Where Verstappen's title ranks and why Mercedes was so quick in Vegas
Nov 24, 2024
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Max Verstappen's impressive fourth championship title is dissected, placing it in the context of his previous victories. The podcast dives into Mercedes' remarkable resurgence in Las Vegas, leading to a thrilling one-two finish. Tensions simmer between Ferrari's drivers following a controversial race, alongside concerns about McLaren's underperformance. The guys also tackle fan engagement and the excitement surrounding the upcoming Dutch Grand Prix, while offering humorous takes on various team dynamics and quirky racing incidents.
Max Verstappen's fourth title is viewed as his most impressive due to overcoming significant challenges without the fastest car.
Mercedes achieved a surprising 1-2 finish in Vegas, utilizing a strategic Monza wing for enhanced tire efficiency and lap times.
Ferrari's internal team dynamics, particularly between Leclerc and Sainz, affected their performance despite finishing third and fourth.
Deep dives
Max Verstappen's Championship Victory
Max Verstappen secured his fourth world championship at the Las Vegas Grand Prix, marking a significant milestone in his racing career. While he is recognized as a dominant driver, this particular title is considered the best of the four by some experts due to the various challenges he faced throughout the season. Unlike previous championships, where he had the fastest car, Verstappen spent a considerable portion of 2023 contending without it and still managed to secure victories. His relentless performance and ability to extract maximum results from his car, even when it was not at its best, showcased his prowess as a driver and solidified his status at the top of the sport.
Mercedes' Surprising Performance
Mercedes surprised many by achieving a 1-2 finish at the Las Vegas Grand Prix, driven by George Russell and Lewis Hamilton. This performance stemmed from their strategic choice of a Monza wing which allowed for better tire handling and lap times in cooler conditions. Notably, Russell was able to gain significant advantage over Ferrari competitors thanks to the tire efficiency and downforce provided by this wing configuration. Despite Hamilton starting from 10th on the grid, his strong recovery highlighted the car's competitive edge in the race, reinforcing Mercedes’ resurgence in form after previous struggles.
Ferrari's Internal Conflicts
Ferrari faced internal strife between Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz during the race, ultimately impacting their performance. Following a late-race incident where Sainz overtook Leclerc, the latter expressed frustration over perceived team orders being ignored. Leclerc's reaction reflected his broader concerns about team dynamics and his teammate's aggression, suggesting he felt his own cooperative approach was not reciprocated. Despite these tensions, Ferrari managed to secure third and fourth place finishes, but missed an opportunity to maximize their points gain in the Constructors' Championship against McLaren.
McLaren's Challenges and Strategic Adjustments
McLaren experienced a difficult weekend in Las Vegas, with Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri finishing sixth and seventh, respectively. The team struggled to generate the necessary tire temperatures, which led to graining issues, particularly in colder track conditions. In a bid to overcome this, McLaren made significant adjustments during the final stint, which resulted in improved pace for Norris. Although their performance at this race was not ideal, they are optimistic heading into the remaining races of the season, as the upcoming circuits are expected to suit their car better.
Midfield Battle and Team Dynamics
In the midfield, Nico Hülkenberg excelled, demonstrating a solid comeback after earlier challenges, while Yuki Tsunoda also performed well. This season, Williams has seen its drivers consistently competing for points, emphasizing the tight battle within the midfield. Meanwhile, Alpine experienced setbacks, including a pit stop miscommunication that effectively cost Esteban Ocon a chance to score points. As the final races approach, the competition among these teams remains fierce, despite individual challenges, with strategies and decisions likely impacting the outcomes significantly.
Edd Straw is joined by Mark Hughes, Scott Mitchell-Malm and Ben Anderson to discuss Max Verstappen clinching his fourth drivers' world title with fifth place in the Las Vegas Grand Prix. But where does this year's championship success rank alongside his other winning seasons?
They also explain what led to Mercedes' stunning turn of speed this weekend, which saw it clinch an unexpected one-two with George Russell and Lewis Hamilton. There's also chat about why Charles Leclerc was unhappy after the race, why McLaren was off the pace this weekend, and how Nico Hulkenberg won the midfield battle and Alpine lost it.
Plus, as ever, the guys answer another load of questions sent in by The Race Members' Club.
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