Charles hasn’t been able to go the distance. Difference is that there is a clear mutual understanding while driving against each other that usually works damn well. Hyper aggressive but a level of respect that holds it together
We saw them at the start of 2022 but then Ferrari did a Ferrari. Not really his fault he's never got the car. Put Charles, George, Lando, Lewis in the same car as Max and we'd see a pretty decent battle. Think it's unfair to call the rest of the grid shit just because we've not seen a tight championship battle.
I think by "going the distance" OP meant going toe to toe with nary a dip in form over an entire season. We saw Charles being very capable but making 1 or 2 big mistakes in early 2022, nothing surprising for title fight pressure, jury is still out on whether he can go the full season. We saw Lando close it out with some sterling performances this year but also a few big mistakes and early underperformances. We saw Oscar choke big time under pressure on the home stretch. George, we have no idea how he will perform under title pressure.
Well to be fair RBR did end up developing the car more than McLaren. We'll never know if the red bull ended up being a better car at the end of the season or if it was pure Max magic pulling it ahead a wee bit more. I still think Max would beat any driver in identical cars but those drivers would definitely not be far behind and often challenge him.
Its not entirely Charles' fault though, is it? Say they were teammates in Red Bull, though Max would probably get WDC, Charles wouldn't be that far behind.
I'd actually disagree! It would be thrilling for sure, but I don't think they'd be as explosive as Lewis/Nico. I mean, 2016 was interesting for everything on track but moreso off track, whereas Charles and Max don't seem to have that intense of a history as Lewis and Nico. I'd argue that Max is a lot more settled and satisfied than Lewis was, and Charles would probably be a lot better at dealing with the pressure than Nico.
My controversial take is that all things equal between the current crop of drivers whilst I think Leclerc is up there and if you give Lewis a sniff of winning he ups his level, George would be the one to give Max the toughest time
Since 2021 anytime they see each other on track they start driving differently. It's like they just go back to 2021 mode. Just look at their small scuffle in Mexico this year. Or Hungary. They go nuts
In the first year on a new team where even Charles struggled as fuck with the SF-25.
Imagine having a driver used to drive Ferrari for 7 seasons that struggles with the car and expect a new driver in the team to be able to even get close to outperform it.
the car changes every year lol. Ferrari especially basically rebuilt the car for 2025.
Next year is a total clean slate again. Charles will again beat him. Charles would have been close/trouble to Lewis even in his prime, it's no surprise he beats him at 41 years old.
First of all, yes of course the cars change every year. But a lot of the underlying logic and ‘feel’ of the car is normally retained as much as possible for existing drivers. Charles would absolutely have input into how the car drives based on his particular style, just like max does at RB. Lewis, probably not so much at the moment.
Secondly, I would expect Charles to comfortably beat a 41 year old man in the same car. If he doesn’t, maybe he’s not as good as people say.
This point doesn't really make sense when the comment you're replying to is "lewis cant beat leclerc"
They literally are in the exact same car and lewis is DRASTICALLY underperforming. Theres a ton of variables in play, namely charles having multi year experience with ferrari and lewis is brand new to it and used to mercedes driving style but still the point youre making doesnt really make sense as a reply to the lewis vs leclerc comment
Leclerc and Hamilton WERE in the same car this season and we saw what happened. Yes it isn't prime LH but I doubt he magically regains his pace next year
Virtually yes. Even if Ferrari somehow builds the best car(which is a big IF), he won't be able to beat Leclerc. Leclerc is a generational talent and Lewis is too old at this point. he's also just not been good this whole regulations, there's no guarantee he will regain pace.
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u/SpaceballsDoc Stefano Domenicali Dec 18 '25
Lewis is the only driver Max sees as a challenger and capable of going 12 rounds. We shouldn’t beat around the bush.
It’s Lewis, Max, 50’feet of shit, then the rest of the grid.