Formula 1 2025 - Las Vegas Grand Prix

I mean, it's the Las Vegas Grand Prix, was anyone expecting any decent racing? It's a race where the interest is always the externalities, and often the manhole covers (again). (And separately, the US circuits as a whole, but Vegas in particular, really need to improve their procedures for letting marshals on the race track and bits of bodywork on track.) 

Other than Antonelli doing an excellent defensive job to protect Russell who was nursing a sickly car, all the interesting stuff happened after the race. I'm not a conspiracy theorist, and I just accepted it when this happened to Ferrari earlier in the season, but it's awfully convenient that the disqualification of both McLarens almost makes a last race decider inevitable.

Formula 1 2025 - Sao Paulo Grand Prix

I wrote this last week, I thought I'd posted it. Obviously not. Apologies for the delay.

Poor Bortoleto, done over by the home driver curse. Twice!!!

Sometimes, I hate being a Ferrari fan - why are my drivers being caught up in other people's chaos?!!! This has done terrible things to our Constructor's championship standing.

I am not blaming Antonelli for the crash, much though commentary wants me to.

McLaren did some weird things with the tyre strategy - I understand Piastri's doubts, and I still don't understand their plan for Norris. I know he won by miles but I just don't understand it. On the other hand, given Red Bull had a much shorter stint on the medium tyres than expected - did that medium tyre just not hold up as well as expected?

Red Bull's performance as a whole was odd. Verstappen seems to be doing well despite the car and the team, certainly his performances this year are more impressive than some of his all-conquering races.

But they really stuffed up Tsunoda's race. Screwing up a 10 second stop go penalty is not something I'd expect Red Bull to do.

Oli, Oli, Oli, oi oi oi. Dear Ferrari, when you call Bearman up, do not ruin this child!

I'm also very impressed with Gasly. Who is definitely doing things despite the team.

Budapest at Night

Some pre-COVID years ago, I was lucky enough to travel to Budapest with work. 

It started off well because there was a very pretty train on the other platform at Birmingham International.

   

Sorry, I'm a 3rd gen train weirdo. Like all airports, there's different flight paths into Budapest and we were lucky enough to be on the one that takes you along the Danube. Absolutely amazing. The people I was working with were kind enough to give us a very quick tour of central Budapest. Here are some highlights.

   

This is where I hit a small problem. If I am not thinking straight it's the Kettenbrücke, I am aware in English it's the Chain Bridge and I need to copy and paste from Wikipedia to get the accent right on Lánchíd. The names will be used interchangeably. 

We walked past the Parliament building.

    

 

 

Hopefully the photos get across just how big the parliament is. 

Then we walked through the park to St. Stephen's Basilica.

  When we were there, there was an memorial to the 1956 Uprising - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hungarian_Revolution_of_1956 

View of Budapest Castle from the other side of the river.  

We were taken to Pater Marcus - https://www.patermarcus.hu/ - which has delicious food. And drink. But especially the food. 

 

And then, back over the bridge to the hotel.