re: Formula 1 2021 Season Thread

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Between this and the Euros I am starting to think European sports just MIGHT be better than American ones.

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No might about it, they are.

Alpine praises Alonso for not throwing F1 "hissy fits" after tough start

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Alonso struggled in the early part of the campaign, scoring points in just two of his opening five races and failing to match teammate Esteban Ocon’s qualifying form... Alonso was frank about his need for more time to readjust to life in F1 after so long away, shouldering the blame for the results in the early part of the year... Alpine sporting director Alan Permane was full of praise for Alonso’s approach, saying he did not let his frustration boil over at any point and showed full accountability as he got up to speed...

“It’s just hard work, and he works hard. He worked hard in pre-season. It was a bit of a poor start, that’s for sure. There were some struggles, and instead of having any tantrums or hissy fits or anything, he just looked to himself. He never once blamed the car or the team.“

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OMG he said the quiet part out loud.

"Despite Alonso's reputation for bitter whining and burning his bridges, he acted like a mature human being during his early season struggles!"

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Alonso was heard on team radio at the end of Q2 calling his lap “beautiful”, adding: “Whatever the position will be, I did enjoy [that].” Permane revealed that he spoke to Alonso about the radio message after qualifying, making clear how much the encouragement and positivity would mean to the whole Alpine team.

“I said to him afterwards, ‘don’t underestimate what that radio message will mean being broadcast, everyone in Enstone and everyone in Viry is hearing that’," said Permane. “That just makes their weeks of work, their hard work, worthwhile.“

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This is the type of lecture (about how motivating or demotivating a team leader can be by their statements) that a team principal should be saying to a 21 year old hothead like Tsunoda, not to a 20 year veteran of F1. It's really quite a statement.

Looking good so far. (from ESPN)

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FP1 recap:
- Max Verstappen looks well placed to continue his strong form from last weekend’s Styrian GP over to the Austrian GP at the same circuit after setting the fastest time in first practice. The Red Bull driver set the time on soft tyres.
- Verstappen was 0.2s clear of the two Ferraris in second and third and 0.3s ahead of the fastest Mercedes of Valtteri Bottas.
- Title rival Lewis Hamilton was 7th fastest and 0.5s off the pace in the early session. Both Mercedes cars finished the session with aero paint on their cars, hinting that Mercedes was trying to get an idea of how the new Pirelli tyre construction being trialled this weekend, will impact aero.
- Each driver has two sets of the new Pirellis to use today during practice. The new specification features a beefed up construction at the rear

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Merc has to be saving their tokens for an engine upgrade. Only thing that makes sense at this point.

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HAM BOT VER

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Meh, FP2. Max could have won by an entire lap last week, had he wanted to. I expect him to dominate again.

Hamilton signs through 2023


More SJW bs in our faces non stop. Oh joy

George in Q3!

Russell!!!

Both Ferraris outside the top 10.

Ricciardo still struggling

Amazing grid