Why Ricciardo's under pressure and Hamilton's feeling vindicated
Mar 14, 2024
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Discussion on the pressure faced by Ricciardo at RB and Hamilton's vindication at Mercedes. Topics include McLaren's form, closing up the field, sprint weekend format, Mercedes struggling with downforce, and driver team switch dilemmas in F1.
Daniel Ricciardo is under pressure to improve performance early in the season at Red Bull.
Mercedes faces challenges with new ground effect rules impacting car design and performance.
Lewis Hamilton's street track qualifying results highlight car limitations over driver skill.
Suggestions include limits on DRS usage to enhance race dynamics and prevent predictable overtakes.
Deep dives
Challenges for Daniel Ricciardo In Red Bull
Daniel Ricciardo is under pressure from Helmut Marko and Red Bull to improve his on-track performance early in the season. Despite some struggles in qualifying and hints of car issues, there is still optimism that Ricciardo can find his pace and competitiveness in upcoming races.
Mercedes' Struggles with Car Development
Mercedes faces persistent challenges with their car performance since the introduction of new ground effect rules. The team's technical team is working to troubleshoot weaknesses in the car design, dealing with issues like bouncing and airflow separation. These ongoing struggles raise questions about the team's understanding of the new regulations and how it impacts their competitiveness.
Lewis Hamilton's Qualifying Performance
Lewis Hamilton's performance in street track qualifying has been a topic of discussion, with observations of a decline in his results with the new ground effect rules. While there have been instances of grid placement struggles, it is attributed more to the car's limitations than Hamilton's abilities. The comparison with teammate George Russell further highlights the broader challenges Mercedes faces.
DRS Usage Limit Suggestions
Suggestions have been made to introduce limits on DRS usage per race or implement time-based free DRS usage to prevent DRS trains and increase strategic usage. Various approaches from other racing series, such as balancing attacker and defender strategic options, could improve racing dynamics and reduce predictable DRS overtakes.
Williams' Car Development Strategy
Williams appears to have shifted their car's design philosophy for the 2023 season, potentially sacrificing specific strengths for a more balanced overall performance. In a highly competitive midfield, where small margins make a significant difference, Williams aims to develop a car that can perform consistently across various circuits to stay competitive.
Implications of J-Dampers in Formula 1
Allowing the use of IndyCar-style J-dampers in Formula 1 has been a topic of debate. While some argue that it could improve racing by enhancing platform control and stability, there are concerns that simply introducing J-dampers may not solve all the challenges related to performance and overtaking. Further complexities arise when considering the competitive advantages certain teams may gain if such advanced suspension systems are allowed, leading to discussions about fairness in the sport.
Impact of Close Competition on Overtaking
The closeness of the Formula 1 grid has raised questions about overtaking opportunities during races. While a tight field is exciting for fans and drivers, it may also make overtaking more challenging due to the reduced performance differentials between cars. The focus on sheer number of overtakes as a measure of racing quality overlooks the importance of strategic competition and the balance between close competition and decisive on-track action in Formula 1.
Ben Anderson and Glenn Freeman join Edd Straw to discuss how, with just two races gone, the pressure is already ramping up for Daniel Ricciardo at RB, while over at Mercedes, the return of some familiar issues has potentially left Lewis Hamilton feeling vindicated about his impending move to Ferrari. Ben, Glenn and Edd also tackle a host of questions from The Race Members' Club, including ones on McLaren's form, how to close up the field, and the thorny issue of the sprint weekend format.
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