Quote:
Originally Posted by ZCanadian
Baku delivered another good race.
Strange, how Max is suddenly on the back foot and Perez is doing alright. Credit where due - Checo is typically strong on street circuits. Sad to see that late race collision - it would have been a mighty battle for 2nd/3rd which likely would have put Leclerc in 4th. Great drive from Oscar. Lando too, considering the circumstances. Both Mercedes did alright, and kudos to the rookies for not binning their cars, let alone actually placing respectably well among an otherwise veteran field.
This is what F1 should be like - tune in until the first three cars see the chequered flag to know the results, not just check the internet for quali results and know the outcome in advance!
|
Hardly strange IMO. RB had to revert the car to a previous spec, which Sergio is more comfortable with driving. Horner recently admitted the fundamental flaw with this car stems from an evolution from an early 2023 update. Since then Max's exceptional talent was able to cope with the car, but it clearly has hit a breaking point to where even Max can't get the car to do what he wants it to do.
Putting those facts aside, I believe this is the MAIN reason you never heard Max openly criticize Checo. He's even gone as far as defending him, saying "it's not like he forgot how to drive". I'm just glad this is finally coming to light. You don't have a talent like Checo who's been a Midfield warrior, challenged FA for a win in a damn Sauber his rookie year, and mastered fair and hard defensive driving against Lewis in 2021.