A disappointing day for the Racing Bulls team at the Mexico City Grand Prix left both Liam Lawson and Isack Hadjar reflecting on what could have been. A tale of two retirements - that's how this race could be summarized.
Lawson's race was over before it began, literally. A collision with Carlos Sainz at the first corner led to irreparable car damage, forcing him to retire after just a few laps. It's a shame, as Lawson had a promising start and the speed to match, but sometimes these things happen in the heat of the moment.
Hadjar, on the other hand, had a different set of challenges. Starting on medium tires, he employed a unique strategy, but it wasn't enough to secure points. With used soft tires, he couldn't keep up with the competition, especially those with fresh compounds. It's a tough lesson in strategy and tire management.
But here's where it gets controversial... The stewards decided not to investigate the Sainz-Lawson collision, even though the onboard footage seemed to show a clear collision. It leaves us wondering: was it a racing incident or a missed opportunity for a penalty? And this is the part most people miss: the impact of tire strategy. Hadjar's choice to start on mediums might have been a bold move, but it ultimately left him vulnerable to faster cars with fresh tires.
Despite the setbacks, both drivers and the team are looking ahead. They've got their eyes on the next four races, hoping to turn their fortunes around. Racing Bulls currently hold a slim three-point lead over Aston Martin, but with Haas hot on their trail, they need to step up their game.
Team Principal Alan Permane summed it up perfectly: "We're not giving up. We'll be working hard to ensure we're ready for the Sprint weekend in Brazil."
So, what do you think? Was the stewards' decision fair? And could Hadjar's tire strategy have been the team's undoing? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!
