The Year of Oops!

When we remember 2016, we’ll remember strategists throwing away races. Every decision made, whether it was Australia, Monaco, Barcelona or Montreal; it’s been obvious the call was wrong. Perhaps they try one race with less reliance on computer scenarios and more human decisions. It couldn’t be much worse.

The Max Factor

Max Verstappen gave a masterclass in Formula 1 position defense to adversary Nico Rosberg. Mercedes’ current points leader first tried to pass Verstappen into the final chicane on lap 63, but the Dutchman firmly placed his car on the best part of the track and told Rosberg to take the long way round. Repulsed at that corner and the following Turn 1, Rosberg tried the same move on the last lap. He appeared to have made it through using DRS when he lost the rear of his tires (Low aero downforce+tail wind+low braking grip in off line tire shards): it was all Rosberg could handle. His Mercedes spun dramatically onto the runoff area at the final corner.

Verstappen goes from hero to zero to hero again….and after Mercedes’ Toto Wolff had said that Verstappen wasn’t “mature.”

The Driver of the Day

Toro Rosso’s Carlos Sainz moved decisively from 20th to finish 9th.