F1 - 2018 Russian Grand Prix

[gofast182]

F1 - 2018 Russian Grand Prix

US TV Times:
Practice 1 - Friday, Sept. 28, 3:55 AM - ESPNU
Practice 2 - Friday, Sept. 28, 7:55 AM - ESPNU
Practice 3 - Saturday, Sept. 29, 4:55 AM - ESPN2
Qualifying - Saturday, Sept. 29, 7:55 AM - ESPN2
On The Grid - Sunday, Sept. 30, 6:30 AM - ESPN2
Race - Sunday, Sept. 30, 7:05 AM - ESPN2
Encore - Sunday, Sept. 30, 8:30 PM - ESPNEWS

Current Standings:
Drivers
1. Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes AMG Petronas, 281
2. Sebastian Vettel, Scuderia Ferrari, 241
3. Kimi Raikkonen, Scuderia Ferrari, 174
4. Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes AMG Petronas, 171
5. Max Verstappen, Aston Martin Red Bull Racing, 148
6. Daniel Ricciardo, Aston Martin Red Bull Racing, 126
7. Nico Hulkenberg, Renault Sport F1, 53
8. Fernando Alonso, McLaren Renault, 50
9. Kevin Magnussen, Haas, 49
10. Sergio Perez, Force India, 46
Constructors
1. Mercedes AMG Petronas, 452
2. Scuderia Ferrari, 415
3. Aston Martin Red Bull Racing, 274
4. Renault Sport F1, 91
5. Haas, 76
6. McLaren Renault, 58
7. Racing Point Force India, 32
8. Toro Rosso, 30
9. Alfa Romeo Sauber, 21
10. Williams Martini Racing, 7

For more, including track data, analysis, and video please check out my full post on TOV Motorsports.

 

[IndyIan]

I'm not really a Vettel fan but I hope he wins and Lewis finishes out of the points, just to keep the title race going.

 

[Garak]

Lewis needs an engine failure.

 

[DeepFriar]

OK, I'll say it. Yawn.

 

[weasley]

As Russian GPs go, that was pretty special. Max was on fire, Leclerc delivered best-of-the-rest performance so should be an exciting prospect next year, Hamilton's move on Vettel was one of the first toe-to-toe battles we've seen this year and Lewis came out on top, in some style. OK the win was handed to him but in a team sport, the team dictates what its employees do to best deliver on their objectives. No doubt later in the year when Lewis has the title sewn up he'll pay Bottas back.

There was one on-track overtake last year - this year... lots!

 

[Brad_C]

Originally Posted by weasley
No doubt later in the year when Lewis has the title sewn up he'll pay Bottas back.


"Here Valteri, we know Lewis is faster than you today, but have a win as payback". I know exactly where he'd tell them to shove it.
Even Lewis said he thought it was unreasonable. I reckon Merc made a serious error of judgement and it has damaged their reputation with the fans.

Originally Posted by weasley
There was one on-track overtake last year - this year... lots!


It certainly had that going for it. Those soft tyres just kept going and going. I wouldn't call it exciting, but there was enough going on to keep it interesting.
Shame about the Toro Rosso failures. It appears Hartley has 5 races left to beat Gasly and keep his seat. No pressure.

 

[Garak]

I can't blame Mercedes for their decision; of course, it's not going to be popular, and wouldn't have gone over well with Bottas, considering they promised him otherwise before the race. I am getting a bit sick of di Resta's obvious anti-Vettel bias. Hamilton didn't get past Vettel because of any mistake Vettel did, any more than his first pass didn't work because of a Hamilton mistake. The Mercedes was clearly faster this weekend, and holding him off wasn't a realistic, long term option. It clearly sticks in di Resta's craw that he beat Vettel in a junior series but never became much more than an afterthought in F1. He's got more mic time than road time. I get it.

 

[DeepFriar]

I will stipulate that Max was super. A great drive. Although it is likely that at least the first ten let him go around, probably more. I did have to laugh at Lewis trying his best to not be interviewed by DiResta. He's fast alright. And oh my goodness, today Lewis says he actually had to BRAKE to avoid hitting Vettel! Dang, where will this end? So with the exception of Max - Yawn. Sorry to be so cynical today, I try not to be. I've been a fan since the mid 70's but I'm getting really fed up with the whole thing.

 

[Garak]

Yep, having to brake to avoid hitting someone in a race isn't a big deal. I realise Hamilton's had a period of time being 30 seconds clear of everyone, including his team mate, but that's not happening right now.

Maybe Hamilton was afraid to let di Resta interview him, thinking if he dropped his hat and bent over to pick it up, Paul would be kissing his rump. Max did pretty good, I must say, too. I'm sure many let him through without a big fight, but he did well to stay composed, yet get past aggressively without any contact. Poor Daniel, again, looks like his pace was harmed by wing damage, which they left until almost the end of the race? Sheesh. Why even bother by that stage? I can't see him having gained enough time back by the end to compensate for the longer pit stop.

There's one real surprise in the race that you missed. Alonso allowed himself to be classified while outside the points. I think that's only the second time this season, and perhaps his first actual finish outside the points. Maybe he couldn't come up with a creative enough reason to retire the car this time.

 

[FCD]

Even Hamilton thought that Bottas should have been allowed to win, as he deserved!