Does the driver really make a difference?

[Swifty]

Hey, lads!

I see more and more comments around the internet about how the driver just did what he did purely because he drove the best machine. We're not talking only F1 here.

With that said, it would be lovely to see your thoughts. Yes, it's not humanly possible to surpass the car's limit in this sport, but it's not everyone who can push it to the limit. You need to get your setup right; choose the best lines; let the team know what they should be looking for. Ain't that right?

Last F1 season we saw Russell getting Williams P2 on qualy. Madness! Was that the man or the machine? It's something curious.

[Jolle]

Yes and no.

The question you have to ask, what is the difference between the cars and what is the differences between the drivers.

If a car is 1 second slower then the rest, a top tier driver (Hamilton, Verstappen, etc), can only bridge that 0.5 seconds they have on the rest.

If your car is 0.2 s slower, someone like Alonso can make a difference against Bottas.

Also, a difficult (unpredictable) car, widens the difference between the good and the best drivers. If the whole field was driving in IndyCars of F2 cars, which are much softer on the edge, the score between drivers would be minimal.

[J.A.W.]

Yes, the driver really does make a difference.

You only need compare those with real driving skills & talent, & are paid to demonstrate them, versus
those with the funds backing to buy into a drive, for such dilettante drivers rarely make champions.

Indeed, unless it is obvious that a team has a #1 & #2 driver rank standing, an in-team rivalry to
outperform your team-mate is a primary aim, given equipment equivalency (& the dreaded 'luck').

Then, there is the situation as per Honda in Moto GP, whereby their brilliantly talented champion
could get excellent results from a 'difficult' machine, but once injured, (& unavailable), no other
factory team riders were then able to emulate his success...

[Dee]

In the WDC battle, only if the whole thing was carried out in wet conditions.

No matter how strong your car is, wont mean --- when the rain comes down.

In dry conditions, a top driver can get the team to a higher wcc position.

But to win the wdc in the dry, nothing will give you that but having the right car.

[Airshifter]

The driver can make a huge difference in the right car. Obviously no driver can drive better than the equipment, but a more capable driver will get more out of most anything they drive, and especially in a better developed car.