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Let us talk about Formula 1 – politicalbetting.com

SystemSystem Posts: 12,988
edited 6:04AM in General
Let us talk about Formula 1 – politicalbetting.com

With new F1 rules leading pundits to question whether drivers will still make a difference in the sport, we asked Britons which they thought mattered more to success:Having the best driver: 15%Having the best car: 38%ygo-assets-websites-editorial-emea.yougov.net/documents/DQ…

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Comments

  • TheScreamingEaglesTheScreamingEagles Posts: 126,673
    edited 6:08AM
    First unlike Max Verstappen.
  • Brixian59Brixian59 Posts: 1,170
    edited 6:09AM
    Hamilton proved he could not win a race in an average car.last few years, very over rated. F1 equivalent of a flat track bully. Should have retired 2 seasons ago.

    Verstappen can win in any car however good or not, best since Senna with Schumacher next best in my lifetime.

    Fastest ever driver over 1 lap - Keke Rosberg

    This season, I fear a Toto fest yuk!
  • SandpitSandpit Posts: 60,404
    Q3 about to resume. Mercedes mechanics having gone from heroes to zeroes in under an hour.
  • TheScreamingEaglesTheScreamingEagles Posts: 126,673
    Brixian59 said:

    Hamilton proved he could not win a race in an average car.last few years, very over rated. F1 equivalent of a flat track bully. Should have retired 2 seasons ago.

    Verstappen can win in any car however good or not, best since Senna with Schumacher next best in my lifetime.

    Fastest ever driver over 1 lap - Keke Rosberg

    This season, I fear a Toto fest yuk!

    Dissing Sir Lewis Hamilton on my watch, you might as well diss Radiohead.
  • SandpitSandpit Posts: 60,404
    That new Mercedes is a rocketship. 🚀
  • PulpstarPulpstar Posts: 80,638
    Surely Antinelli is getting a grid penalty
  • TheScreamingEaglesTheScreamingEagles Posts: 126,673
    edited 6:27AM
    Pulpstar said:

    Surely Antinelli is getting a grid penalty

    Might be a team penalty rather than a driver penalty.
  • SandpitSandpit Posts: 60,404
    That’s a massive smile on George Russell’s face!

    He knows now that it’s likely to be 2014 all over again, his best chance ever of the title.

    So who’s getting up at 4am tomorrow to watch the race?
  • SandpitSandpit Posts: 60,404
    TheScreamingEagles said:

    Pulpstar said:

    Surely Antinelli is getting a grid penalty

    Might be a team penalty rather than a driver penalty.
    He could be in trouble for cutting the escape road chicane in Q3 as well, failing to follow race director’s instructions.
  • TheScreamingEaglesTheScreamingEagles Posts: 126,673
    Sandpit said:

    That’s a massive smile on George Russell’s face!

    He knows now that it’s likely to be 2014 all over again, his best chance ever of the title.

    So who’s getting up at 4am tomorrow to watch the race?

    Me!
  • TheScreamingEaglesTheScreamingEagles Posts: 126,673
    I don't understand the need to use such blatant innuendos in life.


  • Morris_DancerMorris_Dancer Posts: 63,621
    Good morning, everyone.

    I'm going to start writing the pre-race tosh soon but I know from experience it'll take a long while for the markets to really get going.

    I do have some early betting thoughts. Kind of tempted to take the mighty £10 profit on a free fiver bet I slapped on Russell at about 4 pre-testing to win in Australia. With reliability as it is...
  • rcs1000rcs1000 Posts: 63,451
    Charles Leclerc, @Dura_Ace and I are all members of an exclusive club.

    Can anyone work out what it is?
  • SandpitSandpit Posts: 60,404
    Well today was supposed to be the day Emirates airline ramped up their schedule, after the troubles of the past week.

    Sadly the Iranian morons had other ideas, and more than a dozen incoming flights have diverted from DXB.
  • ydoethurydoethur Posts: 77,960
    TheScreamingEagles said:

    I don't understand the need to use such blatant innuendos in life.


    If that was an attempted pun, you can see how it wouldn't be hard, but it flopped.
  • TheScreamingEaglesTheScreamingEagles Posts: 126,673
    ydoethur said:

    TheScreamingEagles said:

    I don't understand the need to use such blatant innuendos in life.


    If that was an attempted pun, you can see how it wouldn't be hard, but it flopped.
    The Times are following my lead in putting in subtle music/film references in the headlines.

    England must blow bloody doors off in Rome — or Erasmus will never shut up

    https://www.thetimes.com/sport/rugby-union/six-nations/article/rassie-erasmus-rome-litmus-test-england-steve-borthwick-kctb68slq
  • TheScreamingEaglesTheScreamingEagles Posts: 126,673
    Well that's Europe losing next year's Ryder Cup.

    Luke Donald: We’ll harness AI in quest for Ryder Cup hat-trick

    https://www.thetimes.com/sport/golf/article/luke-donald-ryder-cup-captain-school-runs-family-g0pj9t6dc
  • ydoethurydoethur Posts: 77,960
    TheScreamingEagles said:

    ydoethur said:

    TheScreamingEagles said:

    I don't understand the need to use such blatant innuendos in life.


    If that was an attempted pun, you can see how it wouldn't be hard, but it flopped.
    The Times are following my lead in putting in subtle music/film references in the headlines.

    England must blow bloody doors off in Rome — or Erasmus will never shut up

    https://www.thetimes.com/sport/rugby-union/six-nations/article/rassie-erasmus-rome-litmus-test-england-steve-borthwick-kctb68slq
    That's terrible. I'd bring back corporal punishment for such a headline because they clearly deserve a Caine-ing.
  • ydoethurydoethur Posts: 77,960
    TheScreamingEagles said:

    Well that's Europe losing next year's Ryder Cup.

    Luke Donald: We’ll harness AI in quest for Ryder Cup hat-trick

    https://www.thetimes.com/sport/golf/article/luke-donald-ryder-cup-captain-school-runs-family-g0pj9t6dc

    I didn't realise that the path led to the 15th green instead of the 2nd. My map seems a bit confused.
  • Morris_DancerMorris_Dancer Posts: 63,621
    For some reason, I put a tiny sum on Hadjar each way at 101. Hmm. I do remember mentioning his bet365 odds of 81, each way there being fifth the odds top 3. That's not looking bad right now.
  • Brixian59Brixian59 Posts: 1,170
    TheScreamingEagles said:

    Brixian59 said:

    Hamilton proved he could not win a race in an average car.last few years, very over rated. F1 equivalent of a flat track bully. Should have retired 2 seasons ago.

    Verstappen can win in any car however good or not, best since Senna with Schumacher next best in my lifetime.

    Fastest ever driver over 1 lap - Keke Rosberg

    This season, I fear a Toto fest yuk!

    Dissing Sir Lewis Hamilton on my watch, you might as well diss Radiohead.
    I'd never diss Radiohead.

    I think Lewis has badly tarnished his reputation the last 3 seasons and looks more and more like a flat track bully as a result. I fear after watching that borefest of a qualifying that we are going to see a similar Mercedes romp this year, Russell is a b grade drive at best so it will be interesting to see if Antonelli is as good as his as yet unfulfilled hype. Hadjar , albeit on limited evidence looks like he can at least handle the pressure that the no 2 RB driver has regularly failed to do, the Racing Bulls speed suggests that that engine has plenty of improvement in it.

    The only small hope of a competitive season is that those idiotic engines will need 100% concentration all race as they downshift and try to fins all kinds of weird and wonderful ruses to save / gain battery power.

    Its not F1 tohough is it...it should be labelled for what it is Formula 1 E or E 1

    Lets have proper petrol engines in F1 at least for as long as we can.

    Dinosaur over an out
  • AlanbrookeAlanbrooke Posts: 26,189
    rcs1000 said:

    Charles Leclerc, @Dura_Ace and I are all members of an exclusive club.

    Can anyone work out what it is?

    Reliant Robin Owners Club ?
  • SandpitSandpit Posts: 60,404
    So as russian flags were waving over the Paralympics, russian missiles were levelling a five-storey apartment block in Kharkiv as the residents slept. Numerous casualties including children.

    https://x.com/bohuslavskakate/status/2030114015112757298

    Well done to everyone officially boycotting the Games.
  • ydoethurydoethur Posts: 77,960
    The Hundred is a farce, example 476b:

    https://www.espncricinfo.com/live-blog/the-hundred-2026-news-and-updates-matt-roller-notebook-1525949#36479
  • Dura_AceDura_Ace Posts: 15,280
    rcs1000 said:

    Charles Leclerc, @Dura_Ace and I are all members of an exclusive club.

    Can anyone work out what it is?

    Well, me and CLC both have Ferraris, speak fluent French and married smoke shows.

    Dunno about you.
  • malcolmgmalcolmg Posts: 45,961
    Sandpit said:

    Well today was supposed to be the day Emirates airline ramped up their schedule, after the troubles of the past week.

    Sadly the Iranian morons had other ideas, and more than a dozen incoming flights have diverted from DXB.

    Imagine them actually daring to retaliate the naughty boys
  • ydoethurydoethur Posts: 77,960
    malcolmg said:

    Sandpit said:

    Well today was supposed to be the day Emirates airline ramped up their schedule, after the troubles of the past week.

    Sadly the Iranian morons had other ideas, and more than a dozen incoming flights have diverted from DXB.

    Imagine them actually daring to retaliate the naughty boys
    I was wondering about how likely it's going to go on for - given the total chaos that is unfolding - and I kept coming to the rather grim conclusion that it depends on whether the damaging revelations in the Epstein files about Trump's crimes are still considered more serious than the inevitable economic damage he will do to his own voters through inflation caused by his war.

    And given that the one we already know of is the file about him assaulting a 13-year-old girl, as that was published before being hurriedly retracted, we must assume that the rest are really, really extraordinarily bad.

    In Netanyahu's case the calculation is simpler - he has to keep it going until the next election due by October or win it by then, so he can win a further term to keep out of quod where he belongs. Whether it will be enough rather depends on the Israeli electorate overlooking his covert sponsorship of Hamas or his astonishing ineptitude in light of their first attack.
  • WhisperingOracleWhisperingOracle Posts: 11,068
    edited 7:52AM
    Morning, P.B.

    Interesting statement from Pezezkhian, that targetting Gulf countries has been a "mistake", and due to miscommunication in the ranks.
  • SandpitSandpit Posts: 60,404
    WhisperingOracle said:

    Interesting statement from.Pezezkhian that targetting Gulf countries has been a "mistake", and due to miscommunication in the ranks.

    Well it’s still happening, as of an hour ago.

    The question is does anyone in Iran actually have the authority to call off the strikes?
  • TresTres Posts: 3,518
    Sandpit said:

    WhisperingOracle said:

    Interesting statement from.Pezezkhian that targetting Gulf countries has been a "mistake", and due to miscommunication in the ranks.

    Well it’s still happening, as of an hour ago.

    The question is does anyone in Iran actually have the authority to call off the strikes?
    I thought mossad was running the show? Or was that just hype
  • StuartinromfordStuartinromford Posts: 21,796
    Sandpit said:

    WhisperingOracle said:

    Interesting statement from.Pezezkhian that targetting Gulf countries has been a "mistake", and due to miscommunication in the ranks.

    Well it’s still happening, as of an hour ago.

    The question is does anyone in Iran actually have the authority to call off the strikes?
    Quite possibly not, given the decapitation of the Iranian government.

    Last Saturday's actions continue to have consequences that don't look like anyone thought them through.
  • ydoethurydoethur Posts: 77,960
    Sandpit said:

    WhisperingOracle said:

    Interesting statement from.Pezezkhian that targetting Gulf countries has been a "mistake", and due to miscommunication in the ranks.

    Well it’s still happening, as of an hour ago.

    The question is does anyone in Iran actually have the authority to call off the strikes?
    Probably not.

    In 1945 Tokyo was not targeted by the US with atom bombs for two very good reasons: 1) it had already been more or less flattened and (2) if you kill off the High Command, who orders the surrender?
  • kle4kle4 Posts: 101,644
    Sandpit said:

    So as russian flags were waving over the Paralympics, russian missiles were levelling a five-storey apartment block in Kharkiv as the residents slept. Numerous casualties including children.

    https://x.com/bohuslavskakate/status/2030114015112757298

    Well done to everyone officially boycotting the Games.

    They just want peace you guys.
  • BattlebusBattlebus Posts: 2,611
    kle4 said:

    Sandpit said:

    So as russian flags were waving over the Paralympics, russian missiles were levelling a five-storey apartment block in Kharkiv as the residents slept. Numerous casualties including children.

    https://x.com/bohuslavskakate/status/2030114015112757298

    Well done to everyone officially boycotting the Games.

    They just want [a] peace [of] you guys.
    FTFY
  • FrancisUrquhartFrancisUrquhart Posts: 90,343
    WhisperingOracle said:

    Morning, P.B.

    Interesting statement from Pezezkhian, that targetting Gulf countries has been a "mistake", and due to miscommunication in the ranks.

    Never crossed his desk?
  • kle4kle4 Posts: 101,644
    malcolmg said:

    Sandpit said:

    Well today was supposed to be the day Emirates airline ramped up their schedule, after the troubles of the past week.

    Sadly the Iranian morons had other ideas, and more than a dozen incoming flights have diverted from DXB.

    Imagine them actually daring to retaliate the naughty boys
    How someone retaliates is still a choice. Even in a hypothetical situation where a retaliation would be entirely justified certain options to do so would be counterproductive.

    Iran is being attacked and so of course responds, it doesn't have many good choices even taking their perspective however. Is randomly targeting pretty much everyone in the region the best one though? Trying to create a regional war, sure, but is it helping them?
  • DavidLDavidL Posts: 57,806
    The importance of the driver is surely shown in the differing performances of the 2 team mates who usually have exactly the same equipment. A red bull with Verstappen at the wheel was a completely different beast from, say, Perez, and any other team mate he has had. Verstappen is not a pleasant individual, just as Schmacher wasn't before him, but that furious determination is what makes him by far the best driver on the grid at the moment (probably not quite Hamilton in his pomp but seriously close).

    Verstappen didn't even have the second best car on the grid last year and yet he got the Championship to the final race. It was a remarkable performance.
  • ThomasNasheThomasNashe Posts: 5,539
    edited 8:11AM
    The placatory statements from Masoud Pezeshkian are interesting. I think he fancies himself as the Iranian Delcy Rodriguez.
  • TresTres Posts: 3,518
    kle4 said:

    malcolmg said:

    Sandpit said:

    Well today was supposed to be the day Emirates airline ramped up their schedule, after the troubles of the past week.

    Sadly the Iranian morons had other ideas, and more than a dozen incoming flights have diverted from DXB.

    Imagine them actually daring to retaliate the naughty boys
    How someone retaliates is still a choice. Even in a hypothetical situation where a retaliation would be entirely justified certain options to do so would be counterproductive.

    Iran is being attacked and so of course responds, it doesn't have many good choices even taking their perspective however. Is randomly targeting pretty much everyone in the region the best one though? Trying to create a regional war, sure, but is it helping them?
    they just got to wait for orange to get distracted with new shiny thing
  • WhisperingOracleWhisperingOracle Posts: 11,068
    edited 8:10AM
    "President Masoud Pezeshkian said:

    “I apologise to the neighbouring countries that were attacked by Iran.”

    He added: Iran’s interim leadership has decided there will be “no more attacks on neighbouring countries or launch[ing] missiles, unless an attack against Iran originates from those countries.” He blamed recent strikes on “miscommunication” after losses of top commanders and the supreme leader."

    Interesting intervention, for sure.
  • TheScreamingEaglesTheScreamingEagles Posts: 126,673
    WhisperingOracle said:

    "President Masoud Pezeshkian said:

    “I apologise to the neighbouring countries that were attacked by Iran.”

    He added: Iran’s interim leadership has decided there will be “no more attacks on neighbouring countries or launch[ing] missiles, unless an attack against Iran originates from those countries.” He blamed recent strikes on “miscommunication” after losses of top commanders and the supreme leader."

    Huzzah, the Bahrain and Saudi grands prix won’t be cancelled then.
  • FrancisUrquhartFrancisUrquhart Posts: 90,343
    edited 8:10AM
    WhisperingOracle said:

    "President Masoud Pezeshkian said:

    “I apologise to the neighbouring countries that were attacked by Iran.”

    He added: Iran’s interim leadership has decided there will be “no more attacks on neighbouring countries or launch[ing] missiles, unless an attack against Iran originates from those countries.” He blamed recent strikes on “miscommunication” after losses of top commanders and the supreme leader."

    Interesting intervention, for sure.

    Iranian Ballistic Missiles launches:
    Day 1 — 350
    Day 2 — 175
    Day 3 — 120
    Day 4 — 50
    Day 5 — 40
    Day 6 — 32
    Day 7 — 28
    Day 8 — 15

    Maybe they ain't got many more left to fire.
  • MattWMattW Posts: 32,494
    I had not caught up with how many countries boycotted the Paralympics Opening Ceremony, including the UK. It's a bit obfuscated between "boycott" and "events start tomorrow, so we want to keep our athletes fresh". About 1/3 boycott, and another 1/6 to save athletes.

    Australia and France have confirmed that their officials will not attend the 2026 Paralympic Games' opening ceremony – a principled decision in disagreement with Russian and Belarusian participation under their national flags.

    Already, 16 countries and the EU have refused to participate in today’s Paralympics Opening Ceremony. Grateful for the partners’ solidarity that sends a clear message: sport must stand for peace, fairness, and respect for international law.

    I am also grateful to Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, and Sweden for the statement condemning the shameful decision by the International Paralympic Committee.

    Allowing the display of Russian and Belarusian state symbols undermines international efforts to isolate those regimes amid Russia’s ongoing war of aggression against Ukraine – and remains unacceptable.
    4:18 PM · Mar 6, 2026
    https://x.com/andrii_sybiha/status/2029954717049102417

    https://www.paralympic.org/news/athletes-opening-ceremony-parade
  • kle4kle4 Posts: 101,644
    FrancisUrquhart said:

    WhisperingOracle said:

    "President Masoud Pezeshkian said:

    “I apologise to the neighbouring countries that were attacked by Iran.”

    He added: Iran’s interim leadership has decided there will be “no more attacks on neighbouring countries or launch[ing] missiles, unless an attack against Iran originates from those countries.” He blamed recent strikes on “miscommunication” after losses of top commanders and the supreme leader."

    Interesting intervention, for sure.

    Iranian Ballistic Missiles launches:
    Day 1 — 350
    Day 2 — 175
    Day 3 — 120
    Day 4 — 50
    Day 5 — 40
    Day 6 — 32
    Day 7 — 28
    Day 8 — 15

    Maybe they ain't got many more left to fire.
    In which case proactively saying you'll stop is the only play.
  • SandpitSandpit Posts: 60,404
    MattW said:

    I had not caught up with how many countries boycotted the Paralympics Opening Ceremony, including the UK. It's a bit obfuscated between "boycott" and "events start tomorrow, so we want to keep our athletes fresh". About 1/3 boycott, and another 1/6 to save athletes.

    Australia and France have confirmed that their officials will not attend the 2026 Paralympic Games' opening ceremony – a principled decision in disagreement with Russian and Belarusian participation under their national flags.

    Already, 16 countries and the EU have refused to participate in today’s Paralympics Opening Ceremony. Grateful for the partners’ solidarity that sends a clear message: sport must stand for peace, fairness, and respect for international law.

    I am also grateful to Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, and Sweden for the statement condemning the shameful decision by the International Paralympic Committee.

    Allowing the display of Russian and Belarusian state symbols undermines international efforts to isolate those regimes amid Russia’s ongoing war of aggression against Ukraine – and remains unacceptable.
    4:18 PM · Mar 6, 2026
    https://x.com/andrii_sybiha/status/2029954717049102417

    https://www.paralympic.org/news/athletes-opening-ceremony-parade

    The boycotts are by governments, not by athletes.

    For example, there wasn’t a UK sports minister or disability minister at the opening ceremony.

    It’s mostly symbolic, but should be a powerful symbol sent towards IOC management.

    It will be interesting to see if there’s any gestures by athletes who have to share a podium with the scumbags.
  • Scott_xPScott_xP Posts: 42,767
    ydoethur said:

    I was wondering about how likely it's going to go on for - given the total chaos that is unfolding -

    Chaos?

    You must be mistaken...

    @atrupar.com‬

    Hegseth: "This idea that the war might be expanded, or there's chaos -- nothing could be further from the truth"

    https://bsky.app/profile/atrupar.com/post/3mgdtt56vci2p
  • MattWMattW Posts: 32,494
    rcs1000 said:

    Charles Leclerc, @Dura_Ace and I are all members of an exclusive club.

    Can anyone work out what it is?

    Charles Leclerc who? Did you all design tanks?

    Or are you like Stirling Moss and it is lawnmower racing?
  • Dura_AceDura_Ace Posts: 15,280
    On topic... this is the oldest and most facile argument in motorsports. Clearly both are important, however the best drivers end up on the best teams and driver ability is not constant across different cars. Top tier drivers can and do perform worse in theoretically better cars. It's pointless trying to estimate the percentage which car and driver contribute to overall performance because the relationship has many external factors.

    Fun fact: I've never watched an F1 race from flag to flag but I have driven an F1 car.
  • nico67nico67 Posts: 7,188
    At first hand this Presidential statement suggests there’s no organisation in the country and the chain of command has been broken .

    On the other he’s only apologising now because their ability to fire missiles has significantly weakened.

    Might we see a reduction in the oil and gas prices on Monday ?
  • FeersumEnjineeyaFeersumEnjineeya Posts: 5,147
    Sandpit said:

    So as russian flags were waving over the Paralympics, russian missiles were levelling a five-storey apartment block in Kharkiv as the residents slept. Numerous casualties including children.

    https://x.com/bohuslavskakate/status/2030114015112757298

    Well done to everyone officially boycotting the Games.

    Likewise the US and Israel re Iran.
  • MattWMattW Posts: 32,494
    edited 8:22AM
    Sandpit said:

    MattW said:

    I had not caught up with how many countries boycotted the Paralympics Opening Ceremony, including the UK. It's a bit obfuscated between "boycott" and "events start tomorrow, so we want to keep our athletes fresh". About 1/3 boycott, and another 1/6 to save athletes.

    Australia and France have confirmed that their officials will not attend the 2026 Paralympic Games' opening ceremony – a principled decision in disagreement with Russian and Belarusian participation under their national flags.

    Already, 16 countries and the EU have refused to participate in today’s Paralympics Opening Ceremony. Grateful for the partners’ solidarity that sends a clear message: sport must stand for peace, fairness, and respect for international law.

    I am also grateful to Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, and Sweden for the statement condemning the shameful decision by the International Paralympic Committee.

    Allowing the display of Russian and Belarusian state symbols undermines international efforts to isolate those regimes amid Russia’s ongoing war of aggression against Ukraine – and remains unacceptable.
    4:18 PM · Mar 6, 2026
    https://x.com/andrii_sybiha/status/2029954717049102417

    https://www.paralympic.org/news/athletes-opening-ceremony-parade

    The boycotts are by governments, not by athletes.

    For example, there wasn’t a UK sports minister or disability minister at the opening ceremony.

    It’s mostly symbolic, but should be a powerful symbol sent towards IOC management.

    It will be interesting to see if there’s any gestures by athletes who have to share a podium with the scumbags.
    It's a tricky one. I don't imagine athletes can be banned from the ceremony by instruction somewhere like the UK, and the boycott is ceremonials not events. My second link shows which athletes did not attend the ceremony.

    Seb Coe took part in the Moscow Olympics in defiance of Mrs Thatcher's boycott in 1980. And there was a lot of personal pressure from the Govt at the time on him.
  • TheuniondivvieTheuniondivvie Posts: 46,925
    edited 8:28AM
    Stuartinromford said:

    Sandpit said:

    WhisperingOracle said:

    Interesting statement from.Pezezkhian that targetting Gulf countries has been a "mistake", and due to miscommunication in the ranks.

    Well it’s still happening, as of an hour ago.

    The question is does anyone in Iran actually have the authority to call off the strikes?
    Quite possibly not, given the decapitation of the Iranian government.

    Last Saturday's actions continue to have consequences that don't look like anyone thought them through.
    The Trump doctrine. What makes a great plot twist for an episode of a tv show does not a strategy make.
  • RogerRoger Posts: 22,442
    edited 8:23AM
    OT for anyone who missed it. The Naked Week. Some very good sattire Particularly that aimed at Dubai!

    https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002s4qh
  • MattWMattW Posts: 32,494
    FrancisUrquhart said:

    WhisperingOracle said:

    "President Masoud Pezeshkian said:

    “I apologise to the neighbouring countries that were attacked by Iran.”

    He added: Iran’s interim leadership has decided there will be “no more attacks on neighbouring countries or launch[ing] missiles, unless an attack against Iran originates from those countries.” He blamed recent strikes on “miscommunication” after losses of top commanders and the supreme leader."

    Interesting intervention, for sure.

    Iranian Ballistic Missiles launches:
    Day 1 — 350
    Day 2 — 175
    Day 3 — 120
    Day 4 — 50
    Day 5 — 40
    Day 6 — 32
    Day 7 — 28
    Day 8 — 15

    Maybe they ain't got many more left to fire.
    Achtung ! Minen !
  • HYUFDHYUFD Posts: 134,475
    The fact Sir Lewis could win his ninth title at the age of 41 is a tribute to his brilliance and the fact he is one of the UK's greatest sporting champions
  • Dura_AceDura_Ace Posts: 15,280
    edited 8:25AM
    It's only 14 weeks until Iran play New Zealand in the World Cup in LA. They should hammer them because Iran are pretty good and NZ are pretty crap. Fat Man and Little Boy will probably have the Iranian team executed in the stadium, Taliban style.
  • Dura_AceDura_Ace Posts: 15,280
    HYUFD said:

    The fact Sir Lewis could win his ninth title at the age of 41 is a tribute to his brilliance and the fact he is one of the UK's greatest sporting champions

    SLH would be an excellent ceremonial president when we get rid of the crowned thieves. He's one of the few people of sufficient stature who can command respect from both gammons and progressives.
  • Scott_xPScott_xP Posts: 42,767
    Theuniondivvie said:

    Stuartinromford said:

    Sandpit said:

    WhisperingOracle said:

    Interesting statement from.Pezezkhian that targetting Gulf countries has been a "mistake", and due to miscommunication in the ranks.

    Well it’s still happening, as of an hour ago.

    The question is does anyone in Iran actually have the authority to call off the strikes?
    Quite possibly not, given the decapitation of the Iranian government.

    Last Saturday's actions continue to have consequences that don't look like anyone thought them through.
    The Trump usp. What makes a great plot twist for an episode of a tv show does not a strategy make.
    They could make an entire series with Trump showing outlandish ideas that fall apart in execution because the team implementing them are all idiots.

    Oh, wait...
  • kle4kle4 Posts: 101,644
    Dura_Ace said:

    HYUFD said:

    The fact Sir Lewis could win his ninth title at the age of 41 is a tribute to his brilliance and the fact he is one of the UK's greatest sporting champions

    SLH would be an excellent ceremonial president when we get rid of the crowned thieves. He's one of the few people of sufficient stature who can command respect from both gammons and progressives.
    I know there's plenty of places it works, but it just seems weird to have a ceremonial president if elected like anyone else, give them something genuine to do at least.
  • TheuniondivvieTheuniondivvie Posts: 46,925
    Dura_Ace said:

    HYUFD said:

    The fact Sir Lewis could win his ninth title at the age of 41 is a tribute to his brilliance and the fact he is one of the UK's greatest sporting champions

    SLH would be an excellent ceremonial president when we get rid of the crowned thieves. He's one of the few people of sufficient stature who can command respect from both gammons and progressives.
    Dunno, didn’t he break the great thou shalt not kneel for BLM commandment?
  • SandpitSandpit Posts: 60,404
    MattW said:

    Sandpit said:

    MattW said:

    I had not caught up with how many countries boycotted the Paralympics Opening Ceremony, including the UK. It's a bit obfuscated between "boycott" and "events start tomorrow, so we want to keep our athletes fresh". About 1/3 boycott, and another 1/6 to save athletes.

    Australia and France have confirmed that their officials will not attend the 2026 Paralympic Games' opening ceremony – a principled decision in disagreement with Russian and Belarusian participation under their national flags.

    Already, 16 countries and the EU have refused to participate in today’s Paralympics Opening Ceremony. Grateful for the partners’ solidarity that sends a clear message: sport must stand for peace, fairness, and respect for international law.

    I am also grateful to Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, and Sweden for the statement condemning the shameful decision by the International Paralympic Committee.

    Allowing the display of Russian and Belarusian state symbols undermines international efforts to isolate those regimes amid Russia’s ongoing war of aggression against Ukraine – and remains unacceptable.
    4:18 PM · Mar 6, 2026
    https://x.com/andrii_sybiha/status/2029954717049102417

    https://www.paralympic.org/news/athletes-opening-ceremony-parade

    The boycotts are by governments, not by athletes.

    For example, there wasn’t a UK sports minister or disability minister at the opening ceremony.

    It’s mostly symbolic, but should be a powerful symbol sent towards IOC management.

    It will be interesting to see if there’s any gestures by athletes who have to share a podium with the scumbags.
    It's a tricky one. I don't imagine athletes can be banned from the ceremony by instruction somewhere like the UK, and the boycott is ceremonials not events. My second link shows which athletes did not attend the ceremony.

    Seb Coe took part in the Moscow Olympics in defiance of Mrs Thatcher's boycott in 1980. And there was a lot of personal pressure from the Govt at the time on him.
    Yes the ‘80 and ‘84 boycotts were much more serious, with countries pulling athletes out completely rather than just missing the ceremonies. I was a little young at the time, but I’ve heard Coe talking about the pressure he was under not to go to Moscow. In the end, the decision was that it would look worse for the government if they actually took measures to stop him, rather than simply expressing regret that he went after a lot of pressure to withdraw.

    Fun anecdote, my wife has a “Moscow 1980” quartz clock in her living room in Ukraine. It still works.
  • kle4kle4 Posts: 101,644
    Theuniondivvie said:

    Dura_Ace said:

    HYUFD said:

    The fact Sir Lewis could win his ninth title at the age of 41 is a tribute to his brilliance and the fact he is one of the UK's greatest sporting champions

    SLH would be an excellent ceremonial president when we get rid of the crowned thieves. He's one of the few people of sufficient stature who can command respect from both gammons and progressives.
    Dunno, didn’t he break the great thou shalt not kneel for BLM commandment?
    He did lecture the other drivers a bit then later pretended he hadn't been doing that, but I don't think it's hurt his reputation.
  • algarkirkalgarkirk Posts: 16,753
    Dura_Ace said:

    HYUFD said:

    The fact Sir Lewis could win his ninth title at the age of 41 is a tribute to his brilliance and the fact he is one of the UK's greatest sporting champions

    SLH would be an excellent ceremonial president when we get rid of the crowned thieves. He's one of the few people of sufficient stature who can command respect from both gammons and progressives.
    But is the princedom of Monaco in need of an elected president?

  • MattWMattW Posts: 32,494
    What are the prospects of Trumpski himself doing another personal TACO on Iran?

    I think the USA may be hit hardest by the oil and gas prices in the short term. Most others seem to have 2-3 months of reserves of oil (us: not gas), but it is summer in Europe so for us the gas dependencies are products not heating.

    And, checking again, the USA uses 3x as much gas and 4x as much oil each year for each of its citizens than each of UK citizens. The European average is slightly lower ratios, but we are comparatively much more efficient.

    Has anyone seen any godo analysis of this aspect?
  • FrancisUrquhartFrancisUrquhart Posts: 90,343
    edited 8:35AM
    Soembody didn't get the memo...

    Another Iranian attack drone hit Dubai International Airport, barely missing Concourse A.
    https://x.com/Osinttechnical/status/2030185941906665482?s=20

    Qatar's Ministry of Defense says its armed forces have "intercepted" a missile attack.
    https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/ceqvwrydzpqt
  • HYUFDHYUFD Posts: 134,475
    edited 8:41AM
    Dura_Ace said:

    HYUFD said:

    The fact Sir Lewis could win his ninth title at the age of 41 is a tribute to his brilliance and the fact he is one of the UK's greatest sporting champions

    SLH would be an excellent ceremonial president when we get rid of the crowned thieves. He's one of the few people of sufficient stature who can command respect from both gammons and progressives.
    I wouldn't go that far. he is a great talent but not everyone likes him, he is not the most charming person in the world and has expensive tastes, indeed Yougov gives him a +35% rating from UK voters which while fractionally higher than the King's +29% is still far below Prince William's +62%. I am sure Sir Lewis has zero interest in being a UK President anyway and as a knight of the realm remains a constitutional monarchist and will leave being UK head of state to those trained from birth to do the role


    https://yougov.com/en-gb/topics/sports_personality/Lewis_Hamilton

    https://yougov.com/en-gb/articles/53895-royal-family-favourability-trackers-january-2026


  • ydoethurydoethur Posts: 77,960
    HYUFD said:

    Dura_Ace said:

    HYUFD said:

    The fact Sir Lewis could win his ninth title at the age of 41 is a tribute to his brilliance and the fact he is one of the UK's greatest sporting champions

    SLH would be an excellent ceremonial president when we get rid of the crowned thieves. He's one of the few people of sufficient stature who can command respect from both gammons and progressives.
    I wouldn't go that far. he is a great talent but not everyone likes him, he is not the most charming person in the world and has expensive tastes, indeed Yougov gives him a +35% which while fractionally higher than the King's +29% is still far below Prince William's +62%. I am sure Sir Lewis has zero interest in being a UK President anyway and as a knight of the realm remains a constitutional monarchist and will leave being UK head of state to those trained from birth to do the role


    https://yougov.com/en-gb/topics/sports_personality/Lewis_Hamilton

    https://yougov.com/en-gb/articles/53895-royal-family-favourability-trackers-january-2026


    I was doing a workout at Chase Leisure Centre when Masi messed up the race that cost Hamilton the title.

    Almost everyone else was cheering loudly because he's so unpopular. I was too busy on the rowing machine to take part either way, but I remember thinking it was a good job TSE wasn't there...
  • HYUFDHYUFD Posts: 134,475
    edited 8:43AM
    WhisperingOracle said:

    "President Masoud Pezeshkian said:

    “I apologise to the neighbouring countries that were attacked by Iran.”

    He added: Iran’s interim leadership has decided there will be “no more attacks on neighbouring countries or launch[ing] missiles, unless an attack against Iran originates from those countries.” He blamed recent strikes on “miscommunication” after losses of top commanders and the supreme leader."

    Interesting intervention, for sure.

    Great news for SKS, he can now say the UK will take no part at all in the US and Israeli strikes on Iran as there would be no need for defensive actions unless a UK base is attacked which would further help him appease the left
  • CookieCookie Posts: 17,022
    Back when I took an interest in Formula 1 in the 80s, it was definitely the car. Williams always won. It was an engineering contest. Not that there's anything wrong with an engineering contest. But it was clear the driver was secondary.
  • TheuniondivvieTheuniondivvie Posts: 46,925
    edited 8:45AM
    HYUFD said:

    Dura_Ace said:

    HYUFD said:

    The fact Sir Lewis could win his ninth title at the age of 41 is a tribute to his brilliance and the fact he is one of the UK's greatest sporting champions

    SLH would be an excellent ceremonial president when we get rid of the crowned thieves. He's one of the few people of sufficient stature who can command respect from both gammons and progressives.
    I wouldn't go that far. he is a great talent but not everyone likes him, he is not the most charming person in the world and has expensive tastes, indeed Yougov gives him a +35% which while fractionally higher than the King's +29% is still far below Prince William's +62%. I am sure Sir Lewis has zero interest in being a UK President anyway and as a knight of the realm remains a constitutional monarchist and will leave being UK head of state to those trained from birth to do the role


    https://yougov.com/en-gb/topics/sports_personality/Lewis_Hamilton

    https://yougov.com/en-gb/articles/53895-royal-family-favourability-trackers-january-2026


    ‘he is a great talent but not everyone likes him, he is not the most charming person in the world and has expensive tastes’

    The talent is obviously a disadvantage, but otherwise he seems eminently qualified to replace the Mountbatten Windsors.
  • ydoethurydoethur Posts: 77,960
    Cookie said:

    Back when I took an interest in Formula 1 in the 80s, it was definitely the car. Williams always won. It was an engineering contest. Not that there's anything wrong with an engineering contest. But it was clear the driver was secondary.

    Since McLaren dominated the second half of the 1980s, I'm not sure I would agree (but it depends when you mean in the 80s).
  • HYUFDHYUFD Posts: 134,475
    edited 8:53AM
    Theuniondivvie said:


    HYUFD said:

    Dura_Ace said:

    HYUFD said:

    The fact Sir Lewis could win his ninth title at the age of 41 is a tribute to his brilliance and the fact he is one of the UK's greatest sporting champions

    SLH would be an excellent ceremonial president when we get rid of the crowned thieves. He's one of the few people of sufficient stature who can command respect from both gammons and progressives.
    I wouldn't go that far. he is a great talent but not everyone likes him, he is not the most charming person in the world and has expensive tastes, indeed Yougov gives him a +35% which while fractionally higher than the King's +29% is still far below Prince William's +62%. I am sure Sir Lewis has zero interest in being a UK President anyway and as a knight of the realm remains a constitutional monarchist and will leave being UK head of state to those trained from birth to do the role


    https://yougov.com/en-gb/topics/sports_personality/Lewis_Hamilton

    https://yougov.com/en-gb/articles/53895-royal-family-favourability-trackers-january-2026


    ‘he is a great talent but not everyone likes him, he is not the most charming person in the world and has expensive tastes’

    The talent is obviously a disadvantage, but otherwise he seems eminently qualified to replace the Mountbatten Windsors.
    No, as I said the fact he is a great F1 driver does not mean he has been brought up to be a ceremonial monarch and head of state and trained for that as the King and Prince William are. Indeed not only Prince William but Princess Anne also has higher favourable ratings even than Sir Lewis. Prince William was an air sea rescue pilot for a few years but his main role is next King
  • geoffwgeoffw Posts: 9,508
    President Pezeshkian has apologised to the GCC nations for the arial bombardments.
    Perhaps the decentralised elements of the IRGC and army are acting autonomously following a pre-written script telling what to do in the event of regime decapitation
  • PulpstarPulpstar Posts: 80,638
    TheScreamingEagles said:

    WhisperingOracle said:

    "President Masoud Pezeshkian said:

    “I apologise to the neighbouring countries that were attacked by Iran.”

    He added: Iran’s interim leadership has decided there will be “no more attacks on neighbouring countries or launch[ing] missiles, unless an attack against Iran originates from those countries.” He blamed recent strikes on “miscommunication” after losses of top commanders and the supreme leader."

    Huzzah, the Bahrain and Saudi grands prix won’t be cancelled then.
    The fewer GPs before Canada the better quite honestly I think, going to be a Mercedes procession till then lol
  • HYUFDHYUFD Posts: 134,475
    'President Trump has privately expressed 'serious interest' in deploying US soldiers to Iran, according to military sources.

    Trump has told White House advisors that he will need troops on the ground to complete his 'vision' for a post-war Iran, which he hopes to control in a similar way to Venezuela, insiders told NBC News.

    US officials, who were not named, told the outlet that Trump is not focusing on a full-scale invasion of Iran, but instead would want a small contingent of troops to deploy for strategic purposes. '
    https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-15623383/Trump-troops-ground-Iran-war-deployed-Israel.html
  • ydoethurydoethur Posts: 77,960
    HYUFD said:

    'President Trump has privately expressed 'serious interest' in deploying US soldiers to Iran, according to military sources.

    Trump has told White House advisors that he will need troops on the ground to complete his 'vision' for a post-war Iran, which he hopes to control in a similar way to Venezuela, insiders told NBC News.

    US officials, who were not named, told the outlet that Trump is not focusing on a full-scale invasion of Iran, but instead would want a small contingent of troops to deploy for strategic purposes. '
    https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-15623383/Trump-troops-ground-Iran-war-deployed-Israel.html

    He doesn't control Venezuela...
  • wooliedyedwooliedyed Posts: 16,269
    Iran shitting themselves about the Azeri response.
    And, of course, their words allow plenty wiggle room - 'originating from.....' bases within? The airspace of?
  • StuartinromfordStuartinromford Posts: 21,796
    HYUFD said:

    Dura_Ace said:

    HYUFD said:

    The fact Sir Lewis could win his ninth title at the age of 41 is a tribute to his brilliance and the fact he is one of the UK's greatest sporting champions

    SLH would be an excellent ceremonial president when we get rid of the crowned thieves. He's one of the few people of sufficient stature who can command respect from both gammons and progressives.
    I wouldn't go that far. he is a great talent but not everyone likes him, he is not the most charming person in the world and has expensive tastes, indeed Yougov gives him a +35% rating from UK voters which while fractionally higher than the King's +29% is still far below Prince William's +62%. I am sure Sir Lewis has zero interest in being a UK President anyway and as a knight of the realm remains a constitutional monarchist and will leave being UK head of state to those trained from birth to do the role


    https://yougov.com/en-gb/topics/sports_personality/Lewis_Hamilton

    https://yougov.com/en-gb/articles/53895-royal-family-favourability-trackers-january-2026


    I know what you mean, but given that said training has delivered the Dukes of Windsor, York and Sussex, one has to question how effective it is.

    If I had that sort of failure rate, I'd be expecting a meeting without biscuits to discuss the issue at the very least.

    (The real point is that the training is for a role that's fundamentally insane, especially if it's essentially for life. The psychologically healthiest Head of State model is to make it opt-in, temporary and with powers summed up as "politicians mustn't embarrass the National Treasure."

    Think the Chancellor of a moderately reputable redbrick university.)
  • CookieCookie Posts: 17,022
    ydoethur said:

    Cookie said:

    Back when I took an interest in Formula 1 in the 80s, it was definitely the car. Williams always won. It was an engineering contest. Not that there's anything wrong with an engineering contest. But it was clear the driver was secondary.

    Since McLaren dominated the second half of the 1980s, I'm not sure I would agree (but it depends when you mean in the 80s).
    tbh it's a vague memory. It may have been McLaren. Ir it may actually have been the early 90s. Or the early 80s.
    I liked Lotus because they had the best looking cars.
    But I drifted away frim it because it all seemed very predictable and, more importantly, latterly, not on free to air TV.
  • TheuniondivvieTheuniondivvie Posts: 46,925
    What’s this ‘I am the face of modern Britain’ shite all over twitter, the next stage of the put out more flags movement?

    https://x.com/firstladynot/status/2030056252844187853?s=61&t=LYVEHh2mqFy1oUJAdCfe-Q
  • MattWMattW Posts: 32,494
    Theuniondivvie said:

    What’s this ‘I am the face of modern Britain’ shite all over twitter, the next stage of the put out more flags movement?

    https://x.com/firstladynot/status/2030056252844187853?s=61&t=LYVEHh2mqFy1oUJAdCfe-Q

    Leader of Notts County Council this week:

    "Shut up about the flags.".

    (At a pothole protest)

    https://www.nottinghampost.com/news/local-news/nottinghamshires-reform-leader-says-shut-10849226

  • solarflaresolarflare Posts: 4,518
    edited 9:03AM
    Dura_Ace said:

    It's pointless trying to estimate the percentage which car and driver contribute to overall performance because the relationship has many external factors.

    I don't really agree. One doesn't need an exact number as yes it is arguable depending on circumstances etc. but it's obvious that it is incredibly heavily weighted in favour of the car.
  • WhisperingOracleWhisperingOracle Posts: 11,068
    Very unclear what is going on in Iran. Pezeskhian may be seeking an off-ramp.
  • SandpitSandpit Posts: 60,404
    TheScreamingEagles said:

    Pulpstar said:

    Surely Antinelli is getting a grid penalty

    Might be a team penalty rather than a driver penalty.
    Team penalty confirmed.

    https://www.fia.com/system/files/decision-document/2026_australian_grand_prix_-_infringement_-_car_12_-_released_in_an_unsafe_condition.pdf
  • HYUFDHYUFD Posts: 134,475
    Stuartinromford said:

    HYUFD said:

    Dura_Ace said:

    HYUFD said:

    The fact Sir Lewis could win his ninth title at the age of 41 is a tribute to his brilliance and the fact he is one of the UK's greatest sporting champions

    SLH would be an excellent ceremonial president when we get rid of the crowned thieves. He's one of the few people of sufficient stature who can command respect from both gammons and progressives.
    I wouldn't go that far. he is a great talent but not everyone likes him, he is not the most charming person in the world and has expensive tastes, indeed Yougov gives him a +35% rating from UK voters which while fractionally higher than the King's +29% is still far below Prince William's +62%. I am sure Sir Lewis has zero interest in being a UK President anyway and as a knight of the realm remains a constitutional monarchist and will leave being UK head of state to those trained from birth to do the role


    https://yougov.com/en-gb/topics/sports_personality/Lewis_Hamilton

    https://yougov.com/en-gb/articles/53895-royal-family-favourability-trackers-january-2026


    I know what you mean, but given that said training has delivered the Dukes of Windsor, York and Sussex, one has to question how effective it is.

    If I had that sort of failure rate, I'd be expecting a meeting without biscuits to discuss the issue at the very least.

    (The real point is that the training is for a role that's fundamentally insane, especially if it's essentially for life. The psychologically healthiest Head of State model is to make it opt-in, temporary and with powers summed up as "politicians mustn't embarrass the National Treasure."

    Think the Chancellor of a moderately reputable redbrick university.)
    York and Sussex were spares, they were NOT trained as the heirs. Windsor was very popular as Prince of Wales, especially in areas hit by the depression he visited, Parliament removed him though once he tried to marry a divorcee as monarch as they will likely remove Andrew from the line of succession.

    Constitutional monarchy works and is always better than a politician head of state, hence monarchists like me would never accept a republic
  • Morris_DancerMorris_Dancer Posts: 63,621
    Sandpit said:

    TheScreamingEagles said:

    Pulpstar said:

    Surely Antinelli is getting a grid penalty

    Might be a team penalty rather than a driver penalty.
    Team penalty confirmed.

    https://www.fia.com/system/files/decision-document/2026_australian_grand_prix_-_infringement_-_car_12_-_released_in_an_unsafe_condition.pdf
    Cheers for mentioning this.
  • Big_G_NorthWalesBig_G_NorthWales Posts: 70,340
    FrancisUrquhart said:

    WhisperingOracle said:

    "President Masoud Pezeshkian said:

    “I apologise to the neighbouring countries that were attacked by Iran.”

    He added: Iran’s interim leadership has decided there will be “no more attacks on neighbouring countries or launch[ing] missiles, unless an attack against Iran originates from those countries.” He blamed recent strikes on “miscommunication” after losses of top commanders and the supreme leader."

    Interesting intervention, for sure.

    Iranian Ballistic Missiles launches:
    Day 1 — 350
    Day 2 — 175
    Day 3 — 120
    Day 4 — 50
    Day 5 — 40
    Day 6 — 32
    Day 7 — 28
    Day 8 — 15

    Maybe they ain't got many more left to fire.
    Good morning

    It appears that the US has concentrated on eliminating the launchers which by default inhibits the amount that can be launched
  • stjohnstjohn Posts: 1,956
    ThomasNashe said:

    The placatory statements from Masoud Pezeshkian are interesting. I think he fancies himself as the Iranian Delcy Rodriguez.

    Well, while there remains a vacancy for Supreme Leader, the more statements Pezeshkian makes that get reported internationally, conciliatory or not, the more he increases his standing and his chances of a Rodriguez type role, I would have thought. If such a solution to the current situation is possible? I am no expert on International Relations! Just hoping for a good outcome.

  • StillWatersStillWaters Posts: 12,770
    kle4 said:

    Sandpit said:

    So as russian flags were waving over the Paralympics, russian missiles were levelling a five-storey apartment block in Kharkiv as the residents slept. Numerous casualties including children.

    https://x.com/bohuslavskakate/status/2030114015112757298

    Well done to everyone officially boycotting the Games.

    They just want peace you guys.
    They are just trying to help Ukraine by creating more a bigger pool of candidates for their Paralympics team
  • Big_G_NorthWalesBig_G_NorthWales Posts: 70,340
    HYUFD said:

    Stuartinromford said:

    HYUFD said:

    Dura_Ace said:

    HYUFD said:

    The fact Sir Lewis could win his ninth title at the age of 41 is a tribute to his brilliance and the fact he is one of the UK's greatest sporting champions

    SLH would be an excellent ceremonial president when we get rid of the crowned thieves. He's one of the few people of sufficient stature who can command respect from both gammons and progressives.
    I wouldn't go that far. he is a great talent but not everyone likes him, he is not the most charming person in the world and has expensive tastes, indeed Yougov gives him a +35% rating from UK voters which while fractionally higher than the King's +29% is still far below Prince William's +62%. I am sure Sir Lewis has zero interest in being a UK President anyway and as a knight of the realm remains a constitutional monarchist and will leave being UK head of state to those trained from birth to do the role


    https://yougov.com/en-gb/topics/sports_personality/Lewis_Hamilton

    https://yougov.com/en-gb/articles/53895-royal-family-favourability-trackers-january-2026


    I know what you mean, but given that said training has delivered the Dukes of Windsor, York and Sussex, one has to question how effective it is.

    If I had that sort of failure rate, I'd be expecting a meeting without biscuits to discuss the issue at the very least.

    (The real point is that the training is for a role that's fundamentally insane, especially if it's essentially for life. The psychologically healthiest Head of State model is to make it opt-in, temporary and with powers summed up as "politicians mustn't embarrass the National Treasure."

    Think the Chancellor of a moderately reputable redbrick university.)
    York and Sussex were spares, they were NOT trained as the heirs. Windsor was very popular as Prince of Wales, especially in areas hit by the depression he visited, Parliament removed him though once he tried to marry a divorcee as monarch as they will likely remove Andrew from the line of succession.

    Constitutional monarchy works and is always better than a politician head of state, hence monarchists like me would never accept a republic
    I do not want a republic but not sure what you would do if it happened
  • bondegezoubondegezou Posts: 19,244
    Pentagon chief not concerned about Russia sharing intelligence with Iran for attacks on US troops

    https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2026/03/07/8024303/
  • FrankBoothFrankBooth Posts: 10,455
    geoffw said:

    President Pezeshkian has apologised to the GCC nations for the arial bombardments.
    Perhaps the decentralised elements of the IRGC and army are acting autonomously following a pre-written script telling what to do in the event of regime decapitation

    I suspect they gambled that if they attacked the GCC nations they would be cowed and pressure the US to end the war. Instead they chose to fight back so now Iran is trying to placate them.
  • algarkirkalgarkirk Posts: 16,753
    HYUFD said:

    'President Trump has privately expressed 'serious interest' in deploying US soldiers to Iran, according to military sources.

    Trump has told White House advisors that he will need troops on the ground to complete his 'vision' for a post-war Iran, which he hopes to control in a similar way to Venezuela, insiders told NBC News.

    US officials, who were not named, told the outlet that Trump is not focusing on a full-scale invasion of Iran, but instead would want a small contingent of troops to deploy for strategic purposes. '
    https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-15623383/Trump-troops-ground-Iran-war-deployed-Israel.html

    Like so many things this feels like madness, but among Trump's priorities will be the slightly complex issue of how to rig or avoid altogether the coming elections - now nine months away.

  • malcolmgmalcolmg Posts: 45,961
    Stuartinromford said:

    Sandpit said:

    WhisperingOracle said:

    Interesting statement from.Pezezkhian that targetting Gulf countries has been a "mistake", and due to miscommunication in the ranks.

    Well it’s still happening, as of an hour ago.

    The question is does anyone in Iran actually have the authority to call off the strikes?
    Quite possibly not, given the decapitation of the Iranian government.

    Last Saturday's actions continue to have consequences that don't look like anyone thought them through.
    Trump and his idiots could not run a bath, looks like the supine military are much the same.
  • Big_G_NorthWalesBig_G_NorthWales Posts: 70,340
    Labour struggling in London

    If Scotland, Wales and London are as bad as predicted I have no idea how labour recovers even with a change of leadership

    https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2026/mar/06/labour-urged-listen-progressive-voters-or-face-political-earthquake-london?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Other
  • ThomasNasheThomasNashe Posts: 5,539
    stjohn said:

    ThomasNashe said:

    The placatory statements from Masoud Pezeshkian are interesting. I think he fancies himself as the Iranian Delcy Rodriguez.

    Well, while there remains a vacancy for Supreme Leader, the more statements Pezeshkian makes that get reported internationally, conciliatory or not, the more he increases his standing and his chances of a Rodriguez type role, I would have thought. If such a solution to the current situation is possible? I am no expert on International Relations! Just hoping for a good outcome.

    It's also interesting that (so far at least) he does not seem to have been targeted by the USA/Israeli airstrikes.
  • FrankBoothFrankBooth Posts: 10,455
    wooliedyed said:

    Iran shitting themselves about the Azeri response.
    And, of course, their words allow plenty wiggle room - 'originating from.....' bases within? The airspace of?

    I hadn't realised how big the Azeri population in Iran is.
  • RogerRoger Posts: 22,442
    OT. Interesting piece of polling on 'Today' which will appear in the Observer tomorrow. Only 6% are where Kemi is ie go in all guns blazing with the Americans
  • Brixian59Brixian59 Posts: 1,170
    Cookie said:

    Back when I took an interest in Formula 1 in the 80s, it was definitely the car. Williams always won. It was an engineering contest. Not that there's anything wrong with an engineering contest. But it was clear the driver was secondary.

    Best era for me was late 90s early 00s when 4 or 5 cars could win and love him or not you had a privateer like Eddie J winning GPS and punching well above their weight.

    I always wonder if Dave Richards and BAR had not shafted Eddie and taken the Honda engine away as Jordan were outperforming BAR what might have happened.

    Of course Jensons year in the beautiful little Brawn was joyous.
  • HYUFDHYUFD Posts: 134,475
    Big_G_NorthWales said:

    Labour struggling in London

    If Scotland, Wales and London are as bad as predicted I have no idea how labour recovers even with a change of leadership

    https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2026/mar/06/labour-urged-listen-progressive-voters-or-face-political-earthquake-london?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Other

    Suggests the Greens could win more councils than Labour in London but Labour still win more councillors overall.

    The latest Scottish polls have Labour back ahead of Reform and second to the SNP who are also forecast to be down on 2021. In Wales Labour almost certainly stay in government even as junior partner to Plaid.

    UK wide though it is still open whether the Tories or Labour or now maybe even the Greens come second to Reform on NEV in the May local and devolved elections
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