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Info from here... https://twitter.com/f1debrief

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"Clark came through at the end of the first lap so far ahead that we in the pits were convinced that the rest of the field must have been wiped out in an accident."
-Eddie Dennis, describing the dominance of Jim Clark in the Lotus 49 at Spa 1967

So basically it’s Mercedes...and then the rest. Even as a Hamilton fan I don’t want to see Mercedes total domination again.


Thanks for posting that btw

Mercedes pace is seriously concerning. I mean, good on them and well done but it's massively frustrating!

Let's see if they are truly in a league of their own or if they have some company. The long runs are ominous but we really can't tell anything concrete yet.

If Mercedes return to 2016 levels of performance advantage, it would basically signal that they will win out the championships until 2021. That would, in turn, make the only bit of drama between now and then the prospect of Daniel Ricciardo signing with them. It would also likely mean that Hamilton will break all of Schumacher's records by then.

Guess this is also what testing is for lol
McLaren pit stop practice

https://youtu.be/i1hzb2IFWSs

@ mikey- do you mean frustrating because of the possible dominance??? All teams had the same opportunities to develop their cars. Just because one team did a better job doesnt make the sport any less of a spectacle imo. The mercs hard work paid off. For me what would be frustrating is how other top teams dont come close to the performance levels.

@ sandman- i see what you mean about the possibility of utter dominance until 2021 but no team is standing still. Everyone is trying to maximize the cars potentials. I dont believe that merc will dominate for that long in the current era someone will be atleast their equal but we shall see. If and i mean IF merc runs away with it this year will bottas give hamilton as hard of a fight as rosberg?

Hamilton is the better driver of the two no arguement there but we have yet to see what bottas can do in a merc built for his driving style nor have we seen his full potential. Bottas could surprise us this year and I for one am curious to see just how that develops.

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PF1 pick 10 2016: 7th (1 win, 4 podiums), 2017: 17th (3 podiums)
Awards: Sergio perez trophy & Podium specialist
PF1 pick 3 2015: constructors 2nd, singles 5th
Autosport Gp 2016/17 - 5th
F1 Oracle 2017: 2nd (6 wins), 2016:5th (2wins)

The frustrating bit, for some, is undoubtedly the lack of fight at the front in case of dominance. Last year we had a real fight for a good part of the year, but that's been about it in the past 4 years. If we return back to 2014-2016 dominance levels, well, yes I would find it frustrating as well.

That's not to detract from Mercs performance and achievements, I can admire that. But I won't be watching it anymore if it turns out like that. Just like I tuned out in 2004.

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Go Vandoorne - Verstappen - Vettel!

What was going on there?

Reality. That's what was going on there. Mclaren is midfield, and not even upper midfield anymore. They live by their old glory.

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The end is near

A midfield team yes, but a Bit of a stretch on the rest based on a failed pit stop practice in testing no less.....

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PF1 pick 10 2016: 7th (1 win, 4 podiums), 2017: 17th (3 podiums)
Awards: Sergio perez trophy & Podium specialist
PF1 pick 3 2015: constructors 2nd, singles 5th
Autosport Gp 2016/17 - 5th
F1 Oracle 2017: 2nd (6 wins), 2016:5th (2wins)

The one bright spot about it is at least Merc will (appear) to race eachother not just a have a parade.

Not saying its good, but we have had seasons where the 2 car was not allowed to pass the team leader or even pressure him. I usually found that cars from the same team made a good race as there was no underhanded stuff like brake-test or pushing wide (well, wide beyond reason). It also becomes a driver v driver until the team must eventually call them to heel.

Amazing!!

They put the left rear on the right and vice versa, noticed the mistake, tried to correct but it was all downhill from there.

Details, ita all on the details.

Losing hope! They are beig exposed, Alonso used one word last year when he was mad at Palmer............Karma

My favourite part of that was when they finally got the right rear tyre to the correct side of the car... then tried to put it on backwards. The look on the rear jack man's face (@ 0:31) is priceless

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Pick 10 | 1st x3, 2nd x3, 3rd x7
2018: 5th | 2017: 6th | 2016: 8th | 2015: 2nd | 2014: 15th | 2013: 17th | 2012: 11th

Saw that as well , That was by far the best part

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PF1 pick 10 2016: 7th (1 win, 4 podiums), 2017: 17th (3 podiums)
Awards: Sergio perez trophy & Podium specialist
PF1 pick 3 2015: constructors 2nd, singles 5th
Autosport Gp 2016/17 - 5th
F1 Oracle 2017: 2nd (6 wins), 2016:5th (2wins)

Found a nice highlight vid from testing today


Source : https://youtu.be/jKd2XKgYGHw

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PF1 pick 10 2016: 7th (1 win, 4 podiums), 2017: 17th (3 podiums)
Awards: Sergio perez trophy & Podium specialist
PF1 pick 3 2015: constructors 2nd, singles 5th
Autosport Gp 2016/17 - 5th
F1 Oracle 2017: 2nd (6 wins), 2016:5th (2wins)

I just found my latest favorite part. It's when the guy from left brings the tyre to right rear crew and knocks down the unfortunate guy with the tyre. It's 0:19.

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The end is near

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qQSDQ2u6bQw

This is beyond comical, is like the three stooges are in charge!!

The jack man was on point tho, give him the keys of the team.

I keep looking at it and keep finding funny stuff.


Also observe how the pay more attention to blowing the holes on the cover than cooling the rear brakes, something is very wrong with this car in terms of heat control, first they cut holes on a cover undermining all the work on the wind tunnel and even then you have to blow some air to keep temps under control.

I don't believe for a second this can be brushed away with "this is was testing is meant for" argument.

The lineup for the final day of the 2nd test:

Mercedes - Lewis Hamilton (AM), Valtteri Bottas (PM)
Ferrari - Kimi Raikkonen
Red Bull - Daniel Ricciardo
Force India - Esteban Ocon
Williams - Sergey Sirotkin (AM), Lance Stroll (PM)
Renault - Carlos Sainz Jr. (AM), Nico Hulkenberg (PM)
Toro Rosso - Brendon Hartley
Haas - Romain Grosjean
McLaren - Fernando Alonso
Sauber - Charles Leclerc

Link to follow the final day of testing:
https://www.f1today.net/en/live/f1/236677/follow-live-the-fourth-day-of-the-second-test-in-2018

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Feel The Fourth

guy with a stop watch at the back. seems to keep it going right till the end! Might skew the average a bit that one.

(it might not be a stopwatch but lets believe it is)

What a surprise, Alonso has stopped already.

Alonso's McLaren has stopped on track!

From F1 Today commentary:
'Marshals are furiously trying to clean up the track on the run down to Turn 7. Looks like the McLaren has repeated its Wednesday trick of throwing down fluid, although it's more in the middle of the track this time.'

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Feel The Fourth

This just becoming a joke now...

mentally insert your favorite renault/mclaren branded deckchair pic here

Another red flag, Leclerc has crashed.

It's only testing remember... these things happen

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Fernando Alonso

PF1 Autosport GP 2017: 3rd Place

Their issues are as common as a Sauber being in the kitty litter. BTW, 2nd red flag due to Leclerc spinning into the kitty litter.

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Feel The Fourth

Maybe it's all Alonso - Vandoorne managed 151 laps yesterday

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Top Three Team Champions 2017 (With Jezza13)
Group Pick 'Em 2016 Champion

Ericsson and (perhaps unsurprisingly, given the difference in experience) especially Leclerc's frequent trips off the track seem to suggest that Sauber is a proper handful.

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Pick 10 | 1st x3, 2nd x3, 3rd x7
2018: 5th | 2017: 6th | 2016: 8th | 2015: 2nd | 2014: 15th | 2013: 17th | 2012: 11th

At this point Alonso has managed just over a third of Vandoorne's lap total over the course of the past weeks.

Wonder whether this will raise suspicions of favoritism

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Go Vandoorne - Verstappen - Vettel!

Alonso the car killer

He is just trying to make Renault look bad

( are we on for a move to Merc engines next?? )

My post was complete sarcasm. I'm just waiting for people to start making up excuses for them

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Fernando Alonso

PF1 Autosport GP 2017: 3rd Place

At this point this shouldn't happen anymore. Yesterday was good, this is a setback.

Doesn't mean it's their fault though. It could be, or it couldn't.

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Go Vandoorne - Verstappen - Vettel!

Renault (team) are also in a quandary due to gearbox issues.

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Feel The Fourth

Currently the engine in Alonso's car is being changed.

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Feel The Fourth

Yet another engine. Be interesting to see what the issue with this one was.

It depends. I doubt there is anything fundamentally wrong with the car or engine as it was with Honda engine. They are probably just some glitches. Renault engine seem to work well for other teams.

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eeee

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Feel The Fourth

I don't know which site it was but Alonso said something like he did not want to test again and they already have done enough and know about the car and its problems. He said something like things are under control. they are ready lol

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YM9-GK3MeLI

Alonso out on track. Hopefully he'll run till the end of the test now! Boullier said Alonso's car suffered from turbo issue.

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Feel The Fourth

@karunchandhok
In the change of direction between T11 and T12, the Mercedes is far superior to anyone else. The front end responds so well and allows Bottas to open up the entry of the Long T12 corner.