Just a note to say Carlos Sainz really could have used the Pirelli gravel tire.
It is quite a bit shocking. If they can figure how not to have the car randomly die, it’s pretty quick. Whether they can catch LeClerc and Ferrari, we’ll see.
HIs Dad could have driven it out of there and taken the Win!
I guess not all the stories about brazen European pickpockets are urban legends.
Senseless waste.
It’s Italy, a $20,000 watch will do.
He’s from Monaco; I’m surprised he’d even admit to owning a cheap trinket like that. Maybe he got it in a box of cereal.
F1 drivers get given these watches a lot by the sponsors. Norris had a pricey one stolen recently too. I saw Hamilton give his watch to a young fan who was interviewing him for Sky and then saying something like “hope I don’t get in trouble, it’s not really my watch”. Wonder how much it was worth (or if some PR person took it back)?
On that note, a nod to the Blaze Foley duct tape treatment on the Aston Martin in practice. I’ve been planning that on my old Ford Ranger one of these days.
After the qualifying session today, the top five spots are five different teams. I wonder when the last time that happened was, if ever.
Seven different teams in the top ten.
The sprint race was fun. Leclerc got the jump on Verstappen at the start and didn’t look back until the last few laps. I think his tire just gave out at the end. Sainz did a superb job moving up the midfield. McClaren are emerging as strong contenders. Mercedes are still troubled. Let’s see how the GP goes tomorrow.
1/63 - Bad start by Leclerc … and Sainz gets beached once again.
5/63 - Clean restart.
7/63 - Alonso in the pits. His entire right sidepod is gone.
8/63 - Leclerc passes Norris for P3.
11/63 - Russell can’t quite get past Magnussen.
12/63 - He’s done it … no he hasn’t.
13/63 - There it is. Now Bottas is coming up.
14/63 - Now Bottas has passed Magnussen. Meanwhile Hamilton is still stuck behind Stroll.
17/63 - Ricciardo pits for slicks. Everyone else is still out.
18-19/63 - Everyone’s coming in. Bottas did not have good pitstop. Ocon - unsafe release into Hamilton, 5 s penalty.
33/63 - Will Max lap Lewis?
34/63 - DRS enabled.
35/63 - Can Lewis get past Gasly?
37/63 - Here comes the train.
41/63 - Max laps Lewis. How far the mighty have fallen. Blue flags all around!
48/63 - Tsunoda passes K.Mag for P8.
50/63 - Leclerc pits for soft tires, comes out behind Norris.
51-52/63 - Here comes Perez into the pits … and now Max.
53/63 - Leclerc spins off track. Into the pits with front wing damage.
55/63 - Leclerc all the way down to P9. Is there still time to catch up?
59/63 - Bottas is riding Russell’s tail. Leclerc already up to P7.
63/63 - Leclerc up to P6.
Final: Ver - Per - Nor. Red Bull pats themselves on the back. Ferrari not so much. Norris must be pleased.
Watching Max lap Lewis gave me a little tingle! 
Not the most exiting race lately, for sure!
The mixup between Ricciardo and Sainz kind of put me off right away. You could hear the fans’ dismay as soon as it happened. Norris did a great job, but I was hoping for a high finish for both McLaren drivers…looking at you, Danny. Interesting strategy for Daniel with the tire changes.
Being onboard with Leclerc when he spun it at the end was kind of heartbreaking.
Great drives from everyone in the top 10, actually. Those guys make me wish that the race winner was exempt from receiving the “Driver of the Day” point.
Sports are a mental game, and it seems to me that Lewis has lost that edge. Not shitting on the guy, but you can see it in every interview. Makes one wonder if he doesn’t wish he’d retired after last season.
I’m guessing he’s done after this one and the speculation for the other Merc seat will be heating up soon. I think Norris would be a natural contender, but he’s not going to be available.
I was kinda hoping that Bottas would pass Russell in the final laps, as a sort of FU to Toto Wolfe for replacing him with that kid.
Indeed. The preceding sprint race was much more interesting.
Mercedes undoubtedly made the right decision to replace Bottas.
He’s always been a pouty bitch when things don’t go his way.
Unlike Verstappen, who’s a pouty bitch when things aren’t going his way, and when they are.
Oh, no question! Same with Vettel. We need more Kimi’s and less… well…
And more Ricciardos. He seems to be a pretty decent guy, and not too prone to whining.
Random thoughts about Miami (so far)…
Interesting track. It looks there there is about 5-6 feet of elevation change. Must be the hilliest spot in all of Florida!
What is with the Gondola? Is that purpose built for the race? If so, why so few cars?
I think my favorite part is the fake boat harbor. I’d totally be into partying on a boat on a trailer in a parking lot watching F1!
That pit exit…
This was was totally off my radar (been pretty busy with the trauma of real life lately). Was pretty surprised how slick and well done the whole thing looks. Well done Florida Man! Your shining moment.