I don't think whipped isn't the right term, he was equal on points and finished behind on some convoluted countback. Given the enormous falling out he had with the team (of which he and Ron share equal parts blame) it's impressive that he kept doing his job and took 4 podiums and a win post Hungary. Undermined is probably a better fit, since really it was his relationship with the team taht failed and not his performance as a driver. Of worth note is that Lewis had been pounding round Silverstone and Catalunya in various Mclaren F1 cars since 2004 before his 2007 debut. Being a rookie back then was markedly different to being a rookie now, who at best has pre-season and some free practice sessions before their first start. Even with his enormous level of ability I don't think he would be able to drop in and be at the front from day one now. But 2007 really is Fernando's career in a nutshell, fabulously talented and aggressive in a car, threw it all away with temper tantrums and blunt force politics off track.
New rumour is George Russell to Williams next year. With Lando to McLaren, Alonso retiring, Hartley most likely being dropped for Kvyat to return and the likes of Verstappen,Leclerc and Stroll on the grid, 2019 must surely be the youngest average (and probably combined, given the small number of teams atm) age grid for a long time??
Wow. Just wow. They were talking about getting into 1:37's come q3 at the start of qualifying, I thought maybe smidge into 1:36, but that was mental. 3.4 seconds quicker than last year's pole.
Lewis, whether you agree with his character out of the car or not, showing he is unrivalled on single lap pace. Over half a second faster than the closest Ferrari and almost 3/4 second faster than his team mate. Max did a mega lap to get in front of both red cars, too - Hopefully he doesn't get caught in a Ferrari sandwich again tomorrow! Race should be properly interesting.
We've re-hired so we can sack him again, we're going to hire him, then sack him every other Grand Prix, this way Max will be world champion. I really hope Kvyatt kicks arse on his second try, he was kicking arse until Red Bull decided that big nose was the future. On a similar note I want Gasly to demolish Verstappen...
Out of principle he could have stayed out, but it’s an F1 drive in what could be a pretty decent car over the next couple of years.
Bottas has to be crying inside a little getting battered in equal machinery will make you look long and hard at yourself.
I don't get the luv for kvyatt. Maybe redbull asked toro to take him back so they can use him to "torpedo" other drivers out of the way for them.
I don;t think it's love for for Kvyat as much as wanting to see someone get one over on Marko and/or Horner
Ah I totally understand that, that pair are truly annoying. Mind you I feel the same way about Ferrari, watched Eddie's bit on Ferrari today and went on about how they are the only team who have been in it since the beginning and yet are the most unapproachable. One of the many reasons I don't like that team.
Helmut Marko was quoted saying So Max has been given the green light to try and bully his way to the front. i.e. pile up at the first turn.
Hopefully NotForceIndia gives the seat next year to Ocon as punishment for what Perez did to Sirotkin.
