A Friend Remembered A Tribute to Mike Bell 2021 Calendar

**Peter Mallett** · 13 Dec 2020, 13:35 (Ref:4022603)

Well, since the entire year has been challenging I thought I'd start a thread about what we've witnessed this year. Also hats off to Liberty and the teams for actually achieving something that personally I thought would be impossible. A season of 17 races. Also I do like the idea of running into Christmas with a gap of a couple of weeks.

But what have we seen this year? A return to Turkey on a very unpredictable track, the Sakhir GP on a very short track which demonstrated George Russell's potential and gave Checko his first win. Pirelli getting it wrong at Silverstone which produced a nail biting finish. Two tracks which deserve more use, Mugello and Portimao. Lance Stroll, who suffered bad luck in Turkey but also demonstrated that he is entitled to be on the grid. The fight between Renault, Racing Point and McLaren for 3rd in the championship. The maturing of Max Verstappen and the sad decline of Sebastian Vettel.

Many other things but what do you think?

chillibowl · 13 Dec 2020, 13:41 (Ref:4022605)

what havent we seen this year!

for me best season since 2008. since that 2007 to 2009 period at least.

and yes, thank you Liberty! its been wonderful to have this season and this community for this messed up year. appreciated.

gert · 13 Dec 2020, 15:56 (Ref:4022643)

Isn't it a bit early to be reviewing next year's season ?

**Peter Mallett** · 13 Dec 2020, 18:51 (Ref:4022687)

Busted! I'll change it later.

steve_r · 13 Dec 2020, 19:46 (Ref:4022700)

Great year considering that it looked at one point that it would not even happen.

The new tracks and revisiting some not seen for years were a genuine breath of fresh air.

The scary Grosjean accident reminded us of the dangers that the drivers put themselves through for the purpose of entertainment.

There have been some great races despite the lack of any serious competition to Hamilton for the WDC. Unfortunately this lack of competition will have put off many people.

GT6 · 13 Dec 2020, 22:29 (Ref:4022758)

Well a good year for some teams but a really bad one for others, certainly if you had a Ferrari engine.

**Peter Mallett** · 13 Dec 2020, 23:00 (Ref:4022775)

Yes indeed, if only Williams had a Mercedes,...... oh wait.

Tourer · 14 Dec 2020, 00:46 (Ref:4022785)

Firstly, as others have said, massive kudos to Liberty, the FIA and the teams for giving us a 17 race season - really didn't think that many would be delivered.

Great shame that the competition right at the pointy end was so one-sided overall but that isn't the fault of Mercedes, just shows the gap that the other teams need to bridge to get on terms.

I ended up ignoring the regular first three from MB and RB (other than Sakhir, where George was a breath of fresh air) and focussing on the mid field and really, this year has been scintillating when viewed that way - unpredictable much of the time, close racing, overtakes, undercuts, near-misses etc - action aplenty. Been a good season.

Then there are the circuits and to me, it has been the selection of some of the circuits that has made this season a STANDOUT and massive improvement over recent years. Whoever it was who took the massive sow's ear of racing with Covid & turned it into the exceptional silk purse we were delivered deserves huge accolades and some kind of medal IMHO. Mugello should be on the bill every year, just an absolutely sublime circuit and an achingly beautiful setting, Portimao very close to it, Imola is hauntingly special and the Sakhir layout really worked - so really, really good to go there and even though Turkey didn't really work due to the recent resurfacing, it would be good to see it back on the regular calendar as well. Abu Dhabi showed that the bland circuits we've been used to in recent years don't often deliver - I know commercial forces come into play and running multiple Grands Prix in one country has been avoided for some time but it would be so good if we could see F1 back at the tracks introduced (or brought back) this year more often.

Pretty good year I reckon!

GT6 · 14 Dec 2020, 19:34 (Ref:4022962)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peter Mallett

Yes indeed, if only Williams had a Mercedes,...... oh wait.

i think they got the engines mercedes rejected, worse year ever for williams i think

wnut · 14 Dec 2020, 23:50 (Ref:4022997)

Quote:

Originally Posted by GT6

i think they got the engines mercedes rejected, worse year ever for williams i think

Despite having one of the best drivers in the field apparently.

E.B · 15 Dec 2020, 05:38 (Ref:4023022)

Quote:

Originally Posted by steve_r

Great year considering that it looked at one point that it would not even happen.

The new tracks and revisiting some not seen for years were a genuine breath of fresh air.

The scary Grosjean accident reminded us of the dangers that the drivers put themselves through for the purpose of entertainment.

There have been some great races despite the lack of any serious competition to Hamilton for the WDC. Unfortunately this lack of competition will have put off many people.

Sadly it will be a season mostly remembered for a crash and a virus than for a down to the wire title fight like say 2007/8.

Admitted it was a better season than at one time we were looking at. We learnt new motor racing terms like F1 bubble and biospheres.

Oldtony · 15 Dec 2020, 06:58 (Ref:4023023)

Very interesting season in terms of the mid-field racing, and that is nearly always better and closer than the race up front.
The 2021 Silly season was decided before the 2020 season really got underway.
The actual racing, Mr Hamilton & Merc aside was some of the best we have had in years, partly due to the shake up in circuits and partly due to the battle for 3rd place in the WCC.
I gave at least 3 9s in rate the race and only 2 or 3 4 or less.
Some old hands disappointed, some of them got into the groove to save careers and others surprised with talent we hadn't seen before.
The new boys didn't disappoint and those that are bowing out are doing so with honour.
I give the season an 8, which seeing as I nearly cancelled my Foxtel in March is a pleasant surprise.
Just hoping we get an Albert Park!!!

chillibowl · 15 Dec 2020, 16:21 (Ref:4023100)

lol. i cancelled my cable/sport package in march but signed back up in time for the first race weekend. very happy i did!

there were so many standout moments this year...torn between LH's 3 wheel win at Silverstone and Gasly's sitting alone on the podium.

so 2020!

Pandamasque · 21 Dec 2020, 17:11 (Ref:4024405)

Has anyone seen anything official on Season 3 of Drive to Survive? I've found lots of publications about it definitely being made and so on, but nothing outside sites and blogs that I don't know if I can trust.

There's no mention of S3 on IMDb

I presume COVID19 protocols would make filming such a thing very challenging.

wnut · 22 Dec 2020, 00:38 (Ref:4024476)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pandamasque

Has anyone seen anything official on Season 3 of Drive to Survive? I've found lots of publications about it definitely being made and so on, but nothing outside sites and blogs that I don't know if I can trust.

There's no mention of S3 on IMDb

I presume COVID19 protocols would make filming such a thing very challenging.

F1 reality TV, best they don't make another season.