spectator
Anarchist
I'm going to chime in but it may not be popular here. I've watched every race this season, including all of the F2 races and have been a F1 fans since I was a little kid. My first time in paddock (@Spa in 1989) when a sailing sponsor that also sponsored F1 invited me (it was amazing, Senna in the rain!).
Surely there is merit when saying Charlie Whiting (RIP) is sorely missed. I think we would have had all watched a very different '21 season/championship if he was still around but he's not and instead we had Masi as the PRO. I think it was pretty messed up by race officials with the mixed radio communication giving out info during the safety car/while cars pitting, saying cars will stay as they are and no passing the safety car (really pissing off some drivers/teams off that assumed the typical standard scenario). That then set off new tactical decisions for the teams and drivers informed on what to do with that directive (including Ham), then all of a sudden that directive gets dramatically changed at the last minute and drivers told that cars can pass safely car with no cars between Ham & Max. That was pretty messed up and teams were left confused, scratching their heads just as the race was getting ready to start. (this is the very last lap of the Championships!) But it wasn't too surprising either based on the way this whole season has been governed.
Having said all that, Ham owned that last lap, had a great start and looked solid, until he didn't, he left the door very wide open in the exact same place where Max passed him earlier (controversially) when he had first left that door open. I would say that's where the Championship race was lost in that one corner on the last lap. Of course there were lots of times where mistakes, incidents and mess up's....etc on both sides that brought the two tied going into this last race but I think if Ham didn't leave the door open like that, then Max would of had much less opportunity to pass for the win. I think it was a fail on Ham's part not protecting what he owned on the track and invited Max to do it. Of course his tires could have been totally cooked (max had fresh ones) and couldn't go in tight and hold the turn but I think he should have done a better job protecting a spot that Max had just utilized just a few laps earlier, Ham didn't stick his arms out wide enough and closing opportunities; it was like he thought Max was going to give up and not do anything. To me it was a WTF moment, among all the other wtf moments.
Sadly, I have to say I'm glad this season is over. What a mess of a season, with all the controversies, polarization of fans screaming out ugly & ludicrous rants at each other, lack of good PRO direction that happened well before this race, the team management of the two top teams playing games, ugly politics, manipulation and finger pointing at each other really lowered the level of what could have been an amazing season of pure F1 racing (as a sport) between two greats, for us fans to watch; instead it was a traveling circus show act; both teams are guilty of that. Someone really needs to get FIA & F1's house in order before the next season starts.
Bad PRO's can really effect the sporting quality of a competition.
PS: I feel bad for Latifi, he must be feeling gutted, sadly his name will be infamously remembered and mentioned for the years to come whenever the Max-Ham finale discussion comes up.
Surely there is merit when saying Charlie Whiting (RIP) is sorely missed. I think we would have had all watched a very different '21 season/championship if he was still around but he's not and instead we had Masi as the PRO. I think it was pretty messed up by race officials with the mixed radio communication giving out info during the safety car/while cars pitting, saying cars will stay as they are and no passing the safety car (really pissing off some drivers/teams off that assumed the typical standard scenario). That then set off new tactical decisions for the teams and drivers informed on what to do with that directive (including Ham), then all of a sudden that directive gets dramatically changed at the last minute and drivers told that cars can pass safely car with no cars between Ham & Max. That was pretty messed up and teams were left confused, scratching their heads just as the race was getting ready to start. (this is the very last lap of the Championships!) But it wasn't too surprising either based on the way this whole season has been governed.
Having said all that, Ham owned that last lap, had a great start and looked solid, until he didn't, he left the door very wide open in the exact same place where Max passed him earlier (controversially) when he had first left that door open. I would say that's where the Championship race was lost in that one corner on the last lap. Of course there were lots of times where mistakes, incidents and mess up's....etc on both sides that brought the two tied going into this last race but I think if Ham didn't leave the door open like that, then Max would of had much less opportunity to pass for the win. I think it was a fail on Ham's part not protecting what he owned on the track and invited Max to do it. Of course his tires could have been totally cooked (max had fresh ones) and couldn't go in tight and hold the turn but I think he should have done a better job protecting a spot that Max had just utilized just a few laps earlier, Ham didn't stick his arms out wide enough and closing opportunities; it was like he thought Max was going to give up and not do anything. To me it was a WTF moment, among all the other wtf moments.
Sadly, I have to say I'm glad this season is over. What a mess of a season, with all the controversies, polarization of fans screaming out ugly & ludicrous rants at each other, lack of good PRO direction that happened well before this race, the team management of the two top teams playing games, ugly politics, manipulation and finger pointing at each other really lowered the level of what could have been an amazing season of pure F1 racing (as a sport) between two greats, for us fans to watch; instead it was a traveling circus show act; both teams are guilty of that. Someone really needs to get FIA & F1's house in order before the next season starts.
Bad PRO's can really effect the sporting quality of a competition.
PS: I feel bad for Latifi, he must be feeling gutted, sadly his name will be infamously remembered and mentioned for the years to come whenever the Max-Ham finale discussion comes up.
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