[HeelToeShift]

Originally Posted by AmuroRay

Part one of the prophecy is complete. It ends with Lewis winning 2 more championships to retire with 10.

LOL - massive tire offset at the end but I knew you'd show up beating your chest over Ham's now 1-6 record against Lec LMFAO. Remind me, who has the only Ferrari podium this year? Who has more points? Lewis isnt winning a thing. In order to do that he'd literally need to beat Max, Pia, Nor, Rus, Ant, and Lec. He can barely get past Had and the two Williams car. Unless he gets an F1 car and the others are driving F4 cars, he has no chance.

You also guaranteed Ham was winning the WDC this year and that Tsu would destroy Max. Tsu is zero for all.

[E92inNC]

Originally Posted by GuidoK

It's interesting how team Merc had real problems with racepace where they were very stong in qualifying, and Ferrari sucked in qualifying and showed really good racepace.

Well....next race is ALL about qualifying....

I think a saw an article or segment on Sky in the offseason that Monaco now has a 2 pit stop minimum, that will inject much needed excitement.

[HeelToeShift]

Again a phenomenal race by Max. Winning in a slower car by good margin. His move on Pia into a tight turn 1 was honestly one of the best overtakes at turn 1 ever seen in F1 - certainly no one has done it better in the last 20 years and that is an understatement.

Pia is very lucky he has a car you don't need to manage the tires because in this aspect he might be the worst in F1 and would not be able to do much at all without the trick tire wear. Though, does the pressure now start to get to him a bit? He and Nor are lucky they didnt take one another out.

[afadeev]

Originally Posted by M4Lou

Does Max and RB have pace again?

Upgrades helped, but Max got massively lucky with VSC and SC timing at Imola.
Piastri was going to undercut him had the VSC not come out to rescue Max!

The fact that Italians don't know how to remove cars from the grass without throwing VSC or SC every time is a travesty!

Good recovery drive by Ferraris.

Originally Posted by M4Lou

Lando has NOT closed the gap at all since passing PIA.

Lando took too long and used up too much tire to clear Piastri, and then only had 4 laps left with 5+ seconds gap to first.
He can count, he chilled.

Oh well, onto to the processional parade in Monaco...

a

[HeelToeShift]

Originally Posted by afadeev

Upgrades helped, but Max got massively lucky with VSC and SC timing at Imola.
Piastri was going to undercut him had the VSC not come out to rescue Max!

The fact that Italians don't know how to remove cars from the grass without throwing VSC or SC every time is a travesty!

Good recovery drive by Ferraris.



Lando took too long to clear Piastri, and then only had 2 laps left.
He can count, he chilled.

Oh well, onto to the processional parade in Monaco...

a

Even without this VSC Max pulled away from Pia pretty decisively in each stint. Even when Nor had free air at the end of the 1st stint he was not able to do much in terms of closing down the gap. He closed like 5 tenths and then it just sat there, and you know at that point Max was managing big time.

[///M Power-Belgium]

Originally Posted by GuidoK

It's interesting how team Merc had real problems with racepace where they were very stong in qualifying, and Ferrari sucked in qualifying and showed really good racepace.

Well....next race is ALL about qualifying....

And this (!)

[///M Power-Belgium]

Originally Posted by E92inNC

I think a saw an article or segment on Sky in the offseason that Monaco now has a 2 pit stop minimum, that will inject much needed excitement.

Positive ..

[///M Power-Belgium]

Imola is a track where the driver makes a difference (!)

[M3WC]

Originally Posted by AmuroRay

Part one of the prophecy is complete. It ends with Lewis winning 2 more championships to retire with 10.

Once again like I said last week poor qualifying for number 2 driver Lewis, spends first half of race stuck behind Racing Bull and Merc. Then VSC to the rescue. Plus a tire advantage safety car, even then he struggled to finish ahead of Leclerc.


Old man Hamilton can't qualify anymore.

Leclerc vs Lewis (Qualis): 7-2

[GuidoK]

Originally Posted by afadeev

Upgrades helped, but Max got massively lucky with VSC and SC timing at Imola.

Actually he didn't.
The VSC came at the right moment, but he already had enough of a gap so that he would re-enter the race between HAD (and later PIA) and I believe RUS, and when the SC came, he already had a massive lead on NOR and PIA.
Max pitted, NOR pitted, and Max was still in front of both.
So I'd say the SC gave more of a risk for Max. And that is generally true, the SC is mainly a negative for the leader of the race as the complete field collapses in 1 continuous row.

If there hadn't been a VSC and SC, I think Max still would've won.

[M3WC]

Originally Posted by E92inNC

I think a saw an article or segment on Sky in the offseason that Monaco now has a 2 pit stop minimum, that will inject much needed excitement.

Meh, pole position will still win the race.

Rain is the only thing that shakes things up at Monaco.

[GuidoK]

https://youtube.com/shorts/dmtNn7Klj...Wbod9q1WIZJns2

[G30M]

looks like RB is back. the McLarens were not catching the RB at any stage in the race, Yuki went from nearly last into the points.

AM still slow, went from points to no points.

Ferrari went from no point to points.

RB > MCL > Ferrari > Merc race pace today

the RB is not a slow car based on this race!

[Artemis]

Originally Posted by E92inNC

I think a saw an article or segment on Sky in the offseason that Monaco now has a 2 pit stop minimum, that will inject much needed excitement.

Here you go (Apr 7, 2025):

Originally Posted by Artemis

Good idea.

Actually, last February, to meet the 'snoozefest' criticism, FIA introduced a change exclusively for the glitzy Monaco GP of May 25, 2025: mandatory use of at least three sets of tyres in the race, with a minimum of two different tyre compounds to be used if it’s a dry race.

So, at least 2 pit stops in Monte Carlo this year. It will be evaluated if repeated in 2026.

"FIA confirms new mandatory double pit stop rule to spice up Monaco Grand Prix
Monaco Life - Feb 27, 2025
https://monacolife.net/fia-introduce...co-grand-prix/

The Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) has officially introduced a major rule change for the Formula 1 TAG Heuer Grand Prix de Monaco, making double pit stops mandatory for all teams. This decision, long discussed within the sport, marks a significant shift in race strategy and comes in direct response to widespread criticism that the Monaco Grand Prix, while iconic, often lacks excitement when it comes to overtaking opportunities and on-track action.
To make for a more exhilarating and challenging race, Formula 1 drivers will now have to make at least two pit stops at the Monaco Grand Prix according to a new ruling handed down this week by the FIA and formally ratified by the World Motor Sport Council on 26th February.
The newly enforced regulation aims to inject more spice into the race by requiring teams to make at least two pit stops, regardless of weather conditions. The change was initially proposed by the F1 Commission, a body comprised of representatives from teams, the FIA and Formula One Management, before receiving final approval in Geneva.
“This decision, which has been in the works for some time, applies exclusively to the Monaco Grand Prix,” confirmed a representative for the Automobile Club de Monaco. “It aligns with the shared vision of Formula 1, the FIA and the ACM to enhance the spectacle for drivers, spectators and global television audiences alike. We will see the impact of this rule at the 82nd Formula 1 TAG Heuer Grand Prix de Monaco in May 2025.”
The FIA announced the new rule in a press release, stating, “Following recent discussions in the F1 Commission, a specific requirement for the Monaco Grand Prix has been approved mandating the use of at least three sets of tyres in the race, with a minimum of two different tyre compounds to be used if it’s a dry race.”
Monegasque driver Charles Leclerc, who clinched victory at his home race in 2024, has publicly welcomed the idea, saying it could bring much-needed strategy into play.
“I think it will definitely help the Sunday, especially with strategy. The excitement on Sunday is maybe a bit less than what you will hope. The Saturday is incredible but the Sunday maybe needs a little bit of spice and hopefully this will give it,” he told Sky Sports.
Though he is for the rule, he noted there should be room for change if it doesn’t go to plan.
“We’ve got to be open-minded,” he added. “If it’s the direction that we are going to take, then we need to see if that actually makes a difference or not and be open to change back if that’s not the right solution.”
The effectiveness of this change remains to be seen, but all eyes will be on the streets of the Principality from 22nd to 25th May to see if its impact on one of the most glamourous and prestigious events in motorsport is here to stay, or just a passing fancy."

[G30M]

Oscar's first stuff up, he'd not done anything wrong until now, but for all his rookie mistakes today, was not a disaster day for him.

[Artemis]

Originally Posted by G30M

looks like RB is back. the McLarens were not catching the RB at any stage in the race, Yuki went from nearly last into the points.

AM still slow, went from points to no points.

Ferrari went from no point to points.

RB > MCL > Ferrari > Merc race pace today

the RB is not a slow car based on this race!

Getting into 'clean air' asap was critical for Verstappen to limit tire degradation.

[M5Rick]

Originally Posted by ///M Power-Belgium

Imola is a track where the driver makes a difference (!)

''Maybe Spain can be good again''. I think it can with the Larens wing advantage cut there. So what happened to the papayas cool brakes

[M5Rick]

Originally Posted by G30M

Oscar's first stuff up, he'd not done anything wrong until now, but for all his rookie mistakes today, was not a disaster day for him.

I don't think Lando did badly at all and he wasn't far away from MAX at the finish.

[Rono63]

Originally Posted by M5Rick

''Maybe Spain can be good again''. I think it can with the Larens wing advantage cut there. So what happened to the papayas cool brakes

RB obviously has the fastest car, at least on fast tracks. Yuki started from pit lane and finished tenth and the McLarens couldn’t catch Max.

We will see if they can improve on the slower tracks or if they will lose to McLaren by over 30 seconds again.

[M5Rick]

Originally Posted by Rono63

RB obviously has the fastest car, at least on fast tracks. Yuki started from pit lane and finished tenth and the McLarens couldn’t catch Max.

We will see if they can improve on the slower tracks or if they will lose to McLaren by over 30 seconds again.

Monaco should be a good taster for that.

[M5Rick]

Originally Posted by ///M Power-Belgium

YUKI recovered very well from his big crash in Q1 and nailed today P10 in the race .
Congrats Yuki (!)

Is that our friend MBS watching being the barrier, bottom left

[///M Power-Belgium]

Originally Posted by M5Rick

''Maybe Spain can be good again''. I think it can with the Larens wing advantage cut there. So what happened to the papayas cool brakes

It wasn't too hot with a 24-25C° at Imola . So , I think the papaya tyre advantage was less today .
MAX nailed P1 at the start , this means he got clean air.
MAX's start was jaw dropping (!)

And for once in the last 2 seasons , Pierre Waché managed to give the RB21 an upgrade that improved the car .
MAX said : It is for the first time in this season that my brakes worked like it should be .
The balance of the car feels right , and that helps to save the tyres as well..
And let us hope so , for the Monaco GP and the rest of this season .