1) Money

n+1) Liam Lawson...

Four GP's over the next five weekends, lots of action for us to enjoy and any number of issues will become much clearer by the end of this sequence of racing.

Lawson has been outstanding so far this season, done all that can reasonably be expected of him. Been the beneficiary of some top cars dropping out of races along the way, but he's been in good position to take advantage of other's misfortunes in the first place so you can't deny he's been looking solid and strong. From the second half of last season into this one he has been on an upward trajectory.

Certainly agree that Lindblad is not nearly as good as some sections of the media would have people believe. Spun off in both China races, cooked his tires in another, stuffed his gearbox on the formation lap at Canada, got hugely lucky with the safety car at Monaco. History suggests he starts his seasons strong then his performance tends to fade, which would be to Lawson's advantage if that trend continues.

Nice lengthy interview on the High Performance podcast on YouTube. Gives a good account of himself, I hope he can parlay some of the recent results and press into more sponsorship that he could bring to the team and increase his value to them. Ford would be an ideal target if they weren't already a primary sponsor, he seems to have a good and genuine relationship with them over and above what is required. Maybe he could emulate the fandom Ricciardo developed with/in America, that would make him more commercially attractive to VCARB.

Tsolov is looking the business in F2 currently, but he also spent three seasons in F3 and still failed to win it. Maybe a season in Super Formula might be his role in 2027 if Lawson can keep his results strong. With the new management regimes across the Red Bull family for the first time since it's inception, perhaps Lindblad's position isn't as strong as he thinks it is.

Interesting we're still seeing this sort of run off racing not aligning to the 'always leave a gap' rule set now.

Back in the day this was fine, person ahead claims the corner and as the outside you're hung out to dry.

No penalties applied here with Hamilton vs Verstappen.



https://twitter.com/i/status/2071315697880195460

Safety issue as well re the gravel

Hamilton saying he was ahead at the Apex. From which point was Verstappen’s decision to hang on out there rather than backing out.

No action post the stewards review.  Does highlight inconsistencies in application of the rules though. 

Hard to get a real feel for the incident, as Lewis will get a free pass by the media, possibly similar from stewards, i.e. if it was marginal, lets go with the fave

I think on the F1 channel's YouTube clip the comment was made that if the cars had swapped positions Max would have had Lewis completely in the gravel.

Remember why the rule was introduced... due to Max's inability to race fairly into the turns... he then has the audacity to complain about the approach he takes.

Fun and games at VCARB in Austria

Linblad's version of events in the media pen afterwards were Trump-level creative. Hope Lawson can continue to pile the pressure on the Brit this weekend at the latter's home race. 

I purchased a one month sky subscription for the rugby last night and then realised as a bonus that will get us the next two All Blacks matches plus some NRL plus the coming Commonwealth Games. 

Used it as a chance to compare what life would be like if I went that route instead of the dedicated F1 TV

After buffering and lots of ‘mini lags’ that made the car speed animation quite weird as it sped the coverage back up to speed, plus general over compression mush, It’s quite safe to say I will be renewing F1 TV next year, and frankly regardless of having sky or not. 

At one point stopped and buffered for over 20 seconds, with a spinning circle of doom ⭕️ 

Liam did well again in the Silverstone sprint overnight. Kept his nose relatively clean and was in the points.

For the second race in a row the TV commentators have described him as the ‘best of the rest’.

eracode:

 

Liam did well again in the Silverstone sprint overnight. Kept his nose relatively clean and was in the points.

 

For the second race in a row the TV commentators have described him as the ‘best of the rest’.

 

Be good to see him in a better car.

Liam had a bit of a moment with Hadgar. 
Liam turns into corner, Hadgar approaching very quickly on inside etc.

Was reviewed and no penalty. One of those, what were you actually expecting him to do sorts of things?
The stuff Max would be celebrated for defending aggressively. 

F1 instagram

There were moans that he wouldn't have done that to Verstappen but it wouldn’t have taken Max that long to catch him. It's not as if there wasn't any room left.

I'm impressed with Liam, bias aside. Annecdotally he is 3/10 up on Lindblad every session, that closes in, then he is on top in Q3. This race he was well off so clearly a one lap issue.

That issue today, the Brit bias was VERY evident, but one Brit commentator stated that he didnt decide the issue when it happened. He was right. It was tight, marginal but not obvious. Liam admitted he was a bit aggressive, Hadjar to his credit said that it doesnt deserve a penalty. Again, bias aside it was aggressive but not stupid, the move was there but not harsh, and he left a clear gap for Hadjar to remain well in track limits.

Racing Bulls are clearly the best of the rest. Being 9th and 10th last two races shows that. Lindblad "issue " last race, we get that.

Im pretty happy with all this, Liam looked great when he stepped in for Danny Ricc, then was dumped, as was Horner and Marko later on. While its not full blend cream, his cream has been upward.

Im picking tomorrow, the two RB's race clean, and hoover up a 9-10, maybe more if any malarkey up front.

Lewis, well Im not a fan, but he has stepped up bigly, I fancy its more a case that he agrees with the car.

George, also not a fan, he is heading to P3 in WDC. he's very very good but he needs it all his way to succeed.

Max is going to Mercedes..........