F1 2024 -Watchalong thread

[Brazilianadventure]

Happy New Year.

Thought I would start the 2024 thread given there is more political intrigue with the FIA.

2 resignations and one person choosing to not renew their contract. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/67906883

Plus allegedly another ex-Red Bull employee moving to the FIA. https://x.com/silverarrowsnet/status/1744375322131231089?s=46&t=lJm6-66fq4MtGcwwAsK6Kg

Spoilers

Lewis looks happier in the car so a better qually. DR got very close to Yuki so hopefully they both had changes to the car that make a difference. Perez closer to Max so maybe we can have an RB race.

Ferrari must be wondering if they've backed the wrong horse with Charles.

I’ve always rated Carlos but realised when he got to Ferrari he was a good not an exceptional driver. However, he is strategic and when under pressure he seems to thrive. I actually think he might have been the better paring for Lewis.

Alonso, Lewis and Max are the exceptional drivers of their respective generations. In my view each generation is better than the previous because they benefit from the learning and development of previous generations and then take the next step. I am excited to see what Liam and Ollie can do if they have seats next year.

That's a delicious little grid I think, if you ignore the existence of RB, which I mostly do. Should be an interesting race!

I think the following drivers are in risky seats for the 2025 season:
Zhou
Ricciardo
Hullkenberg
Stroll

Particularly having seen how well Bearman and Lawson just adapted so quickly to driving a F1 car and get results too. I know that there are lots of contracts up for renewals but I think these particular drivers are on thin ice if they don't start producing results.

We said that, too. Be interesting if Lando can nip ahead of Checo to see if he can stick with Max. Suzuka is a good old-fashioned track, which is usually entertaining.

I would think Magnussen before Hulk along with Sargeant.

Who's getting up early to watch? My alarm is set for 5.45am 😊

I’m going to do my best.

I might get up early for the race tomorrow. I couldn't for any of the Aus weekend, so it feels like ages since I have watched any F1.

I'll be up. Hoping for another Lando podium. Would be nice to get Oscar up there too for his birthday weekend.

Nope, will record and watch later. It does mean a lot of staying off of Instagram (and this thread) though.

Is there anything more annoying that waking up early at the weekend for a race - only for it to red flag within the first lap?

Nope. Back to bed for me.

I'm watching in bed. Might go downstairs for a coffee.

Was that DR's fault?

Arghhhh red flag!
Already got a cuppa so all good.
I'm blaming Danny ric for that one, it wasn't malicious but he definitely squeezed albon.
Most exciting thing so far? I love the princesses hat, very 30s.

Anthony saying racing incident but feels to more like 'racing incident if you're an idiot'.

Bit sad I missed the 30s hat

Think that decision may have cost lando a podium.

WTF is Anthony Davidson on about... "for Perez to be 'just' 12 seconds away from Max is a good result".

It's not a good result - for Perez or F1.

I rate Perez but it's not good that he cannot get within 12 seconds of his team mate. And it's rubbish for F1 that the winner is 12 seconds shared if everyone else.

Bah.

Well do everyone who stayed asleep - good decision 😁

Genuinely get so bored of Max always being so far ahead. So many amazing drivers that it seems odd that he is always so far ahead of the others. Even Perez in the same car. Surely sponsors also get a bit fed up of having zero coverage of the lead car?

So pleased that Maclaren are doing well this year.

Please help! I'm in a bar on holiday, we sat down to watch the F1 from 10.30 but it's still on the highlights package.

Without giving anything away. What's on Sky F1 now? Shall I keep away from the TV for a while?

I'm presuming there were red flags?

I am bored rigid of him always being so far ahead of the others. Mind you it doesn't help that I can't stand him.

It wouldn't be so bad if he had some competition even if it was only from his team mate. I find it odd that Perez can't match him if their cars are meant to be the same.

I know people say that it was the same when Lewis was always winning but it really wasn't because he had competition and had to actually battle often to win not just start at the front and stay there for the whole of the race

@spottedinthewilds Its just starting now.

I agree Max needs a stronger team mate as 12 seconds is way to big a gap when they started 1-2. It’s going to be a long season.

Carlos is really showcasing himself well.

This is exactly how I feel.
I’m so glad I didn’t get up for the race (have been a bit under the weather anyway, so needed sleep). Even the C4 highlights were dull.
God, I long for the action packed f1 of old.