Waz wrote: ↑12 Apr 2026, 22:13
PlatinumZealot wrote: ↑11 Apr 2026, 21:18
Are these yo-yo energy rules flattering Kimi as the next best thing since Lewis Hamilton?
He didn't really fight George head to head in the last two races after safety car and bad luck in energy deployment. These complicated cards make it hard to compare driving talent.
I believe the lower corner speeds and slower entries are definitely helping bring drivers closer together.
The best since Hamilton is a wild claim. He got beaten senseless last year. I like Kimi, but he is benefiting a lot from a dominant car and some good fortune.
Things will be more complicated once Ferrari catches up on power.
Up until last year, No.1 drivers earned their remuneration based on the advantage they showed over their team mate with exceptional cornering speeds, dancing the car through the corners which gave them somewhere between 2 tenths to 5 tenths (in some drivers' cases) on quali. In races, that same corner attacking, along with retaining tyre life was another skill that differentiated them apart. This year, both are gone. Drivers are braking (battery charging) well ahead of corners, slowing the car down significantly. That has equalized the field of play. Going slower into the corner now also helps managing tyres better, allowing better race lap times. There is very little for No.1 drivers to differentiate themselves from No.1.5 drivers. This has masked Kimi's shortcomings, coupled with a car that has great mechanical balance. If rules change to put premium back on cornering speeds, I don't think Kimi can beat George. But so long as these regulations exist, he will be doing well.
