F1 Formula Sports Racing - Sportsbet.io promotions & discussion thread

[KTChampions]

I don't understand Mercedes' desire to challenge Verstappen's victory. Would they be satisfied with the Hamilton championship gained on the field of bureaucracy? In my opinion, this is a loss of face and a big marketing blunder. The whole season was filled with scandals and FIA mistakes (and many fans believe that most of the controversial decisions were made in favor of Hamilton), they must come to terms with this and prepare for the next season.

Well, they feel wronged and they want to do something about it so it is understandable the posture they have about this, however if as fans we were asked about what we prefer: the champion to be decided at the table or do we prefer the champion to be chosen on the last lap of the last race of the season?

And without a doubt most fans will choose the latter, besides Hamilton had won so many times in a row that the fans we are getting tired of it, so a new champion and all of this polemic can only benefit the sport as now fans will be excited to see how Hamilton responds to all of this during the next season.

That's what I'm talking about: it was the deliberately losing behavior of the Mercedes team. In both cases, they suffered reputational losses. Now their complaints look like excuses for losers, and if they could become champions on the field of bureaucracy, then just imagine what a storm of hatred they would receive from fans of other teams.

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[CLS63]

Mercedes did everything they could to see FIA correcting their mistakes about the last race but nothing has changed at the end of the day. And I think that the champion shouldn't have changed even if FIA found Mercedes rightful about this situation. Verstappen didn't have any role in these mistakes in the end. He just raced under the same conditions as the rest of the drivers. And considering the whole season, I think that Verstappen deserved the title even a little more than Hamilton as he got one more wins until that race. But I still think that they both deserved the title of course even though Verstappen became the winner.

[emrecemsan]

Hamilton is a driver whose talent level is way higher than Verstappen. And I don't think that some other driver will be able to break the records that Hamilton did for a long time period. The only reason why people support Verstappen who is an arrogant driver is that Hamilton has been dominating F1 for a long time and people just want a change.

[el kaka22]

The difference is that there could have been a very well and legal and following the rule book decision based on what we have and still let Max be on soft tires while Hamilton on hard and even give Max a bigger lead to win as well. How? Well, as soon as the safety car is out, let the cars unlap themselves, which would mean that in max of 2 laps all the cars would be on order right? You have Lewis ahead and Max right behind him, full fresh tires versus 40+ lap Hard compounds.

This would have given Max the win anyway, it would be the same result, and it would have been following the rule book, instead of just 4-5 cars allowed to unlap themselves, they just needed to do it a few laps back as soon as safety car was out. Then during 56th lap or so, you tell everyone that SC is going in next lap, just like you have to, and then during 57th start it would be 2 laps of full racing with everyone on order.

This would be allowed, would be correct by the rules and would give Max and Lewis to fight 2 laps and Max would get it anyway. So, "even if" this was whole done to give Max the championship, which I doubt Masi did that for this reason, it would still be better if they followed the rules and still give him a more legal win.

[delfastTions]

Hamilton is a driver whose talent level is way higher than Verstappen. And I don't think that some other driver will be able to break the records that Hamilton did for a long time period. The only reason why people support Verstappen who is an arrogant driver is that Hamilton has been dominating F1 for a long time and people just want a change.

I do not believe that Lewis Hamilton's talents as a driver far exceed Verstappen's.  Let's be objective - they are both bright stars in F1 races. 
But you are partly right.  Hamilton's endless victories in previous years, by the way, of course honestly deserved, are really already a little tired of spectators and racing fans.  They certainly want a change. 
It was in 2021 that such changes took place. 
But in any case, Max's victory is deserved and the whole season he was great, even despite the northern character and arrogance.  Which of course upsets some of the fans.

[coderben]

It looks like the first tests have already started for the 2022 season. But it is not with the new cars yet. The drivers are just trying new Pirelli tyres. And according to the schedule I've seen, Hamilton is not in it. Instead, George Russell is testing the new tyres. Lewis Hamilton must be still disappointed about FIA's decisions. And he is still angry at them most probably for not accepting that they didn't abide by the rules in the race. It cost Hamilton his title in the end.

[PawGo]

So... it is not the end yet. Mercedes will take it's time to prepare the file. Thursday afternoon is the deadline.
https://rmcsport.bfmtv.com/auto-moto/f1/gp-d-abu-dhabi-conforte-par-des-avocats-mercedes-pense-toujours-faire-invalider-le-resultat_AV-202112150175.html

And a live from Hamilton "This is getting manipulated man": https://twitter.com/f1newslive_/status/1470307943149195264

AFAIK if race is cancelled, the title goes to Verstappen anyway, as he had more victories, right?

[NeuroticFish]

AFAIK if race is cancelled, the title goes to Verstappen anyway, as he had more victories, right?

Yep, because the win at SPA 
What a fiasco was this year's decisions

And this goes for all those telling that the result was unfair:


source: Twitter

It looks like the first tests have already started for the 2022 season. But it is not with the new cars yet. The drivers are just trying new Pirelli tyres. And according to the schedule I've seen, Hamilton is not in it. Instead, George Russell is testing the new tyres. Lewis Hamilton must be still disappointed about FIA's decisions. And he is still angry at them most probably for not accepting that they didn't abide by the rules in the race. It cost Hamilton his title in the end.

I've read that Williams and Aston Martin are also testing. You have to see Seb's helmet 

[xzone]

Maybe he didn't become the champion this year, but Lewis Hamilton was honored with a big award. He was knighted by Prince Charles at a ceremony at Windsor Castle. The British driver became the fourth Formula 1 driver to be knighted, after Stirling Moss, Jackie Stewart and Jack Brabham.
He won a similar award when he became champion for the first time in 2008




Source: https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article.seven-time-f1-champion-sir-lewis-hamilton-knighted-at-windsor-castle.5tY9cYG8dFe6nqLsYD1YQ4.html

[Koal-84]

Hamilton is a driver whose talent level is way higher than Verstappen. And I don't think that some other driver will be able to break the records that Hamilton did for a long time period. The only reason why people support Verstappen who is an arrogant driver is that Hamilton has been dominating F1 for a long time and people just want a change.

I do not believe that Lewis Hamilton's talents as a driver far exceed Verstappen's.  Let's be objective - they are both bright stars in F1 races. 
But you are partly right.  Hamilton's endless victories in previous years, by the way, of course honestly deserved, are really already a little tired of spectators and racing fans.  They certainly want a change. 
It was in 2021 that such changes took place. 
But in any case, Max's victory is deserved and the whole season he was great, even despite the northern character and arrogance.  Which of course upsets some of the fans.

I think like them, Hamilton is certainly an exceptional talent but Verstappen beat Hamilton with hard work and an inferior car (even if some maneuvers were hard). In another team, for example Ferrari, Hamilton probably would not have won the 7 world championship titles. Objectively and the Constructors titles (8 in a row) show Mercedes was the undisputed number one for the last 8 years and no one but Mercedes themselves could beat them. The last real competitor of Hamilton in the same car was Rosberg.

[emrecemsan]

Hamilton is a driver whose talent level is way higher than Verstappen. And I don't think that some other driver will be able to break the records that Hamilton did for a long time period. The only reason why people support Verstappen who is an arrogant driver is that Hamilton has been dominating F1 for a long time and people just want a change.

I do not believe that Lewis Hamilton's talents as a driver far exceed Verstappen's.  Let's be objective - they are both bright stars in F1 races. 
But you are partly right.  Hamilton's endless victories in previous years, by the way, of course honestly deserved, are really already a little tired of spectators and racing fans.  They certainly want a change. 
It was in 2021 that such changes took place. 
But in any case, Max's victory is deserved and the whole season he was great, even despite the northern character and arrogance.  Which of course upsets some of the fans.

I think like them, Hamilton is certainly an exceptional talent but Verstappen beat Hamilton with hard work and an inferior car (even if some maneuvers were hard). In another team, for example Ferrari, Hamilton probably would not have won the 7 world championship titles. Objectively and the Constructors titles (8 in a row) show Mercedes was the undisputed number one for the last 8 years and no one but Mercedes themselves could beat them. The last real competitor of Hamilton in the same car was Rosberg.

Frankly, I don't agree with this point of view. I would like to know the reason why you think that Mercedes' car is better than Red Bull's this year. Besides, Hamilton managed to leave his superstar teammate Alonso behind in his rookie season. But he lost the championship to Raikkonen. When I look at Hamilton's career, I can say that he and Michael Schumacher are the most talented drivers.

[justdimin]

Engines are not changing as far as I know, which means that Mercedes will definitely be the fastest car, they will obviously need to do some tinkering around the car for sure but in the end we are talking about Mercedes here and with this hybrid era they have been doing insanely good of a job and Hamilton will get his 8th title next season if you ask me.

Lewis probably doesn't feel like he needs to do testing or other smaller stuff, even Russel didn't need to do that, many teams have lower level talent for that, like for example Red Bull uses Albon for most tests and sim testing and all that, same could have been done by many teams. Vettel on the other hand was testing it himself, which I am assuming it will not be that much of a difficult for him and he just wanted to have some fun. Next season will definitely be very very different in many aspects.

[coinlocket$]

And this goes for all those telling that the result was unfair:

This was obviously done by a fan of Max or of red bull.

Strangely missing is the fact that the Redbull raced throughout the first part of the championship with an irregular front wing and a rear wing that flexed over the limit.

They are not saints either and it would be ignorant to deny it, they decided to give it to Max on the last lap, not giving Lewis a chance.

No, I'm not a Hamilton fan.

[delfastTions]

...
When I look at Hamilton's career, I can say that he and Michael Schumacher are the most talented drivers.

As far as talent goes, Michael Schumacher is undeniably the best F1 driver ever.  It is a pity that this misfortune happened to him.  As for Hamilton, especially with such an excellent car, I would not put him on a par with Schumacher.  Hamilton and the still young Verstappen are still racers with approximately the same abilities and talents, and this was clearly demonstrated by the last season.  Although both of them are certainly superstars.

[NeuroticFish]

This was obviously done by a fan of Max or of red bull.

Strangely missing is the fact that the Redbull raced throughout the first part of the championship with an irregular front wing and a rear wing that flexed over the limit.

They are not saints either and it would be ignorant to deny it, they decided to give it to Max on the last lap, not giving Lewis a chance.

No, I'm not a Hamilton fan.

Indeed, it was done by a fan of Max. I've took it only because it's more complete than I could make a list. And I agree that's biased and far from 100% complete.
The point/problem is that there were far too many judging mistakes this season... and not only this one, actually, just the number of mistakes may have reached a threshold this time.

On the other hand, the 2 news are:
1. Starting next year Masi will not be reachable by the team principals during the race
2. FIA will review the events from the Abu Dhabi race.

[CLS63]

Mercedes decided to withdraw their last appeal and I wasn't surprised by it. FIA weren't going to acknowledge Mercedes to be right anyway. In this sport, we shouldn't see this kind of incidents. FIA are making this sport seem worse when they make such decisions. They should act without favouring any side. This was definitely a big disrespect to Mercedes that they didn't even care about their point. Maybe they will "review" their decision but it wouldn't change anything probably.

[delfastTions]

1. Starting next year Masi will not be reachable by the team principals during the race

They finally figured out that such negotiations are generally unacceptable for fair competition.  It is very good that such a decision is being made.  The last talks of the Mercedes boss in Abu Dhabi, when he emotionally shouted "no, no, no ...!"  (as I read the transcript of the negotiations) this is completely unacceptable. 
So dictating the refereeing is like in football, the head coach will go up to the referee and say "no, dear, you all miscalculated this goal. "  It's just insanity.
 
In short, the correct decision.

[PawGo]

Mercedes decided to withdraw their last appeal and I wasn't surprised by it. FIA weren't going to acknowledge Mercedes to be right anyway. In this sport, we shouldn't see this kind of incidents. FIA are making this sport seem worse when they make such decisions. They should act without favouring any side. This was definitely a big disrespect to Mercedes that they didn't even care about their point. Maybe they will "review" their decision but it wouldn't change anything probably.

Guessing by your nickname, I believe you are really disappointed
But yes, too much politics. Probably(?) decision would be different if there were more than 1-2 laps left - then overlapped cars would not be a problem for Max (on a new tyres).
Anyway I think that decision about Spa was worst - they just stole fans' money.

[rdbase]

Mercedes decided to withdraw their last appeal and I wasn't surprised by it. FIA weren't going to acknowledge Mercedes to be right anyway. In this sport, we shouldn't see this kind of incidents. FIA are making this sport seem worse when they make such decisions. They should act without favouring any side. This was definitely a big disrespect to Mercedes that they didn't even care about their point. Maybe they will "review" their decision but it wouldn't change anything probably.

Guessing by your nickname, I believe you are really disappointed
But yes, too much politics. Probably(?) decision would be different if there were more than 1-2 laps left - then overlapped cars would not be a problem for Max (on a new tyres).
Anyway I think that decision about Spa was worst - they just stole fans' money.

Luckily Sportsbet.io seemed to agree with those sediments and decided to payout those who took Hamilton as the winner on their betslips as described in this from the Sportsbet.io Ann thread just a little while ago:

-snip-
Also, on some other news.. for all you Formula 1 fans out there.. It has no doubt been a pretty huge couple of days after the fall out of the last race of the season.  

We certainly saw a season that will go down in history as one of the best ever, regardless of your favorite drivers and opinions of events.  

Our Sportsbet Director Joe Mac had no hesitation in choosing to payout all bets as winners for both  Lewis and Max Race Winner and F1 Drivers Championship market.  

Hoping some of you were on those markets!

regards,

Steve.
Sportsbet.io

[tygeade]

Indeed, it was done by a fan of Max. I've took it only because it's more complete than I could make a list. And I agree that's biased and far from 100% complete.
The point/problem is that there were far too many judging mistakes this season... and not only this one, actually, just the number of mistakes may have reached a threshold this time.

This is the biggest case here, this is the biggest reason why Max fans do not care about what happened at the last race and how Max got the win. If it was fair all season long and FIA gave decent rulings for the both side then it will be fine. Even if you can say that Max got some favorable ruling "as well", that just shows that FIA gives ruling willy nilly without caring about the rule book, if Max got favorable rulings that is wrong as well and here is the proof that Hamilton got it too, it is just that FIA was never strict and always gave wrong decision that was constantly complaint and they never fixed themselves.

The season would have been over before the last race if Hamilton got the punishments he deserved or Max did, but they were doing it for TV so they kept it close. All in all the last one was bad but it wasn't the only one at all.