Formula 1: McLaren domain. Verstappen and Leclerc try with gimmicks

We could remember it as the Grand Prix-Confine between two moments of the recent history of Formula 1. The end of the era of Max Verstappen, or at least of the first era of Max Verstappen, or the whitlet of consecutive World Cup, which will probably be interrupted to four. And the return of McLaren. That to return he had already started last season, with that great comeback and then with the manufacturers’ title. It is a feeling that we derive from two data.

the data

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The first technician: the directive on the front wings. “I think we were the only team not to report changes,” said Team Principal Andrea Stella beautiful. A sign that in theory McLaren could have – perhaps due, in the hopes of others – be the most damaged team by the novelty. How damaged they explained the qualifications well, and then the race and its definitive ranking: that is, nothing. The other element that suggests a champion McLaren is the empty passage of Max Verstappen, in fact. Until yesterday the only one who gave the idea of ​​being able to put himself between the two Papaya clothes. Just as he did at the start yesterday, except to be soon taken up by Lando Norris. With a return that has well exemplified the scale of values ​​on the track. Max entered the weekend of the Spanish Grand Prix with 25 points late from Oscar Plastri. And it goes to -49, because of the penalty.

gap

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It is not even the gap doubled to give the feeling that at Montmelò something was decided. It is the reason for the penalty: that is Max’s breathlessness, together with the farm studied by Charles Leclerc with the single Stint in Q3 to safeguard a train of tires. If Red Bull and Ferrari have to resort to bizarre inventions to keep the rhythm, it means that McLaren has already won. Verstappen studied a three -stop strategy, and then he performed in the most classic of his maneuvers: the one so when it comes to facing a duel from inside a curve simply the curve not the tax, goes straight and shoots the opponent out. He always does, let alone if he wouldn’t have done it yesterday, frustrated as he was from having discovered that he was on the white tires without knowing it, inserted by two rivals within as many curves. “The three stops have allowed me to take a more race in the attack – he tried to explain – more fun instead of being able to manage. Sometimes it is fine, other times you have misfortune and in the end you cannot be happy. This is one of those times in which it has not gone well”.

papaye

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And then it will presumably be a question between papaye. At the moment Oscar and Lando are divided by 10 points. Stella thanked them for how they are interpreting the rivalry and duel. Despite being sure – as we all are – that the battle will soon know more intensity and other tones. Let’s not forget that last year, after the success in Baku, when he was asked to help his partner Norris, Plastri had been beautifully secluded. They will presumably be their challenge to keep some interest on the championship. Although it is not exactly the two who inflame enthusiasm. Or rather Lando yes: it is the most social and the most “Netflixable” among the riders on the grid. Among the very young he marked a breaking point, obtaining devotion regardless of results and placements, he certainly became popular before starting to win. Much also thanks to his social ability. Yet lately it is not that he is involving much. The other is the opposite: phrases contained at minimum, emotions under the guard level. And to say that on the track, on the other hand, it would have everything to enhance the crazy, including purists. Perhaps it will be right there, the point of interest: in the duel between two styles, of life before driving, so different. We will see. Certainly it will give difficult to attach himself to their statements.

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