As huge Formula 1 fan I have been planning to kick start an F1 segment for some time. The fiasco at Brazil was the spark that fully ignited the fire. Sure, catching all the drama at the tail end of the season may be poor planning, but then again, I have been a Ferrari fan for years. Strategy is not really our forte.
The Recap
Let us start off with applauding George Russell for his well-deserved win. After the heartbreak he received on his first ever drive with the AMG team, he earned this win a few times over. He made every lap count and showed us why he is the future of Mercedes. His counterpart however lost a little shine with him abruptly closing the door on his old nemesis Max. The penalty was delivered to Max rather than Lewis which did not sit well with fans. Once again, the FIA failed to be consistent.
Nonetheless, Lewis recovered to a great second while Max was forced to change a front wing as well as serve a 5 second penalty. This removed any chance of a podium much less a win.
Moving to the Scuderia boys, Carlos was on track for another potential win. He changed up his mediums well before any driver on soft even reported degradation. This felt odd, while he reported high deg, he should have tried to soldier on and get his advantage towards the end. This is where he lost his win. It was an odd call for Sainz as he generally is pretty good with on-track strategy calls.
His teammate Leclerc, well… the entire weekend started of in the worst way as his team put him on track with Intermediates while the other 9 cars were on soft with only a lap worth of quali available. Once again, the boys at Ferrari ruining Charles chances. His Sprint was decent; however, his race was just starting to come alive when Norris took him out. To our amazement, Leclerc not only recovered but managed to put himself into 4th just mere seconds behind his teammate. That was the drive of the day for me.
Max-i-Mum Volume
It was not Russell’s maiden victory nor Leclerc stellar recovery that stole the limelight, it was a few second radio message by recently crowned Double World Champion Max Verstappen. His response to Perez’s request to swop left a bitter taste in the mouth of every F1 fan.
Regardless of whether Perez had a direct impact on Max’s 2 championships or not, it was not how a teammate responds to a direct instruction from the team. More so on live radio.
I am sure the hardcore Max fans will argue the alleged crash at Monaco. Even if that is true, then that should have been resolved then and both drivers should be willing to help each other after. Holding that in forever can only be counterproductive to any team. It is childlike an unbecoming of a champion. Nobody should be bigger than a team. Even Schumacher knew that. As good as Max is, he is nowhere in that league, at least not yet.
I am sure he will help Checo in Abu Dhabi, but everyone will simply view it as saving face rather than a true gesture.
Last Race
Once again, we headed to the last race with 2 drivers on equal points. It does not have the prestige like the previous year, and I am pretty sure it won’t have the drama but at least there will be some excitement.
Ferrari needs to nail this one on both fronts. With their performance severely dropping off, Mercedes is now breathing down their necks and they are armed with a pretty sweet packaged car. The car is volatile though and it can work against them.
Next, we have Checo, who must super fired up after Brazil and will be on a raging charge to get that second. There is no doubt Charles can more than contend with him, but our Charlie may also have to overcome his OWN team as well. If Ferrari pulls of another of their marvellous strategy, then it will be game over. It is ride or die time and Ferrari cannot simply rely on Charles incredible driving skills, they need to support him on every front.
Come what may, tears will be shed, but not for the number two spot, but for Vettel who will break many hearts as he exits the sport forever. The sport will be less without him…
