Pick the Podium - F-1 - Emirates Grand Prix De France, June 2021

[Retroram52]

The French Grand Prix at the Paul Ricard Circuit is next on the docket. Since Hamilton and the Mercs were basically shut-out in Baku, we shall see if they can come roaring back to their usual dominance or if Red Bull and others are here in the front to stay. I suspect that Mercedes may be suffering a bit of a downturn and their attempt at a record-setting 8th championship may indeed be under more pressure to stay on top than has been recently anticipated. Should be a good race.

 

[Hank Kingsley]

Chatter about Russell to MB is getting more frequent.

 

[Hank Kingsley]

I should say for next year, not this year.

 

[ckhokie]

Chatter about Russell to MB is getting more frequent.

Give the people what they want!

 

[Hank Kingsley]

Give the people what they want!

Or try to because they don't want Bottas or at least realize he's past his best before date.

I'd still try and poach Norris.

 

[Schmoopy1000]

MSN

www.msn.com

 

[Retroram52]

Agreed Schmoopy. Bottas is probably going to be moved eventually. This in the framework of pundits now beginning to question whether the Mercs have been caught and passed by RedBull and maybe McClaren.

FORM GUIDE: Can Hamilton hit back at Verstappen in the French Grand Prix? | Formula 1®

Following two victories on the trot for the charging Red Bulls, F1 now heads to the Circuit Paul Ricard for the 2021 French Grand Prix. Mercedes have had things all their own way at Le Castellet the last two times F1 has raced here – but is that about to change? Let’s look at the favourites for...

www.formula1.com

 

[Hank Kingsley]

Could have won last week. If you think back, Gasly was making a pit stop as Lewis was ready to leave and he got held up for 2 sitting seconds. That put him behind Perez.

Then on the restart he had his mishap.

But that was a RB track. And he was able to stay close the whole race. Maybe Max wasn't pressing hard given he had Perez watching his six but still.

I expect the next few races to be more what we expect from MB.

 

[ckhokie]

Or try to because they don't want Bottas or at least realize he's past his best before date.

I'd still try and poach Norris.

Lando just signed a 4 yr deal, didn’t he?

I think Russell is a Norris-caliber driver who has just been in massively inferior cars and his development has been stifled because of it. He would immediately compete for podiums in a Merc. Of the Lando/Charles/Albon crew who came up together, I always thought he was the most skilled.

 

[Hank Kingsley]

Lando just signed a 4 yr deal, didn’t he?

I think Russell is a Norris-caliber driver who has just been in massively inferior cars and his development has been stifled because of it. He would immediately compete for podiums in a Merc. Of the Lando/Charles/Albon crew who came up together, I always thought he was the most skilled.

I said poach. Deals are made to be bought out, they (the team) make money that way too.

They seem to be leaning to Russell. I wouldn't.

 

[Retroram52]

In P2, Verstappen came roaring back from a Mercs-dominated P1. Maybe P3 and Qualifying will bring-out the race-like conditions cars but we shall see.

 

[Hank Kingsley]

Temperature I think is the issue.

Especially given Bottas' time was set on mediums.

Tough squeezing it all in between 5 soccer games! And that's just today.

 

[ckhokie]

HAM
VER
PER
BOT

 

[Schmoopy1000]

Hamilton
Verstappen
Bottas
Perez

 

[forty_three]

Mercs seem to have better pace over a run and they like the mediums better as well.

I'll go
HAM
BOT
VER
PER

By the way, how good has Sainz been? I dare say he's making a case for #1 at Ferrari.

 

[Hank Kingsley]

Hamilton
Verstappen
Bottas
Perez

 

[Retroram52]

I'll go Hamilton, Verstappen, Bottas, Perez.

 

[ckhokie]

RB giving Merc a taste of their own medicine. Really surprised Merc didn’t at least stagger strategies. Fun race, and exciting to see a real rivalry and exciting finishes now that RB has a legit #2 again

 

[forty_three]

Not every day you see Mercedes blow strategy on both cars, especially when both drivers wanted alternate strategies. And they blew it twice with Valterri.

Pitting Valterri first hurt Lewis because RB undercut them and passed both. Then not pitting Lewis to cover off Max cost them a race and the constructor's lead. THEN not bringing Valterri in to snatch the fastest lap point might prove very costly. If this comes down to one point...

You don't normally hear Valterri that angry but damn. I can't blame him, but i think the calls for Russell in that seat will only grow louder now. Especially if they called him in for fastest lap and he ignored it. Looked like Merc was setting out tires when Perez got by.

RB giving Merc a taste of their own medicine. Really surprised Merc didn’t at least stagger strategies. Fun race, and exciting to see a real rivalry and exciting finishes now that RB has a legit #2 again

I really liked Albon, but Perez is in another class. And imagine if he had not had those two solid drives at the end of last year for Racing Point he might be driving sportscars or in Indy car...


Hell of a run from McLaren too. They seem to be an upgrade or two away from contending for wins.

 

[Hank Kingsley]

And we're on to Austria.