I'm not sure Bottas' position at Merc is so safe anymore. He keeps Hamilton and Verstappen honest in Qualifying, but when was the last time he pushed either of them close on a race day? They will regularly drop him by 10 to 30 seconds over the length of a race. Right now Red Bull have the same problem because Perez is not getting close either, but Bottas can't even really be used to disrupt Red Bull through strategy, and if he gets a slow start and finds himself stuck down the field he is not especially good at working his way back up by passing cars.
I like Bottas and he's good for solid points every week but I think Merc might be starting to look for a bit more than he offers now. Far from closing the gap to the front two over time, I think he's actually gone, relatively, backwards. He was perfect all the time Merc were clearly the fastest team but, now Red Bull can genuinely challenge Merc, if Lewis ever drops out for reliability, or whatever, Bottas is not going to out pace Verstappen and and secure a win in Lewis's place.
Like I say Checco still finding his feet at Red Bull keeps the pressure off him a bit, but I think this might be the year Merc moves on to someone else at the end of the season with perhaps more potential to run Lewis and Verstappen a bit closer - maybe finish 5 seconds behind instead of 15. Once he leaves Bottas will only get a midfield drive - Red Bull or Ferrari aren't going to be interested because that is really his level, there are at least 5 or 6 drivers faster than him on the grid.
Could not agree more, Bottas is being blown away by Hamilton's race pace even through they may be close on a single lap on fresh tyres. We have seen at Red Bull over the last couple of years it is not easy to get two drivers at the top of their game. Most of Max's partners have been well and truly put in their place.
Look back to Hamilton's partners and only Alonso, Button and Rosberg have got close to him in race pace, and those often failled in qualifying.
Hamilton was well off the pace today. Only 7th in qualifying. Not convincing in any way. I think he had a mistake or an issue in every lap today. I’m sure he’ll be fine tomorrow, but can’t see him winning. I’ve no love for Ferrari, but I’m glad LeClerc got pole ahead of Verstappen (although that may yet change). Having said that, I always think it’s a bit harsh when one driver’s mistake costs everyone else a chance to improve their qualifying position, especially when that driver happens to be sitting on pole!
Hamilton has always had that habit of chucking in an occasional stinker of a weekend but it’s been probably 3 years since his last one. Nowhere near it today though. Will be interesting to hear his explanation. Some more clever strategy needed to tomorrow to get up the order or maybe some luck with a short safety car just as he’s passing the pit lane entry or something, but usually qualifying basically decides Monaco unless there’s an accident or breakdown.
I like Leclerc so happy to see him on pole and it might help limit the damage done by Hamilton being so off it.
Maybe he’s human after all. Not a fan of the Monaco race but should be interesting tomorrow.
Yeah, I feel the same about Monaco. It’s an iconic venue, no doubt, and a lot of money comes in from there, but the race is nearly always sub-par. It does provide a good race every once in a while though, so hopefully we’ll get one of the occasional Monaco classics tomorrow.
We all in agreement that Leclerc didnt just pull a Schumacher from a few years ago?
You can never rule it out but I don’t really see the motivation to - Ferrari are not expected to win any races this season and certainly aren’t title challengers so why take the risk of getting caught cheating? Leclerc doesn’t strike me as the type either. It is Ferrari though...
We all in agreement that Leclerc didnt just pull a Schumacher from a few years ago?
You can never rule it out but I don’t really see the motivation to - Ferrari are not expected to win any races this season and certainly aren’t title challengers so why take the risk of getting caught cheating? Leclerc doesn’t strike me as the type either. It is Ferrari though...
I think even Ferrari wouldn’t do this today! And if they did, they messed it up because his car is a lot more knackered than they would’ve liked. Anyway, the only reason he hit the barrier head on was because the previous barrier scrape knocked the right wheel off kilter. No way you could plan that.
Shame for Leclerc, his car wasn’t ready in time to make the grid. Good news for Verstappen though
Sounds like another Ferrari cock-up. They were so keen to keep pole they risked the gearbox. If they had replaced it they’d still be in the first three rows. Now they start from the pits, if they start at all.
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I’ve no love for Ferrari, but I’m glad LeClerc got pole ahead of Verstappen (although that may yet change). Having said that, I always think it’s a bit harsh when one driver’s mistake costs everyone else a chance to improve their qualifying position, especially when that driver happens to be sitting on pole!
It’s an iconic venue, no doubt, and a lot of money comes in from there, but the race is nearly always sub-par. It does provide a good race every once in a while though, so hopefully we’ll get one of the occasional Monaco classics tomorrow.
Yeah, I don’t think he’d deliberately bugger his car like that just to secure the pole!
Anyway, the only reason he hit the barrier head on was because the previous barrier scrape knocked the right wheel off kilter. No way you could plan that.
Wonder which team will mess up their pit stop to hand Hamilton a podium.
Most exciting thing so far is Bottas’ pit fuck up.
Note that I didn’t say “so far”. This race is effectively over.
Hope I’m wrong.