We're watching Lando and George finally getting a taste of fighting at the front and learning how to race one another in machinery that's more evenly matched. I'm loving it.
I haven't watched the post race interviews yet but my guess would be Lando will regret giving too much focus to Max at the start and positioning himself poorly to defend from anyone else. A lesson learned for next weekend.
Merc seems to have genuinely taken a step in either understanding or developing their car finally. Right now they are still a step behind McLaren but I suspect that will ebb and flow depending on the tracks and conditions.
Lando was calm and collected on team radio all race, and showed the progress the team has made when he confidently chose to chase Max instead of looking behind. The car, team, and driver are harmonizing and it's wonderful to watch.
Ferrari, of course, refuses to get out of their own way. The inter team battles should be fun to watch for the rest of the season.
Oh, and Alpine got camera time that wasn't just the cars banging together! Bravo!
Russell with the moves on the first lap…only to have the bad strategy of the day and ending up in fourth has got to sting even though realistically he only had a real shot at 3rd. Great action though!
When George got his hole shot, I settled in thinking it was going to be good. But, when the Red Bull went past a lap later I knew it was the same old thing. The Red Bull is still the quickest on the grid.
I’m not sure it’s that cut & dry. I think Max & Redbull just edged out Mclaren today, but it was close, Max didn’t totally run away like I also thought he might after he took the lead. Still dominant, but it’s getting the closest it’s been in a long time, the front drivers & teams all have to be on top form to have a chance, & the slightest mistake by any of them could effect the podium. We might actually have a fairly interesting season (for once!), even if it seems like Max will likely still win this year with the lead he already has. Come on Lando, keep that pressure up…
It's closer than it has been, I'll grant that. But, Max just walked away after regaining the lead. It takes a lot of development work to get those extra tenths out of those cars. I don't anticipate things changing much through the year.