According to reports, the “magic brake” failed, causing the car to handle in an unusual manner. This was evident when the brake drum exploded in the pit lane while Verstappen made his way back to his team.
Setting aside the absence of the current Formula 1 World Champion, Sainz and Ferrari emerged victorious in a manner reminiscent of Red Bull’s style. This outcome may raise concerns among fans in the Netherlands and Milton Keynes.
While I have no doubt that Max will become the F1 World Champion this year, it appears that Ferrari might have a chance at the Constructors’ Title. However, this opportunity is more due to the driver pairing rather than the cars. Unfortunately, Sergio Perez once again failed to convert the potential of the RB20 into a performance that supports the team.
Another setback for Red Bull is that an injured Sainz was able to put pressure on Verstappen, something he is not accustomed to. It was intriguing to observe Verstappen’s expression in the pit box after his retirement. He was undoubtedly angry, but there was also a noticeable amount of concern. Undoubtedly, he was concerned about how easily he was overtaken on the track.
Mr. Vamos never stood out like Verstappen and Hamilton in his early days, but such success can lead one to believe that they have reached their full potential when there is still room for improvement.
Sainz, on the other hand, is not complacent. He is an intelligent driver who continuously evaluates his performance, learns from it, and grows. This victory, combined with his newfound confidence in the car, will serve as a catalyst for him to reach new heights. Unfortunately for his teammate, he is starting to appear more like a supporting actor rather than the main attraction.
Both Max and Carlos are likely pondering the same question at the moment: “What if he/I had been in good health?”. The obvious answer will propel Sainz to the next level and potentially hinder Max’s progress. The young Dutchman has not faced significant challenges recently. Having to overcome one may result in him losing a few tenths instead of gaining an advantage.
It would be simplistic to attribute Sainz’s victory solely to Max’s mechanical issue. As Guenther Steiner pointed out in the post-race interview, “Max didn’t lose it: Sainz won it!”
PS Note to Guenther: Please work on your English pronunciation. Carlos Sainz’s reaction suggested that he initially misunderstood “partying with Ferrari team tonight” as some sort of group flatulence event.