I highly doubt GR can even hold MV at the restart for p2 with that strategy. So much straight line speed the RB has with the tow. Max would be right behind Hamilton on the next lap and overtook him before the DRS was enabled. Such is the pace Max had.

Guess what, the next track is MONZA. Red Bull's track 😂😂

Without the vsc, I think MV will still be able to pass the Mercs to win cuz he was on fresher medium tires.
My guess is MV will still able to pass both as he just got another set of new softs. The way he easily overtook LH shows he was way faster so even if GR didn't pit to help create a block and DRS train for LH, I don't think it can hamper MV too much.

I would've like to see this as well, since already took the risk trying to get the win by staying out, why alang-alang didn't risk all the way? dun care lah about P2 or P3, dun care if Ferrari on softs will overtake both LH & GR.

SkySport did manage to interview Toto almost right after the podiums; Toto did admit they took the risk of keeping track position, but when asked why didn't keep GR out also as rear gunner for LH, he only vaguely answered, he defended their call instead by saying ""First of all, Lewis is ahead. So, we're always having a problem with the call," Wolff told Sky Sports when asked about the decision." ; imho, GR persistently asked to pit for softs (from his interview after the race); dunno why Merc pitwall succumbed instead of trying out teamwork defending.

The attempt might be futile, as many have said RB is too fast even without DRS, and Mercs took too long to warm up their tyres; but they could say they've tried but failed spectacularly. 

Also it turns out LH has the wrong engine mode during the restart and made MV's job much easier. He only has himself to blame for that

Well he's 7x WDC. How can his less experienced team mate make the correct call by instinct knowing he would get raped by both RBR and SF on restart if he continue with mediums? You can blame the pitwall, but he should also take part of the blame

Anyway, dont bring up AD21. He lost last year because of similar stupid mistake by flicking the magic brakes on in Baku, easily losing him 25 free points. If he hadnt done that, MV wouldnt stand a chance for the WDC and he would be 8x WDC already
How long can he hold MV up with his mediums? If the RBR can sail pass LH, it can sail pass GR upon restart. Eventually LH will be passed by the next lap. Dont forget other than MV, there's also CL on softs.

If GR didnt go for soft, merc would end up 3rd and 4th, instead of 2nd and 4th. In terms of team points of course 2nd and 4th is better, but in terms of ego/face for a 7x WDC, of course he would prefer to finish infront of his team mate at the cost of WCC points

Now it's just a matter of when the merc garage will turn toxic like LH/NR days

Your thought is what I called wishful thinking. If GR has the chance to go side by side with LH, you think he wouldnt gun for the win? The guy is young and hungry for his first win. Merc already screwed him once when he sub for LH

Anyway, whats the benefit of driving side by side and risk getting entangled in the corners? Also in equal opportunity situations, I dont see why GR should be the gunner when he's holding more WDC points between the merc drivers

Again many grid penalties this race:
LH and SP to back of the grid
MV drops 5
Yuki drops 10

looking at this, I'm more than reminded that Lewis Hamilton was robbed of a championship. Ya, still can't get over with that clown drama last year

Wow. Rules changed again r?


Redbull should be ashamed of this win.

Someone pointed the differences between Red Bull Verstappen and Mercedes Lewis when come to safety car handling:
Mercedes and Lewis too concerned on the leading position, fear of unable to overtake later, so continue without going for pitstop. Happened twice and still same decision...

Red Bull and Max, not giving a damn on the leading position, just come in for pitstop, in Max we trust he'll overtake back anyone, year 2021 and year 2022 also same decision...

Perhaps Red Bull starting 2021 is already a dominant car while Mercedes and Ferrari just hanging around trying hard for luck.

You put LH in SP car, MV won't stand a chance to win half of his 11 in this season.

In this whole season of 22 race calendar?? You're saying MV can only win max 5 races in 22 races so LH would win like 10-12 of those if he joins RB?? Objectively I find that really hard to believe. Lol Disregarding MV past experience in the car and team, I'd think both could be quite close in splitting the number of wins thru the season.

I know but that's not my point in my post above. I'm questioning head to head in the same car, you think LH will win double than MV?? You regard so highly of LH or so lowly of MV??

Even WDC is just stats, that's why I don't consider either MS or LH as the GOAT.

Alonso was right, Hamilton only knows how to drive at the front. Drive not race.

GR drove the W11 in 2020 as stand in for lulu and came within an engine failure of winning a Grand Prix first time out.
Shows you how easy the car was to drive even for someone not usually in the team.

Yeah, Max is still a worthy champion of 2021 no doubt and he's probably the very unbeatable one right now, but that feeling of F1 turning into WWE and how much time I have wasted watching these "shows" all these years ... is hanging there in the air

will get over it, human factor is always there and whether it was the last race or in the middle of the season was also a random event. Like the last lap of Brazil 2008 

For GR, I think have to wait until year end if he could really stay ahead of LH. If he does, have to give credit to him, doesn't mean he is better than LH but surely he is a force to be reckoned with if he can keep LH behind in the standings within a 22 race calendar. But subsequently he might end up like DR who stormed in RB by beating SV but now look how bad he is.
Kimi was lucky that Mclaren imploded with the clash of FA vs LH. That year should have been won by FA if not for the Hungary fiasco.

Honda boy does not have enough fuel, start form 8.  His worst of the year ! haha