions before this term.

The pressure is on Mercedes - as said above, this could be a (relative) win drought for them coming up - and Hamilton is also under pressure, as if he doesn't have a win soon I can see him getting into one of his form gullies - because when things aren't all looking up, he can go a bit....insular.

Either way - looking at the evidence presented so far this year, and disregarding what we 'know' (our long held opinions) - I'd put my money on red.

Never mind. Canada soon. Bound to win that one.

[cjm]

ELUSIVEJIM said:

Who is he trying to kid.

Doesn't seem to like it when he is hitting the table with his fist.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/43879519

Lewis is the same, saying he love to put on a good race for the fans, likes it going close, likes a fights. Then he is moaning over the radio asking why/how Vettel got in from and why he isn't winning.

[groomi]

paua said:

Virtual sweepstake: on which lap does Verstappen crash & who does he take with him?
I'll take lap 1, Hamilton.

Dunno, but after the race Verstappen will be demoted to TR and Kvyat is brought back into RB with a grovelling apology from Helmet.

[Mr Pointy]

The FIA may be investigating Ferrari over exhaust blowing:

https://www.gpguide.com/News.aspx?articleId=MXwwNC...

Please let it be true.

[Gad-Westy]

cjm said:

ELUSIVEJIM said:

Who is he trying to kid.

Doesn't seem to like it when he is hitting the table with his fist.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/43879519

Lewis is the same, saying he love to put on a good race for the fans, likes it going close, likes a fights. Then he is moaning over the radio asking why/how Vettel got in from and why he isn't winning.

Welcoming competition doesn't necessarily mean that they should be happy to lose. I think they still want to win and it still hurts when they lose. Yes, I'm sure there is some PR BS in there but I don't think they're actually contradicting themselves.

[Gad-Westy]

Really looking forward to this one but I'm god parent at a Christening on Sunday and the parents are selfishly refusing to rearrange the whole thing for me. Will be a long day of avoiding the TV, radio and internet then watching the whole thing a few hours later. Was very entertaining last year. A lot to live up to!

Finger in the air prediction

1. LH
2. MV
3. KR

With some drama eliminating some of the other front runners.

[cjm]

Gad-Westy said:

cjm said:

ELUSIVEJIM said:

Who is he trying to kid.

Doesn't seem to like it when he is hitting the table with his fist.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/43879519

Lewis is the same, saying he love to put on a good race for the fans, likes it going close, likes a fights. Then he is moaning over the radio asking why/how Vettel got in from and why he isn't winning.

Welcoming competition doesn't necessarily mean that they should be happy to lose. I think they still want to win and it still hurts when they lose. Yes, I'm sure there is some PR BS in there but I don't think they're actually contradicting themselves.

I suppose my point was it's all PR BS, they care about winning not good racing.

Edited by cjm on Thursday 26th April 13:36

[HustleRussell]

Vocal Minority said:

Well in the last two GPs the consensus of opinion has been 'we'll see what Mercedes are made of now' - and in both races we haven't seen them open up the can of woop ass. Ok they went well at Albert Park, but I think you can chalk that up to Hamilton's affinity with the place as much as anything.

I think people have held the 'Mercedes are unequivocally the best' for so long, they are loathe to change their opinion.

Either way - looking at the evidence presented so far this year, and disregarding what we 'know' (our long held opinions) - I'd put my money on red.

Agree to an extent, Mercedes' level of dominance has reduced year on year and this time last year we were tantalised by the prospect that they might finally have a worthy adversary in Ferrari as Mercedes struggled to understand their car... but we all know how it ended. Ferrari reliability and Vettel stupidity saw Mercedes wrap it up in Mexico.

Gaz. said:

I thought Ferrari were already firm favourites? They should have won both titles last year too.

If your auntie had bks...

Last year Kimi wasn't there, Vettel was not consistent and Ferrari gave a shed load of points away in Malaysia and Japan (and Singapore).

[anonymous-user]

Gad-Westy said:

Really looking forward to this one but I'm god parent at a Christening on Sunday and the parents are selfishly refusing to rearrange the whole thing for me. Will be a long day of avoiding the TV, radio and internet then watching the whole thing a few hours later. Was very entertaining last year. A lot to live up to!

Finger in the air prediction

1. LH
2. MV
3. KR

With some drama eliminating some of the other front runners.

Would you go to hell if you pulled a sicky?

[anonymous-user]

500/1 for Stroll to repeat last years podium.

Anyone feeling lucky?

[Gad-Westy]

ELUSIVEJIM said:

Gad-Westy said:

Really looking forward to this one but I'm god parent at a Christening on Sunday and the parents are selfishly refusing to rearrange the whole thing for me. Will be a long day of avoiding the TV, radio and internet then watching the whole thing a few hours later. Was very entertaining last year. A lot to live up to!

Finger in the air prediction

1. LH
2. MV
3. KR

With some drama eliminating some of the other front runners.

Would you go to hell if you pulled a sicky?

Unfortunately, I understand Jesus will be watching. The christening, not Baku, though you never know. Don't think I can get out of this one.

[Dr Z]

Deesee said:

Thanks Dr Z, superb posting here (and also super some insight too), personally I love the FIA link...

Thanks

I try to have info in the OP that I like to access for a GP weekend more than anything so, glad it's useful.

[suffolk009]

ELUSIVEJIM said:

500/1 for Stroll to repeat last years podium.

Anyone feeling lucky?

Put your money back in your pocket.

[Jabbah]

cjm said:

Lewis is the same, saying he love to put on a good race for the fans, likes it going close, likes a fights. Then he is moaning over the radio asking why/how Vettel got in from and why he isn't winning.

I always took that to mean he likes to have on track battles with drivers being very close in performance. When the overtake is done due to team strategy decisions then that isn't good racing for the fans and are also the times he has a bit of a moan.