Original Title: Should they still be on the grid?
I changed the title after qualifying at Sochi (2021)
There are 4 F1 world champions on the grid – Kimi, Fernando, Sebastian and Lewis. All great drawcards. I have seen all of their races. But all of them are facing an opponent that no elite athlete has ever beaten – Time. If Time was my only criteria, they would all be gone. However I looked at speed, racecraft, against teammate and mistakes.
Kimi – Well he has already made the decision and I do think it was time
Fernando – on those 4 criteria, he is still doing well enough and he has unfinished business in F1
Sebastian – does ok on first 2 criteria but not so on the last 2 criteria
Lewis – he still has it based of the first 3 criteria but I have noticed a few mistakes/unforced errors this year. Next year against George will be interesting
Now to the question in the new title rather than the original title.
Do we really need them – the 4 champions? The last few races and the grid for Sochi shows that the new generation of F1 drivers is here and are performing. So I am saying that we don’t need them.
In the short term, they are still here and I do want to see the Max/Lewis battle play out before the new generation of drivers take over.