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.

Wow, that was a chaotic end to qualifying. So happy for Charles, but gutted we couldn't see the end of that monster lap he was putting in. Tomorrow is redemption day, I so hope he can win this. No rain now please!

Should be interesting to see how RB play strategy tomorrow. Lando did an awesome job too, and he's still pretty ill from tonsillitis 😥

Love that I've just found this thread! Looking forward to joining the conversation 😊

Off on holiday today, so will be following the race through a combination of the F1 app and this thread 😁

Do we think RB are going to make Checo let Max past? I’m against team orders in any scenario but it’s be particularly harsh when he out qualified Max fair and square.

I think Red Bull need to handle this carefully. I think they will want Checo to make way for Max but they also need to think long term. They are not good at managing their second drivers and they need to keep Checo onside for when they really need him. He’s a team-player so they would be very foolish to sour the relationship with him by imposing team orders in a heavy handed way so early on and not letting him have a fair chance on the tracks where he is genuinely faster and in serious contention. Checo was critical to Max winning the championship in the last few races of 2021. I think keeping both drivers happy and willing to follow team orders will be a tricky line for them to tread this year.

The last thing they want is a “multi 21” fiasco at a critical moment at the end of the season.

A wet start could shake things up!!

Glad I've found this thread! The rain could definitely make a difference at Monaco.

La pluie est arrivée à Monaco. Très bien!

I have no idea what Race Control are doing. Three changes of direction already about how the start will be. I was the first one to complain about Masi but this might just beat it...

FFS!

I was at Monaco in 1996 when the rain came down with a vengeance and we ended up with only 3 finishers so I'm on the side of caution...but I have to go out at 4 so would also quite like it to get going ;-)

Spa 2.0 anyone? 😂 I'm off to make some tea... and get on with the chores. I really hope we don't get a cancelled race or just safety car running all afternoon long...

Fingers crossed we get going in 5 mins!

Woohooo! Just found this whilst waiting for Monaco to start!

I think it’s looking like they actually made a good call and now we have a good chance of a decent amount of running. Looking forward to it getting started.

Hello fellow F1 fans
Just found this thread while listening to the wittering commentary on TV!
Was in Barca a week ago, so today is different on so many levels. Was very disappointed with Ferraris, thought Lewis drove an amazing race (he was driving around on his lonesome for several laps). We were in the Max fanstand so surrounded by Dutch party people)
We are off.......

Turning out to be a tyre tactic race, especially for Sainz. Lewis is trying hard but he's got some damage there?

Feeling bad for Charles but very happy to see Checo out front. It would also be good to see Carlos walk away with a good result after the season he’s had so far.

What is going on?! Do you think they'll run to time or laps? Schumacher was flipping lucky.

Bit chaotic so far. Glad Mick is OK.

Hoping Leclerc can work some miracle, but that's very unlikely at Monaco. Just get past Max, Charles.

They’ll base it on time not laps, I think.

They'll run out of time before they run out of laps. Glad Mick was okay after that!

Why is Alonso going so slowly?

Either fuel saving or tyres. Usually one or the other.
I hope Lando gets fastest lap at this stage.