By Joe Murphy
With an actual race to predict this week, Wheel2Wheel considers how events may unfold this weekend as Formula 1 heads to the Netherlands for the first time since 1985. The steep banks at Zandvoort should give us fans an interesting spectacle, with plenty of excitement and drama. Furthermore, with the home faithful expected to be ferociously backing hometown hero Max Verstappen whilst dressed as orange as possible, it sets up an intriguing encounter and I for one cannot wait to see it. Let’s take a look at what could happen…
Fans to push Lewis to victory with boos…
In what should be a buzzing atmosphere, you can expect Lewis Hamilton to receive beyond his fair share of jeers over the course of this weekend. Despite Max publically stating he doesn’t want this to be the case, it is hard to see beyond the Dutch faithful doing their best to distract the seven time world champion to benefit the hometown title hero. However, Lewis has proven over many years that he works best in these type of scenarios. Whether it be in Monza v Ferrari or against Massa in Brazil, Hamilton has usually come up trumps. Moreover, Max will surely feel the pressure to perform at his long awaited homecoming, especially having had this race cancelled last year. The experience in a title fight is key at times like this and it should prove pivotal here. You can expect the Brit to be the one on the top step when it matters, and for Lewis to subsequently extend his lead at the top of the Drivers’ standings. Max, may be in an unfamiliar position for this season, back down in third. Who will finish in second, I hear you ask?
Valtteri with a point to prove will be ruthless…
Well that should be Valtteri Bottas. A man who’s isn’t in form but with arguably not much to lose. He may even be out of a 2022 F1 seat by lights out, as is the way in this motorsport. With George Russell heavily expected to be named in the Silver Arrows 2022 line up alongside Hamilton, in place of the Finn, it isn’t beyond the realm of possibility that Valtteri has already been informed of his impending departure. What the future holds for the nine time race winner, who knows? But in the short term, a mini resurrgance of sorts could be just what is needed to boost the confidence of the Finn and maybe force other teams to give him some options to remain in the sport beyond December. Besides, he often performs best when discounted and deemed out of contention.
Ferrari to edge McLaren…
An attempt to think outside the box may prove costly here, but Ferrari definitely have what it takes to outpace McLaren at this track. The fact that Lando Norris was arguably the quickest car at Spa prior to his crash and with Daniel Ricciardo seeming to be rediscovering some sort of form, it only emphasises that this task won’t be easy for the Italian outfit, in their pursuit of P3 in the constructors championship. Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz do have what it takes to trouble the orange liveries, especially at a track that is new to all the drivers. Even if McLaren do out-qualify the Scuderia, you can be assured the Ferrari’s will get the better over them over the course of the race distance. These four extremely talented drivers make for a really interesting upper midfield battle that could conceivably go either way. Your money would be best bet on Ferrari this weekend. However McLaren, for their new found consistency, surely have to be favourites to win the longer term war.
Kimi to have anticlimactic race but still end up Driver of the Day…
It seems impossible that Kimi Raikkonen doesn’t win a somewhat hijacked ‘Driver of the Day’ vote, regardless of what happens on the track. The Alfa Romeo, as the Iceman has stated numerous times over team radio in recent races, is short on general pace around the track. Finishing anywhere near the points positions would be considered a huge success for the team formerly known as Sauber, and that is just a summary of where the team are in comparison to others. It just doesn’t seem plausible that the car will be able to finish above Alpine, Alpha Tauri and Aston Martin, not to speak of the runaway top four constructors. The way the last two races have panned out, it seems the more likely battle is with Williams for 8th in the constructors championship standings, and is very much on after osn impressive performances and points finishes by Latifi and Russell. In this race specifically, it is possible Kimi doesn’t feel as much pressure and that elevates him up the grid after what is sure to be a difficult qualifying session. Wheel2Wheel estimates an approximate 14th place finish come race day for Raikkonen, but fans will still vote in their drones for their departing hero.
Alpha to fly, Alfa to crawl…
Whereas Alfa Romeo are set to struggle in the Netherlands, the other Alpha could spring something of a surprise. With Estaban Ocon and the affotmentioned Russell deservedly getting huge plaudits with their recent, respective race win and podium, the consistent performances of Pierre Gasly have somewhat gone under the radar. The Frenchman has struggled in the past for consistency but this term seems to have bared witness to a new found confidence. And whereas teammate Yuki Tsunoda has comparably struggled at recent tracks, even he has shown glimpses of why he was signed to Formula 1 for this season. With the car at a similar level to Sebastian Vettel and Lance Stroll in the Aston Martin, you can bank on an Alpha Tauri double points finish, just edging their midfield rivals. This is of course dependant on a stellar qualifying from the pair, but should that happen, the Italian team could be in for a nice haul of points this weekend.
WHEEL2WHEEL REPORTS 