Posts by Jason Campbell70

And another FL.
Good grief, what a driver.

Lewis Hamilton is just a terrible driver. Truly awful.

Raymond Anderson4 said:Charles Leclerc sends his regards.

Yeah, he just proved my point again—exactly what I thought back when he first joined Ferrari.

Charles Leclerc... As someone once put it, he's a "future multi-time champion."

Richard Walker38 said:Man, this rain is absolute garbage.

Rosulja at best.

For rookies, and for this kind of track... it's plenty.

The SC driver is definitely going to earn his paycheck today.

wiredfalcon2 said:It’s not about faking anything. It’s simply that building a track with gravel traps isn't cost-effective if it only serves one specific type of racing. Modern tracks are designed for multiple categories—some even semi-pro levels—where gravel and being too close to walls just don't work. Which new tracks are they building across America, let alone anywhere else, that feature gravel specifically for just one or two motorsport classes? Even the expensive stadiums being built today are multifunctional hubs for concerts, training, shopping centers, or cinemas... not just for a game played once every two weeks. This isn't about deception; it's basic economics.

To be precise, there is no gravel in the "run-off zone" at turn 4 in Bahrain because that area is part of the outer perimeter of the track itself.

Roger Wright94 said:I doubt the guidelines suggested people should just wander off-track whenever they feel like it.
What was actually communicated to drivers was that they wouldn't be penalized for going off at that specific spot. Essentially, if it happens...
There is a massive difference between an accidental excursion and intentionally leaving the track to gain a strategic advantage. Intentionality matters.

If it isn't prohibited, it's allowed.
Lewis and Mercedes were smart enough to take what was offered; they won despite having the slower car. Those who weren't quite as sharp are left with nothing but regrets over a lost opportunity.

Roger Wright94 said:The FIA made a mistake that is now costing them dearly...

OK.

Anthony Baker84 said:Looking at how much everyone else lost, it seems like Red Bull might have actually cracked the code on these new regulations. Or, could it just be a better engine than last year? Honestly, I doubt it’s purely the power unit, since they still look a bit short on straight-line speed.

I’ve already given Delvecchio credit once before for putting together such an excellent graph in this thread:

Delvecchio said:

It really is the engine.

vividlynx68 said:Actually, let me ask—how did Perez manage to set the car on fire during the practice lap?

It's the battery and the MGU-K; they're what spin the engine.

wiredseal7 said:the FIA

Fair enough.

Roger Wright94 said:In my view, Lewis gained an advantage there. At least 3 seconds if you do the math—30 times 0.1.

Fine.

darkmarlin16 said:29 times

Playing the victim.

"Playing the victim" means following the exact guidelines the FIA Race Director laid out clearly during the driver briefing before the race?

Right.

Raymond Anderson4 said:If they had just stayed quiet, there wouldn't have been a mid-race decision, and Max Verstappen's overtake would have stood.

Sure, just like his pass on Kimi Raikkonen in Texas back in 2017 was perfectly valid.

ruggedhawk20 said:Max was perfect today. His only issue was having Lewis on the track. Who drove more perfectly?

Neither of them was perfect.
First, the strategy. Max stayed out too long in the first stint, while Lewis's second stint was far too short.
Then toward the finish—first Lewis locks up under braking, allowing Max to close the gap for an attack... then Max returns the favor by giving Lewis a bit of room.
And finally, the fatal error. Max, sitting in a prime position to win, tries to force a pass and loses the race.

Just like in Turkey last year.
Same players, same outcome.
A smarter driver in a slower car > a less intelligent driver in a faster car.

analogpilot16 said:Now we’ll see what Max Verstappen's headspace looks like when he actually has a championship-caliber car. Will he crack under the pressure, or won't he?

That post-race comment gave away just how much he's matured mentally.

Once he learns that you can't bully your way to success, then maybe he can focus on the title.

Drew Bennett68 said:Max will eat him alive, provided he actually has a decent car.

We just watched it happen over the last two hours. He's getting eaten alive. 😁

Where is that poll? 👋👋👋

darkmarlin16 said:The blonde is always here

We all have a soft spot for the blonde! 👋👋👋

Lewis Hamilton wins the Daytona 500! 👋👋👋🙏 🙏😍

Daniel Castillo76 said:Lewis had too short of a second stint; that's going to cost him some wins.

Good comment. Just more proof of how conservative Mercedes played it during this race.

Raymond Anderson4 said:Regarding Mercedes-Benz, I believe they have the talent to close any gap if they fall behind last year's pace by even a second. For Aston Martin? I'm less certain.

The real bottleneck is the Mercedes-Benz power unit.
It seems to lack punch in certain operating modes. Given those gearbox issues during pre-season testing, perhaps they've intentionally dialed back the power? It's possible even the folks at Mercedes-Benz aren't entirely sure how much they can push the engine without compromising longevity. With drivers only getting three per season this year, they’re likely playing it safe.

Mercedes-Benz will solve this quickly—which benefits everyone running their engines—and let's face it, they simply have more resources to fine-tune the aero package.

Richard Walker38 said:Kazoo Russell mentioned in a statement that temperatures are sitting around 50 degrees today with winds hitting 50 mph.

Natalie Pinkham's dress was fluttering nicely in the breeze, though I have my doubts about the wind being quite that intense. 😁

wiredfalcon2 said:

Great breakdown. It really clears up the main points.

Just stopped by to pay my respects to the Maestro.

🙏🙏🙏