Was Skyping with my sister. So didn't notice to that extent! 
Breaking News
Button to step down next season to become ambassador while Stoffel Vandoorne takes seat. Button to return in 2018.
enjoyed watching qualifying, keeping my fingers crossed Hamilton doesn't have any more bad luck this season. 
Enthusiastic Contrafibularities posted:
Breaking News
Button to step down next season to become ambassador while Stoffel Vandoorne takes seat. Button to return in 2018.
To enable Van Dorn to get some laps under his belt for when Jens or Ferny to eventually step out of the car for good I guess 
I can't see Button coming back personally 
Depends if they want him back....Van Dorn might be doing a good job. He did when he filled in a few weeks ago 
Dame_Ann_Average posted:I can't see Button coming back personally
When I first heard of this possibility, I didn't get any suggestion of it being a temporary stepping down.
Dame_Ann_Average posted:I can't see Button coming back personally
Channel 4 ran an interview with Button before quallies yesterday. Don't know when the interview was recorded, but he gave no indication that he was tired with F1 in any way, in fact he said it was his life at present. That aside it was a good interview with Murray Walker going right back to his start and looking at each team and significant events. @Dame_Ann_Average
I was put off Button by his rushing off to live in Monaco after JUST ONE SEASON in F1.
...more breaking news
By Tuesday, Ecclestone could be OUT of F1 
Extremely Fluffy Fluffy Thing posted:I was put off Button by his rushing off to live in Monaco after JUST ONE SEASON in F1.
I'm not sure where one lives has much to do with things TBH.
Enthusiastic Contrafibularities posted:Extremely Fluffy Fluffy Thing posted:I was put off Button by his rushing off to live in Monaco after JUST ONE SEASON in F1.
I'm not sure where one lives has much to do with things TBH.
Oh, I never claimed it was a logical thing! 
Extremely Fluffy Fluffy Thing posted: Enthusiastic Contrafibularities posted:Extremely Fluffy Fluffy Thing posted:I was put off Button by his rushing off to live in Monaco after JUST ONE SEASON in F1.
I'm not sure where one lives has much to do with things TBH.
Oh, I never claimed it was a logical thing!
Likes and dislikes can often have their basis in irrational or illogical points. There was a forum member who (I think it was Cologne) who had a similar opinion of Lewis. I tried to argue the point, my take on it is that F1 drivers workplace is the world and as such you might want to place yourself in locations which benefit travel, the circuits and to be near other drivers.
I would not criticise someone like Massa who if he were to have grown up in a favela, he did not go back and live there. It would be interesting (although very time consuming) to see where exactly all of the drivers over the last 20 years were born and where they lived in their careers.
A project for a rainy January Sunday me thinks
That was an odd version of the anthem - the backing track a bit out of place.
I suppose it will make it interesting if one or both of the Ferrari's manage to take the Mercs off the line. But all evidence points to the Mercs being on the best tyre strategy, so that may see them getting the lead back relatively quick.
Enthusiastic Contrafibularities posted:
...more breaking news
By Tuesday, Ecclestone could be OUT of F1
Ooooh! Tell me more?
Palmer's got no luck 
I wonder what was wrong with the Manor car just now?
It seemed like the engine overheated for some reason CS and maybe they were frightened of a blow up
The starts come back to haunt the Merc lads, this time Lewis. Once up front I did not think anyone could touch Nico, had the control of the race throughout. Pretty much worked out as we all thought really.
Everything is closing in now and I wonder who will hold their nerve the best.
Tiz exciting...
There is a big "Save Monza" flag in the crowd.
Are there issues with Monza?
Enthusiastic Contrafibularities posted:
There is a big "Save Monza" flag in the crowd.
Are there issues with Monza?
Sprout posted:Enthusiastic Contrafibularities posted:
There is a big "Save Monza" flag in the crowd.
Are there issues with Monza?
Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel added: "We all love this track. It is a fantastic track with a fantastic atmosphere.
"We should even race here if there was a bad deal for whoever is cashing in - Monza has to stay on the calendar, because it means more than just cash, it means history, tradition, racing, enthusiasm, Ferrari."
How about you handing over your fees to keep the circuit on the calendar Seb?
I've had faster starts in my Picanto than Lewis had tolday....
And that probably accounted for his place at the end of the race
Dame_Ann_Average posted:
I've had faster starts in my Picanto than Lewis had tolday....
Yes, I was out of my seat and at the tellybox before he got into 2nd gear. He needs to spend some time working on those starts.
Enthusiastic Contrafibularities posted:Yes, I was out of my seat and at the tellybox before he got into 2nd gear. He needs to spend some time working on those starts.
Rosberg didn't win...Lewis handed it to him
Dame_Ann_Average posted:Enthusiastic Contrafibularities posted:Yes, I was out of my seat and at the tellybox before he got into 2nd gear. He needs to spend some time working on those starts.
Rosberg didn't win...Lewis handed it to him
Because he was slow out the box 
Sprout posted:Because he was slow out the box
not disputing it Pam, we all saw what went wrong
Dame_Ann_Average posted:Enthusiastic Contrafibularities posted:Yes, I was out of my seat and at the tellybox before he got into 2nd gear. He needs to spend some time working on those starts.
Rosberg didn't win...Lewis handed it to him
Yes, despite what the commentators were saying, Lewis' poor start helped Nico today. I never thought the Ferraris would be trouble over the course of the race, only reliability would be Nico's achilles heel today. I think Nico, once he had established a gap was quite comfortable and could manage the race.
The result does however make it more interesting as both drivers know that they need to maximise their upcoming races and if either one drops off they could lose the title to the other. I don't think Lewis is under as much pressure as Nico who has not got a title as yet. Lewis is not driving badly, just having a bit of bad luck mechanically and making a few mistakes, like today's start. He was fortunate at Spa, but still had to make his way to the podium position.
Nicely poised.
Enthusiastic Contrafibularities posted:Yes, despite what the commentators were saying, Lewis' poor start helped Nico today. I never thought the Ferraris would be trouble over the course of the race, only reliability would be Nico's achilles heel today. I think Nico, once he had established a gap was quite comfortable and could manage the race.
The result does however make it more interesting as both drivers know that they need to maximise their upcoming races and if either one drops off they could lose the title to the other. I don't think Lewis is under as much pressure as Nico who has not got a title as yet. Lewis is not driving badly, just having a bit of bad luck mechanically and making a few mistakes, like today's start. He was fortunate at Spa, but still had to make his way to the podium position.
Nicely poised.
totally agree EC, if Lewis had had a better start to the season he would be further in front of that I'm totally convinced.
It's all about what happens on the day though
Sprout posted:It's all about what happens on the day though
again, I'm not disputing the fact Pam. Lewis was by far the better driver all weekend, he cocked up.... it happens.
Looking like Barmy Ecclestone is going to be around a little longer.
Yup!
US media firm Liberty Media is buying the racing business Formula 1 for $4.4bn (ÂĢ3.3bn).
It is buying the stake currently held by private equity group CVC.
Bernie Ecclestone will remain as chief executive but Chase Carey, vice-chairman of 21st Century Fox, will become the new chairman.
Liberty Media has stakes in several sports and entertainment businesses, including the Atlanta Braves Major League Baseball club.
Bumping for Saturday and Sunday
Zoooooooooooooooooooooom
Interview with Ecclestone - As pointless as ever. The man is asked about 20 questions and barely answers two.
Why do they bother?
Bottas wife = Yum.