Big lapse by Stroll.

Vettle tore up the field like a boss.

Great move by Max. Hamster was visibly irritated he didn't win. I like that.

Happy birthday Max, great way to spend the day.

Amazing drive by Vettel, crazy contact with Stroll.
Really bizarre that it damaged so much, considering they occasionally take harder hits during the race.

quote:

Originally posted by P250UA5:

Really bizarre that it damaged so much, considering they occasionally take harder hits during the race.

As realtors say "Location, location, location".

^ True, but having seen cars practically drive over another's wheel, at race speed, this seems bizarre.

Vettel limited the damage but Ferrari sure gave up an unexpected opportunity to claw back some of the points from the last race.
The track looked like it would be a real power circuit but the Honda's and Renault engine cars seemed to be pretty close on power. Max even passed Hamilton at the end of the straight. Yes, he had the DRS but a few races ago they didn't appear to be that close.
There were also rumors that Mercedes has turned the engines down to get them to last longer so they don't get hit with as many penalties before the end of the season.

Added another expense to the upcoming USGP weekend, parking.
Was originally considering utilizing the shuttle, but it is $50/day/person, so $300 for me & my wife.

$125 for 3 day parking looks like a bargain by comparison, just have to deal with a little traffic.
And, after Sunday, I can just hop on 71 & head back to Houston, rather than shuttling back to downtown & heading out.

quote:

Originally posted by P250UA5:
Added another expense to the upcoming USGP weekend, parking.
Was originally considering utilizing the shuttle, but it is $50/day/person, so $300 for me & my wife.

Well, that's certainly gotten outrageous. As I recall the last time we were there (years 1 and 2) it was less than that on Sunday, and WAY!!! less than that F/S. Crazy. The shuttle service did run pretty smoothly though....

First year we got a spot in the lot nearby, thinking we'd be able to "tailgate" a little before and after rather than trying to fight the crowd. We'd done that at all 7 Indy F1 races. Unfortunately this lot is crushed limestone so the dust is incredible. Trapped in the car unless walking to/from, and it would have been nuts to sit there idling in that dust. As I recall that was an expensive lot then....

ESPN replaces NBC as F1 broadcaster in the US

The NBC Sports Group has announced it will stop broadcasting Formula 1 races on American television after the end of the 2017 season, with ESPN taking over.

I can only hope this is the last I'll see of shouting, piercing and reedy voiced, drama queen Leigh Diffey. Hoping for Bob Varsha and Matchett for sure, Hobbs not so much.

Yes, but this is us. We'll get Allen Bestwick and Eddie Cheever.

On the plus side of the ESPN deal, we'll also be getting coverage of all sessions, FP1-3, quali & the race.

quote:

Originally posted by P250UA5:
On the plus side of the ESPN deal, we'll also be getting coverage of all sessions, FP1-3, quali & the race.

That would be cool, but what makes you think this? I didn't see it in the article linked, but may be missing that??

quote:

Originally posted by Georgeair:

quote:

Originally posted by P250UA5:
On the plus side of the ESPN deal, we'll also be getting coverage of all sessions, FP1-3, quali & the race.

That would be cool, but what makes you think this? I didn't see it in the article linked, but may be missing that??

I had read it elsewhere, snipped from the linked article, bolded for emphasis:
http://www.espn.com/f1/story/_...mula-one-rights-2018

quote:

Beginning with the Australian Grand Prix in March, every race will air live on the ESPN, ESPN2 or ABC. The package will include every practice and qualifying session and involve more than 125 hours of F1 programming across the first season.

Great to hear it is returning to the ABC Family...well, I guess the Disney Family

Hopefully the weather turns around in Suzuka. FP2 only 5 drivers turned a timed lap due to rain.

quote:

Originally posted by P250UA5:
Hopefully the weather turns around in Suzuka. FP2 only 5 drivers turned a timed lap due to rain.

Not a spoiler, in fact a welcome report. I now know not to set aside time to watch the DVR, thanks.

Sorry, didn't consider spoilers...
With some weather, it may help the McHondas in the race on Sunday. They seem to have a well sorted chassis & improved performance based on the last couple races.

quote:

Originally posted by P250UA5:
Sorry, didn't consider spoilers...

Sincerely, no problemo. That's time I'll be glad to have this evening. (how can that much less Leigh Diffey not be a good thing?)

quote:

Originally posted by 9mmepiphany:
Great to hear it is returning to the ABC Family...well, I guess the Disney Family

ABC and their broadcast crew do a terrible job on the few races they cover now. Other than maybe they have a larger audience, I don't see how they will be an improvement.

Example;
"Among the season highlights will be the Monaco Grand Prix on Sunday, May 27 (Memorial Day weekend in the U.S.), which will air live on ESPN after the Indianapolis 500."

The only problem with that is that the Monaco Grand Prix happens about 6 hours before the Indy 500.

They did a less than great job on the Indy 500 coverage they hold captive. I will give them credit for being the first to show any coverage decades ago but as soon as it gained traction and went elsewhere, coverage kept improving.

The real reason for this is probably that Liberty Media now owns F-1 and they are a competitor according to the press release.

**Japanese GP Spoiler (by implication)**

DVR'd over night, after a very few laps headed elsewhere to do some sanding on a project. Asked the wife to let me know if anything interesting happens, never heard from her. Got back in time to catch the last three laps, muted the sound, erased the recording asap.

After the incident to which you refer (no spoilers), I fast-forwarded to see if his teammate did anything (he did), then deleted.

I may not even record or watch the USGP, if it's true that Hamilton will "take a knee."