After nine long years, F1 finally has a title fight between the teams, and this one shows no sign of subsiding as the sport begins its summer shutdown.
Lewis Hamilton versus Max Verstappen, Mercedes versus Red Bull. The fans longed for it; the action delivered.
The Briton leads the title race by just eight points, and there are plenty of stories elsewhere too. But what have we learned so far?
Lewis Hamilton versus Max Verstappen, Mercedes versus Red Bull. The fans longed for it; the action delivered. PICTURED: ANDY RAIN / EPA-EFE / Shutterstock
Lewis was lucky
It’s Hamilton leading into the midseason, but things could be so different if luck hadn’t favored the defending champions.
A timely red flag in Imola allowed Mercedes mechanics to fix his car after throwing it into the wall, giving him the subsequent opportunity to recover on P2.
A 10-second passive time penalty did not match the crime during his Silverstone victory when Verstappen – whom he had posted on the wall – watched from the hospital. His costly incarceration in Baku was mitigated by the fact that Verstappen crashed into the cordon through no fault of his own.
Hamilton stays ahead in the all-important overall standings, but he hasn’t driven like a man who deserves to be at the top.
Hamilton stays ahead in the all-important overall standings, but he hasn’t driven like a man who deserves to be at the top. PICTURED: ANDY RAIN / EPA-EFE / Shutterstock
Fernando is * even * faster than you
Alonso fans feared the worst just five races in the season as the two-time world champion struggled to keep up with his teammate.
After more than two years without sport and at almost 40 years of age, it was no surprise that the Spaniard struggled against the youth and familiarity of Ocon.
But since the sixth round, Alonso has suffered his teammate’s sizeable defeat, with the breakaway being Ocons’ accidental but well executed victory in Hungary. It was also the skill of Driver of the Day Alonso that secured victory as he masterfully defended against Hamilton for 10 rounds.
Make no mistake, the fiery veteran is still here to compete.
Fernando Alonso of Spain, who drives the (14) Alpine A521 Renault, defends himself from Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain who drives the (44) Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team Mercedes W12 during the Hungarian F1 Grand Prix. Image: Lars Baron / Getty Images
Sainz is really the smooth operator
This writer held up his head at the start of the new season and suggested that Sainz has the tools to harass Leclerc.
Undoubtedly hired as the support driver of the outstanding Monegasken, it is conceivable that Ferrari did not realize how well a driver was learned.
Nobody in the starting field has adapted so much to the new environment this season as Sainz. He is only 26 years old, has settled in Maranello and has been beaten on occasion by his teammate.
Two podiums and three points ahead of Leclerc are an amazing start to life in red.
The most underrated driver on the grid? There is no doubt about that.
Carlos Sainz from Spain and Ferrari and Charles Leclerc from Monaco and Ferrari speak at the pit wall on the first day of F1 testing at the Bahrain International Circuit on March 12, 2021 in Bahrain, Bahrain. Image: Joe Portlock / Getty Images
2021 is a write-off for Ricciardo
Nobody would have expected the seven-time race winner Ricciardo to be beaten by Lando Norris, but the truth is, “beaten” is too nice a word.
The Aussie has had more problems than the rest of the F1 seat changes, lacking pace in both qualifying and race trim, and has shown little sign of getting things right.
His struggles have been made worse by the excellence of Norris – who so far has had a strong claim to be the driver of the season.
However, cynics would suggest that the best McLaren machines have improved Norris’ shape in years, adding to Danny Ric’s misery.
2022 will be a fresh start with new regulations and Ricciardo should benefit from such a dramatic change given its undeniable quality.
Lando Norris from Great Britain and McLaren F1 and Daniel Ricciardo from Australia and McLaren F1 will be on the grid for the first day of F1 testing at the Bahrain International Circuit on March 12, 2021 in Bahrain, Bahrain. Image: Joe Portlock / Getty Images
Perez has the required racing pace, but has to master the Saturdays
Red Bull has left its comfort zone with the appointment of Perez – the first hiring outside the Red Bull talent pool since Mark Webber in 2007.
Again, this column urged Red Bull to make such a change months in advance of making a decision in light of Alex Albon’s problems in early 2020.
Perez has already won a Grand Prix with Red Bull – something Albon and Pierre Gasly couldn’t before him. His podium in France was the perfect performance by his teammate.
But qualifying sabotaged too many Perez Grands Prix as early as 2021.
He’s the right man for the job and traditionally thrives in the second half of the season. He has to show solidity on a Saturday to set up more outstanding Sundays and take away points from Hamilton and Mercedes.
Race winner Sergio Perez from Mexico and Red Bull Racing celebrates on the podium at the F1 Grand Prix of Azerbaijan at the Baku City Circuit on June 6, 2021 in Baku, Azerbaijan. Image: Dan Istitene – Formula 1 / Formula 1 via Getty Images
