I have to partially place the blame on RB. Where anyone seems to be able to drive the second Mercedes fast, not so the Red Bull. I don't know if the car is simply set up too uniquely for Max, or if the car is just that difficult to drive in general and Max is just that good. But for whatever reason they are now three drivers in since Ricciardo left and none have helped Max at all. Is it the car? Is it Red Bull's tendency to jettison drivers so quickly that the #2 driver never gets settled? I don't know, but once enough drivers occupy that #2 seat and fail to help you need to start looking at the seat, not the drivers. I tend to think that RB is a bit of a dickish organization internally (Marko), and unless you're Max, you're probably looking over your shoulder constantly.
I'm beginning to wonder if anyone besides Hamilton will win the WDC, until such time that Hamilton hangs it up. The Hamilton/Mercedes dominance is overwhelming.
I think the Netflix series gave a good look into how they are. Great for TV viewing but not sure that's how they teach organisational management at Kelly.
If I was the RB owners, I would have some serious thoughts now whether Marko and Horner need some ''fresh eyes'' inserted into the team ASAP --- especially in view of the fact that they are about to plough in some serious money into their new (Honda) 'engines' division.
Mercedes is slow dismantling RB's confidence piece by piece.
First, it was driver skills in the earlier races and yesterday it was pure team strategic intelligence and guile -- and it takes a team to sure victory with Bottas playing the blocker.
I mean, everyone knew Merc had pulled off the same approach only like 18months earlier in Hungary. Feck they even said so on the radio -- ''remember Hungary, Lewis!'' Ballsy approach nevertheless -- to play the long game and wait for the last few laps to make their move.
Max always said that if he had a better car then he would be beating Lewis in every race.
Well, his comments last night is starting to show both a sense of inevitability and also an appreciation of how good Lewis is in his eyes.
Max has to be wondering if Horner's The Apprentice approach to team management is the right approach. And also re-look at himself if he has to make some compromises if he wants to win the Driver's Championship.
As you said earlier, RB designed a car that suits Max, the 2nd driver has to adapt to the car.
Perez even said he has to change his driving style or copy how Max drives -- that tells you that the car is specifically built for Max.
That strategy clearly advantages Max but disadvantages the 2nd Redbull driver.
If RB will not consistently have the 2nd driver to help block for Max, they should at least have re-look their general approach -- or I would if I am the owner of RB.
Merc on the other hand builds the fastest, adaptable car they can. That is why when Russell got in it last year, he drove it well almost immediately.
Redbull has put all their eggs into the Max wagon, but that will cost them many races as shown last night.
A 'superstar' model every the 'team' approach.
But RB may be thinking like everyone else, 'just you wait till next year when the new rules kick in.'
Having said that, its only 14 points between them -- one race can change all that. If it's nip and tuck for a good while then it will cost both teams in terms of next year's car development.
Ferrari has already said 95% of their resources are committed to the 2022 car.