In Spain the forecasts do not bring rain but another victory for Max Verstappen, who consolidates his leadership, even over his teammate once again excluded from the podium, but this time for a superb Mercedes that was finally able to ascertain the validity of the updates taken to Munich. Updates that Ferrari, grappling with yet another complicated race, is still evaluating. Sainz let the podium slip away, Leclerc is unable to enter the top 10 after the start from the Pit Lane but this is also due to the very similar values between the mid-group teams. The race offered few emotions, no withdrawals or twists, but many protagonists. So let's see the tops and flops at Fanta F1.
TOP
Max Verstappen: Let's start with the tops and even if it may seem obvious, putting Max Verstappen among the tops is a must. The ability to make a difference when it counts is increasingly emerging. In this case he did it twice, in qualifying and in the race, in which he didn't spare himself by repeatedly risking exceeding the track limits. With the victory Max reaches a round figure, 40, very important because he is just 1 behind Ayrton Senna. At Fanta F1 returns to the great after Monaco with Pole, victory, fastest lap and best Sky driver.
Mercedes: Hats off to both Mercedes drivers, who managed to get on the podium after a great race. It's the first time we've been able to observe the behavior of the W14 on a traditional track and the response has been really positive. With the comeback, George Russell gets many points at Fanta F1, but Lewis Hamilton is no less, reaching P2 after starting in fourth position. Has the team's rebirth begun?
Two more tops
Then there are two other riders who deserve a mention among the tops. One is Lance stroll, who after a full season behind Fernando Alonso beats him both in qualifying and in the race, in the Spaniard's home race. His sixth place can perhaps spur him to make up ground and silence the rumors that speak of a farewell from the son of the Aston Martin owner. The fourth and last driver we want to mention is Zhou Guangyu. We chose him at Fanta F1 with more than a doubt but he gave us beautiful battles on the track by beating his teammate in one of the best races since he's been in Formula 1. His tenth position becomes ninth with the penalty inflicted on Tsunoda.
FLOPS
Instead we come to the sore points. There were zero retirements in Barcelona so the verdicts didn't particularly affect the drivers' scores at Fanta F1. However, there are teams or riders who have disappointed more than others. One of these is the Classic Ferrari for sale, especially struggling with Charles Leclerc that after the bad qualification due to a problem on the SF-23 Evo and the departure from Pit Lane, fails to enter the points zone. The Monegasque is collecting a series of disappointments that make him one of the least suitable drivers to field in Fanta F1. And this is also demonstrated by the ever-decreasing numbers of Fanta-managers who choose to deploy him.
Pierre Gasly: Another driver who didn't convince this weekend is Pierre Gasly, after receiving a double penalty in qualifying he is unable to recover other positions in the race. The negative score is a heavy sentence for those who had it at Fanta F1.
Land Norris: We haven't forgotten about Lando Norris. The McLaren protégé went from P3 in qualifying to 3P which stands for Pit, to then finish in P17. The first lap is a complete disaster, he collides with Hamilton and breaks his wing. The team then calls him back to the pits but the race is now compromised. His teammate fights for the top 10 while he is bound to bring up the rear along with the other riders who made 3 stops. Maybe he didn't expect a podium either, but missing even the top 10 is a bad blow.
