2017's Formula 1

dragondick

The Official Qualifying of the Belgium GP has closed.

Hamilton, Vettel, Bottas are the top 3 for tomorrow's race!

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The following is Hamilton's pole winning lap at this year's Belgium GP:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lIRYrgVhJYQ


This achievement is significant because:

1.  Hamilton set a NEW lap record for the course in this qualifying session.
2.  Hamilton equaled the highest # of qualifying poles, previously set by M Schumacher who has now retired.

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2017's Belgium GP has finished with Hamilton, Vettel, Ricciardo, in that order.

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This coming Sunday's F-1 Race is in Monza, Italy.  This is Ferrari's home race, so advantage to Ferrari.

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VIRTUAL TOUR OF THE MONZA CIRCUIT - 2017'S ITALIAN F-1 GP:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KvzTBeBMy5s

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Usually a true master of speed is also a "rain master", i.e. when others lift their throttle, the rain master will speed on.  

In the case of the qualifying session of the Italian F-1 GP, Hamilton proved that he deserves to be in the ranks of Aryton Senna and Michael Schumacher because his qualifying lap time was close to 2.5" faster the closest rival - Vettel!

So, Hamilton will start from pole position tomorrow.  There will be live telecast at 0755 Toronto time.  If there is rain tomorrow, Hamilton, the rain master will win!

dragondick

By obtaining another pole at qualifying, Hamilton broke another record of having the most pole position among any race drivers.

The following is a video showing Hamilton's pole lap in the rain:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ifvbapD8B2Q

Please note there is a gauge on the left of the screen.

Along top left circumference is the throttle, and top right is the brake.  The light(s) will come on when the driver applies pressure to the foot pedal for that function.

In the middle, from top down, is the gear being used,  RPM, and finally KMH.

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Hamilton led from start to finish to win the Italian F-1 GP!

Despite "home court" advantage, the Ferraris were completely outclassed, and can only manage a 3rd place finish behind Bottas - Hamilton's MB team-mate.

It seems that MB has finally solved the mystery of slightly less speed on the straight Vs Ferrari, and can now look forward to more outright wins in the upcoming races.

Hamilton now leads 2017's F-1 Championship.

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I always stick my neck out and make some predictions re future prospects:

The youngest F1 driver right now and a Canadian is Lance Stroll, who started his F-1 career this year.  During the first few races, he DNF because he crashed on his own or was involved with other cars in accidents.  After that, he kept improving and ended with points and once with a podium finish (?), not an easy task considering his team -William, does not have the financial backing or powerful engines of other teams.

In Italy in the rain, he qualified well ahead of some big name drivers and strong teams.  In the race, he finished seventh (?).

Keep an eye on this young driver.  If he joins a powerful team, you will see more and more of him finishing ahead of others.

Kimi's (Finish, driving for Ferrari) contract with Ferrari ends this season, and if Ferrari is interested in a YOUNG driver with vast potential, Lance Stroll is the one!

dragondick

The 2017 Singapore Formula 1 GP is this weekend.  There will be live telecast at 0755, repeat 0755, this SUN morning.

The Official Practice has just finished, to be followed by the Official Qualifying session.

According to practice times, Red Bull has finally lived up to their pre-season expectations of being a serious contender, but honestly too late!