F1 – In the last two Grands Prix, those in Canada and Barcelona, we found that the Red Bull of the three-time world champion, the Dutch Max Verstappen, both assailable by the competition of Lando Norris' McLaren and (to a lesser extent) by George Russell's Mercedes.
Verstappen has missed pole in the last two Grands Prix. His Red Bull, in qualifying, no longer seems to have the certainty to which we were accustomed. Then, on race Sunday, the Dutch ace demonstrates why he is a three-time world champion.
In Canada, Russell, who started in the lead, ends up on the grass. Immediately, his Team Principal, Toto Wolff, opens up on the radio by telling him two words that seem like a condemnation: "Stay Focused” (“stay focused”). A driver who aims to be the first driver of a team that dominated in the second half of the 1910s cannot be scolded by his boss. The radio teams are available to everyone and, if your boss warns you worldwide, it is not the best for your aspirations.
In the same Grand Prix, Norris, who was leading the race, together with his team delays the decision to change the tires, thus allowing theundercut of Verstappen who then goes on to triumph.
Yesterday Lando started from pole, his second in his career, 1001 days after his first time in Russia. First of all he tightens Verstappen, also going on the grass. He joins Russell's Mercedes who, starting from 4th place with a space launch, beats both Norris and Verstappen to move into 1st position, while his compatriot from McLaren finds himself in 3rd. It takes little for Verstappen to burn a compliant Russell with DRS and thus flies towards his 61st career victory.
F1: Norris and Russell still immature?
Norris and Russell are among the most talented drivers of their generation, but at the key moment they lose their nerve, allowing Verstappen to have an easy life even when he doesn't have the best car of the lot.
The narrative has it that they are still "young" drivers, yet they have competed in 114 grand prix. But they don't yet have that "killer instinct" to win, not a world championship, but a race.
Verstappen, with methods that are questionable if we want, has been programmed and trained to perfection to win at all costs and, until the competition is at his level, he will dominate far and wide while the others will count their own and their team's mistakes.
Crediti foto: F1