If Verstappen wasn't here this could be one of the greatest seasons in F1 history. But great drive from him as always. I was seriously impressed by McLaren though, especially after the sc.
I honestly think Verstappen has an effect on Perez's confidence. Maybe if he wasn't there, Perez would actually perform better because of lack of pressure to keep up with a generational talent.
Yeah, it could be the same case as with Bottas in Merc but it gets to his head even more. I believe his performance dropped around the time people started talking about him having a chance at winning the championship?
I'm gutted for Oscar missing out on the podium, just got unlucky with the pitstop/safety car. But that's Formula 1. Still, getting P4 in your rookie year is a great achievement, I think he's a real talent. And brilliant for Lando, that was excellent defending to hold of Lewis on much faster tyres.
Red Bull getting 11 in a row is just crazy, I think the count might grow. Uninspiring drive by Perez, did what he had to do and dragged the car up the field, but he should be finishing 2nd every single race in that car. I think he's badly underperforming.
And Ferrari ... lol. 4th and 5th to 9th and 10th. Awful day for them.
I definitely think knowing what they did at the time, pitting Piastri was the right call. I'm sure he realizes that too. I think they've had some serious improvement with their upgrades, and I have no doubt he'll get his chance at a podium
Checo kinda got fucked in Qualifying though, sending him out first. We would have made it into Q3 for sure if RB had waited like they did for Verstappen.
I feel like it's where the car was supposed to finish. The Ferraris definitely could have finished higher up had they replaced the rest of the strategy team when Binotto went
Like. It's weird. I like Zak. I like Lando. But something about McLaren gruffs me. Bearing in mind I joined the sport in 2010 and was a BUT fan during their Vodafone livery days and started watching with ALO at Ferrari ... They've just been shit to their drivers from the HAM/BUT days onwards. Bad choices in partnerships. Yadda yadda.
At least they got more sponsors on the car since 2016.
They just make me shrug.
They're fine, but they're kinda fuckups.
I want to see more privateer teams like them and Williams do well. But I also want 12 teams on the grid and I don't want to see teams disappear.
Somehow the formula needs to have more chance for competition?
I feel like the Lando/Carlos years was a happy time for them. Ricciardo turning up and getting hammered by Lando has dented them to the point that they took the hit to get rid of him, they are now back on track.
Basically I think from the end of the Ron Dennis era (2017 / Norris) it's been a different vibe completely
Verstappen has gotten boring. He's a great driver, no doubt, with a great car. It will be interesting to see how many races they can win this year.
The real race excitement is for the other two podium spots. Norris and Piastri both had great races. It would have been nice to see Piastri get that third place finish.
All in all it was an enjoyable race and Verstappen had to work a little for it this time.
McLaren's choice of hard tyres for the final stint was a bit odd, but I don't think it actually cost them any places. Piastri just got unlucky with the safety car.
It is frustrating though to see Lando ask for the softs, get denied, and then have to absolutely drive his heart out to keep his very well deserved P2.
Looking at how Mercedes fell off, I think they decided to roll the dice on their drivers being able to hold off the initial attack from others on the used softs, and then pull away for a safe margin one the hards were in their working range. A scary bet, but one that paid off for them.
(Late because I had to wait 16 hours before I could watch and spent the entire day avoiding spoilers)
Pundit
1st
2nd
3rd
Points
James
Max
Sergio
Lewis
4
Jolyon
Max
Lewis
George
3
Laura
Max
Carlos
Lando
3
Lawrence
Max
Charles
Carlos
2
James picks up useful points on debut. Jolyon can't match the clean-sweep of his only previous appearance this season. Laura the only one to put Lando on the podium gets an extra point for her efforts.
Season so far:
Pundit (appearances)
Points
Average
Laura (8)
21
2.63
Lawrence (8)
19
2.38
Jolyon (3)
13
4.33
Will (6)
9
1.50
Rosanna (2)
8
4.00
James (1)
4
4.00
Alex (1)
4
4.00
Sam (1)
2
2.00
Laura puts another point between herself at the top of the table and Lawrence. If Jolyon makes any more appearances he may have a chance to catch second.#
Excellent result for McLaren, shame they missed out on the double podium, but the car looks genuinely fast, look forward to seeing it at Spa, Suzuka and Monza
Great drive by Max. Impressed with Lando and Oscar and happy for them. Oscar deserved the podium but got unlucky with safety car. Weird strategy at the end by McLaren but didn’t matter.
Other notes, disappointing race by Ferrari. Perez was average. Not a Alonso fan so was fun to see his victory chances disappear now since other teams have caught to Aston Martin.
I don't think I can remember seeing a race where noone was lapped at any point before. I'm a relatively new fan, so I'm guessing it has happened, but also that it's somewhat rare.
It wasn't a bad race, and I like McL got their shit together. But Silverstone is the best track and it was still mediocre with the same fucking winner, so what can we expect from the other races? I'm done with F1, again. I'll watch F2 and if there isn't some WEC or MotoGP race, I have a Sunday for other things. Maybe I'll take a peek for Singapore.