alexx_88 wrote: ↑08 Aug 2018, 10:39
You can easily rationalize Dan's logic on this, even without a pay difference from Renault.
On average, do we all agree that Max is faster over one lap? I think statistics show this to be the case. Now imagine RB is the fastest car of the field, even by a small margin. Statistics say Dan would start behind Max more often than not. Max would get first choice in strategy which usually translates into finishing ahead of his teammate. Ric's only chance would be to either be much faster on used tires than Max is on new tires or to overtake him on track.
As I said more than once, I'm a big Ric fan, but this formula, when it comes to racing against teammates, qualifying is the way to finish ahead and Dan lacks that extra tenth against Max. For all we know, Max could have an extra tenth over everyone in the field, but seeing Ric against Hulk should provide at least some answers in that direction.
Max has done just that over 20 times I would guestimate (overtake Ricci on track) over their time together whilst Ricci has only ever accomplished that in Baku (with a tow and DRS in headwind that was neigh on imposssible to fend off) this year (or at a start melee when Kimi pushed Max into the astro turf at Hungary last year). Just from memory. The first year together their qualy battle was still close (in the begin Ric had the overhand, only when Max started to go for his own set-up he turned it around). Every race where they are on similar set-ups we see max being that bit faster. The B strategy (or shall we say the alternative option) is not per definition the worse one (like we saw in spain 2016, where Ric blamed it all on having the poor strategy, but his tires exploded even after having an extra pitstop and both Vettel and Him were on the A strategy (Kimi and Max on B) and Max took his much older tires to the finish. I might have misinterpret (becuae being able to start in front indeed is a major advantage) but you make it sound like it is a done deal only due to circumstances but I feel Max just is better, not only over 1 lap. The reason that Ric outscored Max is that he is a great driver in his own right and he is always looking to maximize the points whilst Max is looking to fight for a win if he can (as long as WDC is out of sight). This year f.e. Max clashed with Hamilton in both Bahrein and China (costing him the win) Ricci would have never done that. In China he only took a gamble for the win with Bottas, but with Hamilton he just waited until he could blow by. That is also something Max still has to learn, eventhough he was already at the tail of Hamilton (and all over him with thee fresh tires) just wait until the unstoppable opportunity Is there. Max then just goes for it sometimes still too soon. I hope Ricci will finish this season with RBR (Jake Dennis is making an announcement tomorrow according to his twitter acount) and them both can battle it out and see who gets the most points.
Ric will be faster than the Hulk though, I expect.