f1isgood wrote: ↑29 Nov 2024, 22:01
GrizzleBoy wrote: ↑29 Nov 2024, 21:53
2023 WDC:
Ham - P3
Rus - P8
2024 WDC:
RUS - P6
Ham - P7
Now, I don't really know about anyone else, but given its still mathematically possible for Geurge to only finish 1 WDC position higher than he did the previous year (if Lewis does miracles), while Lewis has dropped from contesting for P2 down to a realistic P7...
Is it really the case that George has improved so much since last year or is it that Lewis dropped off?
If anyone is honest with themselves, could they truly say that the biggest change has been George's driving ability and not Lewis' dramatic qualifying slump?
If Lewis performed the way he had just one year ago in 2024, would George's performance this year have anyone talking about how ready he is to lead the team?
Is George only really just starting to edge Lewis out points wise in Lewis' worst ever season in F1 when he's being phased out of the team actually that big an achievement?
I think if you're really honest about it, I don't think you could say that it really is.
If Lewis had one or two better qualis, George would only move up one WDC place this year and the teams prospects politically/sponsor wise/optics wise would be looking dim.
Lewis performed similarly both years. George just stepped up big time.
P3 to P7 is "similar performance", and P8 to P6 is a "big time" perfor.ance jump?
You see, this is what I'm trying to get at. The cognitive dissonance is wild.
It either flips from Lewis being a dud to George being on his A-game based on which sounds best for George at the time.
If you call Lewis washed, that means George's P6 this year is diminished.
If you say George is just having bis best ever season this year, you have to deny the huge performance slump Lewis has had since 2023, because closely defeating someone who most people expect to do better doesn't sound good either.