The dreams of Ferraristi and Fantamanagers with Leclerc captain they broke suddenly, with that dry "noooooo!” of Charles, returning to the pits after an engine problem, after a race in the lead alone. A very heavy withdrawal if we consider that his main rival, Max Verstappen, scored a third consecutive win, despite numerous problems. Let's see who managed to capture, in addition to the heat, a good haul in Spain with the Tops and Flops at Fanta F1!
Verstappen from the gravel "Rally" to victory
Max Verstappen: TOP
Max lacked almost nothing in the race: a good start but not as good as Leclerc's; a mistake that landed him on a potentially disastrous gravel hike; DRS problems that it opened and then didn't, with Max almost smashing the button to activate it, in Hulk mode; a very, very close comparison with one Mercedes..but not last year's powerful black one driven by Lewis, but George Russell's silver arrow. Last but not least, a home battle with Perez who didn't want to give up the bone, but who now, according to us, has done everything to deserve the renewal.
Max made a good feast of points both in the championship and in the treasures of the Fantamanagers who had fielded him – considering that he was also proclaimed best sky pilot – and will arrive in Monaco as championship leader.
The regret of a perfect race
Charles Leclerc: FLOP
The Spanish Grand Prix was essential to understand where the F1-75 could go. After an aggressive but effective start, Charles had begun to manage the race without looking over his shoulder. A perfect single-seater according to the Monegasque who was looking forward to victory. It's hard to think that instead of the well-known problems related to tire management, it would have been one of the strong points of the horse's team, i.e. the engine, that disturbed the Ferrari rider. This is the first retirement for Ferrari due to a problem with the car. However, the most important thought was to evaluate theefficiency of updates, who, considering the Monegasque's race up until his retirement, met expectations.
Guanyu Zhou: FLOP
Another retirement, the only one apart from that of Leclerc, was of the Chinese Alfa Romeo driver, Guanyu Zhou. Also in this case a problem related to the engine – moreover supplied by Ferrari. This is the second retirement in a row for the driver who, although it doesn't have a high cost, is starting to weigh on Fanta F1.
Russell and Perez grit their teeth
George Russell: TOP
He smiles slyly George Russell while waiting to get on the podium. On the screen he sees one of his best duels, the defense / attack on Max Verstappen who remained attached to the rear of the number 13 W69 for several laps without passing it. A superb defense, which for a few laps also gave George the thrill of leading the rest of the group. The Mercedes comes to life with him, and finally we can see him where we would have liked to see him since the beginning of the season, to annoy the best in the class and make the Fantamanagers rejoice at Fanta F1.
Sergio Perez: TOP
Not even Perez lacks grit, who had tried in every way to get the favor back and not lose his position over Max, who must have certainly begged the pit wall to let the Mexican back down, whom he later thanks in an embarrassing "Thanks mate“. Perez is not there to be a Barrichello, a Bottas on call. He was looking forward to a victory, given that his palmares doesn't count so many and, considering that his teammate already has a world championship in his pocket. However, he takes away the satisfaction of conquering the additional point for the fastest lap and that of seeing his team leader in the constructors' championship a good 26 points behind Ferrari.
Who brought good points
Strategies in Barcelona played quite a few tricks on several riders who for a moment found themselves in an interesting position.
Valtteri Bottas: TOP
In Alfa Romeo he seems to have completely different ambitions. He finished ahead of his team-mate once again and still in the points, one step away from the top 5, despite his strategy. He too does not cost a fortune but has a positive average. Well done Valtteri!
Esteban Ocon: TOP
Esteban started from twelfth and managed to recover as much as possible on a track where it was not easy, finishing seventh. Even if this time he doesn't beat the overtaking record held by his teammate, Fernando Alonso, who started twentieth and finished in the points, albeit behind the Frenchman. Esteban for the low cost still brings discrete points that confirm his positive average at Fanta F1.
and who instead made a disaster
Kevin Magnussen: FLOP
At the start, Lewis' race was killed with a risky maneuver, masterfully recovered by the Englishman, who in a moment of despondency had also asked the team to retire to keep the Power Unit. He's not the Kevin we're used to seeing and from Miami we see him lost...a bit like his teammate who nevertheless manages to close the race in front even if once again outside the points and with a disappointing score in the Fantasy F1.
