Australia vs. USA - March 25, 2018

Give me a break, you conspiracy theorists, stop embarrassing yourselves. Why on earth would an F1 team throw a race just to hand someone a win in the very first round of the season? And do you honestly think Ferrari has the strategic chops to pull off a massive setup like that? They can barely manage basic tactics to keep up with Mercedes during a normal race. Not to mention, Mercedes totally blew it themselves—they could've easily blocked that overtake if they’d actually stayed sharp and built a decent enough gap. Plus, if we're talking about some massive cover-up that would cost people their jobs, you'd have to involve the mechanics changing the tires too. Why would everyone suddenly go silent the second things get dicey? It's Occam's razor, guys. Seriously, Occam's razor.

Ever since the Singapore Grand Prix 2008, I’ve stopped believing in coincidences... 🙂

P.S.
To preempt the inevitable flood of posts trying to prove how ridiculous this all is, let me state (completely of my own volition and without any outside influence) that regarding my previous post—specifically referencing Fernando Alonso and Flavio Briatore, as well as the Haas F1 Team and their situation during the last race—I was actually... JOKING... 🙂

There, wasn't that easy 🙂

coastalwolf6 said:Like Sebastian Vettel just picked something up off the track or some part fell off his car.

If you slow down the footage, you can see Sebastian Vettel basically ran over his own pit board.
It’s clearly some sign with yellow lettering on it—pretty sure it said VET.🤔

And no, it doesn't look like someone chucked it from the fence; it was already sitting right there on the asphalt.😕

Honestly, I’d actually be thrilled if this Haas conspiracy theory turned out to be true...
Because regardless of the penalties and all that nonsense, it would mean Ferrari suddenly has the best strategists and tacticians on the planet. 🙏

But sadly, I know that isn't even remotely close to the truth. 😬
And let's be real—the odds of them pulling something like that off without screwing it up themselves are basically zero. 🤣

If Bernie Ecclestone were still running the show and the theory was that he pulled all the strings, maybe I’d buy it...
But for those puppets in Maranello to actually execute it? No way. They’ll definitely end up calling Vettel into the pits a lap too early or a lap too late just to mess it up.

stormybadger8 said:Personally, I’d actually be quite happy if this conspiracy theory involving the Haas F1 Team turned out to be true...
Because regardless of any penalties or whatever, it would mean that Ferrari suddenly possesses the most brilliant strategists and tacticians on the planet. 🙏

But unfortunately, I am well aware that isn't even remotely the case. 😬
And honestly, the odds of them actually pulling something like that off without completely screwing it up are practically zero. 🤣

If Bernie Ecclestone were still running the show, and the Theory suggested he was the one pulling all the strings behind the scenes, then maybe I could find a reason to believe it...
But the idea that those puppets over in Maranello could actually execute such a thing? No chance at all... they'll inevitably call Sebastian Vettel into the pits a lap too early or a lap too late...

They basically had two cars on the track... 🙂
First, they tried with Kevin Magnussen, which didn't work out, and then the experienced Frenchman stepped in and parked the car exactly where and when it needed to be... 🙂

P.S.
Just kidding... 🙂

stormybadger8 said:So the plan was set, everyone follows it, even Kimi 👏🤣

And then what? Kimi decides to drive slow on purpose, Vettel falls victim to a ridiculous strategy, Haas pulls two cars off the track, and all this just so Kimi could finish behind Vettel...😵

Seriously, what are you drinking?
I could use a little 🤣

Kimi’s ceiling for this race was 2nd Place.
Vettel could have potentially taken 3rd Place or even 1st Place (if the Safety Car played along).

But look at Ferrari's move: they bring Kimi in 10 laps early (based on my math, the pit window should have been between laps 25 and 29), knowing full well that Mercedes would react instantly to protect against an undercut (even if that was unlikely).
This effectively hands Vettel 10 laps of breathing room to make a play. At worst, he secures 3rd Place; better yet, he overcuts Kimi; and in the absolute best-case scenario, he passes Luja with the help of a Safety Car.

Essentially:
Option 1 - P2 and 3rd Place if they stick to the standard pit window (around lap 27). No surprises there.

option 2 - drink Kimi 10, which gives you these possibilities:
a) P2 and 3rd Place (Kimi ahead of Vettel), about a 95% chance.
b) P2 and 3rd Place (Vettel ahead of Kimi), if the overcut works (maybe a 10% chance).
c) 1st Place and 3rd Place (exactly what happened), because a Safety Car popped up (maybe a 1% chance).

We all saw how it unfolded. I am NOT saying Haas did that on purpose, but I am saying Ferrari adjusted their tactics specifically for the "miracle" scenario.

I'm not just rambling here; check out what someone slightly more qualified than me has to say about it... 🙂



Edit:
To clarify—Kimi had zero chance of winning, so by running this tactic, they were essentially giving Vettel a shot in case a miracle actually occurred... 🙂

Richard Ross11 said:So they basically had two cars on track... 🙂
First with Magnussen, which was a bust, then that experienced Frenchman rolls in and parks the car exactly where and when he needs to... 🙂

P.S.
Just kidding... 🙂

Look, I get it for Haas, totally fine. But what actually trips me out is how those guys at Ferrari nailed exactly which lap Vettel needed to pit.😬🤣

Richard Ross11 said:And what exactly is Ferrari doing? They call Kimi in for a pit stop 10 laps too early—estimates say his window should have been between laps 25 and 29—knowing full well that Mercedes will jump on it immediately just to dodge an undercut, even if that was a long shot to begin with.

Your theory about the pit window is absolute nonsense. Where on earth are you even getting that from? 🤦
And what kind of insane theory led you to think an ultrasoft tire is actually good for qualifying AND pulling off thirty laps during a race???
Fan loyalty is a hell of a drug. It really blinds people. 😁

The FIA just dropped the latest updates on Formula 1 technical info. Check it out if you actually care about the nitty-gritty details.

Based on your theory, even Vettel pitted way too early. 🙏
Jerry, Vettel was already in the pits by lap 26. Way too early. 🙂

Good grief... what is wrong with everyone else?
Don't try to sell me on that. You really think they managed to intimidate everyone else on the grid just by getting into a boxing ring with Kimi? Please.

If I remember correctly, Vettel was the first one to dive into the pits under the VSC. Everyone else seemed to pit during the yellow flags before the VSC actually kicked in. 🤔
Even if Vettel took first, it doesn't matter. You’ve still got a massive pack of drivers right behind Kimi in the pits, so that whole theory about him being ten laps ahead just doesn't hold water.

Kimi hit the pits right at the start of his window. Nothing special, nothing early... just your run-of-the-mill, classic undercut. That's all there was to it.
It’s obvious. Right behind him, Hamilton and the others started making standard pit stops like everyone else—nothing fancy or suspicious about them. 😉

Vettel's strategy was nothing more than a desperate Hail Mary. That's it.
Look, there’s nothing left for us to do. We’ve got zero leverage here, so we might as well roll the dice and pray for a miracle.

Kimi’s strategy was solid, but his execution? Absolute garbage right from the jump.
Take a look at that start. 😉 Instead of Kimi actually going for Hamilton and that P1 spot, he’s busy blocking Vettel just to babysit second place...
God, I hate cheapskates. And honestly? I can’t stand the team principal either. He’s completely useless—can't even find the backbone to tell his drivers, "Hey, stop fighting each other and start attacking everyone else from both sides."

Right before the pit box, instead of pushing, Kimi just throttles back and lets Hamilton pull even further ahead. Slow in-lap, an even slower out-lap, and then he just falls off a cliff with those sluggish laps afterward...
Bottom line? An undercut would’ve worked perfectly, but they pulled it off like a bunch of retirees. 🤦
Then we get a restart after the SC and they’ll probably have to wake up Kimi too, since he’s fallen asleep for the millionth time...
So, what was that? Was it just a pathetic attempt at an undercut by Ferrari and their questionable strategy, some total breakdown in communication with Kimi, or do I honestly have no clue?
That botched start and the restart? That's all on Kimi, not the pit wall.

Kimi is basically just bait at this point... if he hadn't been the last one to pit, he might've actually pulled off the win eeeeeee

But hey, I guess they have to justify that $60 million paycheck.

stormybadger8 said:Just take a look at that start 😉 instead of Kimi going after Hamilton for P1, he’s busy blocking Vettel just to defend P2...
Honestly, it’s such frustrating, overly cautious driving—though I suppose I can't entirely blame the Team Principal either, since he couldn't just say clearly, "Hey guys, don't fight each other, go for the win from both sides"...

I'm pretty sure Vettel would have let Kimi through 🤦

By the way, Kimi was actually faster than Vettel all weekend long, and this was basically the only way they could get Vettel ahead of him. Him finishing ahead of Hamilton at the end was nothing more than pure luck.

Everything else is just fairy tales—we all know what Ferrari is really about.

jadeseal7 said:I'm positive Vettel would have let Kimi Räikkönen through 🤦

Not a chance.😁

But look at this...


Instead of Kimi trying to hunt down Lewis Hamilton—where they could have squeezed him from both sides until he couldn't defend himself—Kimi spends the entire start just focusing on blocking Vettel...

It makes zero sense for Ferrari. Sure, blocking him makes sense if they're sitting in 1st and 2nd, or if they have no shot at anyone ahead...
but it’s just wrong for his only thought at the start to be shutting Vettel out, without even considering attacking Lewis Hamilton for the lead.🤦
At the end of the day, Kimi had better pace than Lewis Hamilton. If he hadn't wasted his energy messing around with Vettel at the start, he definitely would've had a shot at passing him. He probably would've been right on his tail and might have even overtaken him by turn 3 because he would've been glued to his bumper.

stormybadger8 said:Your theory about the pit window is completely nonsensical; I have no idea where you even found that logic 🤦
And what kind of crazy reasoning leads you to believe that an Ultrasoft tire is something you can normally use for qualifying and then stretch for 30 laps during a race???
Fanboy blindness is truly something else

https://www.fia.com/events/fia-formu...ng-information

By your logic, even Sebastian Vettel went into the pits too early 🙏
Because, according to you, Vettel was in the pits on lap 26, which would mean he was early 🙂

Good grief... what is going on with everyone else?
Are you actually trying to convince us that everyone on the grid followed Kimi Räikkönen into the pits at the exact same time???

If I recall correctly, Vettel was the first one to dive into the pits under the VSC, while the rest of them seemed to come in under yellow flags because the yellows came out before the VSC 🤔
Even if Valtteri Bottas was indeed the first, you still have a whole pack of drivers coming in right after Kimi Räikkönen, so your "10 laps too early" theory just doesn't hold any water...

Kimi hit the pits right at the start of the pit window, nothing special or early about it... just a standard, classic undercut and nothing more.
It was clearly visible that immediately behind him, both Lewis Hamilton and the others started their regular, scheduled pit stops, rather than some special coordinated maneuver like you're suggesting...

You wrote so much I didn't even bother reading the whole thing...

In my own post, I laid out Ferrari's strategy (as I perceived it) and concluded that it was logical... at least to me...
I wasn't accusing Ferrari of screwing over Kimi Räikkönen (though I certainly have opinions on that in general), I was simply analyzing what they were doing (logically)... and I don't think the tactic was all that stupid... plus, you brought up Nico Rosberg who is saying something similar... did you even watch the video?

Why can't you just have a normal conversation instead of labeling everything that doesn't align with your specific perspective (which you seem to view through a very narrow lens) as stupidity, or using facepalms and such?
Honestly, after a while, it becomes incredibly frustrating, and you just lose the will to engage in a civilized discussion with someone like you.

I saw Rosberg's take about pitting normally around lap 28 and just shut the video off.😁
It's pretty obvious there's zero logic behind that whole idea. Calling that "lap 28" theory anything other than complete nonsense is a stretch...

Let me ask you this: when was the last time you saw a race where it actually made sense to run a first stint on Ultrasofts for 29 laps, or basically half the race? 🤔
From what I recall, at the US Grand Prix, people usually pitted ten laps before the halfway mark, or more reliably around lap 15 or 20... I don't remember anyone ever stretching a first stint to 30 laps at the US Grand Prix...

By that logic, if the car could handle qualifying, the start, and a 30-lap first stint while heavy, it should have easily cruised through 40+ laps in the second stint...
Which makes it extremely weird that Red Bull went with Softs for the second stint instead of the US, which is clearly faster and, theoretically, would have lasted all the way to the end without an issue...
They started on SS, so they could have easily switched to US, which would have given them the chance for an undercut or even skipping ahead of others during a restart/overtake thanks to the better grip...

Also, it's strange why the rest of the team didn't opt for the faster SS; almost everyone went for the more durable Soft...

It’s clear Kimi was aiming for an undercut to pull Lewis Hamilton into the pits. Maybe they even could've jumped him if the Bear had a slow pit stop and those opening laps on Softs were fast enough...
But there was definitely nothing about "pitting 10 laps early." It was just a standard start to the pit window and a totally normal undercut strategy.
You can clearly see all the other teams were hitting their pit windows within 2 to 5 laps of each other, and they certainly weren't just following Kimi and Lewis...

It's just as normal for Vettel to try something completely different or attempt an overcut. He wasn't under any pressure from behind, and it was crystal clear he had zero chance of catching Lewis with an undercut...
So, a 1% chance with an overcut is better than a 0% chance with an undercut...

EDIT:
http://en.mclarenf-1.com/index.php?p...stian%20Vettel

Just look at Vettel's lap times...
They make it obvious he should have pitted around lap 20 or 21. After that, his times start dropping instead of getting faster, even though he's sitting in clean air in P1...
20 1:28.245[1]
21 1:28.561[1]
22 1:28.515[1]
23 1:28.954[1]
24 1:29.030[1]
25 1:28.787[1]

Sure, a minor detail is that the VSC/SC popped up and someone benefited, but the times show his tires were already absolutely shot...

swifttiger75 said:Not that it actually changes anything.

Who's to say what anyone's thinking?

As for this Tibia business, don't get worked up.
Just swap "Kimi Räikkönen" with "Mark Webber" and you'll get the exact same nonsense we heard about 6 or 7 seasons ago.

Jason Campbell70 said:Who knows what he was actually thinking.

👍

Anyway... your grandpa's birthday is coming up soon (the 10th, if my memory serves), so if he's still around, you thought of anything good for a gift yet?

Average rating - 2.27(barely tolerable)