CarlPotter's Top Three Championship 2020

[JN23]

Exediron again

[Jenson's Understeer]

[tweet][/tweet]

I'll start, then. I think this could be a pretty popular prediction (unless Exediron predicts Russell in 3rd, in which case it's basically guaranteed he won't finish there!)

Sorry about that.

I'm going to keep my prediction as it is and hope that there is some kind of weird intrateam balancing act whereby if we both predict the same driver in 3rd, my prediction cancels out the Exediron curse

Nope, the curse is too strong even for that.

[Exediron]

I mean, personally I think I deserve triple credit for jinxing not just one -- not just two! -- but all three drivers off the podium this time!

[P-F1 Mod]

I mean, personally I think I deserve triple credit for jinxing not just one -- not just two! -- but all three drivers off the podium this time!

Credit, blame, something like that

[JN23]

Sakhir Grand Prix

Sergio Perez won the Sakhir Grand Prix ahead of Esteban Ocon and Lance Stroll, as George Russell suffered a heartbreaking end to the race.

Russell took the lead at the start ahead of Valtteri Bottas but the safety car was soon out as Perez and Charles Leclerc collided at turn four. The incident also led to Max Verstappen retiring from the race as he hit the wall after a trip through the gravel.

When the race restarted Russell pulled away from Bottas who was very briefly passed by Carlos Sainz in the McLaren. As this was happening Perez was beginning to make his way through the field after dropping to the back thanks to the lap one incident.

The race turned on a late safety car after debutant Jack Aitken’s spun and lost his front wing on the main straight. The Netflix curse struck Mercedes again as it managed to fit Bottas’ tyres onto Russell’s car and Bottas ended up having a 27 second pit stop. Russell had to pit again to get the correct tyres on and this dropped him to P5 behind Perez, Ocon, Stroll - who had benefitted from staying out under the safety car - and Bottas.

Russell immediately set about chasing down those ahead on his fresher tyres, dispatching Bottas, Stroll and Ocon with ease. As he started closing on the leader he suffered a slow puncture which dropped him to the back of the field.

This left Perez to take his maiden Formula 1 win in what could be his penultimate race in the sport. Esteban Ocon became the 13th driver to take to the podium this season.

Unsurprisingly, no one picked that podium in that order, although I'll be taking a moral victory for predicting a Perez podium

No changes to either championship but it does now mean only Drive Sauber and TBD can win the Team Championship and we have our own 2010-style Abu Dhabi showdown with four people who can take the Individual title.

[JN23]

For the final round of the season, please can the following people message me their picks privately by the usual start of FP3 deadline:

Remmirath
Mod Titanium
Icemanjee1
Mayhem
Espo
Fountoukos13

This covers anyone who can win the individual championship and/or their team can win the team championship.

Good luck to all

[P-F1 Mod]

It's OK Mod T, I'll be aiming my car square at Remmirath next week, just don't tell the stewards!

[JN23]

It's OK Mod T, I'll be aiming my car square at Remmirath next week, just don't tell the stewards!

Careful, you can be banned for that sort of thing soon

[JN23]

Abu Dhabi

Bottas
Hamilton
Verstappen

[Jenson's Understeer]

1. Hamilton
2. Bottas
3. Perez

[P-F1 Mod]

Abu Dhabi

HAM
BOT
VER

[Herb]

BOT
HAM
VER

[Mod Titanium]

It's OK Mod T, I'll be aiming my car square at Remmirath next week, just don't tell the stewards!

during the warm up lap so it looks like an accident

[Exediron]

I'm taking bribes for who you don't want to see on the third step of the podium...

[Jenson's Understeer]

1. Hamilton
2. Bottas
3. Perez

Changing this in wake of Perez's engine penalties

1. Hamilton
2. Bottas
3. Verstappen

[P-F1 Mod]

It's OK Mod T, I'll be aiming my car square at Remmirath next week, just don't tell the stewards!

Careful, you can be banned for that sort of thing soon

Why do you think I'm abusing my powers while I can?

[Mod Blue]

HAM
BOT
SAI

[Exediron]

Apologies in advance to everyone who's picking Max to finish third.

2020 ABU DHABI GRAND PRIX
Podium Prediction

1. Hamilton
2. Bottas
3. Verstappen

Maybe if I predict the most obvious podium possible the curse will spare me?

Or... have I just cursed everyone's entries?

[Jezza13]

1.Bottas
2. Verstappen
3. Hamilton

[JN23]

I have received the six private predictions

[JN23]

Got a virtual christmas get together with some friends this afternoon so results won't be straight after the race. All being well they'll be done today.

It's nice to keep you all in suspense with the private predictions though

[P-F1 Mod]

I have a sneaking suspicion I've staged a monumental comeback and won the championship by about 150 points. My maths might be slightly off though.

[JN23]

First of all here are the private predictions

Fountoukos13
Hamilton
Bottas
Verstappen

Mayhem
Hamilton
Verstappen
Bottas

Remmirath
Hamilton
Bottas
Verstappen

Mod Titanium
Hamilton
Verstappen
Bottas

Espo
Hamilton
Bottas
Verstappen

Icemanjee1
Hamilton
Bottas
Verstappen

[JN23]

Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

Max Verstappen won the season ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix from Mercedes duo Valtteri Bottas and Lewis Hamilton.

Verstappen led away from pole position and started to pull away from the two Mercedes drivers until a virtual and full safety car period bunched the pack up. Most drivers took the opportunity to take a pit stop and the order remained the same.

The main interest of the race for the podium was Albon closing on Hamilton in the final laps to no avail.

It was an uneventful race but that takes nothing away from Verstappen’s dominant performance over the weekend. Is this a sign of things to come in the 2021 season?

Scores from the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

After a season of Mercedes domination it was no surprise to see predictions of Hamilton and Bottas for the win, meaning no one scored more than five points. A whole host of people did however pick Bottas to finish second which saw them pick up three points, so well done to those who take the joint win.

Individual Standings

A huge congratulation to Remmirath who takes home the Individual Championship! Remmirath took the lead in Styria with a perfect podium and never looked back. A score of three this week means they finish the season five points ahead of the runner up.

Mod Titanium looked to challenge and did draw level with the leader on occasion early in the season but couldn’t quite close the gap in the final weeks.

Icemanjee1 finishes the season in third place with a similarly strong finish to the season.

The only change in the standings this week was Espo jumping ahead of Mayhem into fourth place.

Team standings

Drive Sauber win the Team Championship so a big congratulation to Remmirath and Espo. A double celebration for Remmirath as they win both championships!

TBD and Team Mod come home second and third in the team championship.

[JN23]

Thank you

Thank you and well done to everyone who took part this year. I’m already looking forward to 2021 and I hope to see you all playing again. Hopefully we’ll get more varied predictions than HAMBOTVER.

All the best to you all for the rest of this year and 2021.

[P-F1 Mod]

Congratulations Remmirath! I'd say the mod team will get you next year but honestly I'm rooting for the regular members now. Go back to back!

[Exediron]

Congratulations to Remmirath and Drive Sauber for winning the double championship. Apologies to my teammate for doing my best Valtteri Bottas impression all year long. We'll be back stronger next year is all I can say.

(but I'm still happy, because Macca took 3rd in the WCC )

[Espo]

Correct me if I’m wrong, but Drive Sauber has become the first team to win back to back championships?

Congrats to Remmirath for winning the individual championship and for leading the way for the team victory.... I’m glad I was able to score more points this year. Thanks JN23 for the write ups this season and for running the game.

[P-F1 Mod]

Thanks JN23 for another year of work. Running 3 competitions has shown me just how much work it can take, and I don't envy you, especially with the write ups you add in. They bring the competition alive and it makes a difference.

[Remmirath]

Hah, all right! First or not, back to back championships is pretty good.

Thanks to JN23 for running the competition. Hopefully there will be some more variety for 2021!

[Fountoukos13]

Congatulations to the winners Remmirath and Espo for the double championship! Very strong and consistent all year.

Also big thanks to JN23 for the time he takes to host the game!

[Jenson's Understeer]

Congrats to Remmirath and Espo, and welcome the both of you to the x2 teams champions club

Congratulations to Remmirath and Drive Sauber for winning the double championship. Apologies to my teammate for doing my best Valtteri Bottas impression all year long. We'll be back stronger next year is all I can say.

(but I'm still happy, because Macca took 3rd in the WCC )

After my performance last year and your performance this year, maybe we should stop putting all our good upgrades onto one car

[P-F1 Mod]

Congrats to Remmirath and Espo, and welcome the both of you to the x2 teams champions club

Congratulations to Remmirath and Drive Sauber for winning the double championship. Apologies to my teammate for doing my best Valtteri Bottas impression all year long. We'll be back stronger next year is all I can say.

(but I'm still happy, because Macca took 3rd in the WCC )

After my performance last year and your performance this year, maybe we should stop putting all our good upgrades onto one car

What are these upgrades and where can I buy them?

[Icemanjee1]

Congratulations Remmirath and Espo

[JN23]

forgot to update the Hall of Fame...

Not sure how accurate the all time point leaders are so that might undergo some further amendments.

[JN23]

CarlPotter's Top Three Championship: Hall of Fame

Individual Champions
2020: Remmirath
2019: Exediron
2018: cm97
2017: TypingChicane
2016: robins13
2015: GPG
2014: GPG
2013: CarlPotter

Team Champions
2020: Drive Sauber (Remmirath & Espo)
2019: Drive Sauber (Remmirath & Espo)
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 - 558 points
2. Icemanjee1 - 510 points
3. cm97 - 498 points
4= Exediron - 468 points
4= robins13 - 468 points
6. Mayhem - 430 points
7. Black_Flag_11 - 378 points
8. Bentrovato - 373 points
9. Remmirath - 369
10. Herb - 350 points