Formula 1 Grand Prix round 20: Qatar

Always good to see a new circuit on the calendar.

Just the one DRS zone so let's hope Max can break away in the middle sector.

Super fast corners and medium speed as well. Track might have low grip at the start and then ramp up over the weekend.

It will also be a hot one, even though it is a night race. Ambient temp at night can be 30+, so engines won't be loving the hot air. Pirelli also have the hardest compound in their range here, but the never ending middle part of the track will probably still chew them up.

Can't believe he did it in Null when the cars were totally different

So that must mean it's a twilight or night race under lights?!

FYI, Qatar time is 3 hours ahead of us.

Stewards need to be crystal clear on track limits this weekend, there’s plenty of cars leaving the track in FP1!

Other than that it’s difficult to call it as a Merc/RB this early. One really long DRS zone but such a narrow track so I’m not sure if the Mercedes’ can carry last weeks advantage into here. Almost feels like if both teams can get their cars performing strategy could play a massive part.

That's some load of balls. The white line is the limit. There should be no grey areas. Put the white line outside the kerbs if needs be, but anything outside that is off track.

I was wondering about that. It wouldn't be good to be too prescriptive about it and just impose the limits all the time at every corner. When they do thst then people complain that there are too many penalties and they should just let them race.

It's a new track so there's no harm observing the track and driver behaviour and time gained by going over the limits before they make a decision

Lewis retires from FP1 after experiencing a power unit issue? Thats not a good start

It's a great start if you ask me😁

Interestingly Riccardo had to retire from Brazil with a failed PU, they also run Mercedes engines. Sky touched on it during the race, but i wonder if theres an issue.

The track looks very fast but difficult to overtake except on the start finish straight. The tyres aren't going to last so maybe it'll be won or lost on strategy. Could be a dull affair but hopefully not.

Well they are addressing the issues.

I mean sky f1 could stop asking them about this stuff but that won’t happen.

Okay but when was it taken.

So are we going to see this test ?

Why exactly is Christian Horner allowed to make these accusations in the media? He is standing on TV making public accusations against another team, creating a narrative that suits him. Innocent until proven guilty, no?

I'm thinking a lot less of him now quite frankly, and if I was in a position of power I would be very angry at his actions. Shut the **** up and let the stewards do their jobs.

Very apt to have George Lucas there,

Star Wars - Sky will be selling it like that.

Will probably turn out that Toto is Max's Father.

Much like Herbert and Hill were able to accuse Verstappen of crashing into Hamilton on purpose.

Has Mazepin a damaged front wing? He haas!

Bottas still showing his pace.

I wonder how much of an advantage the odd numbers have, Brundle mentioned it earlier.