Considering how close together Sainz and Checo were from one another and that there was clear overlap between them, it's befuddling that Sainz thought that he could just turn over to the left and actually believe that Perez would have time to react, let alone oblige to give up whatever draft he might have been getting off of LeClerc ahead. Unless he totally lost track of Perez on his left shoulder.

Even more annoying are the initial analysis by F1 pundits who put most of the blame for this on Perez because "he had a wide open track on the left to use". Utter bullshit. Checo at the time was quite busy trying to overtake Sainz, nor does he likely have telepathic or clairvoyant abilities to anticipate Sainz's stupid turn to the left. There's simply no way he should've expected Sainz turning into him given that amount of car overlap on a straightaway.

I thought it was primarily an IndyCar thing, but F1 really does have some true idiots behind the mic. It was a straightforward stupid move by Sainz, period.

That didn't look like a turn, just a drift away from being up against the right wall. Stewards determined that he was on substantially the same line as other laps.

Of course they also observed that as they went down the straight CS had moved over one meter. SP had moved over 1/2 meter. That was doomed.

SP had a clear view and was almost certainly trying to crowd him ever so slightly off line for next turn, don't you think? That's tough to do from behind.

Enjoyed the Lando move through pack. His willingness to hold up Perez was exactly what you'd expect from a committed teammate. Good on him.

I thought it was one of the best races so far this season. Many drivers were going full bore with fangs out!!

yes, highly enjoyable race

There's a replay that shows both cars from the cockpit.
Sainz car is aiming slightly towards the center of the track as he comes out of the corner but the steering wheel position is straight ahead, not even a wiggle until they hit and then it's hard to the right.
Too bad as they both drove a great race until that happened and both likely would have passed Leclerc in some order.

Yeah, I put it to Carlos getting off the wall, where Perez had a lot of track [but not the mindset to yield]
A bit reminiscent of the Monaco clash with the Haas pair & Perez, except that was a squeeze into the wall at the start of the race, not throwing away big points in the closing laps.

Carlos' wheel may have held steady but his line had him very slightly drifting left. I see that in the on-board and heli shot.

quote:

Originally posted by Ripley:
Carlos' wheel may have held steady but his line had him very slightly drifting left. I see that in the on-board and heli shot.

True, drifting left slowly but on a normal line, well ahead to the point he (Carlos) had zero visibility, the opposite of Perez who could see him clearly with plenty of room to give.
Just a low percentage move since Leclerc's tires had given up and both should have been able to pass him before the finish line.

Leclerc was still competitive when Perez made his last bid for the place. I felt Sainz put himself in a position where Checo could get him back...maybe. Carlos lays back enough to hold third - he had it - two-three for Ferrari.

No one was getting Piastri so it all seemed so unnecessary.

Piastri ran a fantastic race.
Was a bit shocking how rapidly Leclerc's tires went off so suddenly.
Heat of the moment, but Perez & Sainz both lost out on valuable points, especially with McLaren taking 1st in the WCC.

quote:

Originally posted by 220-9er:
True, drifting left slowly but on a normal line, well ahead to the point he (Carlos) had zero visibility, the opposite of Perez who could see him clearly with plenty of room to give.
Just a low percentage move since Leclerc's tires had given up and both should have been able to pass him before the finish line.

Checo wanted to keep the toll he had off of Leclerc, Carlos' normal line would have brought him into that toll. Both wanted to catch Carlos using that toll

Toll? Tow?

quote:

Originally posted by Chris Orndorff:
Toll? Tow?

It was close...brain freeze

Sergio Perez father health update after Baku GP crash sparks medical emergency.

Dad may have let his emotions get the best of him!

Not a good quali day for Ferrari fans.
We'll see what they can do from there, tomorrow.

I'm watching to see if Max will answer with more than two carefully chosen words or the FIA will lighten up a bit.
Ferrari had a bad day and Perez didn't do himself any favors either. Especially considering Max was able to get to P2.
Not only that but Yuki, Hulkenberg and both Williams were all ahead of him on performance, not luck.
Lando needs to finally get a good start and first lap tomorrow.

To me, it looked like max crossed the line before the red flag, and it was audibly clear he lifted once he saw Sainz in the wall.
Moot overall, P2 was likely his best. McLaren are in great form right now.

I know it will never happen, but can we please stop racing at Singapore? About the only time anything happens in on Lap 1 or Flavio Briatore fixed the race. We don't even have refueling anymore so Massa can drag the fuel hose down pitlane.

Thankfully, we've got a nice run of great tracks coming up, McLaren is now 41 points ahead of Red Bull, and Ferrari is 34 behind Red Bull.

quote:

Originally posted by DanH:
I know it will never happen, but can we please stop racing at Singapore? About the only time anything happens in on Lap 1 or Flavio Briatore fixed the race. We don't even have refueling anymore so Massa can drag the fuel hose down pitlane.

Thankfully, we've got a nice run of great tracks coming up, McLaren is now 41 points ahead of Red Bull, and Ferrari is 34 behind Red Bull.

My thoughts exactly!

My favorite thing about the race is on the Paddock Club building above the pits, they had written "The Home Of F1 Night Racing." It used to be a novelty, but everyone in the Middle East except Abu Dhabi (it's still trash day or night) does it better.