2021 Russian Grand Prix - Sochi, Sep 24 - 26

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Are they allowed to change the engine in Parc Ferme for no reason? I thought parts needed to be damaged and that needs to be shown to the stewards?

last race Leclerc even changed to a newer sepecification under parc fermé, without a penalty. It needs stewards' approval, but seems to be no issue at all.

[nzjrs]

Brilliant move by Merc designed to slow down Max’s attempt at charging through the field.

Ruthless tactics.

Mercedes need to be careful, if they keep treating Bottas like this he won't stay with them next year!

[Gillian]

That might be true but I find it hard to believe that's the reasoning and don't really think it will make such a difference either. The gap between Bottas and Verstappen as drivers is too big for that. Again my opinion...

Strange tactics from Mercedes, but we will see what the race/remaining races will bring.

Edit: I was too slow but that's in response to giving Bottas an extra engine to run them harder.

[TimW]

Are they allowed to change the engine in Parc Ferme for no reason? I thought parts needed to be damaged and that needs to be shown to the stewards?

last race Leclerc even changed to a newer sepecification under parc fermé, without a penalty. It needs stewards' approval, but seems to be no issue at all.

I missed that one, but it is really weird they allowed it. Different specification part is normally a pit lane start. It you allow a different engine, why not a different wing....
I guess being in Italy played a role there

[ringo]

Its a good tactic.
It keeps verstappen off pole for the remaining races. And Bottas can just save P1 for lewis.
In this race he can just act as a road block for Max and frustrate him into taking a risky overtake.
Because of Max's grid penalty dors that man Bottas starts in front of Max?

[djones]

This talk of them giving BOT the penalty on purpose seems ridiculous to me.

I suspect he genuinely had an issue they were worried about.

If all they wanted him to do was drop back places and slow VER down he could have done that from from the front and just let people past.

My prediction for the race:

NOR
RIC
SAI

HAM will DNF with engine issues.

[JordanMugen]

It keeps verstappen off pole for the remaining races. And Bottas can just save P1 for lewis.

I don't follow why that would be the case. That does not make sense.

[TimW]

This talk of them giving BOT the penalty on purpose seems ridiculous to me.

I suspect he genuinely had an issue they were worried about.

If all they wanted him to do was drop back places and slow VER down he could have done that from from the front and just let people past.

My prediction for the race:

NOR
RIC
SAI

HAM will DNF with engine issues.

Yes I feel the same. Otherwise it is a risky move. Not being able to help Lewis might cost them the win, and first vs second is seven points, same difference as e.g. 6 vs 10th position for Max. So Bottas would need to do a really good job at holding up Max to give a benefit.

[darkpino]

Imo this puts Hungary in a different light. We’ll never know but Mercedes I becoming more shady every race

[Wouter]

[Stu]

Remember Spa and how they set a precedent? Be ready for another possible 3 lap circus.

I hope that they realized that it was a mistake, not setting a precedent...

Williams to gamble & fit a big rear wing for wet qualifying and pick up a win…..

Not a million miles away! A great qualifying session, the race is going to be very interesting at the start (Russia always is, due to the slipstream to T2). Could be fantastic, could be carnage. What is the short-range forecast for the race?

[dxpetrov]

Mercs starting to look a bit desperate ATM.

[Gillian]

It keeps verstappen off pole for the remaining races. And Bottas can just save P1 for lewis.

I don't follow why that would be the case. That does not make sense.

No it doesn't make sense at all indeed. Its not like Bottas is close to Verstappen so why the extra engine would make such a difference I don't know.

And that's not even taking into account engine modes must be set for qualifying and race. Its not like you can run an engine twice as hard for half the races. That's not how it works at all.

[michl420]

where can i find long run times?

[Wouter]

where can i find long run times?

https://www.fia.com/events/fia-formula- ... nformation