F1 Zorg & Badger GP Fantasy Grand Prix 2017

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Sebastian Vettel’s engine problem in qualifying was a major blow on the face of it but there is a silver lining.

Ferrari have introduced a fifth internal combustion engine, turbo and MGU-H (hybrid recovery unit from the turbo). It means a 20-place penalty but that’s irrelevant when he’s starting from the back anyway.

It also means he has fresher engine parts with which to finish the season than title rival Lewis Hamilton.

 

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Lewis Hamilton, speaking during the drivers' parade: "I need to win today."

On going 'wheel to wheel' with Vettel: "You're asking a question I don't feel the need to answer. I'm just focusing on my goal. I'm where I am and I'm focusing on that. It'd be perfect for our team, sponsors and amazing crowd. It'd be history today."

 

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8:09
Max hoping for 'no sandwich'
Yesterday's birthday boy Max Verstappen: "Hopefully I have a clean start, no sandwich afterwards, and then a good race. The ideal birthday present is winning - yesterday was quite a good present, so hopefully points today.

"I want to have a clean race. If I finish fourth or fifth, and that's the best I can do, I can accept it. i just want a clean race. If it's podium, then great.

On the weather: "Oh, it's great, lovely! In the wet, we will be very competitive. Even in the dry, we can have a good race. I’m not sure we’re fast enough to win the race but in the long run, we’re good on our tyres. Hopefully it will rain again."

 

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8:37
The pit lane is open and the drivers head out onto the grid.

The track is drying out pretty quickly after a fair bit of rain fell a couple of hours ago. The humidity plays a massive part in that.

There could yet be more rain during the race, however.

 

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'Hamilton. He can afford to lose'

“He can afford to lose,” Ricciardo said. “He can afford to come third, fourth. If he finishes in front of Seb, it's a win. I don't know where they are on engines as well, I don't think they're going to run to the top for the whole race. I think they will have to be conservative for their sake, especially if they're in a podium position and Seb's still seventh or whatever. So it could bring the whole race towards us.”

 

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Summary

1. Raikkonen's Ferrari being worked on frantically on the grid.
2. Race at 08:00 BST - Lewis Hamilton on pole, Raikkonen 2nd.
3. Track drying after earlier rain.

 

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8:55
It just gets worse for Ferrari!

Kimi Raikkonen is being wheeled off the track with just five minutes to go.

It'll be a pitlane start for the Finn. If he even gets going at all.
This is critical moments for Ferrari. Kimi Raikkonen was recording on the radio that he had no energy in the battery. It's not ideal.

On the plus side for Ferrari, that's Vettel up to 19th.

 

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Max Verstappen is in the mood and he spots on opportunity to attack Lewis Hamilton... and he takes it! He glides past the Briton down the inside at Turn 1 and is into the lead.

It's like a Sunday afternoon drive through the countryside for Max Verstappen. He is all by himself in the lead, seven seconds ahead of Lewis Hamilton.

 

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Max Verstappen is in the mood and he spots on opportunity to attack Lewis Hamilton... and he takes it! He glides past the Briton down the inside at Turn 1 and is into the lead.

It's like a Sunday afternoon drive through the countryside for Max Verstappen. He is all by himself in the lead, seven seconds ahead of Lewis Hamilton.

 

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Lewis Hamilton may have Daniel Ricciardo closing in on him but his real concern will be Sebastian Vettel's pace.
The Ferrari is still sixth but has just put in the fastest lap of the race so far.

Battle for third
Daniel Ricciardo has powered away from Valtteri Bottas with the Finn 13 seconds behind the Red Bull.
Valtteri Bottas seems to be really struggling. He's dropped off as the season has gone on.

Seeing the Mercs struggle.....this would have been Kimi's race to lose had he started!

 

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Fernando Alonso muscles his way past Kevin Magnussen to get into 13th.

"What an idiot," says Alonso. "Hulkenberg is right."

The K-Mag hardly Mr Popular with some drivers it seems.

That incident between Fernando Alonso and Kevin Magnussen has been noted by race stewards.

 

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Max Verstappen is cruising towards a second career win in Formula 1. The Red Bull is eight seconds ahead of Lewis Hamilton.
What a birthday present this would be for the 20 year old.

Don't want to be THAT guy who jinxes @Max33Verstappen's race, but this guy is having a great birthday weekend! Finish it!

 

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Max Verstappen adds another second to his advantage over Lewis Hamilton. Nine seconds between the two now.

Not many battles in the offing on the track at the moment.

 

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Get Involved

Text 81111

The fact that Vettel can reach 5th so quickly makes a mockery of F1. What would this look like in other sports? United starting 10-0 down against City but reaching 10-9 within 20mins. Credit to Vettel though.

Simon, Epping

 

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Posted atLap 44/56
"Vettel will be with you in four or five laps," Daniel Ricciardo is told.

How bad the Mercedes has been this race makes me think the championship may still be very much open for Vettel.

 

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Benedict Salido‏: Vet from last to 4th & possibly 3rd, goes to show what he’s capable of. Doesn’t need safety car or rain unlike Ham before.

Adeoye: Vettel keeps doing fastest laps. Should finish 4th comfortably. Btw, Mercedes should discard that aero downgrade... Sorry, upgrade

 

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Blue flags. A sight that Fernando Alonso will hate. The Spaniard holds up Sebastian Vettel into Turn 1.

"I thought you were better than that," bemoans Vettel.

Posted at Lap 50/56
Sebastian Vettel, clear of the lapped Fernando Alonso, spots an opportunity to pass Daniel Ricciardo but the Australian slams the door in his face.

Ricciardo isn't giving up that position without a fight.

 

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10:33
Chequered flag
MAX VERSTAPPEN WINS THE MALAYSIAN GRAND PRIX.

 

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10:36
"Welcome to being a 20-year-old," Christian Horner tells Max Verstappen.

I celebrated my 20th in a nightclub in Stoke. Max Verstappen celebrates it by winning a Formula 1 race.

There's an awful lot of Dutch fans in the grandstand!

 

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Sebastian Vettel finished fourth but he's suddenly got one of his rear tyres wrapped around the back of his car!

What's happened there?