2018 FORMULA 1 CHAMPIONSHIP

dragondick

FERRARI's BATTERY ISSUE EXPLAINED:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LpxzSCao-tI   

In short, Ferrari cheated and got caught but not punished.  If it is innovation, why not let every team do it instead of stopping Ferrari from doing it?!

dragondick

2018's F-1 USA GP's first practice session was completed in a rain-soaked track.

Hamilton was a full 1.5" ahead of team-mate who was second fastest.

Please note practice session is just an indication of team preparedness, nothing else.

dragondick

Vettel has just been given a "3 grid position" penalty for not slowing down sufficiently after the red flag/light was shown during Official Practice Session.

I watched the video of his offense.  Vettel slowed down, speeded back up which was repeated at least 2 more times.  That was very foolish of him to do this!  What was there to gain by violating race rules in a practice session?

Since the same penalty for the same violation was handed down to another driver before, Race Stewards had no choice but to uphold the race rules.

Vettel was only 5th fastest in a rain-soaked first practice session.  The "3 grid positon penalty" when the final grid position is known is disasterous for Vettel.  This basically sealed his fate at the US F-1 GP and for the 2018 season.

I would go as far as to say that Vettel is immature and mentally unstable as a driver based on this and his many on track behaviour in past seasons.

Ferrari must be equally annoyed at Vettel + may be regretted for giving Vettel a new 3-year contract just a few months back!

dragondick

There will be live telecast of the Official Qualifying Session at 1655 today + live race action tomorrow at about 1400.

Check your local TV listings.  

dragondick

dragondick 发表于 2018-10-20 06:49
There will be live telecast of the Official Qualifying Session at 1655 today + live race action tomo ...

In my area is Channel 495!

dragondick

The Official Qualifying Session has just finished.

Hamilton, Vettel, Kimi, Bottas.  However, due to Vettel's "3 place grid penalty", he will not be on the front roll.  The top three will be Hamilton, Kimi, and Bottas.

If Hamilton wins tomorrow, even if Vettel finishes 2nd, the season is over.

dragondick

Live telecast is aired on Channel 18 in my area.   Right now is pre-race interviews, so that race will start at 1400.

I have a wild speculation:

Kimi is out of contention for the Drivers' Championship + he is leaving Ferrari next season and has 2nd pole in this race.
Vettel has an ultra slim chance of challenging Hamilton for the championship which could improve IF Hamilton fails to finish a race.
What if Team Ferrari orders Kimi to knock out Hamilton at the first corner, and Vettel can overtake Ricciardo and Bottas who are ahead of Vettel on the starting grid.  Vettel can then win the race to make a tighter championship race.

A lot "IFs" but worth wondering the "if".

Must go now to watch the race!

dragondick

It was a VEEEEEEEEEEEEERY good, exciting, and entertaining race from start to finish, and a sentimental win for Kimi who hasn't won for a number of years.

Kimi with ultra soft tire and a more powerful engine shot into the lead and basically led to the finish.  Vettel again made a mistake by trying to push Ricciardo out of the track, but he spun after the touch, and raced all the way from the back to 4th, not bad at all.

Hamilton almost overtook Max to go into 2nd in the 2nd from last lap but failed.

Good race, well worth the time watching and chewing all my nails to the bone!  

dragondick

HIGHLIGHTS OF 2018's F-1 U.S GP:


https://www.formula1.com/en/late ... fKeAQ2W6QOOAaa.html

dragondick

With hindsight, Hamilton lost a chance at winning the USA F-1 GP due to tire strategy!  

He had 2 pit stops, the first one was fine; the 2nd one was at least 2 laps too late, because his tires were wearing down, and he was slower than Vettel by 2" (may be it was 0.2") per lap, the Manager didn't order him to pit but waited.  If he came in 2 laps earlier, and for calculation purposes that we deduct 0.4" from his time, he could have easily secured 2nd place, may be even beating Kimi to the wire!


A 2nd place finish, would have permanently sealed Vettel's 2018 season.

Now the stage is moved to Mexico but Vettel must win all the remaining races to have a chance.