Lewis V George? Alonso v Ocon? Gasly v Tsunoda? – Joe Man’s Teammate battle diary – Part 2
We are four races down in this years packed calendar. It’s time to take a look at how the team mates are fairing against each other. Turns out, there are a few surprises!
Red Bull
Drivers Standings
Verstappen 2nd- Perez 3rd
Its been really impressive to see Sergio Perez and his improvement this year. He sits only 5 points behind his world champion teammate Max Verstappen. This doesn’t tell the true story as Max has had one more DNF however the Mexican is driving brilliantly. When Helmut Marko and Christian Horner made the call to bring Sergio in, they wanted a driver to consistently be up there with max. Imola was their dream scenario. The first Red Bull one/two since Malaysia 2016. It brings the question is Perez allowed to challenge Max for the title? I feel probably not for two reasons. One, Red Bull have built their team around the Dutchman and he is the undoubted number 1. Second, Sergio is not yet quite quick enough. However he is not far behind at all. It has to be a matter of time until he wins this year and if bad luck follows Max and the Red Bull continues to be super fast, he could still yet be champion. All in all as team mate battles go, this is going beautifully for Red Bull. The respect and friendship between the drivers is first class and and continues to grow.
Mercedes
Drivers Standings
Russell 4th – Lewis Hamilton 7th
Although some may see this as a surprise, Wheel2Wheel predicted before the season started that if the Mercedes wasn’t competitive Russell would be on top. George has had an outstanding start to the season. Somehow in every race he has dragged his car to a position it probably shouldn’t have been. In many ways Lewis Hamilton’s season has been more representative of the teams troubles. Putting it simply, the car is a mess. Lewis cant seem to drive it at all. It must be hurting him seeing his young teammate out in the distance. He will need to turn this around soon! However, with a massive long straight coming up in Miami, that Mercedes could be airborne from the bouncing!
Ferrari
Drivers Standings
Leclrec 1st – Sainz 5th
As the season started we all felt this could be a mouth watering battle between the two popular young drivers. Yet four races in and it couldn’t be more different. Charles is flying! He has a big lead in the championship and is all over his team mate. If he hadn’t have made his somewhat silly mistake in Imola his lead would be even bigger!. For Carlos its falling apart! Two consecutive races ending in first lap gravel must have dented his confidence. Crashes in qualifying and a lot of bad luck are getting to the Spaniard. The cause is quite simple. Watching his teammate covered in glory has got Carlos over driving in his effort to keep up. He needs a reset and he needs it now! Red Bull’s reliability issues won’t last and at the very least he needs to be in the fight to help Charles Leclerc win the championship.
Alpine
Drivers Standings
Ocon 9th – Alonso 15th
The great battle between these two in Jeddah seems like a long while ago now!!
Two very poor results for the team have followed and we have been robbed of anymore action.
Bad luck has dogged Fernando with everything going wrong. Ocon picked up seventh in Australia but was never really on the race pace in Imola. The sad part for the team and Alonso is that he has been flying. His qualifying pace was stunning in Melbourne before mechanical failure robbed him again! Battle will no doubt recommence if they can have a trouble free weekend!
McLaren
Drivers Standings
Lando Norris 6th – Daniel Riccardo 11th
Sadly, its more heartache for Daniel! Its a new year with the same result. Lando is dominating! Australia was much better for Riccardo as the finished almost side by side in fifth and sixth. Norris however did have car issues so we will never know his true pace. Imola was another disaster for Daniel after causing a first lap accident with Carlos Sainz. The team and right behind Lando and he is driving brilliantly. The McLaren is now starting to look much better and Riccardo needs to make a statement soon. He loves the States so maybe, Miami will finally be his time to shine.
Alfa Romeo
Drivers Standings
Vallteri Bottas 8th – Zhou Guanyu 16th
This battle, much like 2021, continues to be a no contest. Valtteri is having a fine season so far and with slightly better luck would be higher in the standings. Zhou is still finding his feet but is still well off his experienced teammates pace. He is however driving well and bringing his car home quietly. 11th in Melbourne was a great result for the rookie and he will only get quicker.
Williams
Drivers Standings – Alex Albon 17th – Nicholas Latifi 20th
Another of the one sided battles! Alex is proving he deserves his seat in this sport. His teammate is proving otherwise. Its been a horrible four races for Latifi and he is being smashed by his new teammate. Williams will be happy if the Canadian can at least not smash anymore parts.
Albon’s point for the team in Melbourne could prove priceless. If they have any chance of not finishing last in the constructors Latifi needs to lift his game!
Alpha Tauri
Drivers Standings
Pierre Gasly 13th – Yuki Tsunoda 12th
Of all the team mate battles no one would have predicted this one. Yuki is ahead! Pierre has had one DNF however just doesn’t seem to have any pace. He is consistently on the edge of the points but seems like this years invisible man! For Tsunoda its been very up and down. One DNS didn’t help but he has had a couple of strong points finishes. Interesting battle this one as it just seems the Alphatauri isn’t firing at the moment. For Gasly especially. He will bounce back soon!
Haas
Drivers Standings
Magnussen 10th – Mick Schumacher 19th
This isn’t a contest at all!! Magnussen is back in F1 and with a bang!! He is driving great and is showing amazing qualifying pace! Races have been a bit more difficult but there is much more to come from the flying Dane. Sadly Mick Schumacher isn’t offering much at this stage except incidents for the team. Its a very important year for Mick as he attempts to prove he has what it takes at this level. He was too good winning the F2 world title to think not. Yet he is so far off the pace of his teammate who didn’t even train for this year! Mick will be getting all the help he needs to turn this around and get up their fighting with Kevin.
Aston Martin
Drivers Standings
Sebastian Vettel 14th – Lance Stroll 18th
This one’s a bit hard to judge at the moment. Imola finally brought points for the struggling Aston Martin team and for both drivers. Lance Stroll has had 4 races compared to Seb however so you would have Vettel just ahead. Aston Martin clearly don’t understand their car yet and this season already seems like a rescue mission. Both drivers will be trying to scrap for every last point. Then maybe we will see which of the two will get ahead.
WHEEL2WHEEL REPORTS 