FRENCH GRAND PRIX 2021

Here we are again at Circuit Paul Ricard! This one has a special place in my heart because my family and I got to go to this circuit in 2018. I know France isn't a popular track for people, and even though it gets a lot of flack, I love the way it looks and have great memories of it.

This was AWESOME this year because Max passed Lewis for the lead on the second to last lap and the celebrations were EPIC. And even better was that Perez was in third, up there on the podium with him teammate.

My notes from the weekend:

FP1 - didn’t watch

FP2 - didn’t watch

FP3

• There’s this super annoying pr stunt where they have ocon’s radio engineer get on and congratulate him on a contract renewal and ughhhh its so obvious

• Bot is using Hamilton’s old chassis and Hamilton is using one Hamilton was using end of last year/Bot up til this point and Hamilton is sucking

• I love Charles karting original replica helmet which he originally designed to reference his love of Spider-Man

Qualifying

• Like two minutes in Yuki Tsunoda throws a red flag already when we were all sure there would be no red flags. It didn’t look like an especially dangerous crash but

• On the last lap of Q1, Lil Schumacher crashes and it means a lot of people on their last lap chance to get through don’t get to finished their lap and it’s a SECOND red flag! Quick cleanup though

• Out in Q1, Latifi, Kimi, Stroll, Mazepin, and Tsunoda. Schumacher makes it to Q2 but they won’t be able to repair the crashes car in time to partake so only 14 cars will take part in Q2

• Out in Q2, Ocon, Vettel, Gio, Russell and Schumacher

• Lots of lap times being deleted in Q3

• Max on pole!! Hamilton in second, Bottas in third, Perez in fourth

• One of the only times that Sainz out qualified Charles

Race

• Tsunoda pit lane start for new floor and gearbox change

• Max keeps the lead through turn 1, but then has a huge slide before turn 2 and he has to counter steer and goes off the track and that allows Hamilton to get the lead. A pretty upsetting start.

• Mazepin knocked little shu off and it’s so so rude

• They are just in love with Esteban Ocon over there and there is literally no evidence why

• It’s really slippery out there compared to when they went to the grid

• Hamilton and everyone complaining about the tires not having grip or thinking they won’t last as long

• This race felt over right after Max went off at turn 2 right away and it wasn’t his fault but it is just exhausting to see Hamilton in the lead again

• 12/53 both Mclarens sail past Alonso and it’s great

• 15/53 Charles pits first because he’s done with the tires and the stop goes fine

• Daniel is doing well this race

• Max pits first and then Hamilton and even though Hamilton’s stop was a tenth faster than Max, MAX STILL gets ahead of Hamilton because of his great out lap!! An amazing undercut and things like this make it worth it

• Hamilton and Max are insisting this one stop race will have to be a two stop cause of unexpected deg but whoever pits first will get the advantage but lose track position so Max pits first which is good

• But now that Max lost position Hamilton is suddenly happy to stay out in the lead of course but fortunately Red Bull left our Perez for a one stop race and he can challenge if Hamilton doesn’t pit

• 44/53 Max easily gets past Bottas!!

• Bottas is suuuuper angry and swearing at the team like why didn’t anyone listen to me and he really did call it way ahead of time and he’s furious

• Max has to pass backmarker Ocon to get past Hamilton sshoooooottt

• Geez what did they do to Charles at ferrari this race goodness, he’s down in 16

• 49/53 YES Perez passes a furious Bottas into 3rd!

• 52/53 MAX PASSES LEWIS FOR THE LEAD AND HE MADE IT LOOKS EASY

• MAXY WINS and theres sooo much Red Bull celebrations!!

• Maxy wins the race, fastest lap AND driver of the day!!!! AMAZE

• Hamilton in second blahh, and PEREZ in third, YAYY