This rather untypical machine for an F1 race weekend was spotted on the track in the run-up to the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
Can you come up with the best caption for this picture? Post your funniest suggestion in the comments below.
A selection of the best will feature in a future edition of the F1 Fanatic Round-up.
Caption Competition
- Caption Competition 240: Snoozuka
- Caption Competition 239: Norris in full flight
- Caption Competition 238: Vasseur makes a point
- Caption Competition 237: Nic-OMG
- Caption Competition 236: Ricciardo’s roar
Browse all Caption Competitions
squaregoldfish (@squaregoldfish)
1st July 2017, 11:56
CAUTION: May not accelerate out of corners as quickly as you expect.
Zim
1st July 2017, 18:26
Yes. This.
Eddie Dobrescu (@giulestina)
1st July 2017, 11:56
“Fernando Alonso takes to the track in his McLaren Honda in Free Practice”
Gina
1st July 2017, 11:57
Alonso tests new McLaren
hzh (@hzh00)
1st July 2017, 11:58
Honda were caught running secret engine testing at Baku.
Jack
1st July 2017, 11:59
Completed more laps than Jolyon Palmer did all weekend
Craig Norris (@schuey75)
1st July 2017, 11:59
No wonder Hamilton was complaining about the safety car going to slow.
Robbie (@robbie)
1st July 2017, 12:41
Lol almost word for word my first reaction. Good one.
@F1-liners (@f1-liners)
1st July 2017, 14:07
+1; I wanted to use LH’s exact words:
13 From Lewis Hamilton The Safety Car is driving so slow it’s dangerous for us. We can’t get the temperature in these tyres as it is.
James Brickles (@brickles)
1st July 2017, 12:03
Sebastian Vettel serving his punishment after the collision with Lewis Hamilton.
martin
1st July 2017, 12:03
This is a trial run for the new Safety car for 2018 season and It has a LPG system.
RossoToro (@)
1st July 2017, 12:04
Spot the car that has done more laps than Red Bull.
ruliemaulana (@ruliemaulana)
1st July 2017, 12:10
No more hybrid power unit. Let’s go back to the good old days engine.
KeeleyObsessed (@keeleyobsessed)
2nd July 2017, 0:08
Easily my favourite comment!
greg-c (@greg-c)
1st July 2017, 12:15
We’re catching Fred !
Broke84 (@broke84)
1st July 2017, 12:19
McLaren unveil their new engine partner, running an older model, Lada take 2s off Hondas fastest lap.
Gabriel (@rethla)
1st July 2017, 12:21
Hamilton finally found a car with proper headrests and are gonna show his engineers what hes been talking about.
Derek
1st July 2017, 12:34
I’m fastest through the corners..
Telvee32 (@telvee32)
1st July 2017, 12:37
With doubts cast over the future of the McLaren-Honda partnership amongst Fernando Alonso’s promises to jump ship, McLaren begin to explore drastic measures to increase engine performance.
Daniel
1st July 2017, 12:38
One more driver overtakes Alonso without DRS
Sumedh
1st July 2017, 12:38
Force India trial their new chassis as their drivers make it clear that they will race each other very hard on the track.
hzh (@hzh00)
1st July 2017, 12:44
Everyone was surprised by FIA’s new F1 closed cockpit concept.
Ryan08
1st July 2017, 12:46
After Pascal is knocked out in Q1, he asks the team if they’re sure Ericsson isn’t getting better equipment…
runningupthathill (@runningupthathill)
1st July 2017, 12:47
Vettel’s extra punishment was learning to drive in a straight line, at low speed, with one hand off the wheel.
Indeed
1st July 2017, 12:47
Alonso is Faster than you.
Anatoli68 (@anatoli68)
1st July 2017, 12:49
10-VS-958. Lucky for some.
Robbie (@robbie)
1st July 2017, 12:50
No worries, the marshals have about an hour to get off the track…
Jeanrien (@jeanrien)
1st July 2017, 12:51
Lance Stroll spotted during his training. Surely this is one enough to be authorised by the FIA.
Bryan (@ruz234014)
1st July 2017, 12:54
Lewis Hamilton is warned to maintain 10 car lengths from the new safer, slower safety car.
Oni (@oni)
1st July 2017, 12:56
Future of F1: Less reliance on aerodynamics, more equal engines and head protection.
glynh (@glynh)
1st July 2017, 13:00
Rare footage of a driver doing a clean lap of Baku.
schooner (@schooner)
1st July 2017, 13:03
The driver’s parade in Baku was not a very spectacular event.
runforitscooby (@runforitscooby)
1st July 2017, 13:04
Uber driver takes wrong turn but still manages to get 2 points for Lada.
Ruben
1st July 2017, 13:10
Made in China.
Early prototype for the rumored Chinese F1 team spotted testing in Baku.
John H (@john-h)
1st July 2017, 13:10
Niki Lada
ruliemaulana (@ruliemaulana)
1st July 2017, 13:12
PUNcture
Corey (@dragon86)
1st July 2017, 13:21
FIA tests out new safety cars in hopes of improving the show on race weekends.
xman
1st July 2017, 13:23
Maldonado private testing
spoutnik (@spoutnik)
1st July 2017, 13:25
Bernd Mayländer was not happy to learn what cutting costs in F1 meant for him.
petebaldwin (@)
1st July 2017, 13:29
Following Alonso’s race at the Indy 500, McLaren and Honda’s secretive Le Mans entry is put through it’s paces.
Robbie (@robbie)
1st July 2017, 13:31
At last, the final version of cockpit/halo/windscreen has been approved and looks startlingly better than previous prototypes.
Pete (@repete86)
1st July 2017, 13:34
McLaren were surprised to find that even this old Lada was faster than their Honda powered car.
Brian (@flyinglapct)
1st July 2017, 13:43
One of the marshals offered up this beauty after the Mercedes safety car was sidelined with a broken headrest.
hunocsi (@hunocsi)
1st July 2017, 13:44
The plans to revive ’80s style support races didn’t translate well to Azerbaijani.
Brian (@flyinglapct)
1st July 2017, 13:48
“Honey, I think that red car just rear ended us again.”
Nick (@theawesomefish)
1st July 2017, 13:48
The 2020 F1 engines will go 300 hectares on a single tank of kerosene.
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
2nd July 2017, 19:51
@theawesomefish Put in in ‘H’!
swh1386 (@swh1386)
3rd July 2017, 18:06
Take her for a test drive and you’ll agree; Zagreb agrem zlotig liev!
Robbie (@robbie)
1st July 2017, 13:50
The new virtual safety car.
Charles King (@charleski)
1st July 2017, 21:45
It’s virtually safe, as long as everyone else is in a Lada too.
hzh (@hzh00)
1st July 2017, 13:59
“When you drive never drink.”
RP (@slotopen)
1st July 2017, 13:59
Fernando, the Lada is faster than you.
Michael (@freelittlebirds)
1st July 2017, 14:03
The steering wheel comes off in this one too. Nice touch. How do I put it back on before I reach the corner?
(real life experience with Lada owned by uncle’s shipping company)
John H (@john-h)
1st July 2017, 15:11
“hey… hey… Steering wheel!”
Bart
1st July 2017, 14:07
One of Stroll’s secret tests between races. Took off the sponsoring decals, nobody the wiser.
Todfod (@todfod)
1st July 2017, 14:09
The Safety Car as described by Lewis Hamilton.
RP (@slotopen)
1st July 2017, 14:14
“A frustrated Max Versappen tests a more reliable car.”
Sihrtogg (@sihrtogg)
1st July 2017, 14:42
^ Brilliant :’)
Travis Daye (@travis-daye)
1st July 2017, 14:26
“no Mr Todt you misheard, LOUDER cars, no Lada cars…”
Travis Daye (@travis-daye)
1st July 2017, 14:27
*not
Roth Man (@rdotquestionmark)
1st July 2017, 18:54
Brilliant
TheBullWhipper (@thebullwhipper)
2nd July 2017, 17:25
Excellent, great tag line.
just.daz (@nemo87)
1st July 2017, 14:26
Revealed. Russia F1 team breaks cover.. about 40 years too late.
Ludwig_M
1st July 2017, 14:27
McLaren’s new engine partner Lada will put the “works” back in “works team” with the MCLada 33.
sam3110 (@sam3110)
1st July 2017, 14:27
2018 F1 team entry not as well funded as first thought, still a major threat to McLaren Honda
Fran
1st July 2017, 14:40
“Strat nine, just charge the battery. Front temperatures really good now. So let’s keep them up there and push on the next lap.”
Slowhands (@slowhands)
1st July 2017, 23:39
Very funny!
pastaman (@)
2nd July 2017, 0:47
Haha nice
spoutnik (@spoutnik)
2nd July 2017, 22:49
excellent!
Daz
1st July 2017, 14:44
Alonso is so ‘over’ Formula one, he books an Uber for the race.
Hamish Curtis (@ayrtonsenna26)
1st July 2017, 14:49
Shock announcement!
McLaren spied in Baku testing the latest engine from their new engine partner Lada!
skibomax (@skibomax)
1st July 2017, 15:03
I bought this one from Bernie, he told me it was a Ferrari.
Steven Smith (@ragwort)
1st July 2017, 15:13
Alonso delighted with new aero package and engine upgrade.
Steven Smith (@ragwort)
1st July 2017, 15:14
Azerbaijan Touring Car Championships delighted to be able to support the F1 race.
Sergio (@spasman78)
1st July 2017, 15:15
Ron tests MP4’s latest car in an attempt to challenge McLaren Group.
InterPaul (@interpaul)
1st July 2017, 15:29
Despite split rumours, McLaren unveils it’s brand new “Honda Racing White” inspired livery.
Neil (@neilosjames)
1st July 2017, 15:50
After hearing a dad had promised to buy his 18-year-old son a car when he got his first podium, an enterprising Baku dealership decided to send one over.
Derek Edwards
1st July 2017, 15:52
The Honda saga had devalued Ron’s remaining shares so much that he had to scale back drastically on his retirement present to himself.
Calum Menzies
1st July 2017, 16:00
Honda progress with Spec 3 engine testing!
Michael (@freelittlebirds)
1st July 2017, 16:16
Herbie’s “square” cousin finally spotted in Baku!
Tom L. (@tom-l)
1st July 2017, 16:26
With more horsepower and more reliable machinery at his disposal, Alonso finally managed a points finish.
Dwinn
1st July 2017, 16:30
Rumours of a new team are confirmed as prototype is sighted.
Chip Hilton
1st July 2017, 16:36
According to Google maps, the museum is right around the corner.
bull mello (@bullmello)
1st July 2017, 16:38
Bernie Ecclestone thought he could visit Baku incognito…
Seppo (@helava)
1st July 2017, 17:00
Onboard with McLaren-Honda.
Seppo (@helava)
1st July 2017, 17:01
The 2018 regulations finally succeed at limiting aerodynamic grip.
dutchtreat (@dutchtreat)
1st July 2017, 17:03
Pirelli testing the hard tires.
Stephen Crowsen (@drycrust)
1st July 2017, 17:50
Monisha Kaltenborn’s severance package included a “prestigious European sports car”.
Jonathan (@jonny705)
1st July 2017, 17:58
Paul Hembery ‘satisfied’ with latest Pirelli tyre test
Nafetser
1st July 2017, 18:02
“We could have won this race”
baasbas
1st July 2017, 19:28
..was waiting for this one
Bart
1st July 2017, 21:42
Like!
nmgn (@nmgn)
1st July 2017, 23:15
Winner!
Slowhands (@slowhands)
1st July 2017, 23:41
Winner
pastaman (@)
2nd July 2017, 0:48
Excellent
tgu (@thegrapeunwashed)
1st July 2017, 18:16
As the qualifying session ended, Kubica was desperate to show he could beat Palmer’s times.
Goriot
1st July 2017, 18:38
– “GP2 engine! GP2 engine!”
– “Please, Fernando, not again…”
GSSC
1st July 2017, 18:44
Great to see the Manor team back in the series
Jay
1st July 2017, 18:47
New F1 management appears to be serious about cutting costs, to make fielding a race team MUCH more affordable.
AntoineDeParis (@antoine-de-paris)
1st July 2017, 18:54
“Scuderia Ferrari’s version of Azerbaijan GP road rage incident.”
Thedonz
1st July 2017, 19:09
At Secret test of new halo replacement.
Engineers: as you can see the Light Airborne Debris Avoidance system is race ready and has only marginal affect on the aerodynamics of the F1 car.
Antoon van Gemert
1st July 2017, 19:15
Max Verstappen: “Hey wait up, guys! I’m in the race again!
Roth Man (@rdotquestionmark)
1st July 2017, 19:20
Mosley: “Whats that on track, is that a Riva Bernie?”
Bernie: “No Maurizio is in the Ferrari garage.”
Roth Man (@rdotquestionmark)
1st July 2017, 19:22
*What’s
Chris
1st July 2017, 19:41
FIA make decision on Vettel’s car for the Austrian GP.
JCost (@jcost)
1st July 2017, 19:44
Do you truly believe it’s enough to impress McLaren and get that engine suppl deal?
PMccarthy_is_a_legend (@pmccarthy_is_a_legend)
1st July 2017, 20:05
Its such a shame, we could have won this race.
Bart
1st July 2017, 23:00
Could have won the caption contest – if it was first ;)
PMccarthy_is_a_legend (@pmccarthy_is_a_legend)
1st July 2017, 20:13
Even though Alonso’s Mclaren was in DRS range, it was clear the 1978 1.2 L Lada had the edge on straight line speed.
Michael (@freelittlebirds)
1st July 2017, 20:28
The KGB in pursuit of a F1 car!
Michael (@freelittlebirds)
1st July 2017, 20:30
The ultimate joy of racing in clean air!
troutcor
1st July 2017, 20:39
Alonso sets personal best during ride back to the pits.
spoutnik (@spoutnik)
2nd July 2017, 22:51
nice :)
Wesley (@)
1st July 2017, 20:45
And now its time to put a star in our reasonably priced car…
Some say it has a Lada understeer.
Ewan (@ehayward)
1st July 2017, 20:55
Honey, where are we?
Mallesh Magdum (@malleshmagdum)
1st July 2017, 20:58
Finally, a car that McLaren can beat!
Mallesh Magdum (@malleshmagdum)
1st July 2017, 20:59
Lance Stroll caught practicing in secrecy…
GtisBetter (@)
1st July 2017, 21:09
The local spec series was another blowout.
mulmul
1st July 2017, 21:17
honda’s f1 hybrid engine has a future after all.
Maciek (@maciek)
1st July 2017, 21:31
Local reporters new to F1 couldn’t really understand why they kept hearing ‘nick a Lada’ around the paddock, but in an effort to blend in they took the suggestion to heart.
Scottie (@scottie)
1st July 2017, 21:40
Fans flocked back to the track after the race after they heard a louder car going around the circuit.
Sakis (@)
1st July 2017, 22:12
” – Hamilton kept repeating that the Safety Car was going too slow.
– I told you that we shouldn’t have used the Mercedes camouflage. “
TomD11 (@tomd11)
1st July 2017, 22:23
Jean Todt soon regretted his offer of a free grid slot to any team that could outpace McLaren.
Sakis (@)
1st July 2017, 22:38
RACE CONTROL
5 SECOND STOP/GO PENALTY FOR CAR 10-VS-958
SPEEDING IN THE PIT LANE
James (@jamesde16)
1st July 2017, 22:52
Is it just me, or are there fewer logos on the 2017 cars?
James (@jamesde16)
1st July 2017, 22:55
Baku highlights the time taken for cars to unlap themselves behind the safety car.
grat
1st July 2017, 22:56
“What Vettel thought Hamilton was doing during the safety car period.”
Nunu
1st July 2017, 23:07
A picture of the f1fanatic driver of the week – having lost both eyes and brain pointing at stroll – this must be the next candidat…
Sakis (@)
1st July 2017, 23:07
Team Radio Transcript
From 10-VS-958: What is Alonso’s pace?
To 10-VS-958: We are currently 1 second faster per lap.
Slowhands (@slowhands)
1st July 2017, 23:42
not bad
Jordi Casademunt (@casjo)
1st July 2017, 23:22
For reasons unknown, driver complaints about traffic surged during the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
FJBH10 (@fjbh10)
1st July 2017, 23:36
Reports have emerged that Mclaren are testing an unknown engine in a mule car made to mimic the performance of the MCL32.
Derek Edwards
1st July 2017, 23:56
Azerbaijan’s wannabe racers have to take turns on the career Lada.
CateredHam
2nd July 2017, 0:18
Some say he finds walls attractive and that his father paid for him to have his blood replaced by maple syrup. All we know is it’s time for a “Stroll in a reasonably priced car!”
Kringle
2nd July 2017, 8:05
:D very good!
Mel
2nd July 2017, 1:02
Confirmed. Mr. Bean will replace Alonso next year.
Mangy Black Sheep (@mangyblacksheep)
2nd July 2017, 2:41
‘They said I could be anything, so I became a F1 driver.’
Saurabh (@sksahukanker62)
2nd July 2017, 5:01
lets make this race interesting, lets go the wrong way, where’s hamilton…
koddamn (@gufdamm)
2nd July 2017, 5:59
Red Bull furious at the lack of aero in the 2018 car.
socksolid (@socksolid)
2nd July 2017, 6:58
FIA testing new ways to improve the sound of modern f1 engines. The first attempt was a roaring success.
WimB
2nd July 2017, 7:30
Speed. I am speed. Faster than fast, quicker than quick. I am … Lada McQueen!
Kringle
2nd July 2017, 7:38
Vitaly Petrov’s state funding dries up.
Lee H (@stopitrawr)
2nd July 2017, 9:08
After being rejected by Mercedes, McLaren test their secret replacement for Honda power.
Marian Gri (@)
2nd July 2017, 9:55
LADA… just Putin everybody to shame.
Caroline Geddes (@lass321)
2nd July 2017, 10:41
Kimi says ‘Are you sure I’ve got equal equipment to Seb?’
Selbbin (@selbbin)
2nd July 2017, 10:52
Azerbaijan shows off it’s racing heritage.
hollus (@hollus)
2nd July 2017, 11:31
Lewis: The Safety Car is driving so slow it’s dangerous for us.
Zeke
2nd July 2017, 11:34
Niki Lada
hollus (@hollus)
2nd July 2017, 11:37
Lewis: The Safety Car needs to speed up, guys. It’s just too slow.
hollus (@hollus)
2nd July 2017, 11:41
Lewis: Charlie can you not see that the Safety Car is actually dangerous.
Carlos Patrão
2nd July 2017, 11:51
Eat my dust McLaren’s. And Jolyon.
Little_M_Lo (@pezlo2013)
2nd July 2017, 12:40
You vs the guy she told you not to worry about
(Safety Car Reference)
Mark Thomson (@melthom)
2nd July 2017, 13:17
A Baku team used the occasion to test their new LMP2 challenger sponsored by Kolles
budchekov (@budchekov)
2nd July 2017, 14:41
Is it OK for the driver to smoke?
I thought tobacco advertising was banned in F1…
TheBullWhipper (@thebullwhipper)
2nd July 2017, 17:20
And Lada unveils it’s tender for the next generation of safety car……..
John s
2nd July 2017, 18:27
Spy Cam: Honda caught evaluating the competition.
Levente (@leventebandi)
2nd July 2017, 18:45
After the 2 seater Minardi experience with Zsolt Baumgartner, Liberty ups the game with the 4 seater Mclaren – Honda experience, with Taki Inoue
Oni (@oni)
2nd July 2017, 19:51
The true Azerbajan GP safety car was revelaed without the Mercedes disguise.
Julien (@zazoutitou)
2nd July 2017, 20:08
“Spared no expense”
mystic one (@mysticus)
2nd July 2017, 20:46
Fernando caught testing in a more reliable car that can help him see the chequered flag without a drama finally, he is at peace at last
Lee (@leejo)
2nd July 2017, 22:59
This Safety Car was tested as part of an innovative cross-promotional campaign between Liberty Media and Uber, drawing bitter complaints from Mercedes for being too slow, from McLaren for being too fast, and from Force India for looking too good, while several other teams left comments that they had asked the driver to turn the music down several times.
Apexor
3rd July 2017, 4:26
Grand Theft Auto 6 European tour: A Baku Story.
Akshat Mehta
3rd July 2017, 6:38
Still faster than a Honda.
discotheque (@discotheque)
3rd July 2017, 6:55
Whilst similar to a modern day F1 car in as much that it has 4 wheels and no cup holders, this little beauty at least sports a useful ashtray….
Mioki (@okif1)
3rd July 2017, 12:47
Alonso spotted in another car: “I just wanted to feel the speed in this straight”
Mioki (@okif1)
3rd July 2017, 12:53
FIA tests a new safety car. Todt said “McLaren-Honda is damaging the F1 image, they can barely follow the current safety car”.
Mark White
4th July 2017, 0:58
Mclaren Honda score there first point in Baku after reverting to the older spec engine
Justin (@vivagilles27)
4th July 2017, 3:12
The view for the entire race for the Saubers…….
Placid (@placid)
5th July 2017, 7:16
How to speak Azerbajani?
Marco Andretti’s future Formula 1 ride!!!!!!!!
Alfredo von
14th October 2017, 14:10
Look Mummy!
No Honda engine!