F1 2026 - Watch along thread 2

[Brazilianadventure]

Welcome to thread 2.

Everyone is welcome to follow along with us.

That video made me laugh

Am I the only one who think Fernando should retire? It’s just a bit embarrassing to see a tow time WDC crawling along at the back of the grid. Better to give one of the up and coming young drivers a chance.

Official statements from Estbeban Ocon and Haas. He will be leaving the team at the end of the season.

"My time with Haas F1 Team will come to an end at the end of the 2026 season.
I leave this project with my head held high and proud of my performances in what were not always the easiest of circumstances for various reasons and factors outside of my control.My immediate focus is the next race weekend. I will continue to work hard with the team, maximise every opportunity, and keep extracting every bit of performance from the car.
There are still many races to go this season and, as always, I will give it my everything behind the wheel for myself and for my team.
I am still motivated. I am still hungry. This is absolutely not the end of my Formula 1 career."

Haas
"TGR Haas F1 Team and Esteban Ocon will part ways at the conclusion of the 2026 season.
With plenty of racing ahead, our focus remains on working together to maximize every opportunity through to the final race of the year."

Komatsu

"I'd like to thank Esteban for everything he's contributed to the team since joining us in 2025,His professionalism and commitment have proved valuable as we continue to grow as an organisation.
Together this year we tackled the challenge of a major regulation change, where Esteban's driving experience and inputs were significant as we've worked hard to develop the VF-26 across the season.
There's still plenty of racing ahead, and our focus remains on working together to maximise every opportunity through to the final race of the year."

They are certainly getting faster and it won't be a surprise if we see Red Bull winning a couple of races in the remainder of this season.

This is what Ocon was told as a child (whilst living in a caravan because his prents sold their home and being teased at school for being a "gypsy")

"You have to stop doing this. Honestly, it won't get you anywhere. This is a sport for the rich, you have no chance here.' Well, thanks for trying to destroy my dreams, but I did it!
It's sad to tell a 10-or-11-year-old child that they can't realise their dream."

I always admired Esteban and how hard he had to work to get to F1. His parents gave everything to get him to F1. I am glad he had a F1 win in his career.

In someways his family struggled even more than Lewis’ ; but Lewis had to face racism too.

its much harder now to get to F1 and that it’s why I think Lando’s racing team is such a positive thing to do.

I totally agree Brazillianadvendure

@bluetonguewhy should Alonso retire? Give him the Mercedes and see what he can do? It’s not as though he is being out driven by his team mate by miles. He has a crappy car

I know we have some Max fans on the thread. This is a lovely interview with the P1 Podcast with Matt and Tommy.

Morning everyone.

looks like George is struggling a bit

DS was home last night so has just watched with us. He is delighted 😀 The red bulls are quick.
Kimi did well to stay 4th going out so early in Q3
Looks like a good grid.

Disappointed that George isnt nearer the front after last week and a predictably mid P7 (again) for OP. But maybe it will make the season end more interesting, now the red bulls seem to be properly in the mix.

Nearly missed my flu jab appointment watching quali😂

Well done Max, pleased for Lewis. It’s a shame Isack taking a grid drop for a new engine.

Drivers & fans all seems to be loving this track. I am hoping we get a good race.

I'm in Bucharest this weekend, have found a bar 15 minutes away where I can watch live 😄

Looks like the George WDC comeback only lasted one week.

Such a shame for George. And poor decision from McLaren over the cooling vest.

I didnt see it what did they do about the cooling vest?
Although OP seems to be p7 permanently so it might not have made a difference for him , and wasnt there also problems with Landos car? (That are not due to be fixed until cota?)

That should have read Mercedes not McLaren.

That comes of multi tasking.

Mercedes have prioritised car development over the cooling vest & George has a tendency towards heat stroke

Ferrari - please don’t mess up strategy!

and I hope Verstappen races clean!

They are apparently not going to have them at Singapore either....which seems bonkers!