2025 F1 News and Prediction League

[pharvey]

NOTE: -

George Russell has been demoted to third place on the Grid for a Pit Lane infringement. As such he swaps places with Leclerc.

[PeteC]

Yes, of course. Line up boys, drive in a straight line and don't you dare do anything that could be interesting to viewers. That's my good little robots!

[pharvey]

Well, a far better race this at Bahrain, some different tyre strategies (with not all the same selections working for all), a few mechanical issues, penalties and the odd Yellow Flag thrown in.

Norris had a cracking start but was found to have rolled out of his Grid Position and handed a 5 second Penalty. Russell avoided his own 5 second Penalty for a "DRS Infringement" which would have ultimately have dropped him to P4 behind Norris and Leclerc (which would have been pretty harsh considering the fantastic drive he had). Details have been few and far between, but it seems DRS was engaged on Russell's car when it shouldn't have been - mitigating circumstances being that it was only engaged for a split second after a "forced reset" of the system.

A better display from the Ferraris, though the timing of the Safety Car (and Pit Stop) certainly helped. Crashappen (P6) & Red BS certainly didn't have a happy weekend, though Tsunoda did finish in P9 and in the points. Tyre degradation and dire Pitstops due to a faulty release light didn't help their cause. Lawson continues his poor run of form finishing P16, three places behind rookie teammate Hadjar.

A mention for Ollie Bearman though who finished P10 and in the points (just) after starting dead last in P20.

Bahrain GP (Round 4) Top 10 Finishers: -
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HHF/Superbru F1 Prediction League: -
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Congrats to Bamboo Grove who takes the Yellow Cap with a cracking performance - unfortunately PeteC takes the dreaded Wooden Spoon this Round....
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Next up is the Saudi Arabian GP taking place over the 18th to 20th of April

[pharvey]

Next up, the Saudi Arabian GP at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit. Could well be another good one with hopefully the top teams close on out and out speed. The Jeddah circuit is seriously fast with pretty low tyre degradation meaning a good chance of a single stop strategy for the majority of teams. There are three "DRS Zones" and the circuit is known for some "special" overtaking.....

Saudi Arabian GP Circuit & Schedule (Times Shown UK): -
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[PeteC]

Thailand Time

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The first and third practice sessions on Friday and Saturday respectively, take place before the sun has set, and teams will be forced to contend with sweltering conditions.

The opening practice outing is forecast to be held in 35°C, posing a great challenge for the drivers and teams. With a high humidity, it is expected to feel even warmer.

Another challenge the drivers will have to deal with is the hot track temperatures, which could reach up to 60°C at times.

Track temperatures caused issues for the tyres in Bahrain - however as the track surface is less abrasive compared to last week, it may offer some relief.

The forecast on Saturday and Sunday will not differ greatly as air temperatures are expected to remain in the early 30s for qualifying and the grand prix.

Dust could also pose a threat to the track surface as Jeddah's location near the Arabian desert always presents the possibility for sand to be blown in the direction of the city.

https://racingnews365.com/extreme-weath ... arabian-gp

[pharvey]

^ IMHO You can tell zip from FP1, more so from FP2 and generally FP3 is the one to look at as the "norm". BUT, as the above posted by PeteC implies, temperature is a huge factor amongst many others - fuel load, engine set-up, tyres et al.

It all makes things interesting though - Pirelli have selected C3 to C5 Tyres for the race, remember at least two compounds MUST be used.... Is that a hint

[pharvey]

Oh am I pi$$ed off with that... Norris blows it and crashes off in Q3 to start 10th, Crashappen takes Pole and LH not great again On the upside, Mercedes looking good and Russell yet again on the pace. Leclerc well in the mix also, which could well make this a great race dependant on the opportunities for the overtake.

As much as I despise the Dire Dutchman and his team, another great Qualifying performance from Crashappen.

Starting Grid: -
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Hopefully history will not repeat itself with the Pole sitter taking the win - Norris to surge up the places, Crashappen to fall back, LH to do "something"!!

[pharvey]

Oh good God... Sorry, but how do Crashappen and Red BS get away with this? The Dire Dutchman (bitching and complaining) is given a 5 second penalty when the place should have been given back. Comments have been made that the 5 second penalty was worse, but that is utter crap. He had "Clean Air" for numerous laps, benefiting tyres, fuel etc.

Crickey, even our own DM (surprisingly watching F1 agreed (also pointing out the 10 second penalty handed out to Lawson - have a look).

Very good win for Piastri who many think is now in pole position for the Driver's Championship.. Hmmmm - definitely interesting this year!! Cracking from Norris and yet again and a decent performance from Russell and Mercedes. Hopes with Ferrari...

ANYWHO!! The Results AND the HHF Prediction League....

Race Results - TOP 10: -
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HHF/Superbru Prediction League: -

Huge congrats to Parahandy on his Yellow Cap - unfortunately VS takes the Wooden Spoon in an increasingly dodgy household I feel The HHF League as well as the F1 Driver's Championship is close!!
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Next up is Miami, 2nd through 4th of May

[PeteC]

It was wonderful to hear the announcers spend no less than 5 minutes debating whether Norris's tire was on or over the pit lane white line. Simplify the rule to say if the tire is on the white line by any measurement, it's legal!!

I've come to the realization at this late date that DSR from the beginning should have been allowed at any time based upon the driver's judgement. No knit-picking rules about when it can be used.

I imagine the upcoming, new "active aerodynamics" system will have some silly rules about usage attached to it too.

Once again Verstappen demonstrated that he's a cheat anytime he feels he can get away with it.

Is Hamilton not getting along with the Ferrari garage boys? It seems his car is simply not set up and performing like Leclerc's car. At the end of the season a good chance I feel that Sainz's previous performances at Ferrari will surpass Hamilton's first year.

[PeteC]

^ Add to that, is Hamilton simply past his prime? Could be, and better for him to then retire soon and enjoy life, unless he want's to be another Alonso and switch teams endlessly?

[pharvey]

Certainly agree with the rules - endless cr@p there! DRS is a touchy one though - safety being the main concern (only the single DRS Zone at Suzuka for example).

Crashappen will always try to get away with things - and he certainly got away with one during Sunday's race, The inconsistency is incredible with regards to the fines/penalties handed out.

With regards to Hamilton, I think it's a mixture of things. He's certainly past his best, but still a very talented driver - a new car and new team is not easy to adjust to - take the difficulties experienced by the driver's brought in to play "wingman" to Verstappen or example. Hopefully LH will come good in the Ferrari in the near future

[pharvey]

Arrogant...? Nah, not so much!

Verstappen Says 'People Can't Handle The Full Truth' After Saudi Penalty

"Max Verstappen refused to discuss his unhappiness with a penalty he was given in the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix because he was concerned about retribution from Formula 1's governing body the FIA.

The four-time champion's five-second penalty for leaving the track and gaining an advantage in a first-corner battle with McLaren's Oscar Piastri potentially cost him the race win to the Australian.

Verstappen said: "You can't share your opinion because it's not appreciated apparently, or people can't handle the full truth. Honestly, it's better if I don't say too much.

"It's honestly just how everything is becoming. Everyone is super-sensitive about everything. And what we have (in the rules) currently, we cannot be critical anyway. So less talking – even better for me.""

Full Report @ https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/ar ... kx7g8re82o

[Parahandy]

Huge congrats to Parahandy on his Yellow Cap - unfortunately VS takes the Wooden Spoon in an increasingly dodgy household I feel

All well here, thank you, now that we've put the incident with the frying pan behind us... P.

(Apologies for the double post - can't figure out how to delete the first one. Please feel free if you know how, but look out for frying pans...)

[pharvey]

Huge congrats to Parahandy on his Yellow Cap - unfortunately VS takes the Wooden Spoon in an increasingly dodgy household I feel

All well here, thank you, now that we've put the incident with the frying pan behind us... P.

(Apologies for the double post - can't figure out how to delete the first one. Please feel free if you know how, but look out for frying pans...)

Previous post deleted Glad to hear things are (minus frying pans) all going well

What are your current feelings on the above raised by PeteC?

[PeteC]

Thailand Time

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