STYRIAN GRAND PRIX - MAX MAXED IT TO POLE - AS THE MERCEDESIAN HAMMER COULD ONLY MAKE IT TO P.3 AND P.2

 

A Big Congratulations to Max Verstappen and Team Red Bull, and to Valtteri Bottas and Lewis Hamilton and Team Mercedes, for making it P.1., P.2. and P.3 during the Qualifying session of the Styrian Grand Prix, at the Red Bull Circuit in Austria on Saturday 26th June 2021. Congratulations also to Lando Norris and Team Mclaren, for making it to the starting grid, due to Bottas incurrind a grid penalty.

There clearly is something big happening in Formula 1 racing. Something which has began a few years ago, but with the extent and significance of the changes now becoming more pronounced and consistent. 

Yes, the big thing which is happening in Formula 1 at present is around the dynamics of the Mercedes and Red Bull battle for the 2021 Drivers and Construction Championships. 

Both in Practicing and Qualifying sessions, and in the races themselves, it is Team Mercedes and their racers, Hamilton and Bottas.  

Who have taken over the position of 'fragility', of performing the role of  being 'the weaker link.' 

When compared to Red Bull's and Max Verstappen's increasing status of being the 'driver and team to beat.'  The received impression is that Hamilton and Team Mercedes have lost their invincibility, even if they still have the reputation of 'having been invincible.'

Mercedes, and, in as much as Hamilton and Bottas are driven by their team's cars, crews, practice and race strategies, performance excellence and reliability, 

Team Mercedes, have lost some of their edge to the much improved performance and achievement of Red But and Max and Sergio. 

The big question for Team Mercedes and Hamilton and Bottas, is that of whether they can stabilise and turnaround their declining performance. 

Whether they can eek out and craft enough wins and consistent high points to win one or both 2021 Championships. Because that is what it is going to take. 

If Team Mercedes does not have enough pace, then they will need to be more reliant on the Team having and deploying the better race strategy more for most of the time. 

It is clear that it is not only the Red Bulls and the Ferraris that are causing Team Mercedes to become more anxious, to be afraid or more afraid. 

It is all the teams which have benefited from years of quiet and, until now, unsustained improvements, as we have seen from, for example, Team Ferrari. It is all of the teams. 

Which makes for more competitive and unpredictable Qualifying and race outcomes.

As could be the case in today's race, with Max Verstappen and Team Red Bull being the racer and team starting as the indicative winner, and team to be beaten.  

To be beaten by Lewis Hamilton and Team Mercedes, if they are to avoid their receding Championship chances become bigger.