One 'did not finish' can decide this year's F1 title
Oct.7 - The intense and close 2021 title fight could be decided by the next "breakdown", according to former Red Bull driver Christian Klien.
Mercedes, and Max Verstappen's title rival Lewis Hamilton, were stunned at Sochi when the Red Bull driver managed to sear through the field after taking multiple grid penalties to finish second.
Toto Wolff admits a similar engine change for Hamilton in the next race or two is a "possibility".
"When and how is not yet decided but the most important thing is that you don't DNF," said the Mercedes boss.
The Austrian added: "You can cope with swings - whether you finish second, third, I think that's ok. But if you don't finish..."
Former Red Bull driver Klien agrees that both Verstappen and Hamilton, who are separated by a mere 2 points, "absolutely cannot afford any more breakdowns" in the remaining races.
"Verstappen has the great advantage that he already has his engine change behind him," the Austrian told Servus TV. "That will be a big task for Hamilton."
Klien expects Red Bull and Verstappen to shine in Turkey this weekend.
"It's a fast and flowing track with lots of corners, and Verstappen also has his new power unit," he said.
"Still, I think it's mainly the shape they're in on the day that will make the difference."
And it is for that reason, the 38-year-old said, that the 2021 head-to-head is so intense.
"The teams are competing so hard both on and off the track, but it's a situation that is great for the sport - that's for sure," said Klien.
Verstappen, he thinks, is not even bothered by his on-track clashes and crashes with Hamilton.
"That's not a problem for Verstappen," he smiled. "He lets all that slide off him.
"But that's normal. In other racing categories, you see these aggressive duels constantly and nobody ever says anything about it."
✅ Check out more posts with related topics:
Not only that there's covid, has MV actually had it yet? And does anyone know if it's the teams that do the testing or is it the FIA?
He hasn't, & AFAIA, everyone including teams & FIA, do testing.
i reckon shamilton has started transition into a woman.will probably finish that up soon.did you see the get up in the drivers press conference.was that a scirt or a kilt or dress she was wearing,he s a pity
I reckon u could be right mad . definitely something not right in the camp.no pun intended ha ha .how are mercedes putting up with her
Interesting , just watched the press conference and Hamiltons breathing looked very laboured, all through it you could see his chest rising and falling as he banged on about things, just looked very odd that's all
As to what he was wearing , i think we had a rug with that pattern on it a few years ago, everything comes back in fashion it seems, even crappy rugs lol
Max should be way in front , he has had 3 dnf's , Silverstone Hamilton put him out of the race, then Bottas indirectly put him out.
Max deserves to win it. If Hamilton gets it , it would be unfair. Life is unfair but Max deserves it , he has driven brilliantly with a car that can finally match the Mercedes
✅ Checkout the latest 50 F1 Fans comments.