[Official] Austrian Grand Prix 2020: Grand Prix Weekend Thread - Round 1 of who knows how many

[Born Racer]

It's easy to get excited about Bottas challenging Hamilton for the title, but it's a long season (albeit a shorter one than normal). Nonetheless, given that Bottas has struggled to sustain a title challenge over a mammoth season, based on previous appearances of him getting into a rhythm with his pace and perhaps being a bit of a confidence-dependent driver, if he does find a groove, fewer races and more races closer together might just suit him to sustain a tilt at the crown.

Incidentally, that was crushing by Mercedes on such a short lap. Watch out for Pérez. He is a canny racer.

Ferrari had better have some race pace. They probably will, but there are plenty of decent teams around them to not guarantee them 3rd or even 4th-best finishing team.

[GT6]

Well i must admit normally i am not a big Ferrari fan but this year i do want some serious opposition to the Mercedes, and hope they do not win again. So lets hope the opposition this year comes from several different cars and not just Red Bull, it will be good for the sport.

[Knowlesy]

Bottas has a real shot this year. I think a number of things could help him. The shorter season will help, he seems to have retained his qualifying pace and has room to improve in races. He still has the hunger. Reliability could throw a Rosberg-style curveball into the equation.

Where will Hamilton's head be at through the season? He won't be able to enjoy life as he normally does outside of F1. But that is the same for all of them.

On the other hand Hamilton is pretty rank at Austria and is still on the same pace as Bottas so far. So, err..

My only hope for the year is that reliability for all the frontrunners is flawless. Making up 25 point losses is a real slog, as Hamilton has shown in 2014 and 2016 and there is no room for it this season.

[VIVA GT]

After watching my recorded highlights of the qualifying I wonder if I'm the only one thinking that if things continue like this Seb may not see out the whole year (no matter how short it is)?

[chillibowl]

Ham is also known as a bit of a slow starter which could be a bigger issue with the shorter season...

So excited to see how this plays out!

Race day!

[ascarracinguk]

seems Red Bull are peeved they lost their DAS protest...they’re now protesting hamilton

[Knowlesy]

Originally Posted by ascarracinguk

seems Red Bull are peeved they lost their DAS protest...they’re now protesting hamilton

OK, maybe not great reliability for all the frontrunners then.

[bjohnsonsmith]

Originally Posted by ascarracinguk

seems Red Bull are peeved they lost their DAS protest...they’re now protesting hamilton

https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/15...n-under-review

[chillibowl]

This Max/Mexico reference seems to justify giving Ham a grid penalty.

[ascarracinguk]

Originally Posted by chillibowl

This Max/Mexico reference seems to justify giving Ham a grid penalty.

Can’t disagree with that and tbh I was surprised when one wasn’t given yesterday....but when the stewards report came out I could see how it wasn’t as slam dunk as Max’s penalty.

Tbh just give Lewis a 3 place penalty, be done with it so we can all move on. If they don’t the haters will cry favouritism etc

[S griffin]

These days penalties are deciding more things in F1 than the world cup.

[chillibowl]

Its not a big penalty, will easily be overcome by the first round of stops, and may disadvantage Bottas more as he wont have Ham between himself and Max on the alternative strategy.

[ascarracinguk]

I’ve got a feeling this will turn into a stinker for Hamilton. I hope not but there’s lots of distractions, late stewards decisions etc etc.

Red Bull could have protested last night so I suspect they are doing it at the last minute to play mind games.

Of course if Hamilton does get a penalty....Max Vs Bottas at the first corner could hand it to Lewis on a plate

[ascarracinguk]

Red Bull are setting up on P2 so hamilton has a penalty,...question is 3 places or drop to 10th?

[Knowlesy]

Down to fifth then.

Not a great look changing it this late, but I guess the new evidence was overwhelming.

[chillibowl]

Originally Posted by ascarracinguk

....Max Vs Bottas at the first corner could hand it to Lewis on a plate

Totally.

Plus adds an extra element for us to enjoy. So far this weekend is delivering.

[Greem]

Just saw the 360 camera footage on the ITV footage. Slam dunk, he accelerated past the yellow panel towards the green following it.

No argument there, apart from the timing.

[chillibowl]

Originally Posted by Knowlesy

Down to fifth then.

Not a great look changing it this late, but I guess the new evidence was overwhelming.

Would like to see this 360degree camera footage they just mentioned on the pre race. It sounds cool.

[ascarracinguk]

Yup there we go. 5th on the grid. Tbh I can’t disagree with this penalty, it’s a shame it wasn’t reached last night....Lewis needs to get his head into place pretty quickly

Looking at the footage there was a yellow light followed by a green flag followed by a yellow light followed by a green flag. Confusing which is why the stewards made their decision last night.

MB is right though, it’s the right decision

[chillibowl]

Originally Posted by Greem

Just saw the 360 camera footage on the ITV footage. Slam dunk, he accelerated past the yellow panel towards the green following it.

No argument there, apart from the timing.

Dang...did they not show it on sky?

[Greem]

Originally Posted by chillibowl

Dang...did they not show it on sky?

Hah! Showing my age... Sky coverage!

I've been looking toward the fridge waiting for a beer to magically open itself. I think I might help it.

[bjohnsonsmith]

Originally Posted by ascarracinguk

Yup there we go. 5th on the grid. Tbh I can’t disagree with this penalty, it’s a shame it wasn’t reached last night....Lewis needs to get his head into place pretty quickly

Agreed.

Lewis was given a 3 place grid penalty last year and finished 5th.

[chillibowl]

Originally Posted by Greem

Hah! Showing my age... Sky coverage!

I've been looking toward the fridge waiting for a beer to magically open itself. I think I might help it.

Also showing my age...i guess i missed the footage while having to take my glasses off to type my last post.

[S griffin]

If the Merc’s qualifying pace is anything to go by, he’ll get a podium no problem, barring any mishaps. Just a shame they had to reopen the case, be better to check everything first time

[Greem]

Right, half an hour to go. I'm going to go and prepare a plate of assorted sausage, salami, cheese & bread. And open that bottle of beer that's been calling me.