Honestly, he’s right to be annoyed. Four races on the bounce unable to make Q3 in by far the quickest car is not bad luck. It’s carelessness.
Especially since he did not even have to push to the limit in the RBR to get into Q3. Same with Monaco, he did pushed everything out of the car, in Q1…
I can’t help but think that this kind of thing really highlights how good Bottas and Rubens (in particular) were, sure they were outshone to a degree by their team mates but more often than not they were competitive and consistent.
I think you’re partly correct, but I’d say it’s more about the mindset than the skill. Bottas talked about it in some interview. You give it absolutely everything you have and nail that race to perfection, and still Hamilton would find another tenth per lap somehow. I assume it was the same with Schumi and now with Verstappen. Takes a tough mind to deal with this for an extended period of time and not get crushed. Checo has shown that on his day he absolutely has the skill to easily get P2 with that car, but it seems Max is living in his head rent free and that’s not how you find your rhythm.
I think that’s pretty fair to say, your best never quite being good enough can be crushing. Hopefully Checo can find a way mentally to take himself out of the title fight and just focus on the drive.
Lawson and Ricciardo rubbing their hands
I’m going to say something crazy.
Hulkenberg.
Counterpoint: Tsunoda.
Or, hear me out, Schumacher. Even if it is only to thumb his nose at Toto.
Sort of “collect all Merc reserves”? After picking up Nyck?
He is simply not getting the job done. I think people need to realize that often there is pressure that comes along with being in the best car.
Rightfully so, with a car that must faster than the rest of the grid he needs to be performing better than he has been.
🫣
