We were expecting a brace and it arrived, but from the opposite side. A bit like rain clouds, always present, even after a sunny day. Red Bull at Imola, like those heavy clouds, is back, bringing back to earth all those who gave it up after Australia. A perfect weekend, in which Max took what he could while giving what Ferrari could not.
On the other hand, when you try to get the most out of a car that doesn't run, the risk is just around the corner. Yesterday Charles faced his first big challenge with the past, the difficult, dark one in which things weren't going well and it wasn't his fault but simply because the car didn't have as much as the others. In such a weekend, with his own fans, coming from an almost overwhelming victory, expectations, especially his, were very high, perhaps even too much to bear.
But let's get to the Tops and Flops of Imola:
Best
Max Verstappen: an almost perfect weekend for the Dutchman who only missed the start of the sprint, recovering and managing the car masterfully both on a sunny and rainy day. In the race he did what Charles Leclerc did just two weeks ago, commanding from start to finish with a large gap and winning for the second consecutive year in the land of engines, at Imola in "enemy" territory.
Sergio Perez: great supporting actor, immovable, has a pace that allows him to keep behind the world leader Charles Leclerc without too much effort. After a bad qualifying session on Friday, he manages to get up and conquer his second podium of the season, giving the Red Bull fans a one-two finish which they hadn't seen at Red Bull since 2016. Checo's work is not comparable to Max's but his contract, on the other hand, cannot he requests it. He does what he has to do.
Yuki Tsunoda: this weekend that started not so well ended for Yuki with an excellent placement, where Pierre was unable to arrive. It must have been the feeling of home, he who is now a perfect adopted Italian since he lives not far from Imola. Thanks to the 9 positions earned, he brings heavy points home and into the pockets of his Fantamanagers.
Valtteri Bottas: in Imola the first top 5 of the season arrives for Valtteri. In Alfa Romeo he seems to have rediscovered his dimension. Meanwhile, his experience allows him to easily reach the points, also considering the inexperience of his teammate who he always leaves behind.
Flop
Charles Leclerc: Charles for the first time reacted as expected from the old Charles, the one who felt "uncomfortable" in his car, dissatisfied. For what he wants to get he wants to give everything, we have seen him in the malice and impatience with which he wanted to grab Perez, unassailable, and he too like Max, with a train under his feet. Charles must learn that a disappointment is better than a regret, and he must do it right away, given that his main rival, the champion, is also thanks to the mental strength with which he faced the world championship last year.
Fernando Alonso: Periodaccio for Nando. Innocent, he is hit by Mick Schumacher's Haas and his race ends after a handful of laps. However, his weekend started to take a turn for the worse on Saturday with the sprint, when tire management problems arose after a bad start. His teammate doesn't do much better than him, even taking a penalty on Sunday, but at least he manages to finish the race.
Carlos Sainz: The other Spaniard, from Ferrari, however, suffered the same fate as his compatriot, torpedoed by Ricciardo. After a difficult start, Sainz finds himself in the gravel and can do nothing to try to recover, unlike Ricciardo. Everything he didn't get last year is coming back to him with interest. Two consecutive outs are in fact heavy, even if this time he was more victim than perpetrator.
Mick Schumacher: he doesn't have full control of the vehicle yet. On two occasions he risks finishing the race in a bad way, and still can't get close to his teammate. He can expect more from the car and we look forward to seeing him as soon as possible.