F1 News & Discussions > General F1 Discussion
Spanish GP Winners & Losers
Willy:
I did enjoy this race as it had many battles up and down the field and surprises as well.
Max drove a clean race and had DRS issues or would have been at the pointy end sooner.
Perez is a great teammate and does what is asked of him to support Max. Plus he is fast as well.
George has shown he has a good handle on the Merc and his natural talent will bring him to the forefront of the team.
Charles did a great job in quali and the race with a great start until the Ferarri failed and he DNF.
Carlos was just not there for Charles and I imagine being in front of the home crowd may have been a factor with the added pressure.
Lewis was hit by Magnusson in the first corner and had to pit for fresh boots or might have been more of a presence. His radio message asking to retire the car was very telling in showing just how demoralized he is this season. This is not the Lewis of old and now I wonder if he will actually last the entire season.
Merc under fueled the cars expecting a safety car and low fuel usage for that period during the race but that did not occur so both George and Lewis had to turn down the engine near the end or risk running out and coasting to a stop. Stupid plan Merc!
Another point. I noticed during Qualifying that there were a couple of ladies at the rear of the HAAS garage on the KMag side and one was holding a very young child in her arms. Neither had hearing protection of any kind visible with a running F1 car within 12'. That is child abuse to subject a small child to those sound levels with no protection. I imagine it was Kevin's wife and child who felt the need to be there so she could be on camera. What a stupid twat!
I see children at races all the time in the stands and that is great that the younger generation is catching the F1 bug. Most of the time they have hearing protection but sometimes not. There should be some sort of rule posted that anyone attending a race under a certain age must have hearing protection at all times when cars are on track. This is not just an F1 issue as all racecars are unmuffled and are very loud. Hearing damage can happen easily and very fast and is not repairable, it is a lifelong issue that can easily be avoided by taking the proper steps.
I, unfortunately, know what I am talking about after my many years working stage and very loud rock shows.
Alianora La Canta:
It could have been an exciting race but the media seemed determined to make it look boring...
Heroes
Mercedes - While the whole team deserves credit for excellent upgrades and generally excellent management of the weekend, I'd like to highlight Lewis Hamilton's engineer, for persuading Lewis Hamilton to continue after Magnussen used him as a brake on Turn 4. It would have been a much duller race without the subsequent fightback to P5.
Perez - maximised the opportunity and took being ordered out of the way with a good combination of grace and fact-checking.
Norris - somehow found a way to race and finish despite spectacularly severe hayfever affecting his vision. (And yes, McLaren checked with a doctor before letting him back in the car on race day).
Honourable mention: Eduardo Freitas - having issued a mid-qualifying much-needed clarification about how out-lap pace would be enforced, it would have been an easy mistake to require immediate compliance. Michael Masi would have done it. Charlie Whiting might. Eduardo instead investigated why, issuing reprimands to the real culprits only and acknowledging that the late timing of the rule change prevented sporting penalties this time - and only this time. I think we may see the end of the ridiculous bunching scenarios on out-laps soon, if the race directors hold their nerve.
Villains
Liberty - the drone was drunk and did not warrant this level of fuss. Also, there's no point showing us shots of the fans' backs or interminable longing looks at Tom Cruise.
Red Bull - if you're going to make a pair of drivers swap (in this era where it's legal and we know perfectly well one driver is a better title candidate than the other), just say so! (Also, stop describing Max Verstappen as the second coming of Jesus Christ and everyone else as a lesser being when races like this proves he's as human as any of his rivals - in several meanings of the term. That humanity is not a weakness and treating as such does neither his position nor Red Bull's any favours. Especially with rivals whose default attitude to such behaviour is to laugh at the silliness and gain energy from it).
Sky - I only saw qualifying on Sky... ...but moaning about Charles Leclerc's alleged lack of mental strength after one run in Q3 is unwise. Although the way they had to try backpedalling when he got pole 5 minutes later was, I suppose, mildly entertaining.
Dishonourable mention: Channel 4 for its Tom Cruise obsession, including showing the same very boring film advert that they showed at Silverstone last year.
lkjohnson1950:
Yes, thank you Alia. I've been trying to voice my feelings about Max and couldn't find the words. You've hit it exactly. I don't even think he's the best driver on the grid.
I wonder about Danny R. Has he lost his Mojo? Is the McLaren slanted too much toward Norris? Is he just not as good as I once thought he was?
Bottas has been impressive in the Alfa. He actually seems happier there than at Merc. Alfa has taken a big step forward and he seems to be leading it.
I don't think Perez or Saenz enjoys being a de facto #2 and the pressure looks like it might be getting to them a bit.
I hope Lewis has found his inspiration again after a great drive up from the back.
Monty:
The race was a bit dull.
I think Magnuson ruined any hope of excitement by taking out Hamilton - this was KMag back to his worst. Bad driving and then blaming Hamilton; and even suggesting it was deliberate. Pathetic!
I know it is a strange thing to say about a driver who has had DNFs and a faulty DRS but Verstappen is so lucky. Safety Cars ; VSC ; other driver problems all seem to work in his favour.
I honestly think Hamilton had the pace to challenge for the win.
It was overheating, not low fuel that made both Mercs have to lift and coast at the end. Especially Hamilton who had a coolant leak.
I really do not understand what is happening to Ricciardo. The car seemed desperately slow with cars passing him with ease.
Dare:
I miss the days when drivers were allowed to
win. Could you imagine G Hill being told move
over and let Jim thru. If you can get the win you
deserve it.
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