1354 replies to this topic

[f1paul]

Apparently a British guy can become a 5-time world champion today. It's not fully in his hands but a Mercedes 1-2 with Hamilton winning the race will mean he has done it! (insert how you feel about that emoji) 

 

But how???? (they cried)

 

• If Hamilton wins and Vettel is third or lower

 

• If Hamilton finishes second and Vettel is fifth or lower

 

• If Hamilton finishes third and Vettel is seventh or lower

 

• If Hamilton finishes fourth and Vettel is eighth or lower

 

• If Hamilton finishes fifth and Vettel is ninth or lower

 

• If Hamilton finishes sixth and Vettel is 11th or lower

 

This is the track they will do battle on...

 

 

 

 

A massive 0.070 split the top 3 cars which I always find amazing. All of that effort behind the scenes and it comes down to less than a blink of an eye (you blinked then). Hamilton has won the in Austin every time he's started on the front row. FACT.

 

 

 

 

-Note that Verstappen may take a 5 grid place penalty and start 18th rather than 13th because of a gearbox penalty as a result of the big yellow baguette kerb he hit.

 

WHEN IS IT ON???

 

 

If you have a spare half an hour to kill...

 

 

What do I think will happen?

 

Why do you care? Anyone here it goes. The one thing that's stopping Hamilton from NOT winning the championship this year is that he will ruin the glorious "winner of the Hungarian GP does not go onto win the WDC" fact which has happened since 2005. If Hamilton wins the championship this year then I will lose all respect for him just for ruining that fact. 

 

Also, he's won the championship at 4 different venues, he has to win somewhere else so that means he won't win the championship because the 4 Grand Prix left, he's already won the championship there before!

 

He really is ruining the stats book. 

 

As for today... Raikkonen will finally make up a position on the first lap (something he hasn't done since Abu Dhabi in 2016) and will battle with Hamilton with Vettel only able to get 3rd. I don't think Hamilton will win the championship today. I also think the SC or VSC may play a part to make for some interesting strategy. Long story short. 

 

1. Raikkonen

2. Hamilton

3. Vettel

 

Go and place a bet at your nearest betting shop NOW!

 

To finish off, here is the most important question that WILL be answered today.

 

 

Will this return?

 

Hmmmm….. Enjoy the race people! 

 

Edited by f1paul, 21 October 2018 - 13:53.

[Marklar]

Think it will be a three way fight between the Ferraris and Hamilton (providing they all dont crash in the first lap or so) if Hamilton isnt leading after T1 (which is probably likely).

Either way I think that the championship will go to Mexico. Even if Hamilton wins I fully expect Vettel to at least get 3rd and then it just depends on whether Ferrari does the swap or not.

[TomNokoe]

If Kimi leads into T1 he has to go all guns blazing on a 2 stop.

Otherwise I'm expecting a race similar to Austria. Tyre saving one-stoppers.

Edited by TomNokoe, 21 October 2018 - 14:15.

[Mat13]

Hamilton will win, Bottas second, Vettel third, provided he doesn't forget to strap in his brain again and do something stupid.

On second thoughts, Vettel will come ninth or something, having managed to collide into himself on the warm-up lap.

[Larunss]

I hope Hamilton wins the title today; then maybe a chance for the Finns to take a win in one of the remaining 3 races

 

Maybe the tyres could cause some surprises, due to the lack of dry running. But I suppose more of the same 1 stop strategy as all year long.

 

How many laps until Max is P6? I want to say 6! 

[Kev00]

Are Mercedes and Vettel starting on SS?

[OneLapWonder]

In order for a fun race I hope that (1) Raikkonen takes the lead after the start, holding up the the rest of the leaders after a few laps when his Ultrasofts start to go, and (2) Verstappen starting on Softs and clearing the midfield quickly, so that he gets in front of the leaders after they've stopped first. That should open up the race more. 

[CountDooku]

In that video with Max and Dan Max says to avoid the yellow sausage kerbs as they can damage your suspension.

[Lights]

**** it. Kimi will win today, you heard it here first. 

[statman]

Albert Fabrega:

 

Verstappen will indeed start 18th, gearbox change

[pitlanepalpatine]

Unless Raikkonen  runs into Hamilton I think hamilton will walk away with the trophy.

[BalanceUT]

My prediction: Vettel crashes at the first turn, loses 5+ places, and with damaged car is not able to get far enough up to make sure the contest continues to Mexico.

[PayasYouRace]

The only way I expect Lewis to not do the Fangio today is if he has a retirement, and given Mercedes reliability that doesn't seem likely.

 

I'm still disappointed that this year's title fight has fizzled out so quickly since the summer. I'm just hoping that there'll be some excitement in the midfield like in Japan.

[Fatgadget]

Think it will be a three way fight between the Ferraris and Hamilton (providing they all dont crash in the first lap or so) if Hamilton isnt leading after T1 (which is probably likely).

Either way I think that the championship will go to Mexico. Even if Hamilton wins I fully expect Vettel to at least get 3rd and then it just depends on whether Ferrari does the swap or not.

You are being extremely naive if you don't think Bottas will be a significant factor in the outcome of this race mate.

[Spillage]

I've a feeling Hamilton will cruise off into the distance today. The question is whether Vettel can make it up to second. If he keeps his nose clean - he'll have a good chance.

[Blackoutjulian]

Another Mercedes 1-2 a la Sochi which will finally seal this WDC "fight"

[ferrarista]

Pirelli increases rear tyres pressure from 20 to 21,5 psi.

[jonpollak]

#5

Jp

[MoP]

Pirelli increases rear tyres pressure from 20 to 21,5 psi.

Great way to change the behavior of the tires so late into the weekend. Pirelli ffs..

[MortenF1]

Pirelli increases rear tyres pressure from 20 to 21,5 psi.

They decided today?? On race day?

[ferrarista]

They decided today?? On race day?

yes

[statman]

Pirelli increases rear tyres pressure from 20 to 21,5 psi.

 

in before some shocking results 

[Spillage]

Pirelli increases rear tyres pressure from 20 to 21,5 psi.

That's really unacceptable.

[SCUDmissile]

What a circus of a company.

The sooner they are booted out the better.

[ConsiderAndGo]

Pirelli LOL

 

Toto must have had a moan. Pathetic.

 

Those voting Kimi.... 

Edited by ConsiderAndGo, 21 October 2018 - 15:21.

[DutchQuicksilver]

Best chance for Kimi to win a race I think, if he’s agressive enough at the start. Hamilton won’t risk a collision. Though an agressive start for Kimi is a lot to ask, he hasn’t won a position at the start for over a year now I believe.

[ANF]

They decided today?? On race day?

"Usually that happens after Friday running, but because of the rain it had no dry tyre information until Saturday."
https://www.motorspo...r-race/3199658/

[pitlanepalpatine]

Pirelli LOL

 

Toto must have had a moan. Pathetic.

 

Those voting Kimi.... 

 

Forget the ones that voted Kimi, who on earth thinks Grosjean will win the race? No one outside Ferrari, Red Bull or Merc has won a race in over half a decade. Think the last one was Raikkonen in the lotus in 2013

[CL16]

Raised rears plays well into mercs hand.

[w1Y]

Raised rears plays well into mercs hand.

Why?

[f1paul]

**** it. Kimi will win today, you heard it here first. 

Someone didn't see the OP.

 

Edited by f1paul, 21 October 2018 - 15:39.

[f12018]

I know its unlikely but if vettel wins today what will hamlton have to to win the championship in mexico  

[ANF]

I have a strong feeling that someone else not mentioned outside the top 10 will win this race.

[f1paul]

I know its unlikely but if vettel wins today what will hamlton have to to win the championship in mexico  

Depends where Hamilton finishes today.

[Marklar]

I know its unlikely but if vettel wins today what will hamlton have to to win the championship in mexico

If he finishes 2nd today with a Vettel win he needs a 3rd place in Mexico (if Vettel wins that too)

Edited by Marklar, 21 October 2018 - 15:45.

[f12018]

Depends where Hamilton finishes today.

if he finishes  second 

[RECKLESS]

When the heck is the start?

[Signori]

The only way I expect Lewis to not do the Fangio today is if he has a retirement, and given Mercedes reliability that doesn't seem likely.

 

I'm still disappointed that this year's title fight has fizzled out so quickly since the summer. I'm just hoping that there'll be some excitement in the midfield like in Japan.

 

The Wdc fight may have fizzled out but I do think that once there's nothing to fight for, more risks will be taken and we will see more balls out racing in the final races (provided the championship is settled today)

[f1paul]

When the heck is the start?

See OP. It's in big capital letters. 

 

19.10 UK

20.10 C.E.T

 

Local Time (Texas) 13:10

Edited by f1paul, 21 October 2018 - 15:49.

[kernel]

Raised rears plays well into mercs hand.

 

Pirelli also raised front tyre pressure.

 

Increased tyre pressure reduces tyre temp which actually should play in Ferrari's hand as we know that they overheat their tyres...

[jonpollak]

These people don’t read Paul.

11:10 am PDT

[as65p]

I have a strong feeling that someone else not mentioned outside the top 10 will win this race.

 

This isn't the '70s.

[MortenF1]

Pirelli also raised front tyre pressure.

Increased tyre pressure reduces tyre temp which actually should play in Ferrari's hand as we know that they overheat their tyres...

Yes, and it might help Kimis opening stint even more.

[prty]

Ricciardo using an American accent the whole weekend:

 

https://twitter.com/...4612425728?s=19

https://twitter.com/...8052330497?s=19

 

First comment on Twitter:

 

 

Well, Lewis has been faking an American accent for decades.

 

[f1paul]

These people don’t read Paul.

11:10 am PDT

What did you say?

 

 

[MJB5990]

Albert Fabrega tweeted problems on car #44. Could be engine related.

[kernel]

Yes, and it might help Kimis opening stint even more.

 

On the flip side, with higher pressure, combined with Ferrari's lower downforce, they may slide around more... tyres will be less grippy so that may help Mercedes in that sense.

[MJB5990]

Amus now saying that both Mercs are being worked on with both gearboxes off.

[beachdrifter]

They decided today?? On race day?

 

Probably has to do with no one getting any tyre data Friday. There is a lot of uncertainty at the teams about them.

[SCUDmissile]

Doesn't matter who this helps, this practice is shambolic.