In the round-up: Lewis Hamilton criticises F1 drivers who described parts of the Baku circuit as unsafe.
Links
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Lewis Hamilton says Baku street circuit in Azerbaijan rewards bravery (BBC)
"I am well happy. One thing for sure, these drivers they moan so much about so many things. I guarantee you."
Lewis Hamilton leaves ‘moaners’ behind during Baku’s teething problems (The Guardian)
"These guys want it to be smooth, smoother than ever, no vibrations and no bumps. They want to take all the character and life out of these tracks."
Button: Nothing has changed in my mind (Crash)
"Nothing has changed in my mind. Formula One is a dangerous sport, we all know that, but some dangers are unnecessary."
Pirelli evaluating minimum tyre pressures change (Motorsport)
Lewis Hamilton: "They pumped up the rears to 22psi, which is the highest we've ever had for any tyre, which is ridiculous. As long as there are no blow-ups, we'll do what we can with that."
Perez hopeful Force India's P3 pace is genuine (F1i)
"I knew coming here that new places like this offer good opportunity before everyone gets used to it. This weekend can offer a strong possibility to achieve a great result."
Ferrari and Red Bull target Baku breakthrough after Friday struggles (Sky)
Sebastian Vettel: "The speed wasn't quite there so we'll have a look and see but I think we will be in a better position tomorrow."
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Social media
Notable posts from Twitter, Instagram and more:
I was in Regent Street when F1 cars ran in London in 2004, and the layout was wider than this middle section in Azerbaijan (!) #EuropeGP
— Sean Kelly (@virtualstatman) June 17, 2016
Hamilton reports 'a lot of beeping in my ears'. Is he listening to Vettel's radio? #F1 #EuropeGP
— RaceFans (@racefansdotnet) June 17, 2016
Night time coming-up in Baku. Incredible work achieved here to build all circuit like a permanent one !!!!! pic.twitter.com/1tL91opF18
— Jean-Paul Driot (@jpdriot) June 17, 2016
Ya han repintado la linea d entrada a boxes. Más cerrada y más larga. La antigua es la repintada gris d la derecha pic.twitter.com/CrGRWqEfNC
— Albert Fabrega (@AlbertFabrega) June 17, 2016
#lemans24 saludos!!! 😬
alessandroalunnibravi #pastormaldonado #i #love #top #racing https://t.co/9vMB1yw8Jo— Pastor Maldonado NFT (@Pastormaldo) June 17, 2016
- Find more official F1 accounts to follow in the F1 Twitter Directory
Comment of the day
What do you think of the Baku City Circuit? Here’s @Scottie view, join in the poll here to add yours:
We can’t knock F1 for trying such a relatively adventurous track. To do so would impose more Tilke Cutter race tracks upon ourselves. Despite the long straights, I hope we see a great race with some old-school close quarters racing on what looks to be an old-school track.
One final thought. I fear that final kink onto the main straight is yet to show us it’s teeth. Every time I see the cars go through there, it makes me think of another fearsome corner we have in Australia, turn eight at Adelaide, another street circuit that can show you who’s boss!
@Scottie
Happy birthday!
Happy birthday to Chris P and Jh1806!
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On this day in F1
Denny Hulme, the tenth driver to win the world championship, was born on this day 80 years ago.
Cris
18th June 2016, 0:07
I just hope that when he accidentally kiss the wall on sunday, he won’t moan as usual.
Woody (@woodyd91)
18th June 2016, 0:25
Surely you mean
“I just hope that “IF” he accidentally kiss the wall on sunday, he won’t moan as usual.”
If not, why would you hope any driver crashes into a solid concrete wall?
Cris
18th June 2016, 8:03
I guess it is understood what I meant becuase no one in their right mind will kiss the wall on purpose, but in regards to the track, it is almost certain that one or two cars will hit the wall because of the very tight corners. I just hope nobody gets hurt.
Aaron
18th June 2016, 10:25
Of course Lewis will moan, that’s all he ever he does when things don’t go to his liking! He’s a spoilt brat! :)
Sun Siyuan (@peking901)
19th June 2016, 5:11
＋1
icemangrins (@icemangrins)
18th June 2016, 15:46
By the way he did kiss the wall. Welcome back grumpy Lewis. That didn’t last long.
gunusugeh (@gunusugeh)
18th June 2016, 15:02
He kissed it already !! LOL
Fer no.65 (@fer-no65)
18th June 2016, 0:20
Yesterday he was asking why they didn’t make tracks like they used to do, now “they are all moaning about everything”.
In any case, I rather have different opinions with arguments than calling others “moaners” because they don’t agree with you. Besides, most of them are talking about safety aspects, like the pit lane entrance.
Hamilton said he doesn’t do track walks, so maybe he’s lacking that point of view. He said he’s not been doing them since 2010 and it never affected his preparation for each weekend, but I’m sure there are a lot of safety aspects, unrelated to driving, which can be seen better while walking the track, rather than driving around it at 200 mph…
KeeleyObsessed (@keeleyobsessed)
18th June 2016, 0:49
” Yesterday he was asking why they didn’t make tracks like they used to do, now “they are all moaning about everything”. ”
Exactly my thoughts. Hamilton doesn’t do himself many favours when he does stuff like this. Shame, as he’s one of the best drivers out there..
beneboy (@beneboy)
18th June 2016, 1:25
“These guys they want it to be smooth like, smoother than ever, no vibrations and no bumps. They want to take all the character out of these tracks.”
So he’s not talking about the layout, as he was yesterday, he’s talking about the bumps, and if you read the full comment, he’s being consistant as he wants to retain the sorts of bumps and vibrations you’d get at a traditional street circuit.
It also clearly states that he agreed with the other drivers about the safety problems with the pit entry.
Cris
18th June 2016, 8:10
Exactly…
I guess Lewis is a bit under the weather for having Beiber Fever and thinks that he is the almighty driver and the rockstar of F1… no pitwalk… no moaning… no halo…, I guess maybe put him in the shoes of Bianci family or drive Mclaren nowadays so he should have more respect for safety and be thankful that he is on an almighty car that MADE him win and respect other drivers opinion.
Blazz
18th June 2016, 8:47
Nothing like early morning Hamilton bashing to get your weekend going eh Cris? Some friendly advice, stop being so bitter about the triple champ for no apparent reason- unless of course there is a justified reason?
Peppermint-Lemon (@)
18th June 2016, 10:18
His arrogance and aloof nature are the primary reasons for the dislike many have against Hamilton (myself included). Having met Hamilton face to face I can tell you with 100% certainty that the nice lad of 2007 has been superseded by an arrogant, rude hypocrite that people find it increasingly difficult to warm to. Shame really as I used to like him.
Stubborn Swiss (@stubbornswiss)
18th June 2016, 10:48
‘Arrogant, rude hypocrite’……. now thats some strong stuff.
Please tell us where and when you met Hamilton, and what sort of personal interaction you actually had with him, to justify such a poisonous statement.
Cheers.
lockup (@)
18th June 2016, 12:05
Given that he’s neither arrogant nor aloof @peppermint-lemon, I find the rest of your internet claim less than persuasive. “I used to be like him until x” is an old technique generally used in suspicious circumstances.
Ibrahim (@ibrahim)
18th June 2016, 14:59
A motorsports driver that doesn’t do a track walk. Mind bogglng. Somehow he makes it work, will bite him in the tail one day.
Woody (@woodyd91)
18th June 2016, 0:22
I’m not sure how I feel about this one, on one hand I’m with Button with the safety of the drivers, only really in a couple of corners but the danger is there, especially in turns 8 and 9 where on the opening lap if a car at the front or midfield gets it wrong there could be a massive pile up. On the other hand I’m with Hamilton as well, the track has character and is a challenge, tight in areas like Monaco but with some serious speed, cars look amazing in turn 16 through to 20, massively fast, the cars are jumping on the main straight with the bumps making turn one really tricky.
Tough one.
Philip (@philipgb)
18th June 2016, 0:39
When Hamilton spoke out against the halo or aero screen I couldn’t agree with him, the drivers head being exposed is a passive risk where any number of fluke events could see a fatal injury regardless of driver skill.
But in terms of tracks like this and Monaco I’m with him. The accelerator pedal isn’t an on off switch, it is entertaining seeing the drivers measure their balls at events like these or the Isle of Man TT. A driver can sit it out if it’s too risky, or drive within their limits if they can’t handle the risk.
I don’t like this track, I think it’s too narrow for a race. But I can see qualifying being breathtaking.
Alex W
18th June 2016, 3:42
Problem is no F1 driver will lift the loud pedal just to save his life, they may do it to take a corner better, but not to save their own lives, they just dont have time or luxury to think rationally when in the car racing.
Lee (@leejo)
18th June 2016, 2:31
Someone’s going to get killed there.
ruliemaulana (@ruliemaulana)
18th June 2016, 4:15
Back to glory days then. Let’s hope no one moaning when its happen.
Sravan Krishnan (@sravan-pe)
18th June 2016, 6:35
I can foresee a mega pile-up at that castle…
Mark (@aumarcus)
18th June 2016, 7:24
I cant…..the speed is just too slow through there…..what i can see is one car completely blocking the track…..and a red flag.
drrapg (@drrapg)
18th June 2016, 11:09
don’t say that…. had a dream (bad dream) the other night about Felipe Massa crashing and dying, it was so vivid that it was really scary.
hahostolze (@hahostolze)
18th June 2016, 8:13
Don’t see the problem, really. The dangers aren’t that big, the only concern for me is the lack of cranes. Too big a chance of red flags. But dangerous? Nah. Especially people moaning about that castle section. Even if there is a pile-up on the first lap, the speeds are so slow there, nobody will be hurt. It’s like a pile-up at Mirabeau, more comical than dangerous.
ColdFly F1 (@)
18th June 2016, 8:21
“they moan so much about so many things. I guarantee you.”
This must be a Trump quote ;)
Adam (@rocketpanda)
18th June 2016, 8:43
Hamilton moans as much, if not more than the others. Then again I suppose it’s easy to dismiss other’s concerns when you know you will be on the front row with a scruffy lap.
I’m not keen on the track. It looks pretty but I can’t help but feel it’ll be one long procession punctuated by safety cars.
I hope I’m wrong.
Simphiwe (@simphiwe458)
18th June 2016, 9:05
Off topic. Iv been looking at the specs on the front running le mans and most of them are running really complex and advanced engines which is cool. Im glad Formula 1 left the dinosaur V8 engines
hahostolze (@hahostolze)
18th June 2016, 9:17
The GP 2 race is truly epic. It is a great track for it. The 90 degree corners make for decent overtaking, you know.
Chris
18th June 2016, 9:28
Nice one Lewis – endearing himself to other drivers and to neutral fans as always!
The point he is missing is that a circuit can be a challenge without being outright dangerous!
Gravel traps / grass next to corners make it challenging and penilise errors. Tarmac at the edge means they can take more risks as no penalty for getting it wrong.
Here, we are talking 200mph with hardly any run offs. Yes its like Monaco but Twice as fast! Cars doing u-turns into oncoming traffic!
It really is recipe for disaster and the FIA are doing their usual hope it doesnt happen rather than making sure it doesnt (like with Bianchi).
Imagine Alonso’s Melbourne accident around here!
But yeh – stop moaning!
Gigantor (@kbdavies)
18th June 2016, 11:37
Ask yourself Chris: Why does Lewis have to endear himself to “neutral” fans or other drivers? Is it too much for you understand that he probably does not need the acceptance and approval of others, like you and most of the world does?
Think about that.
Mulsanne (@mulsanne)
18th June 2016, 9:28
Just shut up and drive man
rantingmrp (@rantingmrp)
18th June 2016, 10:11
People should read up on the context of the Hamilton comments before lambasting him when it is clear that most articles online are quoting him way out of context. Perhaps only The Guardian captured the actual context of the ‘moaning’ remarks – Lewis wasn’t referring to safety, he was talking about the layout and the bumpiness of the track, which some drivers had apparently complained about.
https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2016/jun/17/f1-baku-lewis-hamilton
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
18th June 2016, 10:31
@rantingmrp The reason I put that link and the others in these articles is because I expect people are going to go and read them.
David Not Coulthard (@davidnotcoulthard)
18th June 2016, 10:49
@keithcollantine I think the above vommenter`s only saying that through no fault of yours peeople comment without having read the articles. I usually don`t bother myaelf but I often don`t comment on only the headlines anyway
Gigantor (@kbdavies)
18th June 2016, 11:40
@rantingmrp
“People should read up on the context of the Hamilton comments before lambasting him”
Now you are asking for too much. Even if they read the whole article, and had a professor emeritus explain it to them, they would still employ considerable mental gymnastics to spin it out of context. It is Lewis we are speaking about after all.
Robbie (@robbie)
18th June 2016, 12:28
I’m sure LH’s comments, in context, are not as bad as some are making them out. Is he fully appreciating the context of the ‘moaners’ though? Has he talked with them to try to understand their viewpoint as we are being asked to understand what LH is saying? I think probably not or there wouldn’t be this generic ‘moaners’ comment.
RandyK
18th June 2016, 15:02
Lewis just hit the wall during in Q3… this is a very tricky ciircuiit. Come race day it will be very busy. Jenson is right.
Baron (@baron)
18th June 2016, 15:10
Who posted something about Lewis & “Karma?” You nailed it. Never mess with the Gods of Karma or even Murphy for that matter…
Ricardo
19th June 2016, 11:21
Anyhow, it is a circuit that does not looks like F1.
I miss real ones like Suzuka, SPA, monza, imola and many more!