[AmuroRay]

Originally Posted by Killed by Death

Substantially older with only a few years left IMHO. I would have kept Sainz. Will have to wait for 2025 to see if they made the right choice.

Yes guys, we have to wait to see if they made the right choice and picking literally the most awarded driver, and arguably the best driver on the grid, over another guy who isn't.

Real tough choice there.

Lewis is going to crush it, just like Alonso, Vettel, and Kimi couldn't. Get ready to enjoy it.

[DrFerry]

Viva Las Vegas... though I hate the airport...
.

[NickyC]

Originally Posted by ///M Power-Belgium

Besides that gorgeous lady in the lower right corner, that picture gives me one thought.

Phones SUCK. Good lord that looks so ridiculous. Instead of enjoying the moment, have the stupid phone you can't go 5 seconds without looking at recording. Like a bunch of zombies.

[G30M]

https://www.planetf1.com/news/fia-wa...tich-departure

FIA warned it has made ‘fatal mistake’ amid F1 race director exit uncertainty:
— Christian Danner has expressed shock and criticism over the FIA’s decision to part ways with Niels Wittich, who served as Formula 1 Race Director for three years.
“This job is not without its challenges. You have an incredible amount of responsibility. Not everyone can do it under the pressure here. You have to make decisions in the interests of the sport and safety. The dismissal is dramatic because Formula 1 race directors don’t grow on trees. They are plants that have been cultivated over many years.”
— Wittich reportedly did not resign, contradicting the FIA’s statement, and has been succeeded by Rui Marques, who has no prior F1 experience and faces a challenging triple-header to close the 2024 season.
“For me, there is only one conclusion: sacking a flawless race director without justification is not only scandalous in itself, it is also decidedly unfinished business. Who is supposed to keep growing back?”
“That is one of Niels Wittich’s strengths. He was completely impartial. He was a strong race director who didn’t interpret the rule book but implemented it one-to-one.”
“You can’t just fire someone – even in business – because you think you don’t like their nose anymore. If it was decided by a committee, you would need arguments. But there weren’t any. My first thought was the letter from the GPDA. But it wasn’t about the race director: it was about the president. Perhaps he has developed a certain thin-skinnedness.”
— Danner warned that the decision risks destabilizing Formula 1’s structure and leaving a void in experienced race directors.
“In view of the fact that there are actually no real newcomers, I think this is a fatal mistake by the FIA. It is an unnecessary destabilisation of the overall system.”

[M5Rick]

Originally Posted by Roman

You know what genuinely concerns me? Elkann and Ferrari threw an obscene amount of money at HAM with salary and project-funding. From a purely business/investment standpoint, they could give HAM preferential treatment and upgrades that LEC doesn't get just because of their investment in him.

That would piss me off to no end and likely cause me to bail on Ferrari as a fan.

This is what's forming in my mind and yesterdays demonstration of the seemingly nonsensical 'Ferrarithings' could be a prelude to that happening.

[fs1977]

Originally Posted by Marcoose

And for those pointing to Interlagos, any win that you share the podium with two Alpines is not all that great.

If that's really the thing that stands out for you, it says more about all those NOT on the podium.

[M5Rick]

Originally Posted by NickyC

Besides that gorgeous lady in the lower right corner, that picture gives me one thought.

Phones SUCK. Good lord that looks so ridiculous. Instead of enjoying the moment, have the stupid phone you can't go 5 seconds without looking at recording. Like a bunch of zombies.

+1 with the phones but what a fantastic happy crowd genuinely happy of MAX clinching the title and actually helping Ferrari at the same time knowing of the discord that's again forming in the team. The chap at the bottom in the middle with a proper camera sort of signs it off showing the crowd how it should be done.

[AmuroRay]

[HeelToeShift]

Originally Posted by AmuroRay

Ham went from 10th to 2nd and passed Max. Guess Max is garbage

Hm...then what would you call Ham's Brazilian excursion into the grass, gravel, and run-offs? A safari? LOL Garbage would be a step up for him and his classless woke agenda. Max 17th to 1st in short order was a drive better than Ham ever has or could ever dream of. And Max OWNS him in the rain. And now Max has won two WDCs in slower cars...something Ham never has and never will. You need real talent to do that. Max has also won from 10 different grid positions - another that no one in F1 history ever has.

Tell me this? In a car that was equal to the RB most of the year, where is Ham in the WDC? Oh yea, he is barely able to beat Perez in points, and isnt even top 6 whereas Max won it again in a regulation era where winning multiple times has been harder than anytime before in history...

[AmuroRay]

Originally Posted by HeelToeShift

Hm...then what would you call Ham's Brazilian excursion into the grass, gravel, and run-offs? A safari? LOL Garbage would be a step up for him and his classless woke agenda. Max 17th to 1st in short order was a drive better than Ham ever has or could ever dream of. And Max OWNS him in the rain. And now Max has won two WDCs in slower cars...something Ham never has and never will. You need real talent to do that. Max has also won from 10 different grid positions - another that no one in F1 history ever has.

Tell me this? In a car that was equal to the RB most of the year, where is Ham in the WDC? Oh yea, he is barely able to beat Perez in points, and isnt even top 6 whereas Max won it again in a regulation era where winning multiple times has been harder than anytime before in history...

Yes, Max went from 17th to the front with the help of a safety car and turned up engine. His drive had so much talent he was sharing the podium with Alpine drivers.

Such skill.

[HeelToeShift]

Originally Posted by AmuroRay

Yes, Max went from 17th to the front with the help of a safety car and turned up engine. His drive had so much talent he was sharing the podium with Alpine drivers.

Such skill.

LOL - rain equalizes cars and only those who can drive will prosper. Max passed 7 cars in the first lap or two…something no driver has done yet again. Your guy who was supposed to be good in the rain got owned lap after lap as Max set 27 purple sectors (think this is a record too). Funny that even this season Max has 4 times more wins in a slower car than Ham has in the last 3 years LOL LOL LOL LOL.

[AmuroRay]

Originally Posted by HeelToeShift

LOL - rain equalizes cars and only those who can drive will prosper. Max passed 7 cars in the first lap or two…something no driver has done yet again. Your guy who was supposed to be good in the rain got owned lap after lap as Max set 27 purple sectors (think this is a record too). Funny that even this season Max has 4 times more wins in a slower car than Ham has in the last 3 years LOL LOL LOL LOL.

Equalized him to not even sniff the podium without the safety car.
This all pales in comparison to Hamilton lapping the entire grid but one car - in the rain as a rookie.

The fact that you have to make up fake accolades for Max is so telling that not even you believe he's better than Hamilton.

[NYG]

Originally Posted by AmuroRay

No pain for me, I'm just a guy who likes F1
Has no bearing on my life since I'm not actually racing

I think you hate Max more than you like F1. Every one of your posts is some shot at him.

Just sit back and enjoy watching the greatest of all time.

[AmuroRay]

Originally Posted by Marcoose

Congratulations to Verstappen for a well-deserved WDC.

Worth noting our champ can only win with a winning car. Otherwise he’s just another (excellent) driver. And for those pointing to Interlagos, any win that you share the podium with two Alpines is not all that great.

See you all next year.

Max couldn't even Podium once RB became the 2nd/3rd fastest car. Even his lone win was helped by a safety car as you correctly pointed out.

All car.

[AmuroRay]

Originally Posted by NYG

I think you hate Max more than you like F1. Every one of your posts is some shot at him.

Just sit back and enjoy watching the greatest of all time.

I am, I can't wait to see Lewis collect his trophy next season while everyone here tries to rationalize reasons why the guy who is literally more talented than Max continues to win.

But what is funny is the Max fans mention Lewis more than I do. He lives in their head rent free, which is why every made up accolade is there to take a shot about how much greater Max is than Lewis. Max can't even win when he doesn't have the fastest car, preferable treatment and rules biased in his favor.

[NYG]

Originally Posted by AmuroRay

I am, I can't wait to see Lewis collect his trophy next season while everyone here tries to rationalize reasons why the guy who is literally more talented than Max continues to win.

But what is funny is the Max fans mention Lewis more than I do. He lives in their head rent free, which is why every made up accolade is there to take a shot about how much greater Max is than Lewis. Max can't even win when he doesn't have the fastest car, preferable treatment and rules biased in his favor.

It's insane that you think Lewis is going to beat Leclerc.

You need to understand that the skill set this new generation of drivers have is different that Lewis' generation.

Lewis has all those WDCs and yet everyone still considers Senna a better driver with 3.

[M5Rick]

Originally Posted by AmuroRay

I am, I can't wait to see Lewis collect his trophy next season while everyone here tries to rationalize reasons why the guy who is literally more talented than Max continues to win.

But what is funny is the Max fans mention Lewis more than I do. He lives in their head rent free, which is why every made up accolade is there to take a shot about how much greater Max is than Lewis. Max can't even win when he doesn't have the fastest car, preferable treatment and rules biased in his favor.

MAX certainly didn't want the fastest car in Vegas for want of less risk of a collision or DNF so long as he was in front of Lando. He played the thinking mans game and it's why he let HAM through and helped SAI and LEC also sensing the turbulence brewing there.

[fs1977]

You can just look at the data from Brazil to see what's what.

In his first stint of 39 laps Verstappen had an average laptime of 1.24.486, wich was 0.130 a lap faster than second fastest Norris. That's 5 seconds faster in total. In his second stint of 37 laps his average laptime was 1.22.322, which was 0.621 seconds faster than second fastest Russel. That's almost 23 seconds faster in total.

Even without the red flag advantage his pace was that good that he could have won anyway. In my opinion it really was a masterclass.

[fs1977]

Originally Posted by AmuroRay

But what is funny is the Max fans mention Lewis more than I do. He lives in their head rent free, which is why every made up accolade is there to take a shot about how much greater Max is than Lewis.

Coming from the man who mentions Max more then his own favorite.

[NYG]

Alain Prost on Max (https://www.lequipe.fr/Formule-1/Art...n-egal/1522455)

Alain Prost's praise for the champion who has become his equal

If he wasn't initially keen to talk, it wasn't because he didn't want to share his place on the list of four-time F1 world champions (with Sebastian Vettel), but because he didn't have the time. Alain Prost really likes Max Verstappen and has never been reluctant to speak highly of the Dutch driver for L'Équipe. The French world champion finally agreed to give us his analysis of his 27-year-old counterpart last Sunday. Thirty minutes of Zoom interview that demonstrate the esteem, even admiration, of the 69-year-old former driver for Verstappen.

Having Verstappen as a neighbor on the prize list. Does that mean anything to you?

Yes, sincerely. I am pleased to be in such good company. Because there are only three of us with four titles, but I remember when Michael joined me and when Lewis came through. I will not forget that Fangio was the first driver to win four crowns (the Argentinian champion was crowned a fifth time). All the same, we're among a handful of names who, without sounding presumptuous (he reflects), are out of the ordinary. We're part of history. To be a four-time world champion is a kind of pride. And Max, looking back on his career, can be proud of it. He hasn't stolen any of his crowns. You can have a bit of luck, like me in 1986, but you have to know how to provoke it and then seize it. Max is not missing anything. I remember that in 2016 during his first victory I was commentating for Canal and I promised him a bright future. He didn't disappoint me. What he's already achieved is really impressive. Verstappen is clearly unique. He is not just anyone, whether it's his personality, his character or his commitment. You can love him or hate him, but he certainly doesn't leave you indifferent. Like many great champions, he's atypical.

This crown, do you think it was the hardest for him to win?

Only he can say. I don't know what his car was really worth. (He reflects.) And then we mustn't forget that highly controversial title in 2021. It's still very difficult to have an objective analysis. Frankly, both of them (Hamilton and Verstappen) deserved the title for the whole season. It was Max who won it in the conditions we all know. It was his first crown, and once again he went out and won it. It's always difficult to win your first crown. In fact, I remember very well what I said that evening in Abu Dhabi: from now on we'll see the real Verstappen. And we've seen him since then (he smiles). He's freed himself. He's erased his little mistakes and his impatience. He's become very, very strong. Coming back to this year, he's had to fight hard and I think he's shown some very fine things. A lot of confidence, a lot of serenity. Even when he complains, but he has always done it, he did it with less annoyance. That's the mark of a more accomplished champion.

You describe an extraordinary champion. Does he have any weaknesses?

At the moment, it's hard to find any. I don't know what he'll do in the future, but even in terms of communication, with all the rumours with Mercedes and the worries with Red Bull, I've found him to be very solid… He's good on all terrains. He's a very tough driver on the track, but you can't see that as a weakness.

So he'll be unbeatable next year?

Well, next year is another debate. It will be a rather special year, the last with the current ground-effect car. We've already seen a tightening of performance between different teams. Max's strength is that, in certain races, he can make the difference all by himself. And that's a big advantage for a team, and of course for the Championship. So I'd still put him as favourite next year, but now the other teams know that Red Bull is beatable.

When Vettel won his fourth crown, you were delighted because you felt he was very close to you in terms of personality. Do you think Verstappen is more on the side of Ayrton Senna?

Max has a lot in common with Ayrton, especially at the start of their careers. Today, a little less so. He has his own way of being. He's always followed his own idea, in his own way. That's why, when you get to know him a little, I think he's close to Seb or me. These are things I like about him. On the track, I find him very respectful.

Very respectful?

Yes, in his own way. He's not a cheater. You're going to talk to me about track limits. But it's the way he drives; it's an education. For him, it's the norm. The best proof is that when he's penalized, he accepts it. As always, he goes as far as he can.

Hamilton fought against Alonso or Nico Rosberg, you against Senna. Do you think he lacks high-level opponents to climb even higher in the collective imagination?

Nowadays, it's the rule not to have two drivers of the same level in a team. But Max has had to deal with Ricciardo, Gasly and Perez. After all, they're not just heats! We're talking about Grand Prix winners. You're talking about his popularity. The good thing about Max is that he's free. He doesn't cheat: he's just the way he is, following his thing. Tomorrow, he could tell you that in a month's time he's quitting, and nobody would be surprised! That's him and that's his thing. He certainly cares much less about the image he may have than many other drivers. But I think he'll be remembered as an incredibly talented driver. Very tough, of course, but his four titles are totally deserved and he's right up there at the top.

[AmuroRay]

4 replies to me and I'm the unhinged one.

Max is Good, he's just not as good as Hamilton and we all (you included) know it. RB poached all Merc staff, gave Max the absolute FASTEST car (which he still couldn't match Ham's record laps in) preferential treatment, and literally changed the rules ALL so Max could win.

And again the next year by allowing RB to exceed the budget cap again. There is literally nothing than can be said about the outrage of 21 to justify it.

With the media fawning over the "greatest driver ever" you would think he would have more accomplishments besides winning 2.5 WDCs. His toughest competition this year was a guy who was clearly a step behind Sainz, and he almost lost to him.

The cognitive dissonance here is wild.

[AmuroRay]

Originally Posted by fs1977

You can just look at the data from Brazil to see what's what.

In his first stint of 39 laps Verstappen had an average laptime of 1.24.486, wich was 0.130 a lap faster than second fastest Norris. That's 5 seconds faster in total. In his second stint of 37 laps his average laptime was 1.22.322, which was 0.621 seconds faster than second fastest Russel. That's almost 23 seconds faster in total.

Even without the red flag advantage his pace was that good that he could have won anyway. In my opinion it really was a masterclass.

If that was masterclass - What do you call lapping an entire grid? Divine?