Poetry, off track and on

by Guy Stimpson, Oct  15th 2020

Bloody Hamilton, 

he won again, that's no fun,

this is a Haiku.

I really didn't want to be writing about Hamilton again this week, but both his achievement in matching Michael Schumacher's record of seven world championships along with the manner in which he achieved it in Istanbul, demand it.

Few today were left unconvinced that Hamilton is a major force in F1, as he drove a masterful race in the wet on a slippery, newly laid surface. Though both he and the Mercedes W11 struggled in the more intense wet of the early laps, once the conditions began to evolve, Lewis Hamilton delivered what will surely be remembered as one of his most imperious drives. His ability to feel the behaviour of his worn intermediate tyres as they lost their tread and evolved into a previously unseen compound of their own, as well as his authoritative decision to stay out in the last few laps rather than make a "safety stop" for fresh tyres, were the factors which stood him out and showed why he should be given respect by any reasonable fan.

However, to give today's race solely to Hamilton would be a grave mistake. The vast majority of the field in the Turkish GP delivered an excellent spectacle with some serious showmanship as well as delivering some welcome results for delighted fans.

Lance Stroll perhaps deserves more praise, at least in terms of the entertainment he provided. All but his harshest critics would have been elated to see him romp to a shock victory after his impressive showing in qualifying on Saturday where he shot to a sensational pole position in treacherous conditions, and his promising start to an event filled race. In the early laps on Sunday he began fantastically, cruising to a commanding lead which he would hold onto for a large part of the race. In the end though, perhaps it was too much too soon for the often maligned driver. He certainly performed this weekend and at least demonstrated that his position in his father's team is warranted. He perhaps lacks the experience which might have encouraged him to save some of his admittedly impressive speed for later.

Sebastian Vettel delivered what was perhaps the most welcome of results from today's grand prix. Though little was expected of him in a race which Mattia Binotto, Ferrari team principal, did not consider attending. The four time world champion though drove a bold and experienced race, maintaining a coolness and a willingness to wait for what came to him. You might say he echoed Hamilton in that, and it was also heart warming to see his immediate congratulation of his rival after the race, even before celebrating his own well deserved success. There was a poetry too, more deserving of the name than the doggerel above, in Vettel's presence on the podium on the day when his idol's mightiest record was matched, and more in the gentlemanly and mutually respectful way in which Vettel conducted himself post-race. Ferrari will be encouraged by today's results, last minute quibbles notwithstanding, but it is Vettel I think who will garner the biggest boost from his performance today. I look forward to his time in soon-to-be Aston Martin, and I'm delighted he earned the fan's Driver of the Day award.

A satisfied Sebastian Vettel reminded us of his value in F1 in Turkey.

Also helping to buoy Ferrari's mood was Carlos Sainz who, not for the first time this year, gave the Scuderia something to be excited about whilst McLaren may be ruing the loss of Sainz, who has proven himself time and time again as a neat and precise driver with a flair for some thrilling overtakes. Luckily for McLaren they are countering the loss of Sainz with the arrival of recent podiumee Daniel Ricciardo. 

Staking his claim on his race and indeed his right to a career was Sergio Perez. Whilst doubts about not only his own future but that of Red Bull Racing driver Alex Albon swirling, both drivers were under pressure at this late stage in the shortened season to make the case for their entitlement to an F1 seat. Whilst we saw some excellent and flair-filled driving from Albon, who at one point was looking like a strong contender for the win, eventually what is becoming a characteristic twitchiness in the car led the young driver to spin out of contention, whilst Perez in the Racing Point cruised to a well deserved victory. Perez was yet another case of an experienced driver flexing his muscles where the greener drivers showed up their freshness.

Sergio Perez drove his Racing Point to a well deserved and perhaps career dependent second place.

There was excitement throughout the field, but one name perhaps conspicuous so far for its absence in this list is Max Verstappen. After failing to achieve a pole position in a wet qualifying on an uncharacteristically slippery track, there were big expectations for the highly regarded driver as he started from second on the grid. In the end though Max drove an uninspiring race, unable to unleash the raw speed and audacious innovation for which he has become renowned and making emotionally charged mistakes which left him unable to maintain a legitimate challenge for lead of the race. Next to the victorious Hamilton, the young pretender was shown up as hot headed and inexperienced on this wheat-and-chaff-separator of  a motor race. Verstappen needs to learn from these experiences if he is to grow into the champion that he is widely expected to become.

All in all though Formula One in Turkey in 2020 delivered a breathtaking spectacle, enjoyable for all fans regardless of allegiance to team or driver. Some will certainly have been disappointed that their driver did not triumph, or bitter that another driver did, but all must surely acknowledge that this race, along with many in this crazy, once-in-a-lifetime season, was exactly what we as fans want to see from F1. For the organisers, sponsors and teams involved in this premier motorsport, a failure to learn from the hand this year has dealt would be a terrible error. Time and again we have seen that unpredictability, a lack of data and imperfect conditions have led to some of the best racing in years. Formula One clearly thrives when it is forced out of its comfort zone, and as fans we should demand that F1 is never comfortable again.

Albon's pain, Hulkenberg's gain?

 

by Guy Stimpson, 1st Oct 2020

Ever since I first saw Alex Albon grinning nerdily in the Torro Rosso garage, I knew I liked him. Here was no cash-flashing flyboy, no glitzy superstar; this was just a normal lad doing his best and hoping to make his Mum proud. I really like that about Albon, that slightly nervous but open-hearted and honest authenticity which, at times, other sportspeople could really benefit from. 

Alex Albon in 2019. Looks like someone hanging about with his mates outside Tesco, not preparing to enter one of the world's most prestigious sporting events.

Yet we all know that being nice isn't always a useful trait in a Formula One driver; quite the opposite in fact. A ruthless, self-determined streak is present in all the greats. Schumacher certainly had a little flash of nastiness that he could deploy when needed, despite being full of smiles and jocular good humour away from the steering wheel. It is this streak, among other things, which allows these great drivers to achieve what they do. As sad as I am to admit it, Alex Albon simply doesn't have this mean streak. Worse than that, I suspect he's a little bit shy behind the wheel. This may not be evident when he's racing closely with the likes of Norris, Russell and the others of their era, but these lads are mates who, regardless of the temperament on track, know that after the race they'll have a fist bump and head off together for a pint (or whatever is more befitting of a group of F1 drivers in 2020). Pitted against the likes of Lewis Hamilton and co. though, it just seems as though Albon is intimidated, perhaps, or reluctant to upset anyone he doesn't know so well.

The tail end of 2019 showed a great deal of promise for Albon. He'd performed better in his Torro Rosso than Pierre Gasly had in the Red Bull in the first half of the year and, except from poor luck racing against the newly crowned six time world champion, could've secured his maiden podium. Perhaps it was this encounter, along with a similar incident in early 2020, which has led to such a disappointing year for Alex. Regardless, now that he has failed to deliver at Portimão and Imola it seems that Red Bull will be forced to look elsewhere for a partner for Max Verstappen.

Albon and Verstappen 2020. The Thai driver has been unable to get anywhere near his teammate this season.

Red Bull Racing's team principal Christian Horner has to be careful here though. In Pierre Gasly we have seen something interesting. Gasly really failed to meet expectations in the more prestigious of the Red Bull owned teams in early 2019, yet almost as soon as he returned to Torro Rosso he began to impress, an uptick in form which has only improved into 2020 with a win in Monza and a fourth place qualification in Imola among the highlights, resulting in the Alpha Tauri team confirming him for the upcoming 2021 season. Albon too showed promise in the Torro Rosso, enough promise to eject Gasly from his seat mid-season, before languishing uncomfortably at RBR. 

In replacing Albon now though, Horner's team may be in for some uncomfortable news. If they find the same drop in form, the same failure to adapt to the car in a third driver, the conclusion will be inescapable. Perhaps, alas, it is not the drivers at all who are the problem, but either the car or the team which is making it impossible for RBR's second driver to get anywhere close to their first. It is well understood that the car is well suited to Max Verstappen. It may be that what suits Max is simply too alien for other drivers to get accustomed to. An even worse prospect is that the car itself is fine, but the environment within the team is so toxic that regardless of skill, drivers are failing because their confidence is being sapped by the working atmosphere around them. I'm not sure I'd be upsetting anyone to point out that, in my estimation, Verstappen can manage just fine in what is a renowned "pressure cooker"  environment with his tough attitude and an unsusceptibility to the opinions of others. Further teammates may not be so tolerant.

So what are Red Bull to do? If they risk another member of their current drivers or a member of their young driver programme, they may find themselves in the same position with no idea where the problem lies. The new rules regime of 2022 is on the horizon and RBR will want a strong, harmonious driver line up by the time that begins.

Sergio Perez has had a strong showing in 2020, looking on for fourth place and possibly a podium, he was left further down the field in Imola today after pitting under the safety car.

The only sensible response then, in my eyes, is to choose either Nico Hulkenberg or Sergio Perez, the former without a seat at all and the latter with none for next year. Both drivers are well regarded, though neither as highly regarded as Verstappen, both are experienced and both are as used to failure as they are to success through years of mediocre equipment. But one thing is for certain: neither will be intimidated by Max or indeed by anyone else in the team. Their skills are also well proven on track. With either of these drivers Red Bull Racing will be able to diagnose their second driver dilemma. If the car is the issue, neither Hulkenberg or Perez would have any qualms about stating so quite categorically. Similarly, either would just as quickly point out any shortcomings in the garage crews or management. They're old hands, they've been through the wars and they have no reason to take stick from anyone.

Nico Hulkenberg has had a stellar year considering he was dropped by Renault in 2019 and was left without a seat. He has stood in for both Racing Point drivers as a reserve for sickness and has performed well on all three occasions.

The final possibility is, of course, that the problem was the driver all along. How much would we enjoy seeing either of these drivers in one of the best seats on the grid? I believe either of these drivers would be an excellent choice for the team, and I hope for both of them that they get drives for 2021, but for me one factor just slightly means that RBR should choose Hulkenberg over Perez: that missing podium! Sergio Perez has taken podiums for several teams. Though he will still be hungry for wins he's also likely to be realistic. He'll know that he'll be playing second fiddle and he'll know he'll be picking up the scraps from Max's table. Nico Hulkenberg on the other hand still has a desperate hunger for that first podium to which he's been so close to so many times before, and I'm guessing he'll have that little extra edge which will make him precisely what Red Bull Racing need in a second driver.

Hulkenberg podium, anyone? It could be the story of the season...