After back to back wins in Austin and Mexico, Max Verstappen and his Red Bull team entered Brazil with the constantly changing momentum on their side. Along with the victories, Sergio Perez was able to make to make it two double podiums for the team, adding fuel to Red Bull’s fire.
However, as Verstappen said, momentum is this sport means very little. It can change in the space of a lap. That certainly happened in Brazil.
After the very eventful weekend of Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes, the victory on Sunday has without a doubt changed the beliefs within the team. With the straight line speed advantage that Hamilton possessed throughout the weekend, it became unstoppable for anyone to keep the number 44 car in their mirrors – despite the best attempts to do so by Verstappen.
With three rounds remaining, with all being in the middle east, Hamilton trails Verstappen by just 14 points. And, just to add more randomness to this 2021 Formula 1 season, two of the final three rounds are complete unknowns as Qatar and Saudi Arabia are set to make their F1 debuts. Although, Saudi Arabia looks like it could be messy. That track might not be completely ready to host Formula 1, which is bad. And embarrassing.
Abu Dhabi has also made things interesting. Normally a dull fest, the layout of the circuit has changed somewhat since it’s recent event in an attempt to make racing more viable for the drivers – throwing an extra spanner in the works.
Qatar is the one that is quickly approaching, as it completes this tough triple header. A track that is very familiar for the viewers of MotoGP. In some ways, the circuit shares a lot of characteristics with Bahrain. If you remember the opening round in Bahrain, it was rather close and entertaining between the two title antagonists.
This time mind you, there are a few differences. Not only does the results mean so much more at this time in the season, Hamilton and Mercedes have struck a fear in Red Bull with their straight line speed advantage.
But can Mercedes keep this speed up in the sweltering heat of Qatar?
Although the reasons for Hamilton’s advantage is rather unknown for people outside of the loop, whether it is the new ICE component being pushed to its limits or a rear wing that has caught the eye of a sceptical Red Bull, the conditions in recent weeks have somewhat allowed this sort of situation. Being at tracks that have a higher altitude, meaning thinner air, allows the engines to be able to be pushed further.
Although not Mexico City levels, Interlagos still finds itself with a higher altitude then the majority, enabling Mercedes try run their fresher power unit to the maximum whilst running downforce levels that could compete with Monaco. Something Red Bull and Verstappen could not do.
The Red Bull man should take some comfort in knowing how long it took Hamilton make his way past.
Qatar could be a tipping point. Arguably, it is going to be the race that Verstappen wants to win the most, considering the advantage it could give the Dutchman in the championship. But, could Red Bull swing back in front?
The Milton Keynes outfit are expecting to be trailing in the first sector specifically, plainly due to the length of the main straight. But, turn three onwards is all medium speed corners with a hint of some high speed corners. Verstappen will need to take full advantage from turn three to turn 16. Even if he cannot maintain the speed of Hamilton in his Mercedes, overtaking will be difficult with turn one being the only real chance a driver will have.
The power however could become a problem for Mercedes themselves. With the fragile state of their components, along with going for the strategy for full power over longevity, the heat of Qatar could cause problems. The air is a lot thicker, and sandier, then recent rounds. The engines will not be able to run at the stress that they were at in Brazil, potentially bringing Red Bull back into it.
Especially if Verstappen finds himself in front of Hamilton. Sure, the gap will close along the straight, but that would quickly be met with overheating issues for the car and the Pirelli rubber.
It would be no surprise to see the two split by milliseconds again, such is the trend of 2021.
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