Formula One

The end of the season is certainly turning into a nail-biter.

Considering Lewis did not use his newest engine, this weekend, that is more powerful according to Mercedes due to the engines losing power as they age. The next two races that favour power, is looking like a mountain to climb for Max.

Well, yesterday was certainly eventful. With all to play for next week, will Verstappen be doing the full "Mel Gibson" or will it be as the boxing referees say "a good clean fight" ?

The biggest problem for Lewis next week will be avoiding Crashtappen, who will inevitably be trying his best to end Lewis's title aspirations by any means possible. Should make for an interesting watch.

You've got to admit Max's attitude on the podium was very unsportsmanlike. And what about Mr Horners face during interview, like he'd been chewing a lemon

JK

Christian Horner has suggested that F1 is missing the experience of Charlie Whiting? I am not quite sure what Max is expected to do. He is on the cusp of a Championship against a very experienced rival. I don't think Lewis or Mercedes play it clean all the time although they tend to be a bit more subtle. Max is a very exciting driver and the match of Lewis, maybe even better. It is racers like Max that get us all watching F1 which if the same team keep winning it becomes boring as it did in the Michael Schumacher days. I would love to see Max win the championship but I wonder if the odds are maybe stacked against him?

David

What a chaotic race on a crazy track designed for red flags and safety cars. Most drivers enjoyed the track but surly something needs to be done to reduce the number of times the race is stopped or affected by numerous safety car periods before next years race. Maybe its time F1 brought in new track designers?

Max was up to his usual tricks and was given two separate time penalties and two points on his licence for bad / dangerous driving.

So winner takes all next Sunday. Remember Senna v Prost 1990!

Michael Schumacher's dominance was due to a number of factors. Team orders from the get go, not just at the critical stage towards the end of the championship. A fair few dubious actions to ensure he gained the most out of red/yellow flag/safety car incidents and the clear superiority of Ferrari for most of his time with them.

Lewis Hamilton does, AFAICS, generally drive a pretty clean race without resort to 'unsportsmanlike' practices, at least from my TV viewpoint.

Strange thing penalties.

Ocon goes off the track at the second restart comes back on in the lead -  no penalty and was not required to give the position back to Hamilton or Verstappen.

Hamilton pushes Verstappen off the track at turn one - no penalty

Verstappen is ordered to slow down to allow Hamilton to pass after they both fail to slow down enough to make turn one. Hamilton declines to take the pass to avoid doing so before the DRS line and runs into Verstappen. Result Verstappen is penalised and Hamilton gets a black and white flag, no time penalty. I have no doubt that Hamilton new exactly what was going on even though the team claim differently, otherwise he would have assumed that Verstappen had a problem and passed without hesitation. They both knew what they were doing.

Not only did Verstappen have to give back a place but also received time penalties.

Hamilton was very concerned that Verstappen would be allowed to change tyres under the red flag, and the team were not overly happy. However earlier in the season under a red flag situation, Hamilton went off the track and sustained some damage and was lapped. The race was red flagged shortly after and Hamilton not only changed his tyres, but was also allowed to change damaged parts and unlap himself.

Interesting though, that even with a damaged front wing, Hamilton set the fastest lap.

Roll on Sunday, 

Well put BM and I entirely agree Hamilton knew exact what was going on when he was allowed to pass otherwise with a slowing car in front why did he not streak by assuming a problem with the car in front? They were both shown to be braking. However inspite of all the incidents I think Hamilton would have won anyway. Vestamppen's tyres were shot well before the end of the race and he finished on a wing and a prayer.

peedee