Our reaction to Austrian GP Qualifying

[@chris-hayes]

I love how post-quali when Max mentions Red Bull is working on making the car "more competitive", he means Red Bull grabbing pole by half a second.

[@FrancisFjordCupola]

... The very fact that others got close to Max proves there is plenty of room left for Red Bull to improve their car to the level of other manufacturers.

[@man_imbored171]

@@FrancisFjordCupola close? .4 is not close

[@RubenDBLL]

its just simple, give max a car slightly less good than the best car (McLaren) and he wins. Give him a car that is the best, he dominates.

[@IAmPdawg]

@@man_imbored171I think Checo shows that car isn’t as strong as everyone thinks

[@y_fam_goeglyd]

​@@man_imbored171 .4 is hardly a second. Sure, it isn't .004, but it's less than a typical heartbeat! Take a look at some qualification times from earlier seasons. The nineties, for example. Q1 had only .8(something or other) between #1 & #20 today. I've seen races where double that was between #1 & #2!

[@messier4033]

2024 has no Parc Ferme between sprint race and quali for Sunday. It was one of the changes to avoid the Sunday race being a copy of Sprint. 👍

[@Dragon90210]

Was just about to comment this. Tbh for this race its a shame they could change the set up cuz it now looks like its going to be an ez max win

[@messier4033]

@@Dragon90210 agreed 😁 Ridiculous gap on such a short lap.

[@benmaciver4190]

Mclaren race pace could keep it interesting guys, could be another close one!!!

[@Real28]

Amount of people who don't know this is kind of alarming. It's the 3rd sprint weekend.

[@messier4033]

@@benmaciver4190 let's hope so.

[@theoryexpress]

Max on beast mode again. I'm a fan of Hamilton but at this point Max is the best driver on the grid. No errors, just a brilliant lap.

[@daarom3472]

has been since 2021

[@KingchooRS]

Verstappen is on another level

[@theoryexpress]

@@daarom3472 haha, still consider 21 to be Lewis, but no denying max is best

[@Tomekkplk]

@@theoryexpress That's like saying you believe something to be true but is actually factually incorrect.

[@superstar_h_gamer5211]

Lewis can't even be in consideration Russell is beating him easily this season

[@michaelff22]

It’s okay Matt there are other drivers out there to root for!

[@nanthilrodriguez]

like max

[@dennisb7317]

Matt is a faithful man

[@Duval-In-The-Wall]

So if you want to be happy, Max and that’s it

[@SchweinerSchinkler]

Like tommy who‘s a fan of half the drivers 😂? Nah man that would be embarrassing. Stick with your team/driver even in bad times. If you don’t you’re not a fan but a casual

[@SchweinerSchinkler]

@@nanthilrodriguez the guy who panics and crashes every time he’s under real pressure? Nah thanks man i‘m good

[@fiarandompenaltygeneratorm5044]

Matt is on life support.

[@makmak412]

No worry ..you can buy a a ferrari in lego and..

[@fiarandompenaltygeneratorm5044]

@@makmak412 What? Are? You? Rambling? About?

[@berryesseen]

He is clearly healthy and alive. Don’t spread misinformation please.

[@night756]

​@@berryesseen The user that commented that , didn't meant it in a literal way. They just meant that Matt is a little sad because Leclerc didn't do as well as he used to do

[@fiarandompenaltygeneratorm5044]

@@berryesseen Matt is healthy and alive. Not sure about you. Get those brainwaves checked.

[@wjcd1996]

Completely agree with Tommy on the track limits: if a turn/racing line has a gravel trap next to it, it shouldn't have track limit lines, the gravel trap IS the track limit

[@Feralvids]

100%. Was going to say this. Its so silly when you see someone go into the gavel and go 1sec slower and then see that slower lap deleted. Its like giving a double penalty for one error. If you have gravel make the line so you have to be in the gavel to cross it. Or just have the line removed where the gravel is.

[@oOFallenThunderOo]

I COMPLETELY DISAGREE!! Track limits need to be enforced because staying on the track is one the most basic job requirements of a racing driver. You can't claim to be the pinnacle of motor sport while drivers are allowed to leave the track and still keep their times. It's not about whether they gain an advantage or not, it's about them meeting the minimum requirements for a racing lap. Leaving the track isn't allowed in any other track based motorsport so why should it be allowed in F1?

[@paperplane-db8qf]

No it’s perfect. Because sometimes the gravel is too far or the driver just clips it. Like the one time Stroll brought gravel onto the track in Netherlands and Vettel and another car got knocked out because of it.

[@95mushroom]

@@paperplane-db8qf That easily happens all the time while cars are still within limits.

[@95mushroom]

@@oOFallenThunderOo You couldn't be more wrong with that last sentence.

[@woolyfishface3962]

Would love to see Fernando happily sniffing flowers again. Want to see the legend smiling again.

[@OldmanNix]

Last year was a Mirage. A sweet sweet Nando Mirage.

[@Duval-In-The-Wall]

Alonso curse got here a year late 😂

[@Wochroch]

He can go smile somewhere else 😊

[@benoitm9199]

Alonso doesn't know how to develop a car. He hates simulators and when in Alpine only Ocon drove hours in the simulator. There is the result.

[@AZBCDEE]

Such a finished WET WIPE😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@michaeltelfer3483]

Leclerc first qualifying error not even a big one of the season and the overreaction is insane. Him and Lando are so over analysed its insane

[@reca2489]

I'd say not over analysed, but over hyped, they both are great drivers, definitely, but the bandwagoning about those two is overwhelming

[@dodecahe]

i don’t think it’s overanalysed at all. it just happens that these two don’t meet the fans very high expectations. if the likes of lewis or max made a mistake like that people would analyse it even more.

[@askeladden450]

​@@dodecahemax made a similar mistake in monaco, where is the analysis?

[@SchweinerSchinkler]

@@askeladden450 max fans don’t allow any criticism of max. You’re a hater if you don’t blindly praise him

[@cpasa798]

The field is really close, every tiny improve takes you to the top. Max is proving that the 15% of performance because of the driver can take you a long way

[@brzzzy]

Yeah 15% is way too much, that’s be like how max was last season - finishing the race w 20-30s margins

[@jsmr451]

Car makes the different. There isn't any more then a tenth between the top 10 drivers.

[@Duval-In-The-Wall]

Well done to Perez for completely annihilating the “it’s just the car” argument 😂

[@joshn1678]

Checo is just an absolute disaster of a driver. Can't believe Sainz can't find a seat and Checo got 2 more years at the best team lol

[@squeakybunny2776]

​@joshn1678 sainz is not that much better than perez. Especially if we look at perez seasons before red bull. But his form at red bull is atrocious

[@yannickvaz694]

That's like praising Norris for being an exceptional driver in 2022, because of how bad Ricciardo was performing. Max is driving superbly, but the Red Bull is still an amazing car. Checo just isn't capable of pushing it as much as Max can.

[@ISwearDownOnMeNansGrave]

Red Bull is still the best car. Max is still the best driver. Checos been washed for the last 2 years and only has that seat for the sponsor money

[@chris-hayes]

8:09 "they can't make many changes because they are in parc ferme" I thought they weren't though? Commentary kept mentioning this is a new change this year, between the sprint and "real" qualifying they are not in parc ferme.

[@zpir1t427]

yea i thought so too

[@hutselfrutsel3897]

Yes That is correct From the finish of the sprint to Qualifying there is no parc ferme. U can change setup after the sprint

[@cdnarmymedic]

100% They are in parc ouvert from the end of the sprint to the start of Quali.

[@lorenvalentyn5192]

They realise it during the full podcast. Shows they barely listen to commentary. Too busy chatting on the twitch stream and with each other. 😂

[@pisderata]

They are 100% developing Aston for Stroll (literally Krak said it) that's why Stroll improves exactly when perfomance tanks

[@johart309]

Poor Nando

[@ehrlichgesagt863]

Okay and if what does it change? Is that a excuse for a 2 times champion to be beaten all the time by somebody that people say isn't good enough for f1? Doesn't it prove that he can keep up with drivers if the car is to his liking and not build around alonso/Vettel? We saw Sainz say the car is not build around his liking but he still was close to leclerc the last seasons. That's what driving is all about adaptation

[@aimankamil4818]

​@@ehrlichgesagt863they're making the car slower to match Stroll slow reaction time

[@madhavnarayan2475]

​@ehrlichgesagt863 it's changing for the worse, not allowing Fernando fucking Alonso to extract performance out of it.

[@Duval-In-The-Wall]

@@madhavnarayan2475 He’s not the same Alonso from before, he’s washed

[@lmr4403]

To correct Matt: Parc ferme is removed after sprint, they have 3 hours to make any changes. (Or I am missing something?!)

[@RogerKeulen]

No, your assuming this is sport and not entertainment. It's YT. The sport is to subscribe and ring the bell icon.

[@brian7233]

I was watching Peter Windsor and his technical analysis. He showed the times for each of the top 6 drivers in Q3 at a particular sector. Only Max was in 7th gear the rest were in 6th.

[@AmericasChoice]

That was great analysis by Peter.

[@joshn1678]

Which means only his car can achieve that gear and speed in that sector, just because Checo is terrible doesn't mean the RedBull isn't still the best car.

[@terencevangaalen4127]

@@joshn1678 It also doesn't prove the opposite now does it? When the pros say it is because of how Max drives, I rather believe them however than commenters on youtube.

[@jsmr451]

@@terencevangaalen4127 Peter Windsor is a youtuber who only states his opinion. The RB is the fastest. Period.

[@RockSolitude]

@@terencevangaalen4127 the RB is still the fastest car though. All this commentary about McLaren having the fastest car is nonsense.

[@stephenwray4950]

Parc ferme ended after the sprint race and started again for qualifying so red bull could make big changes to the car between sprint and qualifying. That's the whole point of doing it this way.

[@mattp1tommy]

Yeah apologies this was cut from the video but realised in the full audio podcast, this should have made the edit!

[@generaldreagonlps6889]

I'm pretty sure there are no parc fermé conditions between the sprint and quali. So they can change a lot if they want it. But I didn't get the impression they changed much. But circumstances apparently did make Lando and McLaren look better than they were yesterday. Because everything was so late Max had to push hard on his out lap to be able to set a time while Lando could do a proper prep lap because he had more time available.

[@Djekkie-gj7jz]

If there is gravel beside the track, no track limits. The gravel is the track limit itself.

[@joshn1678]

Well he went over the gravel, it's just that other cars had dipped their tire into it and knocked the gravel out and made it lower. He was driving over the gravel, which means he's outside the white lines.

[@terencevangaalen4127]

@@joshn1678 Max fan here, but I like racing and agree with Oscar. If here's gravel, no need to have track limits. If you can drive it so on the egde without losing speed from touching a gravel trap, you are brave and did a good job racing. That should be commended, almost like kissing the wall in Monaco. (Almost, because a wall is more scary than a gravel trap and that requires the biggest of balls to touch on purpose)

[@lmr4403]

Verstappen did 4 laps that each would be pole.

[@RogerKeulen]

Yesterday, Sainz did a outlap that would have been pole. \o/

[@Lanse1984]

2 on used tires 😮

[@ddha0000]

and people said the RB is not the fastest car anymore.........lol

[@nodekapunk]

@@ddha0000it’s called a new week, new track.

[@brzzzy]

@@ddha0000it’s max though..

[@joefornataro8181]

The cars are not in Parc ferme after the sprint race. One of the reasons for the change to the schedule on Sprint weekends was that the car spent too parc ferme. The old schedule was one of the reasons that Hamilton got DQ’d at Austin last year.

[@andreaf1950]

Happiest of Birthdays Matt!!! 🥳🎉🎂🎁🍻

[@generaldreagonlps6889]

I don't mind the lap being deleted. The rule right now is simple and should be enforced in all corners. Why complicate the rules by saying track limits don't apply in specific corners with gravel or whatever else they put down? If they lose a lot of time it doesn't really matter that their lap time gets deleted anyway. And if it did matter than it's their own fault for taking too much risk.

[@littleclum]

You mean the rule for pit lane infringements also being simple? You know, the one where Lewis, Max and Esteban all broke at various points during saturday? Come on, its simple - the white line rule is there for when there's no other way that a driver could suffer (gravel, grass, bumps/divets etc) and therefore not gain an advantage. Where Oscar went off was already strewn with gravel and dust - he did not gain an advantage doing so, in fact quite the opposite. We want a fair race, being anally retentative about a margin as fine as that, at a location on the track which was already punishing drivers for going off the white line (like the new gravel traps at Austria have been doing - of which Piastri was one example) does not justify enforcing an extra penalty simply because 'derp pedantry...'

[@paperplane-db8qf]

Also bringing gravel on the track lowers track grip and penalizes the drivers behind. It’s only fair that the driver who covers the track with gravel gets their lap deleted.

[@ayeeeitskev]

@@littleclumwe used to set track limits corner by corner and people had fits over how inconsistent it was…the white line rule is more simple and cut and dry than what you’re proposing, introducing subjectivity into what should be considered regarding track limits like “did they actually gain an advantage” makes the whole process more convoluted. i’d rather formula 1 drivers be punished for fine margins than have an interpretative approach to track limits…

[@Lilith2718]

I honestly, I still would argue that the track limits still should be enforced, even if there is something like gravel or that it doesn't give an advantage. Again have to just point out to the prior situation where it was super inconsistent and people complained about that. In this case probably should look into making the procedure of determining whether the car went over the white line more consistent and more documentation and not reliant on just one person.

[@RoysIdea]

Track limits were enforced through AI.

[@TinyMiniPixel]

Happy birthday, Matt!!! 🎉🎉🎉

[@martinprince8253]

Happy Matt, Birthday!!

[@berryesseen]

Pain1 with Matt and Tommy. Finally I understood the name of the channel.

[@phil4986]

That last turn on the straight has an odd bump, as you get to the apex, about a foot off the right side. That linear bump destabilzes the car once it gets to the apex. I saw one driver, I think it was Russell ,who induced a gorgeous oversteer moment into the car, right before that turn. He did this as he approached more centered to the turn then he would make it. The car drifted out in the back, and once he got the car aimed at the apex, he nailed the throttle and the car just launched directly at the apex, past where that bump was and drifted beautifully out, far down the track as it left the turn. Farther then if a standard line was used. That was some entertaining driving right there. The exit to the straight was pristine and he just gunned it to the line. Russell might do really great tomorrow.

[@valecasini]

Belated wishes :D and let's see what the race has in store!

[@scottking8189]

I found out that someone I knew from school is an aerodynamics engineer for f1. Crazy

[@AmericasChoice]

They must be very bright.

[@SIXITHS]

10:50 Matt: "Did he make time up absolutely not" 12:27 - "Obviously didn't gain any advantage" Reality - This was Oscar's fastest run through T6.

[@bipolarminddroppings]

They come out of Parc Ferme between the sprint and main qualifying now, btw. So yes, Redbull could make any changes they thought needed.

[@nhlonipho4628]

11:19, We complain about consistency most times in the sport. I think they have to stick to track limits irrespective to one gaining or losing time. So for the sake of consistency I’m happy with what they did.

[@wmorrison1967]

RB used the sprint data to fix the car for GP quali. They have really good tools

[@kyroseven]

Surprised Matt doesn't know about Parc Ferme being lifted between Sprint and Quali, it's the best change with the sprint weekends this season.

[@CohenBuckley]

Happy Birthday Matt!!! 🎉🎉🎉

[@Cloxxki]

PIA had his best turn 6, so there WAS an advantage, at least for him.

[@littlestan6625]

5:58 "what I'm thinking is..." *insert mid-roll*

[@justinpharand8454]

Max is a once in a generation talent. He's an F1 machine, designed to win at all costs.

[@Carlos-ln8fd]

Genius driver

[@gerardvanderhorst2066]

The FIA said that there would be no track limits at the corners which have now gravel traps. I do not understand why they still enforce them. You can watch the clip on youtube

[@rdspam]

Link?

[@gerardvanderhorst2066]

@@rdspam kzbin.info/www/bejne/jWiZgomdh7-mrsUsi=EpzJrYa3R0161xfB

[@Cloxxki]

Did anyone partake in Brundle's spint race drinking game? The drinking word was "grandprix". Recommended drink definitely non-alcoholic. Small sips as well.

[@billdexhart5179]

I think people who thought the championship was on were delusional. I was never in doubt and it was perfectly predictable that the few less dominant races were just a blip. That car is just that good in way more conditions than the others. And Max is good in it.

[@aardm4rk]

HBD Matt!

[@bram5825]

Limits are limits. This is the best way to make sure everyone plays by the same rules. Decide gravel is a deterrent and someone will find a way to be faster while hitting the gravel slightly somehow. White lines is the limit is the fairest way

[@sagittated]

Absolutely. As long as it's equally applied to everyone, it's fair. Saying, "aww it was so close and we all like Oscar so they should be able to let it go" is what would be unfair.

[@oysteinsoreide4323]

They could have gained advantage. Track limit is track limit. The gravel must be much more penalizing if it is going to be self policing thing. They clearly can get good laptimes even if they are a bit in the gravel. Then it doesn't hurt enough. Maybe the kerb should have been narrower and the gravel should start closer to the track in order to really have a self policing effect.

[@iwalnx]

Umm sorry but parc ferme is lifted after the sprint so red bull prolly just thought okey we should stop sand bagging now.

[@megalamanooblol]

Looked for this comment

[@simon9548]

Just move the white line 20cm further out so you cant go outside the white line without having your entire wheel in the gravel

[@AilinOGriobhtha]

Happy belated birthday Matthew hope you're not too raw this morning 🤣🤣🤣

[@chrishonor6435]

Just love the sprint weekend

[@RobertoRodriguez-fe2ts]

Ocon Revenge Era🔥🔥. Great laps

[@patrickmaguire3729]

Great Podcast again, watch you for years! Speaking sense unlike some!

[@joachimbambury6376]

Happy birthday Matt!

[@PatriciaOConnorBonsaiBalcony]

Happy Birthday, Matt!

[@AndreSomers]

8:10 no, they are *not* in parc fermé conditions. They can make changes now between the sprint and the qualifying now.

[@beast667]

I'm amazed RB is putting out those times with that rear wing 😮

[@sbrfalcon17]

I don't mind the sprint race earlier in the day, makes it a nice time for us in Australia (and adjacent times).

[@nicholassansone670]

Happy birthday Matt

[@FRPlayerOne]

No, off the track is off the track. Gravel or no gravel. Advantage or no advantage. Self policing or not. This isn't about being "punished", this is about staying on the racetrack. Everywhere, for everyone, at all time. One rule. Definitive period. 🙂

[@jordang9666]

Then why bother with having gravel there

[@FRPlayerOne]

@@jordang9666 Not having over 1000 track limits. It doesn't mean not caring or policing track limits at all like the rules doesn't exist.

[@jasonwoodward3697]

Matt this is all that Redbull non love you give out brother.

[@RockSolitude]

I've said it before and I'll say it again: Stroll is the reason why Aston Martin is going backwards with each "upgrade". All of the upgrades are designed around Stroll and his preferences and are primarily meant to get Stroll to go faster and to catch him up to his teammate. Stroll is the main one who does the simulator work, he tests the upgrades first and he often receives the upgrades first. Stroll is the one who dictates the development direction of the car and that direction is catering the car to him and trying to make him more competitive vs. his teammate. Stroll has a low performance ceiling. Instead of raising the performance ceiling of the car and making so more can be extracted from it by a driver who is capable of doing so, they lower it to where Stroll is so _he_ can get the most out of the car. Because when the performance ceiling of the car is much higher, he is miles off extracting all of the performance out of it while his teammate (Alonso) - who has a much higher performance ceiling and the ability to extract 100% out of a car with a much higher performance ceiling - will leave him behind in the dust. And when that happens, it makes neither Daddy Stroll or Nepobaby Stroll look good, competent or deserving of a seat in F1. It also means shareholders in the team start asking question and putting pressure on Stroll to perform.

[@Kermit-The-Smaug]

It’s really going to be hard getting rid of Danny ricc if he keeps finishing ahead of both yuki and Perez.

[@evanbland4011]

Today he missed out on Q3 by .015 😯 I was really hoping he made it. He made good adjustments on his breaking, so good progress 👍

[@someoneunseen5168]

True but yuki will get him next race and we will forget austria. The quali battle will be 8-3 and danny ric will have no leg to stand on.

[@dylanmonaghan3342]

I am starting to hate Tommy's takes on Danny RIc though the Yuki stan bias is so obvious and therefore really devalues any commentary he has. Its like he wants him to fail! where as I want both the vcarb boys to do well cause they are my team!

[@jakob.k_design]

I think it is fascinating how it is barely mentioned, that Perez is 0.8 second behind Max. At this point everybody just accepts him to be shit, but somehow he is still in the fastest (or second fastest) car.

[@KdenN1983]

I like the fact that Parc Ferme conditions are lifted after the sprint. This way sprint isn’t just a spoiler alert for the main race like last year. Though to be fair this weekend may not be a good example as it just made Max faster lol 😂

[@alicekoppenol-pitti6257]

Leclerc took to bouncing quite literally. It looked a bit silly when he dribbled over the kerbs.

[@siddhantdas33]

I have said this before and I will say it again - Sebastian Vettel was the differentiator in that team. His feedback was crucial for the development of the 2022 Aston Martin Car. After the first upgrade put on, post Alonso.. the car hasn't been the same - and well they are where they are now because of that.

[@johart309]

and there are two Parc ferme's one from SQ to the end of sprint race and then the second 'regular one' quali to the GP

[@Jobermeier36]

Happy Birthday!

[@ImThe5thKing]

10:47 that picture there makes it look like not track limits. I can see part of his tire touching the asphalt. Now, obviously we can't see the rear tire, but from that angle, that shouldn't be track limits

[@egg43002]

Totally agree with Tommy. No need to give penalties for track limits if you have gravel.

[@marco52631]

I much prefer the current Sprint format with having Sq then Sprint, then Quali and Race. The Sprint being in the morning means different tire temps than from Sunday afternoon, so it doesn't end up being a repeat on Sunday like it was last year. And having parc ferme re-open is MUCH better than it was. I don't have a problem with Sprint being followed with Quali give the above.

[@lukew6725]

Happy birthday Matty! 🥳

[@brianackerman2226]

Peter Windsor predicted RB changing the car for Austria.

[@mta1864]

Rules are rules. This is a sport which penalizes millimeter deflections of wings so why should the track limits be any different?. It's not farcical. Rather, it's the run off that needs tweaking. Move the gravel trap a few centimeters closer towards the track so that when all four wheels are off, the car is in the trap. Simple.

[@givemeabreak8784]

Good point from Tommy on the Aston Martin development plan.

[@ErickMcNerney]

What, the delusional take with absolutely no evidence?

[@paperplane-db8qf]

Yeah, brilliant take that they are purposely making the car slower and everyone’s willing to be fired, have their reputations ruined and be unemployable in F1 just for Stroll. 😂

[@russianmegabot5272]

4:00. Tommy cant be serious

[@philkakid5617]

The use of the term "upgrades" is a bit of a misnomer. A more accurate term would be "updates." How is it possible to describe the aerodynamic changes to Aston Martin and Williams as upgrades?

[@magb8632]

I think you should know by now that they can change the setups between sprint and qualifying because there is no parc ferme in between

[@billeib427]

Matt switch to Max and you and Tommy both can enjoy F1.

[@bipolarminddroppings]

This track is what an AI would produce from the prompt "Make an F1 track that is ideal for Max Verstappen". That's why he's ahead by 0.4sec.

[@terencevangaalen4127]

McLaren wouldn't risk giving up some speed in quali because it was so close that if you do that you can drop to P6, 7. Good luck with your race from there. They were just as fast as the day before, but Max kept taking off tenths from Q2 every lap. Max pulled away from Piastri, but would also have been able to pull a lead on Norris I'm sure in the sprint. Only DRS kept them close for a bit.

[@stanislawrybinski]

I feel that the thing Max unlocked in his Red Bull was time travel. What the what…how is it fckn possible that in q1 the spread p1-p19 is 6 tenths (+Zhou, slower) and in q3 Max is faster than Lando in p2 by 4 tenths? Insane.

[@Interesting00110]

3:21 to 4:20 needs to be made a short 😂. Brilliant

[@rdspam]

11:50 “I know rules are rules, but…”. “But” nothing - start ignoring rules “it’s not really that important” is not a road to go down. Selective rule enforcement is never a good idea. Can you imagine what F1/FIA would do with that? (for reference, just note the historical “it’s Ferrari, so…” decisions) Or, next up, “sure, the wing is flexing too much, but we don’t think it’s an advantage, so all is good”

[@shu6037]

funny thing is this track limits application started because redbull fans like tommy cried a river every race and used it to put dirt on lewis. and now they are criticising the rule they campaigned for.

[@erikkarlsson9843]

09:30 Tommy seeing the future again! :D

[@Kluck0816]

I hate Max. More than any driver in history. Why is he so fucking good?! Like, he's unbeatable, just completely unbeatable. You have to have the most perfect qualy, with the most perfect race to even touch him. God damn Mclaren to give me hope and then get destroyed by the best driver of all time!!

[@SWOTHDRA]

Max Emilian Verstappen, never forget that name, he will go down as one of the greatest of all time, top 5 for sore, maybe even top 3 or 2

[@y_fam_goeglyd]

Lol. Mate, and anyone reading this, just appreciate that you're living during a time when one of the GOATs is at his best. (I'm not going to argue about it, he's already proven it as far as I'm concerned.) It's difficult when you have a favourite driver or team, I get it, but you'll regret it later in life if you don't take time to let any awesome performance by anyone sink in. (Edit: I did get your joke btw, it was funny - and a tad poignant - I'm just talking generally and to anyone who reads this.) I'm sorry that I didn't live during Jim Clark's time (well, I did a bit, but I wasn't exactly old enough to see anything lol), but I've been watching F1 for about 50 years so I've seen some of the all-time greats. I know it's hard when you're a fan of someone specific, though! Pity me, the Damon fangirl 😂. I gave up having faves after he retired and I enjoy the races far more as a result. I can get emotional when someone gets a win that means a lot to them, like home wins such as Massa in Brazil & Charles in Monaco, and first timers like George in Brazil & Lando this year in Miami (a race which otherwise was dire! That should go!) I can get excited when there's a good fight, regardless of where it is in the pack. And at the end of each good or better still, great race, it doesn't matter who wins as long as it's the best guy on the day. Obviously I have a bit of a British bias, but then so will the Dutch for Max, the Spanish for Alonso & Sainz, etc. There's no shame in being proud of your fellow citizens (though it seems like Brits are not allowed to feel that way...). But my bias is not so strong that I can't appreciate any fine performance by anyone on the grid. Boring races are less dull if you're able to get into the only fight and it's between two back markers! Sometimes that will make it one of the best races in the season! (Minds have a natural bias for excitement, and some seasons have been dire 😂.) Enjoy the race tomorrow. Here's hoping for a cracker between the Orange Man and the Papaya Guys!

[@ddha0000]

its the car that is the best ever...........as shown, when Max does not have a big advantage, he is very beatable. he even has been beaten by Perez in the past which is a little embarrassing.

[@South4153]

@@ddha0000your comment is embarassing. as if perez was THIS bad. you‘re a joke

[@Bramfly]

Relax, enjoy the race craft and driving skills of Max, it’s an open competition so chances are there.

[@Nando_Lorris_04]

8:12 I believe Parc Ferme opens again after the sprint race, could be wrong

[@bharti9773]

Yes, your correct.

[@zlm001]

The gravel and the white line need to be closer together. The white line should be on the inside edge of the gravel and outside of the curb, or the white line could be on the outside edge of the gravel trap. Just move the white line closer and you don’t need to change the rules again.

[@OldBuford]

The track limit debate is a tough one. On one hand, i like that the lines provide a clear and consistent way of marshaling. On the other, does the line really need to be there to enforce in the first place if the cars will lose time if they go beyond the track and into an environment that slows them down? For the sake of clarity and consistency, i say just leave it alone. Its working as is and leaving it up to where there is or isnt environmental hazards runs the risk of muddying too many waters. Drivers will just have to be more mindful of where they are placing their cars and if not, take the L and move on.

[@rdspam]

Off the track can improve times at some corners - can anyone disagree with that? If not, do you really want the FIA to start corner-by-corner, thousandths of a second analysis of every foot of track? To decide where the regulations don’t apply? Or just follow the regs? Just follow the regs.

[@ljse_6102]

Just on Matt’s point about parc ferme, don’t the cars leave parc ferme conditions between the sprint race and gp qualifying, so red bull could have made all the changes. Could be mistaken

[@fetzie23]

Aston Martin’s upgrading the car reminds me of my attempts to improve the car setup in the F1 game, and only making it worse.

[@remnl]

8:10 the cars are not in/under parc ferme after de sprint race so they could make changes for the qualification.

[@PatriciaOConnorBonsaiBalcony]

Sprints are hard to get excited about, Also now the race is hard to be excited about. I'll get up early and watch in my jammies with my Morning cuppa when I don't already know how the race will go. Today bored the fuck out of me. How dare they?

[@jasonhenry9440]

Pertaining to the Alonso and Mercedes seat, at Japan gp around the time he resigned, he said that the Mercedes seat wasn't attractive and that Mercedes was below them, so at the start of the season with the first 4 races done, I don't think he wanted to go to Mercedes

[@sagittated]

And I think those comments probably ensured it was mutual.

[@paperplane-db8qf]

Alonso doesn’t want a competitive teammate. He’d have never accepted a Mercedes seat even if they were dominant and offered him $500m a season. He said himself he was offered contracts to be Vettel’s, Hamilton’s, Verstappens teammate during RB and Mercs title winning seasons.

[@Thermalions]

I'm wondering now what a night on the town looks like for Matt and Tommy.

[@WeirdBrick]

Surely the point of gravel traps was to get rid of the track limits. To have both was hilariously dumb by the FIA

[@rdspam]

The point was not to ignore the regulations, no.

[@paperplane-db8qf]

It’s not dumb. So many drivers were kicking up gravel onto the track. It’s good that they got their laps deleted. Gravel on track reduces track grip and hurts the drivers behind.

[@vanex16]

If any of you think the track limits is annoying just look up the offside entry coach’s challenge in the NHL. That is absolutely ridiculous, they call back goals because the entry to the zone, was offside by 1mm when you review the play game by frame.

[@rdspam]

So they dare to enforce the rules? How dastardly!

[@skywardgamer9080]

Wow I love P1 with Matt and Tommy!!!

[@Eliddinn]

I'm only here for Matt's reaction to leclerc 😃

[@davidgyarmati9637]

plus1 that, plus some ideas for what the hell is going on with AM and Alonso

[@WillowCreative]

charles i know you made a dark pact to win monaco this year but couldnt you have negotiated the terms a little better

[@BvG_Venom]

For some reason Haas always do their best in Austria. They're best finish of a 4-5 was here in 2018. They usually punch above their weight here.

[@Kiura_]

Honestly wouldn't be surprised if Alonso takes the first spec Car from the start of the Season he would at least fight for P8 again. But yeah something for sure has to change it can't be that you bring updates that make ur Car worse, sure it happened last week to VCar as well but those Guys don't even come close in terms of Investment of Staff and other things compared to Aston Martin

[@gk863]

Wish that FiA would make a cap on simulator so that some drivers wouldn't do it 24/7 cause that gives advantages

[@davidmaule8350]

Sprint changes. What if you still did regular sprint qualifying but only the fastest driver from each team participates in the sprint? Give points for all 10 competing cars, this would give potential for constructors championship swings at the bottom of the table and massive drivers championship swings. Also no team strategy means there is still an unknown element for the actual race. Also could lead to some real DTS content fuelling inner team rivalries. Just some thoughts.

[@xTriplexS]

Interesting

[@matthies1775]

Feel like this will snowball. So that the other driver will never get in.

[@davidmaule8350]

⁠@@matthies1775I mean maybe but that’s on the drivers, Perez should theoretically have the same chance at making it through as verstappen. We already pay attention to drivers out qualifying each other (saregeant Albon for example) it would just be that but intensified

[@TheRockyBalboa100]

Yeah I like the idea but it won't work in a season like 2021. Horner and Toto would order Perez and Bottas to slow down so that Max and Lewis are 100% guaranteed to fight for points

[@davidmaule8350]

@@TheRockyBalboa100 yeah this is probably true but with that said it’s already a reduced points haul so more likely for some drivers to put their foot down and disregard those orders also it would be exciting all the way through the pecking order down to haas and stake fighting for their points share.