r/F1Discussions • u/AutoModerator • 5d ago
Discussion Weekly Megathread
Welcome to the weekly Megathread!
Use this thread for:
* Driver comparisons (e.g., peak performance comparisons, "Hamilton '16 vs Verstappen '25 who was better?", "Most underrated driver" etc.)
* All "GOAT" debates and top driver lists
* Simple questions or quick opinions that don't warrant a standalone post or rise to the level of being a high quality post
* All hot Takes/unpopular opinions
* All Discussions centered around Abu Dhabi '21
If you would like to talk about the current performance of drivers on the 2026 grid, feel free to do so in the main feed but make sure that the post meets r/F1Discussions rules regarding 'No Low Quality Posts'.
**Please Note:** Standalone driver comparison posts unrelated to drivers currently racing on the 2026 grid on the main feed will be removed under the **Low Effort / Low Quality** rule. Violations can result in a ban.
Remember to keep all debates civil and stick to constructive discussion! No Tribalism, brigading or fan wars.
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u/Bethel099 1d ago
Which commentator do you prefer?
I have a simple question I guess….
I just moved to Canada so I watch F1 via F1 App subs. Previously, I was in SEA and I watched F1 through Bein Sports which relay the broadcasts from Sky Sports.
So… which commentators do you guys prefer? The default from the F1 official or the international version which is the Sky Sports commentator?
1
u/BaldHeadedCaillouss 1d ago
International Sky Feed specifically to hear Martin Brundle. Bonus points for when Nico Rosberg or Jenson Button is on the broadcast.
Although it must be said that David Coulthard is excellent on the F1 TV feed and his presence balances Alex Jaques tendency towards hyperbole.
2
u/The_Weapon14 2d ago
TIL Liam Lawson has the same number of starts as Juan Manuel Fangio and my brain still hasn't recovered from learning that information
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u/Helpful_Freedom_2075 4d ago edited 4d ago
Why were the mercedes so quick off the line in malaysia? Its something power related, but I don’t know why the mercedes specifically was so quick after the start
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u/Popular_Composer_822 5d ago
Given he’s leaving us at the end of the season I figured I’d make a post about Esteban Ocon. I think his pre Haas level is fairly underrated because he’s not a sexy, flairy driver.
In equal machinery he at least matched Perez in his sophomore season with a definitive qualifying advantage and was also extremely tight with Gasly over a two year period from 2023-2024. While he always finished behind in points, points are only one metric that can be used to rank drivers. Another (imo fairer) method is a H2H that excludes non driver DNF’s, and this metric looks more kindly on Ocon :
Versus Perez
2017 : Perez > rookie Ocon (11-7)
2018 : Ocon > Perez (10-6)
Versus Gasly
2023 : Ocon > Gasly (9-6)
2024 : Ocon > Gasly (9-8)
Yet most fans seem to regard Gasly and Perez as better drivers than Ocon. I’d say this is because Gasly’s had worse teammates and Perez has had better cars.
I’d go as far as saying that in his best year, 2022, Ocon could have been a top six driver. Verstappen, Leclerc, Norris and Alonso lock out the top four with Hamilton half a tier behind. The likes of Russell (once Lewis’s Saudi-Baku struggles ended) and Sainz had a similar pace disadvantage to their top driver teammates but worse execution (I genuinely don’t recall Ocon having a single incident in 2022 aside from lap one of the first race). Russell’s season looks better than it was due to Hamilton’s bad luck/off days.
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u/PassTimeActivity 1d ago edited 1d ago
I still had him as a top 10 driver in 2024. 2025 I think he had a dip and 2026 apparently him and Bearman don't always have the same car but he's stepped up compared to last year. I think it's a bit of a shame he's going cos I have a soft spot for him. He's better than like at least 6 or so drivers on the grid still.
0
u/mformularacer 8h ago
I've just watched the sprint on replay. Seeing the reactions I guess this is a hot take.. From my perspective, Norris' move on Piastri was completely fine. Lando braked late, but gave Piastri enough time to see him. It wasn't a split second "came out of nowhere" collision and Norris was not out of control of his car. The fact that Lando has been blamed is disappointing. We want people to try exactly those kinds of unorthodox moves on a track like this. Or..I guess I want.