I posted this elsewhere but I thought it might be of interest here:
RBR are in a bigger mess than just this season now.
They are in the midst of a perfect storm (Adrian Newey deciding to leave, Horner and his internal investigation, Helmut Marko vs Horner, Jos Verstappen vs Horner, Austria vs Thailand, VER talking about leaving) along with big technical challenges (including the rule change regarding brake balance valves, which as soon as it was introduced saw RBR dropping back to competing with the other top teams).
Having won the F1 championships for a few years now they have had the least wind tunnel time (also limited by their budget cap failure that resulted in even less wind tunnel time for one year) to develop their car and that is starting to show this year. Having started the year very dominant they have the least wind tunnel time in one of the most crucial years for the longer term. This year they need to develop the 2024 car, the 2025 car and develop a car for the 2026 regulations all within one yearās wind tunnel usage allowance.
The tunnel-time / naughty-step correlation is in an excellent point which hasnāt had much coverage, has it? (Though Iāve been a little distracted of late)
Antonelliās shunt was Full Retard. Never go Full Retard in FP1.
Colapinto delivered as good a rookie race as you could reasonably expect given his lack of experience in these cars - looks promising.
At a guess, Mclaren were anxious to avoid having to employ team orders to put Lando out front - and in so doing fumbled the entire race instead. However you sliceānādice it that was avoidably messy.
Unlike Red Bull where it has been evident for years Max is much better than Perez McLaren have 2 closely matched drivers and either could win the Championship still. Whilst it can make life difficult and lose a Championship I am still of the opinion that team orders should be avoided until it is mathematically impossible for one of the drivers to win.
I know others who have the opposite view though.
It would take a bloody miracle for Piastri to win iT from here. Iām all for letting them race, but I think theyāve passed the point of no return on this one.
(Which isnāt to say I think Lando has shown himself a worthy champion yet.)
Edit; anyone know how far Piastri is off being mathematically out? Iām far too lazy (thick) to do the math
Lance-y my boy, Iāve got you an early birthday present.
A genuine Adrian Newey.
Now you look after him - heās not just for your birthday, you know. Itās a long-term commitment.
However you sliceānādice it that was avoidably messy.
