MorrisF1

So, we reach the flexi-wing regulation change. Will it alter things? Opinion is varied, mine is it won’t do much. Anyway, first practice had Norris fastest, over a third of a second ahead of Verstappen. Hamilton, Leclerc, and Piastri followed, with Lawson, Bearman, Hadjar, Tsunoda, and Gasly completing the top 10. In FP2 it was Piastri who was fastest, over a quarter of a second up on Russell. Verstappen and Norris had identical times and were narrowly behind the Mercedes. Leclerc and Antonelli followed, then came Alonso, Gasly, Hadjar, and Lawson. And in final practice, Piastri was quickest by half a second over Norris, with Leclerc and Russell a further two-tenths back and Verstappen two-tenths slower than that, putting him nearly a second behind Piastri. Flexi-wing changes may have developed in a way not necessarily to Red Bull’s advantage. Hadjar, Antonelli, Alonso, Hamilton, and Lawson completed the top 10. At this stage it looks like a McLaren fight for pole. I also think Lec...

Hello, everyone. In the 22nd episode of the Undercutters podcast we’re looking at the Monaco Grand Prix result, its implications for the title, and ahead to the Spanish Grand Prix. Spain is the last of a triple header and the first race where the flexi-wing ban comes into effect. But first, a quick reminder of what happened in Monaco and how that affects the standings. Monaco Grand Prix Qualifying 00m30s Qualifying matters everywhere but is especially important for the Monaco Grand Prix. This year it was disastrous for Mercedes with both their drivers reaching Q2 but failing to set a time. Antonelli crashed out at the very end of Q1, while Russell’s engine stopped working during Q2, forcing him to park in the tunnel. It was bad for Alpine too, with both their drivers out in Q1. At the sharp end it was a mighty battle between the McLarens and Ferraris, with Norris ending up on pole ahead of Leclerc, Piastri, and Hamilton, with Verstappen only 5th. However, the Ferrari clown show radi...

So, I backed Hamilton to do well in qualifying and that didn’t turn out well, and I was surprised to see how some of the grid turned out. Q1 was a bit rubbish for Alpine as both of their drivers went out. The order was Bortoleto, Bearman, Gasly, Stroll, and Colapinto, but as Stroll has a 1 place penalty for practice nonsense he will start behind Colapinto. However, Bearman has a 10 place penalty for overtaking under red flags in practice so he will be at the back of the grid. Q2’s eliminated drivers were Sainz, Tsunoda, Hulkenberg, Russell, and Antonelli. Neither Mercedes set a time. Antonelli crashed out in Q1 having made Q2, while Russell’s Mercedes stopped working during the session. Although they won’t be happy to be out, Sainz, Tsunoda, and Hulkenberg did pretty well. Q3 was looking like a five way fight for pole, and Leclerc seemed the man to beat. But beaten he was, as Norris decided qualifying errors were not needed and he instead got himself pole ahead of the Monegasque dri...

Ferrari had a lovely couple of practice session. Leclerc was fastest in FP1, although Hamilton was down in 9th. Verstappen was 2nd then came Norris, Albon, Piastri, Russell, Sainz, Gasly, Hamilton, and Alonso. Leclerc was also top in FP2, just ahead of Piastri. After them came Hamilton, Norris, Lawson and Hadjar (rather good for Racing Bulls), Alonso, Albon, Antonelli, and Verstappen. I expected Ferrari to be rubbish as their car is, apparently, weak in slow corners which is all Monaco is. Hmm. Anyway, they’re looking very much in the fight with McLaren to be quickest, while Mercedes and perhaps Verstappen are off the pace. During practice Stroll earned himself a 1 place grid penalty for dicking about with Leclerc. In third practice Leclerc was once again quickest, two-tenths up on Verstappen (whose Red Bull team once again improved the setup dramatically from Friday). Norris was a hundredth further back, with Piastri a little more behind. Hamilton (see below) was 5th, then came Al...

Hello, everyone. I’m Morris, and this is the Undercutters podcast. This episode is reviewing the Imola Grand Prix and looking ahead to the Monaco Grand Prix. As ever, you can find me on Twitter or Blue Sky as MorrisF1, and I post transcripts and graphics of the episodes up on morrisf1.blogspot.com. Imola is the start of a triple header, and also the start of the European phase of the calendar. Imola Grand Prix Qualifying 00m31s Qualifying for the Imola Grand Prix was a lot longer than usual thanks to a pair of red flags in Q1. The first of these was for Tsunoda, whose car was running too low over kerbs, leading to a dramatic and alarming crash. This saw his Red Bull flipped upside down and every corner of it suffered severe damage. Thankfully it rolled right side up and Tsunoda was able to walk away. The later crash by Franco Colapinto, driving for Alpine for the first time. This was more bad news for the Argentine, who ironically ‘made it’ to Q2. Earlier in the session Colapinto l...

Qualifying for the Imola Grand Prix was a lot longer than usual thanks to a pair of red flags in Q1. The first of these was for Tsunoda, whose car was running too low over kerbs, leading to a dramatic and alarming crash. This saw his Red Bull turned upside down and every corner of it suffered severe damage. Thankfully it rolled right side up and Tsunoda was able to walk away. The later crash was for Franco Colapinto, driving for Alpine for the first time. This was more bad news for the Argentine, who ironically ‘made it’ to Q2. Earlier in the seasion he left the pits too early following confusion regarding Sauber’s order to hold and wait, so he’s likely to get a one place grid penalty for that. The two red flags made life difficult for the other drivers. In the end, Lawson was the fastest man eliminated, followed by Hulkenberg, Ocon, Bearman, and Tsunoda. Bearman was unlucky, his time was fast enough but the red flag came out moments too soon for him to make Q2. Speaking of Q2, it wa...

Imola’s the start of a triple header, all of which will be rough for passing. It’s also got plenty of teams bringing updates which might shake up the order. In FP1 the top five were covered by a tenth and the top three by just over half a tenth. Piastri was quickest ahead of Norris and Sainz. Russell was 4th and Hamilton 5th. Gasly was half a tenth down the road but a full two-tenths ahead of Verstappen. Albon and Bortoleto were both within two-hundredths of the Dutchman, with Hulkenberg rounding out the top 10. Late on in first practice Bortoleto crashed and brought red flags out. Second practice had Piastri top, two-hundredths ahead of Norris. The McLaren pair were a quarter of a second ahead of Gasly, whose Alpine has been looking rather good so far, with Russell over a tenth behind. Verstappen was next, the Dutchman struggling to find a setup that worked. Leclerc was close behind, followed by Hadjar, Tsunoda, Albon, and Sainz. Hamilton was down in 11th, and was having difficult...

Hello, everyone, and welcome to the Undercutters podcast. This time we’re looking ahead to Imola, the first of two races held in Italy. I’m your host Morris. As you may have noticed with the last podcast, I’ve added a small number of sound effects, and I might start slightly altering the podcast approach so there’s more discussion about race incidents and title prospects and perhaps a more concise look at the races. I’m not going to have a title betting section every podcast but because we’re a quarter of the way into the season it’s a convenient time to have one this time. For those who like graphs and suchlike, you can find these on my Blue Sky and Twitter accounts where I post as MorrisF1, or at morrisf1.blogspot.com, which is where I post the transcript of the podcast. And, if you enjoy listening, please leave a positive rating for the podcast wherever you listen to it, as this helps a lot. Quick Look at the Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari 1m09s The Autodromo Interna...