CHT wrote: ↑30 Sep 2023, 03:52
Here are the number of Merc poles when LH won the WDC.
Can LH win WDC with a car that is 2 tenths slower? I doubt so.
Even in 2021, RBR has 1 pole more than Merc.
2020 15/17
2019 10/21
2018 12/21
2017 15/20
2016 20/21
2015 18/21
2014 18/19
You use the word "can". Of course he can. It's possible. Was possible in 2007 before the gearbox glitch in Brazil. He would have been a rooking champion. In 2008, the ferrari was the faster car. So we have two examples there.
The Ferrari rocket engine years were also where he did win in the slower car. Then there is 2021 where he was on his way to winning through his sbilities but stuff happened. So you have 5 years of example there. The these were all opportunities where he did or was very likely ro have and that's the crux. With a slower ca he can fight and have a good chance to be champion, down to the final race or final lap.
21 saw the rival team overspending, 2.2 million more, it saw a disadvantage with the floor edge cut out, and generally the w12 having some weakness and he was still the guy further down the road in that final race ( focusing on the cars, their development and not the rulings or general environment at the time).
Mercedes did well to be fighting against the ferrari rocket engine and the unfettered spending of redbull. This is why i dont count out a good rivalry in the future.
Rob Marshall is also leaving Redbull for Mclaren. Maybe RB suffers from the brain brain a little too?