witnessing this in real time was insane like you could do three hundred and forty seven cartwheels and land in a front split within the space max went off track. this was no longer the brasilian gp it was dirt racing in argentina. and the fia “LOSING THE TAPES” immediately afterwards too w no investigation necessary?? being gaslit into “letting them race” and only getting max’s onboard after witchhunting the fia online. #isurvivedinterlagos2021
In love with how Esteban is just like, yeah let's pretend we've always had a good relationship, put on smiles and leave it at that. Meanwhile Pierre is out here giving monologues about their fraught relationship and how they love and hate each other but have grown and now respect one another immensely and how they will die on the battlefield side by side if they have to but will not volunteer to donate kidney to one another and how Esteban wanted a dog when he was a kid but didn't buy one because Pierre was allergic or something and on and on it goes 💀
I don't usually do this, but I want to say two things:
1. The idea that Daniel's ouster from McLaren is some sort of karma for the way he "blindsided" Red Bull and Renault is misplaced. He was in the last year of a contract and kept everything behind the scenes. He didn't blindside Helmut Marko who was in charge of the RB contract and knew what Daniel was feeling. He called Christian Horner personally to let him know. He treated Renault with respect and care in his last year despite leaving the team. McLaren, however, have literally made Daniel's ouster ugly and public, creating a toxic situation that has not helped to improve his performance or the situation. The only reason people think Daniel blindsided other teams is because he kept it so private.
2. While Daniel has underperformed at McLaren, the way he has been ousted is disrespectful and nasty. Sure, McLaren should find a new driver if they feel that their lineup is lacking, no one is arguing that. However, the seat drama created by Zak signing every single driver and blowing up other contracts and drivers was unnecessary. This could have been done in a way that was a lot more respectful, quiet and collaborative, but we got this mess instead.
a lot of the other drivers really are protective of Daniel huh considering he’s one of the older ones. Like Max’s entire attitude towards Daniel, seb always looking out for him despite nearly being the same age, George sitting with him when he was alone- the umbrella- hand holding. Lewis pulling Daniel to talk after a bad race last season, everyone wanting him to do well even though he’s their rival. Pierre worrying about his little Monaco crash. All the team principals loving him bar rat brown. The way they hardly ever complain about him on team radio even if he does something wrong. The whole interaction between him and lance after the crash. His past two teams still loving him despite him leaving. Cyril in general. Jenson standing up for him, calling him sweetheart. Felipe. The other retired drivers who adore him. No one else on the grid is treated like that by the majority of the paddock. It’s interesting and adorable.
It’s a real tell of the kind of person Daniel is in real life. I could talk about it all day.