FLOYD ON F1: Importance of a wingman

Hark back to the Hungarian Grand Prix where Alpine’s Esteban Ocon took his first F1 victory with team-mate Fernando Alonso in a solid fourth spot.

Remember how the Spaniard’s defensive drive held back the Mercedes of Lewis Hamilton for 10 laps, allowing Ocon to top the podium? Comments, mainly from patriotic Brits, insisted Alonso was blocking Hamilton.

Perhaps they do not recognise the ability to legally defend your position. If the Alpine driver had been “blocking”, we would have heard from the ever vigilant race stewards.

The concept of racing as a team is a vital factor in most disciplines of motor sport and in this day and age, very important in Formula One. We regularly hear instructions between the pit wall and drivers to change performance settings, when to pit for tyre changes, and often team strategies.

In recent years we have been party to many more direct instructions for the number two driver. This is not such an enviable seat for a young driver with burning ambition as it can mean riding shotgun for the team’s top dog.

An aspirant should be delighted to have achieved a seat in an F1 team, but it could well result in the driver’s main function being to protect the team’s chosen one. It is a vital role, allowing the number one to open a gap, while his team-mate holds off the hard charging opposition.

An example has to be Valtteri Bottas who has, on many occasions, protected and assisted Hamilton en route to victory, plus the heartbreaker for any driver, moving over to allow the Englishman to pass.

Sometimes the team-mate gets the opportunity to fight for a win after the pit wall decides it is the best course of action for the team. So a teammate is an essential in current F1 teams and is definitely of major significance in the chase for the constructors’ title.

On the eve of the second half of the season, this must particularly concern both Red Bull and Mercedes. The Milton Keynes-based team has shown improvement in the performance of the Honda power unit, and there is a positive attitude from Max Verstappen in his challenge for the championship.

Having lost the lead in both championships in the last two races, due to issues beyond the team’s control, the Dutchman desperately requires Sergio Perez to keep the opposition at bay and add to Red Bull’s points tally.

The same responsibility rests with Bottas, who will have to cover Hamilton’s position at all times as the Englishman chases another title. Both the Finn and the Mexican have experienced a difficult season so far including unfortunate collisions.

Ironically, Bottas’ Hungarian collision unintentionally proved advantageous for Mercedes, as the major opposition was effectively hogtied.

So this weekend’s resumption of the 2021 season at Spa Francorchamps could prove interesting. Let us hope both the wingmen can function correctly with no further close encounters of any kind.