2021 Mexican Grand Prix - Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez, Nov 05 - 07

[Juzh]

https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/arti ... rIYQ0.html



Despite looking dominant in practice, Max never looked like he was getting pole in qualification today, Mercedes were getting the soft and mediums working better than red bull.

Just before Tsunoda/perez distraction Verstappen was around 3 tenths up compared to his first Q3 lap, so pole was on the table, even if difficult. It's not a foregone conclusion he couldn't do it. These official articles posted on f1.com are always poorly researched because they have to be pumped out fast.

I agree about the articles being rushed, I haven't got the mini sectors times but all that I've seen and read seem to say it's very unlikely Max would have got pole. This article says he was just 0.2 seconds up on his previous best.


https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/59195054

Verstappen had been 0.35secs off Bottas on the first run. By the mid-point of his final lap, he was still slower than Bottas' time, but was up by 0.2secs on his own previous lap - and with the stadium section, where he had been so strong all weekend, still to come.

Based on video footage there was 3 tenths difference at last available reference before the incident:
https://streamable.com/9dkyzj

[Mattyw]

Who at Mercedes came up with that terrible strategy for the start?

[west52keep64]

Bottas once again very compliant with Verstappen overtaking.

[Just_a_fan]

That plays nicely in to Max's hands. The restart with Perez in the mix means Lewis is having to look two ways where Max only needs to worry about one car.

[djones]

Bottas the third Redbull driver lets Max through yet again.

Literally moved to the side to let him past.

[Mattyw]

Bottas the third Redbull driver lets Max through yet again.

Literally moved to the side to let him past.

And gave him the racing line. Madness

[sosic2121]

Bottas the third Redbull driver lets Max through yet again.

Literally moved to the side to let him past.

And gave him the racing line. Madness

And you think he should have gave him inside position?

Incredible late braking won max that position

[Shrieker]

Bottas just opened the left hand side for Verstappen to overtake... Unbelivable ! He was otherwise boxed in...

[Mattyw]

Bottas the third Redbull driver lets Max through yet again.

Literally moved to the side to let him past.

And gave him the racing line. Madness

And you think he should have gave him inside position?

Incredible late braking won max that position

Dirty line or racing line - footage speaks for itself!

[Just_a_fan]

Bottas the third Redbull driver lets Max through yet again.

Literally moved to the side to let him past.

And gave him the racing line. Madness

And you think he should have gave him inside position?

Incredible late braking won max that position

He wouldn't have given Max the inside line as Hamilton as there already.

Max had the racing line so he'd always be quicker in to the corner, without having to late brake.

[basti313]

Who at Mercedes came up with that terrible strategy for the start?

??? Nonsense. Strategy was clear, Bottas to move over for slipstream for Ham to avoid slip for Ver. But Ham start was too good, Bot too bad.

[west52keep64]

Bottas the third Redbull driver lets Max through yet again.

Literally moved to the side to let him past.

And gave him the racing line. Madness

And you think he should have gave him inside position?

Incredible late braking won max that position

Martin Brundle on Sky disagrees. He was saying it was a "gift" from Bottas to give Max the racing line. It looked like he was braking so much later because he was on the racing line, he had the most grip and the optimal line for the corner.

Max is streaking clear, this should be a fairly easy win. This could easily be a 1-2 for Red Bull as predicted earlier in the weekend.

[Restomaniac]

Why was Bottas trying to cut off Hamilton and then not blocking out Verstappen?

[dans79]

Why was Bottas trying to cut off Hamilton and then not blocking out Verstappen?

Because he's an idiot!

[Restomaniac]

And this is the bit where RedBull catch Mercedes asleep and Pit Verstappen first.