Formula 1

[rhysc]

Not a fan of the circuit but can’t wait for the race.

[rhysc]

Grid penalties to equal it up abit

[Trader Pat]

I worry for Max here!

I think the target needs to be still having the lead in the championship after this race. I wouldn't be as confident in Verstappen picking his way though the traffic as I would be in Hamilton.

[greenmark]

I worry for Max here!

I think the target needs to be still having the lead in the championship after this race. I wouldn't be as confident in Verstappen picking his way though the traffic as I would be in Hamilton.

Where will Alonso end up after the first few corners I wonder?

Plus the parade lap is looking farcical. Lewis will have wait unitil tommorow at this rate.

[greenmark]

Lol Alonso "Verstappen"'s Verstappen.
Max P3 already.

[Trader Pat]

I'll take that as a Verstappen fan

[greenmark]

I'll take that as a Verstappen fan

It's a weird thing, but some driver just exude their personality on track. Alonso defending is "feck off, I'm on the racing line, knobhead!".
How I wish Alonso was 10 years younger.
And Senna and Schumacher were still around. Lol what a bun fight that would be!

[Crazyskier]

Perhaps we should compare the contributions to the Qatar human rights debate from Hamilton, Bottas and Vettel.

Qatar Grand Prix: Lewis Hamilton calls for Qatar and Saudi Arabia to be scrutinised over human rights issues

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/59337775

Sorry, I couldn't resist.

He also wears a rainbow helmet in Qatar; not to highlight the amazing work of the wonderful men and women running the NHS, but rather to try to promote a minority rights agenda, to a nation that simply have a strong moral compass and believe in both God, the nuclear family, and natural order. Something which in fact, we did in England for centuries, and still do in many of the Commonwealth nations.

So no 'credit where due' as I've seen mentioned. Lewis is simply grandstanding and 'virtue-signalling' as he so often does.

CS

I'll stand by my 'credit where its due' quote.

I agree a lot of what he does is grandstanding, virtue signaling and all about his brand but where you and I diverge is I agree with the message and you don't. My biggest criticism of the guy was highlighting Hungary's shortcomings but not any of the 'big boys' like Russia, China or Saudi Arabia. He's done that now by calling out the Saudi's so I hope he continues in the same vein.

For me virtue signaling is fine as long as the message gets out to a wider audience and truth is spoken to power. Its a bit like saying the wealthy only donate large amounts of money to good causes just to make themselves look good. In some cases that's true but ultimately as long as the good causes get the money the motive behind giving it doesn't really matter.

I don't wish to labour the point, but in my mind a wider principle is at play here, in that sports men and women should NOT be using their 'platform' to promote agendas, minority or otherwise, irrespective of how valid they may appear.

Secondly; though you may think that Lewis is achieving a 'wider good' by spreading a message of tolerance and inclusion, your view is through a Western lens.

It's both inappropriate and exceedingly arrogant in a Muslim state, to promote any kind of homosexuality whatsoever. They invited Lewis, et al to drive a car round their track, not lecture them on their values, morality or belief system! His arrogance is astounding.

CS

[Crazyskier]

I'll take that as a Verstappen fan

It's a weird thing, but some driver just exude their personality on track. Alonso defending is "feck off, I'm on the racing line, knobhead!".
How I wish Alonso was 10 years younger.
And Senna and Schumacher were still around. Lol what a bun fight that would be!

If only! I've always loved Alonso's talent and driving style. He was worthy of many more than the two world titles he has in my view.

CS

[Trader Pat]

I don't wish to labour the point, but in my mind a wider principle is at play here, in that sports men and women should NOT be using their 'platform' to promote agendas, minority or otherwise, irrespective of how valid they may appear.

Secondly; though you may think that Lewis is achieving a 'wider good' by spreading a message of tolerance and inclusion, your view is through a Western lens.

It's both inappropriate and exceedingly arrogant in a Muslim state, to promote any kind of homosexuality whatsoever. They invited Lewis, et al to drive a car round their track, not lecture them on their values, morality or belief system! His arrogance is astounding.

CS

I half agree with you. When sports stars and celebs jump on their soap box they usually come across as complete hypocrites but in Hamilton's case I have to give him credit for doing what I said he wouldn't and proving me wrong

The prize for the biggest hypocrite of the week though must go to David Beckham? If I was English I'm not sure how I'd feel about the fact that the face of England's 2018 WC bid is now the face of the Qatar World Cup! Especially given what's he's said in the past about the vote being dodgy.

[Crazyskier]

I don't wish to labour the point, but in my mind a wider principle is at play here, in that sports men and women should NOT be using their 'platform' to promote agendas, minority or otherwise, irrespective of how valid they may appear.

Secondly; though you may think that Lewis is achieving a 'wider good' by spreading a message of tolerance and inclusion, your view is through a Western lens.

It's both inappropriate and exceedingly arrogant in a Muslim state, to promote any kind of homosexuality whatsoever. They invited Lewis, et al to drive a car round their track, not lecture them on their values, morality or belief system! His arrogance is astounding.

CS

I half agree with you. When sports stars and celebs jump on their soap box they usually come across as complete hypocrites but in Hamilton's case I have to give him credit for doing what I said he wouldn't and proving me wrong

The prize for the biggest hypocrite of the week though must go to David Beckham? If I was English I'm not sure how I'd feel about the fact that the face of England's 2018 WC bid is now the face of the Qatar World Cup! Especially given what's he's said in the past about the vote being dodgy.

Indeed! He never was the sharpest tool in the box, but he's sold his soul there. His UNICEF role is what he should have focused on.

CS

[greenmark]

I don't wish to labour the point, but in my mind a wider principle is at play here, in that sports men and women should NOT be using their 'platform' to promote agendas, minority or otherwise, irrespective of how valid they may appear.

Secondly; though you may think that Lewis is achieving a 'wider good' by spreading a message of tolerance and inclusion, your view is through a Western lens.

It's both inappropriate and exceedingly arrogant in a Muslim state, to promote any kind of homosexuality whatsoever. They invited Lewis, et al to drive a car round their track, not lecture them on their values, morality or belief system! His arrogance is astounding.

CS

I half agree with you. When sports stars and celebs jump on their soap box they usually come across as complete hypocrites but in Hamilton's case I have to give him credit for doing what I said he wouldn't and proving me wrong

The prize for the biggest hypocrite of the week though must go to David Beckham? If I was English I'm not sure how I'd feel about the fact that the face of England's 2018 WC bid is now the face of the Qatar World Cup! Especially given what's he's said in the past about the vote being dodgy.

Indeed! He never was the sharpest tool in the box, but he's sold his soul there. His UNICEF role is what he should have focused on.

CS

My thoughts exactly. Although his public life must be nearly 100% based on the judgements of his advisers, so maybe cut him some slack there.

Returning to the racing. Saudi looks fast and sweeping. Could be another Lewis win? Then its all down to Abu Dhabi. By all accounts Mercedes took their eye off the ball there last year. But this could be quite a dramatic conclusion to the season.

[Trader Pat]

Returning to the racing. Saudi looks fast and sweeping. Could be another Lewis win? Then its all down to Abu Dhabi. By all accounts Mercedes took their eye off the ball there last year. But this could be quite a dramatic conclusion to the season.

Saudi looks fast but the wild card could be its a brand new track. No data for the teams on what the surface is like on tyres etc... The long straight should suit the Merc especially if they have their magic rear wing on

The 2 point swing for Verstappen taking fastest lap at the weekend could be massive.

[greenmark]

Returning to the racing. Saudi looks fast and sweeping. Could be another Lewis win? Then its all down to Abu Dhabi. By all accounts Mercedes took their eye off the ball there last year. But this could be quite a dramatic conclusion to the season.

Saudi looks fast but the wild card could be its a brand new track. No data for the teams on what the surface is like on tyres etc... The long straight should suit the Merc especially if they have their magic rear wing on

The 2 point swing for Verstappen taking fastest lap at the weekend could be massive.

Ah yes that damned fretting wing.
I hope Max plays fair at Saudi.
I wonder what the F1 hierarchy would prefer. A Prost/Senna 1st corner clash or string it out to Abu Dhabi and let them duke it out. I know which I would go for.

[Trader Pat]

Hamilton priced very short for the Saudi GP, currently 1.55. Verstappen at 4.1

I know Mercedes are expected to have an advantage but that seems a little bit of an overreaction. Unless something else is going on like Red Bull are planning to swap out the ICE?