9.5 Degrees

Very happy how the Chinese Grand Prix came off. Sold out venue, very enthusiastic fans cheering not only for their countryman, but for all the drivers and teams and the qualifying and racing was highly entertaining. All in all a wonderful return after a long break.

It's apparent that he hasn't been setting the world on fire, but the last two race DNFs for Daniel Ricciardo were not his fault as he was taken out by Albon and Stroll. It's all part of being a midfield field runner or below but I sure hope he has an equally string of good luck.

StoogeMoe

I can’t stand Rosberg! I think he has a secret love affair going with Hamilton. Everything out of his mouth is “Lewis this…” and “Lewis that…”.

I also can’t respect someone who quits after winning the WDC. You have to defend your title to show it wasn’t a fluke.

Carlo_Carrera

LuigiVampa

All that information was fantastic!

The one that really caught my ear was when (I think it was Lando) spun his tires at the start of the formation lap for the sprint race and one of the commentators said "he is probably laying down rubber" and Nico was quick to point out what a huge mistake it was because understanding the bite point of the clutch to get a quick start was the only thing that mattered. Without this input I would be thinking "he just laid down some rubber."

The tone of his voice is somewhat annoying, and his delivery sometimes seems didactic, but I think he knows what the hell he is talking about so I will put up with it.

9.5 Degrees

I think Nico and Lewis made up after a long 8 years of not being on best of terms and are back to being the friends they were during their karting days.

Max wouldn't be in my top 5 all time greats, yet. He's still only 26 with 3 titles but his story is yet to be fully written and could end up the greatest of all time. Lewis' story is probably entering its final chapter when he moves teams for the last time next year. No one expects him to win another title, but if he wins another race, that may be what he is looking for to end his career and ride off into the sunset. At this point, Ferrari is capable of delivering a slim chance of one of their drivers winning once a year, but who knows, but what if Ferrari get the new regulations right or Adrian Newey comes over to Ferrari? Anything could happen.

500

I am not at the stage where I am ready to count Lewis out of another title. Ferrari is making real progress with Vasseur in terms of overall organizational effectiveness. It may not be the most likely outcome, but it feels within the realm of possible that Hamilton arrives at Ferrari in time to get into a car with championship potential. Would Leclerc prevail? I'm just not sure...

My (very uneducated) read on where Verstappen and Hamilton are currently in their respective careers is that if you give either of them a sniff of a win, they will fight like hell for it. Whereas if you give either of them a sniff of 7th (let's say) when the car is not really all that, Verstappen will fight like hell for it, whilst with Hamilton maybe not (it would depend). Not meant as a slight on Hamilton at all, more of a reflection of just how much longer his career has been and how many results he has amassed. Eventually it gets challenging to keep the energy going in all situations. That said, if he gets in the right car, I think he will be all-in and still has the ability.

And then there is Alonso... holy cr*p... how he saved that car AND seemed to not lose an inch to Hamilton down the start/finish straight was remarkable. He is a driver who has managed to keep his fight-like-hell energy in all situations. That said, he has not had the staggering statistical success that Hamilton has become accustomed to, so that may have an effect.

Nowanker

Gotta wonder how Alonso's career would have shaped up, if he didn't poison it at every opportunity.
I'd still like to see him opposite little Maxi.

Carrera51

It would be cool to see what Alonso would be doing in the RB20.

Nowanker

Kicking asses and taking names...

Coochas

Nizer

Wonder how many teams down the order are thinking they need a 40+ driver? LOL. Alonso is just exceptional. Sainz gets wide on the last corner and puts it in the wall, while Alonso does essentially the same but just gives the wheel a flick of opposite lock and drives on.

The only people for whom Verstappen's exceptional talent isn't patently obvious are those with an axe to grind.

Nico's insights made the race a lot more interesting. I've always been a fan, and unlike others, respected his decision to retire.

The comment about Russell not being able to hold his head up in corners was one of many insights that no other commentator would've caught.

I'm actually enjoying Hamilton's constant trashing of his car. It's like he's giving Toto and MB the bird with every comment.

StoogeMoe

Yes, not only was Alonso’s save incredible, but didn’t lose any time, AND made the pass on Lewis at the next corner! Bravo

gbuff

..

skl

I'd have to look again, but I think Fred was even further in the gravel than Carlos and he still saved it, and as noted, didn't even loose time! Have to watch the in car again on both incidents... thank you F1 TV...

Carrera51

That was an epic save. And shocking how easy he made it look.