Official 2021 French Grand Prix Thread ***SPOILERS***
Discussion
Finlandese said:
Horner is refering to leaving Lewis out for two laps after Bottas started the pit stops for the leading group. Bottas stopped on lap 17, Verstappen on 18 and Hamilton on 19. Verstappen was a bit over three seconds behind Hamilton when he pitted to cover for Bottas and did not expect to undercut Hamilton. But he did, despite 0,1 sec faster pit stop for Hamilton.
It might have been 0.1s faster stop, but his total pitlane time was 0.5s longer than Verstappen's.Another impressive points haul from Norris, comfortably 5th in the drivers championship and is looking like the driver typically most likely to grab podiums if anything happens to the usual top 4 during a race.
As others have mentioned if Ricciardo can continue his upward trend McLaren are looking excellent for 3rd overall this season.
As others have mentioned if Ricciardo can continue his upward trend McLaren are looking excellent for 3rd overall this season.
jsf said:
majordad said:
Do you know I think it won’t be Russel that replaces Bottas.
Do you enjoy being wrong? 
Who else is in the young driver programme? I guess they still have an informal connection with Ocon.
A huge storm took out my Internet again yesterday afternoon so I only saw the end of race on C4.
Did anyone comment on Lewis not wearing his Pirelli cap on the podium? I assume its his way of expressing what he thinks of this year’s rubber.
Mercedes are going to need to capitalise on a lot of RB misadventure to win this season. The gap could be awesome after the next two races.
The gap to P5 shows just how far the other teams are still behind the top two
Did anyone comment on Lewis not wearing his Pirelli cap on the podium? I assume its his way of expressing what he thinks of this year’s rubber.
Mercedes are going to need to capitalise on a lot of RB misadventure to win this season. The gap could be awesome after the next two races.
The gap to P5 shows just how far the other teams are still behind the top two
whatleytom said:
DanielSan said:
Toto claims every week that the first thing Mercedes want to do is win the race with either car. They made the choice barely halfway through the race today that neither car would win. It wasn't like Bottas didn't have the pace today.
Why would you want the driver you're binning at the end of the year to beat your talisman BOT
VER
HAM
PER,
that’s better for Mercedes in BOTH championships.
Mercedes really dropped the ball yesterday. As soon as cars began pitting (I remember Leclerc setting a purple sector on fresh hards) it was obvious the undercut was going to be strong. Yet they waited an extra lap to pit Hamilton after Verstappen. Then waiting on an imaginary penalty for Perez preventing them from going for fastest lap with Bottas.
Red Bull have all the momentum and I wouldn't be surprised to see them walk the championships from here.
Red Bull have all the momentum and I wouldn't be surprised to see them walk the championships from here.
vaud said:
jsf said:
majordad said:
Do you know I think it won’t be Russel that replaces Bottas.
Do you enjoy being wrong? Who else is in the young driver programme? I guess they still have an informal connection with Ocon.
I still think Schumacher will end up there, possibly alongside Russell. I doubt Ferrari will have a seat available for 4-5 years.
Polite M135 driver said:
Looks like russel did a great job yesterday, p12 ahead of 5 faster cars. We saw little of it but it must have been a pretty immense race from him.
Any footage of this anywhere? I see he got a bad start (again?!) but must have made a lot of overtakes later on. Sadly none of it shown on the official highlights package.pixelmix said:
Any footage of this anywhere? I see he got a bad start (again?!) but must have made a lot of overtakes later on. Sadly none of it shown on the official highlights package.
Certainly a race deserving of a point, typical that he does that when nobody ahead of him retires though!He got squeezed out at the start which put him back, but overtook Ocon and Tsunoda late on to take 12th. Such a shame it got absolutely no coverage (that I recall), even in a little box out in the corner as they do sometimes.
vaud said:
Polite M135 driver said:
Ocon just signed a 3 year deal with Alpine.
Yes, I know but F1 contracts are normally just a question of compensation. Also I understand many lower order team drivers have break clauses if a leading team come knocking.
I agree with what Vaud was saying. Russell is the most likely, but if do look for alternatives, I suppose Ocon is a rather expensive outsider, but he is an alternative if they are struggling (i.e. Russell says no)
kiseca said:
It does look like Mercedes's options are quickly vanishing. They have two seats to secure next eason and McLaren and Alpine have both quickly locked down Norris and Ocon in long term contracts, and Williams were trying the same with Russell
I agree with what Vaud was saying. Russell is the most likely, but if do look for alternatives, I suppose Ocon is a rather expensive outsider, but he is an alternative if they are struggling (i.e. Russell says no)
I think they'll get Russell and Hamilton will do 1 more season. Apprentice and the master. I can see Norris ending up there, not really sure who else from the current crop of drivers.I agree with what Vaud was saying. Russell is the most likely, but if do look for alternatives, I suppose Ocon is a rather expensive outsider, but he is an alternative if they are struggling (i.e. Russell says no)
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