Former Formula 1 driver Ralf Schumacher enjoyed the “great cinema” provided by Scuderia Ferrari Monegasque driver Charles Leclerc and Red Bull’s Max Verstappen in what he described as a Saudi Arabian Grand Prix “duel of equals”. The two were involved in another great fight for P1 on a second consecutive Sunday, only this time the duel lasted until the final corner and the Dutchman in Jeddah it went right the way to the chequered flag with the Red Bull coming out on top by just a few tenths.
In the first round of the 2022 Formula One season, which took place seven days earlier at the Bahrain International circuit, it had been Charles Leclerc’s turn to celebrate on the top spot of the podium as Max Verstappen was denied did not score any points having to retire his RB18 with a fuel pump issue.
Given the fact that Red Bull and Ferrari are looking evenly matched in this first parte of the new campaign, Ralf Schumacher, who did not remain in Saudi Arabia after the incident on Friday afternoon, when a missile attack took place on a nearby oil facility, expects to see more duels between the Monegasque and Dutch drivers. The former Formula 1 driver turned German TV pundit confirmed that the Jeddah action had made for terrific viewing.
“That was great cinema from both of them.” – Ralf Schumacher said, as reported by Speedweek – “It was awesome – driving art at the highest level. These two drivers will give us a lot of pleasure this season. I could well imagine we will see the duel here that will ultimately decide the World Championship. It was really a treat to see how Leclerc was able to counter the attacks from Max, and how Verstappen then understood he had to tackle the opponent differently on the day if he wanted to stay in front. He tried a couple of times to pass Charles before the last corner, but that always allowed Charles Leclerc to counter. Then Max changed tactics. He made sure he got very close to Leclerc but didn’t pass him immediately. The decisive attack then came on the start-finish straight, and in the end Leclerc couldn’t hold anything against it.” – the 46-year-old former Williams, Jordan and Toyota driver added.
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Ralf Schumacher thinks the duel so far are showing Formula 1’s new rules for the 2022 season have been a success, with a driver able to fight back once he has been passed: “What you also have to say is with these new cars, other duels are possible,” added the six-time grand prix winner. The chaser can stay on and think calmly about what he wants to do to his opponent. In the past, the attacker would have had to drop back because otherwise the tyres would break or the car would get too hot. The new Pirelli tyres are less sensitive and the cars are aerodynamically better suited for attacking. That’s where the drivers can counter-attack – we didn’t have that in the last few years. It was a duel of equals and both know exactly what tricks they have to pull on the other.”
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