Got up early and watched the replay. Great race. So happy for Lewis to stand on the top step again after so long.

McLaren feel like they've become too good too fast and now they're overall team and weaknesses are being exposed in the spotlight. 

Their strategy today was off several times and they're involving the driver in odd ways, giving them a strong input when really the driver can't see the big picture.  They've been cautious too often, preserving the lead by not pitting when it's very early days in the race, and not confident enough to double stack when it's clearly the right recovery move having not pitting one of the drivers a lap earlier etc.  They're in a position to play a team game with the drivers too, but don't appear to be doing so - that's a potential point of difference when up against Red Bull with Perez beaching it in Q3 and driving a second slower near the back of the pack.

Verstappen is just vulnerable at the moment, but you're up against a very well oiled team with a lot of experience and skills under championship pressure.  Drivers or car design alone aren't going to be enough in isolation.  Also McLarens position up near the top isn't necessarily going to be there all season or into next year.  Mercedes and maybe Ferrari will catch up too, so they need to win points every time when they're in a position to do so.

The other jokes being it looks like Ferrari has given McLaren strategy training...

And Hamilton crying after winning was him realising he's leaving this team for Ferrari next year...

Bung:

 

Sargeant coming 11th deserves a bonus point.

 

James Vowles has stated that its entirely possible Logan could lose his seat mid season

great race today, love a changing track and the uncertainly of a wet/drying track brings. Good to see Hamilton on top (by no means a Hamilton fan),  felt like he made the right calls at the right time and his car had good pace. Lando also missed opportunity with the wrong tyre choice.

Riccardo and Perez must be getting worried about their seats for next year. Lawson has a test coming up, hope that goes well. 

It's crazy Lawson even needs a test after a very convincing intro last year across multiple actual grand prix weekends.

Seems Perez may now have a performance clause in his contract, so whilst it's 2 years, it's actually 2 years with some out clauses for non performance.  That bit of knowledge would drastically change the outlook after initially feeling like he'd sealed the deal for a long time. 

Considering what Verstappen is doing with the car, and now how close the overall field is, Perez's performance has been consistently sub par this year. It's looking like Red Bull need a rear gunner again and it's clear Perez isn't achieving that.

Jaxson:
Considering what Verstappen is doing with the car, and now how close the overall field is, Perez's performance has been consistently sub par this year. It's looking like Red Bull need a rear gunner again and it's clear Perez isn't achieving that.

 

They have a rear gunner! :-)

That 2nd seat at Redbull is a poisoned chalice while max is #1. 

langi27:

 

That 2nd seat at Redbull is a poisoned chalice while max is #1. 

 

They don't need another number one driver. They need someone who can do better than "seventh or binning it". 

Max can't win the WDC himself if Merc and McLaren are going to be taking poles and finishing in formation in the pointy-end. 

Your number two driver should be capable of getting runner-up in a 1-2 finish when the car is dominant and Perez just isn't that guy. 

GV27:

They don't need another number one driver. They need someone who can do better than "seventh or binning it". 

Max can't win the WDC himself if Merc and McLaren are going to be taking poles and finishing in formation in the pointy-end. 

Your number two driver should be capable of getting runner-up in a 1-2 finish when the car is dominant and Perez just isn't that guy. 

I was trying to work out how Red Bull were placed at this point of the year compared to previous years. I think they've scored maybe half the points they had this time last year?

This is where Perez is hurting things. I did read also that he has rumoured performance clause that he cannot be more than 100 points behind Verstappen at certain times, the first being the summer break. Which is very close.

So it will be interesting to see. 

mudguard:

 

I did read also that he has rumoured performance clause that he cannot be more than 100 points behind Verstappen at certain times, the first being the summer break. Which is very close.

 

So it will be interesting to see. 

 

Oof... he's currently 137 points behind with less than half of Max's total. He's not going to be within 100 by then.  Gotta think if Ricciardo was doing better they'd have made the swap already. Probably now looking at Tsunoda for the swap. Unless they think he's too hot headed and unable to handle that pressure.

Bit of noise from Horner, Perez points issue is "unsustainable" Points to the performance clause IMO

Perez is failing, Danny Ricc is failing although to a lesser degree, but even that he should be nailing Tsunoda week in and week out. The fact is they are, but when a "good race" happens, then it goes back to BAU. For a team that has no issues dropping drivers, man up and do the needful.

nzkc:

mudguard:

I did read also that he has rumoured performance clause that he cannot be more than 100 points behind Verstappen at certain times, the first being the summer break. Which is very close.

So it will be interesting to see. 

Oof... he's currently 137 points behind with less than half of Max's total. He's not going to be within 100 by then.  Gotta think if Ricciardo was doing better they'd have made the swap already. Probably now looking at Tsunoda for the swap. Unless they think he's too hot headed and unable to handle that pressure.