The big news in Saudi should have been the teenager in the Ferrari. If Bearman does well and is kept on as reserve driver for Ferrari, should LeClerc's insides also explode then there could be two Brits driving for the Italian national team next year.
The big news was still the Horner vs. Marko clash. No has denied the authenticity of the revealed WhatsApp messages, so we can only assume they are genuine screenshots. How long can Mr Halliwell hold on to power for?
Before the race, Norris and Tsunoda had an unsafe release incident leaving the pits. Gasly had a problem with his gearbox on the way to the grid but it was lights off and away we go. Perez nearly got second place from LeClerc but the Ferrari driver clung on tenaciously. Russell snitched on Norris for jumping the start. Bearman was very aggressive but just seemed to be hanging on.
Once DRS (that great race-killer) was enabled, Perez was straight past LeClerc.
We were waiting for Sargeant or Bearman to Latifi up the race but Stroll went for it early doors on Lap 7. Daddy must be very proud; watching his son bounce around tracks internationally. The team radioed in to him when he told them he'd hit the wall, "Can you bring it back in?" "No," he replied, "I've hit the wall." The Safety Car came out. With everyone pitting, the lane got stuffed up and some drivers suffered being held up, particularly LeClerc. Norris, Hamilton and Hulkenberg didn't stop. I'm beginning to feel that Lewis is just dialling it in this year. Norris led the race when the Safety Car went in and was nearly able to maintain the one second required to hold off Verstappen getting DRS.
Perez was given a 5 second penalty for unsafe release in the pits. Magnussen was given a 10 second penalty for causing a collision with Albon.
For the first half of the race, Ricciardo pootled about plumb last. Netflix executives will be willing him on to boost the ratings. For the second half of the race he was second to last, ahead of Bottas and then Zhou too, when he had a slow stop. Even when he spun the car, he stayed ahead of the Saubers.
Magnussen was given another 10 second penalty for forcing another driver off the track. Norris was given a black and white flag for weaving on the straight. Busy day for the stewards.
Alonso kissed the wall but told his team there was no damage. Very much the small boy excuse for doing anything. He brought the car home in 5th.
Perez held on to Verstappen and made it a Red Bull one-two with LeClerc in 3rd, claiming an extra point for Fastest Lap. Piastri, Alonso and Russell were next, ahead of Bearman, with an excellent finish in his debut race. The 18 year old Brit received Driver of the Day too, with Sainz straight back from surgery to watch the race.
Max is no longer shouting how much he loves the team over the radio at the end of races. Is this complacency? Is this a reflection on the turmoil within the team? Is this maturity? Is it a sign that he is looking to drive elsewhere?
No comments:
Post a Comment