2020 F-1 SEASON

dragondick

Italy is the venue for two 2020 F-1 GP events. One on this coming SUN and the next one, on the next SUN.

So far, two official Practice Session have completed.  Well, the same old story.............

dragondick

Official Qualifying Session for 2020's Italian F-1 GP has just concluded.

No surprises for the front row, the MBs - namely Hamilton and Bottas.

Third went to Sainz, fourth fastest was Perez.

Here comes the surprise (not quite) with the Ferrari's on their home ground, Vettel didn't even make past Q1!  Lecler stayed only inside Q2!  That was a disastrous performance.  

As long as the MBs can finish the race tomorrow, either one will win because they are so much faster than the competition!

dragondick

All that I can say about the first of two Italian F-1 GPs, is that the first one was an "eventful" race. It was certainly NOT boring!

The race started well for Hamilton, but not for Bottas because he hesitated at the start and within 2 corners, he LOST 5 positions to 7. Bottas blamed tire puncture, but Team MGR assured him that there was no such a thing.

Ferrari would like to forget this race completely. Firstly, Vettel lost brakes and retired. Later, Lecler lost control of his ride and hit "sandbags" hard, necessitating a red flag which changed the whole dynamics of the race.

Let me explain:

Before Lecler crashed,  Magnussen stopped due to engine failure.  It was not at a spot which will create danger to the race, but it must be removed from the spot.

At that point the yellow flag was out, Hamilton opted to pit.  Before reaching the pit entrance, Race control decided to close the pit entrance by signalling pit entrance blinking red lights along the track.  However, there was NO pit entrance green/red light installed at the pit entrance, and Hamilton pitted which resulted in a 10" stop-go penalty in the pit area.

Before Hamilton can even take the penalty, Race Control decided to red flag the race for clearing Lecler's damaged car, so that lead which Hamilton built up evaporated.  Of course Hamilton had not taken the penalty yet.

So, when the race re-started, Hamilton pitted for the penalty.  Hamilton's lead disappeared, and the total penalty costed him 30".

From then on, Hamilton had to race back to get some point.  Eventually, he managed to get into 8th (may be 7th).

Max retired after Lecler's accident and the re-start.  So, the race was a fight between the "also-runs", namely Gasly, Saitz, Stroll which was the finishing order.

My problem with the race was that Track MGT spoiled the race!  On almost all race tracks, in addition to signals along the race course about the pit entrance, there is always a green/red light right at the pit entrance as a last minute info for drivers but it was not there this time.  Hamilton was NOT totally at fault because it could be interpreted as the pit entrance was open again.

Anyway, Hamilton's championship was not in danger, and he took the penalty gentlemanly.

dragondick

HIGHLIGHTS OF 2020's FIRST ITALIAN F-1 GP:

https://www.formula1.com/en/late ... 8tZ3EA4JY2BrI3.html

dragondick

Qualifying Session of the 2nd Italian F-1 GP in 2020 has just finished.

No surprises.  Hamilton, Bottas, Max.

There may NOT even be live telecast for this event tomorrow    .

dragondick

The 2020's 2nd Italian F-1 GP has just finished.

It was a boring race until the final 10 laps.  It was entertaining as well due to accidents/crashes necessitating the introduction of TWO red flags which stopped the race.

Max was out within the first few corners, so the race result was already decided there.  Hamilton, Bottas, and  Albon (Red Bull).

dragondick

There was quite a bit of drama in today 2020 Russian F-1 GP Qualifying Sessions.

In Q2, initially Hamilton put up a fast time to claim first BUT in one corner in achieving the time, Race Control specifically specified that drivers cannot put wheels onto the curb.  Hamilton did in his fast time and therefore his time was not counted and he must put in another one.

Then Vettel crashed and left debris all over that particular corner and the red flag came out with roughly 2' 10" remaining in the session, bearing in mind each lap takes about 1' 32" and Hamilton had no time yet and if he cannot put a good time, he might miss Q3 altogether.

When Q2 resumed, Hamilton without warming up his tires, must put in a best-10-time to move into Q3.  He barely made it to start the lap, and got 6th fastest to move into Q3.

In Q3, none of the driver wanted to take chances for fear that another accident might close off the session.

Anyway, Hamilton got his pole, then Max.

Of all the drivers on the track, only Max has the talent to match Hamilton's. So, tomorrow's starting corner will be INTERESTING!

dragondick

The 2020 Russian F-1 GP is already in progress, but there is no live telecast!  

dragondick

There was no live telecast of 2020's Russian F-1 GP.  Therefore, can only give you race highlights from F-1's website:

https://www.formula1.com/en/late ... ArK2WcoH3yKBqD.html

Hamilton did not win because he made two stupid mistakes for practising race starts on unauthorized part of the track twice.  He was given two 10" penalties, the above video said only 5" for each.

MB cars are already faster than any cars on the track, what was the point of violating a race rule to ruin his sure-win chances?  So even with 2 penalties, he came in 3rd.

Bottas and Max were 1st and 2nd.

The other observation which I would like to make is Alex Albon - Max's team-mate.  He was just not up to par in the big league.  I think the Red Bull Team should look for a better driver as Max's "wing man".
Let's see what Team RB will do!

dragondick

The official race report from F-1 website confirmed that Hamilton penalty were in fact 2 x 10", totalling 20"!

https://www.formula1.com/en/late ... SUS8cyPYpXTzGJ.html