After watching FP1/FP2 today I think RB and Ferrari are holding back on turning the engines up . Mercedes have pace but are their engines turned up ? VCarb look decent and so does Williams . Piastri had pace Lando was way off . Hulk had good pace Kmag not so much . Sauber Stake and Alpine not looking good . Summary: don't know anything yet :D

FP2 was interesting and gave hope, temporarily, but...
The long runs were more revealing. Max was hitting laps within a 10th of a second lap after lap with one elbow out the door, with a nice gap over anyone else.
As ever it's likely to be an interesting fight...for second and third.



Me, I love underdogs and the new Alpine road car, so I picked them as my team for a bit. Dead last. My curse strikes again.

Looks like someone is mad at the settlement as the texts between Horner and side piece have been leaked.

good thing has and Alpine are checking all of the boxes that Andretti couldn't lol

Great qualifying, good job by NH in the Haas

Now can we get this Horner stuff cleaned up prior to the race please, either fire him or show the evidence. RB not saying anything is not a good look for them.

Yeah good quali, but I hate to say it, looks like Deja Vu all over again.

Seems nothing much has changed except for Damon Hill's new jacket.

Komatsu @ Haas set a goal of 8th, Nico got 10th.
Set a goal and achieve it, is better than "we'll see" like Gunther did.

Great start for Hulk not so much for K Mag . Hopefully the Haas chassis doesn't grind off the rear tires in 5 laps :D . I don't think it's too early to say keep all sharp objects away from Alpine employees . Man are they off the pace !!!

I think it's fair to acknowledge MAX as a driver. The redbull is a good car but look at Perez again, 6th !!! Looks like it could be a fun season if Max does not take off tomorrow at race pace.
At least there is some hope - a lucky development break like MacLaren last year and boom ?
Ottmar must be laughing his ass off.. My team is dead last as expected... Ouch. Ironic for a brand that makes the lightest sports car on sale !

it is still Gunther's car and team.
The new guy is just babysitting it.
Next year we'll see what he can do.

I don't often have a rant on here but after following testing, practise and qualifying I feel I need to vent :mad:

Rearrange these words for the reason why both cars are dead last

Arrogance
Interfering
Incompotent
French

Makes me both angry and sad to see what's happened to a once mighty, multiple world championship winning team :(:mad:

Everyone at Enstone deserves better which is why I hope Andretti buy their entry and run it as a F1 team should be run :cool:

Yup. We were teased in the middle of Q3 when LeClerc was very close, but MV had pace to spare.

I’m sorry to hear that.

Same as it ever was…

You can’t tell me it’s just a good driver and aerodynamics for Max, 31 seconds ahead after 16 laps, come on!

Maybe they should grid them in reverse order next race just so there's some racing to watch as they go up through the field.

If it's not aero and driver skill, what's your take on why the Red Bull is so quick?

Thanks Paul but it gets worse....

Just read now, the Technical Director Matt Harman and Head of Aero Dirk de Beer both resigned earlier this year and leave the team this April

In just over 6 months the team has fired or lost their team principle, sporting director, CTO, technical director, head of aero, production manager, strategic advisor, and legal head

All extremely good at their jobs with decades of being successful in F1 while winning many F1 championships

New team principle has 2 years of F1 experience, 17 months of that being CEO of Alpine F1 engines

Did you all notice Adrian Newey never stops smiling ? That's how they do it.
Max could stop for a snack and still win. Could get a Ham sandwich and a cuppa, and not spill a drop.
Anyway I'm routin' for K Mag here on in.

Sargeant passed Riccairdo. There is hope for the young American.

Amended: nope.

Gonna be a long season if you’re not a Red Bull fan.

^^^ :rolleyes:
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1709410077.png

Max and RB are just superior there is no question about that . I am glad to see Sainz do well and go for it . Good for him . I think the Haas chassis is much better than last years . Logan better start updating his resume .