Spa is upon us, and it seems like the track is literally in a spa. Will the race still go on? Or will it be cancelled for safety reasons? As much as I would like to have a race weekend before the summer break, I also empathize with the drivers. Nobody wants to relive the recent tragic deaths of drivers (2018) on this circuit. Historically there have been 49 fatalities here, and while some say the drivers are paid aplenty to race with such risk, there is no price tag on any person’s life regardless of their “job.” Any risk margin in this sport needs to be measured and managed, and I hope the FIA will judge carefully this weekend. I am ok skipping a weekend if it means we see everyone again after the break.
With that said, there will be a few people that we won’t be seeing after the summer break. Alpine has oddly fired Otmar and Permane before the summer break. I am sure Otmar got compensated to say it was a mutual agreement, but this is just another sign that maybe all has not been well at Alpine even before this season started (i.e. Oscar bailing out in a dramatic fashion!)
But let’s take a look at their season so far!
As the data shows, they have had a bumpy ride right from the start of the season, and I don’t think it’s their drivers' fault either. Ocon and Gasley have shown a lot of steady hands through all the behind-the-scene issues, and I think they deserve a more stable team atmosphere to help their driving; No one wants to work in an uncertain environment (i.e. ex-CEO being not fully supportive.)
But the question is, IF this management shake-up is meant to improve their performance, how long before we see improvement in Ocon and Gasly? (The poll at the end of this post)
In the meantime, I decided to play with the forecast function in Excel and take it or leave it, here’s what Mr.Excel predicts for poor Ocon and Gasley in the next three races (in orange).
Meme of the Grid:
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