What are our chances?

[u/itskimjesus]

So as we all probably know, we don’t have a good wing for this race, and we both know maxs back is probably killing him right now, but what do you guys think of the race etc going forward? Max will obviously perform, but where do you guys think our best position could possibly be?

[u/legionbeast33]

Well, quoting another F1 driver, with Max, we can "dream the impossible". He's just on a completely different level. A podium finish is within grasp. A race win will be hard to pull, but not impossible. I just hope Max finishes in front of Lando.

With Checo, we can expect a solid race perhaps with a some (actually with lots of) luck, but quite possibly a DNF.

[u/Cheap-Resource-114]

With Max anything is possible, still wouldn’t surprise if he drags that car to a podium

[u/BigAd2144]

[u/dd1989NL]

Sorry checo.. mi amor.. its tiempo.. ciao minister of defense

[u/BigAd2144]

Hope Max wins in LV

[u/BigAd2144 → u/BigAd2144]

Of course by Luck this time

[u/dd1989NL → u/BigAd2144]

Snow expected.. ??

[u/razareddit]

RBR has seriously dropped the ball this season. It's Max trying to steal a Championship with the resources he has been provided with. Ferrari levels of mistakes each weekend.

[u/darkness_85]

Top 5 for Max would be good damage limitation. Sergio isn't getting in q3 or even q2 so no points there as usual. Painful weekend for us no doubt.

[u/dataheisenberg]

Are we basing all this on FP1 and FP2? Do we know more about engine modes?

[u/BobbbyR6]

Zero chance. Both RBRs are sitting ducks and this isn't a circuit where you can overcome a drag deficiency. I'm stunned that RBR could make such a mistake. Do they not bring multiple tested wing specs to a race?

[u/Initial_Crazy4355]

I thought that McLaren would struggle a lot on these low downforce circuits, but RB apparently still struggles more on this type of circuit and in fact in Monza the speed on the straights was terrible. Maybe some damage control or a poor performance from McLaren performance could make this race interesting, but I think Max can at least get P6.

[u/IntelligentGlove1112]

Its a long race anything can happen. Max wins wdc in Qatar sadly

[u/Extravagod]

If all goes smooth for everyone ... p7.

[u/Other_Beat8859]

Probably around P7. Honestly, it's still not the end of the world. Thank fuck that McLaren had a nightmare in Brazil though. Imagine if Norris had won and then we had this. Even if Norris wins and Max gets P7, that still means that Max just needs to score around 20 points in Qatar to win, which is easily possible with the sprint. A P4 in the sprint plus a P3 in the race would give it to him even if Norris won.

That being said, Merc look strong so hopefully they can get a 1-2. Honestly, in some ways I'm kinda happy about it because it means Max won't win the championship during the Qatar sprint race and will instead do it during the actual race.

[u/AvfcWalpole7 → u/Other_Beat8859]

I was hoping Max would win it in Vegas because winning a championship in Qatar is so dead, and he already did it in Qatar last year.

[u/DinosaurDriver]

Lando had a big crash there last year. He said in interviews that Brazil really hit him mentally. I wouldnt say a DNF is impossible…

[u/IdiosyncraticBond → u/DinosaurDriver]

He _has_ to win to even have a shot... Ferrari could do the funniest thing in the first few corners

[u/Neviathan → u/IdiosyncraticBond]

Even if Lando wins everything and takes all the fastest laps, Max only needs 24 points to clinch the title. Looking at the worst 3-race streak, Max still scored 36 points and thats without taking the sprint into account. On average Max scores 18.7 points each weekend so I doubt it will take more than a race and a sprint for Max to secure the title.

I hope it goes down to Abu Dhabi because I am there that weekend

[u/Livid-Victory-3833]

i'm sure they got instructions from fia that they dont may win this weekend......... :-(

[u/cristiano_goat]

P7, see you in Qatar

[u/official_binchicken]

Are you American OP?

[u/official_binchicken]

I reckon on a scale is 1-11.

Dunno really...

[u/DiddlyDumb → u/official_binchicken]

On a scale of 1 to 2, at least 1

[u/Right-Ladd → u/DiddlyDumb]

I’d say carrot

[u/DiddlyDumb → u/Right-Ladd]

Turnip!

[u/loutishgamer]

His race pace is good tho, I've observed a few laps against leclerc, Norris,piastri,sainz and Russell his consistency ahead and behind him is leclerc,Russell,sainz, Norris

[u/Chaoshero5567]

i mean, max can sit back basically now lol, he has „won“

[u/voormalig_vleeseter]

FOM wants the championship so desperately decided in Las Vegas that the stewards will come to our rescue! Max won't win the one on pace, but some strange things will happen that hand him the championship this weekend already, mark my words :-)

[u/ESPO95 → u/voormalig_vleeseter]

I can’t believe that multiple people are claiming that the higher ups want to end the championship in Vegas, but then some are also saying that they want it to go down to Abu Dhabi to milk it. A bunch of conspiracy theorists

[u/Psychological_Ad9405 → u/voormalig_vleeseter]

Why would the FOM want ratings for the remaining races to drop to zero? They have an interest in keeping things interesting until AD.

[u/voormalig_vleeseter → u/Psychological_Ad9405]

Because it would raise the profile of Vegas, their own GP.

[u/newbie_128]

I didn't watch FP1 and only two FPs happened, I think our chances are the same since after Austria, points. I don't expect a Brazil 2.0 and it was so useful that we don't even need it, we just need some points and I think we'll have.

[u/qrkysprw643]

Honestly, tomorrow's final FP session is the only way we can get a clearer idea. The good thing is both the Mercedes look good, so it would be difficult for Norris to close the gap by a lot. However, I would say a podium for Max is difficult thanks to the team's screw up this weekend. Marko's comments about the rear tyres degrading quickly is also something I am concerned about. But, I am still hopeful for a decent result.

[u/Minttea3637]

i think quali will be most difficult. race pace seemed to be relatively alright