bananapeel23 wrote: ↑02 Sep 2024, 14:59
avantman wrote: ↑02 Sep 2024, 14:28
Also, based on direct comparison of Perez and Sainz with the same teammate Hulkenberg, Perez in fact was closer to Nico and more successful qualifier. You assumptions that Sainz would now run Max close over one lap is truly laughable, particularly in a RB cars of recent years, which were 'on the nose'. Leclerc wasn't nearly as good in qualifying as Max neither in karting, nor in F3 prior to F1. There us no single evidence to suggest he is either faster over one lap, or better and more consistent qualifier overall. The dude couldn't even progress into Q3/Q2 on couple of occasions. He might be indeed better than Max on few very particular circuits, some of his favorites, such as Baku, or say Singapore. Max is on the opposite side of the spectrum in terms of the preferences, he hates city circuits (leclerc said multiple times he loves them). Max would destroy Leclerc over one lap or race distance on pure drivers tracks, all greats loved the most - Spa and Suzuka. This is unbiased reality.
You're seriously underselling Leclerc. Even the most pessimistic people would not put Leclerc below narrowly 2nd best in quali. Leclerc is filthy quick. He's 25-7 in terms of pole positions against his teammates. He has never lost a quali H2H against a teammate. Him being quick at street tracks is not a point against him, it's quite the opposite, given that street tracks are the most technical and are generally considered to be more "driver oriented".
Verstappen is lighting quick, and almost certainly the better driver overall, but in terms of quali pace you would struggle to argue he's clearly better than Leclerc.
Vettel is a 4 time champion and was always considered a quali specialist, yet got absolutely crushed in quali in 2019 by a 21 year old Leclerc in his sophomore season (7 poles against 2). Vettel is the best teammate either of them has faced.
Sainz is within a tenth of Leclerc this season, and has consistently lost about 2:1 in the quali head to head against Leclerc over their 4 years. He's quick enough to trouble Leclerc, and thus quick enough to trouble Max.
And Daniel crushed a peak Sebastian Vettel in 2014 in qualifying and races, Max has matched or beaten the same Daniel and arguably has gotten better since then.
Saying that, all this is OT. So let's keep it on topic and avoid driver yin yang.
I learn from the mistakes of people who take my advice...