MorrisF1

The race was a little less exciting than it might have been, but once all the results were shaken out it was mildly profitable and told us quite a bit about the state of play. Namely, Ferrari are fastest, certainly in a straight line. Next time we’re in Monza, which is mostly straight lines. Good news for pub owners in Italy, one thinks. Off the line the top few were all in order. However, danger was afoot. Hulkenberg had a massive double lock up (no brake failure he just screwed up) and ploughed into Alonso’s rear. The Spaniard’s car pirouetted through the air, smacking into Leclerc’s and causing a chain reaction that ultimately saw all the named fellows as well as Raikkonen and Ricciardo retire. Just past Eau Rouge, Vettel got in Hamilton’s slipstream and used the superior Ferrari horsepower to sweep past the Mercedes. The Force Indias were very close, and Ocon was passed by Perez. The safety car emerged. Raikkonen, who had a puncture at this stage, limped to the pit

So. Bad luck this year. It continues. You’d think I flung a hand grenade into a hall of mirrors before the season started. Q1 was pretty much as expected with the Williams and McLarens both departing. However, there was a bit of a surprise with Sainz dropping out too, fastest of those exiting at this stage. Ironically, his team mate mate Hulkenberg made it through but will start at the back due to engine penalties. Hulkenberg did not bother setting a time in Q2, and it was a little surprising that both Saubers were eliminated (a sign of just how much progress they’ve made this year). Both Toro Rossos, with whom Sauber are locked in a tight battle in the Constructors’, also failed to progress, qualifying ahead of the Sauber pairing. At this stage, all looked fine. Raikkonen seemed in strong contention for a top 2 finish. Then it started to rain. Raikkonen clocked the fastest time and, had the rain intensified, that would’ve been splendid. Instead, he came into the

There have bee one or two driver announcements in the mid-season interval, following Ricciardo leaving Red Bull for Renault. Alonso is out, leaving F1, with his McLaren seat being taken by Sainz. It remains to be seen who will be the team mate of the younger Spaniard. Most think it’ll be Norris or Vandoorne. Gasly has been named as Verstappen’s team mate, which isn’t a huge surprise. We have no confirmation as yet regarding Raikkonen or Leclerc for the second Ferrari seat, though the Finn may well retain it (had seemed nailed on the young Monegasque would get the seat, but the change in Ferrari leadership may have changed that). It’s also believed Stroll will end up going to Force India, though who his team mate will be (should it happen) is uncertain. Speaking of Force India, it’s been quite a turbulent time. They emerged from administration, brought about by Perez (ironically) to prevent a worse financial move by a different creditor, only to have all their points re

Some news! Ricciardo has signed a two year deal, starting next season, to drive for Renault alongside Hulkenberg. It was one of the outside possibilities, and the question is whether this will mirror Hamilton’s cunning move to Mercedes or Alonso’s disastrous move to McLaren. Or, indeed, be in between. In other news, Force India seems to have been rescued. That’s great news, not only for the team itself but for F1 more generally. If the most financially efficient team, which has finished 4 th in the last couple of seasons, couldn’t stay in and ended up crashing out that would’ve been a very poor look indeed. Kudos to Perez who, rather ironically, knowingly saved the day by taking legal action over the debt owed to him by the team in order to prevent another debtor taking a far harsher measure. But for Perez, Force India could well, it seems, have gone under. And now, the mid-season rambling. It’s fair to say that, from a betting perspective, the first half