2023 Azerbaijan Grand Prix - Baku, April 28 - 30

[Matt2725]

I seriously think Russell would have got the better of Max in 2021 in that Mercedes, he knows how to race the Dutch driver.

Indeed, when the playing field is levelled out, he often has gotten the better of Max. Spain 2022 springs to mind.

Also to the Alonso example, the entry and mid-corner speeds are much reduced compared to Russell and Verstappen.

[harty71]

I seriously think Russell would have got the better of Max in 2021 in that Mercedes, he knows how to race the Dutch driver.

Indeed, when the playing field is levelled out, he often has gotten the better of Max. Spain 2022 springs to mind.

Also to the Alonso example, the entry and mid-corner speeds are much reduced compared to Russell and Verstappen.

I don't know with Hamilton, I just don't think he can live with the race craft of these youngsters and is now easily deterred. I think Russell in the 2021 Merc would have given Max all he could handle.

[fourmula1]

Did Max already forget what racing looks like? It means going for a gap that the guy ahead left open... He went in plenty of times when there was no gap, and got away with it

Indeed.

Although I’m in shock we are discussing if it was a gap/no gap/right to be there.

If we continue with this thinking there will be no more wheel to wheel racing. I only wish they had been side by side longer. And people here want George to back out? If it was two years ago George should have ran Max wide in T1 “because he had the inside” and then we could sit back and watch the train for the entire race yay. I thought we were moving away from the one and done mindset/racing style.

Its almost like we should send both drivers through the pit lane if they touch regardless of fault just to reign in the entitlement.

[AR3-GP]

Did Max already forget what racing looks like? It means going for a gap that the guy ahead left open... He went in plenty of times when there was no gap, and got away with it

Indeed.

Although I’m in shock we are discussing if it was a gap/no gap/right to be there.

If we continue with this thinking there will be no more wheel to wheel racing. I only wish they had been side by side longer.

They would have been side by side longer if George didn't hit Max in turn 2...that's the point.

[fourmula1]

Did Max already forget what racing looks like? It means going for a gap that the guy ahead left open... He went in plenty of times when there was no gap, and got away with it

Indeed.

Although I’m in shock we are discussing if it was a gap/no gap/right to be there.

If we continue with this thinking there will be no more wheel to wheel racing. I only wish they had been side by side longer.

They would have been side by side longer if George didn't hit Max in turn 2...that's the point.

So you agree George has the right to be there and the contact was unfortunate? I’m not defending the contact.

[langedweil]

Qualifying done, sprint done and it already feels like the weekend is done. We already know the pace of the cars. No unknowns left for tomorrow’s race. Much less anticipation and excitement for Sunday. That’s why these sprint weekends are a failure.

Well said LM ... might as well skip it

[langedweil]

Ok let's banter. Max got punted wide and STILL made the corner? Seems like he pinched Russell and should have left more space...he clearly had more room on the outside if he GOT HIT and still made the corner. I think its his fault entirely.

Come on, really !?

[AR3-GP]

Indeed.

Although I’m in shock we are discussing if it was a gap/no gap/right to be there.

If we continue with this thinking there will be no more wheel to wheel racing. I only wish they had been side by side longer.

They would have been side by side longer if George didn't hit Max in turn 2...that's the point.

So you agree George has the right to be there and the contact was unfortunate? I’m not defending the contact.

Yes absolutely. That’s how I view it personally. The contact is the issue. Max wasn’t upset about being raced. He was upset about being hit in the process. I don’t know what others have said in this thread about it.

[langedweil]

I seriously think Russell would have got the better of Max in 2021 in that Mercedes, he knows how to race the Dutch driver.

I have the feeling GR will be no more than a forever promise and will win some races, but will never be a wdc.

[Wouter]

Just watched Russels onboard of turn 2 and his front wheels were about level with the rear of Max's coming into the braking zone.

Id say the rules say he isnt entitled to that corner.

.
Russell thinks otherwise.

I don't know if the video has a geoblock like the Sky video's above, but what he had to say is also in the text of the page.

Russell in a video after the race: https://www.gpblog.com/en/news/199951/r ... mself.html

[Sevach]

Max is a bit weird, last race he was "happy" to let the Mercs through knowing he would get them soon, today he put himself in very dangerous positions fighting "life and death" with Russell.
George was fair.

Qualifying done, sprint done and it already feels like the weekend is done. We already know the pace of the cars. No unknowns left for tomorrow’s race. Much less anticipation and excitement for Sunday. That’s why these sprint weekends are a failure.

True, Leclerc tried his best but it just wasn't enough, ended up wasting his tires prematurely, after watching this the team will recommend that he tries a little less and protect his tires more.
Everyone else will stay in order.
Yay exciting.

[langedweil]

I seriously think Russell would have got the better of Max in 2021 in that Mercedes, he knows how to race the Dutch driver.

Indeed, when the playing field is levelled out, he often has gotten the better of Max. Spain 2022 springs to mind.

Hahaha .. you do know that drs wasn't working when 'he had the better of Max', right ?
As soon as it worked and he passed, he never saw him again ...

[chrisc90]

Just watched Russels onboard of turn 2 and his front wheels were about level with the rear of Max's coming into the braking zone.

Id say the rules say he isnt entitled to that corner.

.
Russell thinks otherwise.

I don't know if the video has a geoblock like the Sky video's above, but what he had to say is also in the text of the page.

Russell in a video after the race: https://www.gpblog.com/en/news/199951/r ... mself.html

I seen his interview. George also thinks Max was the overtaking driver, Yet George was the one behind doing the overtake. Seems he has a short memory

[harty71]

I seriously think Russell would have got the better of Max in 2021 in that Mercedes, he knows how to race the Dutch driver.

I have the feeling GR will be no more than a forever promise and will win some races, but will never be a wdc.

Where on hell do you get that from, given the car he will be fighting for a title.

[harty71]

I seriously think Russell would have got the better of Max in 2021 in that Mercedes, he knows how to race the Dutch driver.

Indeed, when the playing field is levelled out, he often has gotten the better of Max. Spain 2022 springs to mind.

Hahaha .. you do know that drs wasn't working when 'he had the better of Max', right ?
As soon as it worked and he passed, he never saw him again ...

So, he never saw him in a much faster car, great detective work there. Without DRS they were more evenly matched, Russell then put the manners on Max.