We came out sweaty and destroyed, but we came out of it and now we're already looking at theHungary, the next round of a World Championship that is increasingly focusing on the driver who this year has chosen to take to the track with the number of champions. But it is not just the numbers, however significant, that prove it, even if like him None al Fanta F1 has the media so high.
Today Max Verstappen he took victory number 27 of his career, at just 24 years old it's true, but he did it on a weekend where, like others, things hadn't started in the best way. Also confirming this is the passage from Ferrari who seemed to have an important opportunity in his pocket. But the predator stood there, silently waiting for the perfect moment to attack. And paradoxically this moment arrived due to a mistake by his opponent, Charles Leclerc.
A serious mistake, a symptom of that small margin that the Monegasque must make to contain an overflowing talent that can sometimes be his own worst enemy. Max Verstappen found a way to contain all this, with quite a few mistakes. But now, with a World Cup already in his pocket and a gap that continues to grow, his lucid, surgical and impeccable nature has emerged.
Il French Grand Prix it brought out pride, determination and sweat in the 20 riders who took to the track. So let's see the 3 tops and 3 flops at Fanta F1 this weekend in France.
Let's see the Tops at Paul Ricard
TOP: CARLOS SAINZ
There is little to say about the race Carlos Sainz which seems to have rediscovered the performance and feeling of last year. But unlike the SF21, its younger sister, the F1-75 is a true war machine, born from an ambitious project but which has already borne fruit. Having changed several elements of the power unit the Spaniard was called to one comeback from the back row to which he promptly responded. Two overtakings in particular highlighted Sainz's aggressive nature and strong nerves fighting for P3, which was lost due to the second pit stop and the 5 second penalty to be served. Sainz finishes in P5 but with 14 positions gained he cannot fail to confirm himself as Sky driver of the day and now the mood is at its best for the back-to-back in Hungary.
TOP: LEWIS HAMILTON
After 300 GPs in his career and an intense race like this in France, the least he could ask of himself is a nice nap on the waiting room floor before getting on the podium. There Mercedes he is finding results again and today he fought with the leaders in the standings until he managed to get 2 cars into the top 3. Those who have nothing to lose or something to prove will certainly have less pressure and this could be the weapon that could bring Lewis or a Mercedes with its first victory of the season sooner or later.
TOP: FERNANDO ALONSO
Fernando is back. When the single-seater doesn't give him problems, the results come. Today he scores important points also thanks to the goat start that he has accustomed us to at the age of almost 41. “I want them [McLaren] close to me, so they degrade the tires more.” He never gives up an inch. LThe goal was to get ahead of McLaren and today he did it, demonstrating to two young drivers like Norris and Ocon that extra years are not a limit, on the contrary.
Let's see the Flops at Paul Ricard
FLOP: CHARLES LECLERC
Maybe he is too hard on himself but the mistake is indisputable. He will recover because Charles accepts defeats by taking note of them, but the important thing is that he has everything to get what he wants starting from the unquestionable talent. Making the most of it 100% is the challenge he doesn't give up on even after 10 bad results. From a Fanta F1 perspective, however, it is riskier to bet on Monegasque who will now have to eliminate his disappointment and get rid of his anger before the race in Hungary.
FLOP: GUANYU ZHOU
He inherited the bad luck left to him by Antonio Giovinazzi. No matter how much effort he puts in, what is especially worrying is the number of retirements after 12 races, or 5.
FLOP: PIERRE GASLY
Even on the eve of a weekend at home which promised to be really interesting thanks to the new updates Pierre pays the price of a truly difficult race management. The Frenchman had the opportunity to move up the rankings after a disappointing qualifying but something, especially in terms of tyres, didn't work. Too bad because it seemed like the right race to score points and seeing an Aston Martin arrive and not Pierre is worrying.
