Is Piastri slumping? Is Verstappen undervalued by fans? We answer your questions
Apr 24, 2024
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Motorsport journalists Edd Straw, Mark Hughes, and Glenn Freeman answer fan questions about Max Verstappen's value, Oscar Piastri's performance, and Lance Stroll's future at Aston Martin. They dive into the dynamics of F1 development, analyze driver performances, and discuss Red Bull's dominance. The impact of safety cars on races and the multifaceted fascination of Formula One are also explored.
Max Verstappen's continuous improvement in understanding and developing the car sets him apart from his teammate Sergio Perez.
Fans may undervalue Max Verstappen's consistent excellence, leading to nuances in recognizing his remarkable performances compared to journalists.
Max Verstappen's exceptional skills in qualifying sessions showcase his prowess as one of the grid's best qualifiers, emphasizing his overall strengths as a driver.
Deep dives
Max Verstappen's Progression and Performance in Qualifying
Max Verstappen's ability to unlock more performance as he understands the car better over the season is discussed. His nuanced approach to car setup and development, particularly in comparison to his teammate Sergio Perez, is highlighted. The discussion delves into the factors influencing his continuous improvement and the potential challenges faced by Perez in keeping up with Verstappen's development direction.
Recognition of Max Verstappen's Brilliance
The podcast delves into the perception of Max Verstappen's brilliance, questioning whether fans undervalue his consistent excellence, especially in comparison to journalists. The dynamics of fan voting processes like 'driver of the day' are explored to understand the complexities of acknowledging Verstappen's remarkable performances. The discussion nuances the concepts of undervaluation, underratedness, and taking excellence for granted in the context of Verstappen's racing career.
Evaluation of Max Verstappen as a Qualifier
The podcast scrutinizes Max Verstappen's qualifications as one of the grid's best qualifiers, emphasizing his outstanding abilities in qualifying sessions. The comparison between Verstappen's single-lap pace and strategic decisions in qualifying is assessed, shedding light on the nuances of being the fastest driver versus excelling in the high-pressure environment of qualifying. The episode evaluates Verstappen's overall strengths and qualities, highlighting his prowess as a driver across various aspects of racing performance.
Debate on Time Taken for Safety Car Deployment
Concerns were raised regarding the time taken to deploy the safety car in a recent race. The delay in transitioning from virtual safety car to full safety car was questioned by fans. The extensive use of double-waved yellows and the timing of deploying the safety car were highlighted, especially when a driver was in a vulnerable position on track.
Discussion on Formula 1's Future Competitiveness
The predictability of Formula 1 results and the balance between driver skill and car performance were debated. Fans questioned whether the sport has shifted too much towards car technology versus showcasing driver abilities. The anticipation for forthcoming regulations in 2025 was emphasized as a potential solution to mix up the order and provide fresh challenges across teams.
Edd Straw is joined by Mark Hughes and Glenn Freeman to host a selection of questions from The Race Members' Club, including ones on whether Max Verstappen is undervalued by fans, why Oscar Piastri has underwhelmed so far this season, and whether Aston Martin would ever drop Lance Stroll.
If you want to join The Race Members' Club, click here to sign up, or you can sign up for all of The Race's bonus audio content (but not the other perks of membership) directly in the Apple Podcasts app.