Formula 1

[greenmark]

Indeed! As I see it there are three possibilities:

1) Max and Lewis crash and Max wins the title by default due to race win countback
2) Max beats Lewis in the race, and therefore wins the title - the Red Bull was mighty at this track last year with Max winning easily over Bottas then Lewis
3) Lewis beats Max and wins the title

CS

The #2 drivers could play a massive role. They both seem like decent fellas but Bottas would probably the more likely to 'accidently' lock a wheel and sail into the back of a contender.

If Hamilton does win the title I think Red Bull will be kicking themselves that they didn't kick up a bigger fuss about the Merc rear wing before the Brazilian GP. They were talking about it before then but they waited until the next race in Qatar to threaten a protest. That's when the FIA started conducting extra rear wings checks before qualifying and magically the big advantage Mercedes had in a straight line vanished

Bottas has said he wants to sever all connection with Mercedes and I can't say I've seen him contributing to Lewis's cause recently. Perez situation though is different isn't it? Would Red Bull sacrifice a chance of the constructor's title by using him as a torpedo to secure the driver's title?

[Trader Pat]

Indeed! As I see it there are three possibilities:

1) Max and Lewis crash and Max wins the title by default due to race win countback
2) Max beats Lewis in the race, and therefore wins the title - the Red Bull was mighty at this track last year with Max winning easily over Bottas then Lewis
3) Lewis beats Max and wins the title

CS

The #2 drivers could play a massive role. They both seem like decent fellas but Bottas would probably the more likely to 'accidently' lock a wheel and sail into the back of a contender.

If Hamilton does win the title I think Red Bull will be kicking themselves that they didn't kick up a bigger fuss about the Merc rear wing before the Brazilian GP. They were talking about it before then but they waited until the next race in Qatar to threaten a protest. That's when the FIA started conducting extra rear wings checks before qualifying and magically the big advantage Mercedes had in a straight line vanished

Bottas has said he wants to sever all connection with Mercedes and I can't say I've seen him contributing to Lewis's cause recently. Perez situation though is different isn't it? Would Red Bull sacrifice a chance of the constructor's title by using him as a torpedo to secure the driver's title?

I don't think a team would ask or even suggest a driver do that but a driver could take it upon themselves in certain situations. I would

They've remodelled some corners in Abu Dhabi which makes it even faster so should play into Merc's hands.

[greenmark]

The #2 drivers could play a massive role. They both seem like decent fellas but Bottas would probably the more likely to 'accidently' lock a wheel and sail into the back of a contender.

If Hamilton does win the title I think Red Bull will be kicking themselves that they didn't kick up a bigger fuss about the Merc rear wing before the Brazilian GP. They were talking about it before then but they waited until the next race in Qatar to threaten a protest. That's when the FIA started conducting extra rear wings checks before qualifying and magically the big advantage Mercedes had in a straight line vanished

Bottas has said he wants to sever all connection with Mercedes and I can't say I've seen him contributing to Lewis's cause recently. Perez situation though is different isn't it? Would Red Bull sacrifice a chance of the constructor's title by using him as a torpedo to secure the driver's title?

I don't think a team would ask or even suggest a driver do that but a driver could take it upon themselves in certain situations. I would

They've remodelled some corners in Abu Dhabi which makes it even faster so should play into Merc's hands.

And my final thought is the influence of the engine makers. 3 Merc teams for Max to lap. 1 Honda team for Lewis to lap.
I appreciate that is a deeply cynical tactic I'm musing on, but F1 has alway been pretty uncompromising about winning. The stakes are sky-high and that makes people consider the unacceptable.
With all this anticipation we'll probably have 1 of them stuff their car into the barrier in qualy and it'll all be over.

[Trader Pat]

With all this anticipation we'll probably have 1 of them stuff their car into the barrier in qualy and it'll all be over.

Probably

[greenmark]

I wonder how long we petrolheads are going to be able to hear an F1 engine (although I hate the turbo exhaust note, compared to normally aspirated) or MotoGP or TT bike on full chat.

Soon it'll be, swoosh!
What was that?
That was a high performance racing machine.
What happened to the screaming banshees?
The noises that elevate my pulse?
Sorry, mate, they've gone. That's progress!

[Trader Pat]

I wonder how long we petrolheads are going to be able to hear an F1 engine (although I hate the turbo exhaust note, compared to normally aspirated) or MotoGP or TT bike on full chat.

Soon it'll be, swoosh!
What was that?
That was a high performance racing machine.
What happened to the screaming banshees?
The noises that elevate my pulse?
Sorry, mate, they've gone. That's progress!

I tried watching Formula E but just couldn't get into it, without an engine note it just has no soul.

Best sounding engine in motorsport has got to be a Nascar V8. Everytime I go to the states I promise myself I'll go to a race but always get distracted by something else! Next time!

https://youtu.be/nnbFOWYiagE

[Kazbet]

I wonder how long we petrolheads are going to be able to hear an F1 engine (although I hate the turbo exhaust note, compared to normally aspirated) or MotoGP or TT bike on full chat.

Soon it'll be, swoosh!
What was that?
That was a high performance racing machine.
What happened to the screaming banshees?
The noises that elevate my pulse?
Sorry, mate, they've gone. That's progress!

Back in my day I have been blessed to own and Ride such devils of the environment as TZ Yamahas, H2 Kawasaki's and Big Ducati's with termi pipes.
It will be a sad day when we are all electric and no linging odour of Castrol R.
I have planted a tree on my garden recently to make my biking days carbon neutral........well at least a bit

[greenmark]

I wonder how long we petrolheads are going to be able to hear an F1 engine (although I hate the turbo exhaust note, compared to normally aspirated) or MotoGP or TT bike on full chat.

Soon it'll be, swoosh!
What was that?
That was a high performance racing machine.
What happened to the screaming banshees?
The noises that elevate my pulse?
Sorry, mate, they've gone. That's progress!

Back in my day I have been blessed to own and Ride such devils of the environment as TZ Yamahas, H2 Kawasaki's and Big Ducati's with termi pipes.
It will be a sad day when we are all electric and no linging odour of Castrol R.
I have planted a tree on my garden recently to make my biking days carbon neutral........well at least a bit

"TZ Yamahas, H2 Kawasaki's and Big Ducati's with termi pipes".Those words make me shudder with delight.
My Dad used to take me to Oulton Park. We'd be stuck in a queue and he'd be fuming. I'd be in heaven as suped up bike after bike blipped past. You either get it or you don't.

[Trader Pat]

It will take a very brave man to back Hamilton at odds on to win this weekends Grand Prix even if he starts on pole

[Realrocknrolla]

It will take a very brave man to back Hamilton at odds on to win this weekends Grand Prix even if he starts on pole

Not for me… i will be nursing a hangover and watching the race.

Have to admit the last 3 races I have really took
to Formula 1 again. Enjoyed them thoroughly.

[Trader Pat]

It will take a very brave man to back Hamilton at odds on to win this weekends Grand Prix even if he starts on pole

Not for me… i will be nursing a hangover and watching the race.

Have to admit the last 3 races I have really took
to Formula 1 again. Enjoyed them thoroughly.

I was reading yesterday that Verstappen has been nominated for the International award at SPOTY.

That could be interesting if he wins the Championship

[Realrocknrolla]

It will take a very brave man to back Hamilton at odds on to win this weekends Grand Prix even if he starts on pole

Not for me… i will be nursing a hangover and watching the race.

Have to admit the last 3 races I have really took
to Formula 1 again. Enjoyed them thoroughly.

I was reading yesterday that Verstappen has been nominated for the International award at SPOTY.

That could be interesting if he wins the Championship

If Lewis wins his 8th title surely that will be nailed on?

[Trader Pat]

Not for me… i will be nursing a hangover and watching the race.

Have to admit the last 3 races I have really took
to Formula 1 again. Enjoyed them thoroughly.

I was reading yesterday that Verstappen has been nominated for the International award at SPOTY.

That could be interesting if he wins the Championship

If Lewis wins his 8th title surely that will be nailed on?

Rachel Blackmore is 1.22 for the International award and Emma Raducanu is 1.17 for the main award. Can't see either of those changing whatever happens.

[greenmark]

I was reading yesterday that Verstappen has been nominated for the International award at SPOTY.

That could be interesting if he wins the Championship

If Lewis wins his 8th title surely that will be nailed on?

Rachel Blackmore is 1.22 for the International award and Emma Raducanu is 1.17 for the main award. Can't see either of those changing whatever happens.

Raducanu? Nah! That would be plain stupid. Potentially great player, but achieved zip. Lewis Hamilton is on the verge history-making achievement. And I know this will irk some on here, but I think the guy is superb.

[Trader Pat]

If Lewis wins his 8th title surely that will be nailed on?

Rachel Blackmore is 1.22 for the International award and Emma Raducanu is 1.17 for the main award. Can't see either of those changing whatever happens.

Raducanu? Nah! That would be plain stupid. Potentially great player, but achieved zip. Lewis Hamilton is on the verge history-making achievement. And I know this will irk some on here, but I think the guy is superb.

Achieved zip? She won the US Open as an 18 year old qualifier

You're admiration for Hamilton doesn't irk me. I couldn't care less if you have Hamilton jammys and matching duvet cover

I don't care who wins SPOTY but personally I prefer these awards to go to someone who can only really on their own body for what they've achieved. So tennis, golf, boxing etc.... 8 world titles would be an incredible achievement but lets be honest you could stick my granny in that car and I'd fancy her to have won a couple of world titles and she's been dead for 20 years