MorrisF1

I had intended not to post anymore early thoughts this season. However, given the significant occurrences recently, and the slightly lengthy three week gap, I thought it’d be better to have a place to discuss such things ahead of the race weekend, rather than making the pre-qualifying piece bloody enormous. The back of the grid is not so much in serious turmoil as missing, fallen from the heavens of F1 to plunge into the Bermuda Triangle of financial woe. For years, many have complained that the way the money flows in F1 is nuts and, worse, unsustainable. Now we have proof, were it needed. Two non-team examples of this are that Monaco (dreariest circuit on the calendar, possibly excepting Singapore) pays no race fee, whereas fantastic Spa is at risk of folding because it can’t afford the race fees. Even more bonkers, mega-rich Ferrari get more cash (before points are totted up) than any other team, for ‘historical’ reasons. Anyway, to the current quagmire of woe and doom. I’

Well, the Kvyat top six tip looks bloody stupid now. After Vergne got a top 6 somewhere recently and with Red Bull looking ropey I thought it worth a shot. It appears Toro Rosso screwed up their set-up so it was stellar in qualifying and appalling in the race. Disappointed, and although the qualifying tip means the loss is minimal, it’s still another red race and (in the latter half) I’ve had a single winning race tip from seven attempts, which is just rubbish. The race itself wasn’t the best, although my prediction of it being mostly processional at the sharp end and more competitive in the lower points positions was accurate. Kvyat had a shocker of a start, Magnussen had a good one and Alonso also flew up the order. Rosberg just about got the jump on Hamilton but braked badly, flat-spotting both tyres so he had to pit on lap 1. Massa also pitted on lap 1, although he went for softs, with Rosberg opting for mediums. For Hamilton, it was a lovely day at the seasid

Qualifying was quite unexpected. The bet came off, thankfully, but (top three aside) the grid is ordered pretty different to how I expected. Because Marussia only ran one car, five rather than six drivers left the stage in Q1. As well as the Caterhams and Chilton, as expected, Maldonado (who seems to have had an ERS issue) and Massa (who had some sort of pressure problem with his engine) failed to escape to Q2. This was particularly rough on Massa, whose car has been looking rather tasty. Q2 was mostly as expected. The two Force Indias, who have been losing the development war with McLaren quite badly of late, left, as did both Saubers. Grosjean likewise. Most unexpectedly, however, was Vettel in 11 th . He was a tenth off being in Q3, but failed to make the cut. The Red Bull’s looked a bit ropey, certainly compared to how it should be, all weekend, but the fact is his team mate got through and he did not. Q1 was a mix of the routine and the remarkable. Hamilton pole, R

The main news in F1 is that Bianchi, who had that horrendous crash in Japan, has suffered diffuse axonal injury. It is an incredibly serious injury, and let’s hope Bianchi can make the fullest recovery possible. Marussia are (as a mark of respect) only running Chilton this week, and have not replaced Bianchi. As well as by all accounts being a tremendously popular driver, Bianchi was also a real talent. Like Grosjean and Hulkenberg, it was very easy to see him in a top team, and the sport may have lost one of its great starts of the future. Lotus will have Mercedes engines next year. A great coup for the beleaguered team, who were reportedly struggling to find, essentially, the cash for a deposit. Mercedes engines are cheapest, most efficient and fastest, so that’s a nice plus for Lotus which hasn’t had much good news of late. First race in Russia. My impression of the track isn’t great, to be honest. Anyway, grip’s fairly low, medium and soft tyres appear to last forev

A quite entertaining race, book-ended by tedium at the start and concern at the end. Frustratingly, when it seemed the race might be a 2 lap trundle behind the safety car (making my bet a winner), not only did it not come off, the 1.5 hedge didn’t get matched. To be honest, given it was red-flagged after barely a lap I was surprised it didn’t get matched, and a bit disappointed. It was wetter than expected at the start. So much so that everyone started not only on full wets but behind the safety car. After completing a single lap, the safety car led the whole field into the pit lane. (Technically, this meant they ‘completed’ lap 2, making half-points available for award, when crossing the line in the pit lane). Later, the rain eased, but was still heavy, and all departed the pit lane, once again following the safety car. Alonso suffered some sort of electrical failure and his car ground to a halt, taking him out of the race before it got really underway. When the safety

Woke up just in time to catch a fairly interesting qualifying session, and to hear the even more interesting news. It is confirmed that Vettel is leaving Red Bull and will be replaced by Kvyat. The German’s destination is currently unknown (officially) but everyone seems to think it’ll be Ferrari. Alonso, in turn, is expected to move to McLaren, but that is also unconfirmed (replacing Button, it seems). Q1 saw the four backmarkers assume the position. Lotus’ woes continued with both their drivers leaving at this stage. To make matters worse, an engine change means Maldonado has a 10 place grid penalty and because there aren’t 27 cars on the grid some of that will carry over to the next race. In Q2 neither Force India managed to escape, Perez 12 th and Hulkenberg 14 th . Likewise Toro Rosso, with Vergne 11 th and Kvyat 13 th . Perhaps unsurprisingly the Saubers also left the stage, bringing up the rear in 15 th and 16 th . Q3 unfolded in a slightly unexpected manner.

There was an interesting Q&A with Eddie Jordan which can be read here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/formula1/29422678 The line that really caught my eye was this: "Honda and McLaren want to hit the ground running. They want Alonso or Sebastian Vettel and it's possible both could wind up there.” That sounds incredible, but it’s worth noting that Jordan was months ahead of the curve when it came to Hamilton jumping to Mercedes. In other off-track news, Simona De Silvestro will not become a Sauber driver. It was a credible possibility but, for financial reasons, has not happened. I feel this may (financially) be a mistake, as being the only woman driving in F1 (and the first for decades) would be good for sponsorship and Sauber’s profile. Caterham have been visited by bailiffs, but has sworn it will race on. This is rather weird. The firm was acquired in-season by a Swiss-Middle East consortium, so one would’ve thought they’d be at least financially stable for the near fut