F1 2018

Absolutely One, in Qualies that the best-ever F1 time changed hands 3 times within 10 seconds, first Hamilton, Vettel and then Raikkonen all three setting fastest ever laps, in times which you and I cannot measure!

Maybe Ferrari need to adopt Mercedes' tactics as deployed later in the race - Bottas backing-up Raikkonen into team mate Hamilton?

I was utterly surprised at how easily Raikkonen drove past Hamilton on the first lap to regain first place! Had it been Vettel it would probably have been a dream result for the 'tifosi'

So it's been confirmed, Raikkonen off to Sauber and LeClerc to Ferrari at end of season! Not sure Mercedes will enjoy hearing that news?!! (I'm just polishing my crystal ball) Not a major surprise if I'm honest 😀

Both good moves I think.  Kimmi's experience will undoubtedly help Sauber and LeClerc will probably push Vettel. 

So then, team orders - good or bad?

For Mercedes = good, it gives their driver the best chance of the championship (follow the money) Decisive management from Toto which after all is what he's paid for.

For the drivers, generally disappointment.  Valteri had a rare chance to win denied and Lewis felt he hadn't won. So  = bad

For racing we were maybe denied a mercedes battle, who knows what might have happened there. = bad

So it depends from what perspective you view this as a Lewis fan, Seb fan, Valteri fan, or racing fan.

I would have liked to have seen them race, on balance in this case team orders were for me bad.

I think there comes a time in the season where team orders have a place. Valteri was perfectly candid in an after race interview that he was not in the running for the World Championship and so from that prospective there is a need to play the team game. It would happen in any team. I suppose it depends what the priority of the race fans are. team/driver/racing. I sensed that even Lewis wasn't particularly happy with winning a race in such circumstances. The team could let them battle it out but an accident could take both cars off the track which would affect both championships. Probably dammed if you do and dammed if you don't?

David

Absolutely the right thing to do. Theres too much at steak to take any risks.

Personally I would like team orders, car radios, artificial overtaking aids and blue flags banned.  Car areo redesigned to allow another car to follow closely and overtake, we might get away for a processions 

To answer Cyber's question. Most definitely bad, especially for the racing fan.

For me there's too much involvement from the pit lane, too much electrickery, too much interfering in general. Granted there needs to be progress but soon it won't be necessary for a driver! It's all leading to a very tedious and boring pastime. Team orders may be necessary to win a championship but at the expense of racing?Surely it devalues F1 and certainly the efforts of Bottas?

F1 has long moved away from being a gentleman's sport where a few rich people could indulge their passion for motorsport. It has morphed into a massive business employing thousands of highly qualified people whose livelihoods depend on the team getting the maximum results come what may. So I don't think it's going to change any time soon. Formula E is an interesting occasional watch.

David