1658 replies to this topic

[TomNokoe]

Race day in Portimão! Race start 3pm BST / 4pm CEST (2 hours 50 minutes from this post)

 

 

 

 

Three different pole sitters in three races, can Valtteri Bottas make it three different winners? He will have a hard job fending off Hamilton and Verstappen, who have their own duel to contest. Is Perez a dark horse from P4 considering the unique tyre management required for this race, or will he fade away?

 

A barrage of Soft tyre shod midfielders will be hoping to cause more havoc on lap 1, with Sainz best placed to repeat his great start from last year. Leclerc will be playing the long game starting on Mediums, but is surrounded by feisty drivers all on Softs aiming for best of the rest. Ocon confirmed Alpine's progress with a great lap, Norris and Gasly continued their run of Q3 appearances, and Vettel finally produced some pace to indicate a glimmer of progress at his new team.

 

Russell secured his best grid slot in a Williams, has free tyre choice and the quickest car in a straight line, is this the day he finally breaks his duck for Williams? He may struggle considering both Alonso and Ricciardo will be storming through the grid after so-so Saturdays, with plenty more quick cars following. This includes the always-strong-on-Sunday Alfa Romeos, the slightly out of position Tsunoda and the definitely out of position Stroll.

 

Latifi and the Haas pair bookend the grid and will be aiming just to make the flag.

 

 

The used Hard tyres for Mercedes and Aston Martin are from an FP3 install lap. If this were an Amazon Warehouse listing, it would say "Like New"

 

 

 

 

--

 

All in all, an interesting grid with a mixture of strategies that should lead to a great race. They couldn't possibly want to change this format, could they?

[Risil]

3pm! Somehow I've only just noticed this. Well, no matter. Great looking grid -- good to see Ocon and Vettel starting in the top 10.

[TheFish]

Pirelli talk nonsense. If SM was quickest, they’d all be doing that.

[FLB]

Bold prediction: Mazepin will finish his first race. He's still had an off, but has looked somewhat better in practice, IMHO.

[MortenF1]

It’s quite cold so if we had anyone but Pirelli, you’d say Sainz had a slight advantage as softs heat up easier/faster...
With Pirelli though you can’t be sure, but I think, I think Sainz will have a strong first couple of laps, and then also won’t be very hampered by being on the softs in the first stint. I don’t think the mediums will be a veeery much better tyre.

[SophieB]

3pm! I missed qualifying yesterday because I didn’t want to stop watching Citizen Kane on BBC2. Great OP, silly time for races and quali.

(mad respect to those who regularly watch at like 2AM due to time zones and rightly see this sort of thing as hopelessly spoilt behaviour).

[Mark521]

Bold prediction: Mazepin will finish his first race. He's still had an off, but has looked somewhat better in practice, IMHO.

Nikita finished Imola, abet 2 laps down.  Unless you mean "finish on the lead lap" but I think that's what too optimistic.

[KWSN - DSM]

I have Perez to win, which is wishful thinking over expectation, with fast drivers racing up from behind I expect some acrimony in within the first 10 laps, first lap shenanigan's does not count in that part.

 

I am intrigued with the idea of hard tires, would like Haas to put Schumacher on a soft / hard strategy and for him to have an eventless race i.e. powering on to the best of the cars abilities, see how far up the field, and at which 1 to 1 speed against the bottom half the package actually has.

 

It is a gorgeous track, hope for a good race.

[thegamer23]

The slippery track will play a role for sure.

I expect quite a few spins out there

[Nigol]

It’s a nice qualifying track. Not sure about the Racing tho.

[FLB]

Nikita finished Imola, abet 2 laps down.  Unless you mean "finish on the lead lap" but I think that's what too optimistic.

You're right, I meant on the lead lap. I agree with KWSN-DSM above: I can see Haas going for a bold strategy and it paying off. They literally have nothing to lose.

[jjcale]

Its not possible for NM to finish on the lead lap .... everybody from about 7th down will be lapped if its a normal race. 

[Augurk]

Relative walk in the park for Hamilton when he overtakes Bottas at the start and Bottas proves difficult to overtake for Verstappen. 

 

Expect Norris to shine once more and Russell to mess up whenever he gets into points scoring position 

[sportyskells]

Bold prediction: Mazepin will finish his first race. He's still had an off, but has looked somewhat better in practice, IMHO.

did you miss imola? He did finish the race tnere

[pdac]

3pm! I missed qualifying yesterday because I didn’t want to stop watching Citizen Kane on BBC2. Great OP, silly time for races and quali.

(mad respect to those who regularly watch at like 2AM due to time zones and rightly see this sort of thing as hopelessly spoilt behaviour).

 

I guess that's reasonable.

[FLB]

did you miss imola? He did finish the race tnere

As I corrected above, I think he has a shot of finishing on the lead lap.

[Garndell]

Can anyone hear the F1 Youtube build up show?  For some reason they set their broadcast volume to 1%, gonna have to unsubscribe if they keep up with such poor audio.

[w1Y]

Anyone else sick of aws and pirelli stats.

Is anyone going to call then out on the media because they are shite.

[MJB5990]

Anyone else sick of aws and pirelli stats.

Is anyone going to call then out on the media because they are shite.

I'm guessing they're paying a fair bit for the airtime so no, I can't imagine anyone calling them out.

[alframsey]

I have gone with Lewis for the win (as I do every weekend) but I'm not 100% confident. Depending how the start goes it could wellbe any of the top three. If Lewis doesn't win then I'd be happy enough with Perez but I don't think that happens... I also think it is possible we see some firework with Lewis and Max on lap 1 should Lewis not get a great start while Max does.

[FLB]

Anyone else sick of aws and pirelli stats.

Is anyone going to call then out on the media because they are shite.

That's why they're in F1: So people will talk about them.

[Whatisvalis]

As I corrected above, I think he has a shot of finishing on the lead lap.

Serious question - when was the last time Hass finished on the lead lap? Maybe a late safety car affected race?

[B38]

Anyone else sick of aws and pirelli stats.

Is anyone going to call then out on the media because they are shite.

With all the Pirelli bashing ongoing, let me say something positive about Pirelli: their calendars are great. They contain all the months in the right order.

[Kleli]

I think it will be an easy Merc 1-2 with Ham first. Verstappen third.

[Risil]

3pm! I missed qualifying yesterday because I didn’t want to stop watching Citizen Kane on BBC2. Great OP, silly time for races and quali.

(mad respect to those who regularly watch at like 2AM due to time zones and rightly see this sort of thing as hopelessly spoilt behaviour).

I figure you've seen Citizen Kane a dozen times, but what struck you about it on this viewing?

[Chunkinator]

Can't shake the feeling we're due a first corner incident between the mercs...

[SophieB]

I figure you've seen Citizen Kane a dozen times, but what struck you about it on this viewing?

I have, but yes, something always does strike me, it’s that kind of film. This time I found myself very moved especially by the scene in which Mrs Kane gives her son away to be raised by the bank. It’s never upset me so much before. Then I was just enjoying everything and didn’t want to stop watching.

[MJB5990]

Can't shake the feeling we're due a first corner incident between the mercs...

I mean they've not touched since Bahrain 2016, when Valtteri was in the Williams.

[Izzyeviel]

WOULD IT HURT THEM TO TRY AND STICK TO REGULAR VIEWING TIMES!!!!!!!!!! 

[pdac]

Can't shake the feeling we're due a first corner incident between the mercs...

 

Or the Red Bulls - or all four.

[jjcale]

Can't shake the feeling we're due a first corner incident between the mercs...

 

The merc's?? ... VB is fighting for his F1 future .... the last thing he is going to do have contact with SLH.

 

Edit - SLH and MV on the other hand ....

Edited by jjcale, 02 May 2021 - 13:12.

[Chunkinator]

The merc's?? ... VB is fighting for his F1 future .... the last thing he is going to do have contact with SLH.

 

Edit - SLH and MV on the other hand ....

 

It could also be that he already knows that he's out, and hence doesn't have to worry about appeasing the bosses any longer.

I feel he defo has something to prove after last weekend...

Edited by Chunkinator, 02 May 2021 - 13:15.

[OvDrone]

Honest question - Am I the only one who wants the hour and ten minutes start time back ? Or have I watched too much American Motorsport ? It was fantastic for the buildup.

 

 

 

 

I definitely did not watch too much US vroom.

Edited by OvDrone, 02 May 2021 - 13:15.

[JimmyClark]

Honest question - Am I the only one who wants the hour and ten minutes start time back ? Or have I watched too much American Motorsport ? It was fantastic for the buildup.




I definitely did not watch too much US vroom.

Well I hated the ten past start. It seemed so unnatural.

But I think we need to go back to all European races starting at 1pm UK time - it made planning life around F1 a lot easier... (from a selfish point of view).

Edited by JimmyClark, 02 May 2021 - 13:18.

[Izzyeviel]

Honest question - Am I the only one who wants the hour and ten minutes start time back ? Or have I watched too much American Motorsport ? It was fantastic for the buildup.

 

 

 

 

I definitely did not watch too much US vroom.

what the hell is wrong with you???? 

[MJB5990]

I'm assuming overcut will be the strategy. So Red Bull will pit Checo first and Merc cover him with Bottas which allows Lewis and Max to just run and run to get a gap to both.

[Heyli]

Honest question - Am I the only one who wants the hour and ten minutes start time back ? Or have I watched too much American Motorsport ? It was fantastic for the buildup.

 

 

 

 

I definitely did not watch too much US vroom.

Yes, you are officially the only one!

[Marklar]

i wish it was in general earlier. I've missed all of Bahrain, the end of Imola and will miss half of this race. Life is pain.

[Metronazol]

The ten past start was odd but I had gotten used to it.

[EndlessMotion]

I know it's not a wet start like last time out but I can see Max getting off the line better than the Mercs again and put himself into P2 at least. Starting to expect Lewis and Max to drop their teammates at every race for their private championship battle but if Bottas can hold onto his lead and keep them behind for a change, we might have more to focus on right at the front. Bottas' race pace compared to Hamilton has been pretty concerning of late though.

 

Hope Lando can give the Ferrari's a tough time on his own too.

[Risil]

I'm obscurely annoyed that Portimao isn't Estoril but it's a great-looking circuit.

[WouterF1]

Can anyone hear the F1 Youtube build up show?  For some reason they set their broadcast volume to 1%, gonna have to unsubscribe if they keep up with such poor audio.

I couldn't understand a word of it on my computer.

[FLB]

Honest question - Am I the only one who wants the hour and ten minutes start time back ? Or have I watched too much American Motorsport ? It was fantastic for the buildup.

 

 

 

I definitely did not watch too much US vroom.

People here would have loooooooovvvvvvved the fact a two-minute race had a three-hour buildup on NBC yesterday (the Kentucky Derby)...

 

https://www.nbc.com/schedule

Edited by FLB, 02 May 2021 - 13:30.

[krapmeister]

i wish it was in general earlier. I've missed all of Bahrain, the end of Imola and will miss half of this race. Life is pain.

 

While we often complain about the late/early start times here in Australia, on the plus side there usually isn't much 'life' getting in the way of watching the races at those times.

 

Apart from sleep I suppose, but who needs that? 

[Whatisvalis]

Honest question - Am I the only one who wants the hour and ten minutes start time back ? Or have I watched too much American Motorsport ? It was fantastic for the buildup.




I definitely did not watch too much US vroom.

I'm with you! This hour later start is awful though.

[Leibowitz]

Any chance for rain?

[FLB]

Looking at Zak Brown's shirt moving while he's interviewed on Sky, it's pretty windy...

[TomNokoe]

Air 20
Track 39

Wind much calmer than yesterday according to Perez team radio.

Russell struggling with hot rear brakes on recon laps.

Edited by TomNokoe, 02 May 2021 - 13:36.

[Anja]

Any chance for rain?

 

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[Risil]

Adrian Newey standing alone and deep in contemplation like a romantic poet adds so much to these pre-race broadcasts.