The cubs are chasing the lion. I wake up today and hear that Kimi is the “next Senna,” but that’s all there is to it. Is it just hot air?
For me, his most impressive maneuver was an outside pass in Miami last year, efficient and ruthless. But I haven’t seen any of that this year. In fact, it’s been quite the opposite; it has been more of a pony show than a racing show. Now, don’t get me wrong, brand endorsements are important, but so is gaining one or two positions without complaining that it is the fault of the Team Principal, the personal tech, or the guys changing the tires.
I’m not simply saying to “shut up and drive.” I’m saying to put up or shut up; it’s quite simple. This isn’t a league that wins through a following. If that is the case, I believe they are driving in the wrong section and should fill out a form on the Formula E side of things to really be heard.
Recently, in the Ferrari test with Pirelli, something crucial and undoubtedly important was being taken into consideration: driver feedback. I’ve yet to hear a single noteworthy complaint this year, barring the incident with Oliver Bearman; there really isn’t any. However, I’m not saying some didn’t have valid complaints; I’m saying not everyone is blowing hot air.
For instance, Max Verstappen has a problem with the deployment loads. Is it a matter of timing? A case of the battery not being powerful enough? You see, these are the things I believe engineers need to hear so they might translate that into how they can help.
I followed just as closely last year, and saying that the cars this year are unsafe is, quite frankly, the biggest joke of the year. I’ve bit my tongue, really, I have. Who remembers Lewis Hamilton saying, “I’ve got no brakes,” while approaching 200 mph? Not bad.
If I were to ask, “How does it ride?” would you be able to answer? What is the delay on the deployment? Could you honestly give me an answer worthy of someone using a machine as an extension of oneself? I’ll tell you something else astin Martin may not be scoring points on the board, but they sure are communicating well enough to properly adjust their machines. Senna was remembered for how well he became one with his car, not how good he looked in it.
