Nice comeback by Red Bull. They look genuinely quick here, especially Pérez. Hopefully, the four-way battle between RBR, McLaren, Ferrari and Mercedes is real. This is going to be a fun Grand prix.
Ferrari’s posters remain on point. And fingers crossed for a Ferrari win in Monaco.
Yeah, to me retirement seems like the most likely outcome if he leaves Red Bull.
I’m impressed Charles managed to make the one-stop strategy work. It’s a shame he didn’t do a better job in qualifying. He could have races Checo harder. Excellent race by Sainz. He seems on it this year. I hope he finds a good race seat. He deserves it.
On paper yes but David Sánchez and Rob Marshall have only just begun at McLaren. The evolutions of the MCL38 and the MCL39 will be the first to be fully developed under this structure. My guess is this year’s car was designed by Peter Prodromou.
McLaren does. Technically, they have had it since last year but it’s in full effect as of this season. They have Peter Prodromou as Technical Director, Aerodynamics; David Sanchez as Technical Director, Car Concept & Performance; and Rob Marshall as Technical Director, Engineering & Design. There’s also Neil Houldey as Deputy Technical Director, Engineering and Design.
A bit off-topic but, given the lap time that Max (and Charles) managed to put in this qualifying session, if the race is close, either of them might be tempted to get the fastest lap point and break Pedro de la Rosa’s record this year.
To me it’s encouraging the fact that Ferrari didn’t take a step back with the developments introduced last year. Little by little Fred’s influence is being felt. The strategy has improved and the number of errors have gone down. I’m less worried about them this year.
It was a fuel pump issue.
I’m surprised FIA pushed McLaren to change their rear wing. I would assume FIA would take the same stance they took vis-a-vis McLaren’s front wing. Still, I think this will make the MCL38 slower on the straights without DRS, and that’s about it.