F1 2023 - Watchalong thread

[LookItsMeAgain]

At the moment it's pre-season testing and they are in Bahrain as that is where the first race happens

Is anyone watching the preseason testing at the moment?

Anyone follow the WTF1 personnel change over the past few weeks (social media channel) and that Tommy & Matt have set up P1 with just Matt & Tommy as co-owners?

I'm really looking forward to seeing what progress the other teams have been able to make since RBR had their wind tunnel time reduced due to their overspend in 2022 (that was their punishment for doing that).

@LookItsMeAgain I agree and Lewis has hinted that whilst the Paddock is much better there is still an undercurrent.

I was interested to hear a snippet of Calum Nicholas (RB Mechanic) praising Mission 44 Lewis’ initiative.

Me too and it really disgusts me, I don't think there can be any doubt really.

Austin sprint weekend - very late nights for UK/Europe as Qually & Sprint are at 10 and 11 pm.

The increasing the max fine to $1m seems to either be targeting Lewis & Max or a money making scheme. As George pointed out it cost him £100k more than his wages to race in his first year and there is no clarity where the fine money would go.

Lewis seemed unphased by the FIA talking to him again about walking the track. I get the impression nothing surprises him anymore.

Glad to see DR back, some how his happy go lucky personality just lifts the weekend. It’s no wonder Netflix love him so much.

Yes really late nights for me coming up. Let's hope they are exciting races to keep me awake! Otherwise I will probably fall asleep around lap 12 only to be woken up by the Dutch national anthem yet again. 😆

I do think they are targeting Lewis again. Same thing with the jewellery ban previously. He knows it, the fans know it.

I think Lewis, probably because of the discrimination he has encountered, always tries to be measured whilst still making his view known.

He is incredibly resilient and has learnt how to channel perceived unfairness or set backs into his performance.

I meant to add Lewis now has 2 nose piercings which he has a medical exemption for.

Let’s go Lewis!

It seems a long time ago that Aston were fighting at the front with Red Bull in the early part of the season. They have gone backwards as fast as McLaren have gone forwards.

@ClassicLib I know it’s very unusual. I know Brawn went backwards in 2009 because they couldn’t develop the car as much as other teams but not to this extent.

That was a fairly disappointing sprint. Yes Lewis was much closer to Max in the early stages but fell back by a lot. I just hope this means Mercedes are now understanding what they need to do with next years car.

Lovely to see how Lewis has been supporting the F1 Academy drivers. Whether it’s because they are older but Seb and Lewis really seem to be giving back not just to F1 but to making the world a better place - I love Seb’s Bee Hotels initiatives.

It was a very dull sprint race. I predictably fell asleep after a few laps and woke up to see Max had won again.

Barring incidents I think the race tonight will be similar.

Agree. It feels a lot to watch practice, qualit, shootout, and sprint, then keep any anticipation for the actual race.

I saw Hamilton saying that they need to work to keep the sport competitive or the audience will just drop away. Bit rich 😁 but it's a fair point.

I know it’s not about the racing, but I do like Danica’s dress and boots.

I'm hoping that Max being further down the grid means we will get some racing, at least until he catches up.

Well we seem to have more of a race. What’s interesting is Max is not closing on Lewis either he is going for a one stop or the Merc has got race pace.

Vers is struggling a bit.

Is this going to actually be a proper race or is he going to just win?

I think we have a race.

Lewis did do the best he could and much better to be less than 2.5 seconds behind.

I do love it when max gets stressed. The old Max resurfaces.He didn't run away with it today with his brake issues and Lewis pushed him to the end. Happy for Lewis and Lando.

Not a max fan, but the booing is ridiculous!

Oh dear. I think there might be a bit of a hostile atmosphere next weekend in Mexico for Verstappen. I don't care who you support booing is shite.

Verstappen isnt to blame for Perez' lack of form.

I agree, I may not always like who won but booing is unpleasant and unnecessary.

I think shouting 'boo' is such a weirdly childish thing to do. It makes me cringe to see grown men do it at football.

Lewis and Charles disqualified because their planks were too shallow.

That pretty much means Sergio will be runner up, giving RB a 1, 2.

Oh woke up to that news this morning. What a shock 😲.

Wonder how that happened exactly? It's a very bouncy track maybe that's got something to do with it. But why didn't Sainz and Russell have the same issue?