venkyhere wrote: ↑02 Jul 2024, 13:29
BMMR61 wrote: ↑02 Jul 2024, 11:58
But this wasn't the motivation by Lando. He decided to put a "line in the sand" and not back down. This is my opinion, please feel free to comment. I applaud him for not backing down, despite the uneven and unfair consequences. Max hasn't needed to use his '2021 tactics' for some time as far as I recall. Now his authority is being regularly challenged and, maybe, Lando is intent on holding his line, the contacts will become a more regular occurrence.
We all agree that Lando scored a moral and philosophical victory in the battle of egos, stood his ground, didn't back off. But could he have been cleverer, so as not to risk an actual race victory ? I think that's the more important discussion. It's fairly well established Max has to be take blame for the accident. Apart from orangearmy and some diehard worshippers, and a few exceptions, no one else has doubts about that. But is it enough for a racing driver to ensure that he 'isn't in the wrong' ? Or does he need to look at the footage and learn whether he could have done something cleverer ? Most of us, scratch that, many of us want to see Lando win more races consistently, especially now when the car is very competent and obedient to him.
This went on for 10 laps.
Lando tried to go on the inside - Verstappen moves under brakes and blocks. This would probably be a clean overtake otherwise.
Lando divebombs and goes wide - let's him back.
Lando goes to the outside - Verstappen moves and blocks.
Lando tries to stay close - can't match Verstappen out of T3
Lando divebombs and makes the corner - Verstappen steams ahead on the runoff and doesn't return the position (didn't seem that stewards would react but it was 1 lap).
Lando gets Verstappen to defend the inside and pulls alongside in T3, Verstappen changes his line under brakes and hits Norris.
I think that Norris went out of his way to try and get around safely. The final incident cannot be taken out of context, it is a result of increasing defensive, reactionary moves by Verstappen that forced Norris into making riskier and later moves. I think what Norris did was absolutely right, hold his ground and let's see what happens. No one expected double puncture. It could have easily been a no contact or a light wheel bang and Norris sweeps around the outside.
One thing that Norris needs to look into is were there other opportunities for the overtake. Could he have stayed closed and then swept around on the straight? Whole situation happened because he couldn't get alongside on the straights. I am confident they will analyze this and try and learn from it. Just being in the right is not enough.