The first two races of the 2022 season have given us two exceptional duels between Ferrari and Red Bull. Each team has won one of them, but always with sportsmanship and respect.
At least for now, the rivalry between Ferrari and Red Bull is being much healthier than the Anglo-Austrian team has had with Mercedes in previous seasons.
Both teams disputed the two titles until the end in 2021, but before reaching that point their rivalry triggered accidents, public reproaches and complaints before the FIA.
With Ferrari, better
This year, with Mercedes having to settle for watching the duel for victory from a distance, Ferrari has taken over and intends to unseat Red Bull. But, for now, respect has prevailed and the two races held have allowed us to enjoy a very even fight on the trackbut also sporty.
We break down the Formula 1 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix on Twitch.
“I think it is better to fight with Leclerc and Ferrari than with Mercedes”, Helmult Marko said when asked about it. “Now it’s more on a sporting level. I know that we have only done two races, but I don’t think there will be discussions like with Mercedes.
“It’s a new rivalry. Mercedes is half a second slower now, but who knows, they may be able to work out their problems. We don’t sleep either. We are working hard to further develop the car,” says the Austrian Red Bull manager.
Top speed
One of the keys to Max Verstappen’s victory at Jeddah Corniche was the configuration chosen by Red Bull Racing for this circuit. And it is that during the free practices on Friday, the Anglo-Austrian team decided to bet on a low downforce rear wing to gain top speed.
That allowed Red Bull to be the fastest in the last two sectors of the circuit, compensating with a top speed 10 km/h higher the time lost in the initial sector, clearly Ferrari.
“This has been one of the best races I have seen in the last ten years. If Max sees an opportunity from him, he will look for it. On Friday we decided to use a smaller rear wing to get more top speed. The handicap has been that we have lost a few tenths in the first sector, but luckily it has fallen on our side»Marko recalled after Verstappen’s victory in which his top speed was crucial to overtaking Charles Leclerc in the final part of the race.
After two races, Charles Leclerc and Ferrari are comfortably leading both championships, but Max Verstappen and Red Bull Racing have shown more than enough potential to make up ground.
Source: By Telegraaf