In the tabloid format:
– Lewis Hamilton and Lando Norris took the spotlight on the podium, leaving the Red Bull teammates behind. Max Verstappen dominated the rest of the grid.
– My mistake was underestimating the impressive grip of the RB20. However, Max’s furious performance in the Sprint race revealed just how much he had been holding back. Despite a poor qualifying, he quickly closed the gap and surpassed Hamilton with ease, showcasing his exceptional skills. He then disappeared into the distance, leaving his competitors in the dust.
– The RB20 handled like a dream, excelling in corners and maintaining speed in slow sections. Usually, this kind of performance would result in a loose rear end for other cars. But to add insult to injury, the RB20 also had great traction on the exit, as if it was designed for understeer.
– Verstappen’s exceptional driving abilities allowed him to take his performance to the next level. Unfortunately, his teammate couldn’t match his talent. While he may come close at times, he rarely reaches the same level.
– Lando Norris made a rookie mistake by attempting to overtake Hamilton on the outside at the start of the Sprint race. Left stranded by the seven-time Formula 1 World Champion, he watched as many cars passed him before he could rejoin the circuit. This cost him a podium finish, squandering his impressive qualifying performance.
– However, Norris made up for it in the main race. He managed to stretch his tire life, similar to Red Bull’s strategy, and kept Sergio Perez behind him. With the help of timely Safety Car interventions, he secured the second place he deserved. This performance showcased his potential as a replacement if Max decides to leave Red Bull for Mercedes. It’s something the team management will surely take note of.
In the world of motorsport, while positioned at the rear of the starting lineup, Lance Stroll was actively solidifying his reputation. On this occasion, he did so by colliding with Daniel Ricciardo from behind, all while driving under Safety Car conditions. To be fair, he wasn’t the sole individual who made an error at the hairpin turn. However, unlike the others who managed to avoid contact, Stroll, also known as “Junior,” completed the task.
One might have been inclined to forgive him for his mistake. However, he proceeded to shift the blame onto Ricciardo for the entire incident. In situations where it is evident that you are the problem, it is typically best to remain silent and accept responsibility. Nevertheless, Lance chose to vocalize his thoughts, thereby confirming that he is not yet ready to compete with the more experienced drivers. Regardless, the Stewards saw fit to penalize him with two points; one for his lack of attentiveness and another for what I can only assume is an attempt to deceive.
Right from the start, I had no doubt that Max Verstappen would emerge as the victor in this year’s F1 Drivers World Championship. Now, having witnessed the true capabilities of the RB20, my initial beliefs have been validated. With Perez seemingly mastering the car, it appears that the Constructors’ Championship is also a foregone conclusion. This leaves Ferrari as my preferred candidate for second place, with only McLaren posing a potential challenge. It’s about time someone turns off the lights.