I haven't contributed to the F1 forum in quite some time. Some thoughts on the season and the race:
- I enjoy the fact that Lewis and Nico are allowed to race each other, however, as Red Bull learned some years ago, a certain measure of control NEEDS to be exercised in this situation. The racing should never be this reckless, and although Nico was responsible for this one, Hamilton is equally guilty of taking similar risks (whether he was able to pull them off or not is another matter altogether), in the past. In light of what happened this time 'round, though, I think we will see less wheel to wheel between these two guys from now on, which is a shame. Lewis has some awful luck.
- I thought Magnussen drove a great race, and thought the penalty was harsh. He never made any contact with anyone, and being the car in front, he had every right to squeeze Alonso back behind him. That Alonso chose to go on the grass itself is the nature of "racing incidents" (I use this term generously, because I feel that there was no incident). The McLaren is just not as fast as the RB or Ferrari, but why shouldn't he defend his position with two laps to go at the end of the race. If it was a front running car, defending like that, I am betting that there would have been no penalty applied. I mean, Nico punctured Lewis, and was given no penalty *shrug*
- I still don't know why Maldonado is in F1. I was also annoyed that Kamui had to give up his seat for one race. There's no justice in the F1 world.
- Alonso still has it. Breathtaking overtaking from him. However, it was good to see Kimi not rolling over and dying, either. I think he's basically lost his motivation, and should probably move on from F1 now.
- Ricciardo is probably the only thing I like about the Cancer in F1 that is Red Bull. I'm pretty happy that he's wiping the floor with Vettel. It kind of adds substance to the point I've been making over the past few years, where Vettel's championships were basically 85% car, and 5% him, and 10% luck
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- I'm really enjoying BOTTAS in the Williams. It's good to see them back up there challenging at the pointy end of the grid. BOTTAS is a fantastic driver, and I'm glad he is destroying Massa in the races.
- Finally, last, but not least: I really hope the personnel and structural changes at McLaren start paying dividends within the next two years. I'm so nervous about the Honda PUs next year. It's been too long since Macca has built a decent car. I do like Boullier, and the talk he talks. Let's hope he can walk the walk.