[jfxavier]

The Silverstone GP sessions have started and it looks like a Mercedes advantage in the first round.



Bottas headed the first round of practice.



Williams are looking for answers for their recent slump in forms by trying different aero parts on different cars.



McLaren has had a rare occasion of having both cars inside top 10.



Meanwhile STR escaped FIA sanctions for presenting a car with damaged wheel tethers.



The "Shield" made its first appearance on the Ferrari of Vettel.



Apparently he is not happy with the visibility through the shield.

[dZired]

A few images of the new 'Shield' on Vettel's Ferrari.

As per reports, he wasn't happy with the reflections and overall geometry of the Shield.







The test on Vettel's Ferrari was just an effort to get initial feedback from drivers at the earliest possible stage of development. The first full track test of the Shield has been scheduled for September at Monza.

[deetjohn]

And I don't like the fact that we can no longer recognize the driver from the helmet. That' a lot of glare. Sigh!




Now, time for some videos.

F1 Live in Trafalgar Square : All The Best Bits

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QL61jKvQJs0

F1 Drivers Versus Cockney Rhyming Slang

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=btpVkgKdJVA

^
And if you are all at Sixes and Sevens like I was, go here to know more: Rhyming Slang

[deetjohn]

Alonso sets to start from the back of the grid after Honda decided to change more engine components.

The count is - 6th internal combustion engine, 8th turbocharger, 8th MGU-H and 6th MGU-K as of now. But the changes are working and Alonso ended second practice ninth quickest - though 1.742 seconds off the pace.

And Bottas is also set to take a 5 place grid penalty for a gearbox change. Mercedes is making this a habit after it was Hamilton's turn at the last race.

source

[jfxavier]

British GP - Senior Team Personnel press conferences.

https://youtu.be/vkSlu2XpqzQ

Christian Horner (Red Bull), Claire Williams (Williams), Vijay Mallya (Force India)

https://youtu.be/xcrKx0z8I5E

Andy Cowell (Mercedes), Jonathan Neale (McLaren), Cyril Abiteboul (Renault)

Interesting bits from the teams there.

[TSIboy]

As the practice sessions ends it's the usual order. The silver arrows looking strong and the ferraris just behind. Lewis topped the charts in FP3 with Vettel splitting the Mercedes pair with P2. I'm guessing he (Lewis) will be the pole sitter too. Silverstone has always been an easy one for him.

Originally Posted by deetjohn

And Bottas is also set to take a 5 place grid penalty for a gearbox change. Mercedes is making this a habit after it was Hamilton's turn at the last race.

source

Lewis earlier and now Bottas. These issues could begin to start playing a role in the championship fight like last year.

[prkiran]

Alonso tops Q1!! Finally something brewing at McLaren?

[SilentEngine]

Originally Posted by prkiran

Alonso tops Q1!! Finally something brewing at McLaren?

Cappucino?
He took a gamble to switch to slicks on a drying track and it worked, that's all.

[swissknife]

How long has it been to see such a list in F1, even if it was Q1 : )
W2G Alonso, even if you would end up starting at the back! Love it for the love of racing!

[prkiran]

Originally Posted by SilentEngine

Cappucino?
He took a gamble to switch to slicks on a drying track and it worked, that's all.

Yeah. Missed out on the details as I was following the status on F1 app. Seeing Vandoorne in top 10 does give some hope though. Anyway, will see tomorrow whether the new components can last an entire race.

[deetjohn]

Vandoorne into Q3 and out qualified Alonso for the first time. Did Alonso lose time with traffic?

Lewis is looking supreme! 1:26.600 That is some timing! But he is under investigation for blocking Romain' Renault. And if he gets a grid drop, Kimi will get P1.

Vettel was a cry baby today!

[TSIboy]

Hammer time! Half second faster than the rest of the pack, P1 is his provided he doesn't get a penalty for incident with Grosjean.

[shibujp]

Hamilton laid the hammer down and how!! 1:26.600!! A new lap record and half a second faster than Raikkonen.

For me however the stars of the qualifying were Alonso and his McLaren team. To spot an opportunity and turn around in a matter of seconds. Alonso then proceeding to post the fastest time in Q1 was a testament to their passion and how badly these guy wanna race.

Force India has had another strong qualifying session with Williams seemingly unable to build on their momentum in Canada. And given their string of results Haas seem to be steaming up to do battle with Williams.

Looking forward to a great battle on the front row tommorrow.

Drive on,
Shibu

[jfxavier]

Originally Posted by TSIboy

Hammer time! Half second faster than the rest of the pack, P1 is his provided he doesn't get a penalty for incident with Grosjean.

Originally Posted by deetjohn

Vandoorne into Q3 and out qualified Alonso for the first time. Did Alonso lose time with traffic?

Lewis is looking supreme! 1:26.600 That is some timing! But he is under investigation for blocking Romain' Renault. And if he gets a grid drop, Kimi will get P1.

All is well that ends well.
It would have needed a very brave steward to penalize Lewis yesterday.

Originally Posted by shibujp

Hamilton laid the hammer down and how!! 1:26.600!! A new lap record and half a second faster than Raikkonen.

For me however the stars of the qualifying were Alonso and his McLaren team. To spot an opportunity and turn around in a matter of seconds. Alonso then proceeding to post the fastest time in Q1 was a testament to their passion and how badly these guy wanna race.

All McLaren fans (a lot of the people on the grand stands yesterday too) were treated to something they have been missing for a long time. A McLaren topping a session.

Here is that Q1 lap for ALO.
Bodes well for their contract extension talks.

https://youtu.be/YSZSxR1VsvA

ALO decided not to push for Q3 as that would have meant starting at the back with used tyres.

https://youtu.be/bu1iINHHuy8

Here is how they should line up today if no further changes.

[GTO]

Guys, I just LOVE the new F1 management. They sure are pushing all the right buttons to engage fans & spread the sport's appeal .

Example, this video of 'F1 Live'. Would never see something like this in the old man's era:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WnJx2DImV2w