Round 16 of the F1 Elimination Championship!
Here's the basic idea: Imagine if, upon winning the championship, a driver was not allowed to return to F1 at all. Now, take that idea and apply it to 1951 — removing Farina from each race. Now Fangio wins, so they're both out for '52, etc, etc, until here we are!
This weekend:
Our championship leaders battle in the rain once the race finally starts, but ultimately it's once again Isack Hadjar who reigns supreme as F1 returns to Sepang! His victory sees him take the championship lead back from Liam Lawson, whose P2 ensures that the gap is only one point. Is there any chance of him losing it all now? Arvid Lindblad takes his usual place on the podium with third, which also promotes him to third in the championship.
Credit where credit is due, Lance Stroll knows how to drive his Aston Martin in the changeable conditions. He finishes P4, 3-4 seconds off the podium, in a car that's been lucky to see the end of a Grand Prix! In a turn of events I didn't see myself reporting this season, this result moves Stroll up a place in the championship! Just try to ignore how many races his rival had competed in.
Franco Colapinto is fifth after managing to get the better of the two Haas drivers, as Oliver Bearman and the finally confirmed-to-depart Esteban Ocon finish sixth and seventh. Pierre Gasly falls on the wrong side of the strategy and loses his championship slot with only 4 points for P8. All cars finish the race, as Gabriel Bortoleto suddenly picks up damage to the front wing of his Audi and finishes last with an extra long stop.
All previous historical standings are in my profile!
Source: r/formula1 · by /u/withheld_mcfakename