2540 replies to this topic

[Gareth]

Less than a fifth of the season remaining, 4 races to go, and we come to the Autódromo José Carlos Pace for the Grande Prêmio de São Paulo, our second race in a row named after the city rather than the country. But, to me, the Brazilian Grand Prix for Round 19 of the 2021 Formula One World Championship.

 

 

[insert image representing current championship position here]

 

The Circuit

 

 

The Title Battle

 

Max takes a 19 point lead into the race after a dominant performance in Mexico, thanks to a quick car and a masterclass on the brakes in T1.

 

Hamilton will look to fight back, but with Brazil (like Mexico before it) having been a happy hunting ground for RBR (and a bit of a bogey track for Merc/Hamilton) in the past even in dominant seasons, it's a big ask this weekend. Made even bigger thanks to a 5 place grid drop¹ for an ICE change²

 

In the WCC its nip and tuck, with only 1 point separating Mercedes and RBR. There's also a tight battle for 3rd going on, with Ferrari with a 13pt lead (over McLaren) and seemingly the wind in their sails.

 

THE CHAMPIONSHIP CONTENDERS COLLIDE!

 

Or, to give it the official name: this is a Sprint Race Weekend so, like Thanos, the above is inevitable. I have booked Monday off work to moderate the ensuing fallout.

 

The Weather

 

Looks dry, with a 20% chance of rain at most. Also looks sunny.

 

Boo.

 

The Tyres

 

Same as Mexico, it's the C2, C3 and C4 here.

 

The Schedule

(all times GMT as I am selfish and not nearly as good at this as Tom, whose post format I am ripping off - if anyone has a conversion chart they want me to edit in to here please do send!)

 

FP1: Fri 15:30 - 16:30

 

Qualifying: Fri 19:00 - 20:00

 

FP2: Sat 15:00 - 16:00

 

Sprint Race: Sat 19:30

 

Race Sun 17:00

 

Enjoy everybody!

 

Notes:

 

1. this grid drop will be applied after the Sprint Race, rather than after Qualifying, because some people believe the Sprint Race is actually sprint qualifying. Pfft! They are wrong, but they set the F1 rules and I only write this OP, so here we are

 

2. grid drop isn't official yet (thanks MJB!)

[MJB5990]

Not sure Lewis has had the penalty confirmed yet? Just a rumour at this time.

[Zoe]

Everytime I watch the race, the city comes closer to the circuit...

 

 

I have booked Monday off work to moderate the ensuing fallout.

 

  Kudos for your effort! I promise to not increase your work load 

[Gareth]

You're too kind, Zoe.

 

I should say that I haven't actually taken the day off, as I have a very busy day at work planned (unlike today ... hence the OP). Thankfully people who put in much, much more effort than me in the mod team (they know who they are) will likely stop the place burning down! So to be fair, the thanks should be directed to them.

 

I will buy them a beer on you all when I see them next, though.

[NickeF1]

Lewis has started his defense talk if he loses the championship this year. He’s been on and on in interviews leading up to this Grand Prix about the Red Bull having the best car all year and so forth.

[absinthedude]

Oh the wretched sprint race. I'll be enjoying Kitty LaRoar singing not five feet from me instead. 

 

Looking forward to Sunday though. I love Interlagos and it almost always brings a good race. Curious who will have the upper hand here, it could be a Mercedes track. 

[Fastcake]

I would like to express my appreciation for Gareth who, like the BBC of old, steadfastly refuses to use the new sponsored name and correctly refers to this race as the Brazilian Grand Prix.

Edited by Fastcake, 12 November 2021 - 14:36.

[SophieB]

@MeteoMotorsport

FRIDAY WEATHER FORECAST

 

Overcast and gloomy with a moderate risk (35–55%) of light rain showers. Afternoon highs of around 17°C (which is below average for the time of year) with winds from the southeast at 15–25 km/hr.

 

#F1 | #BrazilGP

[SophieB]

I would like to express my appreciation for Gareth who, like the BBC of old, steadfastly refuses to use the new sponsored name and correctly refers to this race as the Brazilian Grand Prix.

Like determinedly continuing to call a pub The Kings Head decades after some new whiz kid owner decided to rename it I dunno, The Iphone Beer & Eatery or whatever.

[jonpollak]

Or naming rights to the thousands of rock venues all over the world that switch their names as frequently as every few months.

The Sams Club / Verizon Wireless arena at Fed Ex Forum.
I will always call it Mud Island.
Jp

[Gareth]

a moderate risk (35–55%) of light rain showers.

This forecast is way better than mine!

 

Yeay.

[FLB]

No 1993 or 2003 monsoons, please.

[SenorSjon]

I love this track. Too bad we have another SQ fiasco weekend.

[rf90]

Lewis has started his defense talk if he loses the championship this year. He’s been on and on in interviews leading up to this Grand Prix about the Red Bull having the best car all year and so forth.

 

No surprises there then. He makes out like he's a boxer fighting one-handed, diddums.

[popolonx]

That boxing fight is not gona end well if that needed also fake Senna picture in Ham's twitter(according to mtv3 news)

[cpbell]

I love this track. Too bad we have another SQ fiasco weekend.

I wouldn't mind it if qualifying was actually qualifying and the Sprint Race was just a Sprint Race rather than qualifying actually being qualifying for the Sprint Qualifying which is a race that counts as qualifying for the race.

[FrontWing]

Lewis has started his defense talk if he loses the championship this year. He’s been on and on in interviews leading up to this Grand Prix about the Red Bull having the best car all year and so forth.

He isn't wrong.

[Clatter]

Lewis has started his defense talk if he loses the championship this year. He’s been on and on in interviews leading up to this Grand Prix about the Red Bull having the best car all year and so forth.

 

Of course the alternative would be saying he had the best car, but the better driver won.

[rf90]

Of course the alternative would be saying he had the best car, but the better driver won.

 

Or, pretty much equal cars over the season and the better driver is ahead at the moment.

[Ivanhoe]

He isn't wrong.

That’s up for debate. We even have a dedicated thread on the subject.

[FrontWing]

That’s up for debate. We even have a dedicated thread on the subject.

Really isn't, I'll pass on your mental gymnastics thread thanks.

Edited by FrontWing, 12 November 2021 - 15:14.

[ANF]

Oh no, I had totally forgotten it's a stupid sprint race weekend.

[Ivanhoe]

Really isn't, you can keep your mental gymnastics thread thanks.

Just trying to say this is not the place to discuss this subject. Thanks.

[Ivanhoe]

Oh no, I had totally forgotten it's a stupid sprint race weekend.

Yeah, I also realized that this afternoon. Well, we at least don’t have quali during working hours.

[Requiem84]

Lewis has started his defense talk if he loses the championship this year. He’s been on and on in interviews leading up to this Grand Prix about the Red Bull having the best car all year and so forth.

 

I'm looking forward to the day when any driver will come out and say 'I have had the best car all year, but I did not extract the most out of it. Therefore I am behind my opponent who has driven better in an inferior car, who is now looking like he will win the championship'.

 

That would be incredibly funny to read. Sadly, it will never happen . 

[HerbieMcQueen]

I regret not coming to this circuit when I was in Sao Paulo, but I did manage to go to Morumbi to see Senna's grave. Strangely unremarkable, but glad I did it. No idea what'll happen this weekend but I hope the RB's have a good one, they've performed best this year.

 

In other news, the block button has done wonders for me over the past week, too many toxic contributions for me. It's become Autosport again. 

[SophieB]

@fergieweather

#F1 #BBCF1 #BRAZILGP FP1: 14 mins to session start, with air temp 18C & track 36C. Wind S/SSE, gusting 20mph during past hour. Overcast; effectively dry but with light drizzly rain likely at times for both this session & qualifying later. FIA official risk of rain is 60% for FP1.

[Requiem84]

I regret not coming to this circuit when I was in Sao Paulo, but I did manage to go to Morumbi to see Senna's grave. Strangely unremarkable, but glad I did it. No idea what'll happen this weekend but I hope the RB's have a good one, they've performed best this year.

 

In other news, the block button has done wonders for me over the past week, too many toxic contributions for me. It's become Autosport again. 

 

Nice, I also visited Senna's grave when I was in Sao Paulo in 2012. Was a long walk from the public transport and indeed, it was quite an unremarkable site, but therefore even more tranquil. 

 

Contrary to you I did manage to visit the Grand Prix and watch Vettel spin right in front of me. At that time it was not really possible to follow a race on your phone with 3g, so for most of the race I had no clue what was going on!

[Ivanhoe]

Shovlin said cooler temps will probably favor Mercedes.

[Dratini]

was gonna stay up and watch FP1, but then I saw Herbert is in the commentary box

[ANF]

Here's hoping that Hamilton's car breaks down on the out lap in FP1. Straight into parc fermé!

[SophieB]

Here's hoping that Hamilton's car breaks down on the out lap in FP1. Straight into parc fermé!

why do we want this

[SophieB]

Sky looks very inky.

[jonpollak]

Why does Ted always insist on showing us what a xenophobe he is.
Jp

[Ruusperi]

Sky looks very inky.

What was the year it rained like 300 meters from the track for the whole race, but not a single drop at the actual circuit? 2015?

Edited by Ruusperi, 12 November 2021 - 15:34.

[HerbieMcQueen]

why do we want this

 

To keep the mods busy, as half of the forum would explode. Then the other half would pour fuel onto the fire. It's the only reason. 

[d246]

New ICE for HAM then

[FullOppositeLock]

Lewis has taken a new PU, confirmed by FIA

[Marklar]

why do we want this

to keep the championship exciting.....wait!

[ConsiderAndGo]

So… Verstappen wins and he can afford to finish second in all remaining races.

[FullOppositeLock]

Max setting purples all over the place

[ForzaFerrari3928]

Looks like Max is on form right from the get go. Putting money on him to get pole in the afternoon. 

[MasterOfCoin]

to keep the championship exciting.....wait!

The WCC that is...Merc gave up on the WDC months ago....

[ANF]

why do we want this

Because some parts of the F1 media would question the gimmicky sprint race format.

[HerbieMcQueen]

Occurred to me also that we're at a circuit with real corner names. Always adds a bit of value for me, hearing them all refer to a lock up "into 6" or whatever always sounded so dull and lifeless.

[bananaSpanner]

Looks like Max is on form right from the get go. Putting money on him to get pole in the afternoon.

Fast straight out of the box again. RB rarely get it wrong.

[IrvTheSwerve]

Bleurgh, forgot it was a sprint weekend. Need to clear tonight then for 'qually'...

[TomNokoe]

Max on it straight away

Merc turned down just like they were in Silverstone.

Crazy decision re HAM ICE.

[SophieB]

Because some parts of the F1 media would question the gimmicky sprint race format.

Perhaps. Personally, I don’t really associate our F1 press with offering any independent criticism whatsoever. Still remember Will Buxton earnestly explaining why that mad Qualifying horror format a few years ago was actually good!

[IrvTheSwerve]

Occurred to me also that we're at a circuit with real corner names. Always adds a bit of value for me, hearing them all refer to a lock up "into 6" or whatever always sounded so dull and lifeless.

 

Have people started arguing over Crofy's pronunciation of Junção yet?