Looks like McLaren are ensuring that they have no straightline deficit, and think they have enough time in reserve in S3 to bleed a little there.
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Looks like McLaren are ensuring that they have no straightline deficit, and think they have enough time in reserve in S3 to bleed a little there.
I've thought about this too. On a personal level he probably prefers Lando to win, but professionally and in terms of legacy I'm not sure. The Verstappen train has likely left the station in terms of career achievments for all these guys (Lando, Charles, George, even Oscar), but there's going to be a hard fight behind him for who becomes the "Hakkinen" so to speak of this era. If Lando wins this one he's halfway to becoming that guy pretty much, whereas the others are still stuck on the start line.spookyisland wrote: ↑04 Dec 2025, 13:49I think Norris has this one in the bag, his cushion in terms of points is just too big to make him have to be really stressed. He knows that he just has to get on the podium if Verstappen wins - and I don't see many contenders to interfere with that: Piastri would probably let Norris through if needed, Ferrari are in shambles and Mercedes is a dark horse for me. One thought regarding which other drivers would prefer what champion: Russell has an interesting situation for this, because on the one hand he seems to not like Verstappen that much, on the other hand if Norris wins it could sting, because both of them are the next big British drivers after Hamilton. And I guess that having Verstappen with five titles and an even bigger case in the GOAT-debates could be better for Russell in the long term, if he were to team up with Verstappen on Mercedes and be able to be on the same level or even beating Verstappen as his teammate.
But all in all I guess the fans are the ones that think too much and/or too deeply about this stuff, whereas the drivers "just" try to maximize their performance like on any other weekend.
Yeah, full agreement here. And two further aspects, that I think could be interesting: 1. if Russell believes that Mercedes is the favorite for 2026, I think ending Verstappen's reign would be an additional benefit for him, 2. if Verstappen is the second to win five in a row, Russell could play the Alonso-role of upending the current "king" of F1 - and given his talent (which I don't think is on the same level as Alonso, but I have no clue if that assessment is correct) and Mercedes' probable monster in 2026 and beyond, he could very well win two in a row himself, like Alonso or (who is probably a better comparison than Alonso) your mentioned Hakkinen.Badger wrote: ↑04 Dec 2025, 14:16I've thought about this too. On a personal level he probably prefers Lando to win, but professionally and in terms of legacy I'm not sure. The Verstappen train has likely left the station in terms of career achievments for all these guys (Lando, Charles, George, even Oscar), but there's going to be a hard fight behind him for who becomes the "Hakkinen" so to speak of this era. If Lando wins this one he's halfway to becoming that guy pretty much, whereas the others are still stuck on the start line.
Even if the two Mclaren drivers are nervous and goof up their Quali or goof up their start from red lights, the McL39 has enough performance advantage over any other car, that Norris can easily drive upto P3 (in case he is behind) without taking any risk. There are two DRS straights and the traction that McL39 will get out of T5 before the first straight and the traction from T6-T7 chicane before the second straight, will be plenty enough for the McLaren drivers to plough through the field or defend against an attack from behind. On top of all this, the long radius T9 corner - McL39 will be head and shoulders above any other car through there. Literally there is nothing for McLaren to worry about, even a bad quali, both drivers just need to avoid crashing or be crashed into. That's all. Norris' WDC is in the bag.spookyisland wrote: ↑04 Dec 2025, 15:20For me it's funny that I'm not really excited about the championship fight, Mexico and Brazil have made the thought of Verstappen winning it all go away. But "objectively" it is still amazing, because three drivers can win it all and two of them are comparatively unexperienced in a title fight, so nerves could play a role. But I really think it will be a boring race and a boring season finale compared with the "hype" of a possible Verstappen-comeback pre-Mexico.
no, It will be so booring I will snooze off, as my father did Brazil 2008 ; )
A quali mishap can very costly though. Pia started p5 in Vegas and tangled with another car in t1. T1 here is also opening up for people going for it. Nothing is safe until the chequered flag.venkyhere wrote: ↑04 Dec 2025, 16:52Even if the two Mclaren drivers are nervous and goof up their Quali or goof up their start from red lights, the McL39 has enough performance advantage over any other car, that Norris can easily drive upto P3 (in case he is behind) without taking any risk. There are two DRS straights and the traction that McL39 will get out of T5 before the first straight and the traction from T6-T7 chicane before the second straight, will be plenty enough for the McLaren drivers to plough through the field or defend against an attack from behind. On top of all this, the long radius T9 corner - McL39 will be head and shoulders above any other car through there. Literally there is nothing for McLaren to worry about, even a bad quali, both drivers just need to avoid crashing or be crashed into. That's all. Norris' WDC is in the bag.spookyisland wrote: ↑04 Dec 2025, 15:20For me it's funny that I'm not really excited about the championship fight, Mexico and Brazil have made the thought of Verstappen winning it all go away. But "objectively" it is still amazing, because three drivers can win it all and two of them are comparatively unexperienced in a title fight, so nerves could play a role. But I really think it will be a boring race and a boring season finale compared with the "hype" of a possible Verstappen-comeback pre-Mexico.
Judging by Russell's comments today in the media I think he would revel in the opportunity to play spoiler (of McLaren).spookyisland wrote: ↑04 Dec 2025, 15:20Yeah, full agreement here. And two further aspects, that I think could be interesting: 1. if Russell believes that Mercedes is the favorite for 2026, I think ending Verstappen's reign would be an additional benefit for him, 2. if Verstappen is the second to win five in a row, Russell could play the Alonso-role of upending the current "king" of F1 - and given his talent (which I don't think is on the same level as Alonso, but I have no clue if that assessment is correct) and Mercedes' probable monster in 2026 and beyond, he could very well win two in a row himself, like Alonso or (who is probably a better comparison than Alonso) your mentioned Hakkinen.Badger wrote: ↑04 Dec 2025, 14:16I've thought about this too. On a personal level he probably prefers Lando to win, but professionally and in terms of legacy I'm not sure. The Verstappen train has likely left the station in terms of career achievments for all these guys (Lando, Charles, George, even Oscar), but there's going to be a hard fight behind him for who becomes the "Hakkinen" so to speak of this era. If Lando wins this one he's halfway to becoming that guy pretty much, whereas the others are still stuck on the start line.
For me it's funny that I'm not really excited about the championship fight, Mexico and Brazil have made the thought of Verstappen winning it all go away. But "objectively" it is still amazing, because three drivers can win it all and two of them are comparatively unexperienced in a title fight, so nerves could play a role. But I really think it will be a boring race and a boring season finale compared with the "hype" of a possible Verstappen-comeback pre-Mexico.
I kind of wonder what's going through his head - does Max winning mean Max is more likely to stay at RB and his seat is safer at Mercedes? Or does it mean Toto flirts even harder with Max.Badger wrote: ↑04 Dec 2025, 18:23Judging by Russell's comments today in the media I think he would revel in the opportunity to play spoiler (of McLaren).spookyisland wrote: ↑04 Dec 2025, 15:20Yeah, full agreement here. And two further aspects, that I think could be interesting: 1. if Russell believes that Mercedes is the favorite for 2026, I think ending Verstappen's reign would be an additional benefit for him, 2. if Verstappen is the second to win five in a row, Russell could play the Alonso-role of upending the current "king" of F1 - and given his talent (which I don't think is on the same level as Alonso, but I have no clue if that assessment is correct) and Mercedes' probable monster in 2026 and beyond, he could very well win two in a row himself, like Alonso or (who is probably a better comparison than Alonso) your mentioned Hakkinen.Badger wrote: ↑04 Dec 2025, 14:16I've thought about this too. On a personal level he probably prefers Lando to win, but professionally and in terms of legacy I'm not sure. The Verstappen train has likely left the station in terms of career achievments for all these guys (Lando, Charles, George, even Oscar), but there's going to be a hard fight behind him for who becomes the "Hakkinen" so to speak of this era. If Lando wins this one he's halfway to becoming that guy pretty much, whereas the others are still stuck on the start line.
For me it's funny that I'm not really excited about the championship fight, Mexico and Brazil have made the thought of Verstappen winning it all go away. But "objectively" it is still amazing, because three drivers can win it all and two of them are comparatively unexperienced in a title fight, so nerves could play a role. But I really think it will be a boring race and a boring season finale compared with the "hype" of a possible Verstappen-comeback pre-Mexico.
