I didn't watch any of the race, but heard something about Max having another tantrum. He's so immature that unless he's stopped, he'll kill somebody.

This is partially Red Bull's fault. They know all too well what he's like, and lost a great driver to prove it (Ricciardo, of course). When the inevitable happens, I hope Red Bull suffer as well.

Somebody wake me when next season starts. I tuned out a couple races back.

I get both sides, but think Max shut the door into T2, where he could've left a bit more room. I get that the race leader should get some priority, but Max left nowhere for Ocon to go, when Ocon was clearly on his side going into T1.
The physical confrontation at the weigh in was uncalled for, IMO.

Ricciardo & Bottas had almost the same occurance into T2, but showed the proper way to do it.

Ocon fighting to keep from going two laps down? Max was ahead at the time of contact and had every reason to expect no hassle from Ocon. In post-race interviews, I get the impression there's some bad blood there from the past. Max/Red Bull were a surprise to all, they earned a win and got kicked in the nads.

I can't believe I'm defending the immensely unlikable Max, that was his race.

It seems the one common theme in all auto racing is villains and we've got them in F1. If the cars aren't all we'd like, we at least have the conflicts.

Hamilton's answer right after the race to Max was, who had the most to lose?
Max has improved a lot this year but still has to understand the bigger picture.
I recall his father had a few of the same issues on track and a lot of issues off track. Effective anger management doesn't seem to run in the family.

I saw that Charlie Whiting made a comment on the Max/Ocon incident.

TL;DR: Ocon had every right to unlap himself, but shouldn't fight to do it. Had he waiting a turn or two, he'd have had DRS & sailed by the RBR with ease.
Stewards didn't see max being P1 as relevant. The same ruling/penalty would've been issued had Max been P4 & Ocon trying to unlap himself.

Didn’t have an opportunity to watch this race until today, a week later. Very entertaining race. I tend to favor Verstappen’s argument in the Ocon contact. I hear about the Force India car’s faster straight line speed, but the incident occurred in a turn. As far as Ocon’s right to gain back a lap...what you can do and what you should do, as always, are two different things.

Hamilton masterful in nursing his tires for 52 laps and crossing the finish line in 1st. Kind of funny hearing Team CEO, Toto Wolff, joking about Merc Team Engineer, Peter Bonnington, “managing Lewis’ complaining” throughout the season, but smiles all around.

McLaren's farewell livery for Alonso

A news item this week is Robert Kubica signing at Williams. That's a great story but will he really be able to perform at that level after his injury and a decade off?
I know, the Williams car could still be a backmarker next year but comparing him to his new rookie teammate how will he do?
Next year at this time, will we be saying mistake or great comeback story?

Not a bad finish to the season. Wild lap 1

110 days to FP1 in Australia.

What year will the engine regulations change again? Until then, it’s going to be much of the same with Mercedes dominating.

quote:

Originally posted by HuskySig:
What year will the engine regulations change again? Until then, it’s going to be much of the same with Mercedes dominating.

Aero regs change for 2019. Engine formula changes in 2021 I believe.

From what I've read, computer sims have similar downforce with the 2019 refs as the current aero regs, will be interesting to see how it all shakes out.
Honda powered RBR will be a wild card next year.

Sebastian Vettel and Lewis Hamilton exchange helmets following Abu Dhabi GP

Is it Australia yet??

quote:

Originally posted by Georgeair:
Is it Australia yet??

109 days to FP1.

Did I hear correctly, a sixth straight front row lockout for Merc at Abu Dhabi qualifying? I've only got so much left for F1 if this continues.

quote:

Originally posted by Ripley:
Did I hear correctly, a sixth straight front row lockout for Merc at Abu Dhabi qualifying? I've only got so much left for F1 if this continues.

I think it was 5th, but yes.

quote:

Originally posted by Ripley:
Did I hear correctly, a sixth straight front row lockout for Merc at Abu Dhabi qualifying? I've only got so much left for F1 if this continues.

I guess you weren't watching when Williams dominated or '84 when McLaren won all but one race (only because a backmarker took out the McLaren/leader while being lapped). From 84-90 McLaren won the title six times and finished second the two years they didn't win.
During the era of Mclaren domination there were races where the next car qualified a second slower and that happened race after race.
I think the difference this year is that Bottas hasn't been a true competitive challenge to Hamilton like Rosberg was.

I didn't regularly watch F1 until the late 80's, i doubt the series would have gotten my interest with the previous years' domination. Even as it was, races tended to be pretty much over after the first turn. The attraction was the tech and the spectacle then as it is now. It's a lot more fun when there's actual competition, no? I made it through the Ferrari and Red Bull years, juggernaut Mercedes has just about depleted me. F1 seems to be far less willing to hamstring Merc as it regularly did to Ferrari and Red Bull. It looks like a niche auto manufacturer and an energy drink company matter less. As we speak I see no end in sight to Merc's power advantage.

quote:

Originally posted by Ripley:
As we speak I see no end in sight to Merc's power advantage.

I'd agree with you if Mercedes were the only team with their engine. If that engine were so dominate, the team rankings in the constructor's championship would be Mercedes, Force India, and Williams.

I think you have to give some credit to the engineering of Silver Arrow chassis for keeping them ahead of the Prancing Horse and the Charging Bull

In my own case, I have to say it's not just the domination, since I actually enjoyed that aspect in the past.

It's the personalities. Hamilton's whining has irritated me enough, but adding Verstappen's immaturity, and the incompetence of high-paying drivers in the back of the field, I finally gave up. Oh, and Alonso's bad choices...

I know this will pass as drivers retire, but it won't happen very soon, considering Hamilton's and Verstappen's ages.