Ferrari has introduced a new engine upgrade. I’d call it a major one, theoretically adding five horsepower.
Mercedes had to abandon a rear diffuser update after the FIA declared it non-compliant.
In Q3 qualifying, we briefly had a Ferrari 1-2 with Charles and Lewis.
Verstappen goes off track a few seconds before the end. A yellow flag comes out, and yet Russell still manages to finish his lap and set a P1 time despite the section where he theoretically had to lift off the throttle. So Russell takes P1.
At the start, Russell holds first place, Lewis gains positions, and Charles loses two spots in the early laps.
Mercedes and Red Bull have a better race pace than Ferrari. It seems they also brought upgrades.
We got a few laps of Hamilton vs Verstappen like in the good old days, and it was great to see them racing each other on the limit around the track.
Charles is nowhere in this race. The last three races have been quite forgettable for him. I think he’s struggling with the car and the changes that are currently being dictated by Lewis.
The end of the race catches the top three (Russell, Verstappen, and Antonelli) in a direct battle for position. They finished within a two-second interval. If there had been two more laps, the final order would definitely have been different, but Verstappen and Antonelli launched their final attack a bit too late.
For the first time this year, Verstappen has a car that performed well and he took a podium finish.
The drone footage looked great this time. It perfectly captured the battle between Max and Lewis from a circuit-level perspective, parallel to the cars.
Otherwise, there was little action in the midfield and very little broadcast coverage for those drivers.
