Race 14 - Belgian GP 2024 - Spa Francochamp

[airshifter]

Not the race I was expecting, and I suspect that holds true for a lot of people.

In the early stages, it seemed nobody near the front could make an impact on anyone in front of them. Gapped changed, but nobody could really make a solid challenge. Positions gained or lost were mostly stuck and not moving. To be honest, for a while I thought we were in for the most boring Belgian GP ever.... it was a snoozefest.

And even when pit strategy started playing out, things didn't change all that much. Seeing all the top cars stuck in their positions made it painfully obvious how close the teams have become over time, and even the small setup differences and biases towards either qually or the race didn't seem to matter a lot.

George was bold early on and kept requesting the one stopper, and though they seemed unsure the team finally decided to let him give it a go. And much to my surprise, he made it stick. For laps I was thinking he might be lucky enough to hold on to a podium, but as the laps ran down it became clear that the gamble might pay off. And even though Lewis was on him, George was brilliant in the defense and pulling time where it mattered.

Until it all came to an end with the car DQ, George did everything right and made a bold call that worked. IMHO it's a shame that all his detractors immediately place blame on team sabotage gone wrong, and the intent to screw Lewis that failed. Had Lewis been given a one stopper and had the same result, those same finger pointers would be claiming it was still to screw Lewis but worked. Some people can't see beyond their own noses, and the user "apply differing expectations to others" is always in play. I'm glad I see things for what they are rather than try to find conspiracy everywhere.... it must be taxing on people. The weight issue simply shows that they had not explored tire wear options properly, or simply made a complete rookie error in weight calculations. The top teams should do better. I think Merc have had more DQs in the last couple years then most, and for a team of their scale it's just unacceptable.

The same applies to the Max, Lando, Oscar and others detractors. They and their teams do the best they can on a given day and roll the dice as they see fit. It's hardly a career ender when a driver doesn't finish where many think they could have, unless there is solid evidence that they underperformed.


Leclerc did a great job in taking the post RB penalty starting spot up front, and did well to keep himself on the podium that he didn't get to see. Lewis punked Sergio at the start and made good use of the rest of his time on track. Oscar and George both performed well, even though the rookie team mistake cost George big points in the end. As for Lando, he's entitled to not perfom his best at every race, and this was one where his day could have been better. Same for Max, though he end result wasn't what some expected he had a good race and stretched his points lead.


As for Perez.... I'm struggling to see how RB hasn't really cranked up the pressure on him. He finally got a top 3 qually and moved backwards well for the team.

[The Black Knight]

RBR to keep Checo in a move that I think they'll end up regretting. I understand the reasons for keeping him as there's no guarantee that a mid season driver swap will end any better but, as I said previously, it can't get any worse than Checo so I figure they've nothing to lose. With Checo they will definitely lose the constructors championship, without him, they may have a chance to win it. I can't see him keeping his seat for next year though.

Not too surprised to see Sainz move to Williams next year. I personally rate him very highly so it will be interesting to see how Alex Albon compares to him. Looks like Seargant is getting the deserved boot out the door.

[Nitrodaze]

RBR to keep Checo in a move that I think they'll end up regretting. I understand the reasons for keeping him as there's no guarantee that a mid season driver swap will end any better but, as I said previously, it can't get any worse than Checo so I figure they've nothing to lose. With Checo they will definitely lose the constructors championship, without him, they may have a chance to win it. I can't see him keeping his seat for next year though.

Not too surprised to see Sainz move to Williams next year. I personally rate him very highly so it will be interesting to see how Alex Albon compares to him. Looks like Seargant is getting the deserved boot out the door.

I rightly guessed there was going to be no change. The problem is not Perez per se. It is the car he is given to drive. I know a lot of people would say, but Verstappen is doing wonders with that car, so why can't he? Well, the car is designed specifically for Verstappen and Perez is given that car to do the best he can.

I personally think they have made the right decision. Ricciardo is a shadow of his former self and l doubt he would do any better than Checo. Redbull need to take Perez into consideration in their car design processes. What we are seeing is the result of them not doing so. Yet all would turn on poor Perez for it.

[Nitrodaze]

I

You could see Hamilton was quite miffed when he found out that the very strategy was later given to Russell which resulted in Russell finishing ahead and winning the race. As it turned out, that was the wrong strategy anyway.

Nonetheless, it is the very first clear evidence that Mercedes would trip up Hamilton if it would favour Russell. I heard there is radio messages that bear evidence of this.

I quoted someone else in my comment above. I have checked the radio messages that is available to the public, and l am unable to find any evidence of any radio message from Hamilton about doing a one-stop. This call was all Russell's idea. What a cracking drive and brilliant racing intelligence.