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Well, F1 fans, the first week of testing is in the books. Traditionally, that means two things in these parts: rampant - and generally unfounded - speculation on the competitive order of the teams, and, of course, another season of...

CarlPotter's Planet F1 Top Three Championship!

Now entering its 7th year as a competition on PF1, the Top Three Championship was first set up by PF1 member CarlPotter. When he took a hiatus from the forum in 2014, the competition passed into the curation of Black_Flag_11, who did a great job taking us through two seasons of the championship. Sadly, life did what life does and got in his way as well, and as the first (and only) forumite to step forward, the curation of this noble competition fell to me for 2016 and beyond, until such time as I also inevitably burn out and turn to someone else for help. That hasn't happened quite yet, and as long as I can continue to produce dubious works of noir art for the results I may keep going for a few seasons yet.

Here's how our little championship works:

The Rules

The vast majority of the rules are still the same as was laid down originally in the inaugural season by CarlPotter; a few changes have been voted on by the members of the competition over time, and incorporated into the body of the rules. Here they are as they stand ahead of the 2018 season:

The scoring works like this:

You pick your predicted podium. For example, 1st: Vettel, 2nd: Hamilton, 3rd: Alonso.

1st Place Correct: 5 Points
2nd Place Correct: 3 Points
3rd Place Correct: 1 Point

All Three Correct: 5 Bonus Points

There are no points given out for having the correct drivers in the wrong order, so if you choose Vettel, Hamilton, Alonso, but it comes out Alonso, Vettel, Hamilton, then I'm afraid you score nothing.

NOTE: Effective from the start of the 2016 season, the time limit to submit your picks has been extended to any time before the official beginning of FP3. Any changes or any new entries made after the official start of FP3 will not count; this rule is not supposed to be flexible, although I have been known to let someone off for only 1 minute late.

You can only pick a driver once for any of the three positions. So you can't have Vettel, Vettel, Vettel.

At the end of the season, if there is a draw, the winner will be decided by whoever has achieved a "Perfect Podium" the most number of times. A Perfect Podium is, of course, getting all three correct. If that is equal, then it will come down to most rounds won and if that is equal, then the winner will be decided by the number of 1st Places correct, then 2nd, then 3rd... If it's still tied after that, then it will be declared a draw and the Championship will be shared.

In addition to these original rules, in 2014 we introduced a (highly popular!) team championship to the competition. The mechanism for the team championship (you can call it the constructors if you want) is exactly like in F1; each team has two 'drivers', and their points totals are added together to determine the team's points. Team orders, collusion and plotting are all very much allowed and encouraged, provided everything stays within the bounds of friendly competition and no rules are broken. It's Formula One, after all!

And that concludes the rules!

The Top Three Championship - 2019 edition - is now open for entries.

You may enter as a single competitor or find a partner and form a team; being part of a team is not a requirement for entering the championship, although without a teammate you won't be able to contest both titles. It is entirely possible to contest, and potentially even win, the knockout cup without a teammate - in fact, several historical champions have done exactly that, so there's no reason you can't be the next! Team entries will be accepted up until the Grand Prix weekend of Melbourne (defined as the start of FP1); late entries are possible, but not preferred.

Good luck everyone, and as always, have fun!

CarlPotter's Top Three Championship: Hall of Fame

Individual Champions
2018: cm97
2017: TypingChicane
2016: robins13
2015: GPG
2014: GPG
2013: CarlPotter

Team Champions
2018: No Limit Excedrin Racing (Exediron & Jenson's Understeer)
2017: Jalopy Racing (Herb & Jezza13)
2016: Mind Your Manors (Black_Flag_11 & Fountoukos13)
2015: No Limit Excedrin Racing (Exediron & GPG)
2014: Force Indian Takeaway (coulthards chin & Jenson's Understeer)

All-Time Points Leaders
1. Jenson's Understeer - 432 points
2. cm97 - 430 points
3. robins13 - 404 points
4. Black_Flag_11 - 369 points
5. Icemanjee1 - 349 points
6. Exediron - 323 points
7. Mayhem - 291 points
8. Bentrovato - 272 points
9. GPG - 253 points
~. Coulthard's Chin - 253 points

A reminder of how we finished last year:

2018 Standings
2018 Individual Champion: cm97
2018 Champion Team: No Limit Excedrin Racing (Exediron & Jenson's Understeer)

CarlPotter's Top Three Championship 2018: Individual Standings
1. cm97--- 73 Points
2. robins13 --- 72 Points
3. Jenson's Understeer --- 71 Points
4. Remmirath --- 70 Points
5. Exediron --- 68 Points
6. Mod Titanium --- 66 Points
7. Icemanjee1 --- 58 Points
8. Mod Onyx --- 57 Points
9. Mayhem --- 56 Points
10. coulthards chin --- 55 Points
11. CarlPotter --- 53 Points
12. Jezza13 --- 52 Points
13. Espo --- 49 Points
14. Mod Blue --- 48 Points
15. Bentrovato --- 44 Points
16. Black_Flag_11 --- 41 Points
17. TheDamus --- 40 Points
18. P-F1 Mod --- 38 Points
19. Herb --- 36 Points
20. Lotus49 --- 31 Points
21. Flash2k11 --- 26 Points

CarlPotter's Top Three Championship 2018: Constructors' Standings
1. No Limit Excedrin Racing (Exediron & Jenson's Understeer) --- 139 Points
2. Bowah Steering Wheel (Icemanjee1 & cm97) --- 131 Points
3. Sand Bag'n (robins13 & Mayhem) --- 128 Points
4. Drive Sauber (Remmirath & TheDamus) --- 110 Points
5. Crisis in Management (Mod Blue & Mod Onyx) --- 105 Points
6. Management in Crisis (P-F1 Mod & Mod Titanium) --- 104 Points
7. The Also Rans (Black_Flag_11 & CarlPotter) --- 94 Points
8. Jalopy Racing (Herb & Jezza13) --- 88 Points
9. Lotus-CC Racing (Lotus49 & coulthards chin) --- 86 Points

2018 Confirmed Competitors & Teams

TEAMS
No Limit Excedrin Racing (Exediron & Jenson's Understeer)
Jalopy Racing (Jezza13 & Herb)
Drive Sauber (Remmirath & Espo)
Lotus-CC Racing (Lotus49 & coulthards chin)
The Also Rans (CarlPotter & Black_Flag_11)
Sand Bag'n (Mayhem & robins13)
Management in Crisis (P-F1 Mod & Mod Titanium)
We The North (Bentrovato & RustyRockets44)
Victorious Secret (Charles LeBrad & JN23)
Mission Copy James (cm97 & Icemanjee1)
Crisis in Management (Mod Blue & Mod Onyx)

INDIVIDUALS
Exediron
Jezza13
Jenson's Understeer
Herb
Remmirath
CarlPotter
Lotus49
Black_Flag_11
coulthards chin
Mayhem
robins13
P-F1 Mod
Mod Titanium
Bentrovato
RustyRockets44
Charles LeBrad
JN23
cm97
Icemanjee1
Mod Blue
Mod Onyx
Espo

jzusy
mcdo

---

Italics = committed to a team

I'm in Exed.

Jalopy Racing is out for redemption. Been undergoing a strict fitness regime over the off season, most running away from those damn lawyers from ex wives & creditors but still, exercise is exercise,

The cars coming along ok I guess. Had a mate of mine, Paddy Lowe, doing a fair bit of work on it over the off season. Apparently though that meant his employer, some engineering mob in Oxfordshire, were running a bit late getting their stuff out the door. Paddy reckons it wont make any difference. As he said, " Jezza, it won't be the only time they'll be last in something this year"

Been unable to contact my team mate, Herb, over the off season. Rumour has it he decided to " drop out for the winter" & has been living in a hippy commune passing his time learning the Sitar, singing Donovan songs & picking gold tops.

Just in case Herb's carrying a few barnacles on the hull of the old battleship after his winter of love, our sponsor, Uncle Sal's Pharmaceutical & Adult Emporium, has a range of ointments guaranteed to move even the most stubborn of unwanted passengers.

So what do ya say Herb? Up for another tilt at the title?

Exediron wrote:2018 Confirmed Competitors & Teams

TEAMS
No Limit Excedrin Racing (Exediron & TBC)

INDIVIDUALS
Exediron

---

Italics = committed to a team

Pfft, like you needed to put 'TBC' instead of my 'Jenson's Understeer'

Jenson's Understeer wrote:

Exediron wrote:2018 Confirmed Competitors & Teams

TEAMS
No Limit Excedrin Racing (Exediron & TBC)

INDIVIDUALS
Exediron

---

Italics = committed to a team

Pfft, like you needed to put 'TBC' instead of my 'Jenson's Understeer'

Welcome back on board! With 2nd place in 2017 and the team championship last year, surely the target can be nothing less than to become the first ever team to defend their title successfully...

Exediron wrote:

Jenson's Understeer wrote:

Exediron wrote:2018 Confirmed Competitors & Teams

TEAMS
No Limit Excedrin Racing (Exediron & TBC)

INDIVIDUALS
Exediron

---

Italics = committed to a team

Pfft, like you needed to put 'TBC' instead of my 'Jenson's Understeer'

Welcome back on board! With 2nd place in 2017 and the team championship last year, surely the target can be nothing less than to become the first ever team to defend their title successfully...

The logical evolution is for us to finish so far ahead of everyone else that we actually escape the team's championship table.

I'm in for sure. Having come so close last season, my personal goal can be no less than the title. As for the team, maybe this can be Drive Sauber's chance to crack at least the top three. TheDamus?

Despite running into the back of coulthards chin during testing and subsequently being investigated by the P-F1A, I will be competing again this year. It's not my fault he hit the brakes at the corner and I didn't and I'm sure the authoritative bodies will agree!

Exediron wrote:All-Time Points Leaders
1. Jenson's Understeer - 432 points

Just noticed that. In your collective face, everyone else!

I'm in again for more punishment.

I'm determined to break this crappy streak I'm on but fully understand if I get the elbow from CC, I'm cursed right now tbf and showing no signs of a Honda like recovery as of yet but also happy to continue as a team if he prefers.

Im in for another year, also happy to continue the team with CarlPotter. Hoping to do a Vettel and come back with a strong season after an appalling one last year.

I’m in for another season.

Lotus49 wrote:I'm in again for more punishment.

I'm determined to break this crappy streak I'm on but fully understand if I get the elbow from CC, I'm cursed right now tbf and showing no signs of a Honda like recovery as of yet but also happy to continue as a team if he prefers.

I'm in

Lotus49 wrote:I'm in again for more punishment.

I'm determined to break this crappy streak I'm on but fully understand if I get the elbow from CC, I'm cursed right now tbf and showing no signs of a Honda like recovery as of yet but also happy to continue as a team if he prefers.

coulthards chin wrote:I'm in

Same team name?

I'd be up for this if anyone wants a team mate... I can't promise a strong rookie year though

Exediron wrote:

Lotus49 wrote:I'm in again for more punishment.

I'm determined to break this crappy streak I'm on but fully understand if I get the elbow from CC, I'm cursed right now tbf and showing no signs of a Honda like recovery as of yet but also happy to continue as a team if he prefers.

coulthards chin wrote:I'm in

Same team name?

Woot! A chance at redemption for Lotus-CC Racing.

I'll play, and hope there's 5-6 possible winners each week, like in (some of) the old days.

jzusy wrote:I'll play, and hope there's 5-6 possible winners each week, like in (some of) the old days.

I actually think a good barometer for the health of F1 is how low the champion of this competition scores! Between 2014, 2015 and 2016, the Top Three champion scored 106, 104 and 111 points, respectively. In 2017 and 2018, they scored 83 and 73!

Basically, if we're scoring a lot of points here, the championship is too predictable.

Black_Flag_11 wrote:Im in for another year, also happy to continue the team with CarlPotter. Hoping to do a Vettel and come back with a strong season after an appalling one last year.

The Also Rans are running again!

Im in

ps robins where you @????

Mod Titanium wrote:sign me up

Would you trust me as a teammate again, or am I fired after last year?

Mayhem wrote:Im in

ps robins where you @????

There you go

Sand Bag'n is back for another edition. I think we need to stop sandbagging anymore

JN23 wrote:I'd be up for this if anyone wants a team mate... I can't promise a strong rookie year though

Anyone?

JN23 wrote:

JN23 wrote:I'd be up for this if anyone wants a team mate... I can't promise a strong rookie year though

Anyone?

Drive Sauber might have an opening, if TheDamus doesn't show within a week. Otherwise, I'd suggest reaching out to other unaffiliated entrants. Charles LeBrad, Espo and jzusy aren't committed to a team yet. Neither are the mod pair, but I think that's probably just a formality once I see a confirmation from Mod Titanium.

Exediron wrote:

JN23 wrote:

JN23 wrote:I'd be up for this if anyone wants a team mate... I can't promise a strong rookie year though

Anyone?

Drive Sauber might have an opening, if TheDamus doesn't show within a week. Otherwise, I'd suggest reaching out to other unaffiliated entrants. Charles LeBrad, Espo and jzusy aren't committed to a team yet. Neither are the mod pair, but I think that's probably just a formality once I see a confirmation from Mod Titanium.

I've told Titanium to check back here, if he wants a change from last year I really won't blame him! If so I'll be open to a teammate too

P-F1 Mod wrote:

Mod Titanium wrote:sign me up

Would you trust me as a teammate again, or am I fired after last year?

Your rehired

Management in Crisis returns!

P-F1 Mod wrote:Management in Crisis returns!

@Charles LeBrad, @Espo, @jzusy

any of you fancy a team mate?

This looks pretty interesting!

Disappointing 15th place finish last season! May have to fly solo again

Bentrovato wrote:Disappointing 15th place finish last season! May have to fly solo again

I’m new and could partner a fellow Canadian. Or if anyone else needs a partner

RustyRockets44 wrote:

Bentrovato wrote:Disappointing 15th place finish last season! May have to fly solo again

I’m new and could partner a fellow Canadian. Or if anyone else needs a partner

Force Canada? I'm sure you two could come up with something more inspired than Racing Point, either way...

May be a bit busy during weekends. So here is the banker picks

Vettel
Hamilton
Bottas

JN23 wrote:@Charles LeBrad, @Espo, @jzusy

any of you fancy a team mate?

Anyone?

Busy few days, so here's an early banker for Oz:

VET
HAM
LEC

Exediron wrote: Force Canada? I'm sure you two could come up with something more inspired than Racing Point, either way...

After a few private messages, Rusty Rockets and I have decided to formally enter Carl Potter's top three championship! With friendly mods, the promise of a good time and the low cost barrier to enter, it was a no-brainer. I hope he makes it through the season

Our submitted application has our team as "We The North" pending PF1 approval