2026 Motorsports Season
- Thread starter Mcdavis
- Start date
AC Bill
Well-known member
Is it a one off fluke, that Gasley somehow performed so much better at this particular track, or has the Alpine car finally been substantially improved?
It's one of the sad things about possibly never seeing a drivers true potential recognized, just because they have a lousy car. Their F1 career is sometimes over before it really gets started. If you put Kimi, Norris, or Max in an Alpine, would they still win races? If you put Gasley in a Mercedes, McLaren, or Red Bull, would he be winning races? I feel for drivers like Alonso, who has proven his skills, but is now stuck in a problematic car.
Ferrari Fred has a chance to shine, or be tar and feathered, depending on his strategy for the Monza race. Some very poor strategy decisions have lost the team top finishes in the past. It could happen again, unless Lewis see's the folly, and does his own thing. Hopefully they provided him with a car that can compete.
WTF? The Italian grand prix, in front of Kimi's home fans, and Mercedes do a power unit swap and force him to start from the back? Fitting a fifth new power unit exceeded his seasonal limit, and triggered a back-of-the-grid start I questioned why here, of all races? Winning Monza would have given Kimi the status similar to a sainthood...
Toto's explanation was, Monza's long straights make it one of the easiest circuits on the calendar to pull off a recovery drive from the back of the grid. The high-speed nature of the track suits the Mercedes power unit, helping Antonelli slice back through the field.
I worry that Antonelli just barely 20 years old, may become reckless in his desire to prove himself. Lawson who was was similarlily penalized and having to start at the back, could make the young guns run to the front quite interesting.
It's one of the sad things about possibly never seeing a drivers true potential recognized, just because they have a lousy car. Their F1 career is sometimes over before it really gets started. If you put Kimi, Norris, or Max in an Alpine, would they still win races? If you put Gasley in a Mercedes, McLaren, or Red Bull, would he be winning races? I feel for drivers like Alonso, who has proven his skills, but is now stuck in a problematic car.
Ferrari Fred has a chance to shine, or be tar and feathered, depending on his strategy for the Monza race. Some very poor strategy decisions have lost the team top finishes in the past. It could happen again, unless Lewis see's the folly, and does his own thing. Hopefully they provided him with a car that can compete.
WTF? The Italian grand prix, in front of Kimi's home fans, and Mercedes do a power unit swap and force him to start from the back? Fitting a fifth new power unit exceeded his seasonal limit, and triggered a back-of-the-grid start I questioned why here, of all races? Winning Monza would have given Kimi the status similar to a sainthood...
Toto's explanation was, Monza's long straights make it one of the easiest circuits on the calendar to pull off a recovery drive from the back of the grid. The high-speed nature of the track suits the Mercedes power unit, helping Antonelli slice back through the field.
I worry that Antonelli just barely 20 years old, may become reckless in his desire to prove himself. Lawson who was was similarlily penalized and having to start at the back, could make the young guns run to the front quite interesting.
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AC Bill
Well-known member
Kimi showed his amazing driving skills, but was so lucky he didn't plant the car in the gravel in his off.
I think George was a bit miffed, but who knows what would have happened if he'd stopped for tires. Mercedes finishing first and second was important to the team.
Shame Gasley's car didn't have the race pace needed, as I enjoy seeing the underdogs finishing well in a race.
Leclerc looked pretty rattled after his crash. I be he'll be sore for awhile.. Hope he's OK.
https://www.planetf1.com/news/charles-leclerc-additional-checks-vision-problems-monza-crash
I think George was a bit miffed, but who knows what would have happened if he'd stopped for tires. Mercedes finishing first and second was important to the team.
Shame Gasley's car didn't have the race pace needed, as I enjoy seeing the underdogs finishing well in a race.
Leclerc looked pretty rattled after his crash. I be he'll be sore for awhile.. Hope he's OK.
https://www.planetf1.com/news/charles-leclerc-additional-checks-vision-problems-monza-crash
AC Bill
Well-known member
Madrid shouldl be an challenging 5.4 km street circuit with 47% of the lap in a turn. 20 corners might make for a hard track to pass, but there are some high speed sections, that might help if a driver can use the slip stream. Be interesting to see who manage the power keeping the battery charged.
Was reading about the track as it is new for F-1
based on dirvers sim runs and an F-3 test its going to be a tough one
19 red flags in f-3 race. hi speed blind turns with close walls,
off camber braking areas,
fast but like Monaco, mistakes will be costly and will be hard to pass
hope its a good race, could mess with points depending who crashes and who doesn't
we will all know more tomorrow after FP-1 wish I could watch thaat
needa TV in my truck
based on dirvers sim runs and an F-3 test its going to be a tough one
19 red flags in f-3 race. hi speed blind turns with close walls,
off camber braking areas,
fast but like Monaco, mistakes will be costly and will be hard to pass
hope its a good race, could mess with points depending who crashes and who doesn't
we will all know more tomorrow after FP-1 wish I could watch thaat
needa TV in my truck