F1 2025 - Watchalong Thread

[Brazilianadventure]

Happy New Year.

We start with the first all teams season launch on 18 February. Ferrari reveal their 2025 car the day after.

Pre season testing will take place on 26 to 28 February in Bahrain. Australia will host the opening race on Sunday March 16th.

@RockaLock glad you managed to get dry. The atmosphere sounded good on tv so it must have been epic to be there.

Love how Lando wears his heart on his sleeve. How he s sad when he hasn't performed at his best, the pure joy when he wins. Felt Oscars penalty was overly harsh - but we ve learnt today Lando can be much more gracious in defeat than Oscar. Loved how Lando ran to his mum after the race, she gave him a hug, told him she loved him, and to go 'Enjoy!' I did tear up at that part. Superb race. So pleased for Lando and for Hulk.

According to x Sauber didn’t have any champagne to celebrate with. So Aston Martin and Merc sent some of theirs over.

How nice.

Hope this is true as it’s lovely 🥰

Just catching up with the chequered flag bit and getting unnecessarily wound up by some man who keeps walking past the presenters, clearly trying to get on TV whilst pretending he doesn’t realise he’s on TV 😖

For those on x https://x.com/danke_seb/status/1941901916440559894?s=46&t=lJm6-66fq4MtGcwwAsK6Kg

A very damp day at Silverstone but totally worth it, as always. Another great race, changing conditions kept it lively. Crowds brilliant as always - Lewis still gets the biggest cheers but Lando a close second.

Did anyone see what happened after the McLaren celebration? They seemed to be some sort of blackout screen put up so that the fans couldn’t see in, and I’m not sure whether they were trying to take it down or whether it just came away in their hands and Lando got hit in the face? I think Lando was going to show the fans the trophy and celebrate with them, but it went belly up. It was during Ted’s Notebook, and they ran out of time before it was resolved.

@Piffle11 It looks like someone was trying to climb the fence ahead of Lando and fell accidentally elbowing Lando in the face/eye. Lando was then taken back into the McLaren garage/hospitality.

The trouble is that everyone wants to get the photo and it was a bit of a bunfight for Lando to get to the crowd. Plus the blackout covering (not usually there) added to the incident as it pulled away.

I’ve never seen those blackout screens before: was that to try and deter the crowd from sticking around?

@Piffle11 I think so. It’s a shame because it’s always wonderful to see the drivers interacting with the crowd.

I don’t really understand why they want the crowd to disperse because there is the evening concert that people stick around for.

Agree. It’s the crowd that makes the weekend what it is.

Roll on Spa!

I managed to get over the grumpiness of wet jeans and really enjoyed the race - so much happened! We were in the vale section. Saw a few overtakes in front of us which was fun. Very glad all four brits finished as so many didn't! Lots of Ferrari and lando support, always such lovely crowds - F1 fans are such a supportive lot, cheering on hulkenberg even though so many were there for Lewis. Interesting how few fans were dressed in merch for anything but Ferrari and mclaren - lots of the lando neon around. I think Williams need to up their game, their brand is so dull and corporate in comparison and I was surprised I saw only one or two people in their merch. Rain ponchos and umbrellas were doubling in prices at the stores, apparently! Such a great day but my goodness it took a long time to leave the site.

@MrsJamin thanks for the update. Glad you saw some overtakes. Sorry it took so long to get out but with a crowd that big it’s always going to take time.

I think McLaren Papaya and Lando’s fluorescent yellow really stand out. I agree Williams needs to up their game. I want them to go back to the Martini stripes for its merch.

I’m conflicted. I really want Oscar to win the WDC but I also really want a close battle to the last race and if possible drama between Oscar and Lando with Zak / Andrea Stella having to pick a side.

Am I evil 😭🤣

I'm a Lando fan. I've got to admit Oscar isn't necessarily the better driver, but the more assertive driver, which unfortunately is what you need.
It's going to be a good versus evil battle I think!
Zak seems more for Lando, Andrea for Oscar.
I hope they do let this play out till the final race.

So Oscar is the ‘evil’ in your battle? Bring it on I say 😁

Also, is it bad that I laughed a bit at how dramatically Charles was complaining in the post race interview? Hadjar gets a bit dramatic too. Guess it's a French thing (yes, I know Charles is from Monaco). In comparison Yuki and Franco just looked downright lost and depressed. Guess Franco is looking over his shoulder as well and expecting the chop from Briatore any moment. He hasn’t been great but I do wonder how much of his low performance is down to the huge amount of pressure on him.

I think the Lando and Oscar battle is going to be interesting.I don’t like the good vs evil analogy but know that’s how it will be portrayed. People forget these are relatively young men with constant media and public interest.

Oscar definitely showed more emotion this weekend rather than the normally chilled out response.

Fighting for a win is one thing, fighting for a championship is a different level of pressure. Mistakes will happen.

Personally I think Oscar did break too hard and Nico said it caused problems down the grid. So a penalty was appropriate. Maybe 5 seconds rather than 10.

Do I think Max over emphasised the impact - yes, as he is the master at pushing the limit.

Poor Oscar, that's really mean, he seems like a lovely person.
Lando has always said he doesn't necessarily have the drive or killer instinct that might be required due to his very privileged upbringing.

I would love them to be allowed to battle it out for the whole season. It would be so good for the sport if team orders and ship to shore radio were banned.

Nah, it’s not mean. I’m an Australian Oscar fan and think he’d be pretty pleased that the public think he has a ruthless streak. I might just call him ‘evil Oscar’ from now on 😁

I like Oscar but don’t feel sorry for him. He shouldn’t have braked the way he did. He was caught out and doesn’t like the consequences is all. He’ll be back fighting at Spa and will learn.

Oh yeah totally agree but I don't think he should be branded a baddy, for one error, as JB said (and his word is law) he is still a young reasonably inexperienced driver

Horner has been sacked by Redbull. About time

Was just coming to say that - the Horny Finger has been given the shove, apparently.

Was this because he's lost Max - or was this a last ditch attempt to convince max to stay?