F1 2022 Discussion Thread

[GrandSlamFinale]

After many weeks and months of waiting, we finally have an F1 discussion thread on MN!

Anyone who wants to join is welcome - regardless of how long you've been watching the sport or who you support. My only request is that we keep it respectful even when criticising our favourite driver's rivals.

We're in Barcelona this weekend for round 6 of what has been a thriller of a championship so far. I'm really excited to see how the race unfolds today, if overtaking will prove as difficult as it historically has here, if the Mercs have done a step forward in race pace, how RB and Ferrari will play around with strategy and tyres.

Martin Brundle said it goes back to Monaco when Perez crashed in qually denying Max the opportunity to go for pole. Apparently Max thinks Checo crashed on purpose then went on to win.

Shades of Schumacher and Rosberg.

Max really seems to have an issue with Lewis. This year Max has raced other drivers much more cleanly but when it’s Lewis it’s different.

Just remembered how much Checo helped Max last year in AD, he defended brilliantly against Lewis, really clean driving but defensive driving at its best.

Lost all respect for max! He has nothing to lose now as he's WDC, but Checo could have benefitted from it! Pathetic!

What a total cunt Max is.

I hope he lives to regret it next season.

Agreed.

Absolutely dismal.

Verstappen is a disgrace. All checo has done for him and this is what he does. Then has the cheek to say if he needs my help next week he will help him! Wtf! Also thinks he's bigger then the team. His arrogance is unreal. I really hope checo doesn't lift a finger for him ever again

Does make it very interesting though for AD next week though

Genuinely so so so gutted for Kmag and DannyRic. I’m only half way though the race but it’s been bloody wild so far!

Checo must be spitting tacks; really bad form by Verstappen. Congrats to Russell but I still have my fingers crossed for Lewis to get the win next time out.

Perez said this during a post-race interview. That relationship is going to take quite some fixing I think.

i'm a huge Max fan but i'm honestly shocked by that radio message.

Sadly I wasn't really surprised by Verstappen's attitude and message. He is just an arrogant selfish prick

The thing that I'm amazed at is that he openly (not even behind closed doors) defied TEAM orders.

I'd love to know what the reasons he gave (which clearly were given behind closed doors) as to why he wouldn't give the place back to Checo but I honestly think this might be the beginning of the end for the RBR team as it is currently made up, which might not be a bad thing.

If I were Checo, I'd be consulting with my personal advisors and finding out if there is any way to work around Team Orders. If Max doesn't follow them why should he???

Huge congratulations to George. What an outstanding drive from him.
A brilliant 2nd from Lewis too.

Max - WTF?
I've always been a fan of Max, but seriously? What vile behaviour. One of the worst, most malicious acts I have seen in F1 against a team-mate.
Very, very disappointed.

So happy for George! Fabulous drive from him, and nice to see a Merc 1 2 again. The sight of George sat down with his head in his hands crying happy tears behind the podium got me all emotional.

No comment on Verstappen really just not surprised.

What was up with Sainz this weekend, he looked miserable even during his podium, which is unusual for him. He drove a good race but seemed really down.

I think Sainz was disappointed to have the 5 place penalty. Plus he realises how quickly (in F1 terms) Mercedes’ have improved their car.

I think Le Clerc is the naturally quicker driver but Sainz has experience of driving for 4 different teams and has the confidence to dictate strategy. He seems to have a really good grasp of strategy, much better than Le Clerc or Ferrari. There are times (Silverstone) where he dictated strategy and it was right for him. Yesterday he knew he was fighting Perez and what he needed to do.

If I were the other teams I would see Mercedes’ performance as being a very ominous sign. They are a team that has developed a remarkable culture of discipline and continuous improvement. Their drivers seem to get on well and are sportsmanlike and respectful of each other and they have remarkable reliability in their car. With a fast package they will be a force to be reckoned with next year and they could still clinch second place in the championship from Ferrari next weekend.
Considering where they were at the start of the season, I think Mercedes will be going into the off season feeling very positive and Ferrari quite negative. I think Red Bull will also be very aware of the fact that Mercedes will have significantly more aero testing time than them and that it’s u likely that they will have another dominant season next year.

I hope that Mercedes is competitive again next year, makes the season so much more interesting to watch when it's close in the championship. Maybe Ferrari can even join them and make it a year like 2008 or 2010 again with mulitiple drivers and teams close together.

I can dream eh!

Race week again already then it's all over. I'm not ready to say goodbye to Seb yet, I really hope he has a great final weekend.

Credible reports today from Italy that Binotto is about to be or has been sacked and that Fred Vasseur will replace him in the new year. Maybe that's why Sainz looked down!

Did Sainz and Vasseur not get along? I must have missed that.

hope this isn't another add fail but it made me laugh.

https://twitter.com/f1trolls/status/1592515202746093568?s=46&t=N3fqJX6ybIM58k-iiOOLA

I hadn't seen that one! 😂😂😂

Verstappen did himself (and the team) no favours with the way he carried on in Brazil. We really have seen him for the man he is, and he doesn't deserve to walk the same paddock as some of the other drivers with the way he treats people.

I remember that there wasn't exactly open arms for Mazepin with the way he was seen to be behaving in the pit lane, to his fellow competitors and also out on track. Why is it thought to be acceptable because it's coming from Max instead???

i imagine the difference is that he's a world champion and an amazing driver! plus he's not Russian.

Schumacher is leaving Haas

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2022/nov/17/mick-schumacher-to-leave-haas-at-end-of-2022-formula-one-season?CMP=ShareiOSAppp_Other

Nico has replaced him

I'd love to know for how many seasons Hulkenberg has been signed for. I can't see any mention of it.
He's been the nearly man for way too long. I hope he manages to get on the podium next year.