2021 Formula 1 Season Thread

[CWallace]

Yeah Lewis had the better car this race. Max stuffed the start, but even if he hadn't, he didn't have the car to hold off Lewis. Perez did everything he could to help Max, but it was just not meant to be...until a questionable (IMO) decision allowed it to be.

Max fought like a lion all season, but that fierceness cost him points - and, arguably, should have cost him the WDC at Silverstone.

Lewis was mercurial, as always, but he also did what he has so often done - knuckled down and won when he had to to secure the WDC. He took pole and won the two new tracks Qatar and Saudi Arabia and the stats say that should have given him the WDC (as it had done the previous ten years).

 

[Crazy Badger]

It does feel a little like it was decided by the Race Director, but to be fair I think Mercedes lost it for Lewis by not taking either of the opportunities to put on some new rubber under the VCS and then SC.

Well done Max and Lewis for an incredible season and one of the very best after many years of pretty dull racing.

 

[nebo1ss]

What a farce. The result was decided by the officials. remember Lewis was 11 second ahead with about five laps left when the race was stoped. i am not sure i want to watch F1 any more after such an injustice.

 

[Pezimak]

Well, all we can do is pray the FIA, New Race Director?, and the Stewards have some idea how to conduct a F1 Race in 2022.

I understand both sides of this result, but it is what it is, and IMO Max isn’t going to care. Lewis will be damaged from this.

Finally although they didn’t win the WCC, for Honda powering the WDC Chassis in their Grand Finally simply makes me warm inside. ?

Trouble you have is the old rules are what allowed one driver to be 40 seconds in front.
If you look over the season even in the safety car overtakes. So the decisions are now being taken to allow them to race.
I highly suspect that's Liberty Media's influence, but they own the sport now, and they want racing. As the drivers do too.

They need to basically change a lot of rules I think.
It will be difficult for them. RB gambled and it paid off.

We will have to see how the new cars will behave with racing. I hope it'll be a lot better and closer so the rules and race director don't come into play as much.

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

Well, all we can do is pray the FIA, New Race Director?, and the Stewards have some idea how to conduct a F1 Race in 2022.

I understand both sides of this result, but it is what it is, and IMO Max isn’t going to care. Lewis will be damaged from this.

Finally although they didn’t win the WCC, for Honda powering the WDC Chassis in their Grand Finally simply makes me warm inside.

I think there will be pressure to review the role. Masi has sounded out of his depth on a few occasions this year and he’s made some controversial decisions. He also loses his temper which is something you would never have heard Charlie Whiting do. Touch wood he’s is replaced for 2022.

 

[Apple fanboy]

Trouble you have is the old rules are what allowed one driver to be 40 seconds in front.
If you look over the season even in the safety car overtakes. So the decisions are now being taken to allow them to race.
I highly suspect that's Liberty Media's influence, but they own the sport now, and they want racing. As the drivers do too.

They need to basically change a lot of rules I think.
It will be difficult for them. RB gambled and it paid off.

We will have to see how the new cars will behave with racing. I hope it'll be a lot better and closer so the rules and race director don't come into play as much.

Agreed. I don’t want to hear from the race director. Far too many races decided by decisions in race control this year. No one wants to see that. We want overtaking on the track.

 

[UBS28]

WTF was this. FIA really wanted Max to win the championship by not following their own rules.

All lapped cars have to unlap themselves and then join at the back of the pack. And then the safety car goes into the pits. Mercedes were correct to assume that the race would be finished under the safety car.

If the FIA followed their own rules, Lewis would have been champion. That is how crazy this situation is.

Max should get a big asterisk next to his name in the record books.

 

[Apple fanboy]

I think there will be pressure to review the role. Masi has sounded out of his depth on a few occasions this year and he’s made some controversial decisions. He also loses his temper which is something you would never have heard Charlie Whiting do. Touch wood he’s is replaced for 2022.

You are right, but I do t envy him that position. It really is a poison challis. You can’t please everyone. But there do seem to be times he changes his mind or is inconsistent.

 

[Apple fanboy]

WTF was this. FIA really wanted Max to win the championship by not following their own rules.

All lapped cars have to unlap themselves and then join at the back of the pack.

Mercedes can easily win this in court as it was a clear rule break from the FIA themselves.

I agree, but don’t want it going to court. What’s done is done.

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

I agree, but don’t want it going to court. What’s done is done.

Indeed, it is what it is and getting the result changed would make a mockery of the sport even further. Lewis can’t be too upset, he is a 7 times world champion and the best driver of his generation. If he decides to compete next year, he’s still the fastest on the grid at 36 years old. Onto 2022 and a new challenge

 

[UBS28]

Indeed, it is what it is and getting the result changed would make a mockery of the sport even further. Lewis can’t be too upset, he is a 7 times world champion and the best driver of his generation. If he decides to compete next year, he’s still the fastest on the grid at 36 years old. Onto 2022 and a new challenge

Max is behaving bad because he is being let off the hook, and now the FIA is behaving bad because they are also being let off the hook. It is time someone steps up to this non-sense.

Mercedes should sue the hell out of F1. I really hope they do as this is unacceptable from the FIA.

 

[Pezimak]

Agreed. I don’t want to hear from the race director. Far too many races decided by decisions in race control this year. No one wants to see that. We want overtaking on the track.

It's a work in progress. These are the first new big car designs for what 6 or 7 years next year? And big regulation changes also.

Seems Toto is looking legally into the finish and is refusing to be interviewed or even congratulate Horner, it may not be over yet.
Meanwhile Lewis is behaving admirably and shaking everyone's hands and meeting with people.
Word is they have officially logged a protest against Red Bull about the finish. I won't be surprised if they take it to court which I agree would be disastrous for the sport.

 

[UBS28]

Btw, Mercedes have launched 2 protests I just heard.

You would think it is a clear win as the FIA have clearly ignored their own rulebook. FIA better get their lawyers ready.

 

[Pezimak]

Max is behaving bad because he is being let off the hook, and now the FIA is behaving bad because they are also being let off the hook. It is time someone steps up to this non-sense.

Mercedes should sue the hell out of F1. I really hope they do as this is unacceptable from the FIA.

And Lewis getting away with gaining an advantage off track was fine I guess?

 

[Pezimak]

Indeed, it is what it is and getting the result changed would make a mockery of the sport even further. Lewis can’t be too upset, he is a 7 times world champion and the best driver of his generation. If he decides to compete next year, he’s still the fastest on the grid at 36 years old. Onto 2022 and a new challenge

Oh yeah, I don't think Lewis has signed a new contract has he?

 

[Apple fanboy]

Btw, Mercedes have launched 2 protests I just heard.

You would think it is a clear win as the FIA have clearly ignored their own rulebook?

Not surprised. Not good for the sport. Time to move on. What’s done is done.

 

[UBS28]

And Lewis getting away with gaining an advantage off track was fine I guess?

You mean Max dive-bombing and crashing into Lewis again? Max is luckly the FIA doesn't punish him for his dirty driving again.

And this is an other example the problem of the FIA created, they are allowing Max to do bad things under "let them race". However today they really have gone to far for "let them race".

 

[Apple fanboy]

Oh yeah, I don't think Lewis has signed a new contract has he?

I believe he has, but that’s irrelevant. If he decides to retire having another year on his contract that’s that. Can’t force him to race.

 

[sunapple]

You mean Max dive-bombing and crashing into Lewis again? Max is luckly the FIA doesn't punish him for his dirty driving again.

And this is indeed the problem of the FIA, they are allowing and doing illegal things under "let them race". Today they really have gone to far for "let them race".

LOL I’m out of here. Thanks and onto the next season.

 

[Pezimak]

You mean Max dive-bombing and crashing into Lewis again? Max is luckly the FIA doesn't punish him for his dirty driving again.

And this is an other example the problem of the FIA created, they are allowing Max to do bad things under "let them race". However today they really have gone to far for "let them race".

Haha I highly suggest you go to Twitter and ask ALL the drivers and teams what 'let them race' means, as they are the ones who wanted and asked for it...

 

[Pezimak]

I believe he has, but that’s irrelevant. If he decides to retire having another year on his contract that’s that. Can’t force him to race.

True, he'll be in it for another year though I suspect.
Onto next year and some big changes. Wonder if RB will use Mugen on their cars?

 

[Apple fanboy]

True, he'll be in it for another year though I suspect.
Onto next year and some big changes. Wonder if RB will use Mugen on their cars?

I suspect he’ll race next year. If the car is competitive he might race beyond that. If it’s not or George is pushing him, he might decide he’s had enough. I can’t see him doing a Kimi or Vettel and racing around the midfield or the back as the years go on.
He had nothing to prove. You don’t become 7 times WC because you are lucky. He has been the driver to beat for a generation.
Max is certainly a great driver. You only have to look at the gap between Lewis and Max and their respective number two drivers.

 

[Pezimak]

Yuki came 14th overall in his first season! Wow! One to watch.

 

[Pezimak]

I suspect he’ll race next year. If the car is competitive he might race beyond that. If it’s not or George is pushing him, he might decide he’s had enough. I can’t see him doing a Kimi or Vettel and racing around the midfield or the back as the years go on.
He had nothing to prove. You don’t become 7 times WC because you are lucky. He has been the driver to beat for a generation.
Max is certainly a great driver. You only have to look at the gap between Lewis and Max and their respective number two drivers.

He'll retire before 2025 I think. I think George will push him next year though.

 

[Pezimak]

Oh for Gods sake, Mercedes are claiming Max overtook Lewis under the safety car! Max's nose 'may' have been in front of Lewis's car for less then a second. By what 5CM..
That's pure desperation. When Lewis restarted he was very clearly in front.