Re: 2023 Formula One
It's splitting hair when talking about skill wise for the current crop of top drivers, Max, Russell, Lando, Leclerc, Sainz and the 2 old guards Hamilton and Alonso. Heck, even Ocon and Gasly and Albon are borderline touching that group. The difference between them is only about the car they are driving.
The current Red Bull car, actually since like forever, has been tailor made to Max's driving style. Whatever he prefers, the car favours that. Very unlike other teams where the car is neutral and both drivers needed to make some adjustments. It's why the 2nd driver at Red Bull is having such a hard time 'matching' the performance of Max. Put Max in the Ferrari and he would do no better than Leclerc and Sainz, or in a Mercedes with Hamilton and Russell. Heck he might even come off worse as the car won't be optimized for his driving style. But he clearly will have the talent to maximize whatever car is is given.
But that's F1, it has, and always will be about the car first. The driver inside is just secondary.
I finally watched the highlights and wow, the Mclarens are STRONG this week. Great start by Lando and great job in holding off Max for so long. Even Piastri is up there meaning the car is working really really well with the upgrades.
Albon has another strong showing, and man how the might Ferrari has fallen, beaten by a Williams. And the Williams are genuinely good, even Sargeant is right up there just behind the 2 Ferraris.
So Red Bull sack de Vries half way in and put Ricciardo back into F1. Wonder if that's the next step for demoting Perez. For sure it won't be Yuki that gets promoted. Yuki will be a goner when the Honda contract finally runs out in 2026. He is only racing because of the Honda money.
But that also raises an interesting question. When Aston picks up the Honda power in 2026, will they HAVE to take Yuki? That would be very interesting to see Junior racing alongside Yuki. That's gonna be fun at Aston. Don't see Alonso sticking around, but if he is, would daddy sack Junior to make room for Yuki?
Take away Max from the championship, this year is actually quite exciting, 6 different drivers placed 2nd and 6 different drivers placed 3rd already. And the running order of the other 19 drivers has been a good mix. it was actually a good thing Max fuck off into the distance from the start every time as the camera can just skipped his car and showing more of the other battles behind. So each GP is actually a fight from the other 19 drivers and they just tack on Max at the top in the end.
Maybe just give him the trophy now and tell him to stay home and Red Bull can fill a replacement driver for the rest of the season?
--
