The team told him earlier then they told him again at lap 47 when he agreed and backed off on the final two laps. The transcripts were live and Max wasn’t on the team until the instruction was repeated again in the end. Unless he’s specifically instructed he does what’s best for Max and not team/Checo. Even when given specific instructions he doesn’t always listen either. Ultimately if he had anything in mind earlier at Vegas it would have been using Perez as a buffer and not making sure he didn’t give up second without a fight. This isn’t an inditement on him, he’s an ******* and he owns it. I just don’t understand the pretending from his fans is all.
It was a brilliant drive all race for Charles and I agree, his move at the end took balls that clank (particularly on older tires). He put it all on the line and it worked wonderfully. I wonder how much of it was frustration and how much of it could have been just to get his luck going in a different direction for a change. Either way he showed he’s well more than capable if the red car works for him.
The guy is a great qualifier and he'll fight in the race. The starts are not good. How many times have Ferrari drivers been overtaken at the start? More than a few? C'mon SF, we need to see better 0-120mph times! Lol.
FFS Who said that? All I said was Max didn’t volunteer to tow Checo as was claimed earlier. He was told to do it.
I suspect the city will have to put the valve access covers back in, removing the plugs. But maybe next year they'll know to do better surface prep. Maybe. (Yes, I'm a cynic. But we've seen loose covers in multiple years from events before.) But hey, if they have a support event, maybe a cheaper car will get wrecked. (Oh, and put diapers on those classic cars before running them over the racing surface. ) (Before I had the engine-out surface, I used to call my 328 "Black Rain", for all the oil it dripped. )
@JAM1 Also, this isn't the 1st time Checo has gained a place and then lost it on the final lap. Did you see Interlagos2023 with Alonso. Checo is a good driver, but he cannot take that RB19 to a level that Max does with overtaking and cornering and braking.
I think the main issue with Ferrari starts is they don’t have the aero to keep the car planted until the tires are up to temp. Both Chas and Carlos seem to have to baby the cars a good bit to keep them under control until tire temps are up and it looks worse on Ferrari than other teams for whatever design or race management reason. I also don’t think Ferrari is as into the banzai game to turn one as other teams seem to be willing to do/risk.
Would it had made a difference? That move by Leclerc was gutsy and Leclerc out braked Checo going into the corner to the point that Checo was about to turn in and then hesitated when Leclerc was on Checo's inside.
Comparing quali and race pace, I'm convinced that Ferrari turns their engines way down for the race, to make sure they go the distance. (DNFs are bad for the points.) (But then, so is getting your doors blown off by other cars. )
I think it’s kinda unfair to say Checo wasn’t ant the level Max is since he also wasn't running the same low drag aero combination Max did which was really effecting his battle versus the Ferrari. It was apparent in the ground the Ferrari could gain on Checo, even without DRS. He was a sitting duck.
Have you seen the gap between Max and Checo during qualifying throughout the year? Have you seen the gap between Max and Checo during the race throughout the year? Do you know in dollar amount how much Checo has had incidents with his car with regards to damage to his car throughout the year?
Wow! Now it makes sense seeing the type of people they are drawing now. I can get a lot of seat/track time for that much money. I can do a full day arrive and drive in a spec miata for $950! Thank God I grew up when I did. I got to see so much great racing for a fair price. I don’t see how any young people today can attend.
Yes to all accounts. Max is a better driver but he’s also in a car primarily designed for him. Checo is getting sloppy seconds and RB is making some changes with aero and car setup to assist him but it’s not enough. Still when it comes to Vegas Checo was well in the hunt at the end but ultimately the cars speed was going to fail him when compared to Charles’ car. It was evident the entire night the Ferrari could gain on 11 at will.
I am with you there! These ticket prices are really extortionate; that's ransom money ! I am wondering where the spectators come from. There is no way I would ever pay that, even if I can afford it. No wonder more European countries pull out of the F1 calendar since Liberty is in charge. People over here look for value for money, and are not easily parted with their cash.
I concur on everything except Nov is fine by me. Oct can still have heat waves. Stats for race day it has been dry past 25 years. T mobile area standing only but people did sit with no assigned seats. I would not want to be fighting. Road to LA was killer today. We stayed in Vegas another night still having fun.
Cool! Were you able to walk around a view multiple corners? I hate being pinned down to just one view. Especially if it isn’t a good corner to pass.
I guess I’m getting old because even though I can afford it I always think of what that same money can get me elsewhere whether it’s a different venue, toy or experience. The juice has to be worth the squeeze. But hey, people pay it so why would they charge any different? I went to Monza for less.
It would certainly be asking a lot, but if Max slowed enough to give Checo DRS, I think that would have sufficiently negated his wing disadvantage. I don’t see LeClerc passing Checo in a DRS vs. DRS battle late in the race. Slipstream was not quite enough (clearly) for Checo, although given how bold a move LeClerc needed to make, it was nearly enough. I think DRS for Checo would have been enough for him to defend.
Impressive to see 200+mph cars whiz by, but gotta think that gets old after 10 minutes or so. How much were those seats going for?
My bet is the view from Bubba gumps, Sugar Factory, and Rain Forest cafe are the best in town. You’re not too high so you’re closer to see the cars. You get to see the cars coming down the straight, thru the chicane, and exit.