THE MARK OF A GREAT CHAMPION
Let’s be honest, the Mexican Grand Prix last weekend wasn’t really edgeof-the-seat stuff. Max Verstappen was in dominant form, and only a split strategy between the Dutchman and the chasing Mercedes of Lewis Hamilton inject a modicum of excitement in proceedings. However, even that dilemma was quickly vanquished by the Red Bull driver.
It means the two-time Wold title holder has eclipsed the record, which had been jointly held by Michael Schumacher and Sebastian Vettel, for the most wins in a single season. The German pair managed 13, but Max has now garnered 14. And there are two races remaining in 2022.
Comparing statistics season to season can be a dangerous thing, because there are now way more races than there have been in previous years. But there is no doubt that Red Bull is the dominant force.
However, all the talk in the build-up to the race was about the costcap breach, and the £6 million fine meted out by the FIA to the Milton Keynes-based outfit. Rival teams were outraged that the penalty was not strong enough, while Red Bull’s Christian Horner was concerned that it would have an impact all the way through to the end of 2023 – and maybe even beyond.
But the point that has been largely missed is that the overspend was in 2021. That was the season where Max narrowly pipped Lewis Hamilton in a controversial season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. How much of the ‘overspend’ – whether you believe it was down to staffing issues or catering, as Red Bull bosses have alluded too – would have been helpful when fighting for a World title? If it is an overspend in non-operational areas, then surely the team would have had more funds to spend on the operational areas…
All the while Red Bull was fighting for the crown, it was also developing the RB18 – designed to cope with the radical rules shakeup for 2022. Yes, the very same car that has allowed Verstappen to take a record-breaking number of wins.
The sniping of rival team managers at Red Bull might seem like just sour grapes, but the dominance of the current frontrunning team just creates more jealousy and suspicion.
In MN this week, we are still on the look-out for your votes for National Racing Driver of the Year and National Rally Driver of the
Year. Turn to pages 20-21 to find out who is on the shortlist and for details of how to vote. Here is a spoiler: one of those on the list is British GT champion Ian Loggie, and we review the sportscar season on pages 16-17.
The incumbent of our MN readers’ questions this week is ace designer Tony Southgate, a man who has had an influence on winning cars at Indianapolis, the Monaco Grand Prix and the
Indy 500. His insights are fascinating, and his answers are full and frank. Turn to page 22 to find out more.