basti313 wrote: ↑04 Jun 2025, 15:45
Now again...Max basically bottled a big part of his chance for WDC with his mental outburst.
Talking about chances of winning WDC in the car that is by every meaningful evidence nowhere near the Mclaren is the biggest compliment one can make. That's the ultimate level of appreciation and recognition of his vast superiority as a driver. And, which is more impressive I see that coming not from Max and redbull fans (if there are any) but from Mclaren fans, sports experts and commentators, that seem like they keep ignoring the fact how far behind of the Mclaren the RB21 has been all year and still is after Spanish Grand Prix.
That was the weekend where everyone thought things are gonna get closer and the season will finally and properly start. That, undoubtedly was also Red bull leadership's and Max' own hope, probably even expectation indeed. But the sheer realization that all of that was just an illusion, someone's bad joke came for Max on the first stint when he told GP on the radio he simply had no grip...nowhere near as what 'they'...papaya guys had. Shortly after he was overtaken again on the track known as hard for overtaking, being on the same strategy, same tires, just like at Zandvoort last year. Just like in Miami this year......
He did not bottle any chances for WDC this year. He did not have any already at that moment in time. He made a miracle last year winning in a car that was nowhere near as good as the Mclaren for most of the year. First and foremost not even because his own superb performances, but because of appalling level of Mclaren race team and mistakes of their both drivers.
This year their advantage only grew bigger. This year Mclaren team do not make those mistakes they were making. Contrary to that, it's RBR who make all sorts of operational, strategical mistakes, even mistakes on judgement asking Max let Russell past. They do not have Johnathan on the pitwall and it's far more noticeable than the absence of Newey. Look at their pitstops alone. Sauber was the best, 2.0 pit stop in Spain, by the way.
They as a team would've had a chance to come somewhere near Mclaren to try and challenge and rattle them forcing into mistakes(just like last year), if they were perfect as a team, but they keep making massive mistakes almost every race weekend:
Australia: not calling him in a lap after direct rival Norris foolishly hoping for big crash, a safety car or a red flag. Not just that, they left team's rookie on completely wet track on dry tires. At that stage his crash could only hamper Max and his chances. It looked like they forgot they had the second car. That was truly appalling, I was shocked.
Japan: bad pitstop, nearly costed the lead and the win.
Bahrain: you saw Bahrain. It was probably the worst managed race weekend ever. I don't know... Max forced a miracle and got Gasly in the end to save a couple points.
Miami: that call in the pits looked like a sabotage to me. I cannot really find a different explanation because it was not even close to consider that a mistake. Ok, let's still call it a mistake. Another 6 points gone.
Monaco: kept on gambling for red flag all race, refused to take 6 points in direct fight with the WDC leader.
Spain:.......
Bottom line, this is not the same team anymore. There is no way this team can win it having such car disadvantage.
And if we want to believe in miracles, in that famous long-awaited 'next upgrade' coming in few races, that will change everything and bring the red bull on par with the Mclaren(that I've been hearing and reading for the past year nearly), Max will win it even being 70 points adrift. No sweating too much.
not gonna happen because the trend is very clear - Mclaren are now further ahead than ever before. They were cruising in Barca. And that, by the way, was supposed to be the "red bull track".
